The first season of this new ABC series just came out on DVD.
"Pushing Daisies" is a fast-paced, whimsical, and light-hearted comedy -- nothing like the dark humor of "Six Feet Under" that I expected. Bryan Fuller (Heroes, Wonderfalls) and Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black) are the driving force behind it, and their artistic talents are evident.
Nothing is quite normal in this series. The characters are all quirky and have odd names. The colors are unnaturally bright and saturated. The stage sets are wildly inventive and almost theatrically stagey. And the story lines have unexpected spins and twists.
The male lead, Ned (Lee Pace), has the amazing ability to bring dead things back to life. The only problem is that the dead can only stay alive for one minute, or someone else will die in his/her/its stead. Also, if Ned ever touches this reborn entity again, the result is immediate and irrevocable death. A detective who solves murder cases for the reward money uncovers Ned's secret and convinces him to be his partner. And a new TV series is born........
Other series regulars are childhood sweetheart Chuck (Anna Friel), gumshoe detective Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), Pie Hole waitress Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth), and Chuck's Aunt Lily (Swoosie Kurtz).
"Pushing Daisies" was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards for its first season, and the second season begins on October 1.