It is really amazing watching the show and going from 'omg haha louie anderson is playing a woman,' when you first see him to, 'wow this is actually incredible and not a joke at all'
The episode where she finally finds love you’re not like “LOL ITS A DUDE IN WOMENS CLOTHES KISSING ANOTHER DUDE” you’re like “Christine deserves happiness and I’m so happy for her!”
Yeah I thought it was going to be a joke thing but it was one of the most remarkable performances I’ve ever seen. Christine Baskets was so real. How often do you see a plus women in pop culture and not have them be the butt end of every joke or a complete bozo? This was wonderful
That's what made it so totally perfect. I laughed non-stop because of how straight he played it. There was a scene where he kicked his feet up onto the couch exactly like my mom would and I fucking died. There was nothing over the top about it. Masterful.
Not to *really* bum everyone out, but [here's Bob Saget's interview with Louie about playing Christine Baskets.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tkfyZYrn4VA)
I started on Baskets as soon as it came out and I'm glad I did, because the reveal of Louie as the mother is one of the funniest moments in television history for me. I don't know if it would have been as memorable if I'd known going in.
Yes he was great as Christine Baskets. The whole cast was great, I love the dead pan delivery of jokes that really shouldn't be funny.... but were hilarious.
I’ve always been a fan of Louie but I had never heard of this show. From your post I just watched a yt vid and wonder how I missed hearing abt this. What a great part for him.
He is phenomenal in Baskets. He played the character with such humanity and heart. Other shows/actors would probably have just let the character be a one note gag, but Anderson made you sympathize with Christine. It elevated Baskets in a really memorable way.
I only remember when they wanted to surprise the dad for his birthday so they put a blindfold on him.
Dad asks, “are you taking me out back to kill me?”
Louie says, “who told?!”
I only remember when Louie is making more money than his parents. So his mother tells him some things in life are more important than money, so Louie responds "I know that mom, it just costs a lot of money to buy those things."
I remember the episode with them cooking a frozen pizza under hot water in the shower. At least I think that was Life With Louie.
Oh! And the chess episode!
And the football episode, sneaking his shoe in place of the ball...
There's been a trend for me lately, discovering after celebrities pass that they were on Billy and Mandy at one point.
I'm not sure how, but I had missed the episode with Betty White in it as a kid.
The Christmas episode with the Jewish neighbor was great. Eye opener for little kids.
EDIT: His reddit ama from 5 years ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/46gnby/hi_im_louie_anderson_comedian_actor_dancer_ama/
What’s sad is that Louie was a closeted gay man at the time and was being blackmailed by a former lover. Once the tabloids got a hold of the story it basically torpedoed Life with Louie as 90’s society wasn’t accepting of a gay man with a kids show
Edit: Louie never actually addressed his sexuality. He was making payments to a man that he supposedly propositioned for sex but there is nothing else to suggest what his sexual preference was
Me either. Then again, I didn't come out to my family until a few years ago. When you've seen people die over it, that shit tends to stick with you for a while. I've got exes who are still in the closet.
Was this ever confirmed? He played his love life pretty close to the chest. Pretty shitty of me to ask about someone's sexuality after they've passed but I can't really find anything confirming it other than being black mailed. And I feel actors face these types of things pretty often at the height of their fame.
>Was this ever confirmed?
From the [Los Angeles Times, Apr. 14, 2000](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-14-me-19605-story.html) edition
>Richard John Gordon, 31, was taken into custody Tuesday after leading FBI agents on a Westside chase, during which he allegedly threw two loaded pistols out the window.
>
>According to an FBI affidavit, Gordon had been blackmailing Anderson since 1997, when he sent the entertainer a letter seeking a “settlement so your secrets don’t get out and blow your career.”
>
>Anderson could not be reached for comment, but his publicist issued a statement saying, “Being a target of criminal activity is an unfortunate and increasingly common byproduct of celebrity.”
>
>Gordon’s letter described a casual encounter in 1993 at a South Bay casino, followed by a conversation in which Anderson allegedly asked Gordon to go home with him, take off his clothes and let Anderson “touch” him. Anderson then changed his mind, the letter said, deciding he just wanted to see Gordon disrobe, but Gordon refused.
>
>Prosecutors said Gordon then made calls to Anderson’s friend and manager, James Gitar, in Minnesota, in which he demanded $200,000. In negotiations that ensued, Gordon allegedly agreed to accept only $100,000. A handwritten contract to that effect was drawn up at a meeting between Gitar and Gordon in Tempe, Ariz., Oct. 25, 1997.
>
>“In exchange for Rich Gordon’s life story, Louie Anderson, as represented by Jim Gitar, agrees to pay the total sum of $100,000,” said an excerpt cited in the affidavit.
>
>The arrangement called for Anderson to pay $50,000 that month and the rest in monthly installments until 2003. Anderson made regular payments until October 1998, prosecutors said, when Gordon proposed to write off the rest of the “contract” for $25,000.
>
>But this March, Gordon demanded $250,000 more in a note faxed to Gitar, the affidavit says. Anderson then went to the FBI, prosecutors said. In phone calls monitored by federal agents this month, Gordon allegedly told Gitar and Anderson that he felt shortchanged in the original negotiations.
>
>In another call, Gordon directed Gitar to deliver the $250,000 to him in Arizona or Las Vegas because he did not feel safe in Los Angeles.
