NBC brings 'Chuck' back in January

Check out a teaser for the new season, returning on Mondays in January

By Daniel Fienberg Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 6:09 PM

Zachary Levi of 'Chuck'

Credit: NBC

Resurrected by the power of fan support and Subway sandwiches, "Chuck" will now get an earlier-than-expected return to NBC's schedule.

NBC announced on Thursday (Nov. 19) that "Chuck" will premiere on Sunday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. with two back-to-back episodes. But don't worry, fans, "Chuck" isn't shuffling to Sunday nights permanently. The series will return to its regular Monday 8 p.m. ET time period on Jan. 11.

Yes, that means that "Chuck" will be launching with three hours over two nights in January.

The happy news was first reported by Friend of HitFix Alan Sepinwall.

What does that mean for "Heroes"? Well, the ratings starved superhero drama will air two new episodes from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4 and will them move back to the 9 p.m. hour on the 11th.

As "Chuck" fans will recall, the second season ended with a shocking climax in which Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) discovered a new assortment of powers. Chuck's status as Intersect 2.0 will change things up with his handlers, Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) and John Casey (Adam Baldwin).

Of third season guests, NBC teases: "These include: Angie Harmon (NBC’s "Law & Order"), who will play Sydney, an enemy operative; Brandon Routh ("Superman Returns"), who is set to play CIA Agent Daniel Shaw; Robert Patrick ("Terminator 2: Judgment Day") will play Colonel Keller, a soldier and spy from Casey’s past; Kristin Kreuk ("Smallville"), who will portray Hannah -- a potential love interest for Chuck; Armand Assante ("Judge Dredd") as dictator Premier Goya, who is the target of an assassin; Steve Austin ("WWE Smackdown!") will portray Hugo Panzer, who becomes entangled in Chuck’s first solo mission; and Vinnie Jones ("Snatch") will play Carl Stromberg, an arms dealer."

Originally ordered for a 13 episode run starting in March, "Chuck" has already been picked up for an additional six episodes, bringing the third season to 19 episodes.

"Josh (Schwartz) and Chris (Fedak) and the writing team are doing a great job this season, and we think the loyal fan base for this show will be happy to see it back on the NBC schedule," states Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

Check out NBC's teaser for the new season:

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Jordo

They like this
November 19, 2009 at 9:53PM EST Reply to Comment
Bro

Woo-hoo!
November 20, 2009 at 9:07AM EST Reply to Comment
AMAZING, SO EXCITED, I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!
November 24, 2009 at 4:00PM EST Reply to Comment

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NBC brings 'Chuck' back in January

Check out a teaser for the new season, returning on Mondays in January

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NBC brings 'Chuck' back in January

Comments

Jordo

They like this

Bro

Woo-hoo!