The many, many reasons to know and love ‘Louie’ star Pamela Adlon

Two incredible Louie-related things have happened — FX announced that the next season of Louie is scheduled to return to TV (and to us) on April 9th at 10:30 p.m. ET, and one of the funniest, most underrated ladies on the series, nay, on television just landed her own show.

Pamela Adlon, who played Louie CK’s sort-of girlfriend/sort-of platonic friend on Louie and is also a contributing producer on the show, has developed her own series called Better Things. According to Entertainment Weekly, Adlon and Louis C.K. will write and executive produce the pilot, with LCK directing. Like Louie, Better Things seems to be loosely (or tightly — hard to tell at this point) based on Adlon’s life. It’s also worth noting, this is the first female-led scripted show from the network. Woo-hoo!

FX released a description of the show:

If you think being a parent is hard, try raising three girls by yourself. In Better Things, Adlon plays “Sam”, a working actor trying to earn a living, navigate her daughters’ lives, have fun with a friend or two, and also — just maybe — squeeze in some sex once in a while. Her life is funny to watch, but you wouldn’t want to live it (except sometimes).

OK, sold. If you’re still, like, who is this Lady Adlon? Don’t worry, we’re here to fill you in.

1. She has been in over 150 TV shows and movies

Adlon started acting in 1982, and since then — she hasn’t stopped — literally ever. 150 shows is SO MANY SHOWS! I haven’t done 150 of anything. She has consistently worked for the past 32 years, which obviously means she’s really good at what she does.

2. She is basically voiceover royalty

It’s fair to say that Adlon is mostly known for her voiceover work — and you’ve probably heard her voice in some of your favorite cartoons. She was the voice of Bobby Hill on King of the Hill, Spinelli in Recess, Gwen in Pound Puppies, Pumrya in Thudercats, Dean in Rugrats, Andy in Squirrel Boy, Moose in Pepper Ann, Derek Generic in Bobby’s World and Lucky in 101 Dalmatians: The Series. And SO many more.

3. She’s an Emmy award winner

In 2002, Adlon won the Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance on King of the Hill. A (very) belated congrats, girl!

4. She’s a really good at playing off-screen pretend wife 

Although their relationship on Louie was kind of complicated, it seems pretty straightforward IRL: Besties all the way.

5. She’s a single mom to three daughters

Raising three kids is hard enough, but to do it alone while maintain a successful career is extra impressive.

6. Her dad was a comic book writer

He was also a TV comedy writer, producer and author of science fiction novels, but how cool would it be to have a dad who writes comic books? Funny runs in her blood.

7. She was in Grease 2

OK, this is pretty huge. Sure, Grease 2 didn’t do nearly as well as Grease, but it’s still part of the Grease franchise! And it was only the second thing Adlon had ever acted in. Not a bad start to a long-term acting career.

8. She played Marcy Runkle in 80 episodes of Californication

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qahG22kZ05Q

And this happened.

9. She loves when women take over things (and so do we)

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