Cool News
The Facts Are These!! Herc Loves DAISIES 1.3!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
Greetings from Air Canada skybar! Ain’t It Cool has dipped into its corporate warchest to fly me to Vancouver every Tuesday so that I might review each episode of “Pushing Daisies” before it airs on ABC. (It airs in Canada a day earlier.)
Tonight’s installment, “The Fun in Funeral,” brings bigger funny than last week’s. It helps that there are no fewer than three fearful, sweaty fat guys running around in 1.3.
It's also a very cool episode, rife with chemicals and horniness and even a bona fide pirate motif.
A pattern emerges. Each week a murder will be solved, yes, but we can also now expect a significant amount of episode-to-episode continuity as pretty Chuck continues to impact the lives of the Pie Hole Players.
Here with details, real Canadians.
“L-Prime” says:
What’s it called?
“The Fun in Funeral”
Who’s responsible?
Bryan Fuller handles the words coming out of peoples’ mouths, Paul Edwards shoots the people with film.
What does TV Guide say?
“Ned looks into a mysterious death at the Schatz Funeral Home. Meanwhile, Chuck concocts a plan to invigorate her aunts, Lily and Vivian.”
What is TV Guide not telling us?
Olive has a bit of a subplot or two, involving an herbalist and moonlighting as a delivery-girl.
Hey, wasn’t the herbalist supposed to be Paul Reubens?
It was, but in the end it was not. I hear they recast him to appear a little later on. The fellow who does appear as the herbalist, Raul Esparza, does so adequately, but what with the aforementioned romantic undertones with the increasingly amazing Kristin Chenoweth, one can only dream of the missed kooky chemistry between her and Pee Wee.
What about this week’s mystery?
Not so much of one, it turns out. The promos already give away that the death in question involves the graverobbing funeral director from the pilot, but the graverobbing does take slightly more centerer stage, and introduces a funeral directing twin brother. There is a bit of a twisty addition with a subsequent death, and the search for the missing graverobbed loot, particularly a Civil War era sword and questionable familial lineage.
After a week away, do we see Chuck’s aunts again?
We do. The delightful Kurtz (as curt – ha! – as she is, I may enjoy her more in this, with as few words as she has, more than anything I’ve seen of her previous) and Greene are back, but having cancelled their planned comeback tour due to a relapse of emotion, Chuck takes it upon herself to set them right.
The murder victim seems to be a sonovabitch. Does Chuck still want to help carry out his dying wish?
You’d think not, but she justifiably feels a little guilt for being the reason for, if not direct cause of, his death, so she tries to at least apologize in the minute that is allotted. But Emerson is also keen to get his hands on the missing loot to assuage the remaining brother and deflect heat from anyone who might come poking into mysterious deaths and unusual revivals.
Any more musical numbers?
Sadly, no. Some people didn’t like Chenoweth’s sojourn into her Broadway roots, but I have to say that I loved it. She almost makes up for it, though, with a delightful piece of physical business while on her delivery. Once she rings the doorbell, you’ll see what I mean.
What’s good?
“Be kind to animals, kiss a beaver.”; “If you ask me, the kilogram needed to be taken down a peg”; “Musing on the idea of setting someone on fire doesn't mean you really want to set them on fire.”; “I could write a book on hand moisturizer”; “This is a pie house, not some herbal crack den.”; referring to “Lonely Tourist Charlotte Charles” repeatedly; Ned's choice of tool when trying to open the stuck coffin; “No! Re! Gifting!”; “And I say fat in reference to his size as a liar, not his physical appearance.”; “That's kinda how I feel slash exactly how I feel.”; “As she grew closer to the doorbell, Olive considered crimes against deliverypeople, and how they were on the rise.”; Olive’s little jaunt after ringing the doorbell; “SOS ... OS! OS!”; “Vermouth always reminds me of mother.”; “Pie Hole. I like it, it’s provocative.”; “...who is dead? Presently?”; “Looking forward to killing you. Best, Wilfred Woodruff”; Wilfred Woodruff in general; “Remember, mind over matter makes Pooh unfatter” “I may be stuck, but I can still reach my gun.”; “I wanted to be a Jedi.”; the whole Errol Flynn thing; “Kick Pooh, kick!”; “I’m gonna see if I’ve got some plastic wrap.”
Not so good?
As mentioned, nothing necessarily ‘wrong’ with it, but one wonders what might have been with Reubens and Chenoweth in romantic cahoots. Kurtz and Greene are still underused. The jeopardy twist also involves a bit of a leap of plot logic, but it involves a fun gag, so it’s forgivable.
Rating for 1.3 (out of five)
****1/2 – after a delightful, five-star pie-lette, there has been little-to-no drop-off (at least quality-wise) week to week. And thankfully, the ratings seem to be reflecting that, if not in total viewers, at least in demo. So thank whoever you talk to in the sky, ‘cuz the TV gods seem to have actually blessed this thing with legs to stand on, for once in our lives.
