In 1996, I met Louie at the checkout at Ralph's in Studio City, about 2 AM. I started talking to him by asking him about a book he wrote. I actually read it. We had a great conversation. He checked out before me and thanked me and left. After I checked out, I was on my way to my car and he pulled up by me, handed me a large orange and white rose and thanked me for the kind words, starting the conversation, and the nice discussion, and my support. I hugged him. He was so kind, sincere, and real.

Rest in piece to this absolute legend

I must have been about 10 when this came out. This routine genuinely helped me deal with my insane alcoholic parents. I felt like I wasn't alone.

Louie was one of the most underrated funnytellers. No matter how bad things got for us, my family could watch him and laugh hysterically together. Thankyou Louie, for a lifetime of showing the eternal hilarious truths of families and our crazy relationships. Glad you got to shine for a new generation too. It’s a sadder earth now, without you. You did your mom proud.

Went for the first time to a comedy club in Denver in early 1985 with my soon-to-be wife. Some guy named Louie Anderson comes out and starts up, and had us all cracking up from minute one. Over thirty years later we repeat some of his lines to each other. Completely spoiled us for comedy, we thought you could just walk into random comedy clubs and see great acts at any time, were we wrong. But we saw Louie just as he was taking off.

This guy is a genius of writing comedy. I love it. No tricks, no cheap offensive stuff. Just quality observational writing with killer character delivery. He's my fav!

What I always found amazing about him is how you really felt you were looking at his mom, his dad, him as a child, whenever he went into those characters. His facial expressions were golden.

Louie Anderson was my moms favorite...he would make her cry with laughter..i watch this often..feels like im watching it with her..she would have loved seeing him im basket's

We’re all here for Louie holding onto the laughs. One of the greatest of all times…

This is superbly written. Louie couldn't get more relaxed on stage. A true master of his craft.

RIP Louie Anderson. God 🙏 bless. One of the funniest comedians I've ever seen. Rest well my friend.

35 years later the comedy still holds up fresh as ever! Incredible comedian! Rest In Peace Louie!

This is comedy gold.. its relatable and no matter the decade it will always be relevant. His facial expressions are fantastic, especially his mums, he can change his whole demeanour when he portrays her.

RIP Louie. I remember this stand up from when I was a kid and had to find it. Thinking of you today Louie...

Had this on VHS and audio cassette as a teen in the late 80s. I watched it today for the first time in probably 30 years...laughed just as hard.

Had to.come here and say goodbye to one of my favorite Comedians of all time. Very few Comics can pull off a clean performance. He was a legend in my neighborhood in St Paul. RIP Loiue thanks for the laughs

Saw Louie do this routine in Hollywood at the Comedy Store on Sunset blvd in the 1980s. He was the funniest comedian I ever saw live.

Thank you for uploading this. Like you, he helped me feel less lonely (and ashamed) because he talked about his alcoholic father and the impact it had on his life. His insight on that -- and many other things -- made him very important as a performer. His performance in 'Baskets' was amazing and I was so happy he got the recognition he deserved from that show before he passed away. He gave a lot to the world.

Wow. After decades I finally watched Louie Anderson live on KZfaq. He's just great.

Wow, these 80's comedians. Forgot how great they were. Impeccable timing.

RIP Louie, thank you for all the great laughs and being a great rep for us people from Minnesota

This will always be the best. I remember going to the comedy store around 2018 after an anxious day and Louie popped in and his hilariousness and warmth brought me so much peace and solace. RIP 💔

2020 who's still watching and laughing

RIP Louie. This was the first special I ever watched. My mom rented the vhs from the library and she laughed super hard. She still quotes this.

This is one of my favorite comedy sets, RIP Louie, thanks for all the laughs

He's an amazing clean comic no cussing but super funny that's how you know someone has talent for real .

RIP Louie. Truly one of the greatest stand up comedians! He makes me laugh so much.

Louie was up there with John Candy. He was so underrated. Still funnier than most comedians today. Without cussing.

Great comedy, killer tie-ins, perfect facial expressions and body language, drawing on personal experience.. Perfect.

"Baskets" introduced me to Louie Anderson -- how did I miss him all these years? A brilliant man! To sustain this routine is magnificent!

RIP LOUIE…..seriously one of my favorite stand up specials, funny guy without all the profanity

My absolute favorite. Just heard of his passing. Will watch this tonight. So many lines from this routine made their way in to my life even to this day..... Loook at thaaaat

Just saw Louie at the State Theater last Sunday. Had a chance to talk with him for a few minutes. What a pleasure. So sweet of him to take the time cause I know how exhausted he must’ve been. Thanks Louie❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I’ve watched this so many times but I had to watch it again today. Louie died today! Thank you for so many laughs. 😭

His facial expressions are the best....

He was truly one of the greats and I don't think he got the recognition he deserved. In the "stand-up 80's" when everyone that got on stage was considered funny, he actually was. He didn't use schtick, impressions, or props the guy was just funny. He could do this whole hour today because it wasn't of that time like everyone else was doing. I haven't kept up with him over the years but I miss that he's not walking among us anymore.

My family loves this even now! We still use the phrases during the holidays and family dinners, lol

The wife and I used to see him almost every year during the 1990s when he played in Vegas. I love the fact that he uses very little profanity. Find his act where he talks about the FBI agents coming to his house to arrest his brother. Funniest 10 minutes of stand up I've ever heard!

I swear he's talking about my parents. They were EXACTLY like he describes his parents. Too damn funny 🤣🤣

"When I was a kid they didn't have children."

One my favorite comedians, You will be missed Louie

Everyone in the audience would laugh and look at Louis so lovingly he really touched people strongly.

It took me decades to realize how brilliant this man is.

