Oct 31 2007
PUSHING DAISIES Officially a Comedy?
Well here’s one to ponder…do you consider PUSHING DAISIES a comedy or a drama? ABC has declared that their breakout Fall season is indeed a comedy and has labeled it so for eligibility for the upcoming Screen Actors Guild Awards.
With the emergence of the ‘dramedy’, networks are forced to categorize TV shows that span genres. There’s been critcism in recent years whether hour long ‘dramedies’ like “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives” (and I guess “Pushing Daisies”) belong in the same category as more traditional half-hour comedies such as “The Office”, “My Name is Earl” and “Scrubs”. And on the flip side, if they don’t belong in that category, should they really be going up against dramas like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “24″? It’s an interesting dilemma, and one that the award-givers don’t seem too interested in addressing.
What do you think about Pushing Daisies being labeled a comedy? Do you think that’s the right category? Sound off below!!
I think Pushing Daisies definitely qualifies as a comedy. These hour long comedies are a new trend that make the categories of drama and comedy less black and white. The tone of Pushing Daisies is definitely light and comic, while dealing with some heavier issues. I like that shows are melding drama and comedy, just like real life.
definitely a comedy. i love how this show makes me laugh.
I wish they would have a ‘dramedy’ category. My favorite show is The Office and I don’t feel like from a comedy perspective ‘Pushing Daisies’ is on the same level. I love ‘Ugly Betty’ and I feel the same about that show. But from a drama standpoint, it doesn’t stand well next to the dramas mentioned above.
Can’t they just have an ‘awesome’ category and let ‘Pushing Daisies’ compete there
HAHA - YES to the “Awesome” category, Chuck!
I think the Drama/Comedy category system needs to be changed. There’s just too many unique shows out there. Maybe there should be a dramedy category. There’s certainly a lot of shows out there that would fit.
While it’s funny, I definitely don’t think PD classifies as a comedy. But it doesn’t really fit drama either. I guess if I had to choose, it’s leaning more towards a drama for me. I don’t watch PD for the funny, which is the case with most comedies. I watch PD for the people and the stories, which is the case with dramas.
I vote for Awesome! If I have to put PD in a category, I vote for comedy, because I really appreciate the clever banter and wit. But then, The West Wing was insanely clever and had lots of humorous moments, but was in the “drama” category. So I dunno - it’s tricky, because I agree that life is more of a mix of comedy/drama. Even Scrubs has a lot of emotional, serious moments. Anyway…I’m just hoping it gets nomnated!
Since PD is like nothing else out there, it should just get it’s own category — like, “BEST OVERALL” or “Best in Show.” If we have to pick under the current options, though, I’d say comedy. I never feel this happy watching dramas. PD definitely has plot elements which could make it a drama if it were designed differently (no touching between soul mates?!) but the heavy aspects never feel heavy or too real.
By the way, LOVE the beekeeper suit dance at the end of last week. (anyone think the bees fit pretty well with the lyrics of Birdhouse in Your Soul as well? “say I’m the only bee in your bonnet”! I’m so in love with this show.)
This debate has been going on since Northern Exposure. Back then, I can see how it was a sticking point, since there was basically just the one show. But since then, there have been so many dramedies that there really needs to be a new category.
I can’t place it as a comedy, or a drama either.
For me ‘drama’ conjures up images of shows like “24″, “House” and “Battlestar Galactica”. ‘Comedy’ conjures up images of “Scrubs”. Pushing Daisies doesn’t fall anywhere near any of these shows. ‘Dramedy’ definitely needs to be it’s own category, and ‘dramedy’ programmes need to be recognized for what they are, not what they’re pigeon-holed into another category to be.
PD of course owns the dramedy.
I think it’s a “Romantic Dramedy”, myself, but that sounds complicated. I like to imagine a day when there will be more categories for award shows(so truly wonderful, but hard to classify shows - such as Buffy, Roswell, Greg the Bunny, etc etc, can have their due. Plus, with all the shows out there it’s really unjust that only 4-6 can be nominated for one category!
I think overall, Pushing Daisies is a comedy, but there is also a bit of drama involved in the murder-mystery plots. It makes me laugh a heck of a lot, though, and as such, I’m happy that ABC has classified it as a “comedy”.
It’s better suited under the Comedy category, more so than “Ugly Betty” or “Desperate Housewives.” I consider those shows to be more appropriately categorized under Drama simply because the weight of a lot of the scenes are heavier than “Pushing Daisies” if that makes any sense. Although it would be interesting to incorporate a Dramedy category into the awards season because it would certainly make everything a lot more fair because “Ugly Betty” going up against “The Office” or “30 Rock” is a bit odd though I understand the reasoning behind it.
Why are TPTB always so reluctant to accept change. Obviously shows like Pushing Daisies and Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives are in a completely different category from shows like Lost and The Office. Pushing Daisies is a dramedy, and the academies should create a new award category for these types of shows.
I think there should be a new category just for Pushing Daisies. It can be the Awesome Category.
Seriously, there need to be new words invented to describe Pushing Daisies. It goes beyond the comedy/drama thing.
Definatly a comedy. “dramady” doesnt fit to me.
I really dont see any drama in the show.
Romantic comedy works too. Obviously with Ned and Chuck’s relationship being a major part of the show.
Awesome…. yes, hands down the winner of that catagory!!
The show has an overwhelming aspect of Romantic Comedy to it, but it still doesn’t fit into the comedic category.
For instance, The Office is a comedy, but it’s had its dramatic moments. I feel like Pushing Daisies treads the other side of that line.
Death is a serious subject, and that is one of the central themes of this show. However, PD deals with death in its own quirky way that prevents it from becoming dramatic. I’d label it a dramedy.