It’s Official: NBC Renews Chuck for Season 5! (UPDATED)

Rejoice, Chucksters! NBC officially announced that they’ve renewed Chuck for a fifth season!

Word leaked Wednesday afternoon that NBC and Warner Bros. were nearing a deal for renewal, and now NBC has made it official. The initial order is for 13 episodes with an option for more, just like the previous four years. No word yet if Chuck will stay on the schedule Mondays at 8/7c or move elsewhere. Expect to find out when NBC unveils their new primetime schedule to reporters on Sunday and advertisers on Monday.

Josh Schwartz Tweeted a math question as his form of confirmation: “what’s the square root of 25?”

He then added: “The passion of the CHUCK fans has been heard again… We are all truly lucky to have the greatest fan base on tv. Thank you.”

(Thanks to Chad for our beautiful new banner.)

Updated 12:22PM: Natalie Abrams from TV Guide and Stuart Levine from Variety are reporting that season 5 will definitely be Chuck‘s final season, as many of us expected. (Twitter keeps breaking, so can’t link.) The pro here is that NBC has given the writers the chance to finish up the show on their terms instead of this constant suspense of whether the last episode of the season is really the last episode of the series.

Updated 05.15.11: NBC announced their full lineup today – Chuck will move to Fridays at 8/7c for its final season. Also, Bob Greenblatt, new NBC president, talked to TVLine about the decision to bring Chuck back for a final, 13-episode season:

TVLINE |  Why did you decide to make Chuck‘s upcoming fifth season its last?
It seemed to be the way to end it appropriately for the fans who love it, and not get into a situation where it might end or might not end and then it ends and we haven’t concluded the storyline. It gives [producers] a chance to plan for it. I think that’s the best way to do it.

TVLINE | You only ordered 13 episodes of Chuck. Any chance you’ll increase that number?
I don’t think so. Unless suddenly we have 10 million viewers watching it on Friday night, then it would.

Hulu Plus Free Trial

About Mel

Check Also

Chuck vs the Goodbye: 10 Years Later

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the Chuck series finale. It feels like a decade …

108 comments

  1. It would be so epic if it ended with Chuck finding out why Bryce sent him the intersect..sarah and chuck live and it ends the way it started with the two of them in love<3

    • itabashi zangitan

      don’t you watch chuck?

      bryce sent him the intersect because of the following reasons:
      – Bryce knew chuck could handle the intersect
      – Bryce considered chuck to be his truely great friend.
      – Bryce needed to send it to someone who he trusted and WHO WAS NOT FULCRUM
      – Destroying the intersect was a rogue mission assigned to Bryce to ensure that Fulcrum would turn him instead of burning him or killing him.

      go back and rewatch 1.01 vs the intersect, 1.10 vs the nemesis,

      • You should watch the last episode dude Clyde Decker said in the video Chuck you didnt really know that Fulcrum , The Ring , and everthing else was a plan…. and video cut off.

        Any ideas what could happen next?

        Just for a Suggestion How about Chuck and Morgan Were Intersects .. Cause Morgan Already has the intersect and Chuck Doesnt Uhmm…. It was suppressed by the sunglass

        and beckman gave sunglasses that has the intersect to chuck but morgan was to shabby being a spy so he wore it and downloaded the damn intersect:)

        This is gonna be so cool:)

      • Pulling for Sarah!

        Remember though, neither Chuck nor Morgan knew that the glasses contained the intersect. Beckman set that up…or says Decker, who do we believe?

        I think Morgan can now be used as comic relief and Chuck can help him get his footing. Even though Chuck doesn’t have the intersect, he has found his confidence and has the potential of being a good spy…besides, he got the girl.

        Now I wonder if Sarah will get pregnant.

      • Clyde also laughed when Chuck mentioned his father’s death….maybe Steve dodged the bullet….literally. xD

  2. I think they should give a 22 episode season so it will end on 100 episodes

  3. As long as they hit the sindication number I don’t think they care….

  4. what do y’mean definitely season5 is the last season for chuck?Season5 has not even started yet & they’re ending it already?how come some tv series reach as far as season10?there are still lots of materials to be explored & utilized for chuck episodes.

  5. Let’s come up with an ideal season 5/series finale. Here’s what I’ve come up with.

    1 Morgan/Alex wedding
    2 Sarah pregnant
    3 Casey promoted to United States Director of Homeland Security
    4 Jeff and Lester either
    A Both get girlfriends OR
    B Jeffster signs a recording contract

    Thoughts?

