To me, this should be a no-brainer. NBC should renew Chuck for a third season, even if it only commits to 12 episodes, it should bring the show back. However, I'm not one of the geniuses in Jeff Zucker's world; you know, those mental giants that have committed five hours of prime time to Jay Leno starting next fall and recently signed up for more Donald Trump celebrity/reality BS. No, I'm just a loyal Chuck viewer who has seen a show improve from week to week culminating with a superb final two episodes in 2009. Well, there were rumors that on Monday at NBC's "infront" -- a preview for the "upfront" -- that Chuck would get a pick up. TV Guide says that's not the case. On Friday, Chuck star Zachary Levi told a reporter that Josh Schwartz, the Chuck exec producer, had emailed him that NBC's decision about Chuck was on hold. The pick up, if it comes, won't be for a couple of weeks.
We all know that ratings rule and NBC's decision, presumably, is based on Chuck's Nielsen numbers. The show has been in a tough time slot. On CBS, Chuck faces Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother, two very popular sitcoms that appeal to many of the same viewers. (I'm one that has to DVR one channel while watching the other.) Then ABC twirls out Dancing With the Stars, another ratings monster, while Fox has a little powerhouse called House (followed by 24). How is Chuck supposed to fight all that and Fulcrum?
NBC needs to rejigger the schedule and give Chuck a chance. I don't care how they do it, I just know that Chuck is too good a show, too well-executed with sharp characters and entertaining action to be kicked to the curb. The irony, of course, is that if Chuck were on USA or Sci Fi, it's numbers would be fine and the show wouldn't be in doubt.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-03-2009 @ 2:44PM
Argus said...
Later than that statement by Levi came this:
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-renews-chuck-medium-law-order/
Who knows what's going on at this point?
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5-03-2009 @ 2:59PM
WhoElseButME said...
Is this a joke! This is the easiest decision to take. The best show on TV right now. NBC can't do better.
Makes business sense too. 6M+ assured ratings on the toughest time spot on TV (with all the nielsen goofups). Also, no one will watch primetime Leno 5 nights a week. Its good when you are about to doze off.
Hope they don't pull the cr@p that CW pulled with Veronica Mars!
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5-03-2009 @ 3:44PM
Wii60 said...
I don't know if I've ever read a blog post that I agreed with more.
I used to not care about Leno in primetime. Now that it interferes with Chuck though...
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5-03-2009 @ 4:07PM
0megapart!cle said...
I like Chuck. It is a fun show. I hope it gets renewed. But I would like to please stop hearing Chuck fans saying ridiculous things like: "This is the best show on TV", "Chuck keeps getting better and better", etc. Chuck is not as good this season as last. It is similar in quality to Dollhouse and Southland. It is a little worse than Kings. It is considerably worse than The Unusuals, Life, and CSI (not to mention fantastic 30 minute comedies like 30 Rock and The Office). It is right about in the middle of the pack for broadcast dramas, and I wish people would realize that.
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5-03-2009 @ 4:26PM
Bill said...
First off Omega, Chuck would be considered much more of an action-comedy than a Drama. Secondly, if you think Chuck is worse than Kings, you need your head examined. I like Kings, but it's writing and acting doesn't hold a candle to Chuck. It is also a better show than The Unusuals and Life. Both good shows, but not nearly that quality of Chuck. It sounds like you don't watch Chuck very much, since you referred to it as a drama and you referred to "Chuck fans" as if you are not one. Unless you watch the show, you really shouldn't comment on what shows are better.
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5-03-2009 @ 4:39PM
RobynM said...
Welcome to the wonderful world of opinions. I'm sure that whatever you consider to be the pinnacle of current TV programming, someone else considers mediocre at best.
For example, I watch Chuck faithfully, but out of the rest of the programmes you list, only Dollhouse is even on my radar, and that's in my "to be watched eventually" DVR pile.
Not that I don't sympathize with your position, I do. There are a couple shows that I've been completely turned off to due to the overwhelming "This is why TV was invented!" fangasms over them, but grousing about it isn't going to change anyone's mind.
5-03-2009 @ 8:00PM
WhoElseButME said...
@Omega. It is my considered opinion that Chuck IS the best show on TV right now. I watch a lot of shows on your list and quite a few more. I do agree that 30 Rock is very smart and funny but it doesn't get you that 'involved' nor do you root for any character as much as you would on Chuck. Plus it has its low downs - Liz trying to replace the bottle on the water dispenser was painful this week.
I waited on watching Kings because I had an inkling that 'this' is not going to last. Good thing I didn't!
I am not a 'crazy' Chuck fan whose first thing to do on the internet in the morning is not checking his mail but mailing google news for 'nbc chuck'.
Then again, maybe I am ;-)
5-03-2009 @ 4:52PM
Sam said...
Yes Argus. How often has Nikki Finke been proven wrong? None that i can remember of... so i choose to believe DHD's Nikki Finke and who wants to bet?! "Chuck" has been renewed for a third season!!!
Obviously Monday 8pm would mean 4th place in the ratings. CBS's "Big Bang Theory", "Mother" & "House" all cut into the same crowd. Am guessing Chuck will get a trial on a different day and that day 'will possibly be Thursdays'.
I swear i could bet "Chuck" will air Thursdays...
