It seems ages ago when that tall drink of water that can fill a pair of pants Brandon Routh shook my hand and introduced himself to me… *swoons*
It seems like eons ago since Chuck Bartowski learned he knew Kung-Fu and Capt. Awesome realized the lovable nerd is more than the king of Buy Moria…
Tonight the world finally gets to see what I’ve been sitting on for quite some time (“That’s What She Said” – shut it…), that CHUCK is back and kicking some major ass! Over the next two nights you’ll be treated to the first 3 hours of Chuck Season 3. That’s right, three episodes over two nights. It’s Chuckvana!
But before you go, I’ve got some highlights and quotes from the first 3 episodes of CHUCK Season 3 that you may or may not want to know (so they’re going after the jump) (more…)
Fall Schmall… The Winter 2010 TV schedule is cuckoo-bananas! Ducky and GMMR sat down, screeners in hand, mapped out all the premiere dates and dished the dirt on all the new and returning shows.
What did we think of the first 5 episodes of CHUCK Season 3? What about the new season of 24 featuring Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff)? What about new shows like LIFE UNEXPECTED, THE DEEP END, CAPRICA, HAPPY TOWN and HUMAN TARGET?
Want to know when DAMAGES, LOST, SOUTHLAND, GLEE and NURSE JACKIE return? Want to know how long you have to wait for Lauren Graham to shine in PARENTHOOD? How many more weeks until the return of TV Talk’s recurring listener fave “2 Idiots Talk LOST”?
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a Buy More mouse. Sarah’s stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Chuck Bartowski soon would be there! Casey was nestled all snug in his bed, while visions of a fuzzy Morgan danced in his head. And Ellie in her ‘kerchief and Awesome in his cap, they’re just about to rise from a long network enforced nap…
This is what all of you TV Talk Podcast listeners have been waiting for… GMMR and Ducky interview the cast of NBC’s kick ass comedy thriller, CHUCK!
Season 3 premieres January 10th and as a Chrismukkah present to you all, GMMR and Ducky have a little gossip, a lot of scoop and some killer insight from your favorite CHUCK castmembers.
Last week, GMMR and I spent the day on the set of CHUCK! Some people may have thought CHUCK was canceled after it wasn’t on the Fall lineup but if you did your homework you would know that CHUCK Season 3 will premiere March 2010 after the Olympics (if not sooner).
Kath and I were joking going into the day that if we saw Season 3 guest star Brandon Routh (aka Superman), I’d probably just fall over with the vapors… never thinking he would actually be there.
What do we discover within two seconds of walking on set? That it was Brandon Routh’s first day of shooting! Within minutes, that tall drink of water stepped into view and my knees buckled. Let me tell you, that man can wear some pants! HELLO!
While we can’t tell you who the ex-man of steel will be playing, it’s already out there that he’s on CHUCK for a 6 episode stint. As it was his first day of shooting we sadly didn’t get any interview time with him but he did introduce himself and was sweet as can be. I’m really excited to see what he brings to the show and how his role impacts some of our favorite characters. We watched him film a couple scenes and it looks like he’s going to be a busy boy this season.
The episode we saw them filming was Episode 3×04 or 3×05 (watch it be 3×03 – its like my own personal Memento up in here – short term memory loss much?) and it pains me that I can’t reveal anything about the episode. Needless to say we were spoiled on a few key plot points and had to ask a few questions about how the characters got to where they are in the episode but it was well worth it.
Throughout the day we got to interview the principal cast (Zac Levi, Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin), take some pictures of some new sets and even chatted with General Beckman (Bonita Friedericy).
We’ve got a long way to go before CHUCK premieres and we want to make sure Bartowski, the Buy More and the rest of the gang stay fresh in your mind until we get closer to the premiere.
I know you want all the information now but you’re going to have to hold tight. Kath and I will be releasing our interviews with the cast slowly over time via The TV Talk Podcast.
In the meantime check out some of our pics with the cast and from our day on the set of NBC’s CHUCK.
Stay tuned to the TV Talk Podcast for more information and interviews with the cast of CHUCK Season 3.
