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.

The director called cut and when it was safe to do so we walked over to The Pie Hole. Seriously people…The Pie Hole. It was this crazy set that looks just as it does on screen. We took a walk inside and saw all the writers and producers (including Bryan Fuller) hard at work going over the script and preparing for the next scene. Not wanting to get in the way we moved just outside The Pie Hole doors just as Chi McBride was leaving the set. Hello Emerson…bye Emerson!

After a minute or so PUSHING DAISIES star Lee Pace, who kindly remembered me from our previous meetings at Comic Con and the New York Television Festival, came over and greeted me with a warm hug. I’m not sure what we talked about in the first few minutes because my mind wasn’t quite working. I remember thinking “what are you doing here talking to Lee Pace…this is weird“. Yes it was, but weird in a really good way. Lee was kind enough to hang out for a bit and chat with me despite the fact that he had wrapped early and was offered the rare occasion to leave the set at a decent hour. Through my previous encounters with him I already knew that Lee was a really nice guy, but talking to him that night just reaffirmed my previous feelings - love him!! Among other things, we talked about this week’s big premiere. Lee said that after all this time he’s so excited for people to finally see it. Since he’s been so busy filming he hasn’t had too much time to get too caught up in all the buzz, but he said the whole experience has been really fantastic. We also talked about his upcoming appearance on The View (Wed. October 3rd). This being his first major talk show he seemed a bit nervous and wasn’t sure what he was going to talk about. He said he was going to ask Kristin Chenoweth for some advice since she’s an old pro at these things. I suggested that he just do what Kristin does and sing but he didn’t seem down with that. Ha!! I’m sure he’s going to be great and I personally can’t wait to tune in. I’ve been lucky to meet a lot of TV actors in my time and Lee seems to be just about as genuine as you can get (which is always refreshing). He’s the type of guy that had he not been the star of a show I blog about, we would probably be buds. Hell, I wanted to ask him to grab a beer right there and then…ha ha!

So after my encounter with Lee, we walked around the set a little more before heading back toward the production offices. On our way I got to see Lee one last time as he, and the most adorable baby girl ever, waved to us from his trailer. The baby just happened to be the daughter of Anna Friel (Chuck) who I got a quick glimpse of. I didn’t get a chance to meet her, but hopefully there will be another opportunity for me to tell her how I adore her (and that cute British accent of hers).

We make our way to the production offices and you’ll never guess what I go to do there?! Are you guessing?! Get this - I was lucky enough to get an exclusive first look at the second episode of Pushing Daisies. Crazy, right?! The episode is titled “Dummy” and let me tell you it’s ah-ma-zing. I can’t really say much about the episode itself but here’s what I can say. All the things that we loved about the pilot…the distinctive look and feel, the amazing dialogue, the luscious voiceovers, Ned & Chuck - all present and accounted for. The visual aspect of the ep blew me away, especially juxtaposed to what’s happening in the show’s main plot. There’s going to be a lot to talk about after this episode airs and a number of surprises that you I can guarantee you’re not expecting. I loved the episode so much it took all my energy not to rip out the DVD and sneak it in my bag to watch over and over again. I can’t wait until we can all talk about it!!

Once the episode was over it was time for me to end my spectacular evening. I said my goodbyes, left the studio lot and headed back to my hotel where I found myself dreaming of daisies…or was it Lee Pace and I frolicking in the daises? Either way it was a great dream!

Thanks to the completely awesome Bryan Fuller for letting me have this unique opportunity and for his incredible support of ThePieMaker.com. Thanks to Taylor, Lee and the crew for letting me invade their little world - it was a blast!!

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