Chuck is one of my favorite shows on TV right now and one that, much like ABC’s Better Off Ted, I wonder why more people aren’t watching. While the ratings haven’t been horrible, they’ve never been that great either. It took quite the campaign to get NBC to consider another season, not that they really had a lot of better options. But, after lots of blog posts, tweets, and footlongs purchased by fans, we were given the gift of a third season.
Recently, that gift got even bigger, as NBC increased the season order to 19 episodes. But, as a big fan of the show, I’m a bit greedy and want a fourth. Yet, to get a fourth, the ratings need to improve. So, this is my attempt to get those of you that haven’t been watching, to jump on the Chuck-wagon and take a ride with the rest of us that have been enjoying the show for the last two seasons. Yet, you may be hesitant being two seasons behind to begin watching with season three. Well, I hope the following will help get you onboard.
3 Things You Need to Know to Start Your Chuck Adventure With Season Three
- Nothing. What?! You may be asking yourself. How can the first thing I need to know be nothing. Well, while Chuck is a great show, it’s not super hard to follow. Also, after having seen the first few episodes, I can tell you that they’ve been crafted in such a way that you’ll be all caught up with where things stand for each of the characters by Monday night. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t ever watch season one
or two
, but that I really don’t think you need to do so before joining with the rest of us Chuck fans in enjoying season three. Todd VanDerWerff (@tvoti) seems to agree with me over at the LA Times Show Tracker Blog. But, just in case you don’t believe either of us, he also goes further and gives you the five things he thinks you need to know about Chuck before starting season three.
- Everthing. What?! Now you’re just messing with us. No, some people need more convincing. They want facts and figures. They want the who, what, where and why. They need to see, as well as hear. Well, here’s a little Chuck 101. While Kath (@gmmrtv) over at Give Me My Remote agrees that “you can start watching Chuck this Sunday and Monday even if you’ve never seen a single episode before,” she also provides all the info you could possibly need or want without having watched a single episode. Learn about each of the characters, find out who knows what, and watch some video clips to get a feel for the show.
- The show is just plain fun. Chuck creators Josh Schwartz (@JoshSchwartz76) and Chris Fedak have found the perfect mix of action, comedy, drama, and romance. The show deftly moves between buddy comedy, romantic comedy, action comedy, action adventure, family drama, romance drama, spy thriller, and so much more. Overall, it just leaves you happy. Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) at the New Jersey Star-Ledger agrees, as he writes, “rare is the episode that doesn’t make me smile for the hour.” If you still need more convincing, here are his six reasons you should watch Chuck.
Whether you know everything, nothing, or are somewhere in between regarding Chuck, you’re going to enjoy season three because it’s just plain fun. Will you be watching?
Can’t wait for the new season–just finished my complete season 2 recap via Blu-Ray. Watching that finale again really got me in the mood for season 3.
I’m sorry that you mentioned Better Off Ted in this article, because I did watch that for the first time recently. It wasn’t funny. It wasn’t realistic, which would be OK in the presence of biting satire, which it also lacked. The Office does this kind of office humor so much better, while still avoiding the one-dimensional characters that I saw in Better Off Ted. Oh, I didn’t mean for this to descend into a criticism of the show, only as a note that now I feel compelled to question your judgment of Chuck. Maybe there’s a good reason people aren’t watching? Do I dare to find out?
Joel, You should find out. The interesting thing about criticism of movies and TV shows, is finding those you tend to agree with and where those agreements line up and where they don’t.
You didn’t like Better Off Ted and I think it is one of the best comedies on TV right now. So, that might mean we don’t find the same things funny. Comedy is subjective after all. But, I also love The Office, so where does that put us?
Also, if we differ on comedies, does it mean we would differ on a hybrid show like Chuck or on medical dramas or cop shows or anything else? Not necessarily.
My point is that you shouldn’t really base your opinion to watch one show on a difference in opinion on a completely different type of show. If you do, you’re going to potentially miss out on a lot of other really good shows that you would’ve enjoyed quite a lot.
Joel, I love The Office, and even more-so I love Chuck. (More like Flove) And I don’t like Better Off Ted. You and I seem to have the same tastes so far, why not check out Chuck anyway. It’s “few” fans are loyal for a reason. I’m loyal not because I think the leads are hot, or because I’ve just got to find out how it all ends, but because I simply love the show, to me it’s the funnest thing on television, it’s the same for the other fans as well. Watch it, you won’t regret it.