Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon were brought together in quite an unusual way.
The pair took part in a presentation for FX’s “Better Things” at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Wednesday, where C.K. explained that he was first introduced to Adlon by Phil Rosenthal, best known for creating CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond.” According to C.K., Rosenthal recommended the actress after she had lost out on a show Rosenthal was involved with because she had “no tits.”
It wasn’t intended as a literal gripe, one about her physical anatomy, but rather a comment on her sex appeal — or lack thereof.
“She was fired by the network because she wasn’t a ‘titty type,’” said C.K., who hired Adlon for regular roles on his two series, HBO’s “Lucky Louie” and FX’s “Louie,” before she began starring on “Better Things,” which C.K. executive produces.
Adlon concurred: “I wasn’t a titty lady.”
The two longtime pals pointed out that this story made its way into the 2016 episode of “Better Things” that featured a guest appearance by Rosenthal, who was a writer on such shows as ABC’s “Coach” before launching “Raymond.”
“He’s saying the words that he said to me and [‘Raymond’ and ‘Lucky Louie’ EP] Mike Royce when he recommended her,” C.K. said of Rosenthal’s role on “Better Things.”
C.K. added about the real-life situation: “[Rosenthal] couldn’t keep her on his show because he was dealing with a different environment, but he said, ‘Maybe you guys could get her through.’”
Adlon pointed out to the crowd for the record that the “no tits” comment does not literally refer to her physical anatomy.
“‘No tits’ is a metaphor — I have tits,” added Adlon, who picked up an Emmy nomination last month. “[But] I was not known as a tits-y kind of lady.”