Here’s everything you need to know about ‘Kidding’ season 2
“If you’ve tuned in for ‘Mr. Pickles Puppet Time’, we’re sorry, kids,” explains the man on the TV in the trailer for season 2 of Kidding. “He’s not here right now.”A child looks down at his Mr. Pickles doll with puppy dog eyes reserved for devastating news such as this. “Where’d you go?” he asks the doll, understandably confused.
Luckily for Kidding fans, we won’t have to ask that question (or break out the puppy dog eyes). The delightful Mr. Pickles (Jim Carrey) will return to us — just not to the kids — on February 9. Here’s a breakdown of everything to know before tuning in.
What happened in season 1?
Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time is the happiest show on television; and it’s time to talk about death, painful feelings, and mature themes, to his father’s chagrin. Reminiscent of the late Mr. Rodgers, Jeff is a complex character still coming to terms with his own childhood, his own children, and his own children’s show, on which he preached to the children so much that they think he’s incapable of listening. His doll even says “I’m listening” when you pull on the string in its back. Kind of creepy if you ask us.
In the same vein as Joker, Kidding deals with a man whose profession centers around bringing joy to children while grappling with some serious issues of his own- although to a much less messed-up extent. It’s a sobering look at the very adult consequences that come with very adult actions.
By the season finale, we see the moral implications of the show on Jeff, who accosts parents for allowing television (and, by extension, him) raise their children and failing to leave a pollution-free environment for their future at an award show. And while none of what he says is particularly far-fetched (or untrue), for now, Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time is in time out.
What to expect this time around
It’s abundantly clear to Jeff in the trailer that the kids need him, and with this knowledge and presumably, a healthy dose of guilt Jeff embarks on the journey of getting his show back on the air. But as the trailer suggests, it’s going to take some blood, sweat, and tears to “go home” (there’s a whole song about it, in fact). Especially as the tumult between him and his puppet-crafting sister Didi (Catherine Keener) mounts.
Magical realism brings the show to life, as it did so masterfully on Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood, and we’re sure to see tons of it in the coming season if the trailer is any indication. We’re hoping to see a triumphant return of Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time, if not for the kids’ sake, at least for Jeff’s sanity.
Who will be joining the cast?
Of course, the incomparable Jim Carey will reprise his role as Mr. Pickles alongside the incredible cast of characters in season one, including: Catherine Keener (Didi), Justin Kirk (Peter), Frank Langella (Seb Piccirillo), and Judy Greer (Jill Piccirillo).
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Are the pickles at the bottom of the barrel? Will Mr. Pickles’ Puppet Time return? All will be answered soon; sit tight.
