Some days, TV fans really do live in the darkest timeline. Where last night we were distressed to learn that NBC had pulled the 'Community' season 4 premiere from October 19 to an unknown start date, now we've learned today that FX's critically beloved and Emmy-winning Louis C.K. dramedy 'Louie' will have its fourth season pushed all the way back to 2014. But why the dramatic hiatus, and what does it say about the future of the show?

More bittersweet news today for fans of TV's most critically acclaimed comedies, as FX President John Landgraf and Louis C.K. himself took to conference call today to announce that 'Louie' season 4 has been pushed back to the spring of 2014, from its originally intended air-date of summer 2013. C.K. told reporters today that he intends to use the hiatus to re-charge his batteries creatively, and have more time to plot out development of a fourth season.

Given that the comedian handles the writing, directing and editing, and maintains an unprecedented amount of freedom in the creative process of the show, it isn't surprising that FX would accommodate his request. Adding that he saw the first three seasons of the acclaimed series as a trilogy of sorts, season 4 beginning the cycle anew, here's what C.K. had to say on the matter:

I want season 4 to go somewhere new...I'm looking back to when I did the first season and the time I took to do the show and decide which directions to go in and I want that back again. I want a little breathing room.

The last three seasons have been a surge of fun stories and it's been great to share all the stuff and I want the show to keep getting better. I want it to keep being something that comes from somewhere fun and important.

FX President Landgraf supported the decision, adding "Louie has continued to raise the bar and recharge his batteries...I don't think there's anyone else in business who's produced, starred, directed and edited all but seven episodes...I'm not surprised he needs a bit of a break." C.K. believes he'll begin shooting in either September or October of 2013 for a May 2014 premiere, noting that the spaced-out schedule will allow him to do better work.

What say you? Are you sad to see 'Louie' delayed until 2014, or do you trust that Louis C.K. will work even better under his own schedule? Give us your reaction in the comments!

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