It was announced today that PUSHING DAISIES star Kristin Chenoweth will be signing the song “That’s How You Know” from the film ‘Enchanted’ during the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, taking place on February 24th. Kristin will be joined by Marlon Saunders for the numbers.

The song was originally performed by Amy Adams, but Ms. Adams will already be performing a number called “Happy Working Song” during the show.

For those of you who have never had the opportunity to see Kristin perform outside of PUSHING DAISIES, you are in for a real treat. She is phenomenal.

And if you’re not familiar with the movie ‘Enchanted’ or the song Kristin will be performing, take a look at the video below.

A word from the WGA Presidents….

On Tuesday, members of the Writers Guilds East and West voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the restraining order that was invoked on November 5th. The strike is over.

Writing can resume immediately. If you were employed when the strike began, you should plan to report to work on Wednesday. If you’re not employed at an office or other work site, call or e-mail your employer that you are resuming work. If you have been told not to report to work or resume your services, we recommend that you still notify your employer in writing of your availability to do so. Questions concerning return-to-work issues should be directed to the WGAW legal department at 323.782.4521 or the WGAE’s assistant executive director Ann Toback at 212-767-7823.

The decision to begin this strike was not taken lightly and was only made after no other reasonable alternative was possible. We are profoundly aware of the economic loss these fourteen weeks have created not only for our members but so many other colleagues who work in the television and motion picture industries. Nonetheless, with the establishment of the WGA jurisdiction over new media and residual formulas based on distributor’s gross revenue (among other gains) we are confident that the results are a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future.

We hope to build upon the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and solidarity that were generated by your hard work during the strike.

Over the next weeks and months, we will be in touch with you to discuss and develop ways we can use our unprecedented unity to make our two guilds stronger and more effective than ever.

Now that the strike has ended, there remains the vote to ratify the new contract. Ballots and information on the new deal, both pro and con, will be mailed to you shortly. You will be able to return those ballots via mail or at a membership meeting to be held Monday, February 25th, 2008, at times and locations to be determined.

Thank you for making it possible. As ever, we are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW

Michael Winship
President, WGAE

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Emmy Magazine went behind the scenes at PUSHING DAISIES the day before the beginning of the WGA strike. Whether it be Anna and Lee dancing around the set in hopes of auditioning for “Dancing with the Stars” or CHUCK star Zachary Levi popping in to say hello, there’s always a lot going on while filming.

An excerpt from the article is below. And if you missed the stunning outtakes from this photoshoot, make sure you check out Lee Pace and Anna Friel are Classics.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
by Amy Dawes

It’s an eerie thing to visit the set of a successful new television show on the last workday before a potentially calamitous writer’s strike.

As twilight set in on Friday, November 2, no one knew for sure what Monday would bring, but all signs pointed to a dreaded walkout.

“It’s hard to foucus,” admits Kristin Chenoweth, who plays Olive, the salty-sweet waitress at the Pie Hole diner on ABC’s Pushing Daisies. “This is probably our last day on set with the writers.”

All appears calm on Stage 19 at the Warner Bros.’ Burbank lot. The crew fiddle with ligts and the call-outs unique to a single-camera show drift over the cavernous space: Picture’s Up…Quiet, please!…Roll Sound!

But anxiety leaks out between takes. Star Anna Friel - in the red jumper and black tights of her character, Chuck - clicks the heels of her ruby shoes like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. “Click three times and the strike goes away!” she ventures, laughing.

The petite blonde Chenoweth, in a lime-green shift and flowered flip-flops, distracts the crew with cheerleading antics. Lanky star Lee Pace, who plays Ned, is notably touchy-feely, laying hugs on everyone who comes close, including the shows executive producer, Bryan Fuller. (continue reading here)

For scans of the images from the magazine, head over the Lee-Pace.org.

In a press release issued today, ABC President Stephen McPherson announced that PUSHING DAISIES will indeed be picked up for a second season. There wasn’t much doubt that this would happen, but it’s nice to know it’s in the bag.

Things in Hollywood are about to get busy once again. Yesterday it was announced that the WGA members accepted the deal put together by the WGA board and the AMPTP, essentially ending the writers’ strike. The new contract will take about 10-12 days to ratify, and guild members are voting on Tuesday as to whether or not to remain on strike during the ratification process. Most expect the vote to pass without issue meaning that writers will be back to work on Wednesday. Showrunners are already back to work this morning.

So what’s the latest with PUSHING DAISIES? Bryan Fuller has already confirmed that PUSHING DAISIES won’t be back with more new episodes this season. But based on what Fuller shared with E! News yesterday, it seems that the writers on the show won’t be back as quickly as we hoped.