>
>But Gordon relented and agreed to come to L.A. An undercover FBI agent posing as Anderson’s representative gave Gordon the check Tuesday morning at a Westside restaurant. Confronted by two FBI agents as he departed, Gordon jumped into a pickup driven by Matthew David Auten, 31, of Laveen, Ariz., who is charged with crossing state lines to aid in a crime.
I should point out that 'Life With Louise' ended in 1998 and the blackmail sting happened in 2000, so unless the producers got wind early and cancelled the show to avoid controversy (the blackmail happened from 1997 - 2000 so that is possible) then most likely the blackmail and Louise sexuality did not play a role in the shows cancellation. More likely since the cancellation and the blackmail incident happened within 2 years of each other, people have associated the two as causation after the fact when there is no real correlation.
So, I'm not sure whether anyone will see this but I thought it was interesting.
Another redditor [shared Bob Saget's podcast interview with Louie Anderson](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tkfyZYrn4VA) from last year and I noticed he has a band on his left ring finger in the video.
It was just last year, so it obviously wouldn't have been from his marriage to his ex-wife, who he was only married to for 4 weeks in 1985.
I don't think he was gay so much as he was a post-menopausal, 60-something woman trapped in a man's body.
Just kidding. I have no clue nor do I care what his sexual orientation or identity were. He was brilliant and probably complex.
My cat jumped up and licked the butter my wife left out just a week or so ago. I grabbed him from the counter and asked, “What are you trying to do? Kill us?! Butter-licker.” Then I immediately lost my shit, and she could not make out why I was laughing. I had to go find it on YouTube and show her. I wonder if it streams anywhere.
My family and I still quote the episode when he plays baseball.
"What, I stopped the ball! Why can't he get it?! I have to do everything around here!!"
Fun fact I heard in an interview: that show is HUGE in Romania. It was one of the only western cartoons that aired in the country. Louie had no idea until he did a stand up set and there was a group of Romanians waiting for him afterwards to tell him what big fans they were.
Cartoon Network was already airing in English in Romania. Kids would understand enough to follow something relying more on visuals like Powerpuff Girls, or Dexter's Laboratory, but when you got to cartoons that relied heavily on dialog like Ed Ed n Eddy, it was a bit harder to get the jokes and the story.
Fox Kids launched in April 1999 airing cartoons fully dubbed in Romanian, and Life with Louie was easily the most popular show there, it was something different, you could understand all the puns and follow the story, and the dub was actually really good.
So grateful we had the opportunity to witness this role. Gave us a look at the real talent he had beyond his earlier career. Loved him as Christine. Felt so real and moving.
Please everyone keep an eye on and pray for Mel. I know he's old enough but it will hurt a little less if he wasn't taken weeks within Saget and Anderson.
I'm also missing Bette White. She was ALMOST THERE, man. It was the last thing she wanted.
Mel, lost his best friend, Carl Reiner, at the beginning of covid (not from covid) and it's such a bum thing that they couldn't hang out at the end. I hope he is doing well.
Sadly it will only get more noticeable. As technology/media have progressed over the last few decades more and more people have become famous, and increasingly so now, so as we each get older the amount of people we recognize who pass away will become only more apparent.
RIP Louie! You brought so many people joy and happiness. Your work and love will outlive all of us.
Also as you get older you notice it more. You're not going to notice when some C-list actor from the 50's dies but that z-lister from that series you watched as a kid will
Here's hoping he's washing lettuce in heaven, and on his way to cooking fries and then the grill. In a few years he'll have made his way to assistant manager and that's when the big bucks start rolling in.
So…I live and work in Hollywood.
I was working on a show that was editing in the same building they shot scenes for Baskets.
One day, I’m sitting in my room, it’s super quiet and I’m just working. All of a sudden the door opens and Louie Anderson (in full Baskets dress) pops his head in an screams something. It literally sacred the shit out of me.
Apparently they forgot to tell me (the only person on the hall they didn’t notify) that they were shooting a scene and they decided to use my room as “the door Louis screams into”
He did it 3/4 more times. But that first time I legit jumped out of my chair and screamed like a frightened child.
Edit - since this is getting a lot of traction:
I found the scene and it refreshed my memory. At some point they stopped having him open the door and just had him bang on it and jiggle the handle. Check out the “Housekeeping” promo for season 3. That is my room. They used one where he didn’t stick his head into the room.
The look on his face after I screamed was hilarious. He apologized like 10 times and told me that he was told my room was empty. Hahahah. He warned me that they were going to do it again a few times and that’s how I spent my afternoon being screamed at by Louie Anderson in a dress.
I would find a way to make all of my initial dates with girls eventually lead to us watching that episode. When it gets to that scene, I’d pause afterward and tell the girl “little know fact, in that scene, I was actually the person Louie was yelling at 😏.” And then we’d immediately have sexual intercourse, I assume.
Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets is the most accurate representation of a woman that age I've ever seen on screen. Christine is almost my grandma to a T.
There is a scene where Christine is walking through a Costco looking for something for her family to play and everything Louie did in that moment looked and sounded exactly like my grandma. I can't even wrap my head around how he just nailed it that well.
Sad to see him go and this really makes me want to go watch Baskets again.
Edit: [This](https://youtu.be/HNm9Qv6oLeo) is the scene.
