(S01E02) OK, I am now ever so slightly worried about Pushing Daisies.Oh, don't get me wrong: there was plenty to like about the second episode of the most praised new show of the season. But there were two things that got me and every person concerned about this show's long-term future: a) Would the show get too cute (or twee, if closet Brit Anna Friel was discussing it. Alan Sepinwall was the first critic to use the term for the show, and I think it fits perfectly) for its own good, and b) would Barry Sonnenfeld's rumored budget overruns sink the show in its later episodes?
After watching "Dummy," my answers right now are a) it might if it's not careful, and b) it's starting to look that way.
The word that jumped out at me during the entire hour was "expensive." From the ultra-mod soundstages that stood in for the Dandy Lion corporation to the not one, but two prototype cars that actually moved, all I could think of was that Sonnenfeld and Bryan Fuller were not going to be able to keep up this fanciful look week after week. This is one of the most stylized shows that has ever hit the air, even more colorful and cartoonish than Ugly Betty, which set that standard last year. But "stylized" is also a synonym for "pricey," and I can't imagine ABC and Warner Brothers continuing to fund such an expensive series unless it does bang-up ratings.
As for the tweeness, well... it varied this week. There were points where I was rolling my eyes at how cute things were; the rapid talking of Dandy Lion's president, for instance, and the fact that Chuck could speak to him in Japanese even though she didn't have to. But there were plot points that later justified both of these: we needed to find out somehow what Chuck did with her spare time while she took care of her cheese-loving shut-in aunts, and we found out that the executive was a Ritalin fiend.
But when Olive broke out in a fractured version of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" smack in the middle of the episode, by blood sugar levels skyrocketed. Yes, I know that Kristin Chenoweth is a fantastic singer. But to have her spend five minutes singing to Digby (and the floor cleaner) at the Pie Hole? At that point, I scribbled in my notes, "Short on story much?"
We're still not quite sure why Olive is there. Yes, we know she longs for Ned and is jealous of his relationship with Chuck. But are we supposed to be sympathetic? Because so far, she's been nothing but annoying.
The Chuck/Ned no-touching thing was put to the test a lot this week, with lots of falling into holes and the possibility of the two accidentally touching during the Dandy Lion chase. But they're finding creative ways of touching each other, like the body bag kiss and the taxi-divider-glove device Ned installed in his car at the end of the episode. How they're going to sustain this over a season or more and make it believable is going to be a real challenge.
Another slight worry concerns the mysteries around which each episode is built. This one -- a researcher is killed when he finds out the Dandy Lion is unsafe, and human bodies are used instead of crash test dummies -- was more style than substance. There wasn't much to figure out on this one, as there weren't a ton of suspects or any real misdirection. If this is going to tout itself at all as a procedural, the procedure part is going to need to be stronger. Otherwise, the story of Chuck and Ned will overwhelm whatever mystery is written that week; think Moonlighting with pies.
But, again, the chemistry between Lee Pace and Anna Friel is undeniable. And Friel brings that cute girly energy to each mystery -- "Any last thoughts or requests?" -- that will make this a lttle more than just a weird version of CSI. And, the writing is still funny, like when Jim Dale spelled out how Emerson was about to let loose with a "witty but slightly insulting remark," or Chuck calling the refrigerator the cheesebox and talking about her aunt's hidden erotica. Chi McBride's snide asides (I can be whimsical, too) do help tone down the cuteness a bit (as does his knitted holster and gun cozies). And the secret Ned has from Chuck, that he inadvertently killed her father way back when, will carry the show for a while. I'm just worried that the show will get intolerably precious before we get a payoff.
Do you think this show can sustain the tone and quality? Do you want it to? Let me know in the comments and the poll below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-10-2007 @ 10:12PM
Ryan said...
I knew people were going to be "complaining" about Olive singing. I sorta loved it. I couldn't stop smiling. Then again I like musicals.
The only thing that bugs me about the show is how I'm CONSTANTLY monitoring how close Ned and Chuck are. It sorta puts me away from the story. And I mean they can get REALLY unnecessarily close! You'd think they'd be a bit more wary.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:19PM
tozmervo said...
The thing that struck me about this episode? I loved it as much as the premier. Why is that important? Its the only new show this season that has accomplished that feat. While the fantastical/over-the-top style of the show is obviously turning some people off, I love it. Where most of the dramas on TV revel in "gloomy cool," there is a bright glee here that television has been missing for quite a while.
