Pushing Daises In Trouble

A few years ago, I was an avid (border-line obsessive?) fan of the teen detective drama, Veronica Mars. It was canceled much too soon after three short seasons, and there wasn't a point during those three seasons when fans could exhale and relax. It's the same sad tune many television fanatics have all sang a time or two: you find a show, you fall deeply in love with its cast/writing/soundtrack/uniqueness, and unless the show in question is Grey's Anatomy or another like hit, you spend the entire first (and perhaps miraculous second) season sitting on the edge of your couch hoping this one episode isn't the last episode.

Another gem of a show that I discovered last season is Pushing Daisies -- the charming dramedy about Ned the piemaker and his reviving-the-dead antics -- and it's another gem of a show that not many others have seemed to discover, as it's apparently on the studio chopping block.

Yesterday Yahoo! TV released a short list of TV shows that have found themselves in a bit of low viewership trouble, and Pushing Daisies, unfortunately, was on the list. So here's my geeky fan plea (one I wish I could have publicly made for snarky Veronica a few years back) to tune in and save the show.

The premise of Pushing Daisies is about as unconventional as it's quirky voice overs, interesting wardrobe choices and bright, bold and saturated colors. Ned -- the piemaker -- has the ability to wake the dead (and then send them back to "slumber"), but he can only keep them awake for one minute before something/someone dies in his/her/its place. The piemaker has turned this quirky skill into a crime-solving career of sorts, partnering with private investigator Emerson Cod while keeping his day job of owning/half-heartedly running "The Pie Hole."

We also have Charlotte (or "Chuck" as she's called). She's Ned's childhood friend and his adult girlfriend and all would be swell between the two of them except, well, she's technically dead. Ned brought Chuck back to life after stumbling upon her funeral and then kept her breathing because of his past emotional attachment to her. Complicated enough, sure, but then there's the wee problem of Ned never being able to touch her. If he does, she'll die once again (as well as dying for good as the skill can only be called upon once per victim, it turns out).

The interesting plot isn't what makes this show tune-in worthy alone -- there's the writing, the subtle humor, the insanely fun (and funny) supporting characters (such as Kristin Chenoweth's Olive Snook, who you can't help but fall in love with), the look and feel (aforementioned colors and wardrobe pieces) that you just don't see very often on TV and it doesn't hurt that Ned (Lee Pace) is ridiculously adorable.

What's more, it's a show that my husband and I love to watch together, which just couldn't be said for Veronica Mars.

If I've convinced you, even a smidgen, that this show is worth giving a chance, tune in Wednesday nights at 8/7c.

Comments

[jodifur]

Blame me. I watched the show twice and just can't not get into it and I love Kristen Chenoworth. Should I give it another try?

[Elaine]

This is one of very few shows that I actually do enjoy watching. It's just so different, and I too enjoy the super-saturated colors. And yeah, Ned's a cutie. I was late jumping on the Veronica Mars bandwagon but I'm glad I did. I forget hos I stumbled across this show, but regardless, I'll definitely be tuning in tomorrow!

[Gray Matter]

Ok, I have to admit, I tried the pie-maker and didn't love it, but I'll tell you what. There have been rumors on and off about a Veronica Mars movie or spin off series. Make it so and I will dive head first into a heapin' helpin' of pie(maker).

[Smalltown Mom]

I love this show! So does my 12 year old son. We just finished watching the season one DVDs, and are making a point to tune in on Wed. nights.

SAVE PUSHING DAISIES!!!

[Alyssa]

Same here. I tried to get into it at the beginning. I mean, I had EXTRA time on my hands I was LOOKING to get addicted to a new show, but I just could not get into this one. My dad recently sent an email out to my entire family about how wonderful Pushing Daisies is, so maybe I should give it another shot? Problem is these days I don't need to be addicted to another tv show.

[Isabel]

I loved PD last season, but didn't renew it on my DVR this season. I'm not sure why. Maybe I need to revisit it. Especially since you admitted your love for VM..which I also was borderline obsessed with.

[She Likes Purple]

Isabel: Just writing this reignited my VM obsession briefly (I watched my favorite episode last night). Oh how I miss Logan and Veronica. (And Wallace who, poor thing, has only been in a Pizza Hut commercial since the show's cancellation.)

[Princess]

It's one of the best shows on TV right now. The writing is FANTASTIC - you have to listen hard and pay attention but if you do you're rewarded with constant off-the-cuff and hilarious banter between all the actors. It's different than anything else on right now, it's nice to not be watching yet ANOTHER medical drama, it's smart and funny and highly visually entertaining, and who can complain about watching Lee Pace for an hour every week? I'm just about over all network TV because of the GREAT shows that don't make it so I hope this one doesn't go too!

[heels]

OH NO! I absolutely LOVE Pushing Daisies! I was pissed when VM was taken off, and I'd be even more pissed if PD is. SAVE THE PIEMAKER, SAVE GOOD TV!

[Jenn]

I LOVE this show LOVE LOVE LOVE! The writing is so funny and clever and way better than the schlock on Greys Anatomy. Didn't it used to be on an hour later during the first season though? I think the earlier time-slot is what is killing it!
Dear ABC -
Move Daisies to 8pm (CST) and leave the best show on TV alone!

[DianaCLT]

NO!!! They can't kill off the piemaker, Chuck, and the adorable Olive Snook. Like you, SheLikesPurple, this is one of the few that hubby and I watch TOGETHER!!!!!!

Save the Piehole!

[Mandee]

I'll second (and third and fourth, apparently) your love for the Pie Maker. It's so cleverly written and visually different than anything else on TV.

[Mouse]

This is one of the few shows I go out of my way to watch. I was already a Bryan Fuller fan, though; I still mourn that "Wonderfalls" was canceled by Fox after only 4 (!) episodes. (Lee Pace was the know-it-all brother on that and the woman who played Mother Superior at the convent in PD was the mother in WF.)

[Monica]

You are my hero right now. I love this show. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

[Lori]

I'll add my voice to the "Save Pushing Daisies" chorus. Love this show. Not just for all the reasons you all have already mentioned but Emerson Cod is a (somewhat awkward) knitter and designer of pop-up-books... Sold!!