The Future of 'Chuck': It's All About 'Trauma' (UPDATED)

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Tue, 10/13/2009 - 03:58 — Adalian

Fans of NBC's "Chuck" anxious to know when the show will be returning to the network's lineup ought to pay close attention to the ratings for Monday night's episode of "Trauma."

On Friday, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello reported that "Chuck" could be back on the air as early as the latter part of this month. NBC insiders confirm there's a "very small chance" that could happen -- but it's a worst case scenario Peacock programmers are anxious to avoid.

The key to "Chuck's" fate, it turns out, could be NBC newcomer "Trauma."

Despite heavy promotion, viewers have been slow to embrace the high-octane medical drama. Its week two ratings dropped from already weak premiere numbers.

As a result, "Trauma" has been on cancellation watch since last Tuesday, leaving open the very real possibility that NBC will soon need replacement programming on Mondays.

And that's where "Chuck" comes in.

Under a scenario under consideration at the Peacock, "Chuck" would return to its old 8 p.m. Monday timeslot. And "Heroes," now at 8, would slide into the 9 p.m. "Trauma" slot.

But all this happens only if "Trauma" needs to be replaced.

NBC executives are hoping viewership for tonight's episode stabilizes, or maybe even goes up. If that happens, NBC can afford to be a bit more patient on Mondays.

If "Trauma" goes down, however, it's very likely "Chuck" will be back before year's end. And if "Trauma" really tanks, Ausiello's October surprise scenario could well transpire.

But NBC insiders know rushing "Chuck" on too quickly doesn't make sense, either. The network needs time to mount a marketing and PR campaign to let viewers know the show is back on the air, and a late October premiere would make that all but impossible.

More likely is an early to mid-November premiere. And a post-Olympics bow, as originally planned, is still under discussion as well.

In the meantime, new NBC Entertainment guru Jeff Zucker's comments to TV Guide Magazine and the New York Times indicating the network needs to be patient with promising shows should be a sign of hope for new comedy "Community." NBC also has been upping the promotion for Wednesday's "Mercy," a show that's also seen as having some upside for the network.

UPDATE: "Trauma" was up 6 percent in adults 18-49 last night to a 1.8 demo rating. This should give NBC enough wiggle room to avoid an October return for "Chuck." A November re-launch is still a possibility. Expect a decision one way or another this week.

Comments

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:24 — Deborah (not verified)

Please bring Chuck back on

Please bring Chuck back on TV. We are so sick of fake reality shows and cop shows. Put Chuck in a time slot that doesn't have to compete with anything else; Wednesday night TV is boring, so put Chuck on then. Other good shows are: Ugly Betty, Fringe, Lie to Me, The Mentalist, Flashforward, V, Mercy (regardless of the time they are on or who they are competing against......we tape all the shows we like) We really miss Prison Break, Life on Mars, My Own Worse Enemy, what happened to these shows?

Fri, 10/16/2009 - 23:15 — Figureitoutnbc (not verified)

Bring back Chuck. Now! With

Bring back Chuck. Now! With good promotion.

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 20:05 — Tracey (not verified)

I don't understand why the

I don't understand why the networks keep canceling good shows. These are probably all on different networks, but seriously I do not get the turnover, for example The Unit, Chuck, Moonlight. It's ridiculous. I think that is why viewers are turning to cable. The networks are too wishy washy.

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 19:02 — David (not verified)

LPease bring Chuck back. I

LPease bring Chuck back. I was one of the few who watched the Trauma debut and also saw it last week. @ weeks was enough. Chuck was one of my top 3 shows last season and have watched it ever since the Pilot. Bring Chuck back!!!!!!!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 17:55 — Nicole (not verified)

Please bring back Chuck!

Please bring back Chuck! I'm tired of all the good shows getting canceled with no conclusion!! I won't watch Trauma simply because it is replacing Chuck!!!!! I don't know what is wrong with NBC lately it used to be the best prime time station now it's mostly crap!!!!!!!!!!!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 14:46 — BBTrekkie (not verified)

Bring back CHUCK!!! That

Bring back CHUCK!!! That show is great, funny, entertaining and the entire family can watch it. I am SICK of reality tv and gory crime shows. I want to laugh and care about the character and watch it with my 10 year old son.