In regards to this review and so many of the comments from last week (and, inevitably, this week) stop worrying so much. Enjoy the show. If you are thinking during the entire episode "how are they going to sustain this?" you're not enjoying it. Watch something else - you know, one of the hundreds of other semi-formulaic shows that have lasted for years.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:24PM
tozmervo said...
I also forgot to mention - the gag with the Hummer was damned brilliant.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:29PM
Ryan said...
Oh and just to say it since I didn't make it clear with my solitary comment, I love the show. It so much fun that it does remind me of Ugly Betty. When I saw that last season my heart would melt and I would smile. Same with this show. All of eccentricities? I embrace them and thank whoever put this onto the airwaves.
So yeah I can worry about how much it can sustain it or you know... not.
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10-10-2007 @ 10:43PM
margot said...
Whenever Ned/Lee (I'm not as familiar with Lee's other work, so I can't truly differentiate) talks, I'm reminded of Kevin Spacey. His voice, his deliberate way of saying the ridiculous...It's not a good or bad thing, just sometimes bizarre. Overall I like the show, though. Good review/cap.
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10-10-2007 @ 11:02PM
Joseph said...
Ok, seriously... They can touch if there's a tiny bit of plastic in between?
Did anyone else think "Ok, you can totally have sex now."
Its possible, all I'm saying...
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10-10-2007 @ 11:10PM
Oreo said...
Yes Jose I was thinking that too.
I find the whole show just to be insane, but at the same time it's like a car trash, you always slow down and look. The cute factor is one part, another is the damn guy explaining every little thing! i hate that!
A funny line through....
Do they touch much?
Wish they would.
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10-11-2007 @ 12:16AM
Brian said...
Joseph-
I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that. In fact, I burst out laughing when she asked what the glove was for in the car divider. It's in a pretty awkward spot for hand holding.
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10-11-2007 @ 12:33AM
J.R. said...
I love this show like I love cake (or pie). I know if I have too much I'll eventually get sick of it, but I just don't care. I want more.
And I love Kristin Chenoweth and her musical interludes. I know most people don't like spontaneous musical numbers but I love them. I am hoping for a Kristin and Ellen Greene duet. By the way, it sounded like she sang live during the taping of the show. She is fantastic!
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10-11-2007 @ 1:10AM
Jimbow said...
Ick. I hated this episode. Everything was just too quirky and silly for me, it reached the saturation point. Dare i say the story this time was stupid. And was it necessary for Olive to suddenly sing? That annoyed a lot of "mainstream" viewers.... and I'm not alone in saying these things. I really loved the pilot, so i was surprised myself that i didn't like this episode. A lot of my firends have been saying the same things. I have a feeling there's going to be a huge drop in ratings if it continues like this.
I agree that the premise couldn't be sustained for long. They should've made it a mini series, or a movie.
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10-11-2007 @ 1:49AM
Rob Stevens said...
Why does Kristin Chenoweth need to be on the show? Because I _love_ her. Not to mention that I love Digby, and someone needs to let that dog be a dog. And what a beautiful pair the two of them make.
But seriously, she's on that show because my TV needs more Kristin Chenoweth.
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10-11-2007 @ 2:06AM
Kurifurisan said...
Cute show and the second episode delivered...but only time will tell if Pushing Daisies will have legs to stand on after a full season... Random thought: What if Ned lost his ability temporarily after say a near death experience?
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10-11-2007 @ 3:02AM
Derek said...
The singing scene by Olive in the shop. That's where I stopped watching. I doubt I'll be back. Sure it's as quirky as six feet under or twin peaks, but they didn't have this annoying narrator that comes in FAR TOO OFTEN and especially annoying when he talks about hours minutes and seconds which, if they were relevant somehow to the story would make sense, but they're not relevant. When you meet a new character it has no relevance whatsoever how long they've been alive to the nearest second, or how long they've been stood there to to the nearest second.
This show could have been another "Psych" but instead it's been over-cutesified and over-narrated.
Prediction: Canned after 6 episodes !!
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10-11-2007 @ 4:11AM
Michael Moncur said...
I'm with the "too twee" crowd.
Somewhere near the middle of Olive's song and dance number I thought I heard the sound of the show jumping over a very clean, well-designed, pastel-colored shark.
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10-11-2007 @ 4:21AM
carterman said...
As a metal fan who happens hates musicals...I thought the whole singing bit was entertaining, partially because it was satirizing musical interludes (what with all the interruptions and all)...the threat of budget overruns hurting later episodes does worry me, but so far, this show has been absolutely brilliant, and I can't wait for next week's episode.
