chuck – Page 4 – procrastinationchronicles.com

next week 12/10

December 7, 2007 No Comments

Monday

The Hills (MTV, 10pm) Season Finale – So the people on this show are the ones that I don’t recognize in all the tabloid magazines.
I Want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Linus and Lucy’s little brother hangs with Snoopy and his brother Spike.

Tuesday

Shrek the Halls/Winnie the Pooh and Christmas, Too (ABC, 9/8:30pm) – Shrek again, then Pooh and the gang have some snow time fun.
Life on Mars (BBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – This is apparently the second and final season of a guy thrown back in time trying to get home kind of show.

Wednesday

ANTM (CW, 8pm) Season Finale! – Who will it be? I still say Saleisha, but let’s be serious I only care about the journey.
Kid Nation (CBS, 8pm) Season Finale – I haven’t heard anything about this show since the start so I think maybe no kids were maimed.
Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, 9pm) Season Finale – I didn’t really follow how this worked so I’m not sure what the finale involves.
Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (CW, 9pm – future 8pm) Series Premiere – A house full of mother/daughter beauty contestants, Queer Eye’s Carson is one of the judges as one team gets voted of each week.
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC, 10pm) – Catch it if you missed the pilot of the best soap in night time tv, they do the cheese factor to a T (what does that actually mean?).

Thursday

Saturday Night Live Christmas (NBC, 9:30pm) – As they keep moving with the compilation shows the holidays seem like a logical choice.

Friday

It’s a Wonderful Life (NBC, 8pm) – This holiday classic always gets a showing, well, around the holidays.

Saturday

Chuck (NBC, 8pm) – Catch the pilot episode if you didn’t get on board from the start of this fun series.

Sunday

Survivor: China (CBS, 8pm) Season Finale – Followed by reunion show at 10pm, this ultimate tribal council will crown a new ultimate Survivor.
Dexter (Show 9pm) Season Finale – So this serial killer series comes to the end of season 2.
Extras (HBO, 9pm) Series Finale – With Ricky Gervais, he is a wannabe actor trying to make it, and how does it all end?

chuck pilot I have to say I find myself looking forward to Chuck each week. And I find that it’s not just because of the interesting characters forced to work together, or the witty dialogue, or the kick-ass action scenes, but honestly also because I don’t have to think too hard. I have a few Heroes queued in the backlog because I feel like I don’t have the attention span. But though it’s easy to follow Chuck on his weekly adventure with his two agent protectors, hiding it all from his sister Ellie and best bud Morgan, there are a few big plot items. So if you haven’t been watching you should tune in and though you don’t really need it, here’s a bit of story…

Chuck was kicked out of Stanford because his roommate Bryce turned him in for cheating (which if course he didn’t do), either before or after stealing his girlfriend. Chuck can’t forgive him for it, and has yet to really get his life back on track. He’s tech support at the Nerd Herd at Buy More (think Geek Squad at Best Buy but funnier and apparently more successful at helping solve tech issues). And he’s living with his doctor sister (Everwood/What About Brian’s Sarah Lancaster) and her boyfriend dubbed Captain Awesome, because everything is in fact ‘awesome’. Their parents are gone, though we’ve yet to get what could be more than just a story of a mother who left and a father who wasn’t there for them.

So all is chugging along in Chuck’s unfulfilled life when he receives an email from his old college roommate/nemesis and what hides behind a path of a video game they wrote in college is in fact encoded images and information about all of the secrets that all of the countries agencies had hidden away. Nemesis Bryce managed to steal these before blowing up the computer that held them and getting himself killed. Apparently roommate was a rogue agent for the CIA.

Bryce’s former partner, professionally and romantically, Sarah, goes after Chuck to track it all down. Chuck is now too valuable to lose and has round the clock support from Sarah, who pretends to be his girlfriend working across the street, and Casey (the hilarious Adam Baldwin) who is NSA, works with him at Buy More, and has moved into his apartment complex. Each week Chuck is either assigned to, or happens upon, something that makes him ‘flash’ and tap into the downloaded info.

Sarah is clearly getting close to Chuck, though when he asked her with a little truth serum happening about her true feelings for him, her training allowed her to say no. Though of course her kissing him when she thought they were about to die cleared that up. But with Bryce returning from the dead for a makeout session of his own, who knows where Sarah’s heart lies. Bryce, it turns out, was on assignment, and not in fact rogue, and is now heading out to find the true evildoers. We knew there was a chance he wasn’t evil when we found out that he got Chuck kicked out of Stanford to avoid his being recruited by the CIA and ruining his life. Funny how things work out.

next week 11/12

November 9, 2007 No Comments

Monday

Chuck (NBC, 8pm) – If you miss the quality days of the OC maybe Summer/Rachel Bilson can fill the void as she charms Chuck, tough to date with a fake girlfriend even if she is only your CIA contact.
The Bachelor (ABC, 10pm) – The women tell all, probably won’t muck it all up before he picks his bride in the finale.

