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Hercules Claims NBC's CHUCK Is The Second-Best New Network Show of Autumn!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
“Chuck” is a sci-fi action-comedy, from “O.C.” mastermind Josh Schwartz, about a Seth Cohen-ish electronics-store employee who suddenly discovers his college frenemy has downloaded an astonishing amount of sensitive government data into his brain without his permission.
Agents of the U.S. government are not happy, and must decide whether to use Chuck or to chuck Chuck.
The pilot has a pretty, Bristow-esque CIA secret agent out to seduce the title character, while a more menacing NSA operative (“Firefly’s” Adam Baldwin, playing what could be the angrier cousin of his “The Inside” FBI character) has other ideas.
As good as all this might sound (and it is good, the second best new network series of autumn as far as I’m concerned), fans should perhaps keep their expectations in check. “Chuck” is dark fun, much stronger than UPN’s similar “Jake 2.0,” for example, but nowhere near as brilliant as the headier pilots for obvious antecedents like “Alias” and “Lost.”
USA Today gives it three and a half stars (out of four) and says:
… Could he save the world? Doubtful. But he may rescue an otherwise dreary new season. And that's a power to envy.
Entertainment Weekly gives it a “B-plus” and says:
… while there are a few too many ''awkward-guy moments,'' there are enough genuinely sweet ones to balance them out, especially between Chuck and his cooler, protective older sister …
The New York Times says:
… a very funny new comedy … part spy spoof, part workplace comedy, and it is a genuinely engaging homage to the nerd hero. …
The Los Angeles Times says:
… really fine and funny …
The Washington Post says:
… has a happily palpable likability going for it, a lot of that courtesy of Zachary Levi, who plays the unlikely and in fact unwilling hero. … if the premise and execution remind you of teen-aimed movies with similar setups and characters, at least it should remind you of the good ones, not the lame-o's. …
The Boston Herald says:
… that rare series, a smart show with equal parts drama, comedy and action. … The premiere should be required viewing for anyone making a TV pilot. It’s fast-paced and establishes the premise with a minimum of fuss. … …
Variety says:
… possesses modest charm, impressive stunt work and another mildly appealing reluctant hero. … could fill an escapist void left since "Alias'" demise, albeit here with tongue pressed more firmly in cheek. Of course, if the series can't sustain that formula then it's merely "Jake 3.0" …
The Hollywood Reporter says:
… a smart mix of comedy, sex and danger …
8 p.m. Monday. NBC.
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Looks funny. Good luck, Chuck
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I can't remember... who created that show?
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c'mon Herc, let us know
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I'm pretty sure the last time Adam Baldwin was mentioned (last week), he didn't use Firefly. Usually Herc likes to mix it up.
That said, how come no one ever says 'ID4's Adam Baldwin'?
I'm sorely tempted to watch this, but it's on at a lousy time for me, i.e. Bizarro ChrTh's bedtime, and right before Heroes. Maybe if it doesn't get cancelled I'll start watching it in a few weeks. -
and her bodacious ta-tas?
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Best pilot i've seen out of the six I d/l.
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...they must've tweaked the shit out of this since the leaked pilot, 'cause BOY did that suck. Incidentally, no disrespect to Baldwin intended, 'casue I love me some Jane Cobb.
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Sep 24, 2007 6:26:29 AM CDT
D.C. Cab's Adam Baldwin onboard so it must be gold ...
by jeanluc dickhard
herc you fool
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and it deserves it.
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Not because I don't trust his taste in TV shows (because I tend to agree on a lot of his choices), but based on that dreaded Herc Curse... That fucking curse has taken the lives of many TV shows. So if he's really digging Chuck and Pushing Daisies, those two shows are toast.
