Pushing Daisies Is Right There. Be like Ned, Touch It, and Bring It Back to Life Already!

Every time the conversation about what show should come back is revived, I climb to whatever rooftop is closest to me, jump on the roof and yell, “Bring back Pushing Daisies you cowards!” But still, no one listens. I cry and I cry and I cry and even Bryan Fuller cries and would drop all his current projects to bring the show back and yet still, no Pushing Daisies.

Is this the same situation from 12 years ago all over again? Are we all still sleeping on Pushing Daisies? A show that demonstrated that, no matter what, love can overcome any obstacle, even death? Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) was sweet, original, gorgeously wrought, and clearly ahead of its time. Starring Lee Pace as Ned the Piemaker and Anna Friel as Chuck, Ned’s childhood sweetheart who dies and is brought back to life by Ned’s magical ability, the show was out there, whimsical, and unique in a way that we hadn’t seen before.

A man who can bring people back to life for a minute with the touch of his finger? And he helps a detective solve crimes? Wonderful! But he brings back his sweetheart and doesn’t kill her instantly and instead, they have cute little moments where they kiss through plastic and wear shoes that make noise so they don’t touch and he doesn’t re-kill her? Absolutely adorable.

Maybe it didn’t work at the time because the world wasn’t as dark and twisted as it is now, but going back and watching Pushing Daisies brings happiness that only a show like this can summon.

This plea to remember and resurrect Pushing Daisies is here because one Twitter user asked what show we would bring back if we had the chance.

And sure, some users had some other great options.

Or they were this guy. (Which, same.)

But none of the shows mentioned in the Twitter thread spoke to me as much as Pushing Daisies did when I was younger. It was such an exquisite production that just wanted to spread joy and wonder, even if it was a pretty out there concept. So why not give it (and Bryan Fuller) the second chance it deserves? Pushing Daisies clearly has enough of a following to work.

Just don’t listen to Andy Richter. He’s wrong about this one.

Please, ABC or any other station or streaming platform that wants to revive shows. Look at Pushing Daisies. It is right there and the show’s creator is willing to do anything for it. Lee Pace is now a movie star who would bring his devoted followers to a new Pushing Daisies (plus, most of them love it already.) Make 2019 the year of my dreams, please?

In the past we’ve asked you what show you loved that no one seems to talk about these days, and what property actually deserves a reboot in this reboot culture. But what would your answer to the Twitter question be? What would you bring back if it meant the show could return seamlessly, as though no time has passed at all? Who still has unfinished business?

(image: ABC)

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Rachel Leishman

Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.

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