Pushing Daisies

I am not quite sure when the airing is of the remaining last three episodes of Pushing Daisies. The mid-season calendar is about to begin this week. The time slots for Wednesdays has changed. I am not aware of any promo for when our program favorite returns (have you seen any?).

It seems, everyone is really moving on. Aside from Bryan Fuller going back to Heroes this year, Kristin Chenoweth doing a new show with David E. Kelley, and Anna Friel doing her movies, there are two other people in the Daisies family with new projects to keep them busy now that PD is done. Writers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, who have also worked on Wonderfalls (one of Bryan Fuller’s shows) have been asked to work on a new program called Bitches. It is scheduled to run on Fox. The show is described as a Sex and The City type of a series…yup, with four female leads. Only the women are actual werewolves. It is also described as “a quirky urban fairy tale.” Frankly, the idea of Bitches to me sounds…ludicrous. I am not quite optimistic about it, but then again, with today’s changing preference in the TV landscape, who knows how this one turns out.

Bitches is from feature writer Michael Dougherty who said that the idea for the show began several years ago. He says to shocktillyoudrop.com,  “I want to continue the tongue-in-cheek feel.  If you’re a werewolf, it should just be another aspect of yourself you’re trying to deal with.  You do want to explore those parallels of being a werewolf and human sexuality. How can you date and fall in love with someone when you’re a werewolf and you start to turn when you’re aroused?”

As we have made mention in a previous entry, the soundtrack for Pushing Daisies will be released this week.

We’ve listed the track lists over here, and today we finally have the artwork and even some photos behind the making of this musical treat. Like this one with Ellen Greene (Aunt Vivian) who lends her singing voice in the album. She is standing next to Jim Dooley, of course, the man behind the magnificent songs you hear on Pushing Daisies.

The composer recently won his first Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition. He also became the very first recipient of the Hollywood Music Award (Best Original Score - Television).

This photo below is just an image of how the songs are translated into the series, with its big orchestra and Jim Dooley conducting the musicians. This is a peak to how a stellar show makes beautiful music, thanks to these very talented people —-

Below you’ll find some of the artwork for the soundtrack CD, which you can get at iTunes and at Amazon.Com.Click on the thumbnails to see the full image:

(more…)

The Family Entertainment Awards is a yearly event that pays tribute to quality programming that’s fit for very generation. The event aired as a one hour special at The CW last Friday, with Pushing Daisies as one of its honorees.

The event was hosted by Tyler James Williams from Everybody Hates Chris and he highlighted some of 2008’s most family friendly content in the entertainment (movies, television and gaming).

The honorees were chosen by the Association of National Advertisers, which supports the development of family centered content in the entertainment media.

(more…)

The Hollywood Reporter the other day announced ABC is going to adapt DC Comics’ “Fables” series into a TV show. The way the concept is described reflects, in many ways, a post-Pushing Daisies setting.

“Fables” is about fairy tale characters living in modern day New York. Think about the movie Enchanted and you basically get the idea….although this one is definitely not as sweet and sappy as that. The premise of the story even starts with a murder of Snow White’s sister, Rose Red.

The report goes on to say that the show will be handled, written and produced by Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner, who’ve previously done “Six Degrees” for ABC.

The characters are described as “real people in the real world who live and breathe and look just like you and me” and in order to define the physical characterization, the Big Bad Wolf, for instance, would have to look like someone with a four-day shadow or facial hair.

Does this sound like a show you would want Lee Pace or any of the Pushing Daisies cast be part of?

Originally pegged for an October release, the soundtrack to Pushing Daisies is now up for pre-order at Amazon and will be distributed by December 23rd, the perfect Christmas gift for a Daisies fan!

The CD will feature award winning musical scoring by Jim Dooley with the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra, as well as favorite cuts from the show itself, now recorded in full length version.

