Comments on: PUSHING DAISIES Debate: Jim Dale’s Narration

By: Rhubarb

Rhubarb — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:27:48 +0000

Having missed the entire first season last fall (quelle horreur!), I’ve just watched all 4 full length episodes on ABC.com with such delight! This is an endearing show, and what a gift Brian Fuller’s imagination has given us! My first impression of the narrator is 98% positive (the other 2% being when the narration was heavy handed - just a couple of times). My first impression of the cast as a whole is their earnest and quirky (and still subtle) madcap-ness. However much these characteristics appeal to me (and oh believe me, they do!), I enjoy the inclusion of the sure and steady ‘hand’ of the narrator that anchors the whole bit in a way that lends an even deeper emotional resonance to a situation, a character’s feelings, look, or an action that might have been missed since the whole show, on the surface, is mostly presented as a comedic (and let’s be honest, visual) opportunity - despite the romantic ‘tinkerings’ of Ned and Chuck. = ) The narrator, as someone else already mentioned, also acts as an additional cast member, but to his credit, one who has the ability to be gleefully engaged in the comedic verbalities (i made this word up = ) ) at which the rest of the cast is so adept, but with an objectivity and wisdom of, let’s say, an older brother. As Lee Pace remarked in various interviews, the characters in this show all have difficulties either connecting with other people, or with parts of themselves. The narrator is the only force in the show that functions as the omnipitent ‘connector’ between show/characters and audience, and for me, I found that as I watched these 1st four episodes, this is surely a welcome and consoling presence. I hope this show does well, and that all the original writers etc. stay on board for magic is being created…= ).

By: Annie

Annie — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:56:36 +0000

I really like the narration, the only thing I found a little odd was in one of the Young Ned flashbacks at the start of Girth, the narration suddenly became all in rhyme which seemed a little too Dr Seuss for my liking. However, I think in general, the narration is full of the moments of brilliance which make PD such a great show, the example Willoughby quoted (”suddenly lily had a brilliant idea”) being a great example of this.

By: MJo

MJo — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:05:38 +0000

Besides, fairy tales always have a narration part!

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:46:45 +0000

I like the narration. I love the guys voice and find it just adds to the quirkiness of the show. Don’t change a thing, can’t wait for the new episodes to air!

By: HW

HW — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:44:24 +0000

I totally agree with the majority of those who believe that Jim Dale’s narration is vital to Pushing Daisies. As to those who scoff at the year/month/day/hour/seconds references…it is exactly those words that first made me chuckle at this new fairy tale. And in following episodes it is precisely the year/month/day/hour/second description that makes me nod with recognition that “Oh, yes…there it is again…and that I am indeed watching Pushing Daisies.” In this often imitated world of television, how very clever of the writers to find a concept that is so unique to make it their signature of the show. And that’s just the way I feel about the year/month/day/hour/seconds banter. Take it away and you take away some of Jim Dale’s narrator style. It’s his signature just like the unique timber of his voice. And after all, who but the all-knowing, ever-present Narrator, could possibly know exactly how old each character is…to the second. Marvelous!

By: Keiann

Keiann — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:27:28 +0000

Pushing Daisies is a great show and is set apart from other programs partly because of the narration. I absolutely love this show and I love the narration. I have not found it to be intrusive or detracting from the story line. Jim Dale is exquisite as the Narrator and adds an “other worldly” dimension to the show. There is no gratuitous sex or violence in this show, even though there is sexual tension and death in each episode. How refreshing! Bravo to the writers and actors for excellant scripts and wonderful performances. It is a treat to tune in every week to see what the characters are up to. Pushing Daisies is a greatful departure from all the copy cat format shows on TV today…after all how many CSI’s and Law and Order’s can one person keep up with?

By: Shardith

Shardith — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:16:39 +0000

The narrator was the very first things that grabbed me about this show, and pulled me in to stay. I didn’t realize it was Jim Dale at first, but it really sounded “familiar” somehow, nice and comforting like a giant slice of warm apple pie fresh from the oven. I felt like I was being told a story, a modern day fairy tale, and I liked it. I liked it VERY much.

It wouldn’t be the same show without the narration or even with the narration “dialed down”. It’s an integral part of the charm, the story, and the flow of Pushing Daisies.

By: Mish

Mish — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:39:06 +0000

I love the narration. It makes the show seem like a modern-age fairy. Do not take it out. It wouldn’t be the same.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:01:56 +0000

I love the narration! But, and this could be because we have a cheap TV, sometimes it’s hard to hear the narration over the background music. Between the music, narration, and actors, I sometimes lose a little of the moment. Just my little two cents.

By: Tabitha

Tabitha — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:21:26 +0000

I believe that the narration is part of what makes the whole show so great. I love it when I have to get up and get something or my kid is distracting me and I can still listen to the show and know what is going on. It is also great for the blind that want in on the action of enjoying a show like others. When I have had a long day at work the last think I want to do is think about what the actors are thinking. Sometimes it great to be told how they are feeling and seeing it. I just can’t explain it. Don’t get rid of the narration, because it plays a great part in the show. I think it isn’t lazy at all to have a narration.