“Buckydude” says:
The facts are these:
Episode Title: “The Fun in Funeral”
Writer: Bryan Fuller
Director: Paul Edwards
Guest Stars: Raul Esparza
What Happens: Ned (Lee Pace) comes to terms with the death of the funeral director whose life was sacrificed for Chuck’s (Anna Friel). Emerson (Chi McBride) leads the investigation to where the funeral man’s stolen family heirlooms went to and Olive (Kristin Chenoweth) begins to unravel the truth about Chuck.
What Really Happens: We get some minor clarification as to the rules of Ned’s powers; Ned and Chuck kiss (sort of); a traveling medicine man (Raul Esparza) hooks Chuck’s aunts up with some drugs, a five minute sword fight that’s totally balls awesome.
Improvement?: This episode feels a lot more solid then last weeks. I’m not knocking the second episode it’s just that this one feels a bit more charged and exciting, much like the pilot.
What Works: A subtle shout-out to Dead Like Me by a firefly formation, a Scrubs flash out of mass destruction, pirate metaphor, “what part of do not resuscitate don’t you people understand,” Winnie the poo analogy, the huge sword fight at the end, red-neck Asian, solid character development, “has being dead made me morbid,” a hilarious bit of Emerson running from the death timer, the dialogue is still engaging, the coroner’s (Sy Richardson) hopefully weekly appearance.
What Doesn’t: Nothing in particular sags in this episode. I’m not crazy over the show’s intro title but it’s only 2 seconds. The second half is a little drawn out, and watching Olive pine for Ned is getting a tad dull but other than that it was all very good, with room for slight improvement.
Last week I beaked the show for having trouble deciding what type of show it was going to be. This week focuses on the comedy with a lot of just really funny moments along with some great stuff between Ned and Chuck with a solid, if somewhat conveniently solved, murder mystery. Overall, good show Mr. Fuller. It almost makes up for the death of Dead Like Me.
Rating: ***1/2 out of ****
NEXT WEEK: No singing in 1.3 tonight, but Olive (and other cast members) tackle a revered They Might Be Giants number in 1.4. Which? A hint: the title of next week’s episode is “Pigeon.”
8 p.m. Wednesday. ABC.
Kubrick in HD!!
A Clockwork Orange [HD-DVD]
A Clockwork Orange [Blu-ray]
Eyes Wide Shut [HD-DVD]
Eyes Wide Shut [Blu-ray]
Full Metal Jacket [HD-DVD]
Full Metal Jacket [Blu-ray]
The Shining [HD-DVD]
The Shining [Blu-ray]
Spartacus [HD-DVD]
2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]
2001: A Space Odyssey [HD-DVD]
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE COMPLETE SERIES!!
$164.99!!
That works out to $33 Per Season!!
The extras-crammed Definitive Editions!!
Individual seasons cost $69.99 New; $50 used!!
They were going for close to $100/season not too long ago!
(The discount presumably celebrates the release of the “Twilight Zone” movie in HD, so don’t expect it to last ...)
What’s it called?
“The Fun in Funeral”
Who’s responsible?
Bryan Fuller handles the words coming out of peoples’ mouths, Paul Edwards shoots the people with film.
What does TV Guide say?
“Ned looks into a mysterious death at the Schatz Funeral Home. Meanwhile, Chuck concocts a plan to invigorate her aunts, Lily and Vivian.”
What is TV Guide not telling us?
Olive has a bit of a subplot or two, involving an herbalist and moonlighting as a delivery-girl.
Hey, wasn’t the herbalist supposed to be Paul Reubens?
It was, but in the end it was not. I hear they recast him to appear a little later on. The fellow who does appear as the herbalist, Raul Esparza, does so adequately, but what with the aforementioned romantic undertones with the increasingly amazing Kristin Chenoweth, one can only dream of the missed kooky chemistry between her and Pee Wee.
What about this week’s mystery?
Not so much of one, it turns out. The promos already give away that the death in question involves the graverobbing funeral director from the pilot, but the graverobbing does take slightly more centerer stage, and introduces a funeral directing twin brother. There is a bit of a twisty addition with a subsequent death, and the search for the missing graverobbed loot, particularly a Civil War era sword and questionable familial lineage.
After a week away, do we see Chuck’s aunts again?
We do. The delightful Kurtz (as curt – ha! – as she is, I may enjoy her more in this, with as few words as she has, more than anything I’ve seen of her previous) and Greene are back, but having cancelled their planned comeback tour due to a relapse of emotion, Chuck takes it upon herself to set them right.
The murder victim seems to be a sonovabitch. Does Chuck still want to help carry out his dying wish?