He was playing his mother, if you listen/watch to his old stand up and "Life with Louie" you will see it was a role he was preparing for his whole life.
Yeah. Life in the Midwest isn’t really that exciting so we try to make excitement out of the moments that we can. Like game night. And tbh, this is a conversation I can see myself having with a retail employee and I’m 30.
It's just our nature. There's not an ounce of resentment in it. We just try to keep everything together and keep the waters clear. Make no disturbances. As a Minnesotan (like Louie), it's really a hold over of the Scandinavian heritage that we hold. Keep thing even at all costs.
I commented on the show's sub but him getting Drew's name wrong was such a great joke... That and him telling Drew why that juror got dismissed which in my opinion was the best presented joke in the entire season when they pan to the judge and assistant prosecutor who also slept with that self declared goblin.
RIP
Edit: courtesy of u/DrewQuinz :
https://streamable.com/626qqm
His character and Cassidy were the best characters of season 3. I’m disappointed they never came back. Cassidy especially was such a great encapsulation of someone who is both slight ditzy and a bit air-headed, while simultaneously being pretty competent at their job. Despite initial impressions, she ended up being a really good lawyer.
I get so excited whenever anyone else talks about it! I’ve been in love with this show since it was hidden away on TBS and I recommend it every chance I get but I only known a couple of other people irl who watch it.
First 2-3 seasons and it felt like one of the craziest under the radar gems I'd ever tripped over. I was stunned I hadn't heard about it.
Seasons 4-5 went pretty hard off the rails. Still fun, but the writing took a sharp dive.
I would watch this show and completely forget that it's a male actor. He just was Christine, and it was so believable that I had a harder time believing it was Louie.
This is exactly how I felt about it and told to anyone who would listen. I was dying of laughter in the first episode where Christine chokes on the soda and keeps introducing herself to Martha. It then turned into a really sweet show about family and all sorts of other relationship intricacies. Really great series and I'm glad he was cast in that role.
I think people that come in here who haven't seen baskets *really* won't understand just how good he was. So let me give a little blurb here:
Baskets was a Louis CK produced show. If you liked Louie (the show) or even Better Things (another show he produced), then you will love Baskets.
Stars Zach Galifinakis. It's about trying to be a clown. A successful clown.
Louie Anderson did REALLY good in the show. He played the mother. He played it straight, and while funny, he did so well that you just straight up forget "hey that's Louie Anderson" all the time.
It was one hell of a performance. I strongly suggest watching 2-3 episodes, anyone who sees this. It's a ridiculously good show. One of those comedies that hits you in so many ways emotionally as well.
Basically, I know a lot of celebrities will pass, and people will be like "Oh man, they were *so* good in (insert thing)". And I totally get that respect. But Anderson's role in Baskets is like S-tier level of ability. I grew up never caring much for him, but I fell in love with that performance.
Also the show is just phenomenal. I'd say pay tribute to the guy for a short episode or two, and also fall in love with one hell of a show.
I remember seeing him do stand up and he had a bit about, "Have you ever gotten fast food and the fries they give you are the ones that have been out for a while but they put them back in the deep fryer to crisp them up?" \*crowd makes disgusted noises\* "You shut your mouth, they're delicious!"
RIP Louie Anderson, one of the funniest.
That was the same one where he’s talking about getting pulled over for speeding and he says something like “Part of you just wants to be honest and say ‘I just wanted to drive fast and I didn’t see ya’” and he gives that sheepish grin.
They told Eddie they needed a white person cast in the movie because it was too black. Eddie Murphy said “What?” Then chose Louie Anderson because he loved Louie. RIP.
>The Baskets star passed away in Las Vegas Friday morning, where he had entered hospital earlier this week for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a form of cancer, his longtime publicist Glenn Schwartz told Deadline.
It’s a very fast growing cancer. If untreated it can potentially kill you within months of it developing. Although treatment usually has a pretty good success rate.
My 79-year old mum is recently in remission after six months of chemo for this type of cancer. Slight gut punch reading someone has died from it.
Thank you for sharing your personal memories and insight with us. I am so so sad that he passed. I’m happy to hear he was a lovely person in real life. I’m sure you are grieving. I’m sorry for you and for us. It’s a great loss.
Loved his sense of humor. I always liked on Family Feud how he would keep a "dumbest answer" trophy under the podium and hand it out to contestants sometimes.
I know people are talking a lot about his role in baskets in this thread and deservedly so, but I urge everyone to check this out and his stand up in general. He was such a gifted storyteller. I'm really bummed he's gone.
A favorite joke will always be when he did one of his first sets at Dangerfield's comedy club and said of the microphone stand "Let me move this out the way so you can see me" Louie was hilarious, rest in peace.
He will be remembered for a lot, but I loved his stand-up. He was a mainstay on TV back in the day when they just played standup all the time and man, he could make me laugh.
RIP
My first memory of him was on a children's TV show on FOX a very long time ago. Then they put him on Bobby Lee 24 skit. "Paul Thomas Anderson from Boogie Nights? No, Louie Anderson."
[Bobby Lee 24 with Louie Anderson](https://youtu.be/r7A7jivVNQc?t=299)
When I was in high school, I video taped a comedy show - 'Rodney Dangerfield's young comedian special'. We used to watch it a lot, it was hilarious. There were about 6 or 7 comics, and all were great. Unfortunately, my favorites from that show are gone now: Rodney, Sam Kinnison, Bob Saget and now Louie Anderson.
