All hail Britain’s ITV! Why, you ask? Not for the semi-awesome Primeval (although I am a fan). No, I say all hail ITV because they just finished airing the 3 still-unaired-in-the-US episodes of Pushing Daisies. And, to quote an episode title from earlier this season: Oh, Oh, Oh, They’re Magic. Warning, some spoilers for the three episodes ahead.
Seriously, though, this string of 3 episodes is so ridiculously strong. Focusing on Olive, Emerson, and the aunts, the show managed to make me fall in love with it all over again. It manages to provide enough closure to not make me want to lead an angry mob with torches and pitchforks to ABC’s headquarters. And, well, it’s just plain old fantastic.
The first of the three, “Window Dressed to Kill”, focuses on the childhood kidnappers of Olive Snook, and is probably the weakest of the three. And yet, it’s still better than 99% of everything else on TV. The show manages to develop Olive more and giver her forward momentum. Randy Mann, the first time in a while that I have been able to tolerate David Arquette, is great and I love his budding relationship with Olive. The mystery of the episode is also kind of fantastic. Plus, the return appearance of the Sisters of the Divine Magnatum from earlier this season is completely welcome.
The second, “Water and Power”, focuses on Emerson’s quest to reconnect with his daughter, and is kind of amazing in nearly every way. I’m always a fan of Emerson, so any episode that foregrounds him is gonna please me. But combine that with constantly clever uses of the word “dam”, the re-return of dog trainer turned Chinese food gambler Simone, Chinatown references, AND Gina Torres (Zoe on Firefly) as Emerson’s ex and the mother of his child, and you just get an episode that works pretty much perfectly.
But, not to get all hyperbolic on you (I know, I know, I’m always hyperbolic), “Kerplunk”, the finale, is just about the best episode they’ve ever done. I would call it 99% perfect, and that missing percent is simply because you know watching it that this is the end. Heavy use of Lily and Vivian (the characters who were underutilized throughout the shows entire run), the awesome death scene Jaws reference, and so much else that is amazing that I can’t list it all makes this, well, just about perfect. And thank the lord that Bryan Fuller, genius, tacked on the wrap-up ending, because otherwise that angry mob mentioned earlier would have been a most definite reality.
About the tack-on ending, I’ll be honest, I was tearing up just a little bit. Me, cold-hearted cynical TV blogger, was tearing up. It fits the show kind of perfectly, and just reminds everyone what a magical world it all was. Obviously, when wrapping up as much as possible in about a minute, it’s going to feel rushed. And it does. But at the same time, it leaves open the idea that this world, these characters, these lives will continue. We just won’t be privy to the stories. (Which, A) makes me a disgruntled TV watcher, and B) makes me hope beyond hope that Fuller’s proposed comic series continuation is an actuality)
Now, having seen all 26 episodes, while thinking that that number is entirely too low, I can safely say that Pushing Daisies is one of the best shows ever. I could have told you that after 23 episodes, but why judge a text before you finish it? Although, not to spoil that wrap up, I can only hope that the narrator’s words come true: “At that moment, in the town of Couer d' Couers, events occurred that are not, were not, and should never be considered an ending. For endings, as it is known, are where we begin.”
Showing posts with label Pushing Daisies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pushing Daisies. Show all posts
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Bryan Fuller Is My Idol
So, my love of Pushing Daisies is well documented on this blog. I think it was the most unique and wonderful show to come on TV in a while, and this is coming from someone who watches a lot of TV. In a heartbeat, I would put it on my top 10 shows of all time list. The only other shows I can think of that are similar and similarly fantastic are Wonderfalls, which also cracks that top 10, and Dead Like Me, which probably misses it by a scant amount. What do these three shows all have in common besides being fantastic and different and unfortunately cancelled? They have a genius in common: Bryan Fuller.
This post, however, is not about these three shows. It is about Bryan Fuller’s genius, which was most recently manifested in a recent episode of Heroes, “Cold Snap”. Heroes has been, at best, wildly uneven this season. There have been distinct improvements from last season, but all the Arthur Petrelli stuff earlier this year fell flat. The newest arc, Fugitives, has been getting better, but it was not until Bryan Fuller’s triumphant return to the show with that episode that Heroes finally got good again. From the opening moments, with Danko finding Eric Doyle strung up in his apartment, I was hooked. This episode had so much good going for it (which is not to say there wasn’t a little bad to it to, but it’s not worth focusing on) that I just wanted to come out and say it: Bryan Fuller is a genius.
