
I would have used a headline like "Pushing Daisies is living up to its name," but Joe Adalian of TV Week sort of beat me to it...
According to Adalian, it looks like everyone's favorite cutsey-poo / maudlin-as-hell detective show, Pushing Daisies, will be stopping production after it wraps its thirteenth episode this week. But that doesn't mean it's dead. ABC may extend the options on the major players in order to re-launch the show next fall, but that's a costly longshot on their part.
So, combine this scuttlebutt with Bryan Fuller's statement that he'll go back to Heroes if PD is cancelled, his statement to a Paley Center audience that he'd continue the storylines in a comic book if the show is gone, and the fact that a double-dose of Scrubs is likely to take the show's timeslot in late January, and things aren't looking good for the crew at the Pie Hole.
It's too bad. I haven't been paying the same rapt attention to this season than I did to its first abbreviated season, and maybe that's the problem; the writers' strike killed the momentum this show and most of the returning freshmen shows had.
But the networks were in a tough spot after the strike; bring shows like PD, Dirty Sexy Money, Chuck, etc. back and risk that they die like Jericho did after its first season was split in half, or bring it back with a clean slate in the fall and hope the audience is there? It looks like neither choice was the right one, for the most part, since none of the interrupted freshman shows are getting good ratings this fall.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-13-2008 @ 5:24PM
Patricia said...
Well, it certainly would have helped if they reran the shows from season one at the end of the summer before season two started.
If they do wrap it up with 13 episodes this season I certainly hope they bring back with more fanfare next season.
These days why would anyone invest time in watching new shows when the networks are so quick to pull the trigger on shows? Too many times over the last couple of seasons I have gotten into a new show only to have the network drop it. This year I'm not watching any new shows.
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11-13-2008 @ 5:54PM
jordancda said...
I, too, have added zero new shows this year. I got (am getting) burned badly with shows I started into last year. Unfortunately for me, it seems, I got hooked on Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money AND Chuck. Its looking more and more like only 1 of the 3 will make it and that plain sucks.
Also...is it just me or was last years crop of freshman shows just WAAAAAAYYYYYY better than his years? NOTHING has grabbed my attention this year...not even Fringe or Life on Mars.
11-13-2008 @ 5:58PM
Si said...
They really need to rerun these shows. All of these returning shows are dying off. Maybe it's because I never got involved in them before the strike began and shut down production. The networks need to get their heads examined if they think they can simply pick up a year later without some sort of reruns during the summer.
As far as Pushing Daisies goes, I think ABC needs to start showing reruns on ABC Family. I think it would be perfect. It's a very family friendly show (with the exceptions of some rather tame language and sexual innuendo). I think if families start watching it there, they'll start jumping on new episodes on ABC.
Also, how many replacements do the networks have waiting in the wings? If they start canceling all the bubble shows, I can only imagine the garbage they'll produce to fill all the empty schedule holes.
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11-13-2008 @ 6:10PM
Tom said...
With all due respect to those suggesting they re-run the episodes I don’t think it would help. Further, I don’t think you can lay this at the Writer’s strike’s door.
Let’s be honest here, deep down we all knew PD was getting cancelled eventually. The reality of these types of weird, quirky shows is they either take off immediately (Desperate Housewives, LOST) or they become cult favorites and get cancelled. PD fell into the latter category.
It’s sad but it’s true. There’s just something in the collective brain of “The Masses” that either allows them to accept something new or doesn’t and once they’ve decided not to there’s nothing anyone can do about it. I don’t know what that something is but PD just doesn’t have it.
P.S. Special note to Patricia (the first comment): you are part of the problem in TV these days. To say “These days why would anyone invest time in watching new shows when the networks are so quick to pull the trigger on shows?” when talking about Daisies is just ridiculous. ABC gave it another chance by bringing it back this season. So give them credit. If networks feel they’re going to be damned by viewers no matter what (as you’ve done here) they have no reason to take a chance on shows like PD so to attack them is just making things worse.
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11-14-2008 @ 1:51PM
Jennifer said...
True. But really, any show I love is going to be something the masses still watching reality TV won't like, so...meh.
I can't figure out why ABC would try ANOTHER "relaunch" when the first one bombed out for EVERYBODY. Clearly, taking a "break" loses viewers, and having a 9-month break really really REALLY loses viewers... Only cable can get away with that shit.
11-13-2008 @ 6:22PM
Jimmy said...
It's sad but since I lost Firefly, Futurama and Arrested Development, I've found it difficult to taste new shows. So far only the Sarah Connor Chronicles has got my attention, not that I think its a perfect show.
With so many millions of Americans you'd think all shows could find their niche (if the qualitys there). I can't wait for the day we can direct-download (and pay for) shows, maybe then the quirky shows can live, with a $1 per episode download fee.
PS, Good news on Arrested Development movie! Woo hoo!
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11-13-2008 @ 7:19PM
BUBBAMEISTER33 said...
I just bought PD on dvd and I think its a great show. Its a shame though because the more the networks do this the more I won't need TV.
PIE!!!
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11-13-2008 @ 8:34PM
Mariah said...
I've added no new shows this year and my interest in old shows has waned (I dropped Grey's, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and others). I think the writers' strike had something to do with it because it interrupted the momentum, but the real problem is crappy programming. Fewer good shows are getting picked up and when they are, they get yanked around, both with time slots and with suits messing with the creative vision.
I got burned bad by CBS's "Moonlight" cancellation and I'm never getting that invested in a show again.
I echo Jimmy's statements about direct-download plans that circumvent the asinine Nielsen system and much of the network bullshit.
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11-13-2008 @ 9:26PM
Ryan said...
