Monday, November 24, 2008

Forgetting the Alphabet

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I was supposed to write about the heat in the Top Chef kitchen, but I've been distracted. For one, SAG is threatening a strike. I -- I can't even begin to go into the foolishness of all this. You may recall that I buried my head in the sand on this matter long, long ago. Besides, my dear friend joy posted a far more eloquent rant at her far more esteemed blog, joymagnetism. I think I could only manage a series of sputters, which doesn't really translate to print very well.

What I can articulate, however, is my fiery anger at ABC for canceling one of the quirkiest, most creative shows on network television, Pushing Daisies. If you've never seen Pushing Daisies, well, then I blame you. Okay, okay. That's not fair. Well, not completely fair. Pushing Daisies is a delightful, whimsical tale of a young man who can bring the dead back to life, but only for 60 seconds, else something or someone else nearby dies in its place. He's also brought back to life his murdered childhood sweetheart, but can't touch her again, lest she die permanently. Sounds creepy. But in the hands of Bryan Fuller (who dealt with death so humorously and stunningly in the late lamented Dead Like Me), what could be fluff and tritely disturbing nonsense, is actually a colorful (literally and figuratively), giddy hour of fun featuring a foursome of detectives solving mysterious murders, as well as a rib-tickling duo of eccentric, retired-mermaid, spinster aunts. Yes, you read that right.

Don't you wish you'd been watching? Yeah, I know you do.

But, alas, it's too late. Because ABC (whom I normally laud for its non-traditional choice of dramas and comedy-drama hybrids) decided to pull the plug, as it were, on this wonderful romp. Ratings, they say. And, to be fair, ABC has enough hits to buoy it. For now.

Yes, Lost is returning in January, a return I'm eagerly awaiting, especially now that there's an end date which has really focused the writing. Ugly Betty is still holding strong, as is ABC's Sunday night line-up. But let's face it, just how long are Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice going to hold up? By all accounts (and that's all I have to go on since I don't watch either), both shows have dipped in quality so far that they're pretty much irredeemable. So what does ABC have left? Life on Mars? Heh. Spare me.

Not only did they scrap Pushing Daisies, they got rid of fellow critical darling Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money.

I called it. I knew the changes would doom Dirty Sexy Money to the trash heap. The network called for the drastic change in tone, demanding something soapier. What they got was soap scum. So good riddance to that. However, Eli Stone is a different story. I've only seen a few episodes of Eli Stone, but I've heard nothing but praise for it.

So what's the deal ABC? Why cancel these shows when you've got nothing lined up and when you have shows that are inarguably flagging in quality, if not ratings? In a season blighted by a drought of new, quality pilots due to the strike [*shakes fists at SAG*], you've chosen to do away with shows that may not have the audience, but definitely have the promise.

This was the perfect time for the Alphabet to show its commitment to excellence. Instead, it's shown nothing but a slavery to idiotic programming decisions.

So, my darlings, what do you think? Am I off-base, here? Letting my love of a show cloud my judgment? Weigh in on ABC's decision.