‘Pushing Daisies’ is a late bloomer

Despite expectations that broadcast series, interrupted by the writers strike, might suffer at Emmy time, two ABC series appeared to overcome that handicap. “Pushing Daisies” landed a dozen Emmy nominations on Thursday, including acting, writing and art direction nods. The network’s “Samantha Who?” was also nominated twice, for lead and supporting actresses in a comedy series.

While most basic cable shows, the major force in this year’s nominations, were able to finish their full seasons before the writers strike began in November, many series on broadcast TV were truncated when the strike put casts and crews out of work. “Pushing Daisies” filmed only nine of 22 planned episodes in its first season and was expected to suffer from “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome. Season 2, which began filming in June, will launch in October. “Samantha Who?” filmed 15 of 22.

Kristin Chenoweth, who was nominated for supporting actress in “Pushing Daisies,” suggested the show’s writing was the source of its success in its limited first season. Others pointed to its distinctive look. “It’s just a little gem of a show,” Chenoweth said. “I was hoping the public would embrace it and they did. It was really a critical hit.”

-- Lynn Smith