Save for his enjoyable monthly “gadgets” column in Esquire, it’s been nearly 10 years since Barry Sonnenfeld has made anything even remotely resembling a positive contribution to society. If anyone were ever to compile a list of the Top 10 Worst Films That Cost More Than $100MM To Produce, your Uncle Grambo has no doubt that “Wild Wild West” and “Men In Black II” would both crack the Top 5. And as for “Big Trouble” and “RV”? At best, they rank somewhere between blurgh and Sofa King worst!

My distaste for Sonnenfeld’s post “M.I.B.” ouevre (a distaste that Jeffrey Wells seems to share) led me to completely blow off “Pushing Daisies”, the new ABC series that he EP’s, despite the heaps of buzz that it drew during the summer upfronts. But after hearing my (currently hiatused) Vh1Eyecandy partner-in-crime Molly shower it with praise and adulations, your Uncle Grambo began DVRing it a few weeks ago and, subsequently, watching it this weekend. And, what do you know, methinks I’ve found myself a new favorite TV show. Here’s why.

For starters, “Pushing Daisies” feature some of the most cinematic and immaculately gorgeous production design ever seen on the telly. Sonnenfeld has always been first and foremost a visual storyteller (he was, after all, the DP on all of the early Coen Brothers films) and, on a purely aesthetic level, this show is easily his best work since “The Addams Family.” We’re talking sumptuous stuff here, people. Second, there’s never been a show on network television that’s been more obsessed with cleavage (Exhibit A: the Kristin Chenoweth hottness pictured below). Third, and most importantly, it is wholly unique in its ability to blend elements of whimsy, romance, comedy and mystery in a way that never feels forced, cutesy or, heaven forbid, quirky. Simply put, never before has there been a show that does the fantastical so, well, fantastically!

If you aren’t watching, there’s no time like the present to get started (tonight at 9pm!). For those who prefer a little backstory, head over to ABC.com to catch some episodes (for some odd reason, the digitally impaired numbskulls at ABC only have the four most recent episodes streaming).

Four coneys pies, all the way!

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