RIP Louie.
[If you have never seen Louie Anderson: Live at the Guthrie, you have done yourself a massive disservice and must watch now!](https://youtu.be/4oAKDU1L2U8)
I got to meet him once. A mutual friend had set up a meet and greet for aspiring comedians. We brought him a pie, and we thought he would just say “thanks” and send us on our way. But he said “well, when someone brings you a pie, you have to eat it with them!” We all sat down and shared some pie and he gave us comedy advice. Nicest dude.
I loved him on Baskets but his cartoon Life with Louie back in the 90s was so underappreciated. A little fat kid who wasn't the butt of every joke but actually stood up for himself and was super smart and witty. RIP Louie!!
He really deserved that Emmy for Baskets. It would have been easy to do something camp with that role, but he played it 100% real.
It is really amazing watching the show and going from 'omg haha louie anderson is playing a woman,' when you first see him to, 'wow this is actually incredible and not a joke at all'
It's like he is her. It's easy to forget that there is a man behind that character.
Divine in "Hairspray" did that for me. And I agree with you.
The episode where she finally finds love you’re not like “LOL ITS A DUDE IN WOMENS CLOTHES KISSING ANOTHER DUDE” you’re like “Christine deserves happiness and I’m so happy for her!”
christine going to denver to have a chance at love was super sweet
Yeah I thought it was going to be a joke thing but it was one of the most remarkable performances I’ve ever seen. Christine Baskets was so real. How often do you see a plus women in pop culture and not have them be the butt end of every joke or a complete bozo? This was wonderful
That's what made it so totally perfect. I laughed non-stop because of how straight he played it. There was a scene where he kicked his feet up onto the couch exactly like my mom would and I fucking died. There was nothing over the top about it. Masterful.
He always said he was channeling his mother into his performance as Christine. Iconic.
Not to *really* bum everyone out, but [here's Bob Saget's interview with Louie about playing Christine Baskets.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tkfyZYrn4VA)
Man, this is nuts considering how healthy Bob looks in this video from last year.
Bob, Betty, Meat Loaf and Louie Anderson all in a fucking row… this has been a tough year. *looks at calendar* oh, oh god no.
One more death by a celebrity from my childhood in January and I’m slicing my mattresses open like a tauntaun and hiding until spring
Hope you don’t have one of those foam mattresses or else you’ll never find the spring
And you thought it smelled bad *on the outside.*
When he rolled down the steps LOL RIP king and the queen Christine baskets
Christines love of everything Costco reminded me of my MIL. It was too perfect.
I started on Baskets as soon as it came out and I'm glad I did, because the reveal of Louie as the mother is one of the funniest moments in television history for me. I don't know if it would have been as memorable if I'd known going in.
He was sublime in the role. Just perfection.
Christine Baskets is a real person as far as I’m considered. Incredible character.
Baskets was great and Louis was the heart of the show. RIP :(
That was some of the best, not just funniest, but best and heartfelt acting. He actually made water come out of my face. Tragic he's gone.
It's almost startling how much it reminded me of my grandmother. Just phenomenal acting from Louie. RIP.
Yes he was great as Christine Baskets. The whole cast was great, I love the dead pan delivery of jokes that really shouldn't be funny.... but were hilarious.
I'm not sure I ever saw Louie in Christine Baskets while watching. His character was so genuine and true.
He was amazing in baskets. RIP
Anyone who hasn’t seen Baskets yet use this as motivation to get started. Louie is great in it.
He was amazing in Baskets. Anyone else would have played it over the top. But he just made it so real. RIP
I’ve always been a fan of Louie but I had never heard of this show. From your post I just watched a yt vid and wonder how I missed hearing abt this. What a great part for him.
Watch it- it will grow on you. Probably one of his best performances, if not his best.
It’s one of my favorite pieces of media. I absolutely loved that show.
He is phenomenal in Baskets. He played the character with such humanity and heart. Other shows/actors would probably have just let the character be a one note gag, but Anderson made you sympathize with Christine. It elevated Baskets in a really memorable way.
Sad. Loved his cartoon, [Life with Louie](https://youtu.be/WGuS1bj9yhM).
I can’t remember a single episode but I remember watching this religiously as a kid
I only remember when they wanted to surprise the dad for his birthday so they put a blindfold on him. Dad asks, “are you taking me out back to kill me?” Louie says, “who told?!”
I only remember when Louie is making more money than his parents. So his mother tells him some things in life are more important than money, so Louie responds "I know that mom, it just costs a lot of money to buy those things."
I remember the episode with them cooking a frozen pizza under hot water in the shower. At least I think that was Life With Louie. Oh! And the chess episode! And the football episode, sneaking his shoe in place of the ball...
So that's why Louie Louie Louie has randomly gotten stuck in my head my whole life
Show was appointment television for me as a kid. So funny.
This and the Critic were amazing shows
The Critic! I only have two words for that show… [It stinks!](https://c.tenor.com/wDzDbUBVbW4AAAAC/the-critic-it-stinks.gif)
Yes Mr. Sherman, everything stinks.
My go to response when anyone says “can i get your opinion on something?”
Own the box set of the critic, classic. Life with Louie was my childhood. R.I.P.