After last year’s Comic-Con I was worn out, my flight to and from San Diego had been canceled and rescheduled, I was ready to slap anyone wearing a costume and I may or may not have made a commitment then and there to not attend this year. My partner in crime, Kath from Give Me My Remote felt the same way and so we went about our year not planning on returning to San Diego for 2009.
When I was laid off, the decision seemed like perfection. I would have less money for one and if I got a new job, chances were it would be closer to the Con and I wouldn’t have the time off available to me that I’ve had in the past. Obvious, right?
Flash-forward to the middle of July and I start regretting my decision. I’m still unemployed and with the Press Pass and a probable free flight I started wondering why the frak I didn’t go. The answer was simple though, I was competing in my first triathlon and that was Comic-Con weekend. It was a distraction for the actual weekend but not the time leading up to and during the start of SDCC09.
Once all of my blogger friends, PR folks from the networks and shows started plotting their schedules, the interviews, the press rooms, etc. I really started to have mini-panic attacks that I would be missing out on all the fun and yes, even the chaos.
Here are the things I’ll have missed most about not having been at Comic-Con this past weekend:
My friends/comrades in all things Con (esp. Rae, Amrie, Holly, Winson, Susan, Jen G. and my girl Moira)
Being in a hotel for 5 nights but only for a couple hours of sleeping and lots of laughing our asses off.
Our annual trip to Bucca!
The Press Rooms (its always fun to have some alone time with my fave TV stars/writers/creators)
People watching, esp. seeing all the people in costumes!
Making fun of people!
Eating only one not-so-square meal a day
Jockeying for positions (though I don’t miss that at the same time)
Walking the floor or rather hanging out atop the floor in the WB lounge.
The GLEE panel and my chance to rape Cory Monteith’s face!
Seeing David Tennant at the Doctor Who panel. The one year I don’t go his ass shows up…
The Torchwood panel
The True Blood panel (after last years snore fest, I hear this year was much better)
The Supernatural panel and meeting Mischa Collins (I will always regret that one)
The Big Bang Theory gang (last year they were so fun both in press and panel)
Zachary Quinto (in any shape/form)
The Nightmare on Elm Street panel
The Prisoner redux panel
Jeffster performance and the Chuck panel (though I bet GMMR is more upset than I – seeing how she got a shout out and all)
Cheese Sticks
The New Moon panel (yes, I said it)
Waiting in that ridonk Starbucks line
The Middleman panel (and the hotness that is Matt Kesslar)
The Caprica panel
The final Lost panel
Obviously the list could go on for days but off the top of my head these are the things that annoyed me while I was at home all weekend. There are more online friends and PR people that I didn’t give a shout out to but I would have loved to hang with all of you as well and maybe next year we’ll be back in full swing! SDCC2010 or Bust!
Here’s the sad thing folks… I watched this episode of CHUCK last week and meant to post about it sooner but didn’t have the time. While all of my blogger friends are joining in and making this the week of Bartowski, I forgot to tease you all about watching last night’s episode so I’ve done a major fail. Oh well…
In part I think I held my post because I didn’t think the episode was as huge and amazing as people had built it up to be and I didn’t know how to convey that without sounding like a dick.
Don’t get me wrong, its a good episode of Chuck but with all the hype surrounding the arrival of their Father, the reveal of Orion and Chevy Chase guest starring, it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for “Chuck vs. the Dream Job” going into it. I expected “Chuck vs. the Santa Claus” type greatness and let’s face it, it’s hard to top Big Mike in a Santa suit.
So while this was not the best Chuck episode it was very important in the mythology of the show and it had a lot of relationship drama that really gets to the heart of Chuck as a show.
Here are some of my quick thoughts as the episode was unfolding, including some of my favorite quotes. Let me know what you think…
CHUCK kicks off right where it left off last week only Sarah and Chuck are sitting in his Dad’s living room-slash-kitchenette and breaking the news that Ellie is getting married.
Chuck’s Dad, aka Scott Bakula, looks pretty good without his Cylon friend in tow. A little Sam Shephard-ish on the weathered scale but overall, still a damn good looking man don’t you think?
Vulnerable Chuck is kind of even more adorable than our nerdy reluctant hero. I also love that Sarah gets to see this side of Chuck. She’s so damn sweet with him, I can’t stand it.
