That’s What She Said

The critically acclaimed television show “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) was renewed for a second season. Now, there are a lot of shows that were renewed for next season, so why am I writing about this show? Because I love it and that is the only reason I need.

Now, why do I love it? It has vibrant and saturated colors that are not found in any other show. This makes me sound like a four year old, but it has other attractions as well. It has pretty people. This makes me sound shallow, but just wait. It has a premise that I adore and a creator that I have followed for years.

The show stars Lee Pace as Ned, a pie maker with a strange gift. One touch from his finger can bring the dead back to life. The catch, and there always is one, is that the deceased can only come back for one minute. If they pass the one minute mark, the person who is nearest them in proximity suddenly dies. Sounds morbid, no? Maybe the pretty colors make up for it.

In all truth, the show is a happy fairytale and not just because of the colors. There is a love story as well as a mystery of the week. These things coupled with wonderful supporting actors who light up the screen each time they have a scene make this a truly enjoyable show.

Now, the love story involves Ned and his childhood crush, Charlotte “Chuck” Charles (Anna Friel). Ned’s mother died when he was young. Following her death Ned’s father sent him to boarding school and he never saw Chuck again. Until she died.

Again with the morbid. But it is alright, because Ned brings Chuck back to life. The two are clearly in love, but are unable to touch. For if they do, Chuck will perish forever (another catch).

Now you may be wondering how the mysteries tie in. Ned helps his partner Emerson Cod, a private investigator portrayed by Chi McBride, by bringing murder victims back to life to find out how they died. They then collect the reward money. Emerson is the one who truly covets the cash, but Ned never refuses the money.

My favorite part of the entire show however, is Kristen Chenoweth. She plays Olive Snook, a waitress at Ned’s restaurant, The Pie Hole (yes, as in “shut your pie hole”).

Part of the reason I adore this character is because I adore Chenoweth. For those less-Broadway inclined than yours truly, she originated the role of Glinda in the award-winning Broadway musical “Wicked.” She steals every scene she is in and most of the comedy comes from her perfect delivery.

Now, as I stated above, I also love this show because Bryan Fuller, the creator. Fuller has been the mastermind behind some of my favorite television shows. “Dead Like Me” was a cult hit. It was about a young woman who died and became a reaper of souls.

In 2004, Fuller had another cult hit in “Wonderfalls.” Again this show had a supernatural essence about it. Inanimate objects, such as a wax lion or a brass monkey, would tell the main character to do certain things. Kind of like a “Joan of Arcadia” vibe, only we never know if it is actually God speaking or not.

Unfortunately for Fuller, these shows never made it. DLM was cancelled after two seasons and “Wonderfalls” only made it nine episodes on the air. I think I am just as happy to see Fuller succeeding with “Pushing Daisies” as he is. Due to the writer’s strike, the first season was cut tragically short. The news of its renewal has made me (and presumably Fuller) jump for joy. So hopefully I have written enough to persuade you to join in on the magical fairytale of bright vibrant colors.

And did I mention the people are pretty?

FROM: Volume 146, Issue 16: February 21, 2008

Ohio Wesleyan’s faculty met on Monday to discuss tuition increases, campus construction and the incoming class of 2012.
David Robbins, provost and interim president, announced that the total cost of attending OWU will be raised to $41,970 next year.

This is a 5.5 percent increase in tuition and a 3 percent increase for both room and board. In addition, the technology fee will be raised another $40.

Last spring, the Board of Trustees increased the total cost of attending OWU to $39,960. They said that raise helped to balance the school’s budget.

However, that budget, as well as the tuition increase, were approved prior to the announcement of former President Mark Huddleston’s departure from OWU. The presidential search that followed his exit last June was therefore not taken into account when the budget was accepted. However, Robbins said the original budget was on track without taking into consideration the cost of the search.

Robbins said the university plans to beautify OWU’s campus by replacing the memorial gate on Sandusky St. leading to Slocum Hall.

The renovation was made possible by a gift from the class of 1959.

The school plans to construct a plaza in front of Slocum Hall using other funding. The plaza will honor the men and women who have donated at least $1 million to the university.

Other works will be finished as the funds became available, Robbins said.

For example, he said he is hoping to repair and replace the south wall of Selby Stadium when the school can afford to do so.

Margaret Drugovich, vice president for strategic communications and university enrollment, said OWU’s number of applicants is increasing, despite the rise in tuition. The number of American applicants is up 14 percent while the number of international student applications is up 16 percent. Drugovich also said the number of cancelled applications is decreasing.

Drugovich said the number of deposits that have already been received is higher than it has been in years. Admitted students have until May 1 to put down a deposit to hold their spot in OWU’s class of 2012.

Referencing the new class, Drugovich announced that Slice of College Life, OWU’s program to welcome admitted students to campus, will be held April 13 and 14.

Other topics discussed in the meeting include:

• Homecoming weekend will be Oct. 10-12. It will coincide with President Rockwell “Rock” Jones’ inauguration.
• OWU’s Phi Beta Kappa honor society will be celebrating its centennial this year. The celebration will be March 5 with speaker John Churchill in Gray Chapel at 7:30 p.m.
• A memorial was read by Dennis Radabaugh for the late William D. Stull, a former Ohio Wesleyan professor of Zoology who passed away last May. He was 95.
• OWU received a wire totaling $3 million last week from the Manchester estate. This brought the Ida Austin Manchester endowment to $7 million.

FROM: Volume 146, Issue 16: February 21, 2008