375 replies to this topic

[TWoP Barnes]

From ABC:

From Bryan Fuller (Heroes, Wonderfalls) and Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black) comes a new series with an unprecedented blend of romance, fantasy and mystery, Pushing Daisies, a forensic fairytale about Ned, a young man with a very special gift. As a young boy Ned discovers that he can return the dead briefly back to life with just one touch. But his random gift isn't without deadly consequences... as he soon finds out.

Grown up Ned (Lee Pace) puts his talent to good use by touching dead fruit and making it ripe with everlasting flavor. He opens a pie shop. But his gift leaves him wary of becoming close to anyone, as beautiful waitress Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) finds out. His life as a pie maker gets more complicated when private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) finds out about Ned's secret. Emerson convinces the cash-strapped Ned to help him solve murder cases (and collect the hefty reward fees) by raising the dead and getting them to name their killers.

Then Ned is handed the case that changes his life forever. His childhood sweetheart, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Anna Friel), is murdered on a cruise ship under strange circumstances. Her death brings him back to his hometown of Coeur d' Coeurs to bring Chuck back to life, albeit briefly, and solve the crime. But once reunited with Chuck, Ned can't bring himself to send her back. He helps her escape after her grieving aunts, Lily and Vivian (Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene), former synchronized swimmers Darling Mermaid Darlings, think they've buried her forever.

Chuck becomes the third partner in Ned and Emerson's PI enterprise, but she encourages them to use their skills for good, not just for profit. Ned is overjoyed to be reunited with Chuck, the only girl he's ever loved. Life would be perfect, except for one cruel twist -- if he ever touches her again, she'll go back to being dead, this time for good.

[KiddoYouKnow]

This series is the Lemony Snicket Show for adults. It’s kind of amusing, but it’s one of those shows that might be too clever and quirky for its own good. In future episodes, I hope they lose the voiceover guy; I feel like I’m getting poked in the ribs whenever he talks. It’s as if he’s saying, “This is all so sophisticated and whimsical!”

I like pies.

[heyfizzellas]

Ok, 2 things.

First, this show is fucking AMAZING. If pilot is any indication of what's to follow, I'll be delighted.

Second, I'm already nervous to see the ratings tomorrow.

[shutupemma]

Okay so the handholding thing seriously almost made me cry. Lee Pace and Anna Friel are just so great together.

Chi Mcbride "bitch" count = 2.

[LolaLilaLilly]

Very beautiful, vert sweet, very nicely put together, and a magical little series.

In short: It is doomed.

[AimingforYoko]

Well, that was cute and sweet and quirky and thank God for Chi McBride or I would have needed an insulin shot. Trying just a little too hard, aren't we?
Best line of the night: "Well, touch the bitch and ask her."

Edited by AimingforYoko, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:03 PM.

[proudtvaddict]

Like Six Feet Under on crack. In the best way possible.

[debi48]

That was adorable! Attractive cast, sweet story.......and since I like it it will be cancelled by the fourth episode.

[Chambrya]

That was really good. Reeeaally good. I hope it does well but I don't know how long it will last.

[Catcher22]

That was pretty enjoyable to watch. However, I'm having doubts about whether the show can keep this quality up for future episodes and whether the concept will tire itself out before long.

[The Librarian]

The Librarian was worried. Why was The Librarian worried? Because, as inevitably seems to happen, she had found a show doomed to failure which, coincidentally, she absolutely loved.

I can see why people say the ending made them giddy. Me too!!!

[bearsbeets47]

That was honset to goodness one of the two best pilots that I've ever seen (Studio 60 being the other). It was sweet, charming, funny, and visually stunning among other things. I really don't want to see waht the ratings will be, but ABC isn't that horrible with cancelling shows (not like Fox, at least); if they have a critical winner they'll surely hold onto it for awhile.

Edited by bearsbeets47, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:06 PM.

[LinTV]

This is surreal; sort of reminiscent of a very bright Tim Burton movie.

"It's a random proximity thing." "Bitch, I was in proximity!" HA! I've missed you, Chi McBride.

This show likes titles with repeated words. (Ceur d' Ceurs, Boutique Travel Travel Boutique, The Darling Mermaid Darlings...) It adds to the whimsical feel of the show

I think I love Aunt Vivian and Aunt Lily.

Aw, pretend hand holding.

[xavier03]

This one's definitely a keeper in my books. Just added a Season Pass on Tivo.....Loved it, loved it, loved it! This has to be one of the best pilots I've seen in a long time and IMO it's hands down the best, this season. It was definitely worth the hype (and wait!) and then some. I'm nervous that because I like it so much, it might be the kiss of death for this show. I hope not. Hopefully, the show can sustain this level of brilliance throughout the season.

