Funny, not funny: Jim Carrey’s ‘Kidding’ mixes comedy and drama

First, there was Howdy Doody. Then came Captain Kangaroo, the beloved Mr. Rogers and so on. Cheerful, wise and kind, children’s entertainers such as these have inspired generations of kids. A new Showtime series takes a look at what happens when an iconic children’s television personality faces unimaginable tragedy, and it’s no laughing matter.

Jim Carrey (“The Truman Show,” 1998) returns to primetime television as Jeff Pickles in the 10-episode comedy-drama “Kidding,” premiering Sunday, Sept. 9, on Showtime. Jeff has captured the hearts of millions of children and their parents as the host of the fictional children’s TV program “Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time,” but his personal life is falling apart and his own heart is breaking.

It’s been almost a year since it was announced that the Golden Globe winner had signed on for the project, and more than two decades since Carrey has been seen in a regular television series role. At the time of the announcement, Showtime executive David Nevins had high praise for the star.

“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,” Nevins said.

Created by Dave Holstein (“Weeds”) and directed by Michael Gondry (“The Science of Sleep,” 2006), the show also stars renowned stage actor and Tony Award winner Frank Langella (“Frost/nixon,” 2008) as Seb, the executive producer of “Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time.” Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener (“Being John Malkovich,” 1999) portrays Jeff’s co-worker, Deirdre, the show’s head puppet maker. Judy Greer (“Arrested Development”) plays Jeff’s estranged wife, Jill, and young actor Cole Allen appears as their son,will. Justin Kirk (“Weeds”) has landed a recurring role as Jill’s new boyfriend. Ginger Gonzaga (“Togetherness”) and Grace Song (“High Maintenance”) will also appear in recurring roles.

This isn’t the first time Carrey and Gondry have worked together. Gondry directed Carrey in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004), which earned Gondry an Academy Award for best original screenplay.