Mon 19 Oct 2009
CHUCK Hitting The Airwaves In November and not on Monday Night?
Posted by Nick C under CHUCK, NBC
[67] Comments
Right now it is likely that CHUCK will be making its season 3 premier in November…
On Thursday Night at 7pm CST. Right now that is the talk at NBC. This is the first “big,” change that Gaspin will be bringing to the Peacock. The idea is to test it out in November, if it works then a back 9 will be ordered and NBC will try and establish a stronger Thursday Night presence to promote their new shows.
Not Even This Image In 3D worked, will Thursdays?
Gaspin made Thursday Night a big night on USA with BURN NOTICE and ROYAL PAINS. NBC had big Thursday Nights for nearly 20 years (1984-2004) but since the loss of FRIENDS the network has had only one scripted hit: HEROES, and that show immediately took a dive in quality and viewers.
CHUCK may not be the normal “Must See TV,” of NBC Thursday Nights, but a drama has always been a part of that equation. However right now the 8/7 time slot is the one time slot where NBC has a real chance of making something happen. Right now the comedies aren’t delivering. PARKS & RECREATION is likely to be canceled while COMMUNITY is likely to be moved around to possibly Tuesday to be combined with another new comedy.
CHUCK is the only bright spot on the NBC agenda right now. The early episodes of the show are top notch and honestly, a step above anything the show has done before. NBC has noticed and they are hoping that with Subway’s help and some big media promotion that they may be able to create some hype for the Thursday launch.
How likely is the chance? Well currently NBC’s own website has a Thursday Night CHUCK Banner. It’s most definitely on the drawing board right now, and if NBC is smart it will shake up Thursday Nights with CHUCK in November like they are contemplating.
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Thursdays at 8? This show is dead.
If NBC truly views Chuck as a bright spot (and whilst creatively that might be true I don’t buy the argument that its a commercial bright spot) then it makes no sense to me that they’d bring back early on a different night from absolutely nowhere. It becomes even more ridiculous when you take into account that it would mean either moving Community (again) or pulling it off the air at least temporarily, which will do nothing but kill it.
If NBC wants Chuck to be a bright spot then there’s a couple of things they should do
1 – Order the back nine now. This will prove their commitment to the show to both fans and critics a like and would show commitment to the new scheduling model they’re trying to introduce. It would also act as a nice PR counter to axing Southland before episodes have even aired.
2 – Stick to your guns and bring the show back in March with a huge amount of promotion during the Olympics and everywhere else you can find. If memory serves me Burn Notice will come back for the second half of its season before Chuck returns so why not flood USA with Chuck promos like they did for Leno?
From where I’m sitting the worst thing NBC can do with Chuck is bring it back now from nowhere and worse yet on a completely different night. It just reads like a complete recipe for disaster.
Not quite sure what to make of this. My initial thought was much the same as Siri Atiragram Lleof.
Thinking about it for a moment I can see some semblance of a plan. There’s no easy slot for CHUCK anywhere on the schedule, apart from maybe wednesdays. Nothing on at 8 on a thursday is as strong as HOUSE or the CBS comedies on mondays. CHUCK would be up against FLASHFORWARD & BONES. Having watched the first few episodes of FLASHFORWARD I’m fairly confident its not going to be a new LOST. BONES is doing ok, but it’s also not a huge hit. There is possible room for CHUCK to slip into that slot and gain respectable numbers.
Well I don’t watch anything at 8 on Thursdays so I am game for Chuck, 30 Rock and the Office. I will even watch Leno.
Survivivor is old, Flashforward is not better than Chuck. So count me aboard for this.
Thursdays would be an interesting move. If they’re serious about building the night, Chuck could work out. Chuck has buzz, and a 9pm hour with Office and 30 Rock would be solid. I don’t know if it’d make Chuck a hit, but I do think the entire night would rise in viewership. That said there is word that the banner at NBC’s site is a typo and they’re going to fix it. Not sure if they’re floating it to gage fan and media reaction or if its really a typo.
If Chuck is going to fail the Olympics isn’t going to save it. The Olympics might garner attention to the first episode but after that its on its own. I think Thursday night WILL work because of the additional line up with Chuck. Chuck’s Monday night spot was always a tough fight for viewers. If NBC promotes Chuck NOW with the help of Subway and some creative marketing, Chuck will have a chance. I did not watch Chuck until the 3D episode and now have seen every episode dozens of times. Fans of Chuck wil hop over to Thursday nights. No problem.