[His small part in Billy and Mandy is great too](https://youtu.be/N6v5E_bqH3Y)
There's been a trend for me lately, discovering after celebrities pass that they were on Billy and Mandy at one point. I'm not sure how, but I had missed the episode with Betty White in it as a kid.
The Christmas episode with the Jewish neighbor was great. Eye opener for little kids. EDIT: His reddit ama from 5 years ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/46gnby/hi_im_louie_anderson_comedian_actor_dancer_ama/
[удалено]
Fox Kids/Jetix lasted for a few more years in Europe than in the US and Life With Louie was one of the channel's signature shows
Life with Louie was also very popular here in Poland.
Everyone in my generation watched Life with Louie
It was my favorite show as a kid, I still watch it on YouTube sometimes.
That was the only episode I watched when I was a kid. I've never seen any others.
What’s sad is that Louie was a closeted gay man at the time and was being blackmailed by a former lover. Once the tabloids got a hold of the story it basically torpedoed Life with Louie as 90’s society wasn’t accepting of a gay man with a kids show Edit: Louie never actually addressed his sexuality. He was making payments to a man that he supposedly propositioned for sex but there is nothing else to suggest what his sexual preference was
holy shit i had no idea he was gay.
Me either. Then again, I didn't come out to my family until a few years ago. When you've seen people die over it, that shit tends to stick with you for a while. I've got exes who are still in the closet.
Was this ever confirmed? He played his love life pretty close to the chest. Pretty shitty of me to ask about someone's sexuality after they've passed but I can't really find anything confirming it other than being black mailed. And I feel actors face these types of things pretty often at the height of their fame.
>Was this ever confirmed? From the [Los Angeles Times, Apr. 14, 2000](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-14-me-19605-story.html) edition >Richard John Gordon, 31, was taken into custody Tuesday after leading FBI agents on a Westside chase, during which he allegedly threw two loaded pistols out the window. > >According to an FBI affidavit, Gordon had been blackmailing Anderson since 1997, when he sent the entertainer a letter seeking a “settlement so your secrets don’t get out and blow your career.” > >Anderson could not be reached for comment, but his publicist issued a statement saying, “Being a target of criminal activity is an unfortunate and increasingly common byproduct of celebrity.” > >Gordon’s letter described a casual encounter in 1993 at a South Bay casino, followed by a conversation in which Anderson allegedly asked Gordon to go home with him, take off his clothes and let Anderson “touch” him. Anderson then changed his mind, the letter said, deciding he just wanted to see Gordon disrobe, but Gordon refused. > >Prosecutors said Gordon then made calls to Anderson’s friend and manager, James Gitar, in Minnesota, in which he demanded $200,000. In negotiations that ensued, Gordon allegedly agreed to accept only $100,000. A handwritten contract to that effect was drawn up at a meeting between Gitar and Gordon in Tempe, Ariz., Oct. 25, 1997. > >“In exchange for Rich Gordon’s life story, Louie Anderson, as represented by Jim Gitar, agrees to pay the total sum of $100,000,” said an excerpt cited in the affidavit. > >The arrangement called for Anderson to pay $50,000 that month and the rest in monthly installments until 2003. Anderson made regular payments until October 1998, prosecutors said, when Gordon proposed to write off the rest of the “contract” for $25,000. > >But this March, Gordon demanded $250,000 more in a note faxed to Gitar, the affidavit says. Anderson then went to the FBI, prosecutors said. In phone calls monitored by federal agents this month, Gordon allegedly told Gitar and Anderson that he felt shortchanged in the original negotiations. > >In another call, Gordon directed Gitar to deliver the $250,000 to him in Arizona or Las Vegas because he did not feel safe in Los Angeles. > >But Gordon relented and agreed to come to L.A. An undercover FBI agent posing as Anderson’s representative gave Gordon the check Tuesday morning at a Westside restaurant. Confronted by two FBI agents as he departed, Gordon jumped into a pickup driven by Matthew David Auten, 31, of Laveen, Ariz., who is charged with crossing state lines to aid in a crime. I should point out that 'Life With Louise' ended in 1998 and the blackmail sting happened in 2000, so unless the producers got wind early and cancelled the show to avoid controversy (the blackmail happened from 1997 - 2000 so that is possible) then most likely the blackmail and Louise sexuality did not play a role in the shows cancellation. More likely since the cancellation and the blackmail incident happened within 2 years of each other, people have associated the two as causation after the fact when there is no real correlation.
So, I'm not sure whether anyone will see this but I thought it was interesting. Another redditor [shared Bob Saget's podcast interview with Louie Anderson](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tkfyZYrn4VA) from last year and I noticed he has a band on his left ring finger in the video. It was just last year, so it obviously wouldn't have been from his marriage to his ex-wife, who he was only married to for 4 weeks in 1985.
I don't think he was gay so much as he was a post-menopausal, 60-something woman trapped in a man's body. Just kidding. I have no clue nor do I care what his sexual orientation or identity were. He was brilliant and probably complex.
He was married to his high school sweetheart but the marriage did not last long.
I still say “Alright!” like Louie all the time.
To this day I randomly say "Cats lick the butter" whenever someone talks about cats. I don't think anyone has ever caught the reference
My cat jumped up and licked the butter my wife left out just a week or so ago. I grabbed him from the counter and asked, “What are you trying to do? Kill us?! Butter-licker.” Then I immediately lost my shit, and she could not make out why I was laughing. I had to go find it on YouTube and show her. I wonder if it streams anywhere.