  6. I hope NBC thinks about another few seasons, if not I would like NBC to give Chuck a shot on the USA or Syfy channel.

    I followed and watched Stargate SG-1 on Showtime for it’s first 5 seasons, then it was sold to the NBC’s Syfy channel and moved over to watch it for another 5 seasons and the show did pretty well in the ratings. I just think it would keep Chuck’s fan base in the NBC family of channels and would support the new station.

    • AnotherChuckster

      @paraordnance45: I was thinking the same thing. Season 5 may be Chuck’s final season on NBC, but there’s always the possibility of sending it to an affliate network, much like what happened with L&O:CI … when NBC didn’t want it anymore, it went to USA where it’s fit in nicely. Especially since a 13 episode order isn’t enough to hit the apparently magic 100 needed for syndication, I would think Warner Bros. would be anxious to shop it to other networks. With Chuck’s budget already being similar to that of a basic cable orginal show, and with the quirky characters and mix of comedy, drama, and action, I think it would be an excellent fit forr USA which is adding more and more original programming all the time. It would probably work well on SyFy too … I think we all know that every Chuck fan out there would follow it to any network. I’m pretty sure we’d all watch it if it was on ESPN, PBS or The Cooking Channel. Who cares where it’s on, if it’s on, right? And on a cable network, where the ratings expectations are much lower to be considered successful, Chuck could probably live on for more seasons. I’ve actually wondered for years why, given how wishy-washy NBC has been about the show, they didn’t just ship it off to USA? So fingers-crossed that after season 5, they will. I have no doubt that there will a campaign launched to get them to do that very thing.

  7. ultimatechucklover

    YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYEYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY CAN’T I STOP SCREAMING YES!!!!! MY FAMILY IS LOOKING AT ME LIKE I AM CRAZY!!!!!!!! BUT I DON’T CARE!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

  8. To quote Roger Daltrey:
    YYEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
    Although it sucks to hear that S5 is the farewell tour, I’m glad that the choice to end Chuck at the end of next season was made by the creators. As it should be. Anyway, LET’S PARTY!! WE EARNED IT, FOLKS!
    As Always,

    John
    President, Indiana Buy-Moria Embassy

  9. I’m so happy!!!!

  10. My Series finale predictions –

    1) Morgan/Alex pregnancy scare + proposal
    2) CHUCK gets an upgrade… becomes Orion 2.0!
    3) Beckman steps down… Casey steps in!

  11. WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO SEASON 5 Now we can enjoy the SEASON finale

  12. I wonder if this feeling I have about this news is how it feels when taking uppers and then downers at the same time.
    I think it would have been nice to have had a week or so just to revel in the news that we have a Season 5 before dropping the hammer on the show…..just saying.
    Although, I am very happy and thankful that we do have another season to enjoy and look forward to.

  13. With the cancellation of No Ordinary Family and Human Target, I wonder if any or all of the former Chuck writers from those shows will come back to write for the final season of Chuck.

    Imagine the penultimate episode of S5 being written by Matt Miller and Ali Adler – doesn’t that sound exciting?

    • ChuckRULESDONOTCANCELITPLEASE

      OMG If Ali Adler came back to Chuck, that’d be AWESOME!!! She wrote my fav episodes!! 😀

  14. I’m not surprised to hear that NBC plans to make this the final season, and I would prefer that it total 5 terrific seasons then hang on too long and start to degrade as a show. Nevertheless, if the show picks up viewership, they could still change their minds, or it could get picked up by another network.

    I’m OK with season 5 being the end if necessary, but I REALLY hope they will order a full 22 episodes. It makes sense for them to do so, and gives the show the magical 100 episode mark that’s important for syndication (where, frankly I think Chuck will do GREAT!). It also gives the writers enough time to really enjoy the last season and bring everything together properly.

  15. what i dont understand is that ,i have seen everone say its the final season but nbc and hopefully,plz god,it continues beyond episode 13 to a 22 episode and hopefully ,plz god it will continue on another network

  16. I agree with what most are saying here…if NBC could farm Chuck out to it’s affiliates, that would work too. Chuck could work on USA…even TNT. I just want it to continue…there is NOTHING else like it on TV anywhere. Just saying!

  17. Let’s campaign for 22 episodes, and campaign for another network to pick it up. Heck, why wouldn’t the WB pick it up! Long live CHUCK!

