Chi McBride made a name for himself playing incredibly serious, commanding, dramatic roles, which is probably why people love him so much as Emerson Cod, the cynic with perfect comedic timing on ABC's Pushing Daisies.

When Pushing Daisies returns for its second season (premiering Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 8PM EST), we'll find Emerson, Ned, Chuck and Olive solving murders in a particularly buzz-worthy cosmetics company, a killer circus, a magician's castle and a nunnery, just to name a few.

Chi talked to us about Emerson's softer side, his mission in life and how to become his best friend ever ... and it only requires a few million friends.