Kidding Episode 1
“The show can’t change, you can’t change.” Kidding, the new Showtime series from Dave Holstein and director Michel Gondry, gets a ton of mileage out of expectations, mainly those formed about its star Carrey. Carrey may not be Mr. Rogers in real-life, but his movies were so formative for people of a certain age that he carries that same comforting and familiar vibe. At the same time, Carrey’s recent erratic, existential behavior, coming after the death of his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White, and his low output in the past few years has had many in the media speculating about the actor’s mental state. It can be difficult for fans to hear Ace Ventura give interviews about how he’s realized that he “doesn’t exist” or watch as he transitions into being something of a political cartoonist. Jeff and Jim, clearly with some sadness behind their eyes, are both trying to deliver things to audiences that may just want the old routine. Gondry is quite adept at using Carrey’s real-life issues to make transcendent art. Their last collaboration, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is one of the best films of the 21st century and features a lovelorn, tender performance by Carrey, who was inspired by Gondry to stay in the headspace of a recent break-up that the actor suffered before filming. Like Sunshine, Kidding appears like it will feature Gondry’s kitschy visual style, especially with the use of the puppets on Pickles’ TV show. Most of the laughs in the episode are supplied by Langella, who’s blunt, no nonsense demeanor supplies most of the “black comedy,” as well as a running gag about the smell coming from one of the show’s puppets. Jeff’s naivety is also supposed to be funny, but it comes across as a bit unbelievable. However, Carrey is fantastic as Pickles, bringing more than a touch of his Andy Kaufman impersonation to the part and a lived-in woundedness that makes you want to protect him even as he creepily buys the house next door to his ex-wife to keep an eye on her. As pilots go, “Green Means Go” is effective at introducing are characters and is more emotionally charged than most. Seb says that Jeff can’t change, but by episode end he’s already proving him wrong, at least physically. Extreme circumstances can breed transformation, and Kidding looks ready to teach that to us like we’re one of the kids in Jeff’s studio audience. Keep up with all our Kidding reviews and news right here.