  18. It would have 2 start now tho.

  19. Is this mean they gonna use the iPhone 5 in season 5? Well, I’m gonna change my iPhone 4 with it then, hehe. Go Chuck!!

  20. ChuckRULESDONOTCANCELITPLEASE

    On one hand, HELLL YEAHHHHHHHHHHH CHUCK SEASON 5!!!!!

    On the other hand, kinda sucks that it’s the last one, I mean I know it’s eventually gonna end and all but I HATE finding new shows!! I don’t think I’ll find another show that I love as much as Chuck!

    In all honesty, I wouldn’t care if they out-ran the Simpsons, as long as the plot is still awesome, but we all know that’s not gonna happen.

    Ah well, GOOOOOOOO CHUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My calendar is crazily highlighted for Monday 16th XD labelled “CHUCK FINALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

  21. When the show ends, I’d love the following:

    Chuck and Sarah retired spies, with kids!!! 😀 And Chuck being a “Bill Gates with style” just like him and Bryce planned in college

    Casey maybe being the new General, or just promoted to something awesome 😀

    IDK about the rest of the people, don’t think Casey would be able to even STAND the thought of a Morgan/Alex wedding XDDDD

    Long Live Chuck!!! 🙂

  22. Such good news. Chuck deserves a good wrap up. I’m also quite happy that Season 5 is going to be the last and that the writers can plan a definite (and hopefully epic) ending. As someone has already said, it would be brilliant if they could let them have 22 episodes an end it on 100.

  23. Amalia.kartika

    YES !!! Awesome !!! This news just make my day so awesome !!! Yyeeeeaaaayyyyyyyy

  24. What a news!!!!! I’m so so so so HAPPY THAT THEY’RE GETTING A SEASON 5!!!!
    But somehow I can’t help but be somehow sad that Season 5 will be it’s last. :\'(
    Chuck has greatly affected my life! I JUST LOVE THIS SHOW!!!! :p

  25. Bittersweet. That’s what this is. We are all STOKED that Chuck gets a 5th season, but we are all kinda bummed that its already been decided that this will be its last. However, I trust that Schwarts and Fedak are gonna make this final season AMAZING!! All good things must come to an end. For now though, REJOICE!!! CHUCK SEASON 5 BABY!!!

    And something for Chuck fans to think about, get people to watch the show over the summer. Turn people on to it!!! If every Chuck fan turned 1 person on to the show and created a new Chuck fan, it would double the viewership for season 5. That would definitely get us a back order for at least the 9 episodes we need for syndication. DO IT!!!

    • Yeah, that’s right!
      Our mission : Got at least 1 person HOOKED to the show! Well, recently i made 3 person and counting… :p
      Tell them to give Chuck a try and watch it from the beginning, you’ll love it. 😀
      It maybe another real effort to push more Chuck’s episode guys!!!

      Chuck Forever,

      Neo

  26. Yeah Number 5!!!
    Glad to have them back….we’ll see if it’s the last next season.
    Yeah Number 5!!

  27. It will be on Fridays next season. It is not a bad thing really because the show might get better ratings, which can mean a full 22 episode order. Mondays at 8 is just too tough of a time slot when up against Dancing With The Stars(which sucks, but to each their own), HIMYM(which is almost as awesome as Chuck, sorry Barney), and House(Which is just too silly now). Therfore Friday can be good for Chuck.

    • *Therefore* Sorry for the typo.

      • It’s the infamous Friday “death slot.” It will take dedication from all the fans to keep the ratings from dropping, following the show to the night. If NBC can lock in the 13 episodes for us, the writers can conclude the series properly and eliminate the real world guessing games from affecting the final story arc.

  28. Hell YEAH!!!!!!! Bring on S5. 🙂

  29. So what is the meaning of the NBC Head Honcho’s comment that Chuck is going to go back to its Season 1 roots? If it’s good, it means get rid of the angsty, multi-episode, abuse the character arcs. If it’s bad, it means Chuck and Sarah aren’t together.

  30. Chuck once again beats the odds and gets one more renewal — but, barring a miracle, it’s the last one. A 13-episode send-off in the fall (although the Friday time slot was a bit unexpected — I thought it would remain on Mondays to the sunset) to wrap up the stories is a gift from NBC to the fans who have remained and supported this show.

    I’ve read through the many comments regarding a possible campaign to move Chuck to another network, like USA, Syfy, etc., or even another campaign to get NBC to expand the order and keep Chuck for more seasons.

    Apologies