ABC Gives Pushing Daisies Full Season Order

ABC has picked up Pushing Daisies for the remainder of the season. ABC has ordered nine additional episodes, for a grand total of 22. Pushing Daisies has averaged a solid 3.9 rating and 11 share among adults 18-49 after three airings.

The show has hit some bumps along the way, as producers have stuggled to keep up with budget and time contraints while trying to maintain its unique, colorful look. In one instance, exec producer Sonnenfeld, who also directed the first regular episode, was asked not to return to helm subsequent segs after Warner Brothers TV grew leery of cost overruns. The studio eventually reversed course, however, and asked Sonnenfeld to direct more episodes this fall. The director is expected to shoot another episode later this year.

Pushing Daisies stars Lee Pace as piemaker Ned, who discovers he can bring the deceased back to life by touching them. He winds up one day resurrecting his childhood crush Chuck (Anna Friel), and the two launch a flirtation hampered by the fact that they can never come in physical contact. Chi McBride, Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz and Kristin Chenoweth star, with narration by Jim Dale.