What has been wrong with Heroes for the past two seasons was the huge focus on a few characters, under-utilizing tons of others. The two biggest problems have been Claire, who is not terrible but so overused at this point it’s not even funny, and Peter, who I have never liked. And the best part is Fuller seems to realize this. He crafted an episode around Tracy, the character who has been used the absolute worst this season, and also heavily featured Daphne, who they’ve never used to her potential, and gave Hiro and Ando something useful to do again. Basically, in one episode, Fuller dealt with all of my problems with Heroes and focused on the elements that I like and that we haven’t been given enough of. I haven’t watched the show since that episode, simply because I know Fuller hasn’t written these next ones, so there is no way they will be as good. So I just want to say: Thank you Bryan Fuller, for being the genius that you are. There is no writer I look up to more (as may or may not have been mentioned somewhere in this blog, writing for TV is what I want to do after school). If you are somehow reading this, please have idea babies with me Bryan Fuller. I promise, I’ll help raise them right.
This post, however, is not about these three shows. It is about Bryan Fuller’s genius, which was most recently manifested in a recent episode of Heroes, “Cold Snap”. Heroes has been, at best, wildly uneven this season. There have been distinct improvements from last season, but all the Arthur Petrelli stuff earlier this year fell flat. The newest arc, Fugitives, has been getting better, but it was not until Bryan Fuller’s triumphant return to the show with that episode that Heroes finally got good again. From the opening moments, with Danko finding Eric Doyle strung up in his apartment, I was hooked. This episode had so much good going for it (which is not to say there wasn’t a little bad to it to, but it’s not worth focusing on) that I just wanted to come out and say it: Bryan Fuller is a genius.
What has been wrong with Heroes for the past two seasons was the huge focus on a few characters, under-utilizing tons of others. The two biggest problems have been Claire, who is not terrible but so overused at this point it’s not even funny, and Peter, who I have never liked. And the best part is Fuller seems to realize this. He crafted an episode around Tracy, the character who has been used the absolute worst this season, and also heavily featured Daphne, who they’ve never used to her potential, and gave Hiro and Ando something useful to do again. Basically, in one episode, Fuller dealt with all of my problems with Heroes and focused on the elements that I like and that we haven’t been given enough of. I haven’t watched the show since that episode, simply because I know Fuller hasn’t written these next ones, so there is no way they will be as good. So I just want to say: Thank you Bryan Fuller, for being the genius that you are. There is no writer I look up to more (as may or may not have been mentioned somewhere in this blog, writing for TV is what I want to do after school). If you are somehow reading this, please have idea babies with me Bryan Fuller. I promise, I’ll help raise them right.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Top Ten Shows of 2008
So, yeah, readers, I left that previous top ten hanging. Because I’m lazy. So, in order to combat the chance of that happening again, the entire top 10 is going to be in one, neat handy-dandy post. Huzzah! You’ll notice differences from that original one too. So yeah, here’s the top 10.
10. So You Think You Can Dance- FOX
The best of the reality talent shows, with the best host on all of television. Sure, this past season was not their best one, nor even their second best. Sure, there were phenomenal contestants this year (Mark and Will, please move to the front of the class), but this season kind of fell a little flat. I could do with less of Nigel and Mary and more of guest judges like Lil’ C. But even with all of these problems, SYTYCD still manages to clock in at number 10 on my list.
9. Chuck- NBC
Chuck can be frustratingly formulaic at times. If there is one big, gaping flaw with the show, it is that every episode seems like the one before it, but with different guest stars. But the rigidity of the formula allows more room for the lead characters (as well as those zany background credited players) to shine. Zachary Levi is an incredibly likeable lead, Adam Baldwin is always great, and Yvonne Strahovski is proving to be more than just an attractive blonde to look at. Plus, how can you not love a show with a character named “Captain Awesome?”
