FX’s Emmy-winning comedy gem Baskets will end its run with the upcoming season 4 finale. The comedy starring Zach Galifianakis as aspiring clown Chip Baskets premiered on the cable network in 2016, earning praise for its droll sense of humor, Galifianakis’s dual role (he also plays his character’s twin brother Dale), and the performance of comedian Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets. The series also features a terrific performance by Martha Kelly, whose seemingly shy, laconic persona is put to great use against the two larger-than-life characters.
Though well received in its first season, the show ostensibly earned its run by with Anderson netting an Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2016. The series garnered three subsequent Emmy nominations in 2017 and 2018, two for Anderson and one for Galifianakis himself. FX clearly took note and granted the series an impressive four seasons, which is impressive considering the series doesn’t attract a huge audience.
But FX’s commitment to quality, critically acclaimed television isn’t much of a surprise. After all, this is the network that stuck with The Americans for six seasons, until it too nabbed some much overdue awards for its series finale. But all good things must come to an end, as FX announced in an official release, which featured a statement from FX Entertainment president Eric Schrier.
"Over four seasons, Baskets has taken its place among the great FX comedies as an endearing and hilarious look at the dreams and ambition of ‘Chip Baskets’ and his extended, loving family. This show has been a joy for everyone at FX and we are grateful to Jonathan Krisel, Zach Galifianakis, Louie Anderson, Martha Kelly and the rest of the cast and crew for giving us the gem that is Baskets.”
It’s rare this day and age to see a smaller comedy like Baskets get the opportunity to end on its own terms, rather than wind up on the chopping block. Though such announcements are typically made ahead of the final season premiere, it would seem the network may have been keeping the door open for a possible fifth season. However the decision was reached, those who haven’t been regularly tuning for the show’s terrific fourth season can now hurry to get caught up before the Chip, Dale, Christine, and Martha say goodbye for the last time later this summer.
Baskets continues this Thursday with ‘Housewarming’ @10pm on FX.