Chuck
News (Page 2)

Faster than a locomotive, Superman star Brandon Routh is rushing over to NBC.

The actor has signed on for a multiple-episode arc on Chuck, sources have confirmed to Michael Ausiello.

Routh’s character, Shaw, is an intriguing new spy. He becomes the leader of Operation Bartwoski, taking on the role of mentor to Chuck and vying for the affections of Sarah. Routh debuts in the season’s fourth episode.

Sadly, as of now, that won't be until some time next spring, as Chuck isn't scheduled to premiere until March.

She's beautiful, she's talented - and she's clueless.

When asked if viewers will ever learn Sarah's real name on Chuck, Yvonne Strahovski told E! News:

"I do not know Sarah's real name, nor do I know what's happening at all in the third season. None of us do."

Our Chuck spoilers don't have information on Sarah's name, but the section does reveal a bit about what's to come on the show.

Check out the latest scoop and then come back here to drool over Strahovski...

Three returning shows, three storyline tidbits, all courtesy of Entertainment Weekly's intrepid TV reporter, Michael Ausiello.

Enjoy the mini-spoilers below...

• On Smallville: There will be an interesting, cool twist involving Chloe (pictured) that will take place within the first 10 episodes.
• On Chuck: Expect a character described as a "dashing and suave dictator of a small, fictitious nation called Parador" to appear this season. Casting ideas, anyone?
• On House: All is not well for newly-married couple Chase and Camera. They'll have their first major fight on episode four.

Cue the superhero music...

Even though fans may need to wait until the spring for the new season of Chuck to premiere, it's never too early to get excited for it. Can you give us a hand with that, Ryan McPartlin?

The actor previewed his character's upcoming arc with E! News this week, saying that Devon "Awesome" Woodcomb would be moving up in the spy universe on future episodes.

"I don't know if I'll be made a spy, but I'm getting involved in the spy world. Chuck's going to [be] in a pinch and call on me to help him out," he said.

McPartlin added that the third season will somewhat resemble the first.

"it's amazing because it's like the first season, when Chuck got to carry the weight of the secret. I get to bring that [spirit of the] first season back again, through Awesome's eyes. And I'm just gonna lean on [Sarah and Chuck] for advice on how to do that."

Chuck, sadly, will not premiere its third season until March.

While there are rumblings that NBC will eventually move up the debut date for this popular series, nothing has been confirmed at this time.

But even if fans must wait longer than usual to see Chuck in action, Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune makes it sound as though it'll be worth it.

The TV critic went on set this week and filed a story that previewed the season three premiere. She reports...

• The episode is titled "Chuck vs. the Pink Slip."
• Zachary Levi will be fully bearded for at least part of it.
• Tony Hale will reprise his role as Emmett Milbarge.
• Morgan and Chuck are roommates as the third season kicks off.

During the NBC session of this week's Television Critics Association press tour, entertainment president Angela Bromstad took to the microphone.

She addresssed the status of three Peacock shows: the scheduling of Chuck and Friday Night Lights; and the structuring of Southland. Here's what she had to say about each:

On the new focus of Southland: “[The show] tried to do too much in those [initial] six episodes, It became [too] serialized. It’s now going to focus on Regina King and Ben Mackenzie and those two sets of officers." (Note: this is evidenced by the new poster for the series, shown below)

On Chuck's mid-season premiere date: The show is “is on a great track creatively," but there are no plans to move up its midseason launch. However, there may be room for fresh episodes to “run over into the summer... those are discussions we will continue to have.”

On delaying season three of Friday Night Lights until the summer of 2010: “Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the ratings to justify putting it on the fall schedule.”

During last week's Chuck panel at Comic-Con, fans had one question in mind:

Will Chuck and Sarah ever get together?!?

"You know what they say?" said cocreator and executive producer Josh Schwartz. "Two steps forward, three steps back. The dance shall continue."

At least Schwartz shed some light on how that dance might be performed on season three. He told E! News:

"We do have two major new arcs on the show. One is a potential love interest for Chuck, and the other is a potential love interest for Sarah."

Sounds both intriguing and frustrating. Why can't these two just hook up for good? Partly because Sarah isn't happy about certain developments, star Yvonne Strahovski said.

"There are going to be a lot more complications between Chuck and Sarah, now that he's downloaded his new intersect into his brain. I think that Sarah is going to be a little upset."

During the annual festival in San Diego, Schwartz added that Chuck and Sarah will go through "something very emotional and traumatic," but "it's going to be very, very good."

Cocreator Chris Pedak chimed in with: "It'll be cool. It'll be deep, and it'll have a lasting affect on the show."

Okay. Fine. Consider us in for season three.

For those of you luck enough to attend Comic Con, you'll be treated to the first piece of official art for the upcoming third season of Chuck.

For the rest of us, Ausiello Files has released a digital copy of the poster.  Check it out below and just keep crossing your fingers NBC moves the show from midseason to Fall so we don't have to wait so long.

Chuck barely got its season three renewal, but squeezed by thanks to a corporate sponsorship with Subway. 

The show's star, Zachary Levi, recently stopped by Ausiello's office and discussed seaosn three and their new sponsorship and how it will affect the show.

Additionally, Levi discusses Chuck's new kung fu skills and the possibility of a full season order.  Watch the interview below.

We're just thrilled that Chuck got renewed for a third season, even if it is only 13 episodes.  However, plenty of bitter fans are angry NBC didn't give the show a full season order.

According to TV Guide, though, network entertainment president Ben Silverman said that, based on ratings, "we may extend it out and continue it through the summer."

In the meantime, until the show returns in the midseason, he added: "We're looking to ... keep [Chuck] incredibly viral and buzz-worthy until it returns, and then hopefully have it on our air for many years to come."

In other exciting news, TV Guide also talked to Scott Bakula, who said he's down to appear on more episode of Chuck.