8. The Office- NBC
The Office has had an up and down year. There has been some absolute brilliance in this year, but there’s also been a whole lot of unpleasantness. (How uncomfortable was the most recent Christmas special?) However, The Office still proves itself to be one of the most solidly funny shows on TV, always delivering in at least some capacity. Jim and Pam are still one of the absolute best couples on TV, with real real chemistry, and the Andy-Angela-Dwight love triangle has been great. It wasn’t The Office’s best year, but it’s still been a pretty darn good one.
7. Flight of the Conchords- HBO
All it takes is a few lines to explain Conchords’ place here “Just because we’ve been playing Tonsil Hockey doesn’t mean you get to score the goal that’s in my Jockeys”, “Bret you got it goin on. Not in a gay way, just in a ‘hey mate, I wanted to say that you’re looking okay’ way”, “My rhymes are so potent that in this small segment I made all of the ladies in the area pregnant.” “So you thin maybe you’ll be a prostitute, just to pay for your lessons, your learning the flute. Ladies wouldn’t pay your very much for this, looks like you’ll never be a concert flautist.” I rest my case.
6. Doctor Who- BBC
So, I’m kind of a Film/TV Sci-Fi nerd. Well, a really big one. And there is no better sci-fi on TV than Doctor Who (Ok, well, I’m far behind on Battlestar Galactica, so that may be better, but I’m not in a place to judge). My ultimate wildest dream is being a companion to the doctor, getting to travel through time and space. This season boasted a really good companion in Donna (a previously very irritating Catherine Tate), and a run of absolutely amazing episodes leading up to a mostly satisfying finale. The Silence in the Library two-parter will be something I will re-watch for years to come, as will the Midnight episode, which is absolutely A+ suspense. And I can’t wait until Steven Moffat takes over the shows reins in 2010.
5. I Love Money- VH1
A very unconventional pick, yes, but anyone who has read the blog for a while knows my absolute love for all things VH1 Celebreality. And I don’t think VH1 will ever produce a better show than the first season of I Love Money. It was a show full of really compelling characters (and I call these people characters because no human beings actually behave in this way), which was crafted in a brilliant way so as to reward manipulation and smarts over brawn. It produced a bona-fide VH1 star in Megan, who was kind of nothing before this and now is, like her (which I mostly do) or hate her (as most others do), a powerhouse VH1 character. There was no better mindless entertainment this year than I Love Money.
4. Lost- ABC
I cannot remember a creative resurgence like the one Lost has this past season, well, ever. So, soo, sooooo good was Lost’s fourth season that I once again have complete and utter faith in this show and will blindly follow it to its end. Season 3 had a whole slew of problems (Nikki and Paulo, we thankful hardly knew ye), but season 4, with the change in the formula, the mystery of who the Oceanic 6 would be, and the knowledge that it was building to castaways leaving the island gave the show so much strength and steam this past season that even Lost haters were jumping back towards the bandwagon. Just a ridiculously impressive season these guys turned out.
3. The Middleman- ABC Family
I cannot think of a better freshman season than the one The Middleman had. Nearly (I say nearly, because the Cursed Tuba one was kind of weak) every episode was nothing but fantastic, boasting some of the most interesting characters who I genuinely would love to spend time with. The Middleman was so witty, clever, geeky, cool, fun, and a bunch of other adjectives that are good things. Natalie Morales and Matt Keeslar had absolutely fantastic chemistry, and I truly hope that we get to see more Middleman-Dub Dub banter. Unfortunately, we most likely never will since neither ABC (we’ll get to that in a quick sec), nor ABC Family seems to recognize true genius when they have it, opting not to renew in order to give us more episodes of, say, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” or “According to Jim.” Sorry, I’m bitter.
2 & 1. It’s A Tie!
30 Rock- NBC
Oh, Tina Fey, why do you make me love you so? Between your dead-on Palin and 30 Rock, I fell even more for you this year. The thing that I love about 30 Rock is that every single character is funny, and yet it doesn’t seem like anyone is trying to out-funny their peers. Fey’s Liz Lemon seems to be an equal amount of buffoon as the rest of the show’s characters, and accomplishing a successful comedy without a straight man deserves props. I can only hope it continues to get even better.
