After last night, it's become clear - ABC's "Pushing Daisies" is my favorite new show of the year and quite possibly my favorite show, period. It's so funny, clever and gosh-darn-it cute that it bares repeat viewing just to appreciate all its whimsy and wonder. It's like watching a little mini-movie each week. Sure, if you're a diabetic you may need to stay away because it is so sweet, but it's so much fun I had to watch last night's episode twice just to fully appreciate it.
In case you're unfamiliar with the premise: Ned is a piemaker who has the ability to bring back people from the dead with one touch - with a few caveats: 1) If he touches them again, they go back to being dead forever. 2) If he doesn't touch them within 60 seconds, they live, but someone else nearby has to die. Ned has been using his gift and working with a detective so they can live off the rewards. And key to the whole story: Ned brought back his childhood sweetheart Chuck (short for Charlotte) back to life after she fell off a cruise ship. They're very much in love with each other even though they can't touch or kiss (except through plastic wrap). It sounds odd and this really doesn't even do the show justice to its creativity. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful to watch - the set design and costuming are bright and vibrant, as if someone sprayed the show with a vat of primary colors.
Last night had Chuck discovering who ended up dying for her to live (though he wasn't that great anyway) and had a great swordfight, plus some very funny references to Winnie the Pooh and a tagline for the next T-shirt I want to own: "Be nice to animals: Kiss a beaver". This show walks a fine line between dark and light, and I love it all the more for it. Plus, check out YouTube here to see Kristin Chenoweth's cute rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" from last week's episode. If any show can pull off throwing a musical number, it's this one. And I read somewhere that next week's ep has them riffing on a They Might Be Giants song. Something tells me it might be "Birdhouse in Your Soul" since the episode is titled "Pigeons." And if you've missed the past few episodes, you can watch them here for free.
Love it each and every moment of it. Second your emotion!
Posted by: Veronica | Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 12:02 AM