Feb
02
2008
In a recent interview with SFX, PUSHING DAISIES creator Bryan Fuller expressed interest in perhaps one day not just hearing Jim Dale’s narration but perhaps seeing the narrator as a character on the show.
“I would like him to turn out to be a character on the show,” says Fuller of the unseen orator, whose voice is provided by former Carry On actor Jim Dale, “so that we get to see the point of view from which the stories are coming.” He goes on to say, “Fairytales, I think, are fascinating because usually there is an omniscient narrator. But as this is a modern day fairy tale we can have a spin on that and see who is telling this story, and what their perspective is. And I know who, in my mind, is telling the story, and so I would like to reveal who he is. Maybe not in the second season, but eventually. Hopefully we will know when the show is going end so that we can sort that out clearly.”
So Piemakers, who do you think is telling the story of Ned and Chuck? Who would have that perspective to know everything about their lives and their inner most thoughts? Some kind of deity? Perhaps the very being that gave Ned his special abilities?
Oct
11
2007
If you’re looking for even more PUSHING DAISIES to indulge in, listen to the PD discussion that followed the screening of the “Pie-lette” last month at the New York Television Festival.
Panelists included Bryan Fuller, Barry Sonnenfeld, Lee Pace, Jim Dale, and Dan Jinks.
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Oct
02
2007
The facts are these: At precisely 8:01pm on the 26th day of September in the year 2007, The Pie Maker received a peculiar yet enticing offer. The offer, extended by the brilliant and talented Bryan Fuller, was an invitation to visit the set of The Pie Maker’s favorite new show, Pushing Daisies. Always eager to learn more about just how the daisies are pushed The Pie Maker accepted the offer and scurried over to the set without a moment’s hesitation. Little did they know that they were about to enter a world few have yet to experience.
Yes, ThePieMaker.com received an exclusive invite to visit the set of PUSHING DAISIES this past week. Entering that brilliant world was amazing, and I felt honored to have been invited.
Arriving on the Warner Bros lot Wednesday night was surreal. Following the little map provided by the security guard I walked through trailers, sound stages and couldn’t help but take in the history of the place while on my short trip to the Pushing Daisies production offices. Once there, I was greeted by the fabulous Taylor who served as my tour guide for the evening.
Taylor walked me through all the various sets used in the show. From Ned’s bedroom, to Emerson’s PI office to Olive Snook’s apartment - I saw it all. The work that goes into the set decoration is nothing short of fabulous. The intricate detail that goes into creating the bizarrely beautiful world that is Pushing Daisies really helps to set the tone for the show. No detail is overlooked and everything seems to have a distinct purpose. This was most obvious when I walked into the soon to be famous living room of Aunt Lily & Vivian. The room was amazing. Overflowing with colors and textures I felt like I would have known the type of people that lived here without ever watching the show. I really couldn’t snap many pics from the set, but I managed just a few to share with you all.
Before long I was escorted over to the sound stage where the show was being shot. We quietly paused while they were filming and I heard the distinct voices of one Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) and his good friend, Ned the Pie Maker (Lee Pace). I knew that they had a nighttime shoot, but until that moment I wasn’t sure if I was going to actually see any of the stars of the show. What a thrill.
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Oct
02
2007
There’s no doubt about it - PUSHING DAISIES is the most talked about pilot of the 2007-08 TV season. Critics from all over are singing the praises of this unique forensic fairytale. Here are some early reviews of the show from critics across the globe. We will continue to add to this post over time. If you see a review of the show not listed here leave a comment or contact us and we will post it.
Most reviews will contain spoilers for the pilot.
Picture-Perfect Daisies: Chicago Sun Times
Excerpt: Here it is at last, the new TV show with the biggest buzz among critics. I almost hate to say this (since I can be a contrarian at times), but “Pushing Daisies” deserves its high praise. It’s the best new drama of the fall, finding sweet hope in morbid tragedy…The debut is a luxurious beast of a fairy tale that finally brings “Amelie’s” French-daydream rhythm and soul to the small screen. If viewers take to “Daisies” the way critics have — I can’t imagine this won’t be at least a cult hit — a field of copycats may bloom next fall, and American TV would become a Frenchier landscape of fresh fantasies. (continue reading at the Chicago Sun Times)
Bottom Line: Pushing Daisies: The Hollywood Reporter
Excerpt: You’ll know it when you click on “Pushing Daisies.” Instinctively, you’ll reach around for your sunglasses. Few shows give your pixels a workout like this one. Of course, there’s more to “Daisies” than an arresting color palette, but the show’s stimulating optical quality is one of the more obvious differences between this unusual, whimsical dramedy and just about everything else on the air. (Continue reading at The Hollywood Reporter)
Fall Preview: Pushing Daisies: GiveMeMyRemote.com
Excerpt: PUSHING DAISIES is like nothing you have seen on TV before and it will make you fall in love with TV all over again. The show will satisfy your senses with its vibrant look and its decidedly delicious, distinctive and daring dialogue. There is not one moment wasted in this incredible pilot - the best one I have seen since LOST. (Continue reading at Give Me My Remote)
A Letter of Recommendation: Adam Rucker
Excerpt: Altogether, the show’s character craziness, visual variety, and altogether unique way of storytelling means that it will either be extremely successful, or not at all. I’m naturally hoping for the successful side of that argument. (Continue reading at Adam Rucker’s Blog)
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Sep
09
2007
Last night was a fun night for ThePieMaker.com. Not only did we attend the PUSHING DAISIES screening at the New York Television Festival, but we also got the latest PUSHING DAISIES news and gossip on the red carpet from creator, Bryan Fuller, and stars Jim Dale and Lee Pace. We were lucky enough to get a little time with Lee and Bryan after the screening, as well, and both men were as sweet as…well, pie. We’ll be updating soon with all our fantastic pics and videos.
