‘Louie’ season 5 official, but with a small (and sad) twist

For all of those out there who recognize that “Louie” is one of the best shows on TV, we come bearing a little bit of good news right now: The show is going to be back for a fifth season!

FX confirmed the news today, with a caveat that may make some out there a little less excited: The renewal is just for seven episodes. It’s a little bit of a random number, but we would assume that this is all that Louis CK wants to make right now. We haven’t heard anything about this being the final season, and the network is giving him the flexibility to tell the stories that he wants to tell in however much time he is given.

In a statement confirming the news, FX Networks head John Landgraf said the following on Monday:

“Louie’s fourth season was once again groundbreaking. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking – always thought-provoking … The show went to narrative and cinematic places no comedy has gone before and we look forward to seeing what Louis [C.K.] comes up with next.”

The great thing about “Louie” is that it is one of those shows that really does have that binge-watch-worthy quality to it: You can sit down in a weekend, watch around a few dozen episodes, and be close to caught up. They all blow by pretty quickly in the end, and the first three seasons are all on Netflix already. (We imagine season 4 will be up close to the time that season 5 begins.)

As for a premiere date, think along the lines of spring 2015.

Excited for the renewal? Let us know what you think in the comments below.