TV Talkback: PUSHING DAISIES, GOSSIP GIRL & SAMANTHA WHO

CouchTater: The facts are these: There is no more quotable show currently airing than PUSHING DAISIES (“That wasn’t the truth bus. That was the crosstown bitchy express.”), which also happens to feature TV’s most eclectic gathering of characters (from pie-making ninja wannabes to retired mermaids). If you’re not watching this show, we can no longer be friends. Sorry.

TheTVAddict: CouchTater — can we still remain friends if I’m watching the show but not as in love with it as the rest of the online community? Don’t get me wrong, PUSHING DAISIES had some fantastic one-liners last night, but smart script aside, the Jim Dale narration is almost too much to take. The show has to start giving its audience a little more credit. Not everything needs to be spelled by Dale’s enchanting vocals.

CouchTater: I’m starting to feel a little ambivalent about GOSSIP GIRL. It came out of the gate strong at the beginning of the season, but seems to be faltering rather than hitting its stride. Maybe it’s the fact that every episode revolves around a party which inevitably turns into a fight, or that bitchy dialogue (“I’m not a stop along the way, I’m a destination.”) is trying to pass for character development. I’m also not feeling Leighton Meester’s take on Blair. It’s all beginning to seem like a PG-rated version of Cruel Intentions. Let’s give the show some real storylines which actually have an impact beyond a single episode and then maybe, just maybe, I’ll regain my original enthusiasm.

TheTVAddict: Gossip Girl Here. Spotted: The TV Addict taking CouchTater to task for slamming his favorite new show of the season. Forget CRUEL INTENTIONS, last night’s GOSSIP GIRL was straight out of the BEVERLY HILLS 90210 playbook. Which is quite possibly why this TV Addict loved it so much. Blair’s sleepover — who doesn’t remember the classic 90210 ‘skeletons in the closet episode’ (although I don’t recall any Brenda and Kelly girl-on-girl action!). Jenny Humphry getting caught for shoplifting. Did she not learn anything from Brenda’s big bust? (okay, so she wasn’t born, but still.) Dan and Jenny Humphry are the Brandon and Brenda of the new millennium.

CouchTater: Finally caught the premiere of SAMANTHA WHO? last night. (Thank God for abc.com!) Every time I pick a show to dub my favorite new offering of the season, something better comes along. Five minutes in, I was hopelessly in love with Sam, not to mention absolutely everyone in her life. I’m happy to report that this show lays to rest any and all rumors that the sitcom format is dead.

TheTVAddict: I couldn’t have said it better myself. Anyone who caught Christina Applegate in Broadway’s SWEET CHARITY knows exactly how charming and talented she is. SAMANTHA WHO’s success comes as no surprise to this Applegate Addict.