Once An Outcast, NBC Looks For 'Chuck' As Saving Grace

Network orders more episodes of show gearing up for mid-season launch

By MICHAEL HINMAN Oct-29-2009
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It supposedly barely survived a renewal, and then was pushed to a late Spring series by NBC.

But with nothing much else clicking for the Peacock, it looks like "Chuck" is not only coming back, it's coming back big.

Even better, the show -- starring Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski -- could return to its Monday slot as NBC opted to give its medical drama "Trauma" the ax.

NBC has ordered six additional episode of "Chuck" to bring its total third-season order to 19, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The move is necessary since it looks like "Chuck" could be back on the air as early as January, and would need 19 episodes to fill out the spring schedule.

"Chuck" has always seemed to have a bad reputation inside NBC for whatever reasons, despite it being a fan and critical darling. It averaged a 4.0 rating/6 share in overnights last season, about 8 percent better than what "Trauma" is doing for NBC in the same timeslot.

As part of a marketing campaign for the show between the network and the advertiser, fans flocked to Subway stores last spring to show their support for "Chuck," which the network officially says was crucial for them to renew the show. However, sources inside the network have always said "Chuck" was poised for a return, but would become more of a late-season show, or like this case, positioned to replace any early schedule failures by the network.

Also, it hasn't hurt that NBC picked up new management in the meantime.

No official launch date for "Chuck" has been scheduled quite yet, but it's very likely it will premiere in January after "Trauma" burns off its remaining episodes.

About the Author: Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha and the entire BlipNetwork. He owns Quantum Global Media Inc., the parent corporation of the BlipNetwork. He's a print journalist by day, and lives in Tampa, Fla.
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