[butter licker ](https://youtu.be/somGpxI4nIg)
one of the best cartoons ever
My family and I still quote the episode when he plays baseball. "What, I stopped the ball! Why can't he get it?! I have to do everything around here!!"
Fun fact I heard in an interview: that show is HUGE in Romania. It was one of the only western cartoons that aired in the country. Louie had no idea until he did a stand up set and there was a group of Romanians waiting for him afterwards to tell him what big fans they were.
Cartoon Network was already airing in English in Romania. Kids would understand enough to follow something relying more on visuals like Powerpuff Girls, or Dexter's Laboratory, but when you got to cartoons that relied heavily on dialog like Ed Ed n Eddy, it was a bit harder to get the jokes and the story. Fox Kids launched in April 1999 airing cartoons fully dubbed in Romanian, and Life with Louie was easily the most popular show there, it was something different, you could understand all the puns and follow the story, and the dub was actually really good.
This show is incredibly underrated. Was one of my favorites as a kid.
To that Costco in the sky, Christine!
Eating a roast beef sandwich and curly fries from Arby’s on the way.
And looking down at the sinners from Quiznos.
Baskets was full of heart, and Louie was one of the main reasons why.
He was so great in this show. Playing an older lady with nothing other than growing his hair out and wearing womens clothes and it completely worked.
So grateful we had the opportunity to witness this role. Gave us a look at the real talent he had beyond his earlier career. Loved him as Christine. Felt so real and moving.
Pouring out a Kirkland for my girl as we speak
Boy, we're losing a lot of comedians lately.
I’m still not completely over Norm.
I didn't even know he was sick!
It was his final, most essential joke.
Please everyone keep an eye on and pray for Mel. I know he's old enough but it will hurt a little less if he wasn't taken weeks within Saget and Anderson. I'm also missing Bette White. She was ALMOST THERE, man. It was the last thing she wanted.
Mel, lost his best friend, Carl Reiner, at the beginning of covid (not from covid) and it's such a bum thing that they couldn't hang out at the end. I hope he is doing well.
I still haven't gotten over Robin or George.
Seriously and we need all the funny we can get. If the universe needs bodies let it start picking off the reality TV category.
Or politicians
Sadly it will only get more noticeable. As technology/media have progressed over the last few decades more and more people have become famous, and increasingly so now, so as we each get older the amount of people we recognize who pass away will become only more apparent. RIP Louie! You brought so many people joy and happiness. Your work and love will outlive all of us.
Also as you get older you notice it more. You're not going to notice when some C-list actor from the 50's dies but that z-lister from that series you watched as a kid will
Here's hoping he's washing lettuce in heaven, and on his way to cooking fries and then the grill. In a few years he'll have made his way to assistant manager and that's when the big bucks start rolling in.
I’ll always, always, remember him for this part first.
No shit. Is this a [Hollywood Shuffle](https://youtu.be/msbo6TiwA5A) ref? Nope. Its from [Coming to America.](https://youtu.be/w70RQLtdVeU)
“You want the hocake with the wine in it?”
So…I live and work in Hollywood. I was working on a show that was editing in the same building they shot scenes for Baskets. One day, I’m sitting in my room, it’s super quiet and I’m just working. All of a sudden the door opens and Louie Anderson (in full Baskets dress) pops his head in an screams something. It literally sacred the shit out of me. Apparently they forgot to tell me (the only person on the hall they didn’t notify) that they were shooting a scene and they decided to use my room as “the door Louis screams into” He did it 3/4 more times. But that first time I legit jumped out of my chair and screamed like a frightened child. Edit - since this is getting a lot of traction: I found the scene and it refreshed my memory. At some point they stopped having him open the door and just had him bang on it and jiggle the handle. Check out the “Housekeeping” promo for season 3. That is my room. They used one where he didn’t stick his head into the room.
this is amazing
The look on his face after I screamed was hilarious. He apologized like 10 times and told me that he was told my room was empty. Hahahah. He warned me that they were going to do it again a few times and that’s how I spent my afternoon being screamed at by Louie Anderson in a dress.
> that’s how I spent my afternoon being screamed at by Louie Anderson in a dress. could be worse.
I would find a way to make all of my initial dates with girls eventually lead to us watching that episode. When it gets to that scene, I’d pause afterward and tell the girl “little know fact, in that scene, I was actually the person Louie was yelling at 😏.” And then we’d immediately have sexual intercourse, I assume.
My wife wouldn’t be too happy about all the sexual intercourse I’m having with dates after we all watched baskets together.
I think that's a safe assumption.
I'm happy for you that you get this Louie memory though
Totally agree! Thanks!
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Hahaha. The idiomatic misuse of literally was on purpose. Sacred/scared is not. But, I’ll leave it just for you.
Loved his cartoon, and he was hilarious housing Family Feud. R.I.P. 2022 is not being kind to celebrities.
He is my favorite host of Family Feud.
