Louis C.K. Takes Hiatus from 'Louie' Until 2014

Louis C.K., the mastermind behind the tragic comedy “Louie,” will be taking an extended hiatus from the acclaimed FX series. The New York Times reports that Louis’ hibernation will last until the spring of 2014.

The final episode of the third season of “Louie” aired on Sept. 27, and reports came out Tuesday that the show wouldn’t be coming back for well over a year. The decision was made by C.K. himself, according to Variety, because the comedian wants more space between seasons to make the show as good as it can be.

"The last three seasons have been this surge of fun and work and stories. It's been great to share all this stuff, but I want to keep going. I want the show to keep getting better," C.K. said in a conference call with reporters, according to the Times. "That's my goal. I don't want it to be making the doughnuts. I want it to keep being something that comes from somewhere fun and important, and I want it to stay funny."

Louis is responsible for starring in “Louie,” as well as writing, editing and producing the dark comedy, and the time off will serve to keep the show fresh. After winning the Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Emmy this year, C.K. has earned himself an extended vacation.

Newsday goes so far as to say that the show is possibly the best comedy on TV, and that it should have bested “Modern Family” in the Outstanding Comedy Series category at this year’s Emmys. The ABC family sitcom also won Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for Steven Levitan’s episode “Baby on Board,” Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Eric Stonestreet's portrayal of Cam in “Treehouse,” and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Julie Bowen’s role as Claire in "Go Bullfrogs!," according to the Emmys website.

Regardless of what the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences thinks of “Louie,” the creator has high hopes for his work. Variety reports that Louis has said that he thinks in trilogies and would like to make “Louie” set of three trilogies, adding up to nine seasons.

“The goal of FX, in terms of its relationship to Louie [sic] and his creative process, has always been to say yes and to give him whatever space he needs to create, as best he can,” said John Landgraf, the president and general manager of FX, reports the Times. The president and GM also stated that creating the show was “an incredibly joyful process from my standpoint,” but “maybe less joyful for Louie [sic], because I have so little to do, because he does everything himself.”

The Times notes that the third season of the show had prolonged story arcs that C.K. has expressed interest in experimenting with more in the future.

“Who knows?” he said. “Maybe there’ll be a six-episode story, or maybe there won’t be. I still have to noodle it all out, but there is potential for that.”