Most of us are already big fans of NBC’s returning spy dramedy, “Chuck.”
And we’re the base that the network and producers would like to expand on with the upcoming third season of the show.
Series producers Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak tell USA Today that they hope this season’s story lines focusing on the often-hapless Chuck Bartowski’s upgraded spy powers — thanks to a new Intersect brain implant that provides Chuck a limitless reservoir of newfound abilities, from martial arts expertise to MacGyver-like survivor skills, will win over new viewers to the show.
“People aren’t quite sure if this is an action show, a spy story or a nerd comedy. It has its own tone that’s made it tricky at times for (more) viewers to get invested,” Schwartz says. “Giving Chuck these new powers helped crystallize what the show and the story line is about.”
They went on to say that this season will find Chuck embracing his role as a reluctant spy more–something that was developed over the course of season two.
“Instead of wishing he was out of this world of espionage, Chuck’s embracing it, with abilities that make him a real spy,” says Zachary Levi, who plays the title role.
The show was considered “on the bubble” for much of last year, but came back with a new corporate sponsorship with Subway and because of a vocal and passionate Internet fan base.
Another factor that contributed to the show’s return was that producers were willing to cut costs on making episodes but without having to sacrifice the quality fans have come to expect in two seasons.
The series’ producers agreed to slash costs, in part by eliminating some characters, reducing the roles of others and cutting the production schedule to seven days per episode from eight.
Levi’s likability and emerging star appeal also factored into NBC’s renewal decision, says programming executive Angela Bromstad.
Levi contends being part of a show on the “bubble” between renewal and cancellation has its advantages. “One benefit of having every season (potentially) being your last forces the creative powers to keep pushing the envelope on characters and story lines.”
Still, lackluster ratings could doom Chuck’s prospects for a fourth season. “This year, it came down to the last weekend of negotiations,” Schwartz says. “Come April or May, we could be on the edge of our seats again.”
So call your family and friends and tell them to watch “Chuck.” If season three is as good as come critics have teased (screeners went out before Christmas and word is good on the first five episodes), then we’re in for a treat when “Chuck” returns Sunday night at 9 p.m. for two episodes and then settles into its regular time slot on Monday.
Fingers crossed that this time they remember that there is an international audience as well as the domestic US audience when the look at the ratings
Watched Chuck on bittorrent… I see why people like it, but I personally found myself lacking interest. I’ll bittorrent season 3 because I’m not wasting the slot on my DVR.
Instead of BT, couldn’t you watch it on hulu, or nbc.com? It’s like torrenting Heroes: why? It’s available in legit places all over. All you’re doing is fueling the fear of piracy.