NBC is saying that the Thursday day and time are an error on the site. Was it really a mistake, or are they reconsidering the idea based on Internet feedback?
Nick is back!
I’m sure it’s an error on their web site, as no official decision has been made.
Monday Nights at 8/7 is the most competitive time slot of the week for NBC, they go up against ABC’s top show, FOX’s top scripted show, and CBS’ comedy lineup. They don’t face another hour like that at any other time. So if CHUCK can pull 2.5s in that hell slot, then it seems that Thursday Night against FLASH FORWARD, BONES, and SURVIVOR would be a better chance.
We know NBC is considering bringing it back early. I’ve heard Mondays, Wednesday, or Thursday.
If it’s not Thursday, then Wednesday replacing MERCY is a possibility. Also, TRAUMA could get canned, and HEROES could get its old time slot back, and CHUCK can battle HOUSE and co.
Nick C,
Wouldn’t they have to pull the trigger now because of the timing to pull off the marketing campaign?
Thursday against all those shows Nick mentioned plus Vampire Diaries? Just as bad as Monday’s old slot. Wednesday at 8pm sounds fine to me.
It seems like there is way to many issues here. Trauma needs to be canned. Mercy is probably close. If they bring back Chuck that still leaves an extra hour to program for.
This is hard to believe.
Tuesday is the one night where NBC has something that works: the two-hour block of Biggest Loser. Moving half-hour comedies there means they move at least an hour of Biggest Loser. That means shaking up at least 3 days of the fall schedule midseason.
In the spring, I was suggesting that Chuck might do well on Thursdays at 8, given the competition it had at that hour. Survivor and Bones? Not as big a threat as House, DWTS and HIMYM. Now, with FlashForward instead of Ugly Betty, that equation changes a bit, but I’m not expecting FlashForward to stay on Thursday in the spring — it makes too much sense to pair it with Lost.
Meanwhile, nothing has been performing well on Wednesdays (except Idol, when it comes back).
And that banner was a little funky, as they’re discussing at TVBTN. “7/8 Central”? March 2010. Very odd.
Well, I’ve been skeptical of bringing it back early for several reasons, but I considered the only real possibilities to be Wednesday at 8 or Mondays, likely at 8pm again.
A much-scaled-back opportunity for promotion makes me nervous; bringing the show back before the S2 DVDs are out makes me nervous; bringing a show in mid-season makes me nervous.
Would this at least mean an uninterrupted run?
Build a Better Fan,
FYI – The DVDs and Blu-rays are ‘ready to go’. If NBC sets a date the DVD/BDs can make it the stores within 30 days. I honestly believe they have been ‘ready to go’ incase something like this happened.
Mike I agree that if the show is going to fail then the Olympics aren’t going to reverse that trend but if we assume that Nick’s correct and the opening episodes of season three are brilliant then getting people to tune into episode one of season three should be all the show needs to hook an audience in. Personally I think it has a much greater chance of doing that after March with the Olympics boost then randomly thrown onto the schedule now with a rushed together promotional campaign that few people are going to see.
As I said in my previous posts if NBC wants Chuck to be a bright spot then they have to treat it like on. Pick up the back nine now before any episodes are aired (creating some positive buzz for the show and the network as a whole) and promote the hell out of it during the Olympics before it kicks off season three in March. If they spend the next four months really planning and exexuting the Chuck promotional push its going to be on much stronger footing than a rushed two week hatchet job.
Ah, thanks for info Brad. I know they have a bunch of them already printed in Britain, didn’t know if they were prepared for the US.
On a scheduling note I do have to wonder where NBC would put Community and/or Parks if they bring Chuck back early on a Thursday. It wouldn’t be a problem from March because you can just give them shorter runs and not bring them back post-Olympics, which is likely going to happen with Parks regardless. Its just wherever you put a second comedy block right now it seems awful…
Monday at 8PM with Heroes moving into the cancelled Trauma slot at 9PM is a death slot for comedies more than it is for Chuck. Tuesday at 8 or 9 would screw the one thing on the schedule that works, Biggest Loser and Wednesday would put them against the second CBS comedy block and ABC’s new comedy block and that just seems like a bad idea. I guess they could put them on Friday.
Alex,
You may have something there with the Friday suggestion. We may have seen the beginnings of their plan when they canceled Southland for being “too dark” for that time slot.
Nick,
Any idea if NBC/Warner will move up the S2 DVD release so they can at least be out a week or 2 before the premiere?
