HBO executives didn't believe we deserved another season of "Lucky Louie." Apparently we didn't like it. Does that mean I liked "Arli$$"? Or "Dream On," starring the late Brian Benben? Man, I hated those shows more than stingrays hated Steve Irwin. "Lucky Louie" was the best sitcom that's been on US TV in . . . ever? Actor/ writer/ director/ producer/ comedian Louis CK is a genius, straight up. He gave the world "Pootie Tang." His stand-up sets are as surreal as self-loathing can get. Louis somehow managed to wrestle his stand-up into a horribly, hilariously real show with a small, powerful cast of amazing actors (Jerry Minor! Pamela Adlon! Rick Shapiro! TODD BARRY!!). And it really was a sitcom - traditional, even. Episodes were taped live in front of a studio audience, showcasing the cast's razor-sharp timing. Its subject matters were traditional, too, but didn't ignore the reality of trusty comedy premises like marriage, kids, jobs, and masturbating in the closet. My brain begins cracking in half when I try to figure out why people didn't like this show. Too good? It was largely panned by critics and it frightened the doilies off the ladies of "The View" (if that alone isn't golden proof of its originality . . . ). Isn't this pretty much how people reacted to "All in the Family" decades ago? Should we be grateful "Lucky Louie" was cancelled before it ever had a chance to become "Archie Bunker's Place"? No, fuck that, HBO really shoulda made a whole lot more of these.

(Click the remote control to continue.)