UPDATE: ABC announced Pushing Daisies will Return in Fall 2008
The WGA strike has thrown this new season for a loop, but the TV execs will still make decisions on the future of existing new shows. Up today, ABC’s Pushing Daisies, Wednesday 8PM Eastern.
With ABC’s new shows on balance doing better than any other network’s, will the action at “The Pie-Hole” continue into another season? Once again we ask, Renew or Cancel?
Pushing Daisies’ Ratings Rank among New ABC Shows, All New Shows
| Date | Viewer Rank among New ABC shows | Viewer Rank among all new shows |
|---|---|---|
| 10/3 | #1 of 6 | #1 of 23 |
| 10/10 | #3 of 7 | #4 of 24 |
| 10/17 | #3 of 8 | #3 of 24 |
| 10/24 | #3 of 8 | #3 of 24 |
| 10/31 | #4 of 6 | #4 of 22 |
| 11/7 | no show | no show |
In a strong stable of new ABC shows, Pushing Daisies‘ ratings have consistently been #3 or 4 among not only new ABC shows, but all new shows. A powerful performance.
How is it doing against its competition on Wednesday?
Pushing Daisies’ Viewership and Rankings @ 8PM Wednesday
| Date | Viewers (Rank) | Adults 18-49 (Rank) | Adults 18-34 (Rank) | Adults 25-54 (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/3 | 13.03m (1) | 5.70m (1) | 2.21m (1) | 6.63m (1) |
| 10/10 | 10.26m (2) | 4.91m (1) | 2.19m (1) | 5.21m (1) |
| 10/17 | 9.86m (2) | 4.80m (1) | 2.22m (1) | 5.03m (1) |
| 10/24* | 9.10m (2) | 3.79m (2) | 1.41m (2) | 4.43m (2) |
| 10/31 | 8.57m (1) | 3.48m (1) | 1.46m (1) | 4.08m (1) |
| 11/7 | no show | no show | no show | no show |
| 11/14** | 8.88m (1) | ?m (1) |
Pushing Daisies‘ ratings show real demographic power, winning the age demos in each week except vs. the World Series on 10/24. For a new show with no lead in, it started on top and stayed there.
All is not positive though, Pushing Daisies has continued to lose audience each and every week, in [nearly] all categories. Not a dramatic amount all at once, but drip, drip, drip and all of a sudden you’ve lost 39% of your 18-49 debut audience.
11/15 UPDATE: I have included the Fast Overnight data from 11/14, and Pushing Daisies did see some bounce back from the Halloween night low.
There’s no national lead in audience for Pushing Daisies to keep or lose. It got where it is entirely on its own.
Conclusions
Negatives
- Across the board, audience keeps slowly bleeding away.
Positives
- Pushing Daisies ratings are very strong compared to new Fall 2007 shows.
- Pushing Daisies ratings dominate its timeslot age demos.
- All accomplished with no lead in help.
Verdict: Solid Renew.
This is the first Renew or Cancel? since the writer’s strike, and I think Pushing Daisies is the perfect example of a promising new show that could be extinguished by the strike.
After the Nov 14 episode, there are only 3 fresh episodes left. Has its audience developed enough of a viewing habit to come back to it next year after a long strike? Only time will tell.
March 19 Update: As Rob reminded me below, Pushing Daisies will return in Fall 2008.
Wondering about other shows? Check our all our Renew or Cancel? posts.
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*10/24 data is Live, all other data is Live+SD
** From fast overnight data
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2007 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Strike or no strike I think on its current trajectory Daisies would and should be replaced.
Other than CBS Criminal Minds there is no show that’s clearly a hit on Wednesdays. Daisies is up against pretty weak competition and I’m not sure the premise (which was cute in the pilot and the follow-up episode) has enough juice to sustain a full season, let alone two.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am
EAT SH*T SEIDMAN!
