Tue 27 Oct 2009
Gaspin and NBC Decide to Stick with TRAUMA, CHUCK in March. (Or Why Isn’t NBC Taking the Trash Out?)
Posted by Nick C under CHUCK, NBC, TRAUMA
[30] Comments
Today word slowly spread that NBC was going to stick with TRAUMA. It isn’t because it is going up in ratings (from a 1.8 to a 1.9 in the demo) but because Gaspin and the others at NBC believe it is best to stick with the plan. What plan you might ask?
Well Gaspin has some pilots that he’s already corralling for next Fall that in his mind are strategically chosen to grow the network out of the dumpster it is in. Part of that plan is having some shows appear after the Olympics that might help improve the horrible statistics that NBC is currently pulling.
The problem for NBC is they have nothing to promote with. They have no killer show with which to showcase their new shows (and the return of a cult fave). Last year NBC used the last episode of ER to promote SOUTHLAND, which was a hit for the network in its first 2 weeks. Then it died, pretty much right after they announced they were picking it up for a second season (and now it’s headed for TNT with no new episodes planned yet). ER did a good job launching SOUTHLAND. What does NBC have to use for a launch? It wasted the SUPERBOWL on THE OFFICE, and THE OFFICE is their only decently rated show. It has not done a good job of launching new comedies. Of course that may have more to do with the comedies sucking.
Sorry CHUCK fans, You’ll have to wait until March for more Sarah.
All NBC has is the WINTER OLYMPICS. That’s it. They have nothing else that would be good for promotional purposes. NBC could shoot their wad early and go ahead and move the other shows up, but what will cause more than the dismal amount of people that watch the network notice? It’s a gamble. Gaspin is thinking it isn’t one to take.
So we should see the WINTER OLYMPICS have a lot of promotional spots for the new shows and CHUCK. It’s the only thing that NBC has that they know people will actually watch to notice the promos.
30 Responses to “ Gaspin and NBC Decide to Stick with TRAUMA, CHUCK in March. (Or Why Isn’t NBC Taking the Trash Out?) ”
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[...] Nick C has an interesting theory that NBC is hanging onto its dreck through the Olympics since they want to debut new shows after [...]
Sounds good to me!
Oh well. Whatya gonna do? It’s just kind of sad that the solution NBC comes up with – and I know they couldn’t foresee the future in how lousy the new fall shows would be doing ratings wise – would be to have one of their more entertaining, talked about, and criticly lauded shows (CHUCK) limited to only 13 episodes, while some of the weaker shows received full 22 episode seasons.
See ya in March, Yvonne!!
Rick,
Is Chuck still limited to a maximum of 13 Episodes?
I believe that I recall that in a previous post Nick C mentioned that NBC might still order additional episodes even if Chuck came back in March.
I don’t know whether or not that is still the case, but even if it’s not, then Chuck’s future beyond the Spring 2010 Season looks pretty good. I think that it would have to do pretty poorly when it comes back for us not to see a 4th Season.
Unless NBC plan to stick a page of Ad on every magazine and billboard out there, it is no point to indicate they will do lots of promotion.
HA! I laughed at the sight of “promotional spots”. NBC had said the same for Chuck, and the show BARELY had any good spots at last year’s summer Olympics. I dvr the whole thing, and what did I noticed? Two promos per day, and they were during either daytime games or really late ones (around 11PM-midnight); no primetime spot. Those juicy spots were for new shows (that are all gone now) Kat&Kim, My Own Worst Enemy, etc.
I feel sorry for NBC; their brother network (USA) is more successful (and well deserved too).
I understand that Gaspin has a lot mess to clean up after BS. And I’m kinda glad they are doing what they are doing, because like you said this season is failure. Might as well start anew
(mid)season. I’m looking forward to see what kind of shows they have up on their sleeves for the next season.
Nick C,
So Gaspin is using Chuck and the Olympics to launch it’s new slate next year
Does Chuck have a chance on this new slate or is it DOA for S4. Also I guess no extra episodes for Chuck then?
Could the Abrams show replace Chuck next year?
I am worried that Gaspin is cleaning house and if Chuck is part of the trash or treasure of NBC.
Thanks
Chuck fans hardly constitute a cult, Nick C. We’re just “engaged” (Ben Silverman’s word), and I think Mr. Gaspin knows that. I also think he’s taking advantage. Most of us will be around come March, after all.
