Pushing Daisies

Aintitcool reports that Bryan Fuller and the rest of the writers of Pushing Daisies were spotted at the picket lines in front of Warners Brothers Studios in Los Angeles last Monday. I would imagine being there isn’t very comfortable, but it’s something they have to do.

As its viewer, what if you’re given this chance to show support and solidarity for their cause, would you go? And by doing so, what if you are asked to bring the writers goodies in form of — what else –but delicious pies….what kind would you bring Bryan Fuller?

I live thousands of miles away from where the action is. But if I had the means, I would definitely be dropping by, survey the scene a bit, and distribute some pies I would have prepared myself. I think that this is something Chuck would do.

But since I can’t be personally, I’m just going to share a recipe of my all-time favorite pie, hoping someone living near the picket area be kind enough and bake one for them…

The egg pie is dessert that is quite popular in the Philippines, where I am from. As a grade schooler, I’d love nothing more than to have this for recess. It sort of taste like custard…oh, wait it is one! Only, the egg pie is prepared in a big pan of about 10 inches in diameter.

Egg pies come in many variations. The cheapest version has a thinner crust with a dark brown surface. You can mostly find this in neighborhood bakeries. But the more expensive kind of egg pies, one that actually looks like a Mediterranean feast, have a smoother surface and a flaky crust.

Here’s the the recipe and procedure for the egg pie via English Patis.

Pushing Daisies, Bryan Fuller, Egg Pie, pies

Tonight, you will all notice the absence of Pushing Daisies on television, as it is pre-empted by the annual Country Music Awards night on ABC.  And if that, as well as the news regarding the strike, is not enough to dampen your Pushing Daisies fix, I just learned that there are only three more episodes to look forward to for the remainder of the year. Yep, that’s right… just three!

First, Season 1 Episode 6 entitled Bitches, will air November 14th. It will followed by the 7th episode, Smell of Success, on November 21st.  There will be another break on the last week of November and after which, Episode 8, Bitter Sweet, will air on December 5th.  What happens after this? Well, the show will go on its Christmas hiatus, like many other series. And the last of the scripts for the episode, Corpsicle, penned before the strike took place is eyed for airing in January.  Incidentally, you can check the script for Corpsicle on this site.  (Thanks to SpoilerTV!)

While the show goes on hiatus, I’ve got a few suggestions of other productions you can watch, featuring our favorite cast. Rent or buy this on DVD, do whatever you can to get hold of copies. (And here’s wishing the strike should be over when the show returns for Episode 9 in January, too!)

• Lee Pace was part of the supporting cast on Wonderfalls. He wasn’t in on a lot of the episodes, which, by the way, rounds up to only about a dozen or so. If you’re looking for a show that has the same whimsy as Pushing Daisies, this one’s it. Lee was also in the film The Good Shepherd. I fell asleep watching this movie, so I probably won’t recommend it on a holiday break…it’s easier to fall asleep from all that celebration and eating, that’s why!
• This might be a good time to catch up on The Nine, which stars Chi McBride. Like Wonderfalls, The Nine also had a short-lived season but it will be perfect for a three-week-hiatus viewing. Or you could watch Season 2 of House, since he had about 5-6 guest appearances in it, playing House’s nemesis.
• The character of Harriet Hayes on Studio 60 was said to be inspired by Kristin Chenowith, so you might want to watch that, too. But if you want the actual actress, rent Stranger Than Fiction DVD and enjoy the extras with Kristin.
• Me Without You is a movie about bestfriends starring Anna Friel. It’s a pretty obscure find so start looking for a copy now. While you’re at it, try looking for a copy of Watermelon, too. I hear it’s a pretty good film.

Would that be enough to fill up the three week break? Do you have any other suggestions? Chime-in!

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Writers Guild of America has officially gone on strike effective Monday, November 5, and at the moment, the TV industry is unstable. Networks say they have enough resources to sustain the season. But in all likelihood, our favorite TV series, especially those on their first season like Pushing Daisies, might have shorter runs.

How much of this will affect the show, considering that it is still trying to build an audience and is in fact fast becoming a favorite? And will Daisies be just a one-season wonder?