Here is a list of tracks from the said CD:

1. Morning Has Broken Performed by Ellen Greene (2:19)
2. Hopelessly Devoted To You Performed by Kristin Chenoweth (3:06)
3. Birdhouse In Your Soul Performed by Kristin Chenoweth and Ellen Greene (3:14)
4. Main Titles (:35)
5. Lying In The Dark (2:12)
6. Chuck’s News Flash (:48)
7. Chuck’s Swing (2:22)
8. Where’s My Briefcase? (1:22)
9. Bittersweets (3:17)
10. Pie Hole Holding (2:20)
11. Young Ned’s Dissection (1:37)
12. Homeopaths (2:35)
13. Morgue To Love (2:25)
14. Lefty Arrives (:46)
15. Jeanine Pie (3:04)
16. Poor Customer Service (1:20)
17. Plastic Kiss (1:33)
18. Wilfred Woodruff’s War (3:46)
19. Chucky Bees (1:48)
20. Jason Lucas Diamonds (1:36)
21. Happy Halloween (2:34)
22. Play-Doh Dreaming (2:19)
23. Emerson And The Bitches (2:08)
24. Waltz (1:52)
25. Park Picnic (2:51)
26. Knitt Witt (1:37)
27. Who’s Smoking? (1:31)
28. Follow The Yellow Thick Hose (2:13)
29. Institution Omnibus (2:00)
30. Olive & Alfredo (1:23)
31. Don’t Mess With The Pie Hos (3:29)
32. Death Came (2:49)
33. Victor Narrowmore (2:02)
34. Change Of Heart (2:41)
35. Hands Against The Wall (:54)

Source

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bryan Fuller, creator of Pushing Daisies is ready to sign a two year contract with Universal Media Studios, effectively opening doors for him to join the creative team of Heroes beginning with its third season’s Episode 20.

(more…)

The fact that this show hasn’t been renewed for the season doesn’t change the fact that it is still one of the better shows on air. This latest recognition just proves it. The awards and honors are never-ending!

Pushing Daisies has once again been nominated for three award categories at the Satellite Awards, which will culminate on December 14th.

Television Series, Comedy or Musical

• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• 30 Rock
• Pushing Daisies
• State of the Union

Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical

• Lee Pace - Pushing Daisies
• Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
• David Duchovny - Californication
• Danny DeVito - It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Justin Kirk - Weeds
• Jonny Lee Miller - Eli Stone

Actress in a Supporting Role

• Laura Dern - Recount
• Sarah Polley - John Adams
• Kristin Chenoweth - Pushing Daisies
• Dianne Wiest - In Treatment
• Chandra Wilson - Grey’s Anatomy
• Fionnula Flanagan - Brotherhood

This is the second time the show has been honored by this particular award giving body. If you should recall, Pushing Daisies actually won it last year. It’s also the second nomination for Lee Pace and a first for Kristin Chenoweth.

Congratulations to the nominees and I hope the show wins another batch of awards again!

The Satellite Award is a recognition given by the International Press Academy, which was formed in the 90’s. The organization has over 200 members worldwide, in print, radio, television, cable and more recently, the internet. This body is actually a spin-off from HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) who is responsible for the Golden Globes.

Something we all may have missed after the ax fell on our favorite show is this article from the Dallas News —

Here’s a glimmer of hope for fans of the critically acclaimed but modestly viewed ABC comedy Pushing Daisies. Last week, executive producer Bryan Fuller confirmed that the series had been canceled.

But two nights later, character actor Beth Grant was in Dallas attending the Black Tie Dinner, a fundraiser for gay and lesbian support groups. She reported that she got a call from Mr. Fuller just prior to the Black Tie Dinner saying Pushing Daisies was not canceled.

She is to appear in the Dec. 3 episode as a crossover character from another Bryan Fuller series, Wonderfalls.

We’ll see.

So what does this mean? Was there a miscommunication between  the actor Beth Grant and Bryan Fuller? Is the show, in fact, not only renewed for Season 2, but that doesn’t mean it’s altogether canceled? Can it return for Season 3? Are we pinning our hopes up?

What do you think Daisies fans?

So what did I say yesterday? That as beautiful as the episode was, it’s not the type an average viewer would stick around for. Watching Pushing Daisies requires a lot of…thought processing, of making use of our senses. It’s a tough pitch to viewers who just want to sit and watch.

This week was Daisies’ worst rating yet. Although I still have this tiny morsel of hope left, I think I’ve come to terms with the fact that this show will not be picked up for the rest of the season (I am hopeful for a third!). Apparently, that’s seems to be the case. ABC has not ordered any more episodes beyond the 13 they have finished. And Bryan Fuller has been missing calls from the network.

