Chuck

The past season was a tumultuous one for NBC, what with the Jay Leno experience turning the primetime schedule into a whirl. The fact that Leno's ten o'clock show was a disaster resulted in NBC scrambling to fill in during the second season. Fortunately, at least one legit hit has emerged -- 'Parenthood.'

Still, as the network contemplates the future, there's really six programs that could be called on the bubble, teetering between a pick up or a cancellation. So what is the likelihood that NBC will renew these shows? Here's our take:

"'Chuck' fans are the most loyal, dedicated, imaginative and passionate fans any show could ever hope for," says series co-creator Josh Schwartz.

It turns out he wasn't kidding.

To show their support for the NBC show, which is currently "on the bubble," fans will stage flash mobs in four cities this Monday, notes The Hollywood Reporter.

If you live in Chicago, Seattle, San Diego and Philadelphia, expect to see hordes of people dressed like Buy More employees, either in a green polo shirt and khakis or short-sleeved white dress shirt, tie and black pants.

(S03E14) Let's review the steps that brought us to this moment: 'Chuck' originally only had a 13 episode order for this season so the last episode wrapped things up pretty well and left the story on a happy note. Then, NBC ordered additional episodes (see details in our Chris Fedak interview), so in effect we're seeing "Season 3.2". Also, there's a good chance that 'Chuck' will be renewed next year.

To quote Professor Farnsworth, "Good news, everyone!" It's looking likely that 'Chuck' will be getting another season on NBC, according to the Ausiello Files, although no official word has been sent to the press as of yet.

This is comforting news, as ratings for its current season haven't been stellar, despite the excellent pseudo-season finale, which was written before its six-episode extension was commissioned. Our own Joel Keller has an excellent interview here on TV Squad with 'Chuck' co-creator Chris Fedak about "Season 3.2."

While the previous episode had (spoiler alert!) Chuck and Sarah hooking up at the end, it does make one wonder where the series could go from that point onward. After all, that seemed to be the point of the series since the first episode. The good news is that we're going to find out when the first of six new episodes begin airing on Monday.

If the last episode of 'Chuck' felt like a season finale... well, it's because it was. The episode was initially supposed to have a thirteen episode season, but NBC decided to order another six episodes. According to Chris Fedak, who co-created the show with Josh Schwartz, the good news came at an opportune time: as they were writing episode thirteen.

In our wide-ranging talk, Fedak and I talked about how the pickup affected the writing process, how the new dynamic between the characters on the show is playing out, if he fears the energy will fizzle, why Tony Hale wasn't around this year, and if he's confident the show will get a season four.

(Warning: Fedak talked fast, so this is a long interview, with a very minor spoiler near the end. But there's a ton of good info for 'Chuck' fanatics, so read and enjoy!)

Most 'Chuck' fans know that last night's episode, 'Chuck Versus The Other Guy,' was originally designed to be the third season finale. That was, of course, before NBC surprised Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak with an order for six more episodes, bringing the total to 19.

Don't get me wrong; 'Chuck Versus The Other Guy' was one of my favorite episodes this season. So many stories advanced and got tied together, it made for a very satisfying hour.

But that's because the stories were supposed to be wrapped up. For all Fedak and Schwartz knew, this was going to be the last episode they ever did. So, did things wrap up a little too neatly last night, leaving the last six episodes as some sort of long, energy-free epilogue? I'm not sure.

(S03E13) This would have been an excellent season finale. In fact, had NBC stuck by their original episode order quantity for 'Chuck,' this would be the season finale. But they didn't so it isn't. We did see the storylines for this season thus far wrap up nicely with the added bonus of seeing the next logical step of the one that has been around since the first season.

The episode was particularly enjoyable. There was comedy, drama, romance and a little bit of action (although more action happened off-screen, but there was enough emotional action to more than make up for it).

One thing that TV fans love to do is create their list for "My Favorite TV Shows of All-Time." Every few years I calculate mine, and for several years, the list didn't change that much.

Oh, maybe a couple of shows switched places or maybe a show dropped from number five to number eight, but for the most part the list stayed the same. That all changed a couple of years ago when I had to add both 'Mad Men' and '30 Rock' to the list. I still haven't figured out which two shows in the top ten I'll have to take off.

I'll also have to add a third show to that list, and that would be NBC's 'Chuck' (tonight at 8 on NBC). I don't know if it wedges its way into the top ten, but it's definitely top twenty. Here's why.

(S03E12) Tonight we got to see the progression of Chuck's character. Would first-season Chuck have tried to take down an enemy stronghold (armed, no less) while rescuing the man who was the romantic interest of the woman he loved? Well, probably, but not with such confidence.

Since he got the Intersect 2.0, it seems like every other time Chuck has flashed has been to learn a form of self-defense. He better pray that the Intersect doesn't become corrupted and he loses that piece of the program (although that would make future seasons more interesting as he couldn't fight anyone without it).

While Chuck is as brave as they come, it's still tough to believe he wants to be a spy. He simply wants Sarah, and if he has to become a spy to be with her, then that's what he'll do.

(S03E11) In tonight's episode, Clark Kent was taking orders from Superman. Chuck did look a little like Clark Kent in that outfit, didn't he?

Hasn't General Beckman and the government given Chuck enough tests? He probably already has more field time than most of their other agents. It seems pretty obvious that Chuck doesn't actually want to be a spy, particularly when being a spy requires the ability to kill a person in cold blood. He just wants to be with Sarah. He'd be a better tech guy, the "Q" to Sarah's Bond.

More discussion after the jump.

How can a show that is as freakin' entertaining and fun as 'Chuck' get low ratings like this? Sure, the switch to Daylight Savings Time means that shows see a bit of a ratings slide, but I'm not convinced that's the only reason that 'Chuck' got its lowest ratings ever for last night's episode.

I don't know what we can do to save the show, but creator Josh Schwartz says that "it's time to get organized." Subway subs again? I think Chuck and Morgan have been eating their food on the show again lately so maybe they knew something we didn't.

The funny thing is, with the recent plot developments on the show (Morgan finding out about the spy stuff, the revelations about Casey's real identity, the fact that Chuck is becoming more independent), this might be a logical season to end the show. But I want the show to continue. It's massive fun, and those very same points are also reasons for the show to continue for another season.

(S03E10) The mission tonight was all about decisions. Decisions, decisions. Turned out there were choices made in the past, present and future that had a major effect on Chuck, Sarah and Casey, especially the latter. For more on that, and Robert Patrick's bad breath, read on after the jump.

(S3E09) The lies and lies have finally reached critical mass for some of the people in Chuck's life. Last week, Hannah vamoosed because of Chuck's duplicity. Awesome has been completely off his game. And this episode, the beard had had enough. If you wonder who the beard is, you probably don't watch much. However, if you do and want to know how Iwo Jima was homaged in Burbank, keep reading after the jump.

No, we here at TV Squad haven't suddenly lost our minds. '24' is indeed on FOX, not NBC, but there's a possibility that the show could change networks if FOX decides that this is the last season of the drama, and NBC execs have talked about picking it up.

That's one of the topics talked about in The Live Feed's interview with NBC head programmer Angela Bromstad. It's unlikely that the show would come over to NBC because it's much too expensive, but Bromstead isn't completely ruling it out because it's something that has been talked about. As for other NBC shows, the network is very happy with the way 'Chuck' is performing and the same is true about 'Community,' though neither of those shows have been guaranteed another season.

As for that other show that people wonder whether or not is coming back, 'Heroes,' Bromstad says she met with creator Tim Kring last week and they talked over some things, but there's no word yet on whether that show will come back for another (probably final?) season.