Aug
26
2007
Playbill.com has a great piece with PUSHING DAISIES series creator Bryan Fuller. He talks about writing the part of Ned for Lee Pace, casting issues, how EVERWOOD met Coeur d’ Coeur and more.
Fuller’s past creations include “Dead Like Me” (2003) and “Wonderfalls” (2004). Originally, the new series “was going to be a spin-off of ‘Dead Like Me.’ Then I left, halfway through the first season, to do ‘Wonderfalls,’ which only lasted four episodes.” However, that series starred the “Daisies” male lead, Lee Pace, for whom Fuller wrote the part of Ned. “His agents declined, but his manager went around them, and told [Pace] that he should really read the [pilot] script.”
Adam Brody (”The O.C.”) was next offered the part of Ned. “He was not looking to do another series immediately,” relates Fuller, “and he was very gracious. Then Lee’s manager got involved — thank God!”
Jim Dale is also featured on Playbill.com, given his extensive stage work, this is a great read as well.
“My experience is why they hired me. They wanted somebody who was an actor-narrator, which is different than an ordinary narrator. He puts himself into the narration; he knows a little more about the story than you do. The audience doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but the narrator certainly does. He explains it as it goes along, prepares you for surprises, gets you ready for a laugh.”
Pleased with the series, Dale praises “the dialogue and color, the set design and computerized imagery — which are fantastic! The people are brilliant! Lee Pace is a young Cary Grant. I didn’t realize that Anna Friel, the leading lady, was British until I heard her being interviewed.
Aug
11
2007
If you’ve watched the previews or possibly been lucky enough to catch a screening of the PUSHING DAISIES pilot, then you might be wondering why the narrator sounds so familiar. Does he do the Oscars or the Golden Globes? Possibly the voice of the Emmy’s? Nope, it’s the voice of JIM DALE and he’s not just our narrator, he’s the voice of Harry Potter!
Jim Dale has narrated the American audio books for all 7 Harry Potter books and suddenly a huge sigh can be heard across the internet. What’s really fun about Jim Dale is that he’s also a Guinness World Record holder…
Jim Dale is cited for creating more than 200 voices for the Harry Potter books as well as having 6 of the 10 best selling audio books in the United States and Canada.
Read Jim Dale’s Biography here.
Jul
25
2007
We’ve just added mini-bios for each of the cast members. If you have any information that you’d like to add drop us a line through our contact form.
Lee Pace as Ned the Pie Maker
Lee Pace was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma on. As a young child, Pace spent several years in the Saudi Arabia (where his father was in the oil business), and they later moved to Houston. He temporarily quit high school to act at Houston’s Alley Theatre before returning to graduate. During his time at the Alley he was in productions of The Spider’s Web and The Greeks. (Continue reading Lee Pace’s bio…)
Anna Friel as Charlotte “Chuck” Charles
Anna Friel was on born 12 July 1976 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Friel’s acting career began with the role of Beth Jordache on the British Channel 4 soap opera, Brookside from 1993-1995; her character was part of British TV’s first pre- watershed lesbian kiss. In 1995, Friel won the National Television Award for Most popular actress for her work on Brookside. (Continue reading Anna Friel’s bio…)
Kristin Chenoweth as Olive Snook
Kristin Chenoweth was born on July 24, 1968 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and was adopted at birth. Chenoweth is a person of small stature (four feet, eleven inches tall and 95 pounds) and has a distinctive speaking voice; in FHM’s March 2006 issue, she compared her voice to that of Betty Boop. Chenoweth is a coloratura soprano. Chenoweth is also referred to as “Cheno” by many of her fans. (Continue reading Kristin Chenoweth’s bio…)
(More cast member bios after the jump)
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