Vanguard

Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Entertainment

"Pushing Daisies," a new supernatural comedy, premiered on ABC last Wednesday. The series tells the story of Ned (Lee Pace), a young man with a strange gift. He has the ability to bring the dead back to life with one touch. However, this "gift" comes with a stipulation: The next time he touches the person in question, they will return to their natural state - for good this time. The viewer can imagine the kind of situations this can lead to. These paranormal circumstances are only some of what "Pushing Daisies" has to offer - it boasts fascinating characters, laugh-out-loud moments and true originality.

The first episode, "Pie-lette" (get it?), introduces us to Ned as a 10-year-old boy. He discovers his peculiar ability when he brings his dog back to life after the golden retriever has a run in with the business end of an 18-wheeler. He lives next door to Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Anna Friel), and he is obviously in love with her. However, something terrible occurs and he is forced to leave his hometown, possibly forever.

Ned goes to live in the big city, opening a bakery called The Pie Hole. His pies are the best in town and with good reason - any fruit he touches revives itself to the peak of freshness. Besides his flourishing pie business, Ned has also cut a deal with local detective Emerson Cod (Chi McBride). They visit corpses who have been murdered. Ned revives them and asks the identity of their murderer. Then Ned returns them to their peaceful repose, and he and Emerson split the reward money.

Everything is smooth sailing for Ned until he is reunited with Chuck, almost 18 years since their last meeting. She has been murdered. Ned, pretending to only be interested in the $50,000 reward, convinces his partner to travel with him to his hometown to solve the mystery. But once he sees Chuck alive brought back to life, Ned just can't seem to let her slip away again.

I think that this new series is just what TV needs right now --something different from all the reality shows, tear-jerker dramas and idiotic sitcoms that are currently cluttering the airwaves. This show offers a fresh approach on something that we'll all have to deal with sooner or later: death. It handles the touchy subject with style and good taste, while still keeping the audience laughing.

While some may feel that such frank talk about kicking the bucket is disrespectful, I think it's the opposite of that. "Pushing Daisies" allows us to laugh at ourselves and see the humor in the everyday - be it the funny side of the funeral directing business or the absurdity of life and love. It asks you to suspend your disbelief for an hour - something I'll gladly do considering the fare being offered by the other channels. "Pushing Daisies" is like a breath of fresh air - a show that's smart, unique and entertaining to boot. So this Wednesday, why not try something new? You might be glad you did.

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