Pushing Daisies

I just read this unconfirmed news from TV Guide earlier. It seems Dilly Balsam might be a permanent cast addition. Ausiello writes: If you thought Molly Shannon was as much a hoot as scheming (and possible killer) taffy merchant Dilly Balsam as I did, then you’re in luck: I’m hearing there’s a chance her role could become permanent. That is, if this strike ever ends!

Before anything, I’ve rounded up what others have said about her last performance:

• IGN thought Molly Shannon did a great job.
• Televisionary writes that an “absolutely evil” recurring character is a good addition to the show: I was utterly shocked that Dilly was a murderess, even if it was revenge-based for the killing of her brother. Did anyone else absolutely howl with Dilly’s motorboat trip whilst being attacked by those Hitchcockian birds? I think we need a recurring character who is absolutely evil and hell-bent on destroying Ned and the gang.
• Remote Access thinks that the rivalry between the Pie Hole and Bitter Sweets is a clever way to highlight Ned’s handling of unpleasant situations (in which he can’t).

I find no difficulty saying that I love the addition of Dilly’s character in the show, and I simply adore Molly Shannon. But whether or not she stays put as a series regular? I personally don’t see the need for that. “Recurring” would have just been perfect. Because while this rivalry, no doubt, made an excellent story arc for the show, a permanent rivalry can have steam the first few times but it can quickly lose its novelty.

Dilly Balsam is supposed to originally appear on three episodes. Although the jury’s still out on the status of a permanent role for Molly Shannon, do viewers actually like for her character to stay put?

Pushing Daisies, Molly Shannon, Dilly Balsam