Re-watch the finale and tell your friends about it! Keep the effort going on Twitter, Facebook, and wherever else you can.
This article was posted several days ago (before the season finale). It’s a terrific read, however, and I highly recommend you check it out.
“What I want to discuss is how the campaign is operating, and how there are three keys to its success that have given it a real chance of succeeding.”
- Myles McNutt, Cultural Learnings
“It’s official: “Chuck” is coming back for a 13-episode third season.”
- Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune
“I have faith that Fedak, Schwartz and company can make the show work on a tighter budget, and maybe, if the ratings are decent enough (and compared to some of what NBC has aired since the “Chuck” finale, “Chuck” looks like a world-beater for them), that 13-episode order becomes 22. ”
- Alan Sepinwall, The Star-Ledger
“Chuck will live to fight another day, albeit on a tighter budget. NBC and Warner Bros. TV were close to finalizing a third-season renewal deal on Sunday for the action-comedy that has a modest but passionate fanbase.”
- Cynthia Littleton, Variety
“A Season 3 pick-up could come as early as Sunday evening, as NBC and Warner Bros. attempt to hammer out the final details of a deal that would further whittle down Chuck’s overhead, sources tell the Hollywood Reporter.”
- Matt Mitovich
“It ain’t over ’til it’s over, but people who are in a position to know say that confirmation of “Chuck” third-season renewal deal between NBC and Warner Bros. TV is expected later today.”
- Cynthia Littleton, Variety
“By contrast, the Chuck campaign seems to have a lot more potential. Here, after all, the fans realize that their viewership alone clearly hasn’t been enough to impress NBC. NBC needs to monetize that fandom, and is currently unsure that they’re getting enough out of it; thus, the fans respond by giving NBC another metric by which they can monetize the fans.”
- Jonathan Gray, The Extratextuals
“Warner Bros. and NBC are haggling over money. Shocking, I know. If a deal can be worked out — and I have every reason to believe it can (and will) be — it’ll be back for a 13-episode third season.”
- Michael Ausiello, Enertainment Weekly
“OK, so this segment from The Daily Show isn’t really about Chuck, it’s mostly about Nancy Pelosi. But I think that Chuck fans should snip the last few seconds of the segment and put it in a video and send it to NBC.”
- Bob Sassone, TV Squad
“I’ve confirmed this is a 2009/2010 schedule that may be the final one, but is one that NBC is definitely considering. As I expected, it has Chuck returning.”
- Nikki Finke, Deadline Hollywood Daily
“It’s been speculated since last week, when “Mad” wasn’t among NBC’s fall pickups, that the network may want to tie a renewal of Warner Bros.’ “Chuck” to removing that penalty — but insiders insist that the two are unrelated. “Chuck” remains on the bubble, although most expect it to return to the Peacock next year.”
- Michael Schneider, Variety
“We’re optimistic. We’re going to find out in a week. But the fans have spoken. People really rallied and articulated their love of the show, but it’s a cold-hearted numbers business. And I’m happy to report that the people at NBC like the show.”
- McG in an interview with SCI FI Wire
“CNN will feature the Chuck renewal campaign on the air Thursday, May 7, between 1-2PM EST (check local listings for channel number). They’ve tapped our own Gray, producer/co-host of Chuck vs. the Podcast, to appear live along side Josh Schwartz and/or Zachary Levi - depending on schedules - during the segment to discuss the fan campaign.”
- ChuckTV.net
“I’ve learned why announcements regarding the renewal fates of Chuck and My Name Is Earl have been delayed. And it involves more horsetrading than the Triple Crown.”
- Nikki Finke, Deadline Hollywood Daily
“If you have not truly watched Chuck yet, I can do nothing more than recommend it. If the premise of the plot doesn’t sell you, then watch it as a comedy. Let the sense of humor grab you, and after that you’ll get hooked into everything else in the show as well.”
- Chris Cesarano, Gamertagged
“The list of new NBC shows could also grow between now and May 19 when NBC will announce its fall prime-time schedule, said Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC Entertainment. The network will also be making decisions on some existing shows that have yet to be either renewed or cancelled, most prominently the spy comedy ‘Chuck.’”
