Pushing Daisies (2007–2009) User Reviews (204)

Quirky... in a good way

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 20 October 2009]

When I first saw this advertised on television I thought it might be a fun little show, I didn't think it would be something I'd want to own on DVD though... I soon realised that this was something special; the colours are all brighter than normal, the dialogue is more wordy than people really use and the plot is surreal to say the least. All these things could have lead to a disaster but it worked perfectly for me. The cast did a great job bringing their surreal world to life.

Ned isn't like ordinary people; he can bring the dead back to life with a single touch, there are two major catches though, if he touches that person a second time they will die forever and if he leaves a person alive for more than a minute somebody else nearby must die. Using this skill he is able to help private detective Emerson Cod by questioning murder victims. Things change for Ned when one of the victims he revives is his childhood sweetheart Charlotte "Chuck" Charles. He can't bring himself to touch her again which apart from causing somebody else's death leads to a very difficult relationship between them. When Ned isn't dealing with dead people he cooks in The Pie Hole, the pie-restaurant he owns.

Most of the episodes are of the murder-of-the-week variety although there are some continuing threads to the story. The murders are never anything normal; their strangeness reminded me of the 1960s series "The Avengers". As well as having two great leading characters the supporting cast does a great job, I especially liked Kristin Chenoweth's portrayal of the diminutive Olive Snook a Pie Hole employee with a soft spot for Ned but who does not know his strange secret.

It is a shame that the series was cut short but I'm glad that it was given a proper ending even if there were a few loose ends left untied the main story had nice conclusion. This series won't be for everybody but if you want to watch something a bit different I'd recommend giving this show a chance.

Quirky and wonderful little series

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 9 June 2011]

When Pushing Daisies was on, it always made my day. I just loved how funny, quirky and clever it was. So I was saddened when it ended as abruptly as it did, it may have had a rocky start however it did get much better very quickly and had even more time to progress if given the chance.

I loved Pushing Daisies for several reasons. With skillful photography and striking clothes, lighting and sets, the visuals were constantly very colourful. The music had a lot of charm and quirkiness about it too, the writing was witty and engaging and the stories were clever with an original and imaginative concept. The characters were always fanciful and likable, Jim Dale's narration was sardonic and beautifully delivered, Kristen Chenoweth brightened up every scene she appeared in as did a fair number of those who guested on the show and Lee Pace and Anna Friel were very endearing in their own way.

In conclusion, a gem that ended too soon. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Gone too soon...R.I.P.

[badmel65 · 9/10 · 1 June 2019]

Once again, another one of my most favorite shows as been taken away. I am now watching re runs on Amazon. I would love for it to be picked up and started again even as the characters would be older. An excellent cast and an excellent plot/storyline! I will give no spoilers as this is one of the most original series I have ever seen. I would pay money to see a movie made of this or even to see the show return. It was far too good to be canceled! 10 Stars!!!

Come For The Pie - Stay For The Characters

[javrivera · 10/10 · 19 January 2010]

Flawless acting, unique stories, and visual eye candy.

This has to be one of the best examples of what TV should (and essentially) could be if you put it in the hands of real talent. Everyone behind and front of the scenes is working grade A performances. Lee Pace and gang have never fit so perfectly in an ensemble using each of their unique talents to deliver some of the best dialog and storytelling.

The visuals are an obvious standout but leave it to Creator Bryan Fuller to not focus entirely on special effects and set design. Instead, he shows the value of great characters and character development through intriguing stories. And that, my fellow Daisy fans, is why this series works so well.

The biggest frustration, of course, is the cancellation. Why would a show this flawless get canceled? What does ABC have to replace it with anyway? It's just a shame.

I highly recommend you buy the series (BluRay is a must for those with HDTVs) and enjoy what you may never see again on TV. Come for the pie - stay for the characters!

Quirky, touching, and wonderful

[jimpowellsf · 10/10 · 23 December 2009]

This show is addictively wonderful. The writing and acting are fantastic. Funny, touching, and also intrigue all wrapped into one. Be sure to get this into your DVD player and enjoy it from the beginning to the unexpectedly short end. Watch it, watch it, watch it! There are some great characters and great guest appearances that only help add to the endearing aspect of the show. Kudos to the writers for developing a great storyline that only gets better over time. I just don't understand why this wasn't interesting for the American TV public. Bad time? Too quirky? Not enough studio support? I suspect that the production costs were very high, but all parts of the show (directly, special effects, costumes, sets) are great. Thank goodness it's on DVD, and I can only hope that it somehow comes back in one way, shape, or form.

