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Baskets (TV series)

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Baskets
Promotional poster
GenreDark comedy
Comedy-drama
Surreal humour
Created by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Louis C.K.
  • Zach Galifianakis
  • Jonathan Krisel
  • M. Blair Breard
  • Dave Becky
  • Marc Gurvitz
  • Andrea Pett-Joseph
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFX
ReleaseJanuary 21, 2016 (2016-01-21) –
present

Baskets is an American comedy television series that premiered on January 21, 2016 on FX.[1] The series was co-created by Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis and Jonathan Krisel, who is also the showrunner. Galifianakis stars in the dual lead role as Chip Baskets, a failed professional clown in Paris, who instead becomes a local rodeo clown in Bakersfield, California and his twin brother Dale Baskets. Galifianakis, C.K., M. Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz and Andrea Pett-Joseph serve as executive producers, with FX Productions and Pig Newton as production companies.[2] On February 23, 2016, FX renewed the series for a second season to air in early 2017.[3]

Premise

With hopes and dreams, Chip Baskets aims to become a professional clown. After failing to get a degree at a prestigious clowning school in Paris, France, he is stuck with a job at a local rodeo in his hometown of Bakersfield, California.

Cast

Main cast

  • Zach Galifianakis as twin brothers Chip Baskets and Dale Baskets.
  • Martha Kelly as Martha Brooks,[4] a low-key insurance agent who is Chip's only friend and tolerates his angry and rude treatment of her.
  • Louie Anderson[4] as Christine Baskets, mother of Dale and Chip

Recurring cast

  • Sabina Sciubba as Penelope,[4] a French woman who is married to Chip, but outright tells him she does not love him at all and only married him so she could live in America.
  • Ernest Adams[4] as Eddie, the owner and manager of the Buckaroo Rodeo, who hires Chip because he gives a job to anyone who actually wants to work there for low pay and at huge injury cost, and who later promotes Chip to "head clown".
  • Ellen D. Williams as Nicole Baskets, Dale's wife.
  • Malia Pyles as Sarah Baskets, Dale's eldest daughter.
  • Julia Rose Gruenberg as Crystal Baskets, Dale's youngest daughter.

Production

In December 2013, Louis C.K's production company, Pig Newton, signed a deal with FX for him to create new shows for their various networks. FX ordered a pilot episode for Baskets with C.K. and Galifianakis to co-write, and Galifianakis to star.[5] On August 27, 2014, FX picked up the show for a 10-episode first season with production to commence in 2015.[2]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Renoir"Jonathan KriselLouis C.K. & Zach Galifianakis & Jonathan KriselJanuary 21, 2016 (2016-01-21)XBS010011.04[6]
Chip Baskets pursues his dreams of being a professional clown but finds as much failure there as he does in his personal and family lives.
2"Trainee"Jonathan KriselRebecca DrysdaleJanuary 28, 2016 (2016-01-28)XBS010030.658[7]
Chip mentors a Juggalo devotee at the rodeo, while Martha tries to sell a Costco membership so she won't get fired.
3"Strays"Jonathan KriselGraham WagnerFebruary 4, 2016 (2016-02-04)XBS010020.625[8]
Martha faces a problem at home, while Chip meets his wife's lover.
4"Easter in Bakersfield"Jonathan KriselSamuel D. HunterFebruary 11, 2016 (2016-02-11)XBS010040.567[9]
The Easter holiday brings more strife, but also some understanding, to the Baskets family.
5"Uncle Dad"Jonathan KriselSamuel D. HunterFebruary 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)XBS010050.649[10]
While Chip and Martha spend an eye-opening day watching Dale's kids, Christine finally meets Penelope.
6"DJ Twins"Jonathan KriselJonathan KriselFebruary 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)XBS010060.483[11]
Chip's potential big break comes as his mom's favored second set of twins bring their DJ act to Bakersfield.
7"Cowboys"Jonathan KriselGraham WagnerMarch 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)XBS010070.399[12]
Rodeo boss Eddie enlists Chip and Martha to join him on a road trip that could end in violence.
8"Sugar Pie"Jonathan KriselJonathan KriselMarch 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)XBS010080.396[13]
Christine Baskets suffers a serious health crisis that affects her sons in different ways.
9"Picnic"Jonathan KriselRebecca DrysdaleMarch 17, 2016 (2016-03-17)XBS010090.500[14]
Chip reminisces about happier times in Paris with Penelope, as Christine takes a turn for the worse.
10"Family Portrait"Jonathan KriselJonathan KriselMarch 24, 2016 (2016-03-24)XBS010100.564[15]
A perceived betrayal by Dale, further rejection by Penelope, and the closing of the rodeo cause Chip's life to unravel completely.

Reception

Baskets has received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a rating of 67% with an average score of 7.4 out of 10, based on 36 reviews. The site's consensus reads, "Though its themes may be unpleasant for some and LOL moments are few and far between, Baskets succeeds on the strength of its deadpan delivery and terrific cast."[16] On Metacritic, the first season holds a score of 68 out of 100, based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[17]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Louie Anderson Pending
[18]

Broadcast

Internationally, the series premiered in Australia on January 26, 2016.[19]

References

  1. ^ Kissel, Rick (November 12, 2015). "FX Sets Winter Premiere Dates for 'American Crime Story,' 'Baskets,' Other Series". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 27, 2014). "Zach Galifianakis & Louis C.K.'s Comedy 'Baskets' Gets FX Series Order". Deadline. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  3. ^ Slezak, Michael (February 23, 2016). "Baskets Renewed for Season 2 at FX". TVLine. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d Shoemaker, Allison (January 19, 2016). "Zach Galifianakis sneaks beauty into the cringe-comedy Baskets". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  5. ^ Grow, Kory (January 14, 2014). "Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. Cowriting TV Pilot". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. ^ Welch, Alex (January 22, 2016). "Thursday cable ratings: 'Lip Sync Battle' falls, 'WWE Smackdown' rises". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.28.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 5, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.4.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 12, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.11.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 19, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.18.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 26, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.25.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 11, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.10.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.17.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  15. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.24.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Baskets: Season 1 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  17. ^ "Baskets : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  18. ^ "Baskets – Awards & Nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  19. ^ Purcell, Charles (January 21, 2016). "New This Week (Jan 25): War & Peace, Suits, Black Sails, Bear Grylls and live sport". The Green Room. Retrieved January 22, 2016.