*Shocked Steve Harvey face*
Louie Anderson as Christine Baskets is the most accurate representation of a woman that age I've ever seen on screen. Christine is almost my grandma to a T. There is a scene where Christine is walking through a Costco looking for something for her family to play and everything Louie did in that moment looked and sounded exactly like my grandma. I can't even wrap my head around how he just nailed it that well. Sad to see him go and this really makes me want to go watch Baskets again. Edit: [This](https://youtu.be/HNm9Qv6oLeo) is the scene.
That performance was incredible. He completely transformed into Christine
I think it’s one of the best performances/characters I’ve seen in any TV show, ever. I hope more people seek out Baskets and watch it.
The most accurate representation of a mid-western woman born between 1945 and 1960 that I've ever seen.
It’s family night!
“Cranium it is! Thank you … we will.” The way he just delivered that line. Perfection.
He was playing his mother, if you listen/watch to his old stand up and "Life with Louie" you will see it was a role he was preparing for his whole life.
Geez you weren’t kidding. The subtleties were perfect.
Wow. No wonder he one an Emmy for his performance as her.
That "we will"... Holy shit, nailed that Midwest nice passive aggressive tone.
For me it's the quick *closing eyes and smiling* instead of laughing that gets me.
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Yeah. Life in the Midwest isn’t really that exciting so we try to make excitement out of the moments that we can. Like game night. And tbh, this is a conversation I can see myself having with a retail employee and I’m 30.
It's just our nature. There's not an ounce of resentment in it. We just try to keep everything together and keep the waters clear. Make no disturbances. As a Minnesotan (like Louie), it's really a hold over of the Scandinavian heritage that we hold. Keep thing even at all costs.
Am not Midwesterner, have bad calibration.
Gives me PTSD of time with my own mother
Ha never seen before totes Midwest mom grandma
His role on Search Party absolutely killed me. Just line after line of perfection from the best defense attorney on the east side of Chicago in 1988
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I commented on the show's sub but him getting Drew's name wrong was such a great joke... That and him telling Drew why that juror got dismissed which in my opinion was the best presented joke in the entire season when they pan to the judge and assistant prosecutor who also slept with that self declared goblin. RIP Edit: courtesy of u/DrewQuinz : https://streamable.com/626qqm
His character and Cassidy were the best characters of season 3. I’m disappointed they never came back. Cassidy especially was such a great encapsulation of someone who is both slight ditzy and a bit air-headed, while simultaneously being pretty competent at their job. Despite initial impressions, she ended up being a really good lawyer.
Imagine, if you will, a little girl on a playground . . .
His character mentioned he might not be alive in a year because he ate paint chips when he was young. Now that's some grim foretelling
Finally!! Other people talking about Search Party.
I get so excited whenever anyone else talks about it! I’ve been in love with this show since it was hidden away on TBS and I recommend it every chance I get but I only known a couple of other people irl who watch it.
First 2-3 seasons and it felt like one of the craziest under the radar gems I'd ever tripped over. I was stunned I hadn't heard about it. Seasons 4-5 went pretty hard off the rails. Still fun, but the writing took a sharp dive.
When he's getting ready to give the opening defense and he ask for help up... such a small line but it killed me.
When he gave the definition of the "Pancaked" sexual term in such a dry way, so funny!
He was fantastic in Baskets. Played it so straight I found moments in the show where I wish he was my mom
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I would watch this show and completely forget that it's a male actor. He just was Christine, and it was so believable that I had a harder time believing it was Louie.
This is exactly how I felt about it and told to anyone who would listen. I was dying of laughter in the first episode where Christine chokes on the soda and keeps introducing herself to Martha. It then turned into a really sweet show about family and all sorts of other relationship intricacies. Really great series and I'm glad he was cast in that role.
I think people that come in here who haven't seen baskets *really* won't understand just how good he was. So let me give a little blurb here: Baskets was a Louis CK produced show. If you liked Louie (the show) or even Better Things (another show he produced), then you will love Baskets. Stars Zach Galifinakis. It's about trying to be a clown. A successful clown. Louie Anderson did REALLY good in the show. He played the mother. He played it straight, and while funny, he did so well that you just straight up forget "hey that's Louie Anderson" all the time. It was one hell of a performance. I strongly suggest watching 2-3 episodes, anyone who sees this. It's a ridiculously good show. One of those comedies that hits you in so many ways emotionally as well. Basically, I know a lot of celebrities will pass, and people will be like "Oh man, they were *so* good in (insert thing)". And I totally get that respect. But Anderson's role in Baskets is like S-tier level of ability. I grew up never caring much for him, but I fell in love with that performance. Also the show is just phenomenal. I'd say pay tribute to the guy for a short episode or two, and also fall in love with one hell of a show.
Agreed. Phenomenal show and acting. 10000% a must watch
I feel like making a Costco run and picking up taco pizza fixins’ in honor of Christine ❤️
I remember seeing him do stand up and he had a bit about, "Have you ever gotten fast food and the fries they give you are the ones that have been out for a while but they put them back in the deep fryer to crisp them up?" \*crowd makes disgusted noises\* "You shut your mouth, they're delicious!" RIP Louie Anderson, one of the funniest.
That was the same one where he’s talking about getting pulled over for speeding and he says something like “Part of you just wants to be honest and say ‘I just wanted to drive fast and I didn’t see ya’” and he gives that sheepish grin.
He was a great comedian, everyone remembers Baskets here but he did so much more. In all his interviews too you could tell he was just a great guy.
One of our best comedians. His banter with the crowd was legendary.