“We’re all thrilled the strike is coming to a close and we can drop the politics and get back to the creativity. Many of the shows are getting ‘return to work’ letters this week from their studios, but we won’t be one of them. Previously, Warner Brothers said they wanted us to start writing the moment the WGA allowed us to go back to work so we could get a jump start and begin stockpiling scripts for season two. But I got the call on Friday that they didn’t want us to go back to work until March, regardless of the strike outcome.

“That’s not to say there won’t be some informal meetings with the writing staff beforehand to discuss arcs for season two, but we’re essentially on hold until March (at least in an official capacity). The first order of business will be to sit down with ABC to discuss their thoughts on the nine completed episodes from what I like to call our ‘teaser season’—what they liked and what they didn’t—and then we’ll set about crafting season two and continuing the adventures of the Pie Maker and friends.”

I’m not going to be too over dramatic here, but I don’t like the idea of the show being held back while ABC tinkers with it. Here’s to hoping their network notes don’t conflict with Bryan Fuller’s vision.

Are you excited for the strike to be over? Leave a message to let Fuller and Co. know just how happy you are!!

Photographer Mike Ruiz captured PUSHING DAISIES stars Anna Friel and Lee Pace in stunning portraits reminiscent of finer times.

Thanks to jimslayer for the tip

PUSHING DAISIES creator Bryan Fuller recently spoke with the guys behind the Comics Podcast Network, for a fantastic two part interview. The first part can be heard (around the midway mark), and the conclusion will be posted as part of next week’s podcast. Bryan talks about everything from the strike and how it’s impacted the show, to the closeness of the cast, to costumes, and some thoughts on season 2. It’s a must listen for any Daisies fan.
(Warning! There are nods to future storylines, so spoilerphobes beware)

Click here to listen
Here are a few tidbits, but please listen to the podcast for much more…

• …the last episode had to be finished in 12 hours to make the deadline for the WGA strike
• …production could be started in mid-June and Fuller hopes to have an episode to show at Comic Con (YES!!)
• …the cast has grown closer as a result of the strike
• …Ned’s costumes are always black and grey to keep him the calm center of the show
• …more of the Darling Mermaid Darlings in the 2nd season - more of their rivals back in the day
• …Lily and Vivian will open up more in the 2nd season and love interests may be introduced
• …more of Emerson’s pop-up book fascination (ha)

(Stay tuned for P2 of the interview next week)

TV critics love PUSHING DAISIES. So much so that PUSHING DAISIES was named the best show in TelevisionWeek’s semiannual survey of TV critics nationwide. This was the show’s first appearance in the poll, so a #1 spot was a surprise.

As for what the critics are saying about the show, Ellen Gray of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote that “Daisies” is “sweet without making your teeth hurt, smart without making your head hurt; this one’s actually living up to the promise of its pilot.”

PUSHING DAISIES appointment at the top of the leader board is impressive considering its company.

Top Ten Best Series (per TV Week’s Critics Poll)
1. Pushing Daisies
2. Mad Men
3. Dexter
4. 30 Rock
5. Friday Night Lights
6. Damages
7. House
8 (tie). The Office
8 (tie). Ugly Betty
10. Californication

The list of the worst shows after the jump
Continue Reading »

The lineup for this year’s Paley Festival was announced today, and more information was provided about the Pushing Daisies panel.
We now have dates and a preliminary list of the cast and creative team attending.

Date: Saturday, March 15th @ 7pm
Location: The Cinerama Dome at The ArcLight - Hollywood, CA

In Person: Kristin Chenoweth (Olive Snook) | Lee Pace (Ned) | Swoosie Kurtz (Lily Charles) | Bryan Fuller (Creator/Executive Producer) | Bruce Cohen (Executive Producer) | Dan Jinks (Executive Producer) | Peter Ocko (Co-Executive Producer) | Barry Sonnenfeld (Executive Producer)
*Participants are subject to change

Tickets: Paley Center Member Tickets on Sale: Feb 7, 2008
General Public Tickets on Sale: Feb 10, 2008
New for ‘08: Premium Ticket Packages Guaranteed seats, invites to parties, and more—Presale Now until Feb 6 at 5 pm PT
ONLY! See Details | Purchase Tickets

Hopefully I will be adding myself to the “in person” list soon. I’m going to go ahead and get the tickets but whether or not I make the trek from Boston to L.A. all depends on the prices of the hotels. I mean, if Lee Pace offers to let me crash at his abode then I’m definitely there.

For those of you considering going…do it! I attended a few Paley Fest panels last year and it was an incredible experience. I can’t imagine missing this year’s PUSHING DAISIES panel, so fingers crossed that I can go.

Related Posts: PUSHING DAISIES Honored at Paley Festival

Rumors are swirling today that PUSHING DAISIES star, Anna Friel, has been cast as a lead in the upcoming Will Ferrell remake of “Land of the Lost“. No word yet on what Anna’s role will be, but stay tuned to ThePieMaker.com for more information. As soon as we know, you’ll know.