The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, April 3, 2015 18 By Cassie Dresch TV Media D o you like to laugh? I know I like to laugh. I could be in the worst mood ever, but if I see some- thing funny, there's no way I'm not laughing. FX brings viewers two comedy series this week — a brand-new show and a tried-and-true program — with the goal of keeping people in stitches. It's time to dial up the laughs when "The Comedians" and "Lou- ie" air their series premiere and season 5 premiere, re- spectively, Thursday, April 9, on FX. It's been a long time com- ing (30 years, to be exact), but Billy Crystal is back on TV. In his first regular role in a TV series since "Saturday Night Live" in 1985, Crystal stars as a dramatized ver- sion of himself in the new FX laugher "The Comedians," which follows a veteran su- perstar comedian who is re- luctantly paired up with a younger, edgier up-and- coming comic named Josh Gad. If that name sounds fa- miliar, you're not going bon- kers. Gad — who voiced Olaf in the Disney smash hit "Frozen" (2013) and starred in this year's romcom "The Wedding Ringer" — also plays a fictionalized version of himself. Crystal told the Television Critics Association winter press tour in January that he came back to TV for this project, which is loosely based on a Swedish show of the same name, because he could easily see himself slide into the role. "I get to play an extended version of myself, which is great," Crystal said. "I get to do live sketches in front of a live audience. I get to do these film pieces. I get to have crazy fun like that and work with incredible people. At this point in my career, it's like a blessing to have this show because it reinforces and reinvigorates everything that I started out doing and have loved to do my entire career." Of course, when you're playing yourself in drama- tized situations that often realistically mimic real life, it can be tough separating fact from fiction — something Gad told the TCA panel is a huge exercise in trust. "This season is more laugh-centric and funny than season 4," C.K. said at the TCA winter press tour. "The feeling I was having when I wrote the season ... was a goofy and playful feel- ing." If you like to laugh, then it looks like Thursday nights on FX will be just right for you. From a freshman comedy with a big name to a veter- an, critically acclaimed se- ries, FX is hoping to hit a home run for hilarity in the latter half of the week. Catch the series premiere of "The Comedians" and the season 5 premiere of "Louie" when they air back-to-back Thurs- day, April 9, on FX. Billy Crystal and Josh Gad star in "The Comedians" Seriously funny FX comedy power hour promises big laughs Featurestory B/Wolf Wilde Fine Jewelry 3 x 3 $'%*$$ +$!*'$!)% !"$!'# ,, $$$(, ",, !$",, 6WDFH\0)UD]LHU 0DLQ6W2QHRQWD1< VWDFH\IUD]LHU#NZFRP XSVWDWHSURSHUWLHVQHW Celebrating 125 th Anniversary ~ 1890-2015 Daily Star The