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The fucking place? How are they going to have a brand new show like Chuck anchor the night? Monday at 8 is going to be tough with Dancing With The Stars. Deal or No Deal staying on Monday would have worked better. And why is The Bionic Woman relegated to Wednesday against Private Practice? Shouldn't a Sci-Fi/Action show like Bionic Woman come on after Heroes? Either way, Chuck (if it's as good as Herc is saying) is in a bad timeslot. So it's going to need help. And is Reaper really that good? Someone compared it to Buffy. Should I add it to the DVR?
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And I don't even like Kevin Smith.
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'Johnny Mnemonic' with 'Flight of the Navigator'!
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I love me some Adam Baldwin. I have ever since I was a small guy seeing My Bodyguard. I actually really enjoyed the O.C. in it's first season. I also worship Ephram's hot older girlfriend also. Chuck however is such a cookie cutter and bland a show. For every funny moment there are at least 2 or 3 recycled bits of uninspired. It does have potential but I'm more compelled to watch the slow burning Journeyman.
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Ah 6am typing.
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8pm is bedtime for the little one...think I'll have to pause the start time and catch it. Better be worth it Herc! If it's not...oh well.
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"Pushing Daisies"? featuring Citizen Kane's Adam Baldwin
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Sounds more like the early 80s flick Gottcha featuring Linda Fioentino as the real spy and the pre-ER geeky greatness of Anthony Edwards as the spy fanitisist who got himself caught up in the real thing. Played a littlre bit serious and a lot for laughs, like scifi's Invisible Man. Like that movie and I-Man this show will depend on the likability of the leads.
Johnny Mneumonic on the other had was yet another of those poorly realized rip-offs of William Gibson's classic that gave American cyberpunk a bad name. Thank God for Ghost in the Shell for redeeming the concept.
Of course more specifixcally, what made the movie a little bit worse than others of its ilk was that Keaunu Reeves character was so unlikable that the bodyguard lady's loyalty to him was never quite beleivable. And what sent over into just painful to watch zone Henry Rollin's self important "Dude against the Man" speechifying. And the I can't believe they're taking themselves seriously vibe of the whole piece. -
I liked the Chuck pilot, but Pushing Daisies and Reaper were both better. Also I am an Adam Baldwin fan, but he is on his way to being the patron saint of show cancellation (Firefly, The Inside, Day Break and on last seasons of X-Files and Angel).
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"You know what sucks about being a Baldwin?""NOTHING!"
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I liked the leaked pilot a lot. It does bear comparison to Jake 2.0 but get the fuck over it. Jake was cancelled, Chuck probably will be too. As much as i love Jayne, he seems to be a showkiller. A really hot showkiller.
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Is he a nerd just because he dosn't know what to do with women? Something anoying about that.
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I place it at #3 on my new faves list...missing #2 Reaper by a hair but both being blown out of the water by the savagely clever Pushing Daisies.
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I saw this pilot as some deal on Amazon. What impressed me was that they actually bothered to make the action scenes interesting. It opens with an escape scene that actually has choreographed fighting. That's something even Heroes can't claim. If they keep it up I'll definitely keep watching.
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If we also include cable offerings does that make this 4th, 5th, or 6th best show overall, or is it still 2nd best new show of Autumn overall?
Anyway, I can't say the premise or people involved have really convinced me to check out the pilot so far.. seems a kinda lackluster new season so far, with Pushing Daisys being the only thing that surprises -
I can't believe McG directed this episode, without the usual sledgehammer over the head. I would for once love to see a scene where someone is disabling a bomb, and admit, "Umm sorry can't do i...BOOOOOM....End of series.
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Hercules Claims NBC's
CHUCK Is The Second-Best New Network Show of Autumn!!...NBC cancels CHUCK after second episode of airing!! Hope not tho, although I think the who-evers that watch Retching With The Stars, will wipe this out.
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It's NBC's baby and they wont let it die without a fight.
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. co-opted by the establishment? If I have to hear that "geek is chic now" one more time I'm gonna punch someone in the dick. Seth Cohen is the Uncle Tom of my people.
