FX’s Zach Galifianakis, Louis C.K. Clown Comedy ‘Baskets’ Ordered to Series

Louis C.K. Zach Galifianakis Split - H 2014

Scott Kirkland/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images; Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP

FX is firming up its 2016 lineup.

The cable network has picked up to series Baskets, a comedy starring Zach Galifianakis co-created by the Hangover star, Louis C.K. and Jonathan Krisel, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

FX has ordered 10 episodes of the single-camera comedy, with production set to begin in 2015 for a series debut in 2016.

The comedy follows Bakersfield man Chip Baskets (Galifianakis) as he pursues his dream, against all odds, to be a respected clown only there's a catch. After an unsuccessful enrollment at a prestigious clowning school in Paris, the only job he can find is with the local rodeo.  

Galifianakis, C.K. and Krisel (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live, Man Seeking Woman) co-wrote the pilot. Emmy-nominated writer Krisel will serve as showrunner and also directed the FX pilot, which will also be exec produced by Galifianakis, C.K., Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz and Andrea Pett-Joseph.

"To say Zach's portrayal of the lead character Chip Baskets is hilarious/unique/riveting/fascinating would be an understatement," FX president of original programming Eric Schrier said. "We can’t wait for the world to meet him."

Baskets, picked up seven months after the pilot was first announced,marks the first project to come from C.K. and his Pig Newton banner's overall deal with FX Productions. Baskets joins an FX/FXX comedy lineup that includes C.K.'s Emmy-winning comedy Louie, Archer, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You're the Worst, Married, The Comedians and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. The show is the fifth comedy series FX has picked up this year, joining The Tracy Morgan Project (FXX), The Comedians (FX), Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (FX) and Man Seeking Woman (FXX), bringing its roster to 11 series across both cable networks.

For Galifianakis, the FX comedy marks his latest TV foray. His small-screen credits include Bored to Death, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job and appearances on Comedy Bang! Bang, Kroll Show, Brody Stevens: Enjoy It and hosting Between Two Ferns, among others.

Galifianakis is represented by CAA, Brillstein and Jared Levine; C.K. is with 3 Arts, and Krisel is with UTA; Krisel is with CAA.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit

Lesley Goldberg