NBC will experiement till midseaon ( the Olympics) and they're sending "Chuck" to Thursdays.
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5-03-2009 @ 5:20PM
Bart Smith said...
How often has Nikki Finke proven to be wrong?
Hahahaha....
Sorry, what was the question?
5-03-2009 @ 4:58PM
0megapart!cle said...
I've watched every episode of this show, Bill. And I know the show is an dramedy. That's irrelevant to its overall quality.
Kings was far from a perfect show, but can't possibly say the acting was worse than Chuck. That's primarily because of the Strahovski factor. She is a very pretty woman, and that is the primary asset she brings to the show. She is just not that good of an actress. Levi is a very good actor, and he has great chemistry with Strahovski, but he can't make up for her lack of acting ability.
You are the one that is obviously talking about shows he hasn't seen. The Unusuals is a fantastic show that has managed to nail the comedy/drama combination far better in its few episodes than Chuck has in two full seasons. Life is similarly a fantastically acted show with strong leads in all roles.
Chuck would be a much better show if it had a better actress in the role of Sarah. Not too mention the very uneven writing. It is sometimes brilliant, (the "I know Kung Fu" the ended the Finale, most of Morgan's lines in the first season, etc.) many times OK (most of Casey's lines (Baldwin is such a better actor than he is given a chance to show on this show), and occaisonally ridiculously stupid.
I am a Chuck fan, but I am a realistic one. I have seen all the episodes of the series I am commenting on, and am making judgements accordingly.
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5-04-2009 @ 3:58PM
Bill said...
Wrong again, Omega. I've seen every episode of the Unusuals. I like it. Better than Chuck, sorry it isn't. I'm not going to argue with you on Yvonne Strahovski, but let's remember she's acting on an action comedy. She's not in 'Hill Street Blues.' She is a fine actress for the role she is in. I've heard criticisms about her, but you're the first I've heard saying she was a bad actress. In fact, i've heard her praised for her acting. More than I think she deserves. She's good, not great. But certainly not as bad as you make her out to be.
5-04-2009 @ 10:11PM
0megapart!cle said...
I'm sorry, but I expect decent acting in all the shows I watch, regardless of the genre. Call me crazy.
Post links of people praising Yvonne's acting. They need to get their fucking head examined.
I suppose if you are dead set against the procedural genre, you might not be able to appreciate The Unusuals. I am open to it if it is done well. (I don't consider most procedurals well done.) But the Unusuals is filled to the hilt with great actors, and fantastic writing. Chuck is barely passable in comparison.
5-03-2009 @ 6:12PM
S Wilson said...
How can any executive from NBC, CBS, ABC or the "other" channels make rational decisions when they are still using antiquated ratings scales?? We are not among the "Neilsen" families. Big Mistake!!
My family, while being selective about what we watch, has 6 televisions, 6 iPods with TV and Movie watching capability and 4 computers. We do download and are of the opinion if we want to spend time watching a tv show, we are willing to pay for it on iTunes. I am not proud of this fact, nor is this something I brag about during PTA meetings, but I can say TV and media watching is restricted. When we watch a show we watch a show that is worth our time. As a family we watched two tv shows. Chuck and Pushing Daisies. Fairly appropriate to watch with my elementary aged girls, solid writing, great action and great characters. (I do purchase How I Met Your Mother for my own viewing after the girls are put to bed.)
When will all tv viewers have a voice?
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5-03-2009 @ 10:17PM
Wii60 said...
+1 For responsible parenting.
5-03-2009 @ 5:58PM
David said...
It's all the MORONS watching Reality TV, it's all their fault!!!
I just hope people remember that ridiculous show Who Wants to be a Millionaire and all the other dumb ass Game shows that people got sick of watching every day. All the people at the Networks care about is profits! So what will NBC do? Leno five nights a week, look at fat people get skinny, look at rich,famous or regular people try to run a business, Dancing, Singing or what some moron will think of! I understand there should be different programing, but not on every channel, I'm sure those people who like reality crap don't like three CSI's or four L & O shows. So when smart people think of programing like Chuck & Dollhouse and we the public don't watch! What do you think will happen? it will get canceled, just like Jericho and Kings. I'm done complaining. Whatever happens so be it!!!!
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5-03-2009 @ 7:40PM
stg said...
i think the US networks should go the way of British shows and have shorter seasons. This means more longetivity for storylines and the show wont get stale within 2 seasons
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5-03-2009 @ 7:43PM
David said...
Nikki Finke's Blog Says NBC Renews 'Chuck', 'Medium', 'Law & Order'; Announcement On Monday
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-renews-chuck-medium-law-order/
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5-03-2009 @ 8:14PM
ac said...
As time goes by and more and more shows are renewed my hopes get lower and lower for a renewal. I think the Southland renewal was the final nail. Lets face it NBC is run by morons.
Now for me to post this and have it never reach my e-mail.
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5-03-2009 @ 9:02PM
Lynx123 said...
Chuck is by far our favorite show on tv. NBC would hopefully not make such a foolish decision as to take Chuck and Medium off the air!
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5-03-2009 @ 9:33PM
Riley Freeman said...
why not put chuck in the place of kings. we dont need 2 hour clebrity apprentice episodes. i like celebrity apprentice but 2 hours is not needed
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