TV Detail: Pushing Daisies review. Episode 2.02—"Circus, Circus"

My fear with Pushing Daisies from the start was it would become stale. How many times can Ned, Chuck and Emerson sleuth around and solve murders before it becomes, well, boring? Each episode is essentially the same—transposing one exotic locale for another (like say a beehive-shaped office for a vibrant three-ring circus) alongside an array of colorful characters (and possible murderers), interspersed by the witty repartee between its lead characters. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be a recipe for longevity. And as much as it pains to say, the second episode of the season—"Circus, Circus"—was even more lackluster than its...  read more

TV Detail: Pushing Daisies review. Season 2 Premiere—"Bzzzzzzzzz!"

As last night's season premiere proved, there is nothing else on television that can match the dreamlike whimsy of Pushing Daisies—a comforting, sugary confection as light and sweet as cotton candy. The chemistry between the show's four leads—the endearingly boyish Lee Pace as Ned, the piemaker; the sunny Anna Friel as Ned's childhood sweetheart Charlotte, a.k.a. "Chuck"; the deadpan Chi McBride as the private eye Emerson Cod; and Kristin Chenoweth, who plays Ned's co-worker and secret admirer Olive Snook with perky verve—is so charming it's combustible. There is undeniable magic about a show built on the premise of bringing people...  read more