Here’s a novel idea for NBC. Well, maybe it’s not a novel idea anymore with the “new guy” (Gaspin) in charge. MAKE A DECISION ALREADY! November or March? Monday, Wednesday or Thursday?
It’s like a repeat of the end of Season 2 with the “will they, won’t they” renew Chuck for Season 3?
I know there are a lot of complicated factors involved, but this aint “rocket science,” it’s network TV – which doesn’t require a genius IQ to program.
Make a decision already and GO WITH IT!!!!
How much does pride come into the equation? I’m guessing that NBC do not want to be overtaken by CW at 8, and VAMPIRE DIARIES (derivative crap that it is) is getting very close to COMMUNITY & P&R in demos at least.
Well pride or not, NBC needs to make a move now. WHat the hell is the fascination with vampires. I don’t get it. I guess evil sells.
One thing all this speculation is doing, it’s certainly creating some buzz for the show once again.
Nick C, don’t you think that Parenthood is potentially one of NBC’s bright spots? They did just get Lauren Graham to
replace Maura, so that’ll be good.
Rick Holy, I think this like last Spring was leaked (first a week or so ago to people that it might be moved up) then the NBC.COM site saying “Thursday.” Anyone who doesn’t think things get approved for the website before going up is fooling themselves.
They allowed the error to go up to do exactly what it has done:
create internet discussion.
Well the move would have to be soon if they want people to know it is on. Is this the last night for Trauma?
If you’re right, Nick, I’ll say this:
Obviously the fans will promote the show no matter when it comes back. We’ll all watch. We all just want Chuck to do well, so we want NBC to give it the best shot possible.
So let’s say Chuck starts November 12 and runs uninterrupted up to the day before the Olympics. That means it plays on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (shame there won’t be any holiday themed episodes). Anyone with a longer history of watching ratings tell me if that’s good or bad? Would it be pre-empted?
Best case scenario, they’d make the announcement quickly, push the S2 DVDs out quickly, and do everything within reason to promote the show. NBC orders a back 9 early on so that the episodes can be produced in time for Chuck to come back right out of the Olympics.
Chuck filmed an episode at the Macy’s Day Parade so looks like there will be a Thanksgiving episode.
http://img32.yfrog.com/img32/7842/s24p.jpg
Interesting that they would do a Thanksgiving episode with no guarantee of getting on the air before March.
Maybe it’s for a webisode. I absolutely hate spoilers so I don’t know exactly what the link shows.
Speaking of webisodes, does anybody know if they have filmed any?
I love it. They are telling NBC whatever put us on in March we are still going to have a holiday epsiode. They have a story to tell and they are not going to change it for anything.
@ 27 (Chuck3G): From the pic, it seems to me that Yvonne is just filming her interview for Last Call with Carson Daly, which is scheduled to air on Oct. 27th.
Oh that is the Yvonne picture. Yeah you are right she is fliming the interview before any news comes out.
This is the Pic I wanted to show. It might be a bit spoilery. http://twitpic.com/jrxl4
Nick, did Gaspin have anything to do with the “error”? Also, why do you or don’t you think Parenthood will be successful? It seems to be getting positive publicity. Also, is there any chance that Chuck will be promoted on USA?
Nick C. I see your point about NBC allowing the “Internet error.” They’re definitely creating chatter. Have to admit, right from the start (Comic con)and J.S’s “controversial” comments, they’ve done a good job at creating a buzz – whether it’s been positive or negative (fan reaction) buzz, it’s been buzz. And everyone likes a good buzz!!
Mondays are a disaster for NBC. The question this week is will Trauma’s numbers from last night dip below those of L&O last friday. For the record L&O got a 1.6 demo and 7.6 million viewers. Trauma doesn’t have a shot at the viewship number but has to hope that it can out perform in the demos, last week they had a 1.8 and 5.5 million. It would be hard to stake your claim to monday schedule when you are being out performed by a friday show. Mercy isn’t that much better.
Why Thursdays at at 8!!! I already watch Flash Forward and Vampire Diaries in that time period. I would acutally prefer Mondays at 9pm. I have nothing to watch at that hour.
Dedicated fans will watch Chuck no matter what time it is on. If you ditch Chuck that has been on for 2 years because of two shows that have been barely on 2 months then you are not a real fan.
What is the fascination with Vampires anyways. Twilight, True blood and now the vampires diaries. Seriously if you made Sarah Walker a vampire would this show be a smash.