You’d think not, but she justifiably feels a little guilt for being the reason for, if not direct cause of, his death, so she tries to at least apologize in the minute that is allotted. But Emerson is also keen to get his hands on the missing loot to assuage the remaining brother and deflect heat from anyone who might come poking into mysterious deaths and unusual revivals.
Any more musical numbers?
Sadly, no. Some people didn’t like Chenoweth’s sojourn into her Broadway roots, but I have to say that I loved it. She almost makes up for it, though, with a delightful piece of physical business while on her delivery. Once she rings the doorbell, you’ll see what I mean.
What’s good?
“Be kind to animals, kiss a beaver.”; “If you ask me, the kilogram needed to be taken down a peg”; “Musing on the idea of setting someone on fire doesn't mean you really want to set them on fire.”; “I could write a book on hand moisturizer”; “This is a pie house, not some herbal crack den.”; referring to “Lonely Tourist Charlotte Charles” repeatedly; Ned's choice of tool when trying to open the stuck coffin; “No! Re! Gifting!”; “And I say fat in reference to his size as a liar, not his physical appearance.”; “That's kinda how I feel slash exactly how I feel.”; “As she grew closer to the doorbell, Olive considered crimes against deliverypeople, and how they were on the rise.”; Olive’s little jaunt after ringing the doorbell; “SOS ... OS! OS!”; “Vermouth always reminds me of mother.”; “Pie Hole. I like it, it’s provocative.”; “...who is dead? Presently?”; “Looking forward to killing you. Best, Wilfred Woodruff”; Wilfred Woodruff in general; “Remember, mind over matter makes Pooh unfatter” “I may be stuck, but I can still reach my gun.”; “I wanted to be a Jedi.”; the whole Errol Flynn thing; “Kick Pooh, kick!”; “I’m gonna see if I’ve got some plastic wrap.”
Not so good?
As mentioned, nothing necessarily ‘wrong’ with it, but one wonders what might have been with Reubens and Chenoweth in romantic cahoots. Kurtz and Greene are still underused. The jeopardy twist also involves a bit of a leap of plot logic, but it involves a fun gag, so it’s forgivable.
Rating for 1.3 (out of five)
****1/2 – after a delightful, five-star pie-lette, there has been little-to-no drop-off (at least quality-wise) week to week. And thankfully, the ratings seem to be reflecting that, if not in total viewers, at least in demo. So thank whoever you talk to in the sky, ‘cuz the TV gods seem to have actually blessed this thing with legs to stand on, for once in our lives.
Episode Title: “The Fun in Funeral”
Writer: Bryan Fuller
Director: Paul Edwards
Guest Stars: Raul Esparza
What Happens: Ned (Lee Pace) comes to terms with the death of the funeral director whose life was sacrificed for Chuck’s (Anna Friel). Emerson (Chi McBride) leads the investigation to where the funeral man’s stolen family heirlooms went to and Olive (Kristin Chenoweth) begins to unravel the truth about Chuck.
What Really Happens: We get some minor clarification as to the rules of Ned’s powers; Ned and Chuck kiss (sort of); a traveling medicine man (Raul Esparza) hooks Chuck’s aunts up with some drugs, a five minute sword fight that’s totally balls awesome.
Improvement?: This episode feels a lot more solid then last weeks. I’m not knocking the second episode it’s just that this one feels a bit more charged and exciting, much like the pilot.
What Works: A subtle shout-out to Dead Like Me by a firefly formation, a Scrubs flash out of mass destruction, pirate metaphor, “what part of do not resuscitate don’t you people understand,” Winnie the poo analogy, the huge sword fight at the end, red-neck Asian, solid character development, “has being dead made me morbid,” a hilarious bit of Emerson running from the death timer, the dialogue is still engaging, the coroner’s (Sy Richardson) hopefully weekly appearance.
What Doesn’t: Nothing in particular sags in this episode. I’m not crazy over the show’s intro title but it’s only 2 seconds. The second half is a little drawn out, and watching Olive pine for Ned is getting a tad dull but other than that it was all very good, with room for slight improvement.
Last week I beaked the show for having trouble deciding what type of show it was going to be. This week focuses on the comedy with a lot of just really funny moments along with some great stuff between Ned and Chuck with a solid, if somewhat conveniently solved, murder mystery. Overall, good show Mr. Fuller. It almost makes up for the death of Dead Like Me.
Rating: ***1/2 out of ****
$164.99!!
That works out to $33 Per Season!!
The extras-crammed Definitive Editions!!
Individual seasons cost $69.99 New; $50 used!!
They were going for close to $100/season not too long ago!
(The discount presumably celebrates the release of the “Twilight Zone” movie in HD, so don’t expect it to last ...)
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+ Expand All
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i know Canada is the true north, strong and free.
But that's not really an explanation for the earlier air date. -
Yarr.
