Appointment TV: Pushing Daisies
You know a show has a hold on you when you arrange your life around it. Last night our Halloween plans were entirely dictated by the need to be home by 8:00 to watch Pushing Daisies (poor us: we’re Tivo-less). Not since the first season of 24 has a currently running TV show had me so hooked.
Pushing Daisies has a really good thing going. It is unlike anything else on TV right now or ever, as far as I know. I find it just as charming as can be. The window dressing—the rich candy colors, the fairy tale narration, the air of whimsy and fable—is very skillfully done and is an important part of the appeal. But the key for me, as is usually the case, is the characters and the stories. I like the pie maker, Ned, and the dead girl, Chuck. I like seeing them together. The tension and uncertainty about how things are going to play out for this couple who can’t touch, and who still know so little about each other, is very intriguing.
And the two main supporting characters are just great. I was afraid for the first few episodes that Olive was going to be a one-dimensional, super-selfish villain. But seeing how delicate she has been with Chuck’s aunts, it’s clear that she has a heart. And the knitting private eye with an attitude is a crackup. His, “I wish they would,” in response to Olive’s “Do they ever touch?” is such a great Hardboiled Detective line. But you know that under the greedy, cynical shell, he’s all gooey.
The other supporting character who I would like to play a more prominent role going forward is the immortal dog Digby. This is not your typical one-note screen dog. This is a dog with depth and complexity. He spent years wandering the Earth saving people from burning buildings, for goodness sake! Who knows what else this dog has seen?
Being as how Pushing Daisies is so unique and charming, I fear for its life. It could go the way of Wonderfalls, the charming-but-not-as-charming show done by some of the same creative team. I gather that the critical reception for Pushing Daisies has been pretty warm, which is heartening. But we all know that critical adulation didn’t save the great Arrested Development, may it rest in peace. So good people of America, please watch Pushing Daisies. Don’t let one of the few islands of creative, fun storytelling sink into the sea of generic pablum and ugliness that is TV.
I’m sure there are some haters who will find Pushing Daisies annoyingly precious. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that view. It just means that you have a cold, cold soul and a hard, hard heart.
So those of you without cold souls and hard hearts (i.e. fans of the show), how do you want this show to play out going forward? Pretend you’re the producer’s boss and have the power to make this show be what you want it to be.
I’ll give some don’ts:
1) Don’t make Ned and Chuck into a Ross/Rachel thing. It’s enough that they have this huge obstacle between them. There can be some drama in the relationship, but don’t put them through a never ending pattern of estrangement and reconciliation. That would drive me crazy.
2) Don’t let the show flounder as a series of stand-alone crime-solving procedurals. It’s nice that each episode has a self-contained element, but don’t let the characters and relationships and overarching story stop moving forward. If that means you have to end the show after two or three seasons in order to prevent staleness, do so.
Posted on November 1, 2007, in Television and tagged By Tom. Bookmark the permalink. 22 Comments.
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I think Pushing Daisies is safe as far as ratings go. It’s a strong second in its time slot (#1 18-49).
ABC putting three new shows on Wednesday nigth was quite the gamble but they all are doing well enough to stick around. I wonder which will move once Lost returns.
PD is the best new show of the year. It’s smart and sincere and fun.
Ah…life with DVR. Makes this whole topic moot.
Seriously, I don’t think I’d ever watch a serialized drama (or much prime time TV at all, actually) if I didn’t have a DVR. Instead, I’d probably just wait for stuff to come out on DVD and watch via Netflix.
I should add that I love Pushing Daisies. It’s my favorite show on TV right now, and probably will be until February.
I love black comedies and I love this show, but it doesn’t have me hooked. I don’t have to see it every week. In fact I think I’ve missed the last couple episodes. I don’t think there’s much of a hook to it. It’s like Monk—watch it when I catch it, it’s awesome. But don’t watch it, no big deal. I hope it becomes as successful as Monk, though, so I can catch reruns whenever, like I do with Monk.
I like this show, its style and sense of humor is much like several movies that have come out in the past 10 years or so. I’m like Susan though, I’m not hooked. I like the characters, the main story, the writing etc. Its a lot of fun, but I don’t always watch it.
Personally, I just watch most shows online. 30 second commercials? I can deal with that. Plus they’re free.
I watched the first 3 (following SG’s rule of thumb!) and just wasn’t that excited by it. I don’t get the hype. It was over-cutesy and although I like quirkiness this just didn’t do it for me.
i love this show. it’s the first show in a very long time that i think about during the week with a soft spot in my heart. there’s something about it. (and i got rid of my tv and dvr last month and am just tickled that the networks have full episodes of their shows online. because i’ve never been one to plan my days and nights around shows.) as for the producer’s boss..sorry i have no ideas of how to make the show the way i want it. i just know that i don’t want it to turn alias..where it’s just the same predictable, crime solving episode after episode.
Rebecca,
You have a cold, cold soul.
Rebecca is right. We watched 1-3. The whole thing was like eating candied vomit. America: you are wrong on this one. Provided you don’t vote for Rudy, I shall forgive you though.
And you have a hard heart. Stone.
There is no love in Britain. Marriages of convenience and steak-n-kidney pie.
Just witness what they are doing in the press to poor Heather Mills!
It is true that we do not love candied vomit.
“But seeing how delicate she has been with Olive’s aunts”
That should say, Chuck’s aunts, hon.
Sorry, but since I can’t be an editor in real life I’ll gladly catch what I can and point it out in blog life, in front of all your friend. =P
lol. friendS
Tom – my soul is very warm thank you. It’s just feeling warm about other TV shows this year.
I like the show, the pie maker is okay. I’m not that fond of Chuck, so I’m hoping the detective gets his wish somehow. I love the detective, great deadpan comedy, and he knits! Olive is also a great part of the show. If you’ve watched Sesame Street with your kids you may recognize her as Miss Noodle from the Elmo’s World segments.
Hey, cold soul means warm hands, right?
I love this show – the music, the absurdity, the Pie Hole! Oh, and the Saran Wrap kisses. (Talk about your safe sex.)
Definitely more of the dog would be good. I love the scratcher. =)
Life is the only show I look forward to more than this one, but this one is very easy on the eyes.
I’ve never even heard of it. We don’t have TV.
It’s been a long time since I’ve so thoroughly enjoyed a show. I love the cast. I love the cheese. I love that they burst into song. I love that even when you can sort of predict what’s about to happen, there are all these hilarious details to make it worth watching anyway. You can tell that everyone involved in making this show is having a great time.
I agree that we need more dog. And they need to make sure the sweetness/dark humor levels stay about right. Too much in either direction could be very bad.
I love the show but I agree that Chuck is kind of annoying. Plus, as I think I mentioned, she’s got that whole Seinfeld-girl thing going. I’m cheering for the short blonde.