Tuesday

Bones (Fox, 8pm) – Timecapsules and murder, I’m nostalgic to visit the class of ’87! woo hoo!
Reaper (CW, 9pm) – What’s Gladys the demon do when she’s not at the dmv? And is the devil doing something evil?

Wednesday

Project Runway (Bravo, 10pm) Season Premiere – Fifteen new folks compete to try to stich their way to success.
Private Practice (ABC, 9pm) – Looks like there’s some nookie gonna be going on, bets on the longevity of Addison and Pete vs. Violet and Cooper…

Thursday

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS, 9pm) – Boring Jorja Fox leaves the team, who will Grissom inappropriately sleep with now?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx, 10pm) Season Finale – I am amused by this group of serious misfits and their totally inappropriate behavior.

Friday

Women’s Murder Club (ABC, 9pm) – This is it’s regularly scheduled time but don’t miss it’s Thursday night showing (10pm) with Angie’s real life guy Jason Sehorn (and yes I should put this under Thursday but there’s really nothing of interest on Friday).

Saturday

MadTV (Fox, 11pm) – Former castmates return for the 300th episode but since I don’t ever watch this show I couldn’t tell you who’s who.

Sunday

American Music Awards (ABC, 8pm) – Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel there might be some life input into one of the many music awards shows.

next week 10/29

October 26, 2007 3 Comments

In addition to just seeing folks dress up in cute Halloween costumes here’s a few things happening this week:

Monday

Chuck (Fox, 8pm) – Chuck meets another agent who reminds him of himself, let’s hope he’s as charming.

Tuesday

Nip/Tuck (FX, 10pm) Season Premiere – Ok, it’s another FX show that I don’t watch, but it’s in my Netflix queue.
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Tis the season, can’t beat the classics.

Wednesday

Criminal Minds (CBS, 9pm) – Since Mandy Patinkin left there’s been a void and this week Joe Mantegna picks up the reins of the BAU.
Gossip Girl (CW, 9pm) – Repeats already? But at least those of you who missed the pilot get another shot to see Serena rejoin her old friends.

Thursday

The Office (NBC, 9pm) – Jim’s ex in real life and on the show Karen comes back, but is it for Jim?
My Name is Earl (NBC, 8pm) – They’re doing another round of the gang on the show Cops, the last round was funny, parts 1 & 2 (8-9pm).

Friday

Men in Trees and 20/20 (ABC, 8 & 10pm) – They’re switching timeslots on these so MIT will go at 8:00….

Saturday

Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 10pm) – See where it all began, with the pilot rerunning.
Austin City Limits (PBS, Check your local listings) – If you haven’t caught this good series of live band performances check out this week with Wilco.

Sunday

Simpsons (Fox, 8pm) – The annual halloween Treehouse of Horrors, too bad it’s after Halloween.
The Amazing Race (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – I cut off reality shows before this came out but this one is actually critically acclaimed, showing pairs of folks traveling with challenges round the globe

my schedule

October 17, 2007 10 Comments

Well almost everything has started and until they cancel more stuff, move stuff around, or we get to midseason changes. Here is where things seem to be settling in for me for watching, or at least tivo backlog. (I do try to narrow things down to no more than two shows per time slot.)

Monday

8pm NBC – Chuck (CBS – How I Met Your Mother)
9pm NBC – Heroes (CBS – Two and a Half Men/Samantha Who?)

Tuesday

8pm Fox – Bones
9pm Fox – House (CW – Reaper)
10pm NBC – L&O SVU

Wednesday

8pm ABC – Pushing Daisies (CW – ANTM or in repeats Sun 9pm)
9pm CW – Gossip Girl (NBC – Bionic Woman)
10pm ABC – Dirty Sexy Money

Thursday

8/8:30pm NBC – My Name is Earl/30 Rock
9/9:30pm NBC – The Office/Scrubs (ABC – Grey’s Anatomy)

