Back in Minnesota, Louie Anderson should be safe from Zach Galifianakis pranks

Louie Anderson needs a swimming pool where he can do the backstroke every day for about an hour. Send me a message if you have any suggestions.

Anderson is going to need all his stamina while here for shows in July. On July 7 and 8 he'll be at the Joke Joint Comedy Club in St. Paul at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. July 9 at 7 p.m. it'll be "Red, White & Louie" at Great River Arts in Little Falls, Minn. On July 13 he'll be in Shakopee at Turtle's Bar and Grill for an 8 p.m. performance. July 14 at 8 p.m. Anderson will be at Maple Tavern in Maple Grove, where he will also perform on July 15 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

"My new show is full of my adventures in touring in the last year, from beautiful Vermont to the Alamo," said Anderson via e-mail. The 10th of 11 children said he'll also mine "my pack-rat tendencies, my dad and mom, cheap cereal and Aqua Net, Robert Hall, husky-size corduroys, Fitbit and big underwear" for laughs.

Anderson won the 2016 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role on FX's "Baskets," the dark single-camera comedy created by Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis and Jonathan Krisel. Anderson breaks hearts in the role of Christine Baskets, mother of twins Chip and Dale, who are played by Galifianakis.

Louie, with whom I once co-starred in a Mall of America commercial, thanked me "for the great questions."

Q: When you come back to Minnesota for appearances, is it like coming home all warm and comfy, or is there more pressure?

A: It's comfy but also personal pressure to me as a performer. These are the people who taught me how to do comedy.

A: Early on I got booed occasionally, but I've been really lucky in Minnesota.

Q: What subjects are off-limits in your comedy?

A: I'm not much into politics.

Q: Early in your comedy career would you ever have imagined such success dressing up like … I think your Mom was the inspiration for that character and pretending to be her, in a way?

A: I did dream about the success. Playing a woman is somewhat like playing my mom & five sisters along, with a little meanness of my dad's at times.

A: Mom would be beyond thrilled & would give some pointers on what I'm doing not quite right!!

Q: Has Caroline Rhea complained that your wig looks a little too much like her hair?

A: I just saw Caroline a few days ago & she didn't mention my wig, but did say she was proud of my work in "Baskets" on FX. She's a lovely person who is very funny.

Q: There is this new version of "Undercover Boss" on CBS that features celebrities helping people in their line of entertainment. Do you think you could pull off that as Mrs. Baskets? (By the way, Darius Rucker, I recognized you in old man's makeup instantly and I pay no attention to country music.)

A: I think I could pull off "Undercover Boss," but might have to go as a brunette or redhead.

A: He sewed the leg of my pants shut & I fell over trying to put them on!!! I think it was him, it could have been Martha or the other Louie.

Q: Where do you have to eat when you come home?

A: Bar La Grassa.

Q: Is it just me or have Mall of America commercials been boring since the ones you and Loni Anderson did with me and others, including the St. Paul Saints pig?

A: Yes, I loved doing those commercials. Bring them back!! It was so fun!!! I love Loni. I use to get her fan mail, I loved reading it!

A: I thought of closing my diastema once, even had the dentist make me a fake grill to see how I would look. I looked weird but I'll try to find and send you a photo of that smile!

Q: Where will you be getting in your hourlong backstroke routine while in Minnesota?

A: You know, C.J. I just got a new bathing suit & I'm looking for a new place in the cities to swim laps. Can you help me out with some suggestions?