Someone Help “Chuck”
After a serious post yesterday about media panic I think I am entitled to a sugary sweet post today defending a show I like: Chuck.
In case you have not checked out the show here is what it is about:
Chuck is a nerd, gets spy info planted in his head, and gets a crush on an agent hired to protect him since he is completely incapable of doing it himself.
The plot each week is essentially the same. Chuck stumbles into someone he has information on, they go undercover to stop a plot to take over or destroy the world, someone gets caught, and in the end you get the inevitable rescue.
So, sounds trite, right? Predictable? It totally is. And that is how I know this is a good show, even though I know exactly where each episode will go it is always a pretty good ride. The brilliance of the show is not in its main plot but the side plot of where Chuck works and the people who work there. It is a place called the Buy More (which is Best Buy). He works for the Nerd Herd (Geek Squad). They interweave office politics using the minor characters, friendship conflicts, and retro 80s gags everywhere. The minor characters nearly steal the show, like the wedding sequence from this year’s season finale which was done to ‘Mr. Roboto’. I will not reveal what happens in case you start watching this show…which you should RIGHT NOW.
Like many other shows on NBC, the primetime squeeze is on. With Jay Leno gobbling up an hour of prime M-F this fall, there are simply 5 less hours. Something has to go. ER is out, but that leaves 4 more hours to cut. Chuck is on the bubble. It is on Monday’s before Heroes (and trust me, Heroes is not going anywhere).
There is a grassroots campaign to save the show, you can read more about that here.
Yesterday I wrote how frustrating all this panic in the world is right now. With Chuck you never have to panic, it’ll all work out: the bomb will not explode, friendship trouble will work out, and he might even wrangle a kiss in a mushy moment about 3 seconds before the credits roll.
I wouldn’t want all my TV this way, but in a feeding cycle where everything seems to want to get more ‘gritty’, this show is going the opposite direction and deserves some credit for that.
Posted: April 30th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
Comments
Comment from Steven
Time May 1, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hey Dave, I too love Chuck! It is Carina and I’s Favorite Monday show. Well Aside from KSBY Acton News. Can’t wait till next season!!
Comment from Nichole
Time May 1, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I am a Chuck supporter. There’s petitions and all kinds of save the chuck going on. I really don’t think it’s going anywhere. That’s a solid Monday with Chuck and Heroes back to back.
Anyway.. Petition here: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/renewnbcchuck
Comment from Jeannette
Time May 2, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Chuck gets me. (I like ‘em a little nerdy!) @}—>—– xoxoxo
–Just don’t leave him in the car!
Comment from Rex B
Time May 4, 2009 at 11:37 am
This is one of my wife’s and my favorite shows. You’re right that the central plot is a little predictable but no more so than a Bond movie, right? And the Buy More side stories are really little parallel stories of the main plot. They’re allegories of the main story. Seeing the geeks and nerds ’struggling’ with their little world while Chuck as the big picture but deals with both is really funny! :^)
Comment from Frances
Time June 26, 2009 at 1:24 am
We had a superhero themed disco yesterday
me and all my friends dressed up as Chuck, sarah and John Casey - the team
and Morgan and Anna
It wa sooo funy ( i was sarah)
Comment from Nikki
Time April 30, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I just started watching this show, and I love it. The whole theme of it is pretty classic, which is fine. And I like how the writers uses the guys at the Buy More as comic relief. It is predictable, but not all of it is, especially the last few episodes. That’s why you should watch it.