Friday

10pm CBS – Numb3rs

Sunday

5pm CW – (encore) Girlfriends
10pm ABC – Brothers and Sisters

And for a full grid of the current listings check out a couple of sites that I find helpful:

the baldwins are back

October 15, 2007 10 Comments

I was recently discussing the funny Alec Baldwin as network exec Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock (someone made the comment that they couldn’t get past seeing him as an older version of the actor he once was…). I then made the comment that Adam Baldwin (early on of My Bodyguard and Full Metal Jacket and more recently of favorite Firefly) was back on television as the NSA agent in the so far quite enjoyable Chuck. Is he one of the Baldwin brothers, I was asked. Yes, was what I replied. Mea culpa I now say, he is not. But really, they could use one more Baldwin who is doing some good work. The other Baldwin who has recently joined our television family, who I neglected to mention in my misinformed conversation, was William/Billy who is now being seen in the scandalously humorous Dirty Sexy Money as tranny lover/senatorial candidate Patrick Darling. Rounding out our cast of four is Daniel (most known to me from Homicide) and Stephen (early on of Usual Suspects and more recently apparently on two rounds of Celebrity Mole). Apparently there is also a cousin out there who goes by Joseph Baldwin, too bad he hasn’t made it to Celebrity Mole.

favorite new shows

October 9, 2007 6 Comments

Separating the wheat from the chaff, watching the cream rise to the top, see what’s floating your boat… I can’t stop. Ok so here’s what I’m liking:

Pushing Daisies (Wednesdays at 8 on ABC) – So I’ve only seen one episode of this so far, but I love it when a show tries to be innovative in some way and is successful. And this is! The visual style of the entire show is done in such a fanciful way that it completely compliments the fanciful context. Ned found out early in life, by touching his dog, that he could bring things back to life. Unfortunately when he tried it on his mother he found out the two cons, 1) it was a one time deal and if he touched them again they would die and 2) if someone stayed alive for more than a minute someone else would die. Our weekly stories seem to involve his work with a PI in solving murders. Why not just ask them what happened? And our overarching story should entail the untouchable love of his life, childhood sweetheart, and now back from the dead, Charlotte/Chuck. The show and the cast are in fact delightful.
Dirty Sexy Money (Wednesdays at 7 on ABC) – They have struck the right cord in this over the top richest of the rich, spoiledest of the spoiled family drama. We’re following ‘normal’ guy Nick George who has inherited the post of family attorney, and solver of all problems, when his father was killed. Was the family somehow involved? Our patriarch Tripp Darling is trying to hold it all together, but did he know about the affair his wife Letitia was having with papa attorney? Their eldest, Attorney General Patrick, has greater political aspirations that may or may not be thwarted by the presence of his tranny mistress. Next up is the daughter Karen who is onto her fourth(?) marriage-to-be with some tennis pro, but is clearly still in love with Nick. Then there’s Brian, the man of the cloth who is hiding his illegitimate son from his family as a foreign exchange student. Rounding out the brood are the twins, wannabe actress Juliet and wannabe everything/playboy Jeremy. Not only is there tons of hilarity with all their foibles but I’m actually interested to see the story unfold and find out what happened to dad.
Chuck (Mondays at 8 on NBC) – Alias meets The Office, as dude from the Nerd Herd at Buy More (a la Geek Squad at Best Buy – who are totally lame) gets all the world’s secrets downloaded into his brain, all from receiving an email from his girlfriend-stealing college roommate turned rogue CIA agent. That was his roommate’s last move. So now said roomie’s partner, and paramour, CIA kick ass gal and NSA’s kick ass guy have set themselves up in his pitiful little life to protect, monitor and use him on what will undoubtedly be a new case a week. And of course he isn’t sure who he can trust and he can’t tell any of his friends and family. It’s got good feisty action and a tongue and cheek humor about things, and so far our crew is a hoot in their fish out of water situations.
Reaper (Tuesdays at 9 on CW) – Ok I’m still a little on the fence about declaring my deep like for this show but it has some real potential. I really dug the first episode, slacker guy Sam, whose parents dote on him, turns 21 and he finds out that they sold his soul to the devil. First we have some amusing escapades with the well played, both enticing and frightening devil forcing him to be a bounty hunter, returning souls to hell. He learns quickly that this isn’t a job he can blow off. He has some assistance from some random super abilities (they seem to be bounty specific), a vessel for storage (first week was as dustbuster), and the thrown in typical sidekicks and big crush. And then we have some actual touching moments with the family where they truly regret what happened, but of course Dad was sick and although they planned not to have kids after the deal was done, the devil made them do it. Sam and his buddies are likable, there is a great dynamic between Sam and Satan, but we’ll see if our hunt for the bounty of the week can keep us as engaged as we are at the start.

new fall tv

September 12, 2007 6 Comments

It’s time. Let’s see what folks are saying about new fall television. Of the critics picks these are the names that seem to come up.