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because if it cost more than 50 bucks, this is your reason why Harry chose HD-DVD, kids....
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Oct 17, 2007 8:05:29 AM CDT
It's amazing how many people fly to Canada once in a week.
by derlanghaarige
Hooray for Torrent Airlines! ;)
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Oct 17, 2007 8:14:04 AM CDT
Tell me TALKBACKERS!!! Is this show really worth watching?
by negative man
I found the pilot wrought with the feeling of 'Too cool for school' and 'Smarter than you' pretentiousness ad nauseum... Like a college film student rolling a fish in a coin dryer and calling it art.The show feels too much like 'Hey! Look how quirky I am! I'm so different you can't handle me! Remember WONDERFALLS? THAT'S how quirky I am! 'Look at me and kiss me through plastic!' type of feel. Which bores me to death. Is it worth catching up with online?Let me know...I'm placing my time and trust in you, my might brethren...
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watching weekly this season. everything else has lost me. bionic woman, heroes, reaper, have all bored me quickly.
pushing daisies remains an entertaining show. -
Journeyman deserves a TB. The first two eps grabbed me, the third almost lost me, but the fourth pulled me back in. The 'Time Professor' call his cellphone while he was in the past has perked my interest. Makes me really wonder just what the hell is going on.Hell, and not to insult people here, but if HEROES and BSG get TBs, JM should as well.
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I really loved the pilot for Reaper, but damn its gone downhill. Pushing Daisies though has been consistent through and through. I, for one, loved the second episode. Ok, the singing I hated. I am not one for musical whimsy, but it was ok. I will take that if the rest of the show is gold. I mean, fuck, look at Heroes. We are salivating at anything even resembeling good. If they do ONE good thing on that show, people start declaring that ITS BACK! ITS BACK! Please! Thats like a heroin addict getting a fix after 4 months of being dry. That shit would feel like Heaven, but in the long run, it will dry you out and kill you...just like Heroes.
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1 - I love this show!! Smart, witty, cheerful, sad, and comical. I said it before, but it's like Tim Burton and Dr. Seuse met for lunch and decided to do a TV show. Wonderful!!
2 - Negative Man is right...Journeyman deserves a TB. That thing in the last episode where the professor from the present called his antiquated cell in 1998...WOW!! This may be the 2nd best new show of the season. (I haven't seen Reaper yet.) -
Negative Man -- I checked out a few of the other highly rated pilots this year and NOTHING had me come back for seconds except Pushing Daisies. It sometimes skates a little close to my tolerance level for whimsy (which is, admittedly, a pretty low threshold) but hasn't crossed it yet. I hate to say it, but I think the show can only be called "charming". Definitely worth checking out to see if it's your cup of tea. (Awesome, btw, that they've got you covering this one, Herc. Happy to hear it!)
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... as opposed to just your subject line. Sounds like this ISN'T your cup of tea. Yeah, I'd say if you didn't like the pilot, you may not be down for this. I can respect that. I'm just happy, after having bandwagon after bandwagon pass me by, to be able to get on board this one.
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I dunno what you clowns are talking about. The key romance, the sidekicks and the Devil are all brilliantly executed.
This show is also awesome, I reviewed it last week but didn't have time this week. I agree with the reviews though, good episode. Journeyman is also awesome. Finally, Chuck is as well. I can't pick a favourite between those four... all quality. Best new TV season since Lost, Mars and House all debuted within weeks of eachother. Also Heroes has not lost its way besides the "Nikki/Paulo" additions that you know are dying soon anyways so quit f*cking bitching. Otherwise I'm digging "the 12 originals" storyline. -
... Micah's cousin with the "photographic reflexes." Okay, so they ripped off her powers from Echo (and Taskmaster). But tell me they aren't cool powers. Can't wait to see what happens when she watches the Matrix trilogy! Hope Sylar doesn't off her (too soon).
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Yeah I agree Reaper is awesome, though the endings are alway kind of ehhh? Its by fat the funniest of all the new big shows. Mainly because of the fat guy pretty much playing Kevin Smith since Kevin is getting too old to play someone in his 20's. Chuck is a lot better then anything else NBC has pooped out this year, most action so far. Plus it has my favorite Baldwin Brother in it! Drink up Steven your the weakest. Yeah i know he's not related. As for Pushing D's it good, its almost too good as in can they keep this up? Almost wish they would put this on Showtime or FX (so I can watch it) where they may be able to make it a bit darker. Though Mr. MIB is not known for REALLY dark things. Also when the fuck is FX gonna be in HD? It has like the best looking shows but the worst quality broadcasting.
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I think Chuck is the second best new show. It's been funnier than the Office this season.