The question is about the audience that hasn’t seen Chuck yet. It’s hard to imagine where they’ll come from without proper promotion, but it’s harder to imagine when the show’s not even on the air for 10 months. It’s a gamble either way.
Oddly, it seems that, with the ability of cable networks to buy quality shows, it’s NBC that’s more at risk than Chuck.
I don’t put a whole lot of stock in the Olympic promotion. Will the promote SOME? Yes. But is it going to be enough to REALLY make a difference?
I think you have a way better chance of promotional exposure by doing something in the Subway locations (as compared to maybe a dozen or so promo blurbs you’ll get on the Olympics).
I’d be willing to bet that you’re not going to catch promos for CHUCK during the most watched Olympic events. Their saving those spots for COMMERCIALS – where they can make the most money!
My great fear in all this is that after a 10 month (let’s be realistic – a YEAR long hiatus), a too-heavily banked on and I think uncertain Olympic promtion campaign, and a likely return to the deathknell Monday evening timeslot against DWTS, House, etc., and the 13 episodes of S3 may be the last we’ll see.
I hope I’m wrong. PLEASE, NBC – prove me wrong, and I will rejoice!!
Who in the heck still watches the boring Olympics??? I avoid it every year they air it!
Considering the talent NBC have got on ‘Chuck’, they are serving it poorly if they don’t give it all the air they can.
Every character in the show is well written and acted. Even the background artists. It’s close to gold dust to get a cast who work so well together. Some of us ‘Chuck’ fans came here because we were following Adam after ‘Firefly’
. We’ve seen lightning in a bottle once already.
With the up-and-coming talents of Zach and Yvonne particularly, NBC is probably nursing the Next Big Thing in Hollywood. Zach is very adaptable; he’ll cover the Jim Carrey physical roles plus be a Tom Hanks ‘everyman’ type. Plus he can sing!
Plus, how can anyone not give Adam’s powerful acting abilities a regular airing? Having seen some of his other immaculately layered performances [Firefly, Dead Bolt and Keyman:Finding Redemption], it’s a potential Oscar-winning talent.
Well for me I am depressed about this. Who knew a TV show could make me feel this way. Now I need to go back in my corner and lick my wounds.
They better have a good ending planned, no more of this to be continued crap and no Chuck and Sarah cliff hanger.
I know its painful to wait until March. But as been noted before, and echoed by everyone connected with Chuck on the latest ChuckTV podcast via Gray, an uninterrupted run in March is the best way to launch Chuck.
March will distance Chuck from the current stink of the NBC fall schedule mess and allows Chuck to be promoted with the only viable launch pad NBC has between now and then, the Olympics.
Most important is Chuck will get an uninterrupted run. WooT! First time ever.
With a really tight, cable quality 13 episode arc, the chances for Chuck going to a fourth season have just increased substantially in my opinion.
Mr. Gaspin, you have made a wise decision.
Thank you for not throwing Chuck to the wolves!
@oldDarth. I hope you’re right my friend, I HOPE, HOPE, HOPE you’re right.
I just don’t want to see CHUCK get shafted when it comes to renewal time & consideration for S4.
I feel like I’ve been saying everything Nick said in this post for months…
Remember some promotion people see will always top a lot of promotion nobody sees.
@alex. Agreed. And a ****load of people go into Subway restaurants every day. If Subway is an integral part of the deal for S3 of CHUCK as we’ve been led to believe, you’d think there’d be some Subway promotion of CHUCK before the return of the show (in March?)- and THAT, a LOT of people WILL see – more than I believe will see the Olympic promos, which will be sporadic at best. And remember, people usually get up to go to the toilet when the “commercials” come on – even during the Olympics!
They should first start with a banner that runs on the bottom of the screen that says Chuck returns March 2010 during the Olympics. That way all the Chuck watchers know without seeing the promo. Use the promos to get new viewers. That way everysingle viewer knows about Chuck. That is what I would do anyways.
Its a long way to the top, and Gaspin understands that. So if they keep low performing shows on a bit long than fine, it means more time to develop their replacements that can slowly build a following up again. The winter Olympics will help. And if NBC uses its cable channels to promote then things might look up.
Rick I am right.
