A Jim Carrey comedy series is in the works at Showtime
Consider this to be some news we’re especially psyched to hear: A Jim Carrey comedy series is in the works at Showtime, and it features one of his best collaborators.
Today, the network confirmed that they are teaming up with the comedic icon for a new comedy series entitled Kidding alongside his former Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry. He will run the show alongside Dave Holstein, a co-executive producer on I’m Dying Up Here who created the concept. (Carrey is an executive producer on I’m Dying Up Here, which was recently renewed for a second season by the network.)
Per the network, Carrey will play in the series Jeff (otherwise known as Mr. Pickles), “an icon of children’s television, a beacon of kindness and wisdom to America’s impressionable young minds and the parents who grew up with him – who also anchors a multimillion dollar branding empire. But when this beloved personality’s family – wife, two sons, sister and father – begins to implode, Jeff finds no fairy tale or fable or puppet will guide him through the crisis, which advances faster than his means to cope. The result: a kind man in a cruel world faces a slow leak of sanity as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.” This is a show we haven’t quite seen before, so all of this sounds like it could be fantastic. Full disclosure: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of our favorite films and Gondry is a creative genius. This show is very much in our wheelhouse.
In a statement, Showtime head David Nevins had the following to say about this series and getting Carrey on board the ambitious project:
“No one inhabits a character like Jim Carrey, and this role – which is like watching Humpty Dumpty after the fall – is going to leave television audiences wondering how they went so long without him … With his Eternal Sunshine partner Michel Gondry on board to direct, we are on our way to a magnetic, volcanic and emotional viewing experience.”
Carrey originally found fame thanks in part to In Living Color, which then led to a wide array of huge big-budget movies like The Mask and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. We’ve always found him to be an excellent dramatic actor when given the opportunity, and this project should help him to be able to flex both muscles and remind us more of what makes him one of the most captivating performers of the past couple of decades.
Unfortunately, there’s not too much more known about when the show will be coming on the air, beyond that the plan is for there to be ten episodes. Once more is available, we’ll be sure to let you know!
What do you want to see from a new Jim Carrey comedy series, and do you think that Kidding will end up being a hit? Be sure to share in the comments below!