No one needs to be reminded that real life is tough and when things don’t go our way everything seems all encompassing and humorless. Mel Brook famously said that “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.” In "Baskets" we are presented with tragedy, but as the viewer, we are given perspective. It’s hard not to see the humor in a grown man who wants nothing more in his pitiful life than to be a professional clown, and continually fails miserably at his dream.
"Baskets" is the new comedy created by Zach Galifinakis and Louie C.K. that teeters on the edge of complete despair. The show is filled with unrequited love, unrelenting bitterness, self-delusion, and it’s hilarious. "Baskets" pushes the boundaries of the traditional happy sitcoms with its deadpan absurdist humor, thoughtful camerawork, and dark themes. "Baskets" is a comedy that creates a wonderful balance of tragedy which is nothing short of therapeutic.
"Baskets" is centers around a clown named Chip Baskets, played by Zach Galifinakis. Chip lives for the art of clowning. He attended the prestigious Academie de Clown Français in Paris, learning important clown skill such as how to slip on a banana peel. Although, since he was not able to speak a word of French he flunks out, and has to return to his banal hometown in Bakersfield, California. Before leaving France, he proposes to Penelope, an out-of-his-league French woman who neither love nor likes him, but accepts for the sake of getting a green card. In America, jobs for high-class clownery are few and far in between. Nevertheless, Chip manages to scrape the bottom of the barrel, and land a job at a rodeo where he can perform his refined clown routine while dodging angry bulls at four dollars an hour. Chip is a man who tries so hard to be a clown, but when on stage is utterly humorless, whereas in his regular life, unbeknownst to him, the comedy comes effortlessly as he haplessly falls into one hilarious disaster after the other.
Despite the somewhat stale stereotype of the sad clown, the show flourishes with originality that comes from its supporting characters whose touching realism leads to comedic genius, and all of whom give perspective on Chip’s personality. The show's supporting characters who often steal the show are Louie Anderson as Chip’s mother and Martha Kelly as an insurance adjuster.
Martha, after being assigned to find a replacement for Chip’s scooter repair which he totaled, offers to drive Chip around until it’s replaced. She is a passionless woman with a slight cat lady vibe whose unrelenting kindness, and understanding perfectly clash with Chip’s pretentious self-centered bitterness. Their car conversations are either sardonic criticism of her style or are centered around Chip, but Martha is a patient listener which contrasts with Chip so much that it freaks him out. “Do you just think of nice things to people all day?” “Well not necessarily during the day… You should try it.” “ I like how you took a shower curtain and made it into a dress.” The chemistry between the two is offbeat traga-comedy gold. She sticks around Chip despite all this and their relationship both sad and sweet.
Louie Anderson, a heavy-set man, as the role of Chip’s mother, doesn't act effeminate or change his voice in any way. It’s never even mentioned, and it’s better that isn't. Louie Anderson’s characters is simply a mother who loves her son, watches the shopping channel, and is obsessed with deals at Costco. After her first appearance, it seems completely normal. The comedy comes from the way she feels so real, yet completely absurd. This dichotomy is shown in the way in which she lovingly tells Martha, who tagged along with Chip to his mother, about her two sets of twin of which one pair is adopted.
She describes Chip and his brother Dale (who is a dean of an online college. Also played by Galifinakis) and describes their childhood habits with loving detail tinged with concern. And the other set of twins, who she can’t help but brag about, with their many girlfriends, and successful but odd careers. “This one is a race car driver, and this one climbs Mount Everest.” The realness in which Louie Anderson plays Chip’s mother is refreshing and her offbeat lines delivered in a perfectly normal tone are oddly genius.
Thoughtful camera work is something that is undervalued in the realm of sitcoms. In "Baskets," we are shown many well-composed scenes in which we are shown tender moments that most sitcoms don’t give their audience. Such as allowing the shot of a tear falling from Chip’s eye makes its way down his clown painted face, or giving time to show Chip rollerblading home after a rough night of clowning.
"Baskets" is one of the few shows on today (Louie, Girls, Transparent) that clash with the sitcom mold. "Baskets," solely based on its offbeat timing, odd casting choices, and respect of moments that go longer than 30 seconds without a joke separates itself from most sitcoms.
"Baskets" is a very promising series that through its bitterness finds comedy. The show creates a blend of tragedy and comedy that allows one to confront despair and failure while laughing. Anyway, what is the point of comedy if not to confront utter despair while laughing?