“I assumed that’s what [the call] was about. I can’t help but feel immense pride when it comes to ‘Pushing Daisies.’ I’m grateful TO everyone and FOR everyone who brought the show to life and for the very loyal audience that embraced us. If we are indeed dead on ABC, we now have to convince DC Comics to let us tell the rest of the season’s story lines out in comic book form and convince Warner Bros. features to let ‘Pushing Daisies’ live again as a movie.” — Bryan Fuller to THR Feed

The ratings from last Wednesday night:

8.00 Block
Bones Fox 10.73 M/3.1
Gary Unmarried CBS 8.14 M/2.7
New Adventures Of Old Christine CBS 8.09 M/2.5
Knight Rider NBC 5.12 M/1.5
Pushing Daisies ABC 4.86 M/1.8
America’s Next Top Model The CW 4.80 M/2.3

9.00 Block
Criminal Minds CBS 16.38 M/4.3
Private Practice ABC 7.14 M/2.4
House (Repeat) Fox 5.73 M/2.2
Life NBC 5.32 M/1.7
Stylista The CW 2.16 M/1.0

10.00 Block
CSI: New-York CBS 14.00 M/3.8
Law & Order NBC 7.58 M/2.2
Dirty Sexy Money ABC 5.63 M/1.8

Bearing cancellation, I do hope that ABC decides to air the remaining episodes and finish all thirteen.

In the meantime, we fans have to stick together and set our sights on a third season. We can still push this, shortened second season be damned. Continue to Save Pushing Daisies by doing any of these suggestions.

Get behind the campaign to Save Pushing Daisies! There is no news about the status of the show yet, we’ve got to keep the campaign going.

And remember to watch tomorrow night’s episode, Oh Oh it’s Magic.

Despite a stronger buzz about its imminent cancellation, ABC has not yet decided on the fate of Pushing Daisies. This comes even after the show is not up on the network’s Winter Schedule. Taking over the slot for Pushing Daisies come Wednesday nights in January is the new season of Scrubs and the freshman series The Goode Family.

Production has wrapped its 13th and final episode last week.  And even as this report says things are not looking very good, this is what Bryan Fuller says ABC feels about the show:

• “Our ABC exec was on the set last night saying they are still swinging in the fight to keep ‘Daisies’ on the air,” Fuller said. “Spirits are high and hopeful and everyone here is very proud of our work and this show.”

If the show isn’t going to get the axe, it may be shortened to 13 episodes with a 3rd season renewal.

In the meantime, here’s the new schedule for ABC for January 2009:

Mondays
8:00/7:00c - “The Bachelor” (New Season)
9:30/8:30c - “Samantha Who?”
10:00/9:00c - “True Beauty” (New Series)

Tuesdays
8:00/7:00c - “Border Security USA” (New Series)
9:00/8:00c - “According to Jim” (New Season)
9:30/8:30c - “According to Jim” (New Season)
10:00/9:00c - “Eli Stone”

Wednesdays
8:00/7:00c - “Scrubs” (New Season)
8:30/7:30c - “The Goode Family” (New Series)
9:00/8:00c - “Lost” (New Season)
10:00/9:00c - “The Unusuals” (New Series)

Thursdays
8:00/7:00c - “Ugly Betty”
9:00/8:00c - “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00/9:00c - “Private Practice” (New Time Slot)

Fridays
8:00/7:00c - “Wife Swap”
9:00/8:00c - “Supernanny”
10:00/9:00c - “20/20″

Saturdays
8:00/7:00c - “Saturday Night Movie”

Sundays
7:00/6:00c - “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00/7:00c - “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00/8:00c - “Desperate Housewives”
10:00/9:00c - “Brothers & Sisters”

After the discussion from the Paley Center panel with Pushing Daisies writers the other day, this is what we know —

• That the show isn’t part of ABC’s January line-up. In its place will be Scrubs and Lost.
• That there is still no word about its cancellation. Although the last of the 13 episodes will be finished filming this week.
• That after January, if the remaining nine episodes are not yet ordered by ABC, Bryan Fuller may return to work on Heroes. The writers from Pushing Daisies may continue with the story via a Pushing Daisies comic book, which according to Fuller, “should clear the slate for a move”
• As of the moment, the show’s status is really still in limbo. Maybe the network is still feeling it, gauging it? Pushing Daisies has a lot going for them. Sans the ratings, it remains to be a multi-awarded television show. And I guess that accounts for something really big.
• That if the thirteenth episode this season will be Daisies last, Fuller says it is something all of them (in their team) can be very proud of. Viewers should look forward to a satisfying ending.
• In  the next episodes, we will see a shift in the mood of the story which can only be described as “‘Twin Peaks’-ian soap opera.”
• That a Pushing Daisies soundtrack will proceed its release on December 9th.
• Future episode guests include Wendie Malick and Nora Dunn, playing the Aqua Dolls rivals to Aunt Lily and Vivian. The Aqua Dolls are described as the Sarah Palin of Synchronized Swimming.