Aliens in America (ew) – CW, Mon 10/1, 8:30pm
Back to You (ew, ms, tv) – Fox, Wed 9/19, 8pm
Bionic Woman (ew, a, tv) – NBC, Wed 9/26, 9pm
Cane (ms, tv) – CBS, Tues 9/25, 10pm
Chuck (a, tv) – NBC, Mon 9/24, 8pm
Dirty Sexy Money (a, ew, ms, tv) – ABC, Wed 9/26, 10pm
Gossip Girl (a, tv) – CW, Wed 9/19, 9pm
Journeyman (ms) – NBC, Mon 9/24, 10pm
K-Ville (tv) – Fox, Mon 9/17, 0pm
Private Practice (tv) – ABC, Wed 9/26, 9pm
Pushing Daisies (a, ms, t, tv) – ABC, Wed 10/13, 8pm
Reaper (ew, ms, tv) – CW, Tues 9/25, 9pm
Samantha Who? (ms) – ABC, Mon 10/15, 9:30pm

(a) AOL – Fall Best New Shows, (ew) Entertainment Weekly Pick, (ms) Newsweek/MSNBC – Fall Preview, (t) Time – What to Watch for Fall Arts Preview, (tv) TV Guide – Shows With Buzz (buzz doesn’t necessarily equal best)

Touted as perhaps the worst shows – Viva Laughlin: preposterous murder mystery with folks singing over pop songs at key plot points. Big Shots: four good actors but this ‘sex and the city for men’ show is reportedly painfully bad. Cavemen: updating the bad ad concept of cavemen in society being discriminated against, really?

So I can’t predict what my new favorites will be (I do try to watch all new comedies and dramas) but here’s what I’m most looking forward to:

Bionic Woman – For nostalgia sake alone I’m looking forward to this. The show is getting a serious update by the creators of Battlestar Gallactica (I haven’t seen but hear nothing but great things). Though not sticking strictly the old plot Jamie Sommers is getting bionic and of course being asked to put her new abilities to use, expect more conflict with the government agency that rebuilt her and more personal struggle.
Pushing Daisies – I’ve actually heard the most positive buzz about this show. What if you could touch someone to bring them back to life but with your next touch they’d die again? Well of course you’d help a PI solve murders. And of course you’d bring a woman you love back to life and never be able to touch her again. It’s got a good cast and supposedly a great look. It’s being touted as things like whimsical and delightful so it probably won’t be for everyone but it’s definitely worth a watch.
Dirty, Sexy, Money – Ok so this title is almost so over the top it’s good but it wasn’t until I started hearing positive things about this satire that I started to believe that they might be doing it right. The return of Peter Krause (of HBO’s 6 Feet Under – though I’m only on about season 4 of on dvd) as a reluctant attorney to a powerful and of course scandalous family headed by Donald Sutherland.
Gossip Girl – So not only is it done by Josh Schwartz (the creator of the OC that at least started with an excellent dose of wit and sudsy drama) but the VO of blogger/narrator is being done by our beloved Veronica Mars’ Kristin Bell. It’s based on a series of books set in uber elite New York private school so hopefully they’ll have enough fodder to keep it lively for at least a couple of seasons.
Chuck and Reaper – Ok these both just feel similar to me. Likable guy gets thrown into unusual situation. Chuck (also by Schwartz) has been described as The Office meets Alias. Can’t beat that, right? A computer nerd (Less Than Perfect’s Zachary Levi) gets all of America’s intelligence downloaded to his brain. And in Reaper the guy (Brett Harrison of Grounded for Life and The Loop) has to be bounty hunter for Satan since his parents sold his soul to the devil, with the first episode being directed by Kevin Smith. Both are being touted as smart and funny so hopefully at least one of them’s a keeper.

Of the others…

Sitcoms – With sitcoms I’ve learned to adopt a wait and see stance but Back to You and Samantha Who clearly have potential with the casting of Frasier and Mrs. Ray Romano as newscasters and the adorable Kellie Bundy as amnesiac. And I guess Aliens in America could be amusing bringing a Pakistani foreign exchange student to small town America to focus on high-school misfits.

Dramas – Cane has good casting including Jimmy Smits and Hector Elizondo in this Cuban-American family/business drama but I’ve seen about a million previews and am not all that excited. Journeyman shows a man going back in time to change something and again just no real pull yet. K-Ville is a cop show set in New Orleans but I haven’t really heard anything else about it. And Private Practice’s Grey’s spin-off backdoor pilot wasn’t astounding, but we’ll see what they do with it.

« Previous 1 2 3 4