As was at the late show this night. Met Louie many times when I worked at the airport in mpls. He would always stop and chat. Sweetheart of a guy.

That was the best half hour lunch and two breaks I've taken in my working career

First time listening to Louie Anderson was back in 9th grade, on my recommended. RIP Louie. You were the one to get me into watching stand-up comedy.

His mom sounded so precious tho.

I remember watching this when it first came out. Wherever we went in the world (military family), Louie was always a little bit of home we took with us. We loved him! Mind how you go, Louie. You were such a treasure.

I love Louie. He's just adorable!

My heart is broken. RIP Louie.

Some of the best comedians are storytellers. Louie is one of the best.

"The cranberries!" OMG so many times...

Louie, you’re one of a kind! Funny, sweet - we’re children again when you’re on stage. God bless!

About his mom: "I've never had an accident." "But you've caused a lot of them!" LOL!

One of the few that can make me laugh and cry equally.

Louie Anderson is a one-man sitcom. What a legend

Can you say stage presence anyone? Man he's truly a comedic genius.

RIP Sweet Louie 🙏❤ The funniest comedian ever!!!! Nobody comes close to his talent. What a loss for humanity. 😔💔

RIP Louie 😭 This is 1 of my favorite stand up routines of all time! Totally portrays growing up in the upper midwest in that era😆🤣

I forgot how funny Louie was, it's been a while since I saw him. He is hilarious😂🤣 I love this!!!

This special never gets old. Truly funny man!!

Louie Anderson is one of the very few who make me laugh out loud no matter how many times I hear the same material. There also is such pathos to his stuff you could just cry you laugh with a catch in your throat

Rest in peace Louie , you'll be missed.

He's so funny. I saw him live about a year ago. He's clean and smart, that's why it's the best

That child like face, gets me everytime.

So saddened to hear about his death today 😔 He was genuinely funny - no vulgar or cussing! You can watch his skit with your kids…. One of a kind indeed!!!!!

Love Louie Anderson! Can’t stop laughing. Reminds me of all the experiences with my own family.

"Theres where that nut Shirley lives. Throw that toaster onto her lawn!" "Not the chord!" Omfg. This takes me back. Louie was a boss!

He was a hysterically funny comedian. Rest In Peace Louie.

I will never forget "Life With Louie" when I was a kid. This is pure gold. So underrated.

This is our family's most loved comedy routine.

31 years ago, and I remember this like yesterday. Love Louie!

I was at the Guthrie the night this was taped. Hilarious. He's not just setup > punchline, its all the mimicry and facial expressions.

Love this dude. RIP Louie! I was a teenager when I first saw this act and fell in love with stand up! And he's from my home state! :)

I’m SO SORRY, SO SO SAD that Louie is gone……💔💔💔💔

We watched this years ago and then had Dad and Mom sit and watch it. Too many things hit so close to home! My dad laughed SO hard..and, to this day we still say, “Ohh, there’s sweet potatoes in the oven.” every Thanksgiving. Don’t know HOW many times we say, “You’re ruining the family!” to each other and the kids. Just love this routine. You know a comedian nailed it when you’re still quoting them decades later.

I was just looking to try and see him and now he's gone. What an amazing humble man.

Louie was a true master of his craft! Supremely comfortable on stage and his timing was spot on. RIP! You will be missed, Louie.

32 years later and this is completely un-aged. Except for the reference to Red Owl grocery store. How many stand-up acts from the 80s can stand up this long?

his comedy is so wholesome but it's hilarious

Me and my dad did not get along. Until we bonded over stand-up comediens right around this time. Thank you Louie.

Anybody who is trying to do comedy needs to watch the master. The way he works the crowd. The callbacks. The timing. Its all epic. One of the greats.

THE CRANBERRIES! Jesus Christ my mom did that so many times

“I didn’t get cable til I was 12” It’s like he could see the future.

I’ve been lookin for this for yearssss. I remember watching this with my dad when I was 12.

I always loved watching his cartoon "Life with Louie". Thanks for uploading

I know that finding humor is just so subjective... but I’ve always thought Louie was one of the funniest people on the planet in the mid-late 80’s. I grew up the youngest in a large family, and much of what he says really hits home with me. He’s truly a masterful and hilarious storyteller.

watching in 2019 because louie still cracks me up

"Oh, I think he's on dope, mother..." Bwahaha!!! I remember getting this VHS back when it was first released. I had it memorized within a week. I still knowit by heart to this day!!!

Brian, Thanks for posting. I agree, being from the Midwest, his comedy has resonated with me for years and it is through Baskets that everything is coming full circle. Beautiful.

The world is a brighter place for his having been here. Love you Louie! Now he’s surrounded by love all the time, where he belongs 🙏🏻💖🥰🦋

Funny thing about his joke on kids saying " I didn't get cable til I was 12" is that I've done that with my kids, only it was about not having a cell phone and having to use dialup internet and sharing the phone line and the horrible speeds. Haha.

"You know you're getting older when the first thing you do is look for a place to lay down."

The best comedy is timeless and this is a great example. This material would kill today.

I'm just mesmerized by how skinny everyone was in his audience in 1987. We're doomed.

He knew us fellow Minnesotans so well. He never forgot where he was from, and we will never forget him.

i remember my first cassette i bought him to listen while driving he is amazing and can still do it bless you louie anderson jim nyc

I loved the cartoon as a child. I remember watching this special at some point in high school (early 2000s) and loved it. And now watching it again all these years later... it stands the test of time. Still very funny.

Simply put, it's a perfect set. The pacing, the delivery, the material, the impressions of his family. You feel like you're part of his family and know his life intimately throughout, and it is such a rare thing to achieve. A masterclass of the artform.

"Now you and I know both know your mother's got problems" "You know your father's not well"