'Kidding' Season 2: Show gets more surreal as Jeff tries to address his emotions in a healthy manner
‘Kidding’ was one of the most extraordinary shows of 2018. With a wonderful cast that featured Jim Carrey, Judy Greer, Frank Langella, Catherine Keener, Cole Allen, Justin Kirk and Ginger Gonzaga, the show excelled in visualizing complex ideas like grief, guilt, anger, and depression. With a touch of magical realism and an almost Wes Anderson-esque flair for absurdity, the show -- and the show within the show, ‘Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time’ -- ‘Kidding’ is a heartfelt watch.
But what can one expect from the second season of the show? At the end of season 1, Jeff’s show has been put on indefinite hiatus because of a speech Jeff gives during his annual gig hosting the Christmas tree lighting at the White House.
He talks about how the nation allows television (and by extension, him) to babysit children. “Your parents don’t deserve you,” he says. He also takes responsibility for the death of his son Phil, even though he wasn’t in the car when the accident took place. He takes responsibility for his neglectful tendencies.
Seb’s (Frank Langella’s) plans to immortalize -- and in the process replace Jeff -- Mr. Pickles through an animated show are obviously also gone. But does that mean an end for the nationally-popular kids show?
Unlikely. For in the season 2 trailer, we see pickle toys (not Jim Carrey but actual pickles). We also see the show’s magical sets. But could it just be the show’s magical realism at work again? Possibly. Speaking to IndieWire, Carrey said season 2 is going to be “more surreal” and “more esoteric but filled with fantasy and really fun departures.”
But what of his relationships? At the end of season 1, when Jeff finds out his surviving son’s stepfather Peter (Justin Kirk) is smoking pot — throughout the season he can be seen trying to deal with Will’s drug habit — the vehemently anti-drug Mr. Pickles, in a fit of rage, smashes his car into him.
In the season 2 trailer, we see Peter returning the favor by punching Jeff in the face. So maybe “Big P” does survive the attack. And he doesn't forgive easily. Obviously that is sure to put a strain on his relationship with his now-separated wife Jill.
While things seem to have gotten somewhat better in the finale, in the trailer we see Jill telling Jeff he’s a terrible father. We also see Jeff sing -- in the only way that Jim Carrey can sing -- about how he blames Jill for the death of Phil. Oh, and of course, Jeff’s sister Didi (Catharine Keener) is finally going to file for a divorce from Scott.
During his IndieWire interview, Carrey said, “Jeff is a guy that doesn’t show his feelings. So he remains Mr. Pickles whether he’s giving a child a flower or he’s doing something completely unacceptable. […] It’s an interesting thing: I’ve known so many people, even people that are close to me, [and] everyone around them says, ‘Wow, [that’s] the nicest person in the world,’ And I sit back and go, ‘Yeah, but are they nice, or are they just afraid to be seen as flawed? Are they afraid to be seen as emotional?’ Is it an act of cowardice to be nice sometimes?”
So the most important questions of all, however, are: Will Jeff finally find some peace of mind? Will his demons leave him alone? Will he grow out of the goody-goody Mr. Pickles and learn to address his emotions in a healthy manner? And will he finally understand that maybe he can go a little easy on himself?
We’ll find out February 9, 2020, when the show returns for its second season.