You can save your HOPE, HOPE, HOPE, HOPE for something else.
Go In Peace and come back like a lion in March.
Lou
So is it still Mondays in March? They have not put that back on the site. The day is still blank.
In the article Nick speaks of “promotional for new shows and CHUCK”, what are these new shows? There should only be Marriage Ref and Celebrity Apprentice(but I thought that they started in January) as well as Chuck and presumably Parenthood or whatever show gets Monday at 9PM.
With the 9 episode extentions, all other shows run well past the end of the Olympics, except L&O which will probably get it’s extra episodes too. Unless there is a planned retooling of the schedule in mid-season.
I ask this because NBC has a history of bad decisions regarding Chuck as well as over promising and underdelivering on promotion. There was the decision to not come back after the writers strike and instead give a good promotion leading into season 2-a bad decision followed by underdelivered promise. Then the long break last year, to return with a 3-D episode with big promotion. Two bad decisions followed by a promise that they did deliver (superbowl promos).
What I am worried about is another long hiatus ( bad decision) followed by promotion that pushes their new shows and returning regular lineup much more than Chuck, in which the show once again gets the worst of all worlds.
Well at least we now know or do we? There is of course no official word from NBC on
the “latest” word,rumor,tease, or whatever
you want to call it.
If it really is March, then at least it
seems they have a plan and have made a decision which is better than nothing, assuming all of this is true but things have changed before.
We’ll have to wait and see. I just hope
Chuck is given a fair chance and not lost
in the shuffle. Without a back nine ordered
the current 13 episode shooting schedule
will be completed before March. They will
have to go with what they have, hope that
they get a decent time slot, good promo,
and hope for the best.
I doubt an “ending” will be shot if the
ratings don’t hold or NBC cancels the show.
If that happens, that would be very bad
and certainly not fair to the viewers. A
new campaign to save the show will probably
not work this time. Much will depend on
the ratings, Subway’s input/support, and
Gaspin’s attitude for the show.
At least if the March schedule holds the
show will hopefully get a clean, consistent
13 episode run with no interruptions. Nothing to do now except hope for the best.
Unless it all changes-AGAIN….
If they didn’t cancel Trauma with a 1.9 I doubt they are going to with Chuck.
The WB just sent a press release late today that S2 of Chuck will be coming to DVD and Blue Ray on January 5th. At the very least, this rules out any question of Chuck returning before 2010…I’m sure that the WB and NBC have worked that out together so that the DVD release occurs before the new season begins.
I do find it strange that they’re releasing the DVD set right AFTER the holiday season…why not make it availble for Christmas? Maybe they’re banking on pre-orders for holiday gifts or people using their gift cards (I know that’s where mine will be going). Well I’m looking forward to rining in the New Year with Chuck S2!
The good news (or insider leakery) keeps on coming today: http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/exclusive-nbc-wants-more-chuck-9330
Considering that studios typically release DVD sets a couple weeks before airing the new season (logic I’ve never understood…it gives you NO time to lend your DVD’s to others to get them caught up), I find it feasible for NBC to bring Chuck back in mid/late January. My guess is that they’re keeping their options open until after the November sweeps, then they’ll make a decision on the official start date.
I just read that Wendy. Jumping for Joy about even the rumours of NBC showing good faith in the show. Yipeee!!!
If Chuck got more episodes I would sit back shut my mouth and wait for March.
So much for your *insider* moles – wrong about Trauma, and wrong about Three Rivers (which BTW is still airing new episodes and still producing new episodes).
Shamrock317, well TRAUMA is not being renewed, and it’s going to play out it’s 13 episodes including in November so I’m right. That isn’t canceled and that is sticking to the plan.
THREE RIVERS is also not being renewed, with production being left going so a DVD set can be sold. Sorry. It is likely to be pulled from the airwaves however.
First I would concentrate on getting rid of the angst so they keep the viewers they have–I think some action scenes from season 2 could really entice people to try the show on–Sarah’s fight scenes in first date,Chuck dropped from a building, Casey catching Chuck and the commentary between Chuck & Casey, Sarah’s fight scenes with Ritchie in Cougars or the Asiatic girl in best friend. They must be creative and forget ho-hum ads. I think action is the only thing that will work, the type of action no other show has. It does not hurt to mention Emmy Award winning.