Pushing Daisies- ABC
Why, ABC? Why? Why must you rob me of the sweetest, cutest, most heart-warming show on all of TV? Daisies achieved the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with adorable, surreal, fairy-tale awesomeness, undercut by biting humor and wit. There is not a single, single thing I would change about Pushing Daisies if I could, which is a feat no other show, including those on this list, can claim. The entire cast is absolutely fantastic and will hopefully continue to do amazing this. So I say again, Why ABC? And I swear, if you don’t air the remaining three episodes (as it seems like you may be planning on doing), there’s a decent chance I’ll never tune into ABC again.
So there you have it folks. My top 10 of 2008. As a disclaimer, there are a bunch of really acclaimed shows that I never finished, or got caught up on, so things like Mad Men, Damages, and The Shield, just to name a few, never stood a shot of making it onto the list. But of the TV I watch, which is, trust me, a LOT, these were the 10 shows that I dubbed the best. But enough about me, what do you folks think?
10. So You Think You Can Dance- FOX
The best of the reality talent shows, with the best host on all of television. Sure, this past season was not their best one, nor even their second best. Sure, there were phenomenal contestants this year (Mark and Will, please move to the front of the class), but this season kind of fell a little flat. I could do with less of Nigel and Mary and more of guest judges like Lil’ C. But even with all of these problems, SYTYCD still manages to clock in at number 10 on my list.
9. Chuck- NBC
Chuck can be frustratingly formulaic at times. If there is one big, gaping flaw with the show, it is that every episode seems like the one before it, but with different guest stars. But the rigidity of the formula allows more room for the lead characters (as well as those zany background credited players) to shine. Zachary Levi is an incredibly likeable lead, Adam Baldwin is always great, and Yvonne Strahovski is proving to be more than just an attractive blonde to look at. Plus, how can you not love a show with a character named “Captain Awesome?”
8. The Office- NBC
The Office has had an up and down year. There has been some absolute brilliance in this year, but there’s also been a whole lot of unpleasantness. (How uncomfortable was the most recent Christmas special?) However, The Office still proves itself to be one of the most solidly funny shows on TV, always delivering in at least some capacity. Jim and Pam are still one of the absolute best couples on TV, with real real chemistry, and the Andy-Angela-Dwight love triangle has been great. It wasn’t The Office’s best year, but it’s still been a pretty darn good one.
7. Flight of the Conchords- HBO
All it takes is a few lines to explain Conchords’ place here “Just because we’ve been playing Tonsil Hockey doesn’t mean you get to score the goal that’s in my Jockeys”, “Bret you got it goin on. Not in a gay way, just in a ‘hey mate, I wanted to say that you’re looking okay’ way”, “My rhymes are so potent that in this small segment I made all of the ladies in the area pregnant.” “So you thin maybe you’ll be a prostitute, just to pay for your lessons, your learning the flute. Ladies wouldn’t pay your very much for this, looks like you’ll never be a concert flautist.” I rest my case.
6. Doctor Who- BBC
So, I’m kind of a Film/TV Sci-Fi nerd. Well, a really big one. And there is no better sci-fi on TV than Doctor Who (Ok, well, I’m far behind on Battlestar Galactica, so that may be better, but I’m not in a place to judge). My ultimate wildest dream is being a companion to the doctor, getting to travel through time and space. This season boasted a really good companion in Donna (a previously very irritating Catherine Tate), and a run of absolutely amazing episodes leading up to a mostly satisfying finale. The Silence in the Library two-parter will be something I will re-watch for years to come, as will the Midnight episode, which is absolutely A+ suspense. And I can’t wait until Steven Moffat takes over the shows reins in 2010.
5. I Love Money- VH1
A very unconventional pick, yes, but anyone who has read the blog for a while knows my absolute love for all things VH1 Celebreality. And I don’t think VH1 will ever produce a better show than the first season of I Love Money. It was a show full of really compelling characters (and I call these people characters because no human beings actually behave in this way), which was crafted in a brilliant way so as to reward manipulation and smarts over brawn. It produced a bona-fide VH1 star in Megan, who was kind of nothing before this and now is, like her (which I mostly do) or hate her (as most others do), a powerhouse VH1 character. There was no better mindless entertainment this year than I Love Money.
