We can’t technically use the word “cancelled” because the networks refuse to use that word these days for some reason. What we can say, however, is that “Pushing Daisies”, “Eli Stone”, and “Dirty Sexy Money” will not be getting picked up past their 13 episode installments.

“Daisies” shot its last episode last week – and I sincerely hope they have some kind of wrap-up to the series. It’s been a very interesting journey, and you can seriously factor in the “writer’s strike” into the demise of this show.

The others I haven’t followed, so I can’t speak much on – but it’s a shame that the sophomore shows all seem to be getting axed.

Barack Obama will be MOST of the major networks tonight to give his “closing statment” of the political race (as many have called it), but the Obama campaign has opted NOT to purchase time on ABC after it was offered to them by the network.

There is no reason given by the campaign (as I write this) as to why they chose to skip ABC, but it could actually serve to help the struggling sophomore show “Pushing Daisies” which will be airing a new episode instead of the Democratic candidates remarks.

“Daisies” has had a hard time finding its footing since it returned this season, but the show will now serve as counter-programming to Obama’s infomercial, and those that may be tired of the political race at this point, might be interested to see what “Daisies” is all about.

I think I made it quite clear that Pushing Daisies was my favorite new show last year…even going so far as to say that it could be one of the best shows on television. I felt like it was just hitting its stride when the strike cut it short. The question is…could the show maintain its magical charm after 10 months off the air?

Yes. Absolutely. Everything that worked so well in the freshman season is back. The surreal, outlandish world is every bit as vibrant as we left it. The cast maintains spectacular chemistry, with Chi McBride inevitably stepping in to steal the show.

The gooshiness between Ned and Chuck was one of the few hit-or-miss elements of last season. At times, the goo goo eyes seemed a bit overkill, but tonight it worked brilliantly. I like that their relationship is starting to be tested…it helps to move past a lot of the “I love you more…no I love you more” moments of last season.

Also, this is the first time that I’ve ever not found French Stewart incredibly annoying. That has to day something about the quality of the show. The bee-man was spooky enough to give me nightmares, I think.

I have noticed that my tastes in television lean more toward the serial than the procedural, so it was great to see more of the mystery/drama of Chuck’s parentage (though there wasn’t much ground covered that we didn’t already know) as well as the hint of Ned’s father returning soon.

My only real complaint is…get Olive back with the crew. Kristen Chenoweth can hold a scene by herself, but she is too good to be relegated to a cut-away character.

It’s great to have Pushing Daisies is back, and as strong as ever. If you are not watching this smart, witty, ridiculously engaging show, you are truly missing out.

Starting on the first day of September, all the way through to the 30th of October we have new shows debuting on all the major networks. Below you’ll find a complete list of all the new and returning shows and their premiere dates!

Be sure and check back here at TV Jab for reviews of these new programs as they premiere…we’ll be covering almost all of them this year!
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If this video compiled from the first three episodes of the new season of “Pushing Daisies” doesn’t get you excited about the upcoming season of this show – well, then I don’t quite know what is wrong with you.

One of the best, and most original shows on television is coming back for a strong second season, and it looks like they have plenty of surprises in store for us.

I can’t wait.

“Pushing Daisies” was one of the greatest shows to appear last season, and it was cut far too short by the Writer’s Strike. Season 2, however, is shaping up, and at Comi-Con we got a little bit of news from series creator Bryan Fuller.

Fuller revealed that Mary Ann Marie Beetle, a character from the “Muffin Buffalo” episode of

“Wonderfalls” will be appearing in a season 2 episode of “Pushing Daisies.

Fuller went on to say that he’d love to have Jaye Tyler appear on “Daisies” as well at some point.

In casting news, we also found out that David Arquette has been cast as Ned’s new best friend on the series. There is no word on if this is a guest star role for an episode or a recurring character.

Pushing Daises was, hands down, my favorite new show of the season last year…a brilliant breath of fresh air in the midst of a landscape that’s becoming more and more bland. Just phenomenal stuff.

Anyway, though they don’t yet have a release date up yet, Amazon has an early look at the artwork and price…an extremely easy-on-the-pocketbook $29.98…or $18.99 if you get it from Amazon. Very nice.

UK channel ITV1 took a very large gamble by acquiring ABC’s “Pushing Daisies” for its Saturday night peak-time showcase, an it has paid off. The first episode of the show about about pie maker who can bring the dead back to life with a touch achieved a 35% viewing share against tough competition according to Variety.

The show is the first US series to get a slot on ITV1 in more than a decade after disappointing performances of shows like “Millennium” and “The Practice”.

The import is fairing much better than ITV1’s new original dramas, including the high profile “Rock Rivals”, but it has yet to be seen if the show can maintain or even build its audience.

The show has already been renewed for a second season in the US, and with any luck, those episodes will find a home on ITV1 next year as well.

Amidst all the writers’ strike hubub this week, ABC announced its renewals for the 2008/2009 season.

Besides the obvious Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Ugly Betty and Brothers and Sisters, the Alphabet gave the greenlight to freshman series’ Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies and Samantha Who?.

I’d say that this is representative of the very strong season that ABC has put up this year. They’ve offered up some quality programming, and I’m excited to see that these (sometimes) underappreciated programs will be making a return next year.

Unbelievablly, no word on whether Cavemen will return. (Dear Lord, no.)

Season 1, Episode 9 – Corpsicle

This fantastic show just keeps getting better.

I know I may keep sounding like a broken record, but it’s difficult to find new things to say about Daisies. It’s revolutionary entertainment.

A few weeks ago, I talked about how I was getting a bit weary of Ned and Chuck’s constant goo-gooiness. Tonight, said goo-gooiness is on the rocks, as Ned has confessed that Chuck’s father’s death was his fault. So now I have to apologize…Chuck and Ned are so destined to be together, it just feels awkward when they’re fighting.

And, as is usually the case, the secondary characters steal the show. Paul Reubens takes the role of Oscar Vibenius and runs with it. It’s absolutely shocking that the guy who played Pee Wee Herman could do subtle, but he does, and he plays it to perfection. And, as always, Chi McBride brings the best belly-laughs and one-liners of the night.

However, also as always, the murder-mystery is pretty weak, comparatively. It’s still pretty imaginative, but it doesn’t live up to the past creative murders that we’ve seen. I was hoping to have something that would tie the story together a bit more, especially considering that this is the finale.

Since the most important thing to discuss is a pretty major spoiler (sort of…), we’ll put that discussion after the jump for those of you who haven’t gotten to check it out yet.

I really hate that this season had to end so soon. I feel like it was really starting to hit its stride, and to see it cut short just hurts. Of all the shows that have fallen victim to the strike, I think I’ll miss this one the most. In the midst of a lot of shows that seem to be photocopies of each other, Pushing Daisies‘ surreality brings such an amazing breath of fresh air. While all the episodes may not have necessarily been the greatest thing ever, the whole of the season is greater than the sum of its parts, and completely deserves the highest marks available. I can’t wait for next year, when the strike is behind us, and we return to the Pie Hole.

Episode Grade: A-
Season Grade: A+
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