The case for Baskets

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/1/19 at 5:04pm

I didn't see a thread about this show. Just heard on Twitter from Martha Kelly that the current season, number four, is the last for Baskets. 

I liked it very much. The show was quirky, funny/sad. Just as it was zigging, it would suddenly zag. I appreciated that I had no idea what would happen next. The writing was snappy, and the Dale character especially, had an enormous number of hilarious throw away lines.

Zach Galifianakis was terrific in a dual role. Martha Kelly's deadbeat delivery as a COSTCO employee, forever nursing a broken arm, was a pitch perfect, one-note sidekick. And Louie Anderson was a remarkably relatable TV mother! An amazing combination of a real-life Peggy Hill and Lois Griffin, IMHO. 

Will miss this show. Ratings were very low. Is anyone else watching it? 

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/23/19 at 5:19pm

Well, guess this can go down as a one-hand clapping thread. The series finale was last night and it ended well. Can't say enough about the very fine acting on this show. Will miss the Baskets family and Martha. Creative, original, really liked it.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 8/25/19 at 2:12am

I absolutely loved BASKETS. I got into it a little late (somewhere towards the end of Season 2). I think it had problems with tone but that it really came in to its own so nicely. I think what made some of it so great was how much I grew to really love Christine, and I think it shows a testament to Bobby Anderson as an actor and what happens when everyone really commits to an artistic choice. While I'm divided on the ethics of a cis man taking away a role from a woman of a certain age, I also think it's super important to see a show in a commercial market really embrace drag as something than more than camp. Also, I absolutely adored Martha Kelly in this show. I really hope we see more of her. I felt all in all it was original, and at times, genuinely touching. Count me in as someone who is very bummed.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/26/19 at 5:49am

I agree about Louie Anderson. I believe he once said he based Christine on his aunt? He set the bar for another way that drag can be portrayed on TV. So kudos to him. His Emmy was much deserved. Martha Kelly tweets frequently, if you want to keep in touch with her.