All I know that I will watch Chuck no matter when it is on. If I wanted to watch other shows I will DVR them or watch on line.
Fans support #chuck forget the other shows.
Chuckit…I don’t think that you have to only love ONE show in order to be a true fan. I’ve never understood the benefit of trashing other shows to raise your favorites (though I understand it’s an element of the human condition to compare and contrast). I think Chuck is a good enough show that it doesn’t need to stand upon the misfortune of others.
SLP’s post brings up a valid point…people have begun to set up new viewing habits over the past 4 weeks which will be a hinderance to bringing back existing Chuck fans and a potential stonewall for accessing new ones. If Chuck is going to make it to Season 4 it needs to grow it’s fan base and demos & IMO brining it back early is going to make that even more of a challenge. The only way I could really advocate Chuck’s early return would be if it was given Wednesday night at 8pm…it’s the only timeslot where the show wouldn’t have huge competition and it could attract new viewers while being easily accessible to the core fan base. I think that Monday or Thursday night’s at 8pm would be throwing our beloved show under the bus.
I have no idea how things are going to shake out now…Trauma just pulled a 1.8 for the second week in a row, which is sad and terrible in terms of ratings but at least it seems to have hit bottom (or found it’s baseline, if you want to be PC). NBC is probably on the fence with this decision because I think they know they’ve got something good with Chuck (at least something better than their freshman shows), but how do you manage that? Take a gamble on brining it back early in the hopes it will improve a dismal line-up…I just don’t see how NBC could imagine Chuck would turn this ship around at this late a date when it struggled to perform last year. I LOVE CHUCK…but Chuck is not LOST! It’s not a show with a huge cult following that could make or break the network (even one in such dire straights as NBC). But in the same token, Chuck is the only show NBC has that the critics and press have given them ANY good press about of late. They need to be careful that they don’t put Chuck in a scenario where it’s doomed to failure because I guarantee it will prompt an outcry from the media and fans about ANOTHER NBC mismanagement and the Peacock simply can’t afford more bad mojo.
Bringing Back Chuck in March. If you were watching House, HIMYM, Accidentally on Purpose for 15 weeks why would you abondon them that late. If Chuck comes back early and is moved to Wed/8 then when Idol comes back it will get pummeled.
If you are basing Chuck’s future on the viewing habits of people and making the assumption that people can’t abandon shows after 4 weeks then Chuck is doomed. The Olympics might help for one episode but then people will just go back to what they were watching.
It can’t be both ways. You can’t tout the viewing habits and at the same time saying bringing back Chuck when these shoelws seasons are 3/4 through. I guess I should be preparing for the last season. Hope 3-13 doesn’t end on a cliff hanger.
RAC I said this already but I’ll say it again – if the show is good a one episode ‘test viewing’ is all it should need.
If the reports of the opening episodes of Chuck’s third season being great are true then all it should need is that one episode bump to win people around and I think there’s much more chance that happens with Olympic promotion than without it. I doubt there would be a mass exodus of House fans (assuming it comes back on Monday) but there doesn’t need to be.
Well since 50% of the people say waiting until March is good, the other say that bringing it back early is good. The one constant is that if the show doesn’t bring the ratings then it is gone. Well IMO the olympics is not going to save a show that has been on a 10 month hiatus.
Forget about the back 9 since NBC wants ratings data first. Tough to do that in March. So that leaves us with 13. I would say as of today because of how NBC dropped the ball and witholding Chuck from the fall schedule I say this show is closer to cancellation than it ever has been. So looks like Chuck could be gone in 2010 and replaced with JJ show.
Why am I such a pessimist. Well go read all the posts all over the net and you understand why I lost all hope.
So since this show has no chance of success either way, I would rather watch it now, and watch the final 22 instead of waiting 4 more
months to get only 13.
To me personally there is nothing on TV that makes me as passionate as Chuck. Personally I would love for Chuck to be on against VD to steal away some of the viewers who enjoy watching souless bloodsucking vampires instead of a good family show like Chuck.
