The networks have announced their fall schedules, but which of the series will actually be worth watching? Throughout the summer, as I watch the pilots, I'll be posting my first impressions. Note that a lot can change before a show actually makes it to air, so these aren't comprehensive reviews, just quick thoughts on how the shows look now. Today's installment: ABC's "Pushing Daisies."
What's it about? A man who can bring people back to life with a single touch resurrects his childhood sweetheart — but if he touches her again, she will die for good.
Who's in it? Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, Swoosie Kurtz, Chi McBride
The good: Everything. OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but this is my favorite pilot so far. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the pilot thrusts us into Lee's colorful, quirky world, populated by crazy aunts, seemingly immortal dogs, and a restaurant called the Pie Hole. The show comes from the mind of "Dead Like Me" and "Wonderfalls" writer-producer Bryan Fuller, and the show bears his signature surrealistic stamp. ABC is marketing the show as a "forensic fairy tale," and I think it's a perfect description; the show feels like the strangest fable you've ever heard. The dialogue is quick and smart, so full of subtle puns that I wanted to watch the pilot again to make sure I caught them all.
The bad: I'm scared for this show. Fuller has worked on a couple of critically acclaimed series that haven't caught on with the public, and I'm afraid this might be so out there that it won't ever break out of "cult hit" territory. The pilot felt like a movie, and I'm not sure that the show will be able to hit that same level of production and storytelling each week — though I can't wait to watch the cast and crew give it a shot.
Will I watch? Yes, yes, a million times yes. Maybe my hopes are too high, but I thought the pilot was one of the more creative and well-constructed pieces of television I've seen this year.
To watch a preview for the show and check out a gallery of photos, read more
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Photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.
Video courtesy of Warner Bros.
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Henrik Vibskov
lol@ The Pie Hole!
I'll check this one out as well
1i like anna friel! and kristen chenowith as long as she doesn't get all annoyingly blonde and bubbly like it seems her previous roles (Wicked notwithstanding) have been.
2I love Kristen Chenowith so I'm definitely tuning in. Plus, I love the idea of the Pie Hole!
3i've heard amazing things about this show. i'll definitely check it out.
but i too am afraid that it will go the way of so many great tv shows that weren't given a fair chance (studio 60, for example).
4I saw a preview of this when watching Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix and I did think it was a movie. I will definitely watch this because it looks creative and original. Keep us posted on this one Buzz.
I have a question though Buzz, do you think that this wonderful show would do much better if it was on, say, HBO or Showtimes than in local channel like ABC?
5This show is sooooo out there that I'll definitely check it out.
6I'm so excited for this show! I LOVED Wonderfalls and I really miss it! And Dead Like Me is fantastic as well. I blame Wonderfalls on Fox's bad judgement and at least Dead Like Me got more than one season, so I'm hoping this one will catch on. I know I'll be watching! They're screening the pilot down here in San Diego and I'm stoked to see it.
7I'm going to check it out.I'm with phase,I loved Dead like me and Wonderfalls.I hope this show doesn't get cut if it doesn't catch on.
8This is the one show I am so excited for this fall! It is very critically acclaimed and I can't wait! I'm nervous though it will go the ways of arrested development, very funny and very intelligent, just won't appeal to the mass population and suffer for low ratings! Hopefully it will catch on, can't wait!
9I wonder if they will use the song...
10buzz i'm SO glad you did a pilot watch on this!! the company i work for is doing all of the visual effects for this series, so i have already seen the pilot and it is FANTASTIC. so colorful, creative, and just all-around fun to watch. plus, it will have great VFX (tooting my company's horn a bit there!). i really hope everyone likes it.
11pinkflats, that's an interesting question. I'm not sure it's dark enough for HBO, actually. At first I couldn't imagine it working on network TV, but the more I think about it, ABC starts to feel like a surprisingly good fit — though the subject matter is very different, I think it could be this year's "Ugly Betty." It has a tough time slot, though, on a night when ABC is launching three new shows; that gives me pause more than the network itself.
Phasekitty, they also made a special Pushing Daisies comic for Comic-Con. Definitely grab one if you can — it has pie recipies!
And Calibabi, that's awesome. The pilot was beautiful!
12Well then how about on Showtimes, after or before Weeds is on?
13I can see it fitting there, but yeah you're right out of all the network TV ABC seems like a great fit for it, too bad it's in a tought time slot. I will cross my fingers that this show will catch on like Ugly Betty.
Kristin Chenoweth is such fun to watch. The show sounds so creative, but I am worried that it won't be able to sustain itself for the whole season. Certainly hope I'm wrong.
14I'm watching because I adore Kristin Chenoweth. I hope the show does well.
15I'm definitely watching this show...
16I'm soo excited for this show, which means there's no way it will last. Haha, I know that sounds ridiculous, but in the past 2 years, every single show I liked, with the exception of The Office, was cancelled.
17holy frick i am *so* on board with this show. looks lovely.
18I love it already!
Seriously, Bryan Fuller and Lee Pace, how could this not be good?
19This looks really interesting! But after The Black Donnellys and Traveler, I'm afraid of watching new shows...
20I'll def. check it out this fall!!!!!
21Yeah...I like what I saw from the clip. I'll definitely check this one out.
22It's very Tim Burton-esque, very beautiful in an out there kind of way. When I saw a preview on tv a little while ago, I stopped what I was doing and just sat, mezmerized by the visual beauty of it all. And the concept is totally up my alley. I cannot wait!
23I have to watch this! I WILL be watching this, it looks so incredible!!
24i'll watch this,,,this is something different...still mad that adam brody turned this down...
25i just watched the first episode and MAN i can't wait to watch more! this is the show i most love for Fall!
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