Chuck: “He’s not as crazy as I remember” then the best look from both Chuck and Sarah
“Pancakes”
I like watching the Bartowski’s explore the thin line between love and hate. Awkward much? I also appreciate that the show doesn’t delve too far into melodrama and that even the tender moments have some humor to them… it keeps Chuck CHUCK.
I don’t know that having Chevy Chase as the head of ROURK Instruments added much to the episode but I’ll deal with it. Rourke is Papa Bartowski’s old college pal that supposedly stole all of his genius ideas. I smell a Gates/Jobs scenario which I kinda dig.
Chuck gets to go undercover as… himself! That’s pretty great and really showcases how Chuck is light years above his Nerd Herd job. Makes you sad a little doesn’t it?
OMG Sarah and Casey undercover as total nerd loving bespectacled geeks is pretty well, AWESOME.
I like that they’re following through on Ellie being pissed at Awesome for the bachelor party non-antics.
Chuck busts out the Ex Machina comics and the cards to once again try to figure out the intersect info when he realizes Rourke has an intersect in his office. One of the maps given to him matches the Rourke campus map, what a crazy random happenstance. The problem is, he’s got to convince Sarah and Casey without telling them he’s had his own investigation going on.
Um, Chuck all suited up to kick ass!
Casey: “You didn’t even have the common courtesy to threaten me with a real gun.”
We finally find out what we all expected for some time now, that Orion is Chuck’s Dad.
Papa Bartowski didn’t invent the entire FOLCRUM but he did create “all the cool stuff.” I guess this explains why he abandoned Chuck and Ellie.
The origin of “Aces Charles” that was pretty incredible to hear from the horses mouth.
As Orion’s trying to implant a new set of images in Chuck’s brain, overriding the intersect, Rourke and his goons storm the place and kidnap him in order for him to fix the intersect 2.0.
Chuck convinces General Beckman that he’s the only person that can get his Dad back and is granted the mission.
Ellie comes home from work to find pancakes on the table, Awesome’s sweet little way of letting her know that Papa has once again flew the coop. That’s the awesomest, right?
So like I said, it wasn’t the biggest most badass episode of CHUCK this season but it was a good episode that made me laugh and even tugged at my heart strings a little while saying “aww shucks” to myself once or twice. That’s something!
I’m sitting at home Friday morning when I heard such a clatter, I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter. Away to the door I flew like a flash to see my trusty man in brown with the nice calves.
It wasn’t a major award labeled “Fraile” but it was a shiny little present from Warner Bros..
I open the puppy up and what to my wondrous eyes does appear but a letter from Josh Schwartz and tonight’s episode of CHUCK (vs Santa Claus)!
I rushed back to my laptop, threw open the lid and settled in for a long winters viewing of what was sure to be yet another Schwartz holiday treat.
I was a huge fan of the 1st Chrismukkah (The O.C. Season 1 FTW – hell I even bought one of the yamaclaus caps) so I was dying to see what Schwartz and Fedak would do with Bartowski and Co. this holiday season.
I have to say that Chuck vs. Santa Claus is one of my favorite Chuck episodes ever. Not only is it action packed, full of hilarity and hijinks, it’s probably the sweetest episode they’ve ever produced. You will not be disappointed in tonight’s episode and to all my friends who follow me on Twitter, thanks for dealing with my play by play tweets while you were sitting at work hating my guts!
After the jump, I’ve written down my thoughts on the episode as it plays out. There are some minor spoilers and plot points so beware… (more…)
I’ve been excited about Nicole Richie appearing on CHUCK from the minute it was announced (read my thoughts at the time). My girl GMMR has seen the episode which airs Monday, October 20th and assures me that I won’t be disappointed.
TV Talk with GMMR and Ducky is finally back! We discuss the new fall schedule day by day and break down our returning faves and possible new must-sees.
From Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, Chuck to Heroes and My Own Worst Enemy on Monday. Tuesday’s are Biggest Loser, House, 90210, Privileged to Fringe and The Mentalist. Wednesday’s are all about Pushing Daisies, Bones, Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money and Lipstick Jungle. Over on Thursday’s we’ve got Ugly Betty, Survivor, Kath & Kim, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, 30 Rock, Supernatural, Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour. Friday night is all about The Ghost Whisperer (I kid) and The Ex-List and Life. Sunday’s we’re freaking out that The Amazing Race is back, Desperate Housewives, Cold Case, Dexter and Brothers & Sisters.
It’s a busy season folks, sit back and relax because we talk forever.
While I wasn’t able to sit in on the actual CHUCK panel today because of my Pushing Daisies duties, I was able to work the press room instead. First we sat down with creators and Exec. Producers Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak then Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin before finally getting the man Zac Levi.
Here’s what we learned through our interviews…
When season 2 kicks off, an indistinguishable amount of time will have passed.
Season 2 will deal more with the mythology of the show, ie. why Chuck was chosen. That does not mean that there will be less mystery of the week-ness to the show.
They will be delving into character backstories more.
According to Schwartz, “There will be swooningly romantic” moments this season, especially in Ep. 2.03 where there’s a moment that makes him misty every time he watches it.
There will be a King of Kong type moment where Chuck tries to find the guy that holds the worlds record on Missile Command and it turns out to be fellow Nerd Herder Jeff.
According to Strahovski, the introduction of Jill (Chuck’s mythical ex played by Jordana Brewster) causing a new range of emotions for Sarah. She’ll be jealous and somewhat insecure.
Sarah will no longer work at Weinerlicious, this season she will work at a Pinkberry type shop called Orange Orange (that is actually completely blue on the inside which makes Levi chuckle).
Here’s a list of the confirmed guest stars for Season 2 so far: Tony Hale, Jordana Brewster, Nicole Richie, Michael Clarke Duncan, John Larroquette, Melinda Clark, Ben Savage, NY Giants Michael Strahan. Schwartz reiterates that this is will not be a Love Boat like scenario but admits that some of it is to help remind people of the show by these castings.
I’m bummed that I didn’t get to see the actual panel or the 6 minute Chuck Season 2 reel but I’ll survive. I cannot wait for Season 2 to begin this fall on NBC.
For those of you not going to COMIC-CON this year, consider yourselves lucky because if you knew the anxiety and rage the scheduling has caused me and my fellow TV Bloggers, you’d be fine just staying home. There are so many TV panels this year and so many things I want to do that either overlap each other or run too close to ever hope of getting in, so trying to decide what to see is like Sophie’s Choice up in this place.
Here are the panels I’m interested in attending and as you’ll see, it’s nearly impossible to attend half of the things I’m excited about.
*Item’s in BOLD are panels I’m currently planning on seeing but I promise you, it will change before leaving next week.
THURSDAY 10-11am Kings
12-2pm Doctor Who/Torchwood
2-3pm The Middleman 4:30-5:30pm True Blood
5:45-6:45pm Dexter
FRIDAY 10:15-11:15am Big Bang Theory
12:30-1:15pm Spaced 1:30-2:30pm Joss Whedon
1:45-2:45pm EW Showrunners 3:30-4:45pm Family Guy
4:30-5:30pm Bones 5:30-6:30pm 24
6:30-8:00pm Kevin Smith Makes Porno
6:30-7:15pm Prison Break
7:15-8:15pm MST3K
10:15-11:45pm Spaced Screening 10:45-Midnight Dr. Horrible Screening
SATURDAY 10:45-11:45pm Heroes
11:30-12:30pm Sarah Connor Chronicles
12:00-1:00pm Lost
12:30-1:30pm Kyle XY
12:45-1:45pm The Office 1:00-2:00pm Dollhouse 2:15-3:15pm Battlestar Galactica
3:15-4:15pm Pushing Daisies
3:30-4:30pm Chuck 4:45-5:45pm Fringe
6:00-7:00pm TV Guide Panel
7:15-8:15pm Sarah Silverman
SUNDAY
10:00-11:00am Smallville
10:30-11:30am It’s Always Sunny 11:15-12:15pm Supernatural
11:30-12:00pm Hamlet 2 1:00-1:30pm Friday the 13th
4:00-5:00pm Buffy the Musical
Do you see how agonizing it is to try and plan your days? Saturday is seriously OOC and I’m sure many decision will change in the spur of the moment. What you don’t see on here are the parties we’re RSVP’d for and the Press Rooms we’re hoping to do as well. Add press rooms for most shows on Saturday and you’d have to have 3 Buffy Bots to help you cover it all.
