I had such grand plans for the writers’ strike. So many movies and TV shows I was going to catch up on, such a backlog of entertainment that I was finally going to get around to watching. Instead I spent almost the whole writers’ strike reading other people’s blogs, going to bed early, and watching American Gladiators. I couldn’t have done a better job of time wasting if I were back in university and avoiding studying for my Calculus final at all costs.
The good news is that a lot of my regular shows won’t bother to return until the fall, especially the dramas. Those that are returning will probably only produce 3 or 4 more episodes this year, so they can still take a summer break. So maybe I’ll get around to playing catch-up after all.
In the meantime, I’ve been frantically rushing to watch one of my official Strike Shows, Pushing Daisies. I’d heard it was whimsical, and man, there is nothing better I like than a healthy dose of whimsy in my TV shows. downloaded the pilot for me about three months ago and I finally got around to watching it last week.
And you know what? It is the Best. Show. Ever. Okay, I might slide it in there behind Buffy. But other than that, I cannot imagine another show that is more perfect for me, more ideally suited to my sensibility and thought process and life in general. It’s so sweet, and funny, and with more whimsy than is really healthy. In case you haven’t heard of it, it’s about a pie maker, Ned, who can touch dead people or things and bring them back to life. But a second touch means that the thing/person is dead forever. In the pilot, he brings his childhood sweetheart, the super-charming Chuck, back to life, and now they’re kind of dating…but never touching. Meanwhile, there’s a ton of other nutty characters running around in eye-patches and with bird cages and singing and dancing.
It’s definitely not a show for everyone — I can see how the bright colours and the weird characters and the use of a bedazzler for comedy purposes might just be too much cutsy-cuteness for the general public. But I so, so love this show. It’s just the right kind of perky and offbeat and gosh-darn-it, happy that I like. It’s the perfect antidote to Prison Break.
Pushing Daisies is exactly the kind of bold, distinctive show that I tend to fall in love with, only to have it last a half-season and then get cancelled (see: Cupid, Strange Luck, Serenity). Its pre-strike ratings were borderline. But the good news is that the strike probably saved the show. Since the strike blocked development on a lot of planned pilots for the fall 2008 season, the network has no choice but to bring back some of the iffier shows to fill the gaps. So although it probably won’t return this spring, we’ll most likely get more of Pushing Daisies in September. Yay!
In the meantime, I’m about halfway through the 9 existing episodes, so there’s more joy for me, just a remote click away.
TurtleHead 
I intended to watch Pushing Daisies in the fall, but ended up missing it. I’ll have to catch up this summer, because it sounds like my cup of tea.
Those are all the reasons why I love that show!
Oh, I love your icon! Such a cute picture!
As for Pushing Daisies, it’s adorable. Plus, Chuck gets the BEST wardrobe.
Kick ass. I hope it gets a full order for next season!
It’s always great to find a show that makes you excited like this. I know a lot of people loved Pushing Daisies the same way you do, and I’m pretty certain you’ll get to enjoy more of it next year.
I’ll be watching Life instead. 🙂
Life was my other Strike Series. Unfortunately I still haven’t had a chance to check it out. I hope to get around to that one this summer.
Have you checked out Dexter on CBS? I’m not watching because although I know the show is clever and unique and funny, the gore factor is not for me. I’m just curious how it compares to the Showtime version…I’ve heard both that it’s basically the same and just as enjoyable, and that it’s terribly cut up and the language is unlistenable. Hm.
I haven’t bothered. I enjoyed the original too much, and thought it was perfect as it was.
Honestly, there’s not a lot of gore. There never was. It was always more implied than shown. They didn’t have to edit that part hardly at all. The only thing is that it’s implied pretty often. I mean, it’s a show about a guy who works for the cops in blood-splatter forensics, and chops people up on the side. There’s going to be blood no matter how to do it.
The language, however…it is a cursing show. I honestly don’t know how they could remove the language from Dexter without a whole lot of awkward dubbing in of less harsh words or else chopping out scenes entirely. You’d have to lose the potty-mouthed character of his sister completely (although some would argue that wouldn’t be such a bad thing). In either case…what’s the point?
Honestly, if you’re interested you should just download the first episode of season 1 in its original form and give it a try. I don’t think you’ll find the language off-putting because it’s so well written — it’s just realistic is all — but if you find the gore too much, so be it. At least you know. And it wouldn’t make any difference if you watched the edited version.
I LUV Pushing Daisies, which I decided at a certain point was being written JUST FOR ME. Ellen Greene singing Morning Has Broken? Kristin Chenoweth? Ned the delicious yet tormented pie maker? All for me.
Pushing Daisies is the best show on TV!!! I am literally counting down the hours until the season 2 premier. Don’t miss it…Wed Oct 1 8/7c.