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A Push for Pushing Daisies
Lee Pace in Pushing Daisies by Bob D'Amico/ABC
Could the third time be the charm? Being an eternal optimist when it comes to TV shows I love, I certainly hope so. For the third season in a row, the show I’ve picked as my favorite pilot of the fall season is on ABC, and once again, after two consecutive seasons of my pick failing to make the grade, this show’s projected success is far from a slam dunk. But let me tell you why I believe, despite all logical skepticism to the contrary, that the dazzling “forensic fairy tale” called Pushing Daisies has a shot at making it.
First, here’s why my earlier picks didn’t pan out. For one thing, both shows — Invasion in 2005, The Nine in 2006 — had the mixed fortune of being scheduled directly after Lost. (As we’ve learned, the Lost viewing experience is so intense and its fan base so obsessed that it’s pure folly to put any show, especially a demanding one, after Lost.) Both shows were also exceedingly dark in tone, whereas Pushing Daisies is bright, light and funny, despite a subtext of ever-present death.
In Invasion's case, many viewers found its subtle creepiness off-putting and even boring, and by the time the story kicked into full gear midway through the season, it was too late. With The Nine, the riveting pilot with its intense bank-hostage action sequences overshadowed the contemplative and unevenly portrayed aftermath story lines that followed. (The Nine returns to finish out its truncated run Aug. 1, and I’m hearing good things about these six episodes.)
Now to Pushing Daisies and its entirely different, thoroughly unique look and vibe. Diving into this enchanting show is like gorging on a delicious dessert with each bite giving off a new and unexpected pleasure. It’s charmingly written by Bryan Fuller (Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Heroes) and stylishly directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black), who promises to stay involved with this show longer than he did in his earlier forays into distinctive TV (Karen Sisco, Maximum Bob, The Tick). They achieve a tone that is part storybook fantasy (narrated by Jim Dale, every bit as engaging as he is on the Harry Potter audiobooks), part unrequited love story, part wacky comedy, part whodunit procedural.
That’s a lot of parts, and a lot more fun than it sounds. The fable-like premise, originally conceived by Fuller as a spin-off to Dead Like Me, introduces us to Ned, who as a small boy discovered he has the gift to bring the dead to life with a mere touch. But if he touches them again, they go to the great beyond for good. Sounds macabre, but the clever way it’s played is anything but. Ned grows up into a sweet-souled but understandably awkward young man, adorably played by Wonderfalls’ Lee Pace in a star-making role.
Ned is living a low-key existence operating a pie shop — his fruit pies, filled with rejuvenated fruit, are especially tempting mdash; until his gift of life and death is discovered by an opportunistic private eye (the always-welcome Chi McBride), who turns the show into the most offbeat of procedurals. Ned and the PI team up to solve crimes by bringing the victims back to life just long enough to figure out who killed them. (If the dead stay alive too long, there’s a price to be paid as well.)
In the most pivotal twist, one of the victims turns out to be Chuck (actually Charlotte), Ned’s boyhood sweetheart (the captivating Anna Friel), and when Ned uses his gift on her... suffice it to say the show takes off in yet another fascinating and heart-tugging direction.
Throw in a few more memorable characters played by theater pros — such as Broadway songbird Kristin Chenoweth (The West Wing) as Ned’s adoring pie-shop waitress, and Swoosie Kurtz (Sisters) and Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors) as Chuck’s bizarre aunts — and you’ve got the makings of a first-rate, highly flamboyant ensemble.
There’s nothing on TV or elsewhere (perhaps in the Tim Burton canon) that remotely looks, sounds or magically enthralls the way Pushing Daisies does. Holding court to the press at a Wednesday TCA session, Fuller and Sonnenfeld and their sparkling cast convinced me all over again just how special this show is. And not merely special, but fun.
Here’s Fuller, an avowed Stephen King and Twilight Zone fan, on the show’s tone: “[It has] that tricky balance between the sweetness and a little bit of darkness, but darkness not in any way that is too morbid or depressing. The show is a fun show. I think we all set out to try to do a show that was fun. I personally don’t really like shows that are too serious. There’s always the exception — like Battlestar Galactica, I think, is fantastic. But I can’t watch 24. It’s just depressing. I don’t want to see terrorism. All of our procedurals on this show are going to have that fun infused with them.” For instance, in a case involving a whistle-blower, the plot will also deal with a car that runs on dandelions.
“So there’s always going to [lend] a magical quality to the case that gives it some levity, so when we do have murders, they skew a little bit more Beetlejuice than CSI.”
I’m sold, obviously. But can ABC, and the critics who’ve embraced Pushing Daisies, sell the audience? It may not be easy, but there were a lot of unbelievers a year ago who doubted the chances for the equally lovable Ugly Betty, and look how well that turned out.
Like Betty, Daisies will be airing at 8 pm/ET, and it’s being asked to launch an all-new night of ABC programming on Wednesday s(it’s followed by Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice and the sudsy Dirty Sexy Money). Daisies’ time-slot competition is a mixed bag of reality/game shows and only one scripted contender, which happens to be one of the fall’s other hot prospects: Fox’s Kelsey Grammer/Patricia Heaton sitcom Back to You.
There’s any number of ways to analyze its chances, but as foolhardy as it sounds, I’m going with my heart and my gut and predicting that Pushing Daisies will be more than a sleeper. It’s a keeper.