What a cute show!

Edited by xavier03, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:09 PM.

[TimorousBeastie]

If that were a two hour movie, I would pay to watch it twice.

I'm worried that future episodes won't be so bright and beautiful, but I'll watch it until the day it is canceled. I think this is the one show I'm going to be evangelizing this season. Yay!

And I didn't think I could love Lee Pace any more after Wonderfalls, but this has done it: Yay! I love Lee Pace!

[jthomas666]

1. This is a freaky, giddy, delightful show.
2. Holy Christ, Kristin Chenoweth is short. And built. YOIKS!
3. Anna Friel kind of has a Zooey Deschanel vibe going for her. Goofily adorable.
4. I'm really pissed that I didn't think to tape it.

Edited by jthomas666, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:11 PM.

[Rorikon]

I'm so sad. I would finally have my TV crush for '07-'08 in Lee Pace if this weren't one of the worst shows on TV in the past ten years. I've never seen so much forced, cutesy, contrived whimsy before. People keep saying that this reminds them of Amelie, but I think they just crossed Wonderfalls with Desperate Housewives and added somehow-even-more-invasive narration. This grossed me out in a big way. RIP, TV crush.

Edited by Rorikon, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:09 PM.

[pechebleu]

I really quite liked it.

Although I agree with what some posters are already saying--the cutesy and quirky stuff might get old quickly, I think this is the best new show that I've seen this season.

I want more Kristen Chenowith, though.

[The Mad Maple]

Well, I thought it was quirky and charming and pretty darn entertaining. I'm definitely in for the long haul. (Which, given that it's ABC, probably means 'til Christmas. Yes, I'm still bitter about Knights of Prosperity.)

And was that Swoozie Kurtz as the aunt with the eyepatch?

[TVGuy88]

Really good, but I have a feeling it's TOO good. I'm not sure the plot can sustain itself long-term either.

[insanityjones]

Ah, the wait was so worth it. The hand holding? The monkey kiss? The wall touching? I can't help but get all twitter-pated. I really hope ABC gives this one a fighting chance.

[SiobhanJW]

The show was AWESOME! Soooo good!! I really hope that it lasts! The whole cast is great. I love the magical feel about it! I can't wait for next week. I really hope that it sticks around!

[kieyra]

And was that Swoozie Kurtz as the aunt with the eyepatch?

Swoosie Kurtz; and I think Ellen Greene from Little Shop of Horrors as the other aunt?

[para]

I like pies.

I am now hungry for pies.

I loved the whole episode, but I especially loved the final shot because it gave the episode such a feeling of closure, of coming all the way from its first shot. I also understood suddenly why ABC is so eager for this show based on solely this pilot - the pilot is a movie in disguise. If they had added another thirty-five minutes to resolve Chuck's murder more completely and have the right length, it would have been a perfectly adequate and slightly indie romantic comedy. As a form of narrative storytelling PD could have ended right there, at this final shot of Chuck and Ned looking happily at each other, on the same wavelength, not touching, but holding hands. It's a bitter-sweet happy ending - the best kind, really.

I wonder where the show can go from there.

Edited by para, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:58 PM.

[HeyJuliet]

I thought this was very cute and unique and well-acted. I think Lee Pace is adorable and it has a great cast. I'll definitely stick around, but I'm just worried about how long it can go on with this premise before it feels too stilted. I could see it having an amazing first season, but I'm not sure if the concept can be successful long-term before it feels like too much of the same thing. Maybe if they would have made Chuck's murder more twisty and interesting, that could have been an on-going subplot?

Regardless, two thumbs up.

Edited by HeyJuliet, Oct 3, 2007 @ 8:12 PM.

[daisycat71]

The announcer guy sounded like someone from one of those old Christmas specials - Santa Clause Is Coming To Town maybe?

[Smallcondo]

Delightful and adorable! Lee Pace gets hotter every time I see him. Of course, this will get canceled before the November sweeps, driving me even further from network TV.

[twinmom]

This series is the Lemony Snicket Show for adults.

This is exactly what I said to Twindaughter. We liked it, so it is sure to be cancelled.

I could have done without the "masturbate" reference right in the first 10 minutes.

[bigcheese]

I loved this. Especially the dog named Canteloupe. It was one hour of awwwww.

[binturite]

I think this is the best new show that I've seen this season.

That was the best premiere I've seen from a new or returning show, in I don't know how many seasons.