Regardless, I’ll be there with many blogger friends and we’ll be podcasting every day and recording as many panels as possible to post here on Ducky Does TV so stay tuned!
I might be the only person that’s kind of excited about this news… The Simple Life star and recent baby mama, Nicole Richie, is going to be guest starring on an episode of NBC’s CHUCK!
According to the press release I just got:
On a new episode of NBC’s returning drama “Chuck” (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET), Special Agent Sarah Walker (series star Yvonne Strahovski, “Gone”) gets a bad blast from the past when she comes face to face with her high school nemesis — played by guest star Nicole Richie (“The Simple Life”) — for broadcast this fall.
Richie will guest-star in the episode as the snarky and spiteful girl who tortured Sarah in school — and now Sarah must face her fears when she is forced to attend her 10-year high school reunion for a mission with Chuck (series star Zachary Levi, “Less Than Perfect”) as her date.
“Nicole auditioned for the part and was very funny,” said executive producer Josh Schwartz. “This role is a great opportunity for her to show off her comedic skills and be diabolically evil and kick some butt. It’s going to be really fun.”
I’ve always found Nicole to be incredibly funny and diabolical so this sounds like perfection to me. Sure its stunt casting but if you can get past the fact that she a tabloid darling and see that she’s frakkin’ hilarious, then this will work for everyone!
We said we’d be back with another TV Talk Podcast in a week but it took almost a week and a half, I think you survived just fine. GMMR was at the Upfront presentations so there’s plenty to talk about including her celebrity sightings, stalkings, and dancing partners. We’ll even talk about Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE and J.J. Abrams FRINGE starring GMMR’s mega crush Josh Jackson. So You Think You Can Dance might get a couple minutes or five along with her time with The Office and Tina Fey!
Back to your regularly scheduled podcast, we head right into GOSSIP GIRL, AMERICAN IDOL, THE OFFICE, GREY’S, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and more. Plus, it’s the return of TWO IDIOTS TALK LOST (*we talk about the finale being this week but listener Michael pointed out that it’s not until May 29th – phew!) where we rehash the first hour of the three hour Season 4 finale, once again proving that even idiots can enjoy Lost. And as a bonus feature, we have a special guest to help us talk about the Season 3 finale of The CW’s SUPERNATURAL.
Sit back and relax because this Podcast almost hits 90 minutes. You read that right, 90 minutes of babbling, giggling, bitching, and TV Talk!
Have a question for Ducky and GMMR? There are a couple ways to contact us:
Free Voice Mail (Comments/Questions):
This is Dan and Kathie’s favorite method of contact because it allows us to hear from you and we use these messages live on our podcast to answer your burning television questions. It’s FREE and you don’t have to do anything but click RECORD BY PHONE on the box below and it will walk you through how to contact us!
It’s super easy and free to leave us a message:
Step 1: Click on “Record by Phone”
Step 2: Dial the number shown and enter the four digit code when prompted
Step 3: Leave a message
Step 4: Listen to our next podcast to see if we answered your question
Last night The Paley Center presented the creative team and cast of NBC’s CHUCK as part of their Paley Fest 2008. Kath and I were front and center for the action and it was one hell of a panel. Yesterday was the first day back for the Chuck writing team so they didn’t have a ton of information to spill for the fans but really who cares because it’s all about watching these guys in action (both on the show and in person).
The WGA Strike imposed hiatus has left these kids nutty! Zac Levi (Chuck) and Josh Gomez (Morgan) are seriously in the biggest bromance this side of Make Me a Supermodel’s Ronnie and Prison Ben. They’re frik-n-frak and I’m happy they’ve found each other. God bless the women that dare come between these two. It could get ugly.
Production must be a bear to keep on schedule because its non-stop one-upping between not only Zac and Josh but the majority of the cast. They seem to have created an incredible family and it was fun getting to watch their reunion of sorts.