I am looking forward to the Patriot's Adam Baldwin though. -
The only question is will it last longer going up against "Dancing with the C-Listers" than Drive did. I give it 3 weeks before Howie Mandel takes this time slot back.
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and the lead blonde has really bad skin covered with a shit ton of makeup.
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#1: 'frenemy'
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Could have matured into something solid on ANY network but UPN.
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put that on dvd already!
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...but this Chuck actor seems to be trying too hard to be JD from Scrubs. Mannerisms, delivery,
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I am actually seeing this right now. :)
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"Chuck...from the guy that brought you 'Fastlane' comes a new comedy just like 'Jake 2.0' but not as funny...NBC...at least we still have 'Heroes' and 'My Name Is Earl'"
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Seriously, i thought this was Live Free or Die Hard for a minute or 2
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I saw the advance copy of this and "reaper" in the same day. I must say, "Reaper" is a much more entertaining show. Chuck's NBC slick ass persian bazzar production values kind of ruined it for me.
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saw it months ago, liked it then, like it now.
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I'm not sure i know what this is. Neither, for that matter, am I sure they know what this is. Got potential though. And that girl is REALLY cute...
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Just not very interesting. Even the blonde in the boyshorts. Unless she wears 'em every episode.
But, nothing particularly original. -
I thought it was engaging and one of the better put-together pilots I've seen in a long time. Plus, as a former Best Buy employee (Thousands of Possibilities. UP YOURS), there was something very very familiar about the workplace scenes. I know everyone will say it's all the commonplace work stuff, but there was a definite vibe that was really unique to the Buy, as if written by someone who spent a tour there. Captain Awesome is a bit of a twonk and hopefully they'll move past the character quickly. Otherwise, everything else worked for me.
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Reallly, I gotta watch this show now.
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Awesome. Ok, I watched this with the wife and kids and we really liked it. We thought it was pretty funny with some entertaining action, my teenager loved it that they were playing Gears of War. All around good start. I thought the closeups were funny and the line delivery of the two nerds was spot on. And who could fault Captain Awesome? We'll keep watching. Reaper tomorrow!
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...amusing in spots, but not nearly original or interesting enough to bring me back. Every beat was the obvious one.
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...but drama? Tonally it's far too light to generate any real drama.
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Watched it, thought it was okay but a little too cutesy. Blond is hot and all, although way too skinny, but sister was hotter. Acting wasn't all that, nor was the pilot script. So sorry, Herc, not for me.
Now Journeyman...that's a show!! -
It's sure looking to be a pretty awful season of TV. The only show that sounds remotely decent is Pushing Daisies, and that will probably bomb and get cancelled.
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I must second the opinion that the sister is hotter than the blond. I much preferred Journeyman.
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sorry, but Jake 2.0 has nothing on Chuck. Jake was mildly entertaining and passable for a UPN show, while Chuck was engaging with a lead character you immediately care about, funny dialogue, funny filming (loved the closeup, p.o.v. shots, especially of the girl at the party), interesting fight choreography, suspense, Tony Todd, Captain Awesome, and Adam freakin' Baldwin.
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I have to admit I was thoroughly entertainted by the cast alone, especially the lead who as far as I'm concerned would make the perfect Yorrick Brown for Y:The Last Man. And the pilot wasn't boring or phoney. Normally with most shows it takes me a couple of episodes to like the characters. These guys I like right away. Nerds and hot chicks, together. Who could possibly hate that?
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...there's gotta be something in the water supply.
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pics of your sister please...
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That's it.
Deliver a compelling scrip, boneheads. Plot, characters, dialogue, action --> move it, move it, move it!!!!!!
I'm not paying with my time to watch boneheads deliver a practice script. Network TV should show some pride and deliver fast-paced, gripping entertainment--NOW. -
You might want to go back and re-read that post; I'm pretty sure jpt is referring to the sister on the show (Captain Awesome's girlfriend).
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