'Pushing Daisies'' appointment with death

In 'Pushing Daisies,' a humble baker is able to resurrect the deceased. Word is, this new ABC series has a lot of life.

IN 17 days, 20 hours and zero minutes, the television series that painstakingly marks time to show us that it never stands still will finally premiere. ¶ And on that third day of October, ABC will introduce the story of Ned the Pie Maker. ¶ Played by the Lee Pace, Ned is the likable protagonist of "Pushing Daisies," a sentimental, romantic, modern fairy tale that has accomplished what few shows in the medium can: pure distinction. Because Ned is not just a gifted pie maker. With a single touch, Ned can bring all dead things back to life: people, animals, plants, even fruit. ¶ But as creator Bryan Fuller ("Dead Like Me" and "Wonderfalls") writes in the pilot, "It was a gift that not only gave -- it took." That is, the dead can live again only for one minute without consequence. Any longer, someone else dies in his or her place. ¶ If this seems sad or a tad morose, be assured that you will have a big fat smile on your face throughout the course of the episode. Director Barry Sonnenfeld's ("Men in Black") vibrant color palette and penchant for wide-angle lenses effectively turn the show into a storybook and leave viewers almost tasting Ned's pies, feeling the grass under Boy Ned's feet and hearing Ned's heart beating when he is reunited with the love of his life.