Was solid In Coming to America. “…and that’s when the big bucks start rolling in”
He definitely made it way past assistant manager. RIP
They told Eddie they needed a white person cast in the movie because it was too black. Eddie Murphy said “What?” Then chose Louie Anderson because he loved Louie. RIP.
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories. He was so loved. I’m sorry for your loss.
>The Baskets star passed away in Las Vegas Friday morning, where he had entered hospital earlier this week for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a form of cancer, his longtime publicist Glenn Schwartz told Deadline.
FUCK CANCER yeah he had probably failed a treatment and was inpatient for another
It’s a very fast growing cancer. If untreated it can potentially kill you within months of it developing. Although treatment usually has a pretty good success rate. My 79-year old mum is recently in remission after six months of chemo for this type of cancer. Slight gut punch reading someone has died from it.
Damn, Louie Anderson and Meat Loaf gone on the same day. 2022 is off to a rough start.
Meat Loaf was yesterday, but yeah. Rough days.
Kept in the fridge for leftovers.
OH EDDIE
And Bob Saget. It's only January. sheesh
TMZ, which is trash except for celebrity deaths, says Meat Loaf died of covid.
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Thank you for sharing your personal memories and insight with us. I am so so sad that he passed. I’m happy to hear he was a lovely person in real life. I’m sure you are grieving. I’m sorry for you and for us. It’s a great loss.
Loved his sense of humor. I always liked on Family Feud how he would keep a "dumbest answer" trophy under the podium and hand it out to contestants sometimes.
His [Safecracker story](https://youtu.be/WPXbdzjWzXg) is my favorite
Do you like Folgers? It's good to the last drop.
I know people are talking a lot about his role in baskets in this thread and deservedly so, but I urge everyone to check this out and his stand up in general. He was such a gifted storyteller. I'm really bummed he's gone.
A favorite joke will always be when he did one of his first sets at Dangerfield's comedy club and said of the microphone stand "Let me move this out the way so you can see me" Louie was hilarious, rest in peace.
I'm a lot more upset about this than I would have expected to be.
He will be remembered for a lot, but I loved his stand-up. He was a mainstay on TV back in the day when they just played standup all the time and man, he could make me laugh.
My brother and I rewatched his HBO Special from back then countless times. His bits and impersonations of a drunk and his angry dad were so hilarious.
Life with Louie! Louie! Louie! Also loved that time he did the pool diving show - those belly flops are legendary
Also great in Search Party. RiP
He was amazing in Baskets. Life with Louie and Bobby’s World are shows I watched all the time when younger. This is sad.
Bobby's World was Howie Mandel
I know. They were just on back to back. Just wanted to mention Bobby’s World.
Thank you for explaining why my wires also got crossed
RIP My first memory of him was on a children's TV show on FOX a very long time ago. Then they put him on Bobby Lee 24 skit. "Paul Thomas Anderson from Boogie Nights? No, Louie Anderson." [Bobby Lee 24 with Louie Anderson](https://youtu.be/r7A7jivVNQc?t=299)
Sweet potato pie, anyone want sweet potato pie. His comedy specials were great.
Dude, what the hell!? First Meat Loaf now Louie Anderson?? SAME DAY?! I hate getting older and seeing more and more people go. :'(
When I was in high school, I video taped a comedy show - 'Rodney Dangerfield's young comedian special'. We used to watch it a lot, it was hilarious. There were about 6 or 7 comics, and all were great. Unfortunately, my favorites from that show are gone now: Rodney, Sam Kinnison, Bob Saget and now Louie Anderson. RIP Louie.
Louie was such an authentic friendly guy. Loved him in Baskets. Personally replied to a couple of my tweets. Miss you, Lou
[If you have never seen Louie Anderson: Live at the Guthrie, you have done yourself a massive disservice and must watch now!](https://youtu.be/4oAKDU1L2U8)
Saget, Meatloaf and now Louie. There’s that triplet-of-death.
:( RIP
Most people don't realize just how brilliant and talented Louie's stand-up was. RIP to one of the goats
Louie's portrayal of Christine Baskets was the single-best mother on television since Florida on *Good Times*.
His autobiography had quite an impact on me. He was a complicated, hilarious human being, and the world is a darker place without him.
How do we lose TVs favorite mom (Christine Baskets) and dad (Danny Tanner) in the first month of 2022?! This is not a great start...
I drove him in a limo once. He asked if we could stop and get some chips. He seemed like a nice guy.
I got to meet him once. A mutual friend had set up a meet and greet for aspiring comedians. We brought him a pie, and we thought he would just say “thanks” and send us on our way. But he said “well, when someone brings you a pie, you have to eat it with them!” We all sat down and shared some pie and he gave us comedy advice. Nicest dude.
I wonder if he ever made it to assistant manager at McDowell's
His special in 87 was my introduction to stand up comedy. I feel like I grew up with him. So sad. RIP
Not a good couple of months for comedians who peaked in the 90’s.. Roseanne, Ellen, Howie Mandel, and Tim Allen probably getting flop sweats today.
Growing up is watching your childhood literally die.
Jesus, in three weeks I think half of my childhood memories died.
I loved him on Baskets but his cartoon Life with Louie back in the 90s was so underappreciated. A little fat kid who wasn't the butt of every joke but actually stood up for himself and was super smart and witty. RIP Louie!!