Production on Chuck Season 2 will begin toward the end of May and they are confirmed for Comic-Con this July where they hope to show a bunch of new clips instead of an entire episode.
Some Quick Highlights:
*UPDATED: Thanks to reader/pal Vlada for finding the Futon Critics transcipt of the Alan Sepinwall dare question to Josh Schwartz about the Weinerlicious outfit.
“To me it’s obvious, Chuck like Seth Cohen before him is the central character in a Jewish assimilation fable, grappling with his place in the secular Gentile post-Holocaust world. The CIA or NSA, I can never remember who works for whom, has obviously done deep psychological profiling on him, having read the works of Saul Bellow and Phillip Roth…” Head on over to the Futon Critic for the full question.
You know how on the show Capt. Awesome and Morgan are essentially each other’s nemesis? In real life I’m pretty sure smokin hot Ryan McPartlin (Captain Awesome) is the nemesis of Josh Gomez, in a very brotherly way though. They were slaying the crowd last night with their Odd Couplesque relationship. Ryan is very much the deadpan straight man and Josh is every bit the ham you see on television. Good times.
The Great Beard Debate was entertaining. Currently Levi looks like he’s about to take on the remake of Serpico and he’s determined to convince not only a protesting Josh Schwartz but the network to let him keep the beard for the first episode and then go all Jack Bauer on us and shave it off as he gets back into duty.
The show will jump in time to address the time its been off air. Hence, the Levi/24 Beard issue. I have to say, the audience was with the network, Schwartz and Awesome on this one… Lose the chin pubes.
Kayla Hart. What? Who’s Kayla you ask? Well she was Chuck’s next door neighbor who he was kinda-sorta into but not totally because he was still hung up on Jill from college and now he was into his handler Sarah. It all was too much and they made the decision way late in the pilot shooting/editing process to remove her from the equation. Smart move.
Lindelof asking Levi how he would approach a script called “Chuck Versus Chuck”. A Season 4 episode that is destined to be produced. Well, only if Schwartz dies before Season 3
Lindelof’s Inside The Actors Studio
- What is your favorite word? “Douche Bag” (Chris Fedak, Co-Creator)
- What is your least favorite word? “Intolerance (Adam Baldwin, ‘Casey’)
- What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? “Football” (Ryan McPartlin, ‘Devon aka Captain Awesome’)
- What sound or noise do you love? “The waves of the ocean” (Vic Sahay, ‘Lester’)
- What sounds do you hate? “Squishy, wet boots” (Julia Ling, ‘Anna’)
- What is your favorite curse word? “Fuck” (McG, Executive Producer)
*Click here to read them all over at GMMR
Chris Fedak’s story about how during the NBC pitch for Chuck he thought they for sure blew it because he pulled a classic Airplane moment… think drinking problem.
Josh Schwartz:“There is no love more pure than the love between one man and another.” Amen brother!
McG and Gomez comparing Adam Baldwin to Ted Nugent. Saying he basically a homo-hating, gun-toting, meat eating intolerant in real life. Fingers crossed they were just “teasing.” I mean, how many gays didn’t want Adam Baldwin’s Linderman as their Bodyguard growing up?
The Nerd Herd in general. Vic Sahay (Lester), Scott Krinsky (Jeff), Julia Ling (Anna) and Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike) were “fantastick” and I love that they all want in on the spy action.
I wanted more Yvonne Strahovski but then again, probably not as much as the straight men in the audience did. She’s fierce (but not a hot tranny mess… that I know of).
Oh and don’t forget Captain Awesome who was… well, Awesome.
gang, as you know I’m in LA for the week and I’ll be attending the Paley Festival with my girl GMMR and I’ll also be having a couple other things in the works (fingers crossed) that you’ll want to know about. Aside from Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Friday Night Lights and Buffy, I’ll be visiting my favorite people in Los Angeles whom I haven’t seen since I left here in 2000 and roaming around town. Visiting with my favorite Casting Agent Jenny and meeting up with someone that will hopefully be giving me (& you) some inside scoop on the return of Supernatural. Not to mention we’ll be podcasting our asses off.
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