Well, seeing Michael J. Anderson of Twin Peaks fame confirms it is indeed Carnivale. With Meat Loaf's daughter in the first season.
Ha! I didn't know that, but I definitely see the resemblance now.
And yes, Carnivale, of course. One of the weirdest and most fascinating oddities ever seen on TV, but of course it couldn't last and got cancelled by HBO after its second season. To be fair, the writing was kind of all over the place by then, but I'm still really fond of it anyway. And those opening credits! And the music! Oh, what I wouldn't give to get another season or two. Or a movie, seeing how well it worked with Deadwood...

Your turn then, Mr Wombat!