Zach Galifianakis & Louis C.K.’s Comedy ‘Baskets’ Gets FX Series Order

On the heels of his second writing Emmy win on Monday for Louie, Louis C.K. is expanding his footprint on FX with a new series. The network has given a 10-episode order to Baskets, its comedy pilot starring Zach Galifianakis, and co-created by Galifianakis, Louis C.K. and Jonathan Krisel. Production will begin next year for a 2016 launch. Galifianakis penned the pilot episode along with Louis C.K., and Krisel (Portlandia, Man Seeking Woman), who directed the pilot and serves as showrunner. Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz, and Andrea Pett-Joseph are executive producers. Galifianakis just pulled out of the feature Freeheld, citing a scheduling conflict, and was replaced by Steve Carell.

In a world constrained by corporate interests and the homogenization of society, one man in Bakersfield, California dares to follow his dream of becoming a professional clown. But after an unsuccessful enrollment at a prestigious clowning school in Paris, the only job he can find is with the local rodeo. Baskets follows Chip Baskets’ (Galifianakis) pursuit of his dream, against all odds, to be a respected clown. “Zach Galifianakis, Louis C.K. and Jonathan Krisel have created an absolutely brilliant show,” said FX’s Eric Schrier. “To say Zach’s portrayal of the lead character Chip Baskets is hilarious/unique/riveting/fascinating would be an understatement. We can’t wait for the world to meet him.”

Baskets is the first project under FX Productions’ overall deal with Louis C.K. and his production company Pig Newton. Under the pact, Louis C.K., a well known Renaissance Man who writes, directs and edits his series and specials, has been looking to guide other creators as they get their projects off the ground. Galifianakis is repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA and attorney Jared Levine. Louis C.K. is with 3 Arts Entertainment. Krisel is with CAA, Mosaic, and attorney Alex Kohner.

Baskets was one of a dozen comedy pilots ordered by FX in its most recent cycle and the fifth to go to series along with The Tracy Morgan Project (FXX), The Comedians (FX), Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (FX), and Man Seeking Woman (FXX), boosting the FX Networks comedy roster to 11 series across FX and FXX.