A great series...too bad it was too smart to succeed.

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 25 May 2011]

"Pushing Daisies" was a marvelously original show--so much so that it had to fail. After all, good television is like the sentiment 'no good deed goes unpunished'! And, like a wonderful show, it manages to start off with a real bang--with an episode that keeps you wanting more.

Apparently, the idea for "Pushing Daisies" was originally a plot idea for "Dead Like Me"--another show so good that it quickly failed. In the show, they had planned to have the reapers learn that some of their victims had mysteriously returned to life--the result of a guy with magical life-giving powers. Well, the idea was re-tooled for this ABC series and was done independently of "Dead Like Me". However, unlike "Dead Like Me" the atmosphere, costumes and set design had a much more other-worldly appearance--like it was filmed in a magical fictional land--full of LOTS of primary and secondary colors! I could try to explain the series, but frankly it defies explanations. Plus, IMDb has a summary. Instead, lets' focus specifically on what they got right...other than everything (which is true but a bit vague). The characters are exquisitely written and easy to love...very easy to love. The dialog is even better--very, very snappy, intelligently written and clever. And the plots generally very good--specifically so in this pilot. In this case the entire lore of Ned's magical powers is explained as well as the set-up for the series--his partner Emerson (my favorite character), how he accidentally brought Chuck (a girl) back to life as well as his strange but lovable employee (Olive).

Another one bites the dust

[whoop-70951 · 10/10 · 9 June 2019]

After 10 plus years I still miss this show. Lee Pace was born for this role and Chuck was adorable, but my favorite was Chi McBride. One of the best casts that has been on TV for long time. If it came out now it would be bing heaven. So many characters driven into one storyline, just a joy to watch.

WOW - I can't believe the bad reviews... LOVE this show!

[caseofthepunks · 10/10 · 28 August 2009]

Are you kidding me?? This show is WONDERFUL! Perhaps it may be because I have watched it from episode 1, thus... fully understand the concept completely. Or perhaps it is because I stumbled upon this show by random and had no preconceived feelings.

I absolutely fell in love with this show. I love every character, the way it's filmed, the narration, the actors chosen... EVERYTHING!! I absolutely adore Kristi Chenoweth - too adorable and will make you laugh every episode.

I think if your asking too many questions about this show - it may be too advanced for you. Are you serious?? 'No one would believe if so and so told on him... why don't they bring back history figures to talk? blah blah' IT'S A SHOW. lmao. Makes me laugh... You're looking into it too hard and not just taking it for what it is. Regardless... rent the first season and watch the first few episodes! Awesome show!!

Pushing Daisies

[messina44 · 9/10 · 2 November 2009]

This was my number one show to watch. I have decided not to start watching a new show so that I won't be disappointed because of it's abrupt end. I loved the show. Even though it was frustrating regarding the plot line, the writing and humor got me every show. They could have found a loophole. There is always a loophole, especially with such a magical plot line. Everyone on the show was very talented, and I could believe their fanciful characters. The musical numbers helped drive the suspension of disbelief. Glee has show us that. The only reason I turned to Glee was because of the loss of Pushing Daisies. It is much less mature and negative in humor, but it has it's fun parts too. I wish that a show like this would get more support.

Cute, but it's no Wonderfalls

[brpetrakis · 7/10 · 20 February 2008]

I have finally come to the realization that there will never be another Wonderfalls. As hard has Bryan Fuller may try, the magic just cannot be recreated and I will forever be forced to live with a mere 13 episodes.

That being said, I do not hate Pushing Daisies. I am actually quite fond of Pushing Daisies, but every now and then my mind will wonder off upon viewing an episode, and I cannot help but reminisce the Tyler family and Eric, the ever-so-charming bartender who Jaye was destined for. It was a PERFECT show. FLAWLESS.

so...what have we learned?

