Pushing Daisies

It’s comical, romantic and whimsical and has nothing to do with daisies. Instead, it deals with murdered corpses. “Pushing Daisies” aired this fall and has bedazzled its viewers with bright and colorful imagery and imagination.

The new ABC show is about a young man named Ned (Lee Pace) who discovers that he has the ability to bring the dead back to life with the mere touch of his finger. However, if Ned touches what he brought back again, it’s dead for good. If he keeps it alive for more than a minute, something within proximity will die in its place.

“Pushing Daisies” was created by Bryan Fuller and inspired by the French film “Amelie.” The show is narrated by the voice of Jim Dale and begins with Ned as a 9-year-old in the town of Coeur de Coeur. He first discovers his “ability” when his dog, Digby, gets hit by a truck.

Ned also has a crush on his neighbor Charlotte, also known as Chuck (Anna Friel). As a matter of fact, Chuck turns out to be Ned’s first kiss. Soon after, however, Chuck’s and Ned’s parents dies and both children are sent away to live with relatives. Ned is sent to live with his father who almost immediately sends him to boarding school and Chuck is sent to live with her aunts, Vivien (Ellen Greene) and Lily ( Swoosie Kurtz).

Ned grows up a loner and remains a loner with his pie making business called the Pie Hole and Digby who he can never touch again. His waitress Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) is secretly in love with him and doesn’t understand why he won’t touch her or show any affection. The truth is, Ned's just not interested in her at all and perhaps still in love with the little girl next door.

The only person who knows of Ned’s secret is a private investigator, Emerson (Chi McBride), who uses Ned in helping him solve murder cases to get the money rewards.

On a fateful day for Ned—but not so fateful for Chuck, Chuck is murdered. Ned brings her back to life, but to his dismay realizes she is his one true love and he would never be able to touch her—or kiss her again.

Chuck is witty and remains optimistic through her whole situation of being “undead.” Not once does she show any signs of being morbid. As a matter of fact, Chuck sees it as her second chance in life and decides to make the best of it. She even starts helping in the murder cases.

The cast of “Pushing Daisies” does a wonderful job of keeping viewers wanting for more. Every week, secrets from different character’s lives are revealed. Each character on the show is a little odd but charming nonetheless. They seem to be able to add a touch of humor into any situation. It’s not a surprise why it has been rated one of the best shows on ABC.

The show is engaging with clever dialogue. Pace is simply adorable and McBride does a great job at playing the sarcastic Emerson. Friel, an English actor, can only be described as absolutely endearing with a lot of spunk. She truly is a natural beauty.

“Pushing Daisies” isn’t like any show ABC has ever aired. With its exaggerated color palette in each scene, it’s almost magical and fairytale-like. It has most definitely captured the hearts of millions of Americans, and I must say that I am looking forward to Wednesdays.

The show can be seen on ABC at 8 p.m. and abc.com if you need to catch up.