Baskets (TV series)

Baskets

Company type	Television series
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	January 21, 2016 (2016-01-21)
Founder	Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel
Headquarters	United States
Area served	United States, Australia, United Kingdom
Key people	Zach Galifianakis, Louis C.K., Jonathan Krisel, M. Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz, Andrea Pett-Joseph
Products	Television series
Parent	FX Productions

Baskets is a U.S. comedy drama television series that debuted on FX on January 21, 2016. The series was co-created by Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, and Jonathan Krisel, with Krisel acting as the showrunner and director. Galifianakis plays dual lead characters: Chip Baskets, a failed professional clown trained in Paris who ends up working as a local rodeo clown in Bakersfield, California, and his twin brother Dale Baskets. The executive producers include Galifianakis, C.K., M. Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz, and Andrea Pett-Joseph, with production handled by FX Productions.

After Louis C.K.'s 2017 admission of sexual misconduct, FX cut ties with his production company Pig Newton. On May 24, 2018, FX announced the renewal of Baskets for a fourth and final season, which premiered on June 13, 2019, and wrapped up the series on August 22, 2019.

Premise

Chip Baskets dreams of becoming a professional clown. After failing to complete his studies at a renowned clowning academy in Paris, he returns to his hometown of Bakersfield, California, where he takes up work as a rodeo clown.

Main cast

• Zach Galifianakis portrays
  • Chip Baskets, a formally trained clown who is compelled to work as a rodeo clown in Bakersfield.
  • Dale Everett Baskets, Chip’s twin brother; he is the founder and dean of a local vocational college and has a family with two children.
• Martha Kelly plays Martha Brooks, Chip's laid-back auto insurance agent at Costco and his closest confidante despite his often abrasive demeanor.
• Louie Anderson appears as Christine Baskets, the mother of Chip, Dale, and their adopted twins Cody and Logan.

Recurring cast

• Sabina Sciubba as Penelope (seasons 1–2, 4), Chip’s French spouse who married him primarily for a green card to boost her singing career.
• Ernest Adams portrays Eddie, the owner and manager of the Buckaroo Rodeo.
• Garry and Jason Clemmons play Cody and Logan Baskets (seasons 1–2, 4), Christine’s adopted twin sons.
• Ellen D. Williams as Nicole Baskets, wife of Dale.
• Malia Pyles as Sarah Baskets, the elder daughter of Dale.
• Julia Rose Gruenberg appears as Crystal Baskets, Dale’s younger daughter.
• Ivy Jones features as Grandma (seasons 1–2), Christine’s mother.
• Adam Zastrow (season 1) and Tommy Snider (seasons 2–4) portray Jode, a juggalo who also manages an Arby's location.
• Maree Cheatham plays Maggie, a friend of Christine.
• Alex Morris appears as Ken (seasons 2–4), Christine’s boyfriend and owner of a carpet supply business based in Denver.
• Mary Wiseman as Trinity (seasons 2–4), a street-performing clown whom Chip assists in gaining employment at Arby's.
• Peter Jason plays Jim (seasons 2–4), uncle to Chip and Dale and Christine’s brother.
• Ryun Yu portrays Daniel (seasons 3–4), a reverend.
• Andrea Marcovicci appears as Tammy Nielman Zemonski (season 4), a life coach.
• Anna Konkle features as Anita (season 4), a real estate agent.

Production

In December 2013, Pig Newton—Louis C.K.’s production company—entered into an agreement with FX to develop new programming. FX commissioned a pilot episode for Baskets, co-written by C.K. and Galifianakis, who also starred in it. On August 27, 2014, FX approved production of a ten-episode first season that began filming in 2015.

Following Louis C.K.’s public acknowledgment of sexual misconduct allegations in November 2017, FX terminated its overall deal with him and Pig Newton. Consequently, C.K. was not involved in subsequent seasons.

The concept for Baskets evolved from ideas Galifianakis initially conceived for Between Two Ferns: The Movie but discarded early during that film’s development. Galifianakis credits Philippe Gaulier and his École Philippe Gaulier clown school in France as significant influences on the series.

Reception

Baskets has garnered generally favorable critiques from reviewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, the debut season holds a 70% approval rating, with an average score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 36 critiques. The critical consensus notes, "While some viewers may find the themes challenging and comedic highlights are sparse, Baskets shines through its understated humor and outstanding ensemble." According to Metacritic, the first season has a score of 68 out of 100 from 32 reviews, signifying "generally favorable reviews."

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Outcome
2016	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Louie Anderson	Template:Won
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series		Template:Won
2017	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series	Zach Galifianakis	Template:Nom
		Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Louie Anderson	Template:Nom
2018	Satellite Awards	Best Musical or Comedy Series	Baskets	Template:Nom
		Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series	Zach Galifianakis	Template:Nom
		Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film	Louie Anderson	Template:Nom
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series		Template:Nom

Broadcast

The show made its international debut in Australia on January 26, 2016, and later began airing in the United Kingdom on Fox from April 13, 2017.