1.) If you have not seen Wonderfalls, Pushing Daisies will strike you as innovative and vastly original (so you can watch)

2.) If you are a huge, or even minor, fan of Wonderfalls, you will most likely find that Pushing Daisies is entertaining, but miss Lee Pace as Aaron Tyler, and be constantly annoyed by Anna Friel who does not bare the same wit, attitude, or charm as the beloved Jaye Tyler (so it really is not worth your time unless you are a die-hard Pace or Fuller fan)

Beautiful television

[drwordsmith · 10/10 · 22 July 2009]

After having read two or three negative reviews on the main page of IMDb for "Pushing Daisies", and having literally minutes ago finished watching the final episode, I thought it was about time I said what I thought of PD.

First off, to address what some of the issues that I have seen other people having with this show: something along the lines of "I expect the people who have been woken from the dead to have a more realistic reaction". Realistic, on this show ? Pushing Daisies is, truly, pure and utter escapism. It's colour palette, the dialogue used, the scenarios, situations, music: all of it, to me, is just an escape from everyday life. An escape from the mundane and boring. It is here where Pushing Daisies exceeds exceptionally well Pushing Daisies isn't for everyone: A large majority of the television audience don't "get" it, for some people it's just too out there and silly. But for people like me, even from the first episode I watched of it (Season 2's "Frescorts") and I was just blown away by the show. From then on, I bought both the box sets and they have barely been out of my DVD player. Other people I know can't stand it, it really seems to be like Marmite.

The show follows the adventures of Ned, the Piemaker, with a magic finger, who brings back childhood sweetheart Charlotte Charles, works in association with private investigator Emerson Cod, owns the Pie-hole and employs waitress Olive Snook. Completing the main cast members are aunts Lily and Vivian, whom Charlotte (Chuck) is never allowed to see. They live in a fantasy world where the dead are brought back to life, everything is shown with a wonderfully bright splash of colour, and narrated by Jim Dale.

Other than outlining the basics of the show, I really can't praise it much more without saying: Just watch it. Despite being screwed over by the Writer's Guild of America strike, with only 22 episodes ever to be made, it provides wonderful plot twists, story lines, characters and situations while providing (for me) a satisfying ending (yes, I could tell it had been tacked on the end and rushed, but I was still happy with the way it went out). Whether it is creative or just pretentious, for a lot of people (me included) it made the most addictive and wonderful viewing, and I hope for the future of television that more shows like this are created so I'm not left with just 22, 40 minute memories of what true entertainment can be.

Not that original

[ashvarts · 6/10 · 6 October 2007]

For a TV show it is Original, I guess. But it's not an original concept at all. It is a complete homage to the french movie Amélie. In fact, the music in the first episode when we first meet the Aunts, is also used in the movie...I think. Anyway, I'll give this show a chance, but what bothers me about it is that it does feel like someone trying to tell a story using someone else's style. Watch Amélie and you'll see what I mean. Not that the show is bad, but it just feels like the action is there to serve the style rather, so it doesn't feel as natural. It's like to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail. So it's almost like a writing exercise. Write a one hour TV show in the style of Amelie. That's a little bit how it feels like, so it seems a little contrived. But it's only a pilot, so they may find their own voice as the series progresses.

Previews looked good but did not deliver

[thearm · 4/10 · 4 October 2007]

The show sounded VERY scripted, forced and it is following the SiFi trend of Heroes, The Lost Room, etc.... Yes, I see the creator of PD is the same as Heroes. I like the idea but I don't think it was delivered very well. There are also some problems with the first episode such as: Lee with the gift feels obligated to Chi. Why, I don't know since nobody would believe Chi if he outed Lee. Also, when Chi witnessed the guy falling off the building only to be brought back to life by Lee, a normal person would not believe what they just saw. Chi believe what he saw right away. Also, Anna was very quick to believe that Lee could bring people back to life.

I will watch the second and third episode to see how the story develops.

A pleasure that ended too soon.

[Blues826 · 9/10 · 15 August 2009]

Pushing Daisies is just a lovely fairy tale, with shades of "Amelie"'s aesthetic and romance. It's got a beautiful palette, its shots well thought out and detailed, its names and dialogue whimsical and too cutesy to be real, its imagination great, and its romance deep.

Watch the blue in the sky pop out at you, as blue can't be found in the rest of the sets or shots (with few exceptions).

Watch a weirdly natural and totally satisfying song break out of a scene.

Its score is gorgeous, its cast is supremely likable, there's great music, and the two leading romantic stars can't touch each other or she'll die. How much more sexual tension do you need? (Actually, I had wished they found a way around this one, but c'est la vie).

