WonderCon 2010: The Future of NBC’s Chuck!

I am a fan of TV’s “Chuck.” There I said it. Which is why when I heard that the cast would be making another appearance at WonderCon this year, I jumped at the chance to participate in whatever press round tables they had planned. With the on and off again history of the show, I may not get another chance!

“Chuck” has been on the cancellation bubble since first airing on NBC in 2007. Each year, the network pulls it back from the dead at the last minute and gives it a new episode order. You’d think that this type of back and forth nail biting suspense would hurt the show, but star Zachary Levi is surprisingly positive:
   
“Being a bubble show has also kept Chris (Fedak) and Josh (Schwartz) on their toes. Pushing the season constantly forward and the mythology grows. I think that’s one of the most important things that comes out of being a bubble show, the fans get forward momentum. You don’t get a ton of episodes where you don’t learn anything.”

                          Actors Adam Baldwin, Zachary Levi, Joshua Gomez

Which is why you all should be excited about the season’s 13th episode. Originally written and shot as a season finale before the network decided to order another six episodes it is apparently going to be a big one. Exec. Producer Chris Fedak says that this is the episode that the entire season had been building up to so expect something epic. Also expect a “no reset button big enough” scenario according to Josh Schwartz.

Post episode #13, the show has 6 more episodes in the can… but after that no one really knows. Still, Fedak did give some hints about what he’d like to see in the show’s future and it sounds brilliant.

First off would be more guest stars. Being a fan of the 80’s action movies, the first thing out of Fedak’s mouth as a suggestion is the cast of “The Expendables.” His next fantasy would be to reunite the cast of “Buckaroo Banzai” for an episode. On the other end of the spectrum would be some more great comedians and fans could look forward to the likes of Fred Willard and Swoosie Kurtz making appearances.  

                                          Executive Producer Chris Fedak

And what about the Buy More? The Buy More is what centers the show and is the home-base that Chuck will always return to in the end. So instead of having Chuck just leave the Buy More, Fedak is always trying to figure out how to have a Buy More set in another country such as Rome or Costa Grava so that Armand Assante could make a return appearance.

One thing is certain though when Chuck does return: it will be with the full-on funny. Both Schwartz and Fedak said that the 14th and 15th episodes are some of the funniest the show has produced.

The end of this current story arc airs Monday April 5th (tonight) at 8pm Central and Pacific on NBC. The show then returns on April 26th to finish off the season and head into an uncertain future. Be sure to watch and help save one of the best shows on TV.