This week we move back to our side of the pond with the American-made (though largely British-cast, what do you know!) Pushing Daisies. Part fantasy fairy-tale, part crime drama with characters that could have been written by Roald Dahl and sets and costumes that look so deliciously bright they could be made of candy. The show only aired for two seasons, but received (well-deserved, in our opinion) critical acclaim including 17 emmy nominations and 7 wins.
Ned is a lonely young piemaker who possesses the unique power of being able to bring the dead back to life--once. One touch brings life, but the next instantly kills whoever or whatever he just brought back. The story takes off when an enterprising private detective happens to see the phenomenon in action and immediately invites Ned to join him as a partner. After all, there's no easier way to solve a murder than to ask the victim what happened, right? But when one of their first cases involves Ned's childhood sweetheart Chuck--all grown up and beautiful--he can't bring himself to give her that second touch and so begins the sweet and frustratingly anti-physical relationship that binds the whole show together.
The characters are all larger-than life, the writing is witty and the stories are completely over-the-top. An especially bright spot in the show is Kristen Chenoweth, Ned's only pie-shop employee who is desperately, secretly but not very discreetly in love with him. And of course, she occasionally breaks into song about it.
All in all, Pushing Daisies is lovely, funny, enchanting and completely unique. 
Excellent Choice!
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