In 2011, standup comedian Louis C.K. released his Live at the Beacon Theater comedy special for $5 through his website. Since then, all of his specials have been released in the same manner due to its success. Lately, his main project has been the FX show Louie, arguably one of the funniest and most thought provoking programs in television history (watch season four for proof) which is currently on an indefinite hiatus following its fifth season.
Clearly, C.K. is staying busy while Louie is on break. FX debuted Baskets on Thursday, Jan. 21, while on Saturday, Jan. 30, C.K. released an hour-long web-series pilot called Horace and Pete.
The first episode of Horace and Pete is available for $5 (though future episodes will drop to $2 or $3) and features a stellar cast. It was surprise-released with an announced to members of C.K.’s mailing list.
Steve Buscemi plays Pete, and he co-stars with C.K. (Horace). Together they are the seventh generation owners of a 100-year-old family-owned bar. From the first scene, it is clear that Pete isn’t acting normal, and Horace must attempt to keep him calm as Pete runs out of his medication for a mental condition.
Alan Alda is Uncle Pete, the former owner and a foul-mouthed racist who is not afraid to send dive-bar seeking hipsters home, or stand up for family tradition over legal practices. A crew of bar patrons and other family members populate the bar, including Jessica Lange, Edie Falco, comedian Steven Wright, Aidy Bryant and more. The bar patrons share sharp dialogue about the 2016 election, the Super Bowl, and how preconceived notions of labeling people as “conservatives and liberals” kills any chance of ever discussing politics as fellow humans.
Louis C.K. is best known for being an edgy comedian, and much of Horace and Pete feels like a Broadway drama fueled by incredibly dark comedy. C.K.’s best work forces viewers to question their own beliefs without creating a sense of guilt. Horace and Pete has humor readily available, so long as you’re willing to laugh at the powerful scenes.
Also of note: the original theme song is written and performed by Paul Simon.
In a more traditional comedy, Baskets is co-created by C.K., Zach Galifianakis, and Jonathan Krisel. Galifianakis stars as Chip Baskets, a clown who flunks out of a prestigious French clown academy due to his inability to speak French. He returns to California with a wife who only agrees to marry him so she can live in the U.S. and promises to leave Baskets once she finds a better looking man. Baskets agrees to these terms and spends most of his time trying to scrounge money for her, living separately.
The only clowning gig in town is at the local rodeo which pays about $4 per hour for running from bulls. On his way to work one day, bees fly into his helmet and he crashes his scooter. An unlikely companionship forms between Baskets and his insurance agent Martha (Martha Kelly) as they awkwardly try to raise $40 from family members (Galifianakis plays his own twin, Louie Anderson his disappointed, Costco-obsessed mother).
After two episodes, Baskets relies heavily on the concept to carry the show. It has funny moments, but unlike Horace and Pete, it lacks the philosophical depth to carry the slow parts. It looks like it will improve over time, but that’s not to say it’s a bad show by any means. Fans of C.K. or Galifianakis will likely enjoy the uncomfortable relationships and ridiculous clown gags, but outsiders unfamiliar to the style of humor may feel inundated by the lack of likable characters and oddball jokes.
C.K. will also star, direct and write the film I’m A Cop, which is currently in development. He is a voice actor in The Secret Life of Pets and will direct the first episode of Better Things with his Louie sometimes co-star and writing partner Pamela Adlon.
Baskets airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on FX. Horace and Pete is scheduled for release every Saturday through Louisck.net.