Nerd Herders Rejoice!

This week brought a delightful Halloween treat for "Chuck" fans everywhere: not only will NBC be bringing the show back earlier than March, they've also tacked on 6 additional episodes to the original 13-ep order!!

Breaking: NBC ups 'Chuck' order

Kudos to NBC for the wise move. They've made some rather questionable decisions this season: axing "Southland" before it even premiered and giving Jay Leno five nights a week to be unfunny, among others.

In other semi-related Chuck news, the erstwhile Bryce Larkin (Matt Bomer) has his own brand-spanking new show on USA, "White Collar." It also has Willie Garson (Stanford from SATC), Marsha Thomason (Las Vegas), and Kelly Kapowski (I mean, Tiffani 'don't call me Amber' Thiessen). The show pulled in decent numbers for its premiere and the reviews are mostly positive. The pilot was enjoyable, with its fun banter between the two show leads and the charming Bomer. USA Network, I think you've scored another hit!

The upside for NBC this winter is the Olympics, bringing much needed advertising dollars and viewers. Midseason will also see the debut of the buzzed about new drama, "Parenthood" starring Peter Krause (Dirty Sexy Money, Six Feet Under) and the newly cast Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls).

CLICK TO READ MORE...

Chick Chat: Monday TV

Ok TV-holics, we're starting a new recurring feature, tentatively titled 'Chick Chat.'

A big reason we started this blog together is, we talk about all the shows with each other anyway, why not bring it to the Web? We'll rant and rave about our favorite shows just as we normally would when discussing them face-to-face.

So, here now we discuss this past Monday night of TV:

Marissa: So did you see Monday night's "Chuck?"
Jenn: Well, duh! It was highly entertaining. I think the show keeps getting better with each episode don't you?
Marissa: Why yes Jenn I do, very entertaining.
I actually enjoy it more when Chuck gets to participate in the missions
Jenn: You know, I think I'm the opposite - I like getting to see the non-spy stuff, like the Nerd Herd and his BFF Morgan
and of course, Captain Awesome
Marissa: Well I like the stuff with the family: like the eating pizza and playing 'how well do we know each other,' but the spy stuff is really fun and usually Adam Baldwin looks pretty good doing it too!
Jenn: I think Chuck and Sarah have a nice chemistry
Marissa: Yeah I like Carina's comments that Sarah likes Chuck a lot even if she doen't know it yet!
Jenn: Speaking of Carina - is it just me or does she kind of look like an anorexic and bitchier Cameron from House?
Marissa: hmmm yeah a lil I guess
Jenn: I'm glad they didn't drag out Chuck finding out about Sarah and Bryce
Marissa: Yeah it seems like a trend this season. Things might be held in for a few eps but the secrets are coming out much faster. On all the shows I mean of course
Jenn: Have you heard that Bryce isn't all that...dead? And word is, he'll be popping up before the season ends?
Marissa: I thought that might happen, seemed to easy for him to be just.... Dead!
Nobody is ever just dead
Jenn: on spy shows.Or Heroes. Or Lost or ANY soap opera.

Jenn: Moving on....wasn't "How I Met Your Mother" hi---wait for it---larious?!
Marissa: yeah I love the way that show works! Barney... will stop at NOTHING to win.
Poor Marshall though, you know he's happy with Lily and dosn't regret anything, but there is that tiny lil bit of him that still wants to get out there and "Play" with the boys.
Jenn: "Are you a model?" Poor guy has zero game.
Back to Barney - all that work and it backfired on him ha!
Marissa: Of course it did! It always backfires on him
I love that Robin got broken up with by a kid
Jenn: Yes! Everything that involved Robin and kids was hysterical
My favorite line of the night was Marshall asking: "So now that you're a mommy, are you gonna wear those totally awesome jeans that come up to your boobs?"
Marissa: hahaha yeah that was funny
Jenn: I also laughed at the bite-sized Barneys and Teds
Marissa: That was very clever of them. The Barneys were the best, also kind of creeeeeepy
Jenn: those mini voices :)
You know what else?
Patch up!
Marissa: hahaha
Seriously

