If there's anyone who'd love to see Chuck renewed, it's NBC Entertainment co-chairman, Ben Silverman. That could be viewed as good news by Chuck fans who are on pins and needles because Silverman theoretically is in a position to save the show. Chuck, is now performing exactly at the average adults 18-49 for all NBC shows (minus the Super Bowl), and typically networks do not cancel average performing shows.
But NBC's situation isn't typical. First, the overall average is pretty low relative to ABC, CBS and FOX and then there's the pesky issue with NBC handing over the Monday through Friday 10pm slot to Jay Leno next fall, potentially removing five hours of scripted programming from the lineup.
There's good reason for Silverman to want to salvage Chuck. If he doesn't, he'll be batting 0 for 12 with scripted shows, not counting those launched last night. New York Magazine did a story on Silverman's performance. Not counting shows he worked on before becoming co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, The Biggest Loser, and The Office, or Parks & Recreation and Southland, twenty-three shows have been launched in the Silverman regime.
According to the article, fifteen of them have already been canceled, five will almost certainly be canceled, and three are still alive for now. They have Howie Do It in the likely to be canceled pile, and that's hard to argue with, but it wouldn't shock me to see it come back, and they have Superstars of Dance as still alive, and it wouldn't shock me if it wasn't. The other shows listed as still alive (for now!) are Celebrity Apprentice and Chuck.
The New York Magazine article has several cool charts (and one funny one) and different breakouts including scripted vs. unscripted, fastest to cancellation, and number of episodes aired before cancellation. Give it a look.
I am a huge Chuck fan and whilst I realise all this will it or won’t it be renewed propaganda that has been going on for weeks now, I still think the show will be renewed. It has the support of Ben Silverman, the critics seem to give it the thumbs up, it was of the regularly downloaded shows from NBC’s website. I just can’t see them canceling this coming autumn. Season 4 might be on the rocks though, but hopefully not.
Gah! Enough with the Chuck cancellation speculation. I love the show, but seriously….
55/45 in favor of renewal. It’s gonna be close whichever way it eventually shakes out.
This show will never grow because it will always be the same format.It could lose viewers but it won’t add viewers.
I say cancel.
Tony says:
April 10th, 2009 at 3:14 am
This show will never grow because it will always be the same format.It could lose viewers but it won’t add viewers.
I say cancel.
Tony,
First, it has been announced that the season finale takes the show in a whole new direction, so the format is not going to be the same next season, provided it is renewed. Second, I honestly believe that if Chuck is moved to another night, it will add viewers. And tell me one thing, what shows out there aren’t the same format? All the Law & Order’s are the “same format” and SVU is the highest rated drama that NBC has and Law & Order (the mothership as it is referred to) has been on for 19 years with the same format.
My personal message to Ben Silverman.
Please renew Chuck and for goodness sake, get it off of Monday nights!!
I think there are two questions that go along with all the Chuck speculation – Should it be renewed and will it be renewed.
The answer to the first question for a whole multitude of reasons is no it shouldn’t be renewed.
However the answer to will it be renewed becomes infinitely more complicated and for a multitude of reasons I lean (unfortunately) toward yes. However if you take Silverman out of the equation I think it leans toward no.
Alex says:
April 10th, 2009 at 3:54 am
I think there are two questions that go along with all the Chuck speculation – Should it be renewed and will it be renewed.
The answer to the first question for a whole multitude of reasons is no it shouldn’t be renewed.
Alex,
I am curious to hear your reasons you feel that it shouldn’t be renewed. I know some of them (demo numbers, money, the fact that you dislike the show, etc.) but other than those are there reasons you feel it shouldn’t be renewed.
I don’t know if this is a topic for this website but – what do you think the game changer will be? If the show is renewed and certain changes are made to keep the same cast but make the plot different enough to attract new viewers – Chuck 2.0 will they be able to increase share? Will they drop the Buy More B story since Chuck has outgrown that plot device (and it may save some cast money – I wouldn’t miss Morgan but love Jeffster). Will Chuck go rogue with his new self hacking skills – partner with his dad? What do you think the change will be and can it increase the shows numbers?
Isn’t celebrity Apprentice doing good? it gets like a 3.0+
Cancel.
Just so people who think this crap is the best thing ever will finally shut up.
David4 says:
April 10th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Cancel.
Just so people who think this crap is the best thing ever will finally shut up.
David,
You are absolutely funny if you think that canceling this “crap” as you call it will shut everyone up. If anything it will drive people to talk about it more.
Why does everyone keep doing this? Really, I’m tired of this.
I love Chuck as much as you, but come on.
Chuck is going to be renewed. The performance is average and Silverman likes it. What else do you need? An official confirmation? A press release?
Good show great cast.
Renew it and let it grow.
I really hope you are right, Ricardo…
Renew it.This show is awesome.
So let’s it get season 3
Ricardo says:
April 10th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Why does everyone keep doing this? Really, I’m tired of this.
I love Chuck as much as you, but come on.
Chuck is going to be renewed. The performance is average and Silverman likes it. What else do you need? An official confirmation? A press release?
Ricardo,
I am with you, but yes we need an official confirmation and press release.
For what it’s worth (in reality, not much
): Television Without Pity has listed “Chuck” at the top of their “Please Save This Show” top 10 list, and written some opinions on why it should stay. Best of luck, Chuck!
http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/telefile/2009/03/chuck-seven-reasons-it-deserve.php
Renew it and MOVE IT!
The biggest problem is that Chuck spends most of its life againsr American Idol and Dancing With The Stars. I’ve never watched AI and barely tolerate DWTS but they are giant killers against other shows. I would doubt that any show NBC puts in the Monday time slot will fare well against those odds.
Interesting article. Really, it’s just fuelling the will they/won’t they frenzy that’s gonna be going on for the next month – I think all the stuff in this article has been said at some point or the other somewhere on the board.
Still – I hope the show gets renewed. Sending positive thoughts from Canada…