CHUCK was fantastic...stop putting out crap and give us back real entertainment.

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:44 — Snooks (not verified)

BRING BACK CHUCK! It was a

BRING BACK CHUCK! It was a one of the good comedies that was on and over course was cancelled. Get some of this reality show garbage off .. the reality shows are starting to take over all the good tv shows? What ever happened to Flashpoint and Without a Trace? And any of the good tv shows that remain were thrown onto the 10:00 time slot! Someone had better in touch with the networks!!! DAH!!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 13:40 — lewsers (not verified)

We love Chuck at our house

We love Chuck at our house and quit watching NBC on Monday nights when it went off the air! BRING IT BACK!!!!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 12:27 — Kim (not verified)

YES! I wasn't sure the fate

YES! I wasn't sure the fate of Chuck. I assumed that NBC had just cancelled it like every other show I like( My Name is Earl, Life, etc.). I don't understand why they are leaving on shows like Parks and Recreation, which is beyond lame and so not funny. Please bring Chuck back to stay!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 11:15 — Unknown (not verified)

Yeah from the latest article

Yeah from the latest article I've read it says:

NBC insiders who’ve seen the first four episodes are calling this season the best yet.

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 10:20 — archiewachie (not verified)

WE WANT CHUCK! WE WANT

WE WANT CHUCK! WE WANT CHUCK! WE WANT CHUCK!

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 08:44 — Karen (not verified)

I LOVE Chuck!!! Yes, the

I LOVE Chuck!!! Yes, the show but actually every single choice of actor and each character is another charm in this treasure box of heart-melting comedy. I visit the show's web site often and applaud the entire team for smart, unique, comedic entertainment that appeals to my mind, my heart, and my soul. I don't want to wait for this season to start but I'd rather wait to ensure the public gives themselves a chance to catch an episode and fall in love with Chuck's goofy caught-in-the-cookie jar, nose twisting smirk/smile.

Thu, 10/15/2009 - 06:36 — Star (not verified)

Bring Chuck back ASAP

Bring Chuck back ASAP please!! November sound good, but it really needs good promotion. Chuck rules! I'm also VERY excited with Brandon Routh aka Superman guest starring! :)

Wed, 10/14/2009 - 16:35 — VL (not verified)

I loooove chuck!!!!! Chuck

I loooove chuck!!!!! Chuck is the best!!!!

Wed, 10/14/2009 - 16:12 — KJsub (not verified)

I LOVE CHUCK!!!! Please do

I LOVE CHUCK!!!! Please do everything necessary to keep this show on the air. We never missed it. It is one of the most entertaining shows on the air. Can't wait until it is back.

Wed, 10/14/2009 - 06:30 — LucasInThePhil (not verified)

Chuck should have at least 5

Chuck should have at least 5 season before they cancel it.. after tyhat, its gonna be kinda boring..But chuck shouldnt be cut now! not now coz its starting to be a worldwide phenom! WE want Chuck! We want Chuck!

Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:47 — amyabn (not verified)

Bring Chuck back! Put it on

Bring Chuck back! Put it on Wednesday nights at 8 and give it some publicity. Look at all the buzz this rumor created. I think NBC would be foolish to ignore it. Move Mercy to Mondays in place of Trauma (they don't need two medical shows and neither is doing well; also Trauma is more expensive to make from what I've read).

Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:32 — Lau (not verified)

WrteStuf, Chuck season three

WrteStuf, Chuck season three started filming in September.
I hope Chuck will be back soon, mid November sounds good, NBC does need time to promote it.

Tue, 10/13/2009 - 22:17 — Jaclyn (not verified)

YESSS!! I loovvee Chuck!

YESSS!! I loovvee Chuck! Trauma is so bad! It's boring and lifeless, nothing is pushing it!

Even, though I want Chuck bad, I still want it to have GREAT ratings, so I hope that NBC gives it a AT LEAST descent marketing campaign.

Tue, 10/13/2009 - 19:36 — Sheldon (not verified)

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