In an interview with Variety, Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies’ executive producer and showrunner, did say that they have at least nine episodes finished, including one that carries a big “character reveal”. Also as its head writer, his name hasn’t appeared on the support list, prompting others to assume he is not going with the strike. But as of Monday, Bryan Fuller including the entire writing staff of the show, were seen picketing Warner Brothers offices.

This blog breaks down the fate of Pushing Daisies further, with an interview from one of its story editor, Kath Lingenfelter, who confirms that writers have winded up with nine episodes. If this strike last longer than expected, it would seem to be the season finale airing in January. Though their biggest concern as writers is to not to have the show “disappear”.

“It’s hard. It’s a push-pull situation of wanting to service the show and honoring our guild and appreciating what this strike would mean. We all just hope we can come back and pick up where we left off. We’re working as seriously as possible, but we can’t help but stop every now and then and talk about the strike. It’s this specter looming over us as we work. It’s difficult. The show is getting its legs. It has momentum, and it’s becoming fully realized as what it is. To suddenly have to stop in the middle of that is jarring. Still, as guild members, we believe in what we’re asking for in the negotiation.”

What possible effects will this strike carry for your other favorite shows? Check out these entries and updates from other TV blogs in this network:

Break Out the DVDs, the Writers are on Strike
It’s Official: TV Writer’s Strike is On
Change Your TiVo: BSG Not Coming in January
Writers Strike Affecting House?
Brothers & Sisters on the picket line

As a viewer, are you supporting this strike?

Pushing Daisies, WGA Strike, Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies season

Ratings Update: The Halloween celebration may have had something to do with last week’s ratings for Pushing Daisies‘ episode, Girth,  losing about 1.09 million viewers the previous week. Of course, most everyone was out partying or trick or treating when the episode came on TV. But the series still remains a winner in its time slot. The rankings for Wednesday last week:

1. “Criminal Minds” (CBS) 14.69m
2. “CSI: NY” (CBS) 13.84m
3. “Private Practice” (ABC) 11.23m
4. “Pushing Daisies” (ABC) 8.58m
5. “Dirty Sexy Money” (ABC) 8.38m
6. “Kid Nation” (CBS) 6.89m
7. “Phenomenon” (8-10) (NBC) 5.95m
8. “Life” (NBC) 5.72m
9. “Back to You” (FOX) 5.17m
10. “Til Death” (FOX) 4.90m
11. “Kitchen Nightmares” (R) (FOX) 3.84m
12. “America’s Next Top Model” (Clips Show) (CW) 3.28m
13. “Gossip Girl” (R) (CW) 1.49m

The Music Man: Composer James Dooley talks about the music of Pushing Daisies in what he says is his very first interview for the series. According to him, the main theme for the show is actually inspired as a love theme.

There’s hope in it and there’s sadness at the same time. That might sound a little hokey but it’s just more “old fashioned.” There is also a child-like quality to it, because they are children when they first fall in love. So yes, everything is held together with this love theme as the show revolves around Chuck and Ned and their relationship. Now I try to only use that theme when the scene centers around our two lead characters.

James Dooley also confirms another musical number is in the works and will be scene in the upcoming episodes!

Babe of The Day:  A pretty girl like Anna Friel is bound to land on someone’s top list since it isn’t hard to see how charming she is. IGN has just chosen her TV Babe of The Day for October 31st. Incidentally, have you seen her Pantene commercial (aired in the UK)? 

The Creative Eye Behind Pushing Daisies: Variety Magazine picks Michael Weaver as one of 10 Cinematographers To Watch. He’s the guy responsible for making Pushing Daisies a delightful visual treat.

And finally, this comes out rather belatedly, but it’s still worth noting…The Futon Critic sat with Bryan Fuller, Barry Sonnenfeld and Bruce Cohen during the Comic Con last summer. All three talked about how excited and happy they are to be working on a show like this.

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Olive: What’s that song again? Oh yeah: “I scream, you scream, we all scream I faked my own death”

Olive: Ned hates Halloween. Makes him moodier than a pumpkin full of PMS…In fact, when he sees all this, you are gonna be one sorry little zombie. Seriously, you are so…dead.

Emerson: Let’s consider it in escrow…between my thighs.

