Before I discuss this particular series premiere, I would like to give some background. I never saw “Dead Like Me” during its initial run. I was annoyed with Showtime as it was for many other reasons, and by the time I was tempted to overcome that annoyance, the show had come to its premature demise. Watching it in syndication was not an option. Thankfully, Netflix came through for me, and in the space of a month over the summer, I watched the series. And like most, I found myself loving and cherishing nearly every moment and damning the television gods for letting it be canceled.

Rumor has it that “Pushing Daisies” was originally conceived as something of a companion piece to “Dead Like Me”. Considering that Bryan Fuller was instrumental in both productions, that’s not hard to believe. And this does feel and sound like something that fell out of the same idea machine. It’s as if Tim Burton and Joss Whedon had a love child.

The main difference, of course, is the restraint required on a network television series as opposed to a cable production. “Dead Like Me” was wonderfully profane. “Pushing Daisies” replaces the profane with the magical. This is a darkly funny show; nearly every scene is bursting with absurdity and comic potential. This is the mixture of broad farce and fantasy that “Desperate Housewives” has always attempted and rarely achieved.

Usually I would highlight the character relationships and how well the premise is put together for future exploration, but this is not the kind of show that needs deep deconstruction. Any long-term plot elements are likely to be casual in their progression, and the focus will be on the episodic ebb and flow. For most genre shows, this would be annoying, but this is likely to be the rare exception to the rule. The entire cast is likeable and quirky enough to keep bringing me back for more.

Definitely the best premiere of the season!