- Bill Carter, The New York Times
“The network has not decided whether it will renew “Chuck,” “Life,” “Law & Order,” “Medium” or “My Name Is Earl.” Over the next two weeks, NBC will meet with the producers of those shows to hear what direction they would like to take their shows if they are picked up.”
- Maria Elena Fernandez, Los Angeles Times
“NBC unveiled its fall lineup this morning, but conspicuously missing was any mention of bubble shows Chuck, Law & Order, Medium, Life, or My Name is Earl. According to a Peacock insider, a final ruling on the fate of all five shows will come on May 19.”
- Michael Ausiello, Entertainment Weekly
Michael Ausiello has bumped Chuck from “Could go either way” to “Safe bet” status.
- Michael Ausiello, Entertainment Weekly
Take this announcement with a grain of salt. If conflicts directly with Zachary Levi’s information from yesterday.
“That’s what sources are telling me. Expect a major renewals announcement from NBC on Monday (unless the bosses decide to mess with our heads).”
- Nikki Finke, Deadline Hollywood Daily
“Chuck star Zachary Levi reveals to E! exclusively that NBC will not renew or cancel beloved spy dramedy Chuck for at least another week. Cast and crew had originally expected to hear before Monday’s planned NBC “infront” presentation to advertisers.”
- Jennifer Godwin, E! Online
“There’s also chatter at this late hour that Warners is in the midst of a big ol’ deal with NBC that includes “Southland” plus a third-season renewal for “Chuck” and greenlight for David E. Kelley pilot “Legally Mad” — after all three projects took a slight haircut in budget. But that’s just email chatter at this point, no confirmation yet. (Sorry all you “Chuck” devotees.)”
- Cynthia Littleton, Variety
“WONKA®, maker of beloved WONKA NERDS® candies, will soon be making a very special delivery to executives at NBC! The candy maker today announced it is sending more than 1,000 packs of NERDS to the network in support of TV show “Chuck,” which is being threatened with cancellation.”
- Wonka
This article was posted several days ago (before the season finale). It’s a terrific read, however, and I highly recommend you check it out.
“What I want to discuss is how the campaign is operating, and how there are three keys to its success that have given it a real chance of succeeding.”
- Myles McNutt, Cultural Learnings
“‘Chuck’ (NBC). A marginal premise has turned into a show with heart, intelligence and nuance.”
- David Hinckley, Daily News
“From Zachary Levi’s lips to God’s Jeff Zucker’s ears… Chuck’s leading man says he’s feeling optimistic that NBC will renew his spy comedy for a third season. “I think the chances are good that we’ll come back,” he said at last night’s Star Trek premiere. “But television is in a weird, fickle place right now, so you never know. We’re supposed to find out on Monday.”"
- Michael Ausiello, TV Guide
“As for NBC’s on-the-fence renewals, signs are pointing to a third-season pickup for ‘Chuck’ and a second-season nod for Amy Poehler laffer ‘Parks and Recreation.’”
- Cynthia Littleton and Michael Schneider, Variety
“And to the delight of staunch ‘Chuck’ supporters, the chances of survival for the quirky soft-rated series have improved slightly.”
- Nellie Andreeva, The Hollywood Reporter
“This season, a swirl of programs have generated the “will they or won’t they” buzz … But perhaps the one getting the most attention is the NBC show “Chuck,” which has spawned a “Save Chuck” campaign with fans trying to blog, tweet and even eat sustained life into the series.”
- Lisa Respers France, CNN
“After watching the finale, my gut feeling is that Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak left NBC with absolutely no choice but to bring it back for a third season.”
- Michael Ausiello, Entertainment Weekly
“The spy series was the top pick among 21 “on the bubble” between renewal and cancellation in USA TODAY’s 12th annual Save Our Shows poll; 54% favored a third season.”
- USA TODAY
“…there really isn’t room for both Chuck and Life. Right now my gut is telling me that all the Footlongs in the world will not save Life, but that the tide is turning for Chuck — particularly in light of its virtually closure-free finale episode.”
- Mickey O’Connor, TV Guide
“The fan reaction, the Save Chuck campaign that started on the blogs and with the critics and with the fans, on Facebook and Twitter, has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life to witness — and certainly the most creatively gratifying. Everybody involved in the show has been very, very moved and very emotional about how vocal people have become.”
