Thoughts on ‘Chuck,’ whose ratings are up!
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- October
- 22
As NBC’s “Chuck” continues to develop into one of the fall’s best new shows, its ratings seem to be recovering faster than the title character’s heart rate.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, everyone’s favorite member of the Nerd Herd (sorry, Morgan) attracted not only the growing affections of government agent Sarah, but also 8.2 million viewers—a 19 percent increase over its ratings the previous week. To me, this is great news. After a mediocre second chapter, episodes three and four were nothing short of exhilarating.
After a week off and some time to deliberate, I present to you five thoughts on my favorite new show of the season:
1. Chuck is supposedly a nerd, but Zachari Levy’s far from scrawny. A pocket protector and a foppish ‘do doth not a nerd make. I love the show, but Levy’s physicality detracts from the will-Sarah-fall-for-the-hopeless-nerd storyline if he’s clearly able to bench-press Morgan.
2. The actress who plays Sarah recently changed the spelling of her last name (from Yvonne Strzechowski to Yvonne Strahovski). I’m guessing the phonetics are identical. Also, as my Remote Accessory Brian Howard alerted me, she’s Australian. Add her to the list of international actors whose American accents on new TV shows are so natural, they’re unnoticeable (see also: McKidd, Kevin in “Journeyman”; and Ryan, Michelle in “Bionic Woman”). Also, as I have alerted myself, she’s hot.
3. I think it took three episodes for Chuck to get a set of opening credits, but I’m sure Captain Awesome would have a word to describe them. In addition to the slick red-white-and-black animation, excellent choice going with Cake’s “Short Skirt, Long Jacket,” which balances nerdy and mainstream with aplomb. How many alt-pop songs do you know with a prominent trumpet solo?
4. In the pilot, I was unsatisfied with the writers’ treatment of Chuck’s coworkers at Buy More, but the writers and actors did an excellent job fleshing them out in “Chuck versus The Tango.” The highlight for me: When Morgan (Joshua Gomez) locks himself in the warehouse, the audience is treated to the “Le Nozze di Figaro” opera song featured in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Better still, the joke is never explained to unknowing viewers.
That’s the strength of shows like “The Office” and “30 Rock”; those series still work if you don’t get individual pop culture references, but are that much better if you understand these jokes and they’re not spelled out for you. This is a good sign for “Chuck,” whose pilot was clever enough to cite the obscure Vicki Vale reference from Prince’s “Bat Dance,” but appeared insecure due to its explanation of the reference to another character (and, thus, the audience). Progress!
5. From Chuck and Sarah’s budding romance to his continued involvement in government affairs, plot movement seems to be aggressive. This usually is a sign of a confident show and/or one that fears early cancellation. Let’s hope for the former.
Tonight’s plot, according to NBC.com: “Chuck versus The Sizzling Shrimp: Chuck has a dilemma when he is forced to choose between going against the US government and his friends, or doing what he believes is right.”
I’m guessing shrimp are involved as well.
(Photo courtesy of NBC/Universal.)
This entry was posted
on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 at 4:52 pm by Chris Serico.
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No apologies necessary for Morgan – he’s not a member of the Herd. I realized that last week, when he wasn’t helping repair any of the computers. He’s a mere salesman.
Last night the intro into the show really hit me, nicely done – with a feel for some longevity (I hope). Great show, love the entire cast, the action and the pop culture referencing humor.
Zachary Levi is brilliant, a mix of Seinfeld, John Ritter and a dash of the late great Peter Sellers. Love this guy. Adam Baldwin perfect in his role as the over-the-top Spy-Guy. What a find, Joshua Gomez, who plays the best friend. Sarah Lancaster, I loved her in “What About Brian”, and Yvonne is gorgeous. The Nerd Herd characters are indeed coming along nicely as the show progresses. Just top notch all the way around.
At times I feel as though the show panders to the lowest common denominator. Then I think about how much I like it and decide not to think about it so much.