Louis C.K. surprises fans with ‘Horace and Pete’

Steve Buscemi co-stars in the show, which Louis C.K. released this morning with just a few words of introduction: “Go here to watch it. We hope you like it“. The comedian’s website LouisCK.net now features a link where fans can pay five dollars to download the first episode of a new show called Horace and Pete. After completing season five of his Emmy-winning HBO series ‘Louie, ‘ C.K. announced he would take an extended hiatus from the show, lasting anywhere from six months to two years. But that’s just because he apparently has been working on a secret new project, Horace & Pete, which he surprise-released today. But if you have the time – and the $5 – by all means, check out Horace and Pete. Alan Alda (M*A*S*H), Edie Falco (Nurse JAckie), Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) Jessica Lange (American Horror Story) and others also show up during the installment, which skews dramatic.

As if a pairing of the great Buscemi with Louis C.K. isn’t enticing enough, the show’s theme song was written by Paul Simon.

The series – at least it’s assumed to be a series, since there are at least three more blank spots for additional episodes on the website – is a melancholy family drama set in a bar, a change of pace from his understated and offbeat FX sitcom, “Louie“.

Louis C.K. has done it again. It also must have been filmed in the last week or so, since the characters touch on topical hot button issues, including Donald Trump’s candidacy and Super Bowl quarterbacks.