Jim Carrey is making his return to television as a series star 24 years after “In Living Color” wrapped with his new Showtime dramedy “Kidding,” and you can see what he has in store above in the just-released first trailer.
“Kidding” follows Carrey as Jeff, aka Mr. Pickles, a beloved children’s entertainer who sees his own life upended as his personal relationships begin to implode. The series, which also stars Catherine Keener, Judy Greer and Frank Langella, reunites Carrey with Michel Gondry, who directed Carrey in 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
Per Showtime’s official description, Jeff begins to push back against the limits of the well-oiled machine that is “Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time,” and of his executive producer, Seb (Langella). Seb fears Jeff’s mental state could ruin the branding empire they’ve built, and thus begins preparing the show for a life after Jeff, while Deirdre (Keener), the head puppet maker, grapples with her own personal and professional life issues. Greer stars as Jeff’s estranged wife and their son is played by Cole Allen.
Gondry is an executive producer on the show, and will direct several episodes including the premiere. “Kidding” was created and is executive produced by Dave Holstein, who wrote the pilot and will serve as showrunner. Other executive producers include Carrey, Michael Aguilar, Roberto Benabib, Raffi Adlan, Jason Bateman and Jim Garavente.
Carrey and Aguilar also serve as executive producers Showtime’s stand up comedy period drama “I’m Dying Up Here.”
“Kidding” will premiere September 9, following the ninth-season debut of “Shameless.”
Watch the trailer above.