November 15th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
I think Pushing Daisies is a great, quirky show. I was glad that it received a full season pickup earlier this fall. What does the full season pickup mean in the current strike environment? Since the show obviously can’t shoot a full season, will it automatically get to return to production once the strike is over? Or, if the strike is long, would it need a 2nd season pickup to be able to come back?
November 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
The 11/14 episode bounced back from the low rating set by the Halloween episode. So, for the first time, the show increased on its previous rating, although some will say this is only because of Halloween. Unfortunately we can look forward to another Halloween-like rating next week on Thanksgiving Eve, when ratings are always down.
By their very nature, many cable shows, now and in the past, like “The Shield,” “Sopranos,” “Dexter” etc. have survived long hiatuses without much problem. Thus, the strike will not necessarily harm “PD”, and may even help it if none of ABC’s new strike-necessitated reality shows are hits, and if the strike lasts long enough to screw up all of ABC’s prospective pilots.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
This is my favorite show on TV. I am very pleased that a show as quirky as this has found the audience that it did.
This is the kind of show that will NEVER be a huge hit. But it fits in a niche that is underserved by the procedural-bloated network programming these days. ABC deserves alot of credit for trying new things over all other broadcast nets.
November 19th, 2007 at 6:25 am
Most original show on the basic network line-up. The last two shows seemed to be an improvement in the storytelling department. Think Chenoweth’s Olive and McBride’s Emerson are stealing the show. While the shows don’t compare in premise, Emerson and Olive may do for Pushing Daisies, what Jack and Karen did for Will and Grace.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:11 am
What a refreshing new show for a network with little going for it. It confuses me when people wonder if the plot device can carry it (Pushing Daisies) on for a full season or more when we have so many similar, successful examples:
House: Can solving unsolvable medical cases work week after week after week?
Moonlighting: A show needs more than just sexual tension, doesn’t it?
Survivor: People fighting over $1 mill? That will get old after a season or two.
Pushing Daisies is CSI with a quirk and a twist. They solve crimes week in and out and have lovable characters who will keep the audience from disappearing altogether. With more advertising and perhaps a better time, PD could be a 6 season success and a time-slot winner.
November 28th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
RENEW!!!! I love Pushing Daisies. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the generic crime procedurals. Bryan Fuller is a genius and I love the work he’s done in the past (Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, a couple eps of Heroes). It would be a shame to lose this gem.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I was initally put off by the unusual delivery style of the show. That and the persistent cleavage. However, I tried it again online a few weeks later when I realized that everything else on TV was the same, same, same. I am hooked. I love this show. KEEP IT!!! But zip up Kristin’s shirt just a little please.
November 29th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Like Mellissa pointed out, the only thing that bothers me is Kristin’s unnecessary cleavage bearing.
November 29th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
PUSHING DAISIES IS FANTASTIC! i can’t get enough of the cast and the stories have a tim burton kind of storytelling to them. PLEEEEEEAAAASE don’t cancel it! i look forward to Wednesday just because of this show!
November 30th, 2007 at 9:23 am
keep this show, i agree wih creampuff
November 30th, 2007 at 10:11 am
How can anyone say this show needs more advertising?
Other than possibly Bionic Woman, it was the most advertised and hyped-up show this season.
And frankly I found it almost as bad as Bionic Woman, albeit in an entirely different way.
Where Bionic Woman went directly to bad quality with bad casting and awful pseudo-directing, Pushing Daisies went for “originality” but spread the “look at me I’m creative” shtick so thick as to give viewers an indigestion.
But the fact that the show got such a huge push means the trove of potential viewers who haven’t tried or heard of the show is much thinner than with a show like Life which hasn’t been advertised properly.
November 30th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Rena, we don’t agree on everything, but I’m with you 100% on this one!
Daisies would’ve made a good 2 hour movie, but the premise itself doesn’t seem to have the legs to support the weekly “look at me I’m creative” schtick.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Please cancel this show. It is STUPID!!! I really thought I’d enjoy it but the narrator… I just want to KILL him!!! SHUT UP ALREADY.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Have any of you naysayers actually sat down and watched this show? Or do you stick with shows like Grey’s Anatomy and CSI, where the show has to work to be different? The thing about shows like that is that they have to fish around and try really hard to bring something new to the table.
