30

Sunday

Louis C.K. is a tough nut to crack, “nut” being the operative word. His looks tell you he’s just another nerd from the IT department, but his amateur Web site suggests he’s no computer genius. The site’s tone (“Check out my new shitty image gallery!” and “Oh my filthy christ!!! that baby is fucking cute!”) proves it’s not the work of a professional publicity team but of a self-promoting madman. At least he’s serious about the comedy: This classic white geek won an Emmy as a writer for The Chris Rock Show. Perhaps more important, C.K. wrote, directed, and produced Pootie Tang, the blackest movie ever and one of the truly great American comedies, featuring lines such as “Baby, I’m going to sine your pitty on the runny kine!” Those who disagree simply do not understand humor. Somebody at HBO must be willing to risk his job, though, because C.K. has been given his own sitcom, Lucky Louie. Judging from the promos, it’s clear the show will be nothing like Friends. The indefinable C.K. returns to the standup stage for jokes you won’t see coming at 8 p.m. at the DC Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $17. (202) 296-7008. (Dave Nuttycombe)