- Josh Schwartz in an interview with Matt Mitovich, TV Guide
“The oddball brilliance of Chuck, as dozens of tributes recently have said, is that it marries action and comedy, heart and geek appeal, in a way few shows do. But to people who never got into Chuck, that may be a liability. My guess is that people look at it and see a spy show that’s not hardcore enough to be impressive, a drama that’s too frothy to seem high-stakes, and a comedy that’s too dramatic to be a sitcom. Maybe it’s heresy, but I don’t think our hope is to convert these people, God bless them. It’s for Chuck to be able to survive without them. I think that’s possible, in a network world of smaller audiences, in which NBC has little to lose and more product placements to gain.”
- James Poniewozik, TIME
“No analysis. No deep thoughts here. Who can think straight after that much fun? What I’ve posted here is just a warning — I will go completely into the ugly cry if “Chuck” is not renewed.”
- Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune
“Whether this week’s episode of Chuck ends up being a season or series finale (and I’m pulling for the former), “Chuck Versus the Ring” was a primer on how to infuse tension and possibility into every scene, while also offering the series’ rabid viewers a lot of laughter and more than a few tears along the way.”
- Jace, Televisionary
“And that’s how you do a finale. This season’s last episode of Chuck has it all: romance, drama, fight scenes, Jeffster!, intrigue, nostalgia, and a good deal of promise for — please, oh please — a third season.”
- BuzzSugar
“Publicity like this would have been hard to buy: Fans of the NBC series Chuck on Facebook, Twitter and TV blogs such as Television Without Pity are rallying support for “Finale & Footlong,” a campaign to persuade the network to renew the show by having viewers buy Subway sandwiches. And while Subway’s marketing chief admits to stoking the flames a little, the sub shop didn’t start the fire.”
- Emily Bryson York, Advertising Age
“If this was the series finale for Chuck, it was a really satisfying and appropriate wrap up. If, as I’m hoping, it was only the season finale, this was a really satisfying and appropriate set up for the next season of Chuck. Therefore, any way you slice it, Chuck hit a lot of high notes — including Jeffster’s pre-wedding serenade. The show was filled with action, had new information that was just a little bit stunning, and overall, it was terrific.”
- Allison Waldman, TV Squad
“We had a good meeting with NBC and Warner Bros., and everybody’s very positive. We’re still in the same holding pattern. There’s no ETA”
- Alan Sepinwall, The Star-Ledger
“The “Mr. Roboto”/wedding shoot-out sequence features so much concentrated awesome that it might be illegal in certain states, summing up “Chuck” while at the same time exceeding anything the show has done before. I know I just did a list of all the wonderful things in last week’s episode, but these are all wonderful things in the same scene, so please indulge me.”
- Alan Sepinwall, The Star-Ledger
“They gave us an episode in Chuck Versus the Ring that was so much better, so much more action-packed, so much more emotionally magnificent, so much more Awesome than just about all the previous episodes combined. And the cliffhanger at the end had nothing to do with the plot of the episode and everything to do with a complete and utter reinvention of the show in a way I guarantee you no one saw coming.”
- Brian Howard, Remote Access
“Chuck’s season (series?) finale was crammed with everything we like about the show: It was smart and funny; it had a lot of heart and action. Building the episode around Ellie’s wedding was a way to get all the main players in one place, including Chuck’s dad and Chevy Chase.”
- Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
“Chuck ended its season in grand fashion, with wedding(s), mayhem, gunplay, true love, bro-bonding, man-hugs, a passing of the torch, the single greatest wedding disaster of all time, and one hell of a set-up for next season. You hear me, NBC? Next season!”
- Sarah Jerslid, Zap2it
“Lastly, Chris Fedak said people will burn down their living rooms if this is the series finale. And if they do, he’ll be arrested. He has a baby on the way. For that child’s sake, we need to keep the show on so people don’t torch their TVs, which would lead to Chris’ incarceration.”
- Josh Schwartz in an interview with Josef Adalian, TV Week
“Will it be enough to work? It’s hard to say, but it’s an amazingly smart strategy: use the affirmative defense of making an advertiser very happy it’s affiliated with the show. Either way, I’m pleased to feel like I’m accomplishing something by taking an afternoon break to watch one of my favorite shows on Hulu.”
