LOUIE, LOUIE, LOUIE, LOU-ee

Consider it discomfiting. Consider it self-flagellating. Consider it his penance for being the brains behind Pootie Tang. But above all, consider FX’s Louie to be the brashest, funniest, most relentless half-hour comedy on television right now, and its writer-director-producer-editor-star, Louis C.K., to be the reigning pound-for-pound champ among stand-up comics. Having built his reputation as a writer for the likes of Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, Conan O’Brien and David Letterman, C.K. has at long last lumbered into his hard-won, much-deserved spotlight. As often as he incisively deconstructs the world around him and the characters who populate it, the pale, pudgy, balding, 40-something, divorced father of two willfully shines a comedic klieg light on his own pasty, hulking, disheveled dysfunction, killing himself not so softly with his words. See him at 8 p.m. at the Midland (1228 Main). Tickets cost $30; see midlandkc.com or call 816-283-9921.— Brent Shepherd

Sun., Oct. 10, 2010