Jenn: I know I already covered it in my recap, but how did you like this week's "Heroes?"
Marissa: I really liked it.I didn't think it was slow at all
Jenn: What were your favorite parts of the ep?
Marissa: Oh gosh um all the stuff with Claire and the flying boy.
Did u see the sign in Molly's eyes?
Jenn: Ooh no, what was it?
Marissa: Kensei's symbol.
Jenn: I completely missed that. Good eye!
Marissa: Yeah I had to rewind a couple of times just to make sure, but it was like right before a commercial break
Jenn: Of course, you know what I'm really excited for is next week.
Marissa: Hellz yeah!
Jenn: V. Mars in the house! Can I get a woo?
Marissa: WOO!!

CLICK TO READ MORE...

NBC: "Chuck" Pilot Review

As we were preparing for the new fall season, we were most looking forward to ABC's new programming. However, we ended up be being pleasantly surprised at what NBC had to offer: a multitude of new and different shows that really piqued our interest.

Premise: A one-hour, action-comedy series about Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) – a computer geek who is catapulted into a new career as the government’s most vital secret agent. When Chuck opens an e-mail subliminally encoded with government secrets, he unwittingly downloads an entire server of sensitive data into his brain. Now, the fate of the world lies in the unlikely hands of a guy who works at a Buy more Electronics store. Instead of fighting computer viruses, he must now confront assassins and international terrorists. NBC.com


Just how much did we enjoy "Chuck?" Enough that it will be replacing "Prison Break" on our Watch Live list. Yeah, it's that good.

Cameo alert!: Matthew Bomer (late of ABC's short-lived "Traveler") pops in as Bryce Larkin, Chuck's old college roomie/assumed-to-be-accountant, but actually rogue CIA spy who passes on the gov't secrets to an unsuspecting Chuck.

J’s thoughts:

What I liked loved: the faux spy opening, Zachary Levi as the lovably naïve Chuck, Adam Baldwin doing what he does best: antagonizing the guy he has to protect.

Chuck and bff Morgan call Chuck's sister Ellie's boyfriend, 'Captain Awesome.'
There's also a minor throwaway joke – as Chuck enters a Costco-type Warehouse, he passes a display of AstroDiapers (slightly dated, but still pretty amusing).

Overall impression: while many have been comparing this show to "Alias" and another new fall show, "Reaper," personally I am reminded a bit more of "Jake 2.0" with its humor and its normal-guy-unwittingly-thrust-into-spy-world setup. Hopefully the rest of the episodes will live up to the pilot.
Rating = 5!

M's thoughts:

"Aces Charles, you're aces" Ellie (Chuck's sister)

What I liked loved: ummm just about everything! There was a super cool car chase scene, using porno to defuse a bomb, and the place where Chuck works, "Buy More," is situated right next to a "Large Mart."

Overall impression: I really loved the Alias-style opening. It's fantastic to see Adam Baldwin (Jayne on Firefly) back on T.V.; that dude totally rocks. The pilot is action- packed and funny. They don't throw too much information at you, they kind of ease you into the plot. I seriously think the rest of the episodes will keep with the same energy as the pilot.
Rating = 5

CLICK TO READ MORE...

Casting News Roundup!

It's been a busy week in TV land -- here's the latest:

- The adorable Rachel Bilson - last seen (finally) marrying Seth on "The O.C." - will cozy up to another adorkable guy, Zachary Levi, on NBC's "Chuck." (that pilot review is on its way kiddies!) Zap2it.com

- Alyssa Milano ("Charmed") tries to work her magic on Earl Hickey; let's hope she's less annoying and wearing more clothes. Zap2it.com

- The eternally-youthful Morgan Fairchild (really, what is her secret? She looks exactly the same as she did in the '80s and '90s - she's gotta be like 95 by now right?) will vamp up kooky Elmo, AK on "Men in Trees." Ausiello Report

CLICK TO READ MORE...