I find it frustrating that NBC is renewing series like the awful Kath and Kim and Knight Rider and Pushing Daisies is in trouble without ABC even trying to revive the show by giving it a lead in. It's an emmy winning show! NBC had patience with 30 rock and the office, why doesn't another network like NBC pick up the show?
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11-13-2008 @ 10:18PM
Tommy said...
Every network has both good and stupid moves. ABC looks like it's going to be replacing Pushing Daisies with Scrubs, which wouldn't even be on ABC if NBC had just given Bill Lawrence and company 5 more episodes to finish the show right. So while I applaud NBC for nurturing shows like The Office, 30 Rock, and now Chuck, they've had plenty of boneheaded moves, too.
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11-13-2008 @ 10:20PM
rtms said...
I agree downloading episodes at a bulk price per month-ie low low price, would make me much happier. I could watch when I want, what I want and the networks still make their money.I'm getting sick of playing tracker with my favorite shows and watching many die a slow death when put in a terrible time slot.
I do hope another network will take the show and continue it some place, or as another suggested put it on Family channel. Greek and LOAT can make there, I think Pushing Daisies could as well.
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11-13-2008 @ 10:21PM
KateGee said...
I bought Pushing Daisies on DVD. I think it's a great show. I DO think ABC should have re-run the first season over the summer and pushed it more.
I've stopped watching Heroes so I guess my only "new" shows are Pushing Daisies, Chuck and Life on Mars.
I wish the networks were more foreward thinking in terms of their programming. They need to have "boutique" shows that garner them Emmy noms and wins that keep up the cachet of "quality programming". These non-Neilson-type shows have devoted fan bases - the networks should be monitoring the amount of illegal downloads these shows get as well as all the DVRs. If they recognize these fanbases and keep these types of shows on the air (hello FOX) then the fanbases will respect that, start trusting them and watch more freshman shows without worrying that their investment in the shows will be wasted. People are afraid to get invested in new shows because the networks are apt to cancel them quickly.
By canceling shows like this, they are just pushing the consumer away from network television.
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11-14-2008 @ 12:14AM
segsig said...
Crap! This is the only show I really enjoy currently!
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11-14-2008 @ 12:36AM
Crazy Jew said...
"I haven't been paying the same rapt attention to this season than I did to its first abbreviated season, and maybe that's the problem; the writers' strike killed the momentum this show and most of the returning freshmen shows had. "
Joel, with all due respect, the problem is not the writers' strike. I see a lot of people saying that they love the show. At the same time most of them don't bother to watch it live. That's what is hurting the ratings. And Pushing Daisies is even better now than the first season. If you liked the show then start paying more attention now, you won't regret it. Complaining about how dumb the tv executives are will not help the show.
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11-14-2008 @ 1:10AM
maestro610 said...
Pushing Daisies is one of the best series on television but it suffers from Bryan Fuller syndrome... Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls were excellent shows with unbelievably good casts and great storylines... Those shows garnered hardcore fans but those people did not come along for the more "typical" series.
I like the idea that PD could find a home on the cable network ABC Family but I doubt it would fare much better than The Middleman (another great series which looks like more and more like it will be cancelled).
Eventually the networks will have to figure out a way to make television work for those that don't fit into the typical Neilsen system. It's grossly out of date and completely useless. With updates in technology they could actually measure what we watch more accurately.
Networks have to learn how to cater to the hardcore fan who would willingly spend money on conventions, costumes, books, comics and online downloads. These are the people that still spend money on Buffy, Angel, and Firefly. They clamor for an Arrested Development movie and rail against the ridiculous Knight Rider being given chance after chance while Journeyman is cancelled. These people want non-typical television, so don't punish them for wanting something new and interesting.
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11-14-2008 @ 10:22AM
Dan Chichian said...
This news on top of the news about My Own Worst Enemy has me not wanting to invest in any new shows, granted I am not a Neilson home so that won't have a lot of impact.
I wonder if this would survive on ABC Family. I think the only other show I have watched on that channel was The Middleman.
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11-14-2008 @ 12:58PM
Vice said...
I can't say I'm surprised. I knew this show had an *ahem* death clock on since its premiere episode. The wit is too quick, the lines too expertly executed, the characters too likable, the concept too original and the scenery too fairy-tale like for a show like this to survive on network television. It's a niche show in every way. I think that a lot of people like me who enjoyed the show immensely knew that it would inevitably be a short ride, despite the Emmy.
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11-14-2008 @ 1:27PM
Bill said...
I just watch TV. I don't "invest" in it. I don't understand the committment these folks seem to need to make. Or have the show make in them. Just watch stuff. If I like it, I keep watching. If it's no longer offered, I watch something else. I've enjoyed Pushing Daisies. If it's cancelled, I'll watch something else. I'm not going to regret watching the show. Again, I enjoyed it.
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11-14-2008 @ 4:00PM
Chemmy said...
While some people may have this infinite supply of time in which to soak up TV, most people do not. We can't watch every show that's on TV so we have to pick what to watch. So it's just a shot in the back when you pick a show, invest the time in to watching it and it never finished.
It's not so much that the show is canceled, it's that the story doesn't have a chance to run its course. Think of it more like reading a book, only to have the last half of it missing and you're stuck there wanting to find the end. While the portion you read was enjoyable, you're a bit at a loss because you didn't get any completion from it. You could have spent that time in another story too, one that should finish.
If the story is good (TV, books, movies, any media really) it should draw you in, you should care about the characters and you want to know what happens. That's the problem, that's where the investment comes in.
11-14-2008 @ 2:47PM
Brian Haggerty said...
This show never belonged on ABC. Sell it to Showtime or HBO.
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