4. Lost- ABC
I cannot remember a creative resurgence like the one Lost has this past season, well, ever. So, soo, sooooo good was Lost’s fourth season that I once again have complete and utter faith in this show and will blindly follow it to its end. Season 3 had a whole slew of problems (Nikki and Paulo, we thankful hardly knew ye), but season 4, with the change in the formula, the mystery of who the Oceanic 6 would be, and the knowledge that it was building to castaways leaving the island gave the show so much strength and steam this past season that even Lost haters were jumping back towards the bandwagon. Just a ridiculously impressive season these guys turned out.
3. The Middleman- ABC Family
I cannot think of a better freshman season than the one The Middleman had. Nearly (I say nearly, because the Cursed Tuba one was kind of weak) every episode was nothing but fantastic, boasting some of the most interesting characters who I genuinely would love to spend time with. The Middleman was so witty, clever, geeky, cool, fun, and a bunch of other adjectives that are good things. Natalie Morales and Matt Keeslar had absolutely fantastic chemistry, and I truly hope that we get to see more Middleman-Dub Dub banter. Unfortunately, we most likely never will since neither ABC (we’ll get to that in a quick sec), nor ABC Family seems to recognize true genius when they have it, opting not to renew in order to give us more episodes of, say, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” or “According to Jim.” Sorry, I’m bitter.
2 & 1. It’s A Tie!
30 Rock- NBC
Oh, Tina Fey, why do you make me love you so? Between your dead-on Palin and 30 Rock, I fell even more for you this year. The thing that I love about 30 Rock is that every single character is funny, and yet it doesn’t seem like anyone is trying to out-funny their peers. Fey’s Liz Lemon seems to be an equal amount of buffoon as the rest of the show’s characters, and accomplishing a successful comedy without a straight man deserves props. I can only hope it continues to get even better.
Pushing Daisies- ABC
Why, ABC? Why? Why must you rob me of the sweetest, cutest, most heart-warming show on all of TV? Daisies achieved the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with adorable, surreal, fairy-tale awesomeness, undercut by biting humor and wit. There is not a single, single thing I would change about Pushing Daisies if I could, which is a feat no other show, including those on this list, can claim. The entire cast is absolutely fantastic and will hopefully continue to do amazing this. So I say again, Why ABC? And I swear, if you don’t air the remaining three episodes (as it seems like you may be planning on doing), there’s a decent chance I’ll never tune into ABC again.
So there you have it folks. My top 10 of 2008. As a disclaimer, there are a bunch of really acclaimed shows that I never finished, or got caught up on, so things like Mad Men, Damages, and The Shield, just to name a few, never stood a shot of making it onto the list. But of the TV I watch, which is, trust me, a LOT, these were the 10 shows that I dubbed the best. But enough about me, what do you folks think?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Just In Case You Are A Bad Person and Didn't Watch Pushing Daisies...
So, I got a message on "The Facebook" recently cluing me into this, a video cut together by ABC in order to recap you on the entire first season of Pushing Daisies, in case you missed it...
I've written about my love of Pushing Daisies before, and this is just another post, begging and imploring you, if you did not watch Season 1, please watch season 2. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Which is big. Don't you wanna feel warm and fuzzy too?
PS: I asked the person if they had one for The Middleman, which you should also totally be watching. She said she'd see. But, in the meantime, WATCH THE MIDDLEMAN. It needs your help. They're fighting evil so you don't have to. But if it gets cancelled, you're totally gonna have to fight evil yourself.
I've written about my love of Pushing Daisies before, and this is just another post, begging and imploring you, if you did not watch Season 1, please watch season 2. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Which is big. Don't you wanna feel warm and fuzzy too?
PS: I asked the person if they had one for The Middleman, which you should also totally be watching. She said she'd see. But, in the meantime, WATCH THE MIDDLEMAN. It needs your help. They're fighting evil so you don't have to. But if it gets cancelled, you're totally gonna have to fight evil yourself.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanks and No Thanks
Well, I’m a day late and more than a few dollars short, but I’ve compiled a list of things to be thankful for and things to lament this TV year:
I’m Thankful For:
Slap Bets: Not only was the original episode my favorite episode of television of the past year, but every subsequent payoff has been pitch perfect, including this most recent Slapsgiving episode.
The Writer’s Strike: I know this is surprising to see here, but as a writer who is hoping to break into TV, this strike will be key in getting fair wages for any future work I do.
Pushing Daisies: For bringing fairy tale and whimsy and quality back to primetime television. Also, for finally bringing Bryan Fuller the success he so deserves.
