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