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Easily the two best new shows of the year. Journeyman on the other hand BLOWS BIG TIME. I cannot believe people like this show, have they not seen quantam leap. Everytime i watch journeyman it just feels like a pale imitation of quantam leap. really
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Journeyman like within the first 5 minutes? I was just like ..... bored. Plus I do not care for the brit they got for that show. Thats probably why Daises, Chuck, and Reaper all work its mainly made up of Americans (and Canadians)or new people. While Life, Jouryman, and Bionic the characters on those shows just don't pop.
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I hated Dead Like Me, and the female lead in Pushing Daisies is just as annoying. I mean the bits were he is ripping off DR Zeus are king of funny but then his characters start talking and its just stupid.
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Great writing, great directing, great cast. Perfect balance of tone. Original. Broad audience appeal.
What else could you ask for thus far? -
Seriously? People thought that was a bad part of the show? It was hilarous! Singing from the Grease soundtrack = win. Perhaps I'm old and it went over the younger generation's head, perhaps if she sung from the High School Musical's soundtrack it would have been better received. Perhaps I have a LARGE tolerance for whimsy (I do love me some whimsy) and cute; I can't help it its how they breed us in the Midwest.
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...was not the singing, or the fact she was singing, but the way that, in the "real world" nothing cooperated with her singing. She kept getting interrupted, frustrated, and only the fact that the cleaner was listening to his iPod and could not hear her allowed her to finish. It was a musical satire of musicals!
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To me it feels like an adult Roahl Dahl story, with kind of an Addams Family vibe as well (that final climactic scene of the episode - for those who saw it know what I'm talking about)
I missed the second episode, but it still seemed nearly seamless with the first, and I felt like I missed nothing. The only thing I didn't like was the "B" storyline, with the salesman, although it ends kind of 'sweet' and it may pick up.
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Yes, please come to an AICN and whine that we should shut up our bitching. Becuase that will work. Thats like walking into Chucke Cheese and bitching about all the kids being there. I wish they could ban people here for being a dumbass.
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We basically have two Canadian channels(although we GET all of the American ones) that get the rights to air shows. Global and CTV. I believe CTV has Pushing Daisies and the reason it airs early is that they have a full schedule on the day it airs in the States. Last years was the same with Studio 60 on Mondays, which was moved to Sunday because mon. already had Prison Break at 8, Heroes at 9 and 24 at 10. It's harder to schedule when you're sharing the load of four networks on two. We also have CBC, but it doesn't count cause it's mainly news, Canadian programming(which always blows . . . except for Kids in the Hall) and reality shows.
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I have a real problem with the cutesy format device of the constant voice over feeding us our story lines. I find it more and more aggravating as time goes by. It's always nice to see a quirky take on the genre but they need to use ironic voice-man a lot less in advancing the story.
As for the other new shows, both Chuck and Reaper have been hot and cold but I give the nod to Reaper for now.
Although I'd slagged Journeyman as too trite it does have a good feel and if they can toughen up the storylines a bit more I'll stay. -
Oct 17, 2007 12:04:50 PM CDT
You're bullshitting about flying to Canada every Tuesday, right?
by charlie murphy
great episode.
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i'm a douche
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I wanted to like it but if feels to much like a Dr. Seuss book which is cool when if you're six years old.I'm not six years old.
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Is cool no matter how old you are.
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But is it better than last nights Caveman? I tried watching that for a minute and found the hot cavewoman not hot and the part I saw not that funny
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Looking forward to next week if Kristen sings some TMBG.
This show (and oddly, Kid Nation) are the only two new series from this year that I've come back to regularly. "Daisies" is just like a wide-awake dream, lots of bright colors, sparkling dialogue, happy endings. I'm pleased to see that there appears to be a real arc to the plot. This week, Chuck found out about the "one lives, another dies rules". I have the feeling she'll find out sooner rather than later that the piemaker is indirectly responsible for her father's death.
Probably the most original quirky TV on US TV since "Moonlighting". The "ing" now being crucial.
And the reason CTV shows Daisies a day early ("I'll give you a daisy a day" - damn, now that song's stuck in my mental jukebox) is that CTV has grabbed every American series it can. It shows Criminal Minds Wed @ 9, but it also has Private Practice so it shows that at 8, "pushing" Daisies to the earliest available timeslot before the US broadcast.
In Canada, if a Canadian and US channel show the same program at the same time (simulcasting), cable companies are legally requires to substitute the Canadian channel, and therefore the Canadian advertising, on the US channel. (This also means we don't get to see the US Super Bowl ads.) -
It's wordy, fun, silly, sweet, and a bit surreal. I look forward to it. I hope it lasts more than one season, but that's going to take some stellar writing and a continued effort from a dedicated staff, something rare these days.
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"That's not the Truth Bus, that's the bitchy crosstown express.".
