Kidding

1st season – 70% – I have long labored under the belief that half-hour dramedies from Showtime have been irreversibly stuck about ten years in the past. Dave Holstein (not coincidentally one of the writers of the great work Weeds from the same TV channel) decided to fill this gap in the cable market, but he grabbed it too forcefully. There are far more bitter moments than sweet ones, the line between weird and strange trembles dangerously throughout the entire season and breaks several times. Just like there are several scenes that I never knew I needed to see, there are many more that I definitely did not need or want to see. I'm not sure about the rating because despite the excellent performance by Jim Carrey and my beloved Judy Greer and Justin Kirk in supporting roles, it is pretty inept at building sympathy for the main character. The increasing intensity of his episodes and confusion is unsettling, waiting for a real turning point puts a decent amount of tension, but after the last episode (even though it was perfectly tight), some part of me doesn't want to keep on going, contrary to all my TV habits. 2nd season – 85% – A departure from incomprehensible scenes towards drama. Occasionally mischievous, more often surprisingly sad, but above all, good. Carrey, moreover, has definitively found himself in this role, and Jeff's vulnerability repeatedly brought tears to my eyes. A beautiful phenomenon when a series departs (however involuntarily) after its best episode. (25.08.2020)

There are several reasons why a viewer and a film (or in this case TV show) connoisseur should see this show. One of those reasons is the creator Michel Gondry, and another one is the lead role, which is portrayed by Jim Carrey who seems to be enjoying it. If you follow movies, TV shows and Hollywood in general at least a bit, you will know that Michel Gondry is crazy about efficiency and the anti-Hollywood absurdistan. Well and Jim Carrey? He’s an actor that pervades my entire life, so watching him in anything doesn’t require any justification on my part. But the result was a bit inconsistent. If you know Michel Gondry’s work, you can count on the fact that it will be no different in this case. On the other hand, Jim Carrey portrays himself to some extent and I can’t make up my mind as to to what extent he is doint that. The thing is that his character is very sad and at times so depressed that the depression spreads into your consciousness. But this might be why I find the TV show so interesting. Jim and depressions? You say that these things don’t work together? Then give this a try. (14.11.2018)

Jim Carrey and Michel Gondry can still do great things. It has never been so emotionally challenging to visit the backstage of a children's show. In terms of the acting, it's all on Jim, who still has it. He is well supported by Frank Langella (the great Dracula 50 years ago) or Catherine Keener. Even the hostesses show interesting faces here and there. An intense experience. (16.08.2019)