FX Orders Zack Galifianakis Comedy Baskets to Series

FX has officially given Zack Galifianakis comedy Baskets a series order, with the 10-episode first season to premiere sometime in 2016.

“Zach Galifianakis, Louis C.K., and Jonathan Krisel have created an absolutely brilliant show,” said President of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions 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.”

Co-created by Galifianakis and executive produced by Louis C.K., Baskets follows a Bakersfield man (Galifianakis) as he pursues his dream of being a professional clown. After he gets thrown out of a Parisian clowning school, he decides to take a job with a local rodeo in order to build his resumee and give himself the chance to experience the life that he always wanted.

The series is the fifth comedy series order handed out by FX this year, joining The Tracy Morgan Project (FXX), Jay Baruchel-starring Man Seeking Woman (FXX), Denis Leary-starring Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (FX), and Billy Crystal vehicle The Comedians (FX). What remains to be seen is what impact this recent glut of comedy orders will have on FX’s current comedy slate. After the cancellation of Chozen, Archer is currently without a lead-out, while Louie aired this past spring in order to become eligible for the Emmys and two new comedies were launched in Married and You’re the Worst. FX doesn’t have a comedy on in the fall due to the transition of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League to FXX, so there should be space for all these shows, meaning that the series orders might not be bad news for Married and You’re the Worst.

Will you be watching Baskets? Do you think the show will be the next critical and/or commercial breakout for FX? What do you think FX’s recent glut of comedy series orders means for summer comedies Married and You’re the Worst?