 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pushing Daisies
Common Sense Media says
Quirky drama mixes murder, fantasy, romance.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this highly stylized murder mystery series is lighter than most. You'll see people get strangled, shot, and rise from the dead, but the tone is more campy than creepy. Even with occasional blood and gory wounds, chances are most viewers won't be left cringing. Other intense moments are abrupt surprises, like when a kid's dog is hit by a truck. But relief -- in the form of comedy or happier type of surprise -- tends to follow quickly, negating the initial shock. A chaste romance is central to the show; though there's some sexual innuendo and tension, the pair literally can't touch each other, so they can't get up to too many shenanigans.
What's the story?
Fun, fanciful murder mystery series PUSHING DAISIES has a unique premise. The protagonist, mild-mannered Ned (Lee Pace), has the ability to bring dead things back to life. He uses his talent to his benefit as a pie maker; his fruit is always at the peak of its life and flavor. And he also uses it to solve murders, bringing victims back to life momentarily so that they can say who killed them. Along with business partner/private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), Ned is assisted by his first love, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles (Anna Friel). Chuck is alive, thanks to Ned, despite being murdered on a cruise ship while smuggling sculpted monkeys -- he brought her back to life, and now he can't touch her again or she'll be dead for good.
Is it any good?
If it all sounds a little strange, it is. But strange in a wonderful, playful, circus-like way that involves lots of primary colors, dancing clay figurines, and a shop in the middle of the city that's shaped like a pastry and called The Pie Hole. With quick, witty writing and spry comedic acting, this unconventional blend of crime show, romance, and fantasy takes viewers for a whirl.
Violent scenes in Pushing Daisies can be extreme, but they're played for laughs in high-camp style: A murderer suffocates his victims with plastic bags bearing a big yellow happy face, for example, or a shotgun blast blows a man straight through the circular window in the upstairs of a quaint Victorian. With both romance and dead bodies flying around, this isn't the best choice for kids, but teens should fare fine, especially given the lighthearted tone that informs both the good and the bad.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what type of show this is. Is it a crime drama? A fantasy? A romance? Can you think of other TV shows and movies that mix genres to create a unique style? How does the show's humor impact the effect of the murders and other violent acts? Does it make them seem less serious? Is that good or bad? Why? Families can also discuss Ned's dilemma. Is he doing the right thing by briefly reviving dead people to solve their murders (and profit himself)? What about his decision to keep Chuck alive -- was that the right thing to do? What would you do with Ned's powers?
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- Teens & kids
Parent of an infant, an infant, 3, and 5 year old
January 7, 2009
AGE
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Teen, 13 years old
August 7, 2009
AGE
A Language Show for 12+
This show is quirky, humorous, and engaging. But it's hard to keep up with. The fast-paced storyline and humor was a pressing reason that the show didn't make it past two seasons. But if you're willing to buy the DVDs and watch every episode, this is a fabulous series.
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Teen, 15 years old
November 19, 2010
AGE
if you love mystery with a spice of love check out pushing dasies
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Teen, 13 years old
June 23, 2009
AGE
Love it!
This is a great show! I think it was cancelled, though?
But its fine for ages 12+.
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Teen, 14 years old
January 13, 2011
AGE
Awesome family show!
L. O. V. E. I. T. S. O. O. V. E. R. Y. M. U. C. H.
I adore this show. It's like nothing else on tv. I love the characters and the cast. The writing is brilliant and the sets are so vivid. This isn't a gory murder show it also includes humor and crazy sweet lines used especially by Ned and Chuck. There isn't alot of touching obviously because they can't although Olive does come on to Ned. Emerson is more serious but it shows his light side. The main characters aren't mean and they try to help. It's unrealistic the way Ned can bring people back to life but it's tv!! Chucks aunts are hilarious also. Another amazing reason to watch this show is Kristin Chenoweth singing (must I say anything else?)!!! It's imaginative and fun for young kids and a mystery / relationship story for everyone! I'd say watch it at least once because there's nothing else like it and the show should not have been cancelled!!
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Parent of 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, and 14 year old
December 30, 2009
AGE
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Teen, 14 years old
October 17, 2010
AGE
Fun And Imaginative
I picked up this show hoping for another great light-hearted mystery TV show, like "Monk" (love it) or "Columbo" (LOVE IT). Pushing Daisies is very strange and humorous, not focusing on crime so much as relationships. The characters may be flawed, but show kindheartedness and inner strength. Another reason that I had for deciding to watch this show mainly had to do with the casting of Kristin Chenoweth (Olive). I loved her on Broadway as Galinda/Glinda in "Wicked", and I love her in this show. Olive's random musical outbursts usually end up being one of my highlights of the episode. Although there's the life-or-death-no-touching-rule, the characters still have sexual fantasies and also the women on the show wear a lot of clothing that reveals cleavage. It's probably a better show for teenagers and people who won't find the makeup on the actors who play dead too scary. The show is well casted, and I especially enjoyed seeing Ellen Greene as Chuck's (played by Anna Friel) aunt Vivienne. All in all, it's a fun show to watch (with pretty much everything in it being either red or green) and very imaginative. Maybe not my favorite show, but I found it really good.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 5, 2010
AGE
Totally R$O$C$K$S!!!!!
This show is like the best!!! EVER!!! i love it. I think that besides kissing this show has no bad content (except for Emerson saying Oh H**l no. Lots of kids nowadays hear that. I basically know every single cuss word from the rents) It is a unique show that finally isn't about rich kids and vampires. It is perfectly fine for almost anyone.
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Teen, 13 years old
December 3, 2008
AGE
Pushing Daiseies
I think this show has a very sick sense of humor...and i love it its just wut the entertainment industry needs its got a really cool story line and the show just keeps getting better and better i have not missed one show for all of the seasons!!
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Lee Pace |
| Genre: | Drama |
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