Joe Pesci was Louis C.K.'s first choice to play Uncle Pete. Pesci said he liked the script but turned it down because he thought the show would be very successful. Christopher Walken was the second choice, but Walken felt he had done the part before. Louis C.K. didn't feel Alan Alda was right for the part, but gave it to him after meeting with him. Louie later admitted Alda made the part his own and better than it was written.
On Mondays, the cast has a table read. On Tuesdays, they block the scenes for the cameras. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, they film. On Fridays, Louis C.K. edits the episode, and on Saturday, Louis releases the episode on his website.
On 30 January 2016, Louis C.K. surprised his fans with a stealthy debut of this show on his personal website without any prior announcement. He stated, "I made something, and for five bucks, you can find out what it is."
The show has a very short production-release model with each episode being shot within the week before it is released.
Louis C.K. finances and distributes the show entirely on his own as well as directing, writing and producing each episode.