Olive: Yesterday, a ferrier named Lucas Shoemaker was found dead. Trampled.
Emerson: Why should I care about a dude that sells fur coats?
Olive: Not a furrier, a ferrier. Heir.
Emerson: Fair-rier?
Olive: It’s a blacksmith. Puts shoes on horses.
Emerson: Don’t try to act like that’s a word everybody knows.

Emerson: What did you compete about?
Olive: Promise you won’t laugh?
Emerson: No.
Olive: I used to be a professional horse jockey.
Emerson: Hahahahhahah! Hahahahah!

Emerson: Let me ask the money…(uses his hand as a phone) Hello, Money? Can I still pay the bills and buy stuff even though you were Olive’s money first? Uh-huh….okay, thanks. (Hangs up) The money doesn’t care.

Olive: Maybe John Joseph faked his death, people do that all the time.
Emerson: No, they don’t.
Olive: Yeah, they do. Sometimes they just don’t even try to cover it up, they just show up and ruin you life like nobody is gonna figure it out, but then you figure it out because you are not an idiot! Are you an idiot?
Emerson: No, because an idiot may misuderstand what you are saying and hit you with a shovel.
Olive: (whispering) I think you know.

Ned: I’ll go by the stables, see if the perp left any clues.
Chuck: You mean like protoplasm, or melted crucifixes?
Ned: Yeah. Or, you know, like real clues.

Emerson: There’s a legless skeleton of a horse in John Jacobs tomb, and Olive knows you’re dead.
Chuck: First of all, huh? And secondly, Olive thinks that I faked my death which is completely different to knowing that I’m dead.
Emerson: Yeah, different like purple and mauve.

Vivian: Halloween’s a busy time for us.
Lily: Some of the neighbourhood children started a rumour we were witches….They said we turn little boys into birds.
Ned: That’s…. terrible.
Bird: Sqawwwk. Help me! Help me!They turned me into a bird.
Vivian: Scares the willies out of them.

Vivian: I don’t know how we survived without it. It’s like a sex addiction…I would imagine.

Vivian: No one remembers your father, Ned. What they do talk about is how you turned out to be such a nice, wonderful boy. Man even.

Olive: How did you know I was single?
Mama Jacobs: You wouldn’t need all that bait if you’re belly were full of fish, dear.

Chuck: Sometimes you have to keep a secret, even if it mean hurting someone.
Olive: Exactly!…Dammit.

Chuck: What if his mood changes when his blood sugar drops?
Olive: You mean like a hypoglycemic werewolf?

Olive: Tell Ned I love…his pies.

Emerson: I love you, shovel.

Vivian: Is the clock right? It’s 2 in the AM!
Lily: I’ll get the gun
Vivian: And I’ll get the candy bowl

For a recap to this episode, check this entry.
For quotes from previous episode check our Quotable Quotes section.

Pushing Daisies, Pushing Daisies quotes, Pushing Daisies Girth

Pushing Daisies’ Halloween offering, Girth, was a chock full of  goodies with several story angles. It tackled Ned’s sad childhood, Olive’s past employment, a Sleepy Hollow-esque murder story, Emerson’s fondness for shovels and money and Chuck’s secrets.

Two minutes into Pushing Daisies fifth episode, I found myself weeping for Ned as the show opens with the story of how he came to discover his father has abandoned him. It happened on a Halloween and the occasion would forever traumatize him. Dressed as a ghost all covered in blankets (Digby included), Ned, about nine or ten years old, drops by his father’s house only to find that he is happily settled with a new wife and two kids.

Now all grown-up, Ned intends to mark this day and confront his ghost. He spends a night in his old house (which apparently wasn’t prime real estate as it never was bought by anyone else!) and stays in his old room. Ned and lies on the floor where his bed used to be, perhaps reminiscing what he lost. Hearing something from outside, Ned peeks at his neighbor and finds Aunts Lily and Vivian dealing with kids going on a Trick or Treat.

We later see him in the Charles’ living room, asking the aunts about what they remember of his father. And they both tell him how his dad was a jackass, but they also tell him how proud they were he has grown up to be a very fine young man. While there, they served him the pies Chuck secretly sends to her aunts. Realizing that this was the case, Ned began to understand and feel for what Chuck is going through. Later, in the dead of the night, he brings Chuck to her aunts’ house to go trick or treating in a similar costume that Ned wore when he visited his dad’s house once upon a time.

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