Alec Baldwin and “30 Rock”: For making “The Office” more than a fluke for NBC.
Rock of Love: If only for teaching me that it’s never a good idea to threaten a person with a good time. Especially if they’re a drunken stripper.
Imaginationland: For violating everything my childhood held dear, and making me love that violation.
My Readers: It makes me feel really good about myself when people read my blog. So, sentimental “aw” moment: Thanks for reading guys. “Awwwwwww”
I’m NOT Thankful For:
The Writer’s Strike: While I support what they’re doing, there’s a good chance that it’ll seriously hurt a bunch of good freshman shows.
Meredith Not Dying on Grey's Anatomy: I hate her. I hate her so much. I want to punch her anytime I’m reminded of her “Choose Me. Pick Me. Love Me” speech.
I Love New York Season 2: Because it’s nowhere near as good as season one.
The Cancellation of Studio 60: Because it had such good potential, but still couldn’t find viewers.
The Way Veronica Mars Ended: I seriously wanted to punch my TV. That’s the way they ended my favorite show?
Lorena on The Amazing Race: It takes a special something to become one of my most hated reality competitors three episodes into a season. Kudos, Lorena. Kudos.
Most Reality Shows on the CW: Beauty and the Geek and America’s Next Top Model, those I can live with. But, seriously, “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll”? The Upcoming “Crowned: The Ultimate Mother Daughter Beauty Pageant”? The Upcoming “Farmer Wants A Wife”? Someone sold their soul to the devil for development deals…
Overall though, I’m a lot more thankful for this past year than I am sad about it. While we lost some great shows, we gained some other great ones. Good times, people. Good times.
I’m Thankful For:
Slap Bets: Not only was the original episode my favorite episode of television of the past year, but every subsequent payoff has been pitch perfect, including this most recent Slapsgiving episode.
The Writer’s Strike: I know this is surprising to see here, but as a writer who is hoping to break into TV, this strike will be key in getting fair wages for any future work I do.
Pushing Daisies: For bringing fairy tale and whimsy and quality back to primetime television. Also, for finally bringing Bryan Fuller the success he so deserves.
Alec Baldwin and “30 Rock”: For making “The Office” more than a fluke for NBC.
Rock of Love: If only for teaching me that it’s never a good idea to threaten a person with a good time. Especially if they’re a drunken stripper.
Imaginationland: For violating everything my childhood held dear, and making me love that violation.
My Readers: It makes me feel really good about myself when people read my blog. So, sentimental “aw” moment: Thanks for reading guys. “Awwwwwww”
I’m NOT Thankful For:
The Writer’s Strike: While I support what they’re doing, there’s a good chance that it’ll seriously hurt a bunch of good freshman shows.
Meredith Not Dying on Grey's Anatomy: I hate her. I hate her so much. I want to punch her anytime I’m reminded of her “Choose Me. Pick Me. Love Me” speech.
I Love New York Season 2: Because it’s nowhere near as good as season one.
The Cancellation of Studio 60: Because it had such good potential, but still couldn’t find viewers.
The Way Veronica Mars Ended: I seriously wanted to punch my TV. That’s the way they ended my favorite show?
Lorena on The Amazing Race: It takes a special something to become one of my most hated reality competitors three episodes into a season. Kudos, Lorena. Kudos.
Most Reality Shows on the CW: Beauty and the Geek and America’s Next Top Model, those I can live with. But, seriously, “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll”? The Upcoming “Crowned: The Ultimate Mother Daughter Beauty Pageant”? The Upcoming “Farmer Wants A Wife”? Someone sold their soul to the devil for development deals…
Overall though, I’m a lot more thankful for this past year than I am sad about it. While we lost some great shows, we gained some other great ones. Good times, people. Good times.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wednesday Premieres
So, tonight is the big night. The premiere of what is hands down the best new show of the season is tonight.
Pushing Daisies: It hasn't even premiered, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this is one of, if not THE, best show on network television and certainly my favorite. Not only does it not look like anything you've ever seen before on television, it doesn't even act like its on television at times. It's like it jumped out of a book of fairy tales, and I know that sentence may make me sound like a ten year old girl, but that's really what the show is. A dream-like fairy tale. I can only beg of you to watch it, simply so that it doesn't get cancelled quick, as happens to most other shows I love this much (ahem Wonderfalls ahem)
South Park: Everyone's favorite foul-mouthed fourth graders are back tonight. Tonight's plot revolves around Cartman pretending to have Tourette's so he can say whatever he wants. Sounds like genius, and I mean that in full sincerity.