RAC – The point I was making was in the following sentence…’If Chuck is going to survive it needs to GROW it’s fan base.’ The current fans will probably come back no matter what day/time Chuck airs, but achieving a high retention will be difficult if the show is brought back with little promotion at a time when there’s fewer people than ever watching NBC (other than Football). I had the chance to speak with a Executive VP from Warner Brothers at Comic Con and she basically told me that if Chuck can’t grow it’s base this year, the show was unlikely to get a 4th season. That’s not exactly ground breaking news, but it does present a challenge, but I also feel it’s one that Chuck and it’s fans are up to. Keep the faith and don’t get discouraged…hell we didn’t think we’d get a 3rd season and yet here we are playing ‘I’m a better programmer than anyone at NBC’
I get what you’re saying about people being more invested by mid-season, but at least at that time of year and with the Olympics platform, people are aware of new shows and programs returning for spring and they make time to check them out. That’s not a mindset you’re going to tap into in Mid-November with limited visibility.
Also, Alex is correct…people will give a show a chance based upon broad promotion and if it’s good, they’ll stick around. As long as NBC doesn’t try to make Chuck’s return gimmicky (no 3-D please) and gives us a good episode (which J&C have always done with season openers), Chuck will have a good chance at hooking new viewers.
I think Chuck is a critically ill patient that has been given an extra 13 weeks to live. Growing a base on NBC is like telling Chuck hey here is an aspiring we hope it cures your fatal disease. It is impossible and everything at NBC is down so that is one target they cannot possibly meet.
It irks me a little that we no possibiltiy of a season 4 and they still can’t get Chuck and Sarah together. Depending on how they handle the realtionship I might not even stick around for the end. So all that growing the base could be shrinking when the fans watch the love trapezoid and the next Chuck and Sarah breakup. Not only do they have to grow the base they have to keep it. Fans will not put up with another season of angst and the ratings will show it.
Both and NBC and Josh stubborness will destory this show.
ALR, pls. don’t presume to speak on behalf of the whole fanbase. Contrary to what you believe, there is a large number of fans alive and kicking who don’t view Chuck so pessimistically.
From what you’ve written, I can only assume you’re an emotional shipper because judging from facts alone, Chuck has a chance of being NBC’s ace up the sleeve.
Go research what the highest rated shows on NBC are pulling in terms of ratings right now. And go research Chuck’s ratings esp last half of S2. If they can pull the same numbers (and there really is no reason to assume they won’t, not without any definitive data), or even better numbers, Chuck has a very good chance of getting a S4. That’s all going to be based on numbers, and not on fans deepest wish, yours OR mine.
Imek,
I am curious about doing good on NBC. The WB said grow the base. If everything at NBC is down then what constitutes success? I am curious what Nick C thinks.
If Chuck is coming back early and in November, when do you think NBC will announce this?
At this point who really cares anyway? I just wish NBC would make up their minds one
way or another, put the show in a time slot
where it has a reasonable chance to succeed,promote it enthusiasticly, release
the season 2 DVD’s immedeiately, order the
back nine with lots of publicity, and just get on with it letting the chips fall where
they may on way or another. These rumors of
will it or won’t it sound so much like the
old will they or won’t they I think people
who have been following this are just getting if not already burned out with all of the hype.
Gaspin has inherited one hell of a mess
and with NBC on the selling block his room
to operate may be extremely limited. Whatever is done I just hope it’s done firmly and competently with a solid plan in
mind instead of reacting out of panic without the necessary preparation. That would be a disaster. Gaspin has a very good
track record so let’s hope for the best.
If Chuck can pull at very least. the ratings it had last year or improve them,
the show should make out all right. After
all NBC can’t cancel everything and will
need a good show to build around. If it is cancelled there’s a good chance cable or another network might pick it up.
As for Josh vs Chuck/Sarah hookup before a
possible cancellation why worry about it?
He’s made it clear it’s not going to happen
and that’s that. He has the final say up
front but the viewers will have the final
say in the end. I’m tired of hearing and reading about it. The viewers will either
accept it or they won’t, period.
Let’s just get all of this out the way, one way or another and move on. It sounds
like a bad soap opera.
Robert sounds great. I totally agree with you.
Interesting note: NBC changed their website, but instead of returning it to saying Mondays like it did before, no night is mentioned.
Yeah what does that mean? It still says March 2010 but no night. So they have no idea what days it is going to be on? Gotta love NBC. I swear this shows brings so much drama.
It means it’s not set in stone for Monday like it was planned is what that says to me. Which is a good thing.
Chuck = Lamb
Thursay = Slaughter.
If NBC wants to bring it back on Thursday its sending the lamb to the slaughter. Wednesday would be a much better night for Chuck. Thursday has to many serial shows that people aren’t going to stop watching halfway through the season because a new show comes on.
