You may have noticed the "Save Chuck" image I have in my sidebar. Well, if you don't know what Chuck is, or what's going on with it, let me clue you in.
Chuck is a television series that airs on NBC at 8/7c. It's about a regular guy named Chuck who accidentally gets a top-secret government computer program called the Intersect installed in his brain, and now it's up to his two CIA handlers, Sarah Walker and John Casey, to protect him from their adversary, Fulcrum.
The show has evolved from its beginning premise, and if there's a third season it stands to get even more interesting.
But then, that's the problem.
You see, Chuck is currently "on the bubble," with the possibility that NBC won't renew it for a third season. I'm going to stop myself from saying the dreaded C-word, here, because there is still hope.
Guys, don't freak out
Chuck fans are fiercely loyal: so far, they've drummed up a ton of free publicity for NBC by starting a Subway campaign, sending in Nerds candies, writing letters, harnessing the power of social networks, tweeting, whatever. They're crazy, they want a third season, and I'm right there with them. If you're a Chuck fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
During all of this, NBC has become my new pen pal (even though they never respond).
Here's the last e-mail I sent them:
Well gee, NBC, you guys really know how to keep the suspense going. We won't find anything out on Monday, now? [in response to this article]
It blows my mind that a show like Chuck is even "on the bubble," whatever the heck that means. It's in the single most competitive time slot on television and yet it's still garnered one of the most loyal followings I've ever seen, and its ratings are very consistent. If nothing else, that should tell you how important it is to keep Chuck. I honestly don't know what you could replace it with that would be any better.
If you can't think of anything, I'll go back to my original suggestion: change its time or put it on USA.
Let us fans know what we can do to help, too, but don't keep saying "tune in live." I've been watching Chuck at its air-date, on television, every Monday night since its premiere. But I don't count because I don't have a Nielsen box, and I guarantee that most of the other Chuck fans screaming for a renewal don't have one, either.
We probably don't fit into that "Nielsen family" demographic, anyway (and I'm beginning to think that "Nielsen families" are akin to mythological beasts, things you hear about from time to time but never actually see, like the Loch Ness monster). We're something different.
Get creative. Focus more on the Internet and more interesting ways to incorporate advertising. You have a chance to try something new, because the Internet and technology is the future, not some archaic system like the Nielsen ratings (which has been around since, what, the 1950s?).
Chuck is the perfect show to test the waters with. Take off your spiffy business suits and try something different. You're currently riding a wave of free publicity: harness that, because that publicity doesn't have to end with renewal.
Yeah, it's long and rambling, but I couldn't help it. I don't usually do things like this, anyway, so I'd might as well go all in.
Does Chuck Have A 3rd Season? has been keeping tabs on the progress, along with Please Save Chuck. I first heard about the fan movement from Give Me My Remote, and that's where I got the image in my sidebar.
I've also been checking the Chuck IMDB message board for any news the members post, as well as the ChuckTV.net forums.
Oh, and TV by the Numbers is currently hosting 15 Days Of Chuck, with updates on Chuck every day until NBC announces their full schedule on May 19.
What can you do to help Chuck?
- Watch Chuck on Hulu
- write NBC some e-mails (Scroll to the drop-down menu, select Chuck, and send your message)
- Spread the word on Twitter
- Make a donation to the American Heart Association in the name of Chuck Bartowski
- Buy Chuck - The Complete First Season
, or pre-order Chuck: The Complete Second Season
Chuck is just a great, funny, brilliantly written show with countless 80's pop-culture references (reminds me of Psych, sometimes) and an awesome soundtrack. And heck: Scott Bakula of Quantum Leap just guest starred, as well as Chevy Chase, so that just increased its awesomeness.
So save Chuck. The fate of the universe depends on it.
Updates
- Nikki Finke (who is apparently sort of reliable when it comes to these things) is reporting that a "major renewals announcement" will take place tomorrow -- despite previous statements that they'd be held off a week or two -- and that Chuck is very likely on that list. Let's hope she's right.
- Does Chuck Have A 3rd Season? now reads "Rumors Abound." The plot thickens...
- TV by the numbers is now also reporting on a possible renewal announcement Monday.
- Another reliable source, Ausiello, is saying Chuck's renewal is "a safe bet."
- 05/04/09 - NBC has announced some of its fall schedule and...Chuck's not on it. Looks like we'll have to wait a little longer.
- 05/05/09 - Hopping back over to Nikki Finke's blog, turns out negotiations are still going strong for Chuck (and it's fate is tied to Legally Mad, a show NBC doesn't want at all).
- 05/06/09 - The Have A Heart - Renew Chuck Campaign has begun! Chuck fans are getting very creative, and now they've started a campaign in which fans can show their support for Chuck while donating to a great charity. Also visit the Have a Heart - Renew Chuck blog.
- 05/12/09 - Does Chuck Have A 3rd Season? now reads "To Be Continued?." Stay positive.
- Oh, right, I forgot to mention: Chuck has been renewed!
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