- Sarah Gilbert, DailyFinance
“Theres something that i want to say about the show. Season 2 of Chuck came out when i was in afghanistan i didnt get back till after the holidays. When season 2 came out or when ever i could or have time to watch Chuck, it made my day when i got a chance to see it. Just to let you know that me and my friends watch Chuck in afghanistan. If you can tell NBC that too hopefully it will help with season 3.”
- Liwen via Mark Christopher Lawrence (Big Mike!)
“Whether you’re a fan of geeks who have government secrets embedded in their brain or a fan of delicious sandwiches, this is your official reminder to buy your lunch at Subway today to participate in the save Chuck campaign.”
- Lindsay Soll, Entertainment Weekly
“According to two people familar with the situation, Subway’s internal tracking of the “Chuck” promotion was off the charts. One source labeled it the best such product placement the restaurant chain has done “in several years.” And here’s the kicker: Pace was so impressed with “Chuck’s” impact on sandwich sales, he actually called a top NBC ad sales executive to let him know just how much Subway loved the Chuckster.”
- Josef Adalian, TVWeek
“We’re not exactly sure when it happened, but sometime during the last four months, Chuck became our favorite show on television. Maybe it’s because of the brilliant cast, which seems to have chemistry on top of their chemistry; or perhaps it’s the fact that we find it impossible to watch Chuck without feeling warm inside when it’s over. Whatever the reason, we’re in love.”
- Christopher Rosen, The New York Observer
“Basically, the bottom line is this: I’m willing to do whatever it takes to see that Chuck gets renewed for a third season. I’m willing to get on my soap box and keep writing about Chuck, keeping Twittering about it, and keep talking about it until I’m blue in the face.”
- Jace, Televisionary
“The show has grown so much in its second season — and so consistently delivered a blend of humor, suspense, and romance that no other current show quite has — that it would be a shame to see it go away now. One thing’s certain: The early buzz on tonight’s finale is — to borrow a very Chuck word — awesome.”
- BuzzSugar
“The second season of Chuck is just about over. In preparation of Monday night’s season finale, I want to celebrate with a special tribute to Adam Baldwin, my favorite actor on the show.”
- Manny, My Disguises
“Levi, who described the show as “on the good side of the bubble,” even got behind the counter and helped out the besieged staff of the outlet, staying until the very last fan was served.”
- SCI FI Wire
“In these days, where your options are either reality TV or super-heavy dramas, I love being able to watch a show that really tugs at the kid in all of us.”
- Wes Smith, Down in Hollywood
“This time, I can tell you the Chuck campaign is having an effect on the NBC suits. “It’s a good show, a solid show, and it’s in contention to come back,” an insider tells me. “I’m betting it’ll end up back. But that decision hasn’t been made yet.” Interestingly, it’s not just fanboys trying to keep the Josh Schwartz show on the air, it’s also mainstream TV critics and reporters. The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Entertainment Weekly have all weighed i [sic] positively.”
- Nikki Finke, Deadline Hollywood Daily
“Why should Chuck be saved? Well, because it’s one of the best shows on TV right now and provides the perfect mix of action, comedy, drama and romance. If that’s not enough, then read TV critic Alan Sepinwall’s open letter to the NBC brass. I especially like his idea of having Chuck leadoff Thursday nights followed by The Office and 30 Rock. How great a night of TV would that be? Must-See TV indeed.”
- Jason, TVaholic
“So far everything has been very positive. I was walking my dog today and somebody yelled out their car window “We love you, Awesome!” I was scared to death because I’ve been working for about nine years as an actor and rarely get recognized. I love it when people tell me that they dig “Chuck. I feel a real connection with the fans.”
- Ryan McPartlin in an interview with Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune
Zachary Levi and 600 fans footlong it at a Subway.
- Zachary-Levi.com
“The rumors [that Chuck was picked up for 13 episodes] are untrue. we have not heard anything nor do we expect to for a little while longer. So keep spreading the word, getting your friends to watch Monday and thank you for the amazing support so far.”
- Josh Schwartz via Give Me My Remote
“Hey Chuck fans! TheWB.com loves Chuck too! In fact we love Chuck so much we’re driving around in Nerd Herd mobiles to show our support and give away some cool prizes. If you spot us, follow us on twitter and tweet to- @thewbdotcom for a chance to win some cool prizes and show your support for Chuck.”