More details are available at TV Week.

Today is a very crucial day for Pushing Daisies.

ABC is scheduled to announce it’s January line-up and sources indicate that the show isn’t going to be on it.

But I’m still very hopeful, especially since Pushing Daisies at the Paley Center panel is taking place later today. I think we’re still going to hear good news, like what was mentioned earlier. (I’m all for a shorter season, than no new season at all!)

And to keep the positive vibe going — here’s another feather on Pushing Daisies cup. Congratulations to the casting directors of Pushing Daisies for winning the Artios Awards!!

The details are after the jump…

(more…)

This sounds like really good news. It’s from the site SaveDaisies.Com, another movement formed by fans of the show who keeps sending emails and letters as well as seeds, flowers and pies to ABC executives.

Just got word from my source on PD and it’s some pretty good news:

“So, we got some news this AM. Keep in mind, this could very well change. At any moment. But as of now, we are ‘going down for the season’. Which means that they are planning on starting us back in May for Season 3.

If you can, please let the fans know that they SHOULDN’T stop sending things to ABC. The more that people speak out, the better the chances of us returning. If it gets too quiet, they will pull the plug b/f we get a chance to start season 3. ABC is listening to everyone. And EVERYONE knows of your site.”

What that means is that Season 2 will only be 13 episodes. When Pushing Daisies ends production on the 13th episode of the season 2, they will be done until May, when they will start production on Season 3. While this is great news, we still need to help save Pushing Daisies, and let ABC know, now more than ever, that we can’t live without this show!

What do you think? Does this mean Pushing Daisies will become a summer show? I would personally take a shorter season 2 and have a third season in the summer…than no show at all.

Please continue to SAVE PUSHING DAISIES!!!

Despite of threats of cancellation, Pushing Daisies continue to collect awards from various award giving bodies, the latest is from the Hollywood Post Alliance which was held last November 1st.

Congratulations to the Pushing Daisies Team!

ABC’s “Pushing Daisies” and a Jaguar commercial called “XF Hush” led the pack Thursday as the Hollywood Post Alliance presented its third annual HPA Awards to the top behind-the-scenes talent working in motion pictures, television and commercials.

The event at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles also honored Elizabeth Daley, dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, with its Charles S. Swartz Award for outstanding contribution in the field of postproduction and Ron Burdett with its Lifetime Achievement Award. “Daisies” earned trophies for TV color grading for the episode “The Fun in Funerals,” with the prize going to Joe Hathaway of LaserPacific Media, and for TV editing for its “Pie-Lette” episode, edited by Stuart Bass.

Jaguar’s “XF Hush” took home awards for commercial color grading for Alex Bickel of Outside Editorial and commercial editing for Neil Gust of Outside Editorial.

Engineering Excellence Awards went to Quantel, FastSoft and Panasonic. The HPA Judges Award for creativity and innovation in postproduction went to DigitalFilm Tree and CBS, aIM - Laser Pacific and Sony Pictures Imageworks.

The other winners:
– Color grading, feature film in a DI process: “Iron Man,” Steven J. Scott, EFilm;
– Editing, feature film: “The Dark Knight,” Lee Smith;
– Audio post, feature film: “WALL-E,” Ben Burtt of Pixar and Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Matthew Wood of Skywalker Sound;
– Audio post, TV: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” (”Cockroaches” episode): Mace Matiosian, Ruth Adelman, David Vanslyke, Bill Smith, Yuri Reese and Jivan Tahmizian of Todd-AO;
– Audio post, commercial: Audi RS6 “Gymnast,” Tony Rapaccioli and Warren Hamilton of Wave Recording Studios and Tonic;
– Compositing, commercial: Pontiac “Shwayze,” Patrick Poulatian and Robert Sethi of Brickyard VFX.

Source