It is simply a show that it is a pleasure to spend an hour with, and I recommend it highly. There hasn't been other television quite like it, and I would like to see more. It got me through a flu one crappy week, as it makes for good company.

Bring it back!

A nearly perfect show

[hmb-51778 · 10/10 · 4 February 2019]

Me and Hubby devoured Season 1 with great gusto. The first bit of Season 2, not so much. Having a major character shunted off-site for episode after episode (despite the dismal reasoning for it) felt like a misstep.

Once it got up and running I despaired the finale. I was unaware if the creators had known going in that they needed to wrap things up.

I needn't have worried.

I haven't cried (with a huge smile on my face) like that in many, many years.

Suddenly I wanted to watch the whole thing again, and again.

Even the uneven first bit of Season 2.

As to the casting - it was spot on.

Lee Pace (who is best known now for playing non-humans) is otherworldly here. His sad sack delivery and groundedness saves what could have been a terrible character.

Anna Friel (doing a spot on American accent) is given a lot of heavy lifting here. She supposed to be in love with a man she hasn't seen since they were children. She's given a lot of exposition to talk through and her character is responsible for some of the many course corrections the show manages in only twenty two episodes. She is a wonder and I only occasionally wondered about her choices.

Chi McBride has a tightrope to walk as well. While he is mostly known now as a voice actor these days his presence here grounds much of the wildly fantastical elements of the show. But if you think he's hard boiled - think an egg with a runny center. That's his character here - all hard edges with a soft spot or 12.

Kristen Chenoweth is given precious little to do here. She mostly laments over her love life - or lack thereof. Although she does have a couple of musical numbers. Since I love her, this is just further proof she needs better agents.

Swoosie Kurtz and Ellen Greene provide first rate support and drive much of the subplots. And while Ms. Greene is given a brief (and heart destroying) song - having one of the great Broadway singers relegated so much was disappointing.

Candy for the soul

[samurisea · 10/10 · 19 July 2019]

Such a delight, sweet and smart. I loved the characters so much that I am so sad to see the last episode. I need pie!

How did this show end

[drkwly · 9/10 · 30 May 2021]

Let me start by saying there are some annoyingly cheesy moments in this show. However, this show has so much about it that's amazing and watchable. The cast is amazing and have great chemistry. They effortlessly deliver some amazing one liners. It's also visually pretty to watch and the costumes are great. Especially chuck's incognito morgue visit looks. Overall the show is beautiful, funny and will give you good "awww" moments. I could watch this over and over again.

Finally some originality.

[johnnymacbest · 9/10 · 26 September 2007]

With reality TV and so and so hitting the airwaves, this show is "a breath of fresh air" in Must See TV department. Fan favorites like CSI, Lost, and of course "Heroes" (also my favorite) are great and all but I long for something more "out there". The movie industry can learn something from this especially with today's summer blockbuster bang and boom to produce something that not only has the potential to bring more people into the theaters, but most importantly, realize that originality and innovation can be more effective than special effects and action with cheesy one-liners and whatnot. Secondly, top-notch acting combined with stellar writing and a great ensemble cast can make all the difference. With a movie season plagued with sequels and remakes, we can all agree on one thing: We want something different!! Give this show a chance. Support it. Maybe Hollywood would catch on and give moviegoers and casuals something new to taste(albeit visually and mentally).

Colorful, Unique, Original, Fanciful

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 9 September 2013]

Ned (Lee Pace) has powerful magic. He can bring the dead back to life by a simple touch. A second touch will leave the person dead forever. However, if the person isn't given the second touch before 1 minute is up. Someone else will die in their place. Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles (Anna Friel) is Ned's childhood friend. However when Ned revived his dog from death. Someone else died causing great pain in Chuck's life. Ned grows up to be an amazing pie maker. Along with Chuck and PI Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), they use his special power to help solve mysteries.

Bryan Fuller has once again created a high concept show. This is probably one of the most unique show on network TV. The fanciful look may have pulled too much away from the storytelling. It's really too bad that it only lasted 2 seasons.