- The WB.com Blogs
“An NBC rep for the series “Chuck” said rumors the the series has been renewed are not true. “No decision will be made until early May,” NBC’s Jamie French wrote in an e-mail.”
- RedEye
“We’re hopeful that the show will be renewed. The network and the studio are both big fans of the show and they’ve been supportive throughout the entire process, though both seasons of the show. But it’s still important that our fans out there on the web and in the world get the word out on the show. It’s still up in the air.”
- Chris Fedak in an interview with Daniel Feinberg, HitFix
“… it’s such a satisfying show to watch. It’s just plain fun. I root for every single character. So why isn’t everyone else seeing what I’m seeing? This show should be pulling in 13 million viewers a week.”
- Brian Howard in an interview with Megan at Megan Goes to Hollywood
“As fans of NBC’s critically acclaimed show CHUCK continue to rally behind the show and ask NBC for a third season, a star-studded lineup from the cast and creative team came together to thank the fans for their efforts on Chuck vs. the Podcast leading up to the season finale, airing Monday, April 27th. From London, New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, they were all eager to reach out and share their gratitude for the fan campaigns, excitement about the finale, and passion for the show.”
- ChuckTV.net
“As the geek-tastic comedy remains in limbo for a third-season pickup, fans hope they have all the fixings of an inspired movement to save the series. The Finale and Footlong campaign implores fans to go to Subway before Monday’s season (series?) finale, buy a $5 footlong sandwich and leave a note in the suggestion box. Why Subway? The restaurant chain is one of Chuck’s main sponsors and was notably featured in a recent episode.”
- Joyce Eng, TVGuide
“Four million people who watch a show really hard are still just four million people to an ad buyer. Unless they spend money. Which is the impetus behind what may be the best fan idea out there to save Chuck. This coming Monday—when the season finale of Chuck airs—fans of the show have reportedly hatched a plan to eat at Subway en masse.”
- James Poniewozik, TIME
“In an interview at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, Schwartz said he had a good meeting with NBC about “Chuck’s” future, but he would not speculate on whether the show would survive”
- Joe Flint, Los Angeles Times
“Lots of shows inspire love from fans, and lots of shows inspire admiration from critics. Chuck inspires love from critics, probably precisely because when you have to watch a lot of television professionally, something that drops into your lap that is joyful and satisfying and different feels like a real gift.”
- Linda Holmes, NPR
“‘Chuck Versus the Colonel’ was one of the most enjoyable and well rounded hours of television I’ve watched in a very long time. It was romantic, funny, had lots of resolution and was filled with explosions. Everything a girl could want, or at least everything this girl could want.”
- Angel Cohn, Television Without Pity
“The last two episodes are certainly the best that we’ve done, and I feel like the whole season has been building. To feel this coalescing of the inter-Web forces, in support of the show, has been really remarkable.”
- Josh Schwartz in an interview with Dave Itzkoff, The New York Times
“It’s the best show on your network right now. All due respect to some other fine series, it’s been more consistent than “30 Rock” and “Friday Night Lights,” funnier than “The Office” and more purely entertaining than them and everything else on your airwaves.”
- Alan Sepinwall, The Star-Ledger
“I’m absolutely not going to sit back and passively accept that “Chuck” may not come back. This is a show that makes millions of people happy every week. It’s just the kind of well-crafted escapism that people need in these trying times.”
- Maureen Ryan, Chicago Tribune
Head on over to Does Chuck Have a 3rd Season? for a realtime update from Matt Barber, one of the editors on Chuck.
Re-watch the finale and tell all your friends about it!
Join the We Heart Chuck effort by donating to The American Heart Association.
Participate in The Finale and a Footlong Campaign (check it out on Facebook). Buy a $5 footlong from Subway on April 27th in support of the show! Update: thanks to everyone who participated!
ChuckTV.net has a ton of great suggestions including some great tips if you want to go the letter-writing route.
Advertise your support for Chuck. Go beyond signing a petition of anonymous supporters. Post about it on your blog, evangelize it to your friends, do whatever you can to generate buzz for the show.
Invest quality time and effort, and someone will notice. With enough of us rallying behind Chuck, maybe, just maybe the right people will notice.
Send news tips to me at james@pleasesavechuck.com. I'll post them here as I receive them. I'm also on Twitter.