At least the new shows I really enjoy are spread out and not competing against each other so I don't have to worry about them destroying each other and forcing the networks to resort to even more reality TV. Pushing Daisies is the exact opposite of reality TV, bordering on sureality TV. For that, and that alone I will always watch. -
I'm not sure even Torchwood would have touched the "crash dummies are real people" storyline. Ok, maybe they would.
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You hit it on the head. I'm loving this show as much as I'm loathing Bionic Woman. I suspect the new modus operandi for television shows will be to have a few good seasons and dwindle away. I'm seeing "Chuck" as having the same problem. I have a crush on the P-D Chuck! She has a great smile and nice tracks of land.
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to Daisies and Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas novels. A mid-twentyish short order cook who can see the dead, and help investigate their murders. And at the end of Odd Thomas, the main character "shacks up" with his girlfriend of long standing, who turns out to be dead (at least in the last chapters). The tone is entirely different, I just thought the similarities were close, and that the Odd Thomas character should have been made into a mini-series or movie. Koontz has written 3 novels based on the character, which he's never done before.
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...I'm not blown away by it, but it's better than good, just not quite "great". Too bad it, and every other new show this season is tanking big time. Daisies, Chuck, Journeyman, Reaper, even last year's hit Heroes don't look long for this world... maybe Reaper will survive because it's on CW and everything on CW has the ratings of the Morning Farm Report. By January, all we'll be left with is the CSIs, Law & Orders and all the "reality" shite that the rubes lap up like high fructose corn syrup. America: Home of the 'Tards!
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He, like Cheno, are from "the broadway" and damn. If we can't have pee wee he's definitely excite worthy. so looking forward to this!
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I think the narration is still a little too redundant and annoying and could start to drag the show down as it goes a long. I hope the recaps at the beginning of the show is only for newcomers and start to disappear as the season goes along. I think the voiceover narration can work, but the over descriptions of ages, dates, etc. can get monotous after a while.
My only other complaint is I agree with the poster about Kristen Chenowith's song being more interesting in how she interacts with the real world than the song itself. I think the musical aspect was out of place. -
Shows like this always need a little while for people to catch on. As the basic premise of the show seems set in stone then the intrest needs to be sustained by interesting characters and good stories. Let the writers express themselves and hold off on the flaming.
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It's taken Heroes 4 weeks so far to make one "big" reveal (that one of the Heroes father is Molly's Nightmare Man) and have a "proper" cliffhanger (is Molly ok? Well, the cliffhanger would have worked if we could care about Molly's character, but right now I feel as much for her as I did when they did that cliffhanger in Voyager of Janeway about to be attacked by the alien, and we were all rooting for the alien).
Anyway, in short Heroes is seriously lacking in the entertainment value at the moment, and it seems to be because it's all gone into shows like Pushing Daisies. Humor like Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me (two other Fuller creations), a musical number, insane colors, lovable characters. It's like a bedtime story and chocolate nut fudge (with extra ripple and a cherry on top) sundae all in one. Please sir, I want some more. -
and for House too wouldn't hurt (the show gets my vote for most consistently kick-arse so far this season).
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If it keeps up it should do fine.
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I love TV and all, but the writing of this show has gone beyond the quality of video. Its definitely celluloid material. (not literally of course)
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face it, the pilot done by smith rocked. the other episodes of reaper, notsomuch.
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Journeyman is one of the worst of the new shows, because it had a solid premise and potential to be good, and squanders it away with huge plot holes and plot contrivances. I mean, doesn't that idiot time traveler want to JUST ONCE ask his fellow time-traveler-thought-to-be-dead-girlfriend "WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?" Instead we get filler dialogue. "What do I do?" "You'll figure it out?" Yeah, I figured it out: STOP WATCHING.
p.s. Damages has quietly become one of the best shows on TV. Season Finale next week...if you haven't watched the show, give it a shot on DVD before Season 2, it really is worth it.
p.p.s. Back on topic: Pushing Daises is fantastic. -
Bring it on!! I think Herc is promising to cover it as he is apparantly watching the series.
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Wat qualifies a series to feature on coaxial? is there a specific criteria or just whatever?
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I think its not too bad and I growing to like it. Did any of the Brits know that the Bionic Woman is Zoe from Eastenders? I was in shock when I realised it was her! Quite a step up for the londoner. but then how would the brits know if it aint showing in UK yet? Then again, how the hell am seeing the show if I am a Londoner...hmmm how mysterious...
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Yeah, props to Doctor Who, forgot about that being on CBC. I'll give it up to Degrassi in all of its fantastic cheesiness. Still, not the biggest feather in our cap.
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If you think her 1 minute of singing ruined the show you should never ever watch TV again. Or a movie. Because, man, that one off minute could come at any moment. Oh, and she has great boobies for a 40 year old.
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The Pie Maker did a very, very bad thing in the first episode even if it was to a very bad man.