Interesting but flawed program

[earlytalkie · 6 October 2007]

I viewed the pilot film of "Pushing Dasies" last nite, and I found that there were some good things in the program. It is an original idea, the acting is pretty good as are the production values. What I am having a hard time with is the believability of the the characters and the script. Granted, this is a fantasy premise, but the way these formerly dead people react to being temporarily awakened is absolutely absurd. Face it, if you woke up in a morgue with a sheet over you would you calmly speak in a matter-of-fact tone about your murder or accidental death, or would you scream in terror about what was happening to you? I don't think I would be that calm. The writers need to put some more realistic reactions into this program so that the viewers can take it more seriously.

summary

[pancake_repairman · 6/10 · 7 October 2007]

originality: The show has a Dr Suess/Lemony Snicket influenced narration over the first five minutes explaining the complex superpower Ned was bestowed with as a child which continues sporadically throughout. The score is very effective, but perhaps a bit too reminiscent of Tim Burton's films. moral fortitude: The fact that Ned killed someone else to bring Chuck back to life is waved away as insignificant. character consistency: Chuck is presented as seeing only the bright side of everything, yet she's apparently cynical enough to assume the worst about Ned, that's he's just using her for some reward. plot holes: How the killer traced the monkeys back to the travel agent. hallmark sentimentality: You can already see the recurring emotional scenes the "couple who can't touch" concept is going to be used as fodder for. miscellaneous: The whimsical banter is appreciated for it's rarity in an increasingly regimented TV dramedy field but it often feels too academic.

This show has renewed this old misanthrope's faith in the fact that a large minority of human kind are morons.

[stickneywill · 10/10 · 31 January 2021]

This show is one of the best shows I've ever watched.

Could it be TOO original?

[srhisme · 7/10 · 1 October 2007]

I saw the pilot after having seen selected preview clips. I have to say that taken as a whole, the pilot is somewhat off-putting (IMHO). The clips out of context are very funny, and I was quite intrigued after viewing them. However (again - for ME), the entire product was/is absolutely bizarre. To it's credit it is VERY original, if somewhat self-indulgent in it's cleverness. Lengthened to a movie rather than a one-hour TV program, it would likely be a cult favorite along the lines of Big Fish. It's a strange, dark fairy-tale parody with wild characters and even wilder situations (so far). I'm not sure that the average viewer will go for this series on a weekly basis, and, in fact, I tend toward saying they will not. If you're looking for something different, though, you really don't want to miss this. You'll certainly have something to talk about the next day.

Cuteness Overload

[peterpush · 1/10 · 4 September 2008]

This show truly had potential.

It is the brain child of Bryan Fuller, the creative force behind such gems as Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls.

It sports a very interesting basic idea and should have made for a wonderfully whimsical show.

But sadly it was not to be. Instead of rising like a soufflé, Pushing Daisies is so overloaded with empty pseudo-artistic gestures, it falls down to the earth like a heavy, hard to digest concoction.

The overload starts of course with the unbearably obnoxious narration, but does not stop there. As I read elsewhere, it's as if the creators were so obsessed to be seen as creative they forgot how to be creative.

It's especially sad as Bryan Fuller is a great talent and deserves for one of his good shows to success.

Unfortunately, Pushing Daisies is not that show.

Best Network show in a long time

[Nordicnorn · 10/10 · 26 October 2007]

I had practically given up on Networks and their ability to air a "good" show. Then came Pushing Daisies. The concept is, of course, a bit over the top, but funny and new. It is funny if you are twisted enough to call Ned's talent for raising the dead for 60 seconds "funny". The darkly funny relationship and reluctant partnership with a PI who uses the 60 seconds to ask the dead who killed them, then collect the reward is brilliant. Add in all the cosmic and perhaps Karmic rules that go along with such an unusual talent - and you have VERY funny. It is over the top in the way that a good play is over the top. As a matter of fact, Pushing Daisies is not as much a TV show as it is story-time for grownups. The narration in somewhat reminiscent of the style in which Dr. Seuss stories were told and add tremendously to the quirky and whimsical nature of the show. The dialog is quippy, quick, and above all delightful. The bold colors used in the sets and the dress styles(Audrey Hepburn-ish)also add to the overall storybook look and feel of the show.

The best part however, is the characters. The casting director is a genius and pegged each one of the characters and cast them perfectly. My favorite is Olive. She is a wonderful funny actress with a Broadway background they put to use when she occasionally belts out a great tune. Again, this is one more aspect that makes this show unique and fun.

Now if the Network Boobs can just keep from canceling it, I will have some of my faith in them to air an original show and my scars from Firefly's cancellation might begin to heal.