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Jul 26, 2007 2:26 PM
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When I first saw the commercials for it on TV a few weeks ago, I knew this show was going on my "Must Check Out" list of fall pilots. Now with your praise along with other critics, I'm very excited about seeing it!
Hope it's a success! Lee Pace deserves it though admittedly I've only seen him in the wonderful world of Wonderfalls.
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Jul 26, 2007 3:22 PM
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Very well-said, Matt!!
I wasn't sure about this show when I first heard the premise; I thought the whole fairy-tale thing might be too cheesy. But I got the chance to watch the pilot a couple days ago and I really enjoyed it. The tone of the show, as well as the actors' portrayal of the characters, was such that moments that sound cheesy came off as absolutely adorable.
And the premise sets us up beautifully for what should be a fantastic love story. I love Lee Pace and he did a fantastic job. He and Anna Friel have great chemistry too.
I think this show is perfect to lead the night off- start the evening with a light, cheery note. I really look forward to seeing how this series develops. If the following episodes are even close to as good, fun and charming as the pilot, I think we are in for a fabulous series.
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Jul 26, 2007 3:45 PM
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Why do they all keep mentioning CSI like its bad or something.
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Jul 26, 2007 3:59 PM
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My heart is already broken over the cancellation of this show.  I watched the preview on abc.com, and I can already tell it's one of my favorite new shows of the fall season. I can't wait until it starts!
Jill
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Jul 26, 2007 4:02 PM
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Oh Matt, I wish I had your optimism. The pilot is all you described and, dare I say, more?! LOVEd it (a lot.)
Its success probably hinges on how heavy they are with the procedural stuff and, well, the planets, the stars, the tides, and a heaping helping of luck. GRRR!
I keep waiting for an Amelie comparison to pop up in a review or article. Haven't seen one yet and it surprises me. This is so similar in tone and aesthetic, I can't believe no one's mentioned it. Are we afraid a French reference could be off-putting?
Best pilot of the fall season? Affirmative.
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Jul 26, 2007 4:23 PM
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Can someone tell me where I can view the Pilot episode? I know its out there.
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Jul 26, 2007 7:42 PM
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I only know what I read in the Sci-Review of tvguide and what Ausiello reported in his blog but I was so interested and now I am deeply intrigued in seeing this show. Intrigued enough to skip Kelsey/Patricia. I can not wait and the entire lineup seems intriguing. Wednesday night is going to be great!
Karma
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Jul 26, 2007 7:48 PM
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Can. Not. Wait.
And, aaahhhh, I loved Maximum Bob & Wonderfalls. RIP.
Let's hope Pushing Daisies can stay alive long enough for people to find it and fall in love with it.
Thanks for the great dispatch, Matt. Hurry home.
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Jul 26, 2007 9:07 PM
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> But can ABC, and the critics
> who’ve embraced Pushing Daisies, sell the
> audience?
Oh, I don't know, let's go check how the actual audience will receive it, over at San Diego. Oh, I forgot-- I guess you won't!
On the subject: hell, yeah! Best pilot of the season (of the last three seasons, in fact) by a mile. I don't know, something about Bryan Fuller's scripts makes me feel better about humanity. 
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Jul 26, 2007 9:34 PM
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This show has always sounded interesting, and is on my short list for the new fall season, especially now that I hear what it's up against, but I have one major concern.
TV show love stories always need to have some sort of pay off, but if our two love birds here can never touch, how are they ever going to get together? America always wants the star crossed lovers to get together, but if the whole premise of the show is that he can't touch her, how will they have to change that up after (fingers crossed) a couple of seasons?
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Jul 26, 2007 10:37 PM
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if our two love birds can never touch...
mamafox, I think that is part of what makes the story so compelling. And unique. The show doesn't have to introduce plot twists- new characters, long-lost daughters, work related reasons, etc to keep the leads apart because it is built into the premise of the show. I look forward to seeing how they build and play with that tension!
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Jul 26, 2007 11:37 PM
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> There’s nothing on TV or elsewhere (perhaps in the Tim Burton canon) that remotely looks, sounds or magically enthralls the way Pushing Daisies does.>
Yeah, samzgirl is right. There is something out there already, and it's called Amelie. Two seconds into the pilot I was already thinking of how much Daisies reminds me of it. I mean, even the way time is given in days, minutes and seconds is mot-a-mot from the opening line of Amelie. It was such a deja-vu that I loaded my Amelie DVD and started watching both side by side, and the comparisons are striking. I sure hope this is brought up in some interview. By the way, whoever is into this kind of storytelling, check out Jeunet's previous movie Delicatessen. And I hope Daisies can sustain both the story and the style.
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Jul 27, 2007 12:01 AM
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I am very excited for this show.
I'm surprised, however, that you didn't bring up the similarities to the film Amelie? Have you seen that film? I get the Tim Burton comparison but many of the things I have been hearing about this pilot - the use of narration, the quirky characters, the coloring, scream Amelie.
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Jul 27, 2007 3:21 AM
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Well, even if you hadn't praised it Matt, I've been seeing ads for it at the movies for weeks now, and I'm definitely sold. It looks so sweet and fun, and I've had a major thing for anything by Barry Sonnenfeld ever since I saw The Addams Family movie back when I was about 13.
Love that they're keeping it light hearted - I had to give up watching stuff like CSI a few years back because it was too depressing, and gave me nightmares.
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Jul 27, 2007 10:01 AM
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