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Per the Digital Bits' Rumor Mill: http://tinyurl.com/wdvx. I think the DVD is finished and they're working on the HD-DVD version. That's why it's being held back as long as it has.
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"I wanted to be a Jedi!", "Kick Pooh, Kick!", the Errol Flynn homage...easily the best episode yet, and loved the bits of continuity too.
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I'm pretty aure it's a case of style over substance, but dammit, I don't care. Every episode has left me with a stupid grin on my face. At the risk of sounding corny, I'll say it anyway... This show is pure magic.
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Kick Pooh, Kick! haha I heart Chuck!
And give Journeyman it's own talkback. These are the best new shows of the season. If it weren't for Dexter kicking so much ass, there would be nothing else to watch. -
The boy needs to invest in some martial arts training. At least Sam Becket was a black belt, so he didn't get his ass kicked a whole lot. I love the many layers of drama Journeyman offers as well.
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I don´t see it lasting more than 2 seasons.
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I like the show...but its just like the Hitchhiker movie. Even the girl looks like Trillian.
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Well written and very well acted. Chi McBride is excellent.
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Wasn't a bad episode at all, but it felt like it went on forever! That 1 hour definitely felt like 8 hours!
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The quality has not gone downhill. The writing was top notch here. Honestly how could anybody not like this show. Its delightful, original, funny, well acted. What more could you ask more.
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just wonderful...I am going see if I have some plastic wrap
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Yeah, Mad Men is insanely well made and you know they don't have a big budget. Though it's also a show that proves the point that quality doesn't equal popular. I think Damages should've made your list too. It's got some flaws here and there but Glenn Close gives the best performance on TV and it's a great story that's meticulously planned out.
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Very quirky funny stuff! Loved that "Kick Pooh Kick" line! And that Chuck is one beautiful lady!!! She can pull off the very rare Beautiful/Sexy/Cute/Hot/Adorable combo!!
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...unfortunately, that applies in both the literal and figurative sense. NBC has so much hype invested in it, they'd look like idiots if they cancelled it.As for Daisies, I like it, but I can see how it would rub some people the wrong way. At least it tries, which can't be said for most of the shows out there, which are just rehashes of old shows or ideas that bring nothing new to the table, only different faces or places, and typically poorly done at that.Damages and Mad Men are two of the best shows that have debuted recently, but they started in the summer, so they don't really count. Since Herc was a fan of Murder One, I'm surprised he hasn't said more about Damages. Despite the miniscule audience, FX needs to give it another shot. Hell, if they can renew Dirt, why not Damages?
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Superman vs. Superman! Naw I don't really watch that show but I'll watch that episode. But as for Pooping Daises. I wonder how long are they are going to act like people are just starting to watch the show, because each of the first 3 episodes may as well been the piolet. They are suffering from what I like to call Saw Syndrome. In that they are spending too much time RE-capping what we know. I get that this is a ferry tale idea and the years days hours minutes seconds countdown is ok. But if they keep starting every show going over how he sees dead people and how he kept her alive when he shouldn't have. And how he learned about his heros like power, it makes me feel retarded. I get the need to recap, but this is just fucking special education teaching over and over. With repitition we will understand the concept. Its not that fucking difficult to get. Though I hear people who don't often go beyond the popular stuff go MAN this show is SOOO weird, I don't get it.... therefore i don't like it. Its a good show but I guess they want to make sure that you don't have to watch every episode to know whats going on. Lost and Nip/Tuck and Rescue me do it right (i guess 24 does but who likes watching a drunk run around?) just give you a little flash of shit you need to know to understand this episode. Calm down Daisies we get it your show is different, now move on.
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Is already starting to waver, getting fairly predictable with it's 'b' plotlines in particular, and really suffering from a lack of focus. The show was pretty strong in its initial outing when we saw most everything through Krause's character, but as we're splintering off on point-of-view, it's becoming less effective and risks exposing some of the more weakly drawn characters. The show needs to decide what it's going to be and stick to it, fast.
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How completely unlike George and Jaye, Chuck is. She alone accounts for 50% of my love for this show. If only they made real women like her, I'd actually consider this marriage thing that people talk about. Even with that hideous hair, I can't keep my eyes off of her. Gimme your paws, pooh. Classic!
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I loved the "I wanted to be a Jedi!!" And having the "Kiss a Beaver" joke in the first 10 minutes of a show on at 8/7 central on ABC? That's gutsy. For those that don't like it, oh well. The narration is inspired by Chuck Jones' version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."As for Damages, they are running the entire season Saturday starting at 9am, 8 central on F/X. It's great.-----later-----m
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This episode was friggin great! I love this show.
