Jim Carrey’s Kidding
A Children's TV Host Goes Off the Rails
Few comic actors have the sheer charisma of Jim Carrey. Simply put, he’s one of the greats, alongside titans like Jackie Gleason, Robin Williams, and Lucille Ball. His comedic prowess is legendary, his audacity is unmatched, and his works have brought joy to countless millions over his decades-long career. From The Mask and Ace Ventura to Man on the Moon and The Cable Guy, Carrey has made clear that he is so much more than jolly shtick; he’s an artist.
His latest project is Showtime‘s Kidding, which marks Carrey’s first regular television gig since Fox‘s In Living Color back in the early 1990s. Carrey stars in this comedy/drama as a children’s entertainment icon (think Mr. Rogers meets Captain Kangaroo) who doesn’t just talk the talk, but also walks the idealistic walk. Unfortunately, his love of life contrasts with the cynicism of the real world around him; following the tragic death of one of his sons, he’s estranged from his ex-wife (Judy Greer), his media empire has diluted his program’s message of love and kindness, and his father (Frank Langella), who also produces his show, is more interested in the bottom line than the messages the program is trying to send to young children.
It’s a heavy show, an adult drama about a children’s entertainer going through what could be dismissively called a mid-life crisis. It’s about cynicism versus idealism, and how cynicism is easy, while idealism is so brutally difficult to maintain, but ultimately so much more rewarding. Showtime deserves kudos for believing in the program, though the pedigree behind the show certainly helped. Kidding reunites star Jim Carrey with director Michel Gondry, who previously directed the actor in one of his greatest films, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a lightly-science fiction-tinged romantic drama about love and loss.
Kidding could be a tough sell for some, but we assure you, it’s worth it. The Showtime network is even willing to go the extra mile to convince anyone who may still by on the fence by offering the first episode for free on YouTube, which you can watch above.
Kidding airs Sunday nights on Showtime.
