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Daniel Finkelstein on the episodes that should have been dropped
The second episode of new hit drama Pushing Daisies is to be dropped by ITV, and viewers will jump straight forward to watching episode three, it has emerged.
ITV launched the quirky drama, about a pie maker who can bring the dead back to life, on Saturday night and enjoyed the highest consolidated premiere of a US series since Friends.
But the broadcaster was unhappy that the series, starring Britain's Anna Friel alongside American Lee Pace, was delivered as nine episodes when it wanted to allocate it an eight-week slot, so made the decision to lose the second instalment.
ITV spokesperson Ian Johnson said: “Episode two was the only self-contained episode that did not affect the storyline so the decision was taken not to screen it.”
He said the US writers’ strike had disrupted filming of the series, leading it to be delivered as an unusual nine-episode package, when the channel usually receives dramas in parts of six or eight.
“Because of the US writers’ strike, shows were delivered in random episodes,” he explained.
Johnson said the missing episode might be screened at a later date as a stand-alone show.
The ITV1 debut of Pushing Daisies at 9pm on Saturday night attracted an average of 5.7 million viewers, and a total of 7.3 million once Sunday’s repeat was accounted for.
The figures mean the show, which has made Anna Friel a star in America, can claim a more successful premiere than the high-rating launches of Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and Heroes.
The show, however, is yet to prove a critical hit. Reviewers have been divided between those giving cautious praise and those delivering scathing verdicts.
The Times’ critic Andrew Billen credited it as “wittily written” and “beautifully cast,” but said it wasn’t “the sort of thing I liked”.
The Guardian’s Sam Woolaston was less charitable, describing the show as “just really irritating”, while The Telegraph’s James Walton was hopeful, declaring it “worth persisting with”.
In the US, Pushing Daisies has been both a ratings and critical success, and has already won a clutch of awards.
The second 22-episode series is currently being filmed in the US.

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Missed the first episode because of something else but was all set to watch the second until this story hit the news.
Sorry ITV, if you can't treat a show with any respect, well I'll watch something else--on a different network--instead.
Ian Dickerson, Wellow,
Once again I am forced to go bit torrent to down load the missing episode ,and hey while I'm here i may as well down load the entire series-I can watch when I want ,with no ads .Sorry ITV I Don't need you to dictate my viewing anymore .TV schedules are fast becoming an anachronism .
Colin McGillveray, Port o' Leith, Scotland
Am I the only one cynical to think that this is all a pre-planned marketing stunt? ITV have hyped-up this series beyond all reason and then announced that they won't be showing Episode 2. Michael Grade is not that dumb! Any day now, just as the free publicity machine is in overdrive, they will 'relent' and broadcast the 'missing' episode with much fanfare!
Andy, Sutton, Surrey
It's a shame they're not showing episode 2, if only because viewers will not be able to see Kristen Chenowith's bittersweet and very funny version of "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Richard Diaz, Manchester, UK
I love this shoe and its just typical of ITV to ruin one of the few decent programs they actually have on the TV these days. To make matters worse the sheer amount of adverts they put in at the most innapropriate times is ridiculous. ITV really need to sort themselves out.
Faye, Liverpool,
I love the show. It is the best new series out there. Please bring it back
James Gann, Louisville, Kentucky
A petition is required. If enough people complain (via the ITV site) perhaps they'll do something about it. Why they think that American Pie 2 is more important than showing Episode 2 on Saturday is beyond me.
Kevin Stone, Mow Cop, Staffs
Can't believe they're not showing episode 2 - how ridiculous when this series was so heavily hyped before transmission, then shown Sat and Sun (how many shows tell you in the viewing guide exactly when they'll be repeated?) and even now advertised in every second break! Unreal!
Helen, Prestwick,
Why can't they screen two episodes in one week? I'm sure the schedules would allow for this as it manages to show enough repeats of other programs.
Cheryl, Cardiff, Wales
The jury is out in my house. I think we enjoyed the first episode, but according to the TV guide for next Saturday (19th), it says that 'Chuck realises that the funeral director's death was the result of Ned letting her live' but wasn't she told this in episode one?
