"Chuck" Season 3

Generally great news.  The only downside is the March launch date was built around a major promotional push for the show during the Winter Olympics. I'm afraid that NBC will dump it onto the schedule unpromoted and unannounced, which dramatically decreases its chances for greater success.

Leave it to me to find the dark lining in a silver cloud, though.

And, Ausiello says it will likely mean more than 13!  Whoo hoo!  Now, I'm going to go greedy and say we best get a fourth season!  

Edit: it's probably not a big problem.  Haven't the Olympics ratings been down in recent showings?  Maybe it's just because I don't care about them in the least.

I am really torn on this.  Naturally I want Chuck back on the air as soon as possible.  However, given the current stink NBC is giving off I would rather have some time and distance away for Chuck when it premieres.

The biggest thing Chuck needs to get some ratings traction is an uninterrupted season.  Right now the show has a 13 episode season arc in place that could be likened to a nice tight and lean cable quality product.  Putting the show on so soon would likely result in the arc being elongated thus watering it down.  Plus it would be interrupted for the Christmas holidays and for a month during the Olympics.  Momentum killers and possibly series ending ones too.

I really do not want the current 13 episode arc changed.  If the show does get a back 9 order, please oh please, treat it like a separate mini-season.

The show has a fantastic list of guest stars lined up already.  I will spoilerize it for those that prefer to not know but the season is shaping up to be awesome with the new dynamics of the Intersect 2.0.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) Needless to say, really excited for the upcoming season.

I say bring it on. Having to wait until March really sucked, plus this all but guarantees at least 22 episodes. I don't know (and don't want to know) anything about the season, but I'd agree that if they already have a tight 13, then the add ons could be a new arc, unless they have already planned a cohesive longer arc. Hopefully NBC will roll out enough promo to attract enough viewers to keep the show going for a fourth season, but I also think this will be a case of grass roots marketing from the fan base.

I'm also hoping S2 on Blu gets a release date soon! Chuck me!

Southland shows that there are no guarantees.

Late breaking news as per http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/nbc-considering-more-chuck-.html The Hollywood Reporter.

NBC has ordered 6 more episodes for Season 3 and bringing the total number of episodes to 19.

Further to that the show is now scheduled to return in January to its old time slot of 8:00pm on Mondays moving Heroes back to its previous time slot of 09:00pm.

sorry double post

Late breaking news as per http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/nbc-considering-more-chuck-.html The Hollywood Reporter.

NBC has ordered 6 more episodes for Season 3 and bringing the total number of episodes to 19.

Further to that the show is now scheduled to return in January to its old time slot of 8:00pm on Mondays moving Heroes back to its previous time slot of 09:00pm.



Edited by Lou Sytsma - 10/28/09 at 6:37pm

Good news! Hope they don't use the episodes to pad out the existing arc, though.

I agree.  Hope not but that is likely to be NBC's call in the end.

I'd be more concerned about the Olympics stopping Chuck's big mo.  Starting after would have allowed an uninterrupted run.  Starting in November would have given a long run before the break.  I hope I'm just looking for something to complain about, but I'm hoping for a healthy enough run that a fourth year will be possible.

I hear you Greg.  Its a tradeoff to be sure.  The extra episodes mitigate the January start to my mind.

At least it's coming back before March, there's more than 13 episodes AND the Season 2 BRs + DVDs are out in January too. Chuck me!

Chuck is one of the rare shows that I don't mind padding in, as it usually means more story time given to the supporting characters, who I also care about.  As long as a sense of urgency is still present in the intersect story, I don't mind if it only gets ~20 minutes a week for a few weeks, if it means a few more Jeffster songs or Buy More scenes.

That all being said, the season 2 finale was just about perfect IMO, as it balanced the story between all the characters nicely, had some nice, heartfelt moments, good action, great music, terrific camera work, and a few cool twists.  If season 3 can continue the momentum, I'll be quite pleased.

I just hope that NBC has wits enough to realize that their network is in the doghouse, and that Chuck is worth keeping around.  They can't all be The West Wing.

Confirmed: Chuck to return Sunday January 10 at 9pm with two episodes, followed the next day by a third in its regular timeslot, Mondays at 8pm. Also at that site is an interview mentioning how the extra six episodes will work, which I am avoiding reading.

Great news!  Is Heroes done by then or are they moving it to 9:00pm?

It's being moved to 9 PM. If they think Heroes is doing bad ratings-wise now, it's probably going to take even more of a beating against 24.

Chuck should do better by virtue of not going against The Big Bang Theory this season.  The two shows hit the same demo.

Of course, House is another matter, about which few shows on any network would be able to counter.

Now that the January return is set, it would be a good idea to push the S2 release into December for a proper run up. I know I'm not the only one who'd like to rewatch S2 before S3 starts.

From this week's Ask Ausiello:

Question: There’s a $5 tuna foot-long with you and Mister Scooch’s names on it if you can give me any Chuck updates. —Jen
Ausiello: Can you make my half a veggie? If so, you’ve got a deal. Chris Fedak says the six additional episodes that NBC recently tacked on to Chuck’s season 3 total created an interesting storytelling challenge. “[We were faced with] the problem of either expanding the story we’re telling or taking the story and telling it more slowly. And what we essentially decided to do was tell more story. So we’re looking at the six episodes that have been added on as Chuck season 3.2.” So it sounds like those of us who were worried about them padding out the season with the six extra episodes can rest easy. In other words, news about one of the supporting cast that was dropped from series regular to meet the new budget constraints:
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Fedak has confirmed that the extra 6 episodes will be treated as a separate mini-season.  Great news!  Hate to see the 13 episode arc mutated in any manner.

Here is a link to a great 5 minute preview of Season 3 for those that do not mind a bit of spoilage.  Looks hilariously action packed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G374vAIuSlY


The new Intersect is going to give Zach Levi great opportunities to show off his physical skills at action and comedy.

Can't wait for the season premiere. Three hours of 'Chuck' that week!

NBC Chuck Season 3 Promotional Poster:

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/.a/6a00d834518cc969e20120a754a6aa970b-800wi

No More Mr. Nice Spy!


Edited by Lou Sytsma - 12/15/09 at 11:36am

Reminder - next Sunday, Jan 10 - 2 hour premiere of Chuck from 9pm - 11pm followed by a return to its regular time slot on Monday, Jan 11th at 08:00pm.

3 hours of Chuck in 24 hours.  Screener previews of the first 5 episodes have been very positive. 

I'm really looking forward to this.

Chuck, Community, Better Off Ted and Modern Family?  It's a veritable cornucopia of comedy.  One of the best I think, in a great while for me anyway.

Chuck S2 is in transit, trying to avoid spoilers on S3. Only 4 more days!!!!

This probably isn't the best place for you then :)

SyFy is running a Chuck marathon right now.