Chi McBride made a name for himself playing incredibly serious, commanding, dramatic roles, which is probably why people love him so much as Emerson Cod, the cynic with perfect comedic timing on ABC's Pushing Daisies. When Pushing Daisies returns for its second season (premiering Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8PM EST), we'll find Emerson, Ned, Chuck and Olive solving murders in a particularly buzz-worthy cosmetics company, a killer circus, a magician's castle and a nunnery, just to name a few.
Chi talked to us about Emerson's softer side, his mission in life and how to become his best friend ever ... and it only requires a few million friends.
What's happening with Emerson Cod this season?
Emerson is looking for his daughter -- a lot's going to be revealed this season about Emerson and what his story is, why he is the way he is. You're going to see why Emerson seemingly only cares about his own ass and his wallet. There's a reason for that: finding his daughter is his mission in life.
But it won't change the way he is, will it? That's his charm!
Oh, no! It's like my own personal charm. That's why I call my old lady "my old lady" ... all part of my charm. [Laughs] He's not changing. He's just on a mission.
I love the interactions between Emerson and the coroner ... any chance for more of that?
Well Bryan Fuller will inform you about that -- there's going to be something very interesting happening with our coroner and Emerson Cod. You're gonna find out that ... well, ask Bryan. [Laughs] I can't tell you. 
Do you get a different audience recognizing you now from this show?
Yeah, I think so. I haven't done comedy in many years -- I get a lot of attention from people about that. I get more still from House and Boston Public, but there's a pretty healthy mix.
This show resonated with viewers so much ... do you think those same viewers have been missing you since last fall?
We certainly hope so -- and we certainly hope that translates to new viewers. If you've got 12.5 million friends, you will be my best friend ever. [Laughs] That's all we need!
Pushing Daisies' Photos
PUSHING DAISIES Missi Pyle and Peter Cambor in the episode Bzzzzzzzzz! Chuck goes undercover as a Bee Girl at a honey-based cosmetics company after their new spokesmodel (guest star Autumn Reeser) is stung to death. She soon discovers that office politics are killer (literally) between the founder (guest star Missi Pyle as Betty Bee) and the new owner (guest star French Stewart as Woolsey Nicholls). Meanwhile, Ned cant stand her growing independence or the fact that she wants to move out of his apartment. In other developments, Lily spirits Olive off to a nunnery so she won't spill Lily's deep, dark secret. Airs Wednesday, October 1, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Chi McBride as Emerson Cod, Lee Pace as Ned and Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles and Lee Pace as Ned star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles and Lee Pace as Ned star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Lee Pace as Ned star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Lee Pace as Ned, Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles and Chi McBride as Emerson star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Chi McBride as Emerson Cod and Lee Pace as Ned star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
PUSHING DAISIES Chi McBride as Emerson Cod and Lee Pace as Ned star in the episode "Circus Circus"- Ned, Chuck and Emerson search for a missing teen (guest star Hayley McFarland as Nikki Heaps) who's run off to the circus . . . a circus where people keep turning up dead. Meanwhile, overcome with guilt, Lily pays Olive a visit at the nunnery. Airs Wednesday, October 8, 2008.
ABC
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-30-2008 @ 10:51PM
David said...
"Incredibly serious, commanding, dramatic roles"? The first time I saw him -- and was impressed with him -- was on the wonderful John Laroquette sitcom, the one in the bus station.
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11-02-2008 @ 12:52PM
Nadine said...
I keep searching the airwaves for new appearances of this tremendous actor. When I first saw "Boston Public," it seemed like a star was born, and he just keeps showing more impressively different sides of himself. "Daisies" may not have more to run (I keep watching it, but it's so stylized that it gets old fast) and I hope we'll see McBride as a dramatic actor in his own show when he's once again available.
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