Now I'm confused. And with the narration, it really reminds me of Desperate Housewives and The Hogfather. In no particular order...
hazellove, Brighton, UK
Have ITV actually confirmed this on there website as the episode advertised is still episode 2. I have seen all 9 episodes and each episode is a jigsaw into the final story.
Dougy, Glasgow,
That's outrageous!
How can the second episode of debut series not be integral to the storyline? They should show it on one of their many other superfluous channels instead, i'm sure they can stop showing re-runs of shows for an hour on ITV2 and put a new interesting show on instead!
Louise Rock, Oxford, UK
Hang on correct me if i am wrong but doesnt ITV have a website it can steam it on, not to mention channels ITV 2,3 and 4 on digital you cant tell me they can't find room for it on one of those people who want to see it would find a way to see it even if it was put on one of the digital only channels early in the AM! Bet SKY or the BBC would not treat its viewers with such disregard.
Craig Brown, Camborne, Cornwall
That's pretty stupid. If they are going to miss out an episode, postpone the final episode. The fans will be clamouring for it, and they can make a big show of putting it on later.
Or just show the final two episodes back to back. I'm sure there's nothing on late Saturday night that can't be postponed 50 minutes.
Peter, Norwich,
it's an absolute joke!!!!!!! judging from last weeks preview the second episode looks to be just as amazing as the first episode, i enjoyed it soooo much on saturday night i watched it again on the sunday, its the only decent programme ITV have on its screens at the moment, its going to be pointless watching the third ep as we will be missing a huge chunk of the story line, the producers wanna wise up and get it sorted!!!!!
Catherine, Northern Ireland,
y dnt they jus put the 2nd episode online so viewers can watch it there
Catherine, Northern Ireland,
22 episodes for series 2 - how many of those will ITV get?
Bet there won't be a 22 week slot made available. Better start saving for the DVD!!
Julian Flint, Nottingham, England
If they won't make the effort to show it, then I can't really see why I should be bothered to watch it.
Silly people don't know their own silly business.
Doods, Glasgow,
DISSAPOINTED!!!
"BUT HAY WHATS NEW WITH THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TV"
i think its outragous i watched the first episode and it was great whats the point watching it now i dont see them missing out britans got talent as that is a load of rubbish i think we all should stop watching ITV1 thay have no loyalty to us.
dee h, london, englane
How can episode 2 be stand alone? Surely the relationships between the characters will be developed even if the story can be omitted - that's what typically happens in the second episode of a series... not that we will be allowed to know, of course.
David Davies, Thatcham, UK
And ITV are surprised why viewers leave them in droves, rearrange your schedules but show the whole series please!
Naomi, Watford, UK
I thought it was great entertainment. They say the cut was made to make it fit an eight week slot, okay we understand that but the extra episode could surely have been shown on another evening.
RayB , Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
'I think it's disgusting'. Calm down - it's just a tv programme.
Will Duffay, London,
Finally ITV get a series that's worth watching. Then they go an spoil it by dropping an episode! I think it's disgusting. ITV's content isn't that brilliant. Surely room could be made on one of the four ITV channels.
Apparently, the reason for the drop is to avoid clashes with the upcoming European Championships. Are we really that interested in a tournament that has no home teams involved?
Vincent Zabbar, London, England
Once again ITV mess up the scheduling of a US import. If they can't look after them properly, they should be allowed to have any.
Chris, Bristol,
ITV's explantion is bizarre at best. It's been known for many weeks that the season would have nine episodes.
Did we really need another showing of 'American Pie' so much that a double episode of Pushing Daisies couldn't be shown? ITV have four channels, none of them had an hour spare to show episode two?
Great way to kill an acquistion they spent so much on and pushed relentlessly. I'm not going to wait for the possibility that the missing episode might be screened at some unspecified time in the future. I want to watch episode two now, before episode three. Is that unreasonable.
ITV needs to show more respect to its viewers, or it will lose them.
David Patrick, Reading, UK, UK
It hasn't had the back 9 ordered yet for Season 2 - the initial order is for 13 episodes only.
And I find it funny how it is claimed to be a big hit in the US - it averages 7 million in the US, a cult hit if anything, certainly not a mass audience hit. Anna Friel is a long way from becoming a household name over here (US).
matt, Los Feliz LA, US