It also helps that this show looks absolutely brilliant in HD, as well.
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10-11-2007 @ 7:15AM
KateGee said...
I loved the singing.
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10-11-2007 @ 7:40AM
Tele-Toby said...
I have no problem believing a guy can touch someone and bring them back to life/touch them again and dead forever. And no problem with the sudden urge to start singing by Olive.
It was the idea of a car that ran on dandelions that pushed it over the bounds of believability for me. Why not just a simple ethanol-powered car or an electric one? The concept just pushed it over the cuteness limit for me and took me out of their world.
Didn't have a problem with the facade of the morgue looking like a bubblegum factory. So long as we never find out in which city they live, that kind of detail won't be a factor for me.
I agree with Oreo - the best exchange of dialogue was "Do they touch much?"/"Wish they would." Chi McBride is going to go a long way in cutting down on the cutesy overdose - so long as he doesn't knit too many gun cozies. (We might not even see that detail again as it seems to have been introduced just to give him a means for escape later.)
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10-11-2007 @ 9:02AM
Rogphi said...
I think you missed the point of the song, she kept getting interrupted, that was the genius of it. Plus Kristins voice is stellar. Still the best show on tv, how many shows make you laugh out loud?
I still have High hopes, the twee and the humor balance perfectly and as for tha narration, Perfect. I have never been prouder of Jim Dale :-)
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10-11-2007 @ 9:21AM
sam said...
I love Olive and even my boyfriend was laughing when she was singing. We both loved the joke about the hummer. I love everything about this show but one thing. Chuck can sometimes be too perfect, too cute, and too in your face. It is almost annoying. I almost wanted to chock her when she kept talking during the one minute they have. She knows perfectly well the reason for the one minute... but then again she makes up for it by trying to solve the case.
Also, how much does Ned profit from solving these cases? That was alot of money in socks at the end of the show.
Las thing, I wish they would develop Ned alittle more. He almost has this House feel but opposite of being a jerk. He is cool and collected with a reserved self assured factor about him. I love it and want more of the "pie maker."
My boyfriend and I love the show and we find it such a refreshing, fun new idea. (also we dont think it reminds us of ugly betty)
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10-11-2007 @ 9:44AM
clgbutterfly said...
To get into the mindset of Pushing Daisies think Tim Burton's Suburbia scene from Edward Scissor Hands meets the narrator from Hitchhiker's guide.
Yes there is a lot of narration right now, but I think just like in a movie where there is a lot in the beginning once we get to start knowing the show the narration will lessen and become something whimsicial. The color is a fantastic contrast to the morbidity of Ned's life.
Touching?
The touching was perfect. Ned's boyish charm that exudes from his ultra pink lips and the cute way he always holds his hands behind his back (can't be too careful) to the way the filming in the opening scene made it appear as though they were laying in bed with each other. I was pretty sure they were in separate beds, but the vast distance between them was not seen until they panned upward. Ned and Chuck are very innocent they have both lived sheltered lives in fear and solidtude. They may look like adults, but a vast majority of their sexual mindset is very child-like. I love it! Don't worry just like in Tim Burton films there will be a shattering of innocence and from the ways things are going I think they will do well pulling it off.
The Dandy Lion factory?
Adds to the absurdity and satire of life. The reaches men will go to get in on the next craze hoping to make millions and to the generalization of titles "Hey Science Guy, can you tell us how that works?" Plus it was hear that reality played the absurdity when no one could hear the villians rant. Lovely.
Kristen singing?
Any chance to hear her Angelic soulful voice is a treat. How they played it off tongue and cheek, brilliant.
Narrator?
Everytime he speaks I think of Hitchhiker's Guide or the new Charlie and the Chocolate factory. It's a little heavy now, but it will back off I promise. Believe it or not his greatest asset right now is setting us up to enjoy the Aunts who apparently will be a regular part of the show and adding humor to our humorless P.I. Again, I love it!
Cute Factor?
We need the cute right now to make up for the morbidity of seeing dead people.
Everytime I thought something was too much is just when they would scale back and show the brilliance of their writing.
My favorite subtle moment?
When Ned and Chuck bump Dandilions instead of fists.
And yes folks even I have images of Ned wearing a giant condom so they could have sex. BTW don't put it past the writers they probably thought of this too. Oh wait they did it was the body bag!
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