I think it can hold stable ratings on Wednesday despite American Idol. Remember Reaper held stable numbers by CW standards against Idol for the same reason Chuck would. Its a male oriented show and Idol is a female oriented show. Chuck has a dedicated fanbase which will watch it on Wednesday.
Chrisjozo,
Monday at 8 has HOUSE, CBS comedies, and DWTS. Thursday at 8 merely has BONES, FLASHFORWARD & SURVIVOR. If anything Thursday at 8 looks like a softer slot.
The reality is that the show has to come back somewhere and other than Weds there are no soft spots in the schedule.
Is Wednesday a soft spot in the schedule?
People keep saying that it is because of the lack of a big hitter there but does it not say something about the slot that none of the nets have been able to get a solid non-Idol show there in recent times?
NeilG
Those other shows may not be ratings power houses but they have loyal fanbases which tend to be the same as Chucks.
Idol on the other hand does not have the same viewer demographic as Chuck and I think it could work as counter programing on Wednesday.
Ausiello is reporting a possible Jan/Feb return 4 #Chuck: http://bit.ly/F5760
What the hell, that makes no sense. Why not wait for March. Bring it back for a few weeks then an olympic hiatus. Why not wait until March.
Does this rumour have any legs and does this make any sense.
I’m all in favor of Chuck coming back early — but not on Thursday.
The competition will kill it.
Wed at 8.
So Ausiello says it could come back as early as late October.
Nick C says it’s likely to come back in November.
And Ausiello then says the “latest buzz points to a January or February return”?
So… that leaves December as the one month nobody claims it’s coming back.
There’s this test you can do with small children where you ask them questions about subjects they don’t actually know the answers to. Little girls will usually admit the limits of their knowledge and say they don’t know. Little boys by contrast will often just make stuff up rather than admit that they aren’t as knowledgeable as they think they are.
Who’s providing “the latest buzz”? Could be Ausiello’s pet cat for all we know.
LOL so true Neil G.
NBC still has not made a decision. That’s the only thing we know for certain. I know the whole indecision thing is tiring, but in the same token, I’m encouraged by the fact that NBC is not making any rash decisions and is FINALLY treating Chuck like a valuable property that needs to be handled with thought and care. Tossing it back on the schedule with ZERO promotion or prep time would be a death blow to the show…especially if they returned it to Monday 8pm.
Personally, I’m hoping that if they’re going to wait until 2010 that they wait for March, but the reality is that NBC’s schedule is going to need more programming and aside from Chuck, I’m not sure they have a bunch of viable options. Neither of their 1-hr medical dramas is really deserving of a full season pick-up…even though Mercy does OK in the Wed 8pm slot, it will get killed when Idol returns and the female demo tunes into the AI results show instead. Day One has been downgraded to a mini-series and Parenthood is WAY behind on filming (though I’m excited they nabbed Lauren Graham to replace Maura). Persons Unknown is in the can but there’s been little talk about it and Southland is cancelled. Aside from the Jillien Biggest Loser spin-off program and some game shows, I don’t know what else NBC could consider to pad their Jan/Feb timeframe.
Considering all of the above elements makes my head spin, so given that I only probably know half the story of NBC’s programming challenges…I can see why they might be weighing their options concerning Chuck so carefully. Frustrating? Yes, but not necessarily a bad thing…I’d rather Gaspin and Co. take their time and come up with a solid plan than scramble and react to try and salvage a fall line-up that’s pretty much over.
Okay Wendy I hear you.
But bringing it back in January. The show would have 3-4 epsiodes then a 2 week hiatus then show the reamining nine. I think that no matter what decision they make the back 9 seems to be a no go.
By March the cast and crew would have stopped filming so I am curious how that would work out.
RAC…I agree that a start date in January/February would be less than ideal. As I said, I’m pulling for a March Monday debut after the Olympics or 2nd choice, a promotion blitz for a November start on Wednesday 8pm.
I wouldn’t rule out a Back-9 simply because Jeff Gaspin did a lot of the drama development at USA and he knows that you can have a hit show with a good following in the summer. If NBC really wants to move towards year-round programming, then extending Chuck into summer would allow them to test the waters. However, I’m not sure if that’s still a business model NBC is looking at or if that was a hold over from Ben Silverman.
Right now, the show is set to wrap production in December…which would mean NBC would have to order those additional episodes before S3 aired otherwise, the cast & crew would have to rally to get back into production. With any other network, I would say that you’re right and a B9 is a no go…but with NBC, it’s just really hard to tell
That image is not from the 3D episode.