Louis C.K.

Louis C.K. on HBO

Production will begin this September on a new HBO comedy series starring Louis C.K. (Emmy(r)-winning writer for "The Chris Rock Show"), it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. C.K. also wrote the pilot episode of the half-hour show, HBO's first multi-camera comedy series, with the 13-episode first season to launch in 2006.

"Multi-camera family comedy series are a staple of TV programming," noted Strauss. "Louis C.K. will bring a fresh point of view to this classic formula."

Focusing on the challenges facing parents and children today, the series will chronicle the trials of a working-class family that's just getting by, showing how they struggle to get through the day and make ends meet.

Other featured cast members are Pamela Adlon ("The Animatrix"), Kelly Gould ("Jake in Progress"), Mike Hagerty ("Inspector Gadget"), Kim Hawthorne ("The Chronicles of Riddick"), Laura Kightlinger ("Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy"), Jerry Minor ("Son of the Mask"), Jim Norton ("Spider-Man") and Rick Shapiro ("Pootie Tang").

In addition to winning an Emmy(r) as part of the writing team for HBO's "The Chris Rock Show," Louis C.K. has written for "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Saturday Night Live"; his feature-film writing credits include "Down to Earth" and "Pootie Tang." As a performer, he previously headlined his own edition of "HBO Comedy Half-Hour." He also headlines his own edition of the stand-up series "One Night Stand," debuting Aug. 19.

The director of the pilot episode is Gary Halvorson; other episodes will be directed by Andrew Weyman. Executive producers, Louis C.K., Mike Royce, Vic Kaplan and Dave Becky; co-executive producers, Kit Boss and Aaron Shure; executive story editors, Patricia Breen and Jon Ross; producers, Leo Clarke and Andrew Weyman; writers, Greg Fitzsimmons, Dan Mintz, Mary Fitzgerald and Dino Stamatopoulos.