Tonight is the Oscars, but there is no one to root for this year and no host to tie the show together. Therefore, I want to watch something else where I can root for the lead. Showtime is giving us that at 10p with the second season premiere of Kidding starring Jim Carrey as Mr. Pickles.
Mr. Pickles is a kids’ television host with the innocence of Mr. Rogers. While his onscreen persona is perfect, his life is falling apart around him. His father (Frank Langella), who is the EP, is drunk with power. So much so, Jeff (Carey) finally fires him. His sister, Didi (Catherine Keener), is going through a divorce as her brother. Jeff’s wife, Jill (Judy Greer), has moved on with Peter (Justin Kirk). Jeff is not ready to move on, so what happens when he hits Peter with his car.
Now that you are caught up with season one, it is time for season two. Jill comes out and tries everything to save her boyfriend. She tells Jeff to pick up the body and they drive to the hospital. Peter’s life hangs in the balance and only a liver transplant will save him. Will he get one in time?
Meanwhile, Didi is dealing with the ramifications of her divorce. Her gay ex-husband wants full custody of their daughter. Then when he doesn’t get that, he takes something from Didi that is just as important.
She has been busy trying to get Mr. Pickles back on the air. While they wait, the siblings come up with a toy to keep Mr. Pickles alive. Mr. Pickles is living on in the international versions of his character. That is until one of them gets killed over something Jeff said. Now there is a rebellion against him. It seems like everything is going against him. Will he be able to get his life back?
As the season goes on, Ariana Grande plays a fairy. We get to see how Mr. Pickles was born and how he met Jill. The best of the season comes from a mostly musical episode that will make you smile.
Actually, the whole series will make you smile. There is something so lovable about this dramedy. There is nothing else like it on television, and how often can you say that. Instead of watching that snooty awards show, watch a refreshing show every Sunday at 10p after the final season of Homeland.
Plus, who doesn’t love Jim Carrey when he is at his best. This show is him at his best.
Jim Carrey returns to TV tonight at 10p in Kidding and you not going to want to miss this Showtime dramedy.
Jeff Piccirillo (Jim Carrey) is a Mr. Rogers like television host called Mr. Pickles. For 30 years, he has brought happiness to children all over the country. Like his character, he lives an innocent existence. But it cannot keep him away from heartache.
His son recently Phil died in a car accident, Phil’s twin Will (Cole Allen) survived, so did his mother who was driving. On that day, a big piece of the Piccirillo family died with Phil.
Jill (Judy Greer) is dealing with his death like any grieving mother would and she kicked her husband out of the house. Their son is rebelling against everything and only sees his dad once a week. Jeff handles it as best he can, but someone like him does not comprehend the situation like you and I would. He is one of those people who truly sees the world through rose-colored glasses.
Jeff decides he wants to do an episode all about his death, but his father, who is also the executive producer of the show, won’t let him do it. He feels the topic is too grim or the young viewers of the show. As Jeff dwells further into depression, his father plots on how to replace his son on the show. His dad sees dollar signs over his son’s feelings.
Jeff’s sister, Deirdre (Catherine Keener), who also works on Mr. Pickles, does everything she can to save his job. But she has other problems to deal with in her life that are about her husband and their daughter who is acting out.
Kidding is a hard show to describe, but it is one that you will love because it is special in its own way.
When I first moved to LA, the first celebrity I interviewed that I saw who had “it” was Jim Carrey. There is something special about him and he touches you in a way other celebrities do not. While most people love him for his comedy, I prefer his dramatic work. To me, The Majestic is my favorite movie of his and this show reminds me a lot of that film. There is a sweetness and an innocence that only Jim Carrey can bring to a role like this.
It is his presence that makes Kidding the surprisingly enjoyable show of the fall. Tune in every Sunday at 10p for a show that is not like anything else on TV.
You don’t have to be smart and smarter to know that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels have a special bond after making Dumb and Dumber. Not so special because Daniels is in town and he did not call his best friend. What is Carrey going to do about that? He decided to crash his friend’s interview on Conan and let him know that he knows is in Burbank on his neighbor’s talk show.
At that point, Conan O’Brien lost control of his TBS show and it was well worth it. That was the perfect mix of humor, friendship and reminiscing for them and us. I cannot wipe the smile off my face. It is almost as big as the first time I saw Harry and Lloyd together.
I am off to watch Dumb and Dumber again and then I will binge The Looney Tower on Netflix. Who doesn’t love a good comedy?
In other words, I gave you little hints about the interview without telling you all about it.
A few months ago, Jim Carrey revealed that he grew a big a bushy beard that even ZZ Top would envy. Well, now it is gone and he is clean shaven again. I do not know how many weed wackers were used to shave it off, but I am sure none of them will ever be able to be used again.
When it comes to how he looks in this photo with Judd Apatow and Bob Saget, I say he looks smokin’! What do you think?
It has been a while since Jim Carrey has done a talk show appearance, so he soaked up all of the applause he could get when he made his entrance on Jimmy Kimmel Live yesterday. You know how when an actor comes out, the audience claps until the celebrity sits down. Ace Ventura thought it would be aces to just stand there and see how long they would put their hands together over and over again. The answer is over a minute. How did he feel about it? He told the ABC late night host, “It is uncomfortable, lovely though.” Who would not want all of that attention on them for a brief moment that doesn’t feel that brief?
Why is he growing that big bushy thing on his face? That is not the question we should be asking according to him, “The question is, why am I growing a beard and still shaving my balls?” Therefore, he revealed that if the beard goes away from the big head, the little head will once again have one. I wonder if he names his beards Jenn McCarthy? Sorry, fixated on that thing, it is almost hypnotizing.
I think what makes that furry thing on his face stand out so much on is that while it is grey, his hair is still brown. If they matched, it might look a little better. Nah, nothing could make that look better. I almost feel like it is going to come off and attack everyone. Which is so Ace Ventura.
