Baskets (TV series)
| Baskets | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Genre |
Black comedy Comedy-drama Surreal humour |
| Created by | |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Production company(s) |
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| Distributor | 20th Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | FX |
| Picture format | 16:9 HDTV |
| Original release | January 21, 2016 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Baskets is an American black 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,[3] which is set to premiere on January 19, 2017.[4]
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, 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,[5] a low-key insurance agent who is Chip's only friend and tolerates his angry and rude treatment of her.
- Louie Anderson[5] as Christine Baskets, mother of Dale and Chip
Recurring cast
- Sabina Sciubba as Penelope,[5] 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[5] 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.[6] On August 27, 2014, FX picked up the show for a 10-episode first season with production to commence in 2015.[2]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Renoir" | Jonathan Krisel | Louis C.K. & Zach Galifianakis & Jonathan Krisel | January 21, 2016 | XBS01001 | 1.04[7] |
| 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 Krisel | Rebecca Drysdale | January 28, 2016 | XBS01003 | 0.658[8] |
| 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 Krisel | Graham Wagner | February 4, 2016 | XBS01002 | 0.625[9] |
| Martha faces a problem at home, while Chip meets his wife's lover. | ||||||
| 4 | "Easter in Bakersfield" | Jonathan Krisel | Samuel D. Hunter | February 11, 2016 | XBS01004 | 0.567[10] |
| The Easter holiday brings more strife, but also some understanding, to the Baskets family. | ||||||
| 5 | "Uncle Dad" | Jonathan Krisel | Samuel D. Hunter | February 18, 2016 | XBS01005 | 0.649[11] |
| While Chip and Martha spend an eye-opening day watching Dale's kids, Christine finally meets Penelope. | ||||||
| 6 | "DJ Twins" | Jonathan Krisel | Jonathan Krisel | February 25, 2016 | XBS01006 | 0.483[12] |
| Chip's potential big break comes as his mom's favored second set of twins bring their DJ act to Bakersfield. | ||||||
| 7 | "Cowboys" | Jonathan Krisel | Graham Wagner | March 3, 2016 | XBS01007 | 0.399[13] |
| Rodeo boss Eddie enlists Chip and Martha to join him on a road trip that could end in violence. | ||||||
| 8 | "Sugar Pie" | Jonathan Krisel | Jonathan Krisel | March 10, 2016 | XBS01008 | 0.396[14] |
| Christine Baskets suffers a serious health crisis that affects her sons in different ways. | ||||||
| 9 | "Picnic" | Jonathan Krisel | Rebecca Drysdale | March 17, 2016 | XBS01009 | 0.500[15] |
| Chip reminisces about happier times in Paris with Penelope, as Christine takes a turn for the worse. | ||||||
| 10 | "Family Portrait" | Jonathan Krisel | Jonathan Krisel | March 24, 2016 | XBS01010 | 0.564[16] |
| 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 70% 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."[17] On Metacritic, the first season holds a score of 68 out of 100, based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[18]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Louie Anderson | Won | |
Broadcast
Internationally, the series premiered in Australia on January 26, 2016.[20]
References
- ↑ Kissel, Rick (November 12, 2015). "FX Sets Winter Premiere Dates for 'American Crime Story,' 'Baskets,' Other Series". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (August 27, 2014). "Zach Galifianakis & Louis C.K.'s Comedy 'Baskets' Gets FX Series Order". Deadline.com. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ↑ Slezak, Michael (February 23, 2016). "Baskets Renewed for Season 2 at FX". TVLine. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ↑ "FX Sets Premiere Date for "Baskets" Season Two". The Futon Critic. November 1, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Shoemaker, Allison (January 19, 2016). "Zach Galifianakis sneaks beauty into the cringe-comedy Baskets". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ↑ Grow, Kory (January 14, 2014). "Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. Cowriting TV Pilot". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- ↑ Welch, Alex (January 22, 2016). "Thursday cable ratings: 'Lip Sync Battle' falls, 'WWE Smackdown' rises". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.28.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 5, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.4.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 12, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.11.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 19, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.18.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (February 26, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.25.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 11, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.10.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.17.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2016). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.24.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Baskets: Season 1 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Baskets : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Baskets – Awards & Nominations". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
- ↑ 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.