If, for some reason, you don't like me and aren't going to watch Daisies, which, I repeat, you totally should be watching, also for on tonight for your viewing pleasure are America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, Kid Nation, Dirty Sexy Money, and Bionic Woman. Enjoy, but if you're watching Pushing Daisies, I know you will. So watch it.
Pushing Daisies: It hasn't even premiered, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this is one of, if not THE, best show on network television and certainly my favorite. Not only does it not look like anything you've ever seen before on television, it doesn't even act like its on television at times. It's like it jumped out of a book of fairy tales, and I know that sentence may make me sound like a ten year old girl, but that's really what the show is. A dream-like fairy tale. I can only beg of you to watch it, simply so that it doesn't get cancelled quick, as happens to most other shows I love this much (ahem Wonderfalls ahem)
South Park: Everyone's favorite foul-mouthed fourth graders are back tonight. Tonight's plot revolves around Cartman pretending to have Tourette's so he can say whatever he wants. Sounds like genius, and I mean that in full sincerity.
If, for some reason, you don't like me and aren't going to watch Daisies, which, I repeat, you totally should be watching, also for on tonight for your viewing pleasure are America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, Kid Nation, Dirty Sexy Money, and Bionic Woman. Enjoy, but if you're watching Pushing Daisies, I know you will. So watch it.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Pilot Review: Pushing Daisies
Pushing Daisies
ABC. Wednesdays at 8.
Cast: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth, Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene, and Jim Dale.
What can I say about Pushing Daisies? Well, one thing that I know I can say is that it’s the best pilot I’ve seen so far. I’m fairly confident that, even only having seen 4 pilots for next season, I can say that this will be the best show on primetime television next year, considering that spot was just vacated by the now unfortunately cancelled Veronica Mars. One last thing I can say about this pilot is that this is the best show I’ve seen since I saw the pilot for Veronica Mars. It may even be better. You may not realize, but that means A LOT from me.
The show is at its core about a man who can bring people back from the dead. He runs a pie shop called “The Pie Hole” and he doesn’t exactly have strong social skills. See, he discovered his power when he was a child but he also learned its caveats then, when, after bringing his mother back after an aneurysm, he killed his neighbor’s, who he had a crush on dad. Apparently, he can only bring them back from the dead for a minute, or someone else in the near vicinity drops dead in their place. But, when his mom kissed him that night, she dropped dead too. Because one touch means life, a second touch means death again. Seeing as how he killed his neighbor and his mom, he was sent away and now runs a pie shop. Until an enterprising PI found out about his power and started working with him to collect rewards. His latest one is for a girl who mysteriously died on a cruise ship. It turn out that the victim is his old neighbor, Chuck (a girl, not a guy), who he keeps alive for more than a minute. He and Chuck still have feelings, but they can’t touch.
While my summary of events and the show’s premise may not have been good, the show certainly is. This is the most visually lush thing I have ever seen on a major channel. Watching this is like entering a painted world, where colors hint at everything from mood to personality. And the fantastic (as in fantasy related, all though it is fantastic to look at) backdrop is perfect because the show plays and feels like a fairy tale. Every note just hits right. Lee Pace feels perfect as Ned, and his chemistry with Anna Friel’s Chuck is endearing and feels completely true. Chuck’s two aunts (Kurtz and Greene) with matching personality disorders feel so right at home in this universe that you can’t help but find them hilarious. Chenoweth as The Pie Hole’s only employee hits every note right with her performance. Jim Dale’s narration makes it seem even more like a fairy tale. McBride is the weakest link, but he still makes you enjoy his morally ambiguous character. The dialogue is snappy, as would be expected from Bryan Fuller, who created two of my other favorite shows of the last five years (Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me). Barry Sonnenfeld’s pilot direction is superb, as is the show’s cinematography, which makes every color and set pop on screen. Honestly, there is absolutely nothing I dislike
about this pilot, which is why it gets:
Rating: You Must Watch This Show
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