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I mean sure bad guys are supposed to always be fun, but so far the "throw away" murderers have been fun and I wouldn't mind seeing them back. So far the only odd note on that score is Chuck's murderer who was strangely undeveloped despite some curious florishes like the snake-skin shoes and happy-face bags. I loved Woodruff. "Some thought it might have been heat stroke." LOL! I hope they can keep this up. I think of shows like Ally McBeal taht caved in on their own quirkiness, but then by comparison Ally even at it's best seems tame compared to the whimsy of this show.
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You are correct in the sense that the retards at AICN will always be retards. There's not even a point in arguing against it, I should've accepted it. I'm glad that you group yourself amongst the retarded though, because I am sure that is where everyone else would put you too. As far as your salivating heroin addict and complaining Chucky Cheese adult... work on those analogies man, they are, in a word, retarded.
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Pushing Daisies sucks. Why not just admit it? Chuck sucks. Journeyman, great actors but, let me look it up…sucks! The Office? I'm pursing my lips, making the type of whistle that starts out really high, then swoops way down. Sucks! (And after such an incredible first three seasons!)
The one great series that could have happened, but won't, is Babylon Fields. CBS heads got scared, like little girls with a wasp in the wall-papered room, and canceled it. Go to http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/james-hibberd/2007/10/babylon_fieldscbss_buried_zomb.php to see three excerpts from the pilot. This is what our TV season could have been like, but isn't, because of the dickless wonders at CBS.
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This is one of those shows that really proves that a good producer and great talent can make something special. If you haven't watched this show, go find the first 3 episodes (somehow) cough* torrents cough* and watch them back to back. The narration is truly hysterical and really helps make this show special. Like a weekly episode of "christmas story" if it had been done with the original cast.
Must See TV on ABC, who knew??? -
Anna Freil and Kristen Chenoweth are incredibly hot either.
And Chi McBride can do no wrong as an actor. He is truly a great comedic talent and this show is perfect for him.
The scene where he realizes that the pie maker keeps Chuck alive and that he might have died. "bitch, I was in the vicinity!!" Priceless. -
ABC streams the four latest episodes of all of their flagship shows on their website these days. Pretty high quality, too. And with like ninety seconds total of commercials. I freaking love this show. And "Kick, Pooh, kick!" has got to be the best single line delivery I have seen since Jayne's infamous "I'll be in my bunk."
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The piemaker's gift only takes life of the same level, ie, insects for insects, plants for plants. Also, while he brings things back from the dead, this doesn't prevent them from aging or getting rotten in the case of fruit.
For such a fantasy they really are building a good set of rules for his powers. Which considering how some shows start out with the feeling of (figure it out as we go) this one seems like a well written novel with the ending already pre-determined.
Hope not cause I love this show.
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Howdy
I have been paying more attention to the new hows this year than in the past,and have managed to catch every episode of four of them - Chuck, Reaper, Bionic Woman, and Pushing Daisies. I don't know how long I'll hang with Bionic Woman, but, on the other hand, it's better than I expected it to be, which wasn't much, so there's that. Chuck and Reaper both seem to be clarifying what they intend to be, which is, thematic cousins of 'Charmed' (my wife has a thing for what's-his-name on Nip/Tuck, so I have had to see a lot of Charmed, don't ask) - meaning that each episode is self-contained, magically unraveling this week's world-threatening bad guy with quirky ease and good humor, all with the underlying dark tone (the Devil's lurking intent in Reaper, and the shadowy threat of Chuck's eventual demise at the hands of those who presently protect him). But they both have that vital self-awareness of how silly they are being, which gives them at least a chance to stick around. But Pushing Daisies, now, that is totally different. I have a special appreciation for the narrator bits, as I had to listen to almost all of the latest HP book (again, at the behest of the wife), and it's the same person, Jim Dale, who is a treasure, and the show is better with his bits than it will be if they eventually lose him. I really like Lee Pace, he brings a polished Broadway stage-actor's presence to the part. I love all the characters, but I would have to say that Chi McBride gets the biggest laughs from me. "It does have a grassy flavor.", "Bitch, *I* was in proximity!!" and that look he gives the Piemaker when he insists the he give Chuck a hug in the car is pure priceless. And I was absolutely rolling with laughter when they locked the guy in the casket while he was still alive, and Chi realized that he was the likely one to keel over dead - "Oh HELL no!" and runs for his life. I know this show is not for everyone, but it tickles me in exactly the right way, and I hope it manages to stay around for a good while. -
I mean, I like KC okay, but she ain't at all 'Hot'. I wouldn't go as far to say 'Tranny', but I wouldn't be surprised to see her standing outside a diner with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth.
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I like whimsy. I like bright palettes and Dr. Seuss and general weirdness. And Pushing Daisies bores me to fucking tears. It seems like whimsical, bright, weird, Seussian, pointless, disposable trash to me. And whoever compared it to Moonlighting should be laughed out of the TB... you might as well try to draw a St. Elsewhere comparison, if you're going for ridiculous hyperbole.
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