TV: Pushing Daisies

Talk about a show that’s right up my alley. I finally had a chance to watch the first two episodes of Pushing Daisies and I’m completely smitten. I’m smitten with the lead actor, Lee Pace, who is tall and lean and charming as Ned, the Pie Man. I’m smitten with Kristin Chenowith’s Olive character pining for Ned – even singing “Hopelessly Devoted To You” at some point in the second episode. I’m smitten with Ned’s childhood crush, played by Anna Friel, whose American accent is flawless (she’s British). I’m smitten with the lush cinematrophy reminiscent of movies like “Big Fish.” I’m smitten with the wonderful narration by Jim Dale. I’m just totally into the whole concept and I hope that this show makes it a full season.

The premise of the show, partially written by me, and partially outlined from ABC’s website:

As a child, Ned finds out he has a gift – he can bring dead people back to life with a touch of his finger. But if he doesn’t touch them again within one minute, another person will die. But as an adult, his gift leaves him wary of becoming close to anyone, as beautiful waitress Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) finds out. His life gets 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. Ned brings Chuck back to life, albeit briefly, to solve the crime. But once reunited with her, Ned can’t bring himself to send her back. Chuck becomes the third partner in Ned and Emerson’s PI enterprise. 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.

If you haven’t seen it, please tune in this week and watch it. It’s a quality show that still manages to be completely entertaining.