THE MARKET: Will “Pushing Daisies” on ABC make it to a tenth episode in its second season? The drama will premiere on Wednesday, October 1 at 8 p.m. ET. Trading will close immediately after a seventh episode is aired. If a tenth episode airs, shares are worth $100. If it doesn’t, they’re worth $0.
THE DATA: “Pushing Daisies” is one of a trio of sophomore ABC shows, including “Private Practice” and “Dirty Sexy Money,” trying to recover from a strike-shortened season. All return on Oct. 1.
OUR TAKE: From the start, the ultra-quirky “Pushing Daisies” seemed like a show that would corner a devoted following before dragging in the mainstream (a la “Twin Peaks”). But in last year’s interrupted season the daisies never had a chance to take root. Instead, as USA Today chronicles, the show faced spiraling costs, rushed post-production, and last-minute attempts to reach out to a wider audience before the strike. Even though its last episode drew only 6.9 million, “Daisies” has been brought back to life for ABC’s fall lineup. Don’t be surprised if, as in the show, such magical resurrections work only once.LEARN MORE: See the “Pushing Daisies” home page.