Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello just let the cat out of the bag as to who will be playing the bizarro Ned, Chuck and Emerson in an upcoming sweeps episode of PUSHING DAISIES.
Pushing Daisies is about to get seriously bizarro. Orlando Jones (Drumline), Michael Weaver (Notes From the Underbelly), and Ivana Milicevic (Casino Royale) have been cast as a band of Norwegian detectives who bear striking similarities to Emerson, Ned and Chuck, sources confirm to me exclusively.
The trio flee their home country looking for bigger, better crimes to solve, which makes things mighty difficult for Emerson and his untouchy-feely sidekicks.
Rumor has it the script for the episode, titled “The Norwegians” and slated to air in November, is nothing short of Snapplarious (i.e., so laugh-out-loud hysterical Snapple will likely shoot out your nose). If it’s half as funny as this Wednesday’s second season premiere — particularly a certain subplot involving reluctant nun Kristin Chenoweth and Mother Superior Diana Scarwid — then we are in for a treat.
Ausiello just announced that the amazingly brilliant funny man Fred Willard will be guest starring in a November sweeps episode of Pushing Daisies. Joining Willard is Reno 911!’s Kerri Kenney! Sounds like comedic gold to me.
Look up “comedy dream team” on Wikipedia and I’m fairly certain you’ll find a two-shot of Fred Willard and Reno 911!’s Kerri Kenney. At the very least you’ll find the pair in a November episode of Pushing Daisies that revolves around the murder of a famous illusionist named the Great Hermann (Willard). Kenney plays his lovely assistant, Alexandria.
When we talked to Bryan Fuller at Comic-Con he told us about a character that had a past linked to both Ned’s Father and Chuck’s Father but did not spill the actor. We just had to wait a couple days until someone else scooped us!
Ausiello got it out of Fuller and the character will be played by News Radio and Office Space alum Stephen Root. Root is slated for a 4 episode arc in Season 2.
So you’ve seen the pictures and hopefully you’ve had the chance to listen to the full audio of the PUSHING DAISIES panel at Comic Con. But we understand that some of you have to be a little covert and maybe can’t be listening while at work or school, so we wanted to post a mini-recap of the panel itself for your reading pleasure.
We’ve broken in out into two sections, the first being general highlights from the panel and the second section being spoilerish information. If you want to avoid spoilers just stop reading when we tell you to.
Bryan Fuller and the cast are excited about the Comic Con Panel…
As happy as the audience would have been to watch the “Pie-lette” once again, it wasn’t in the original plans for Team Daisies. The panel’s opening video was supposed to be some footage from the PUSHING DAISIES Paley Fest panel, but as the now familiar scenes of the first episode aired Bryan Fuller and Barry Sonnenfeld rushed to the stage to stop the presses (or at least the video). Instead they showed the fantastic Season 2 teaser trailer which threw the already amped-up crowd into a tizzy. But not before Fuller was able to pimp the much anticipated launch date for Season 1 of PUSHING DAISIES on DVD (September 16th on DVD and Blu-Ray. Pre-order your copy here today.)
As the cast was introduced by moderator Barry Sonnenfeld’s acerbic comments, many of them took the stage by running past the front row and slapping hands with the audience. I almost lost an eye due to the Cheno fans behind me but it would have been well worth it. (I could always ask Aunt Viv for a fancy new eye-patch).
Anna Friel tried out her American accent on the crowd for a bit but we all quickly cheered her back into her British speak. (On a side note, Anna looked stunning in with her black dress and bright red lips)
Chi McBride, who was decked out in a colorful tee and jeans quipped that he was dressed for Comic Con while some of his co-stars were red carpet ready. Kristin and Anna both sported fantastic little black dresses for the event all looked all kinds of glam.
Barry Sonnenfeld read aloud a message that Team Daisies sexy mama bear, Ellen Greene, sent to the cast before their bus travels from L.A. to San Diego. She reminded them that the bus can get chilly so bring a sweater, and offered up some fun travel options including games and movies. She’s adorable!
The following contains information about an upcoming episode of PUSHING DAISIES. Because it was broken in the mainstream press it doesn’t violate our spoiler policy. But stop reading if you would like to remain spoiler free.
Expect PUSHING DAISIES to have a lot of great guest stars this season. One of the first being, David Arquette. According to Michael Ausiello, Arquette will guest in the fourth episode of the season, titled “Freshcorts”.
Bryan Fuller told Ausiello that “While investigating a murder, Ned encounters the socially awkward Randy Mann [Arquette], who has a secret, special talent that unexpectedly bonds him to the Pie-Maker.”
Congratulations to Broadway fave (and Pushing Daisies guest star) Raul Esparza for being nominated this morning for a Tony Award for his role in The Homecoming. Fingers crossed!
Now that I’ve got your attention… Cheno (Olive) and her onscreen crush Raul Esparza (Alfredo Aldarisio) are destined to sing together on Pushing Daisies but while we wait for that magical musical moment we have have something else to look forward to!
Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Raul Esparza will be joining conductor/composer Marvin Hamlisch and the New York Philharmonic on May 20th for Broadway’s Greatest Showstoppers!
Tickets appear to be SOLD OUT but keep checking, you never know when luck might be your lady (or man) tonight. (Tickets Link)
According to Ausiello, it looks like Molly Shannon’s wacky taffy peddler could become a series regular.
If you thought Molly Shannon was as much a hoot as scheming (and possible killer) taffy merchant Dilly Balsam as I did, then you’re in luck: I’m hearing there’s a chance her role could become permanent. That is, if this strike ever ends!
There’s been buzz about Paul Reubens guest role on PUSHING DAISIES for quite some time now. For most of that time viewers though he would be portraying Alfredo Aldarisio. For reasons not yet know, a last minute casting change gave the role of Alfredo to Raul Esparaza. But with the news of the casting switch also came word that Reubens would still appear on Pushing Daisies, albeit as Oscar Vibenius, an olfactory expert who smells something different about the pie-maker’s recently resurrected girlfriend.In this interview with The Journal News, Paul discusses his role as Oscar Vibenius on Pushing Daisies, his take on the writers strike and the possible resurgence of Pee-Wee Herman.
Paul’s first appearance on Pushing Daisies will be tomorrow night.
“It’s always a pleasure for me when someone calls and asks me to do something, instead of saying, ‘Will you come in and audition?’ ” says Reubens. “Because I’m not a very good auditioner. I really don’t get jobs that way.”
The show’s honchos were so confident that Reubens would lend a unique spark to Oscar, they allowed him to help develop the character. As a result, Oscar is a tad grubby from spending a lot of time in the sewers, and he sports a wild, Tim Burton-esque hairstyle. (read the full interview here)