Obviously, if you watched past the first episode, you would see that the show has had no problems sustaining its premise. Pushing Daisies has consistently been original, different, and creative every week.
And since the publishing of this article, their viewership has seen an upswing in viewers. They must be doing something right.
RENEW!
December 14th, 2007 at 5:55 am
Ramona : Please cancel this show. It is STUPID!!! I really thought I’d enjoy it but the narrator… I just want to KILL him!!! SHUT UP ALREADY.
Do you not realise how pathetic you are? Just because you dont like the show doesn’t mean it will be cancelled. The world doesn’t revolve around your silly brain. I have a simple solution for you : Change the channel, kiddo.
December 14th, 2007 at 5:56 am
Also, my verdict : A definate RENEW!!! I love the show!
December 29th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Renew it.
Its Twin Peaks without the meandering plot.
December 30th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I ♥ Pushing Daisies I would be so mad if it was cancelled!!!!!!!
January 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
My entire family just loves this quirky and very unique show! RENEW. And the cleavage thing is for the guys. Like Ghost Whisperer. Besides, Olive is just using ALL her assets to try to attract Ned.. It doesn’t bother me at all, as I understand the marketing aspect of it.
Emerson is a hoot!
January 11th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I was the only one in the household watching Daisies when it first aired. It seemed odd and unique, which is what drew me to it. Now my wife and kids have joined me in watching it also. What a great show. Can’t get enough of it. Don’t cancel.
January 13th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
This show is amazing. It just can’t be cancelled. I am very picky about the shows that I watch because most shows are all the same. Boring and predictable. Pushing Daisies is astounding and has had me hooked since the beginning.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Not sure why the powers that be would consider this ray of intelligent programming in an otherwise very bleak lanscape of garbage comedies and even worse reality shows.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I think Rena Moretti & Robert Seidman should pull their heads out of their asses (especially Seidman…. douche bag) and recognize a well written show when they see it. Out of all the new shows out there this one takes the cake (or pie) for originality and creativity.
Ps. Did I mention Seidman is a douche bag?
February 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Other shows with so much less creativity keep going. Why don’t you give it a chance, some great shows were slow starters.
The new shows coming out aren’t even interesting enough to consider watching them once.
What will replace Pushing Daisies another reality show. How original conceded people who treat others like shit. You really need to waste more time on people like this?
I guess this could be a good thing. Networks putting out more crap, will get us outdoors, or I don’t know maybe reading.
A note to the network, if you put time and some effort you will produce some quality television, and this will only increase your bottom line. THINK ABOUT IT.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Moonlighting was a show in the mid eighties with Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd. You’re probably thing about Moonlight (Vampires).
March 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!
Why?
I have never watched a show as creative as this. You would think this show is dumb and would have no interest in people.
Well, its so creative. THey leave every episode off with a WHATS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT? feeling. This is one of those shows were if i miss it, i have to run on the computer and watch it.
Yes, im that obbsessed.
Its so creative!
And the fact that theres 2 lovers who cant touch eachother but are madly in love, is soo interesting!!
I LOVE IT!
RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!
March 19th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Pushing Daises has already been renewed for another 13 episodes (at minimum) to begin in the fall.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I agree with Natalie.
RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!RENEW!
This show is amazing. It’s a comedy/mystery/drama/everything but the kitchen sink! what more could you want? (don’t say you want a kitchen sink.) I thought it was interesting when i saw the commercials, but i didn’t watch it until a few episodes down the line. and now i love it and i cant wait for them to bring it back! Pushing Daisies is the best!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
We love Pushing Daisies, we adore the characters and the stories. Please do not cancel this unique and entertaining show.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Pushing daisies is the bomb!! I luv this show!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 12:29 am
yeah..it would be too bad if you cancel this show.. the plot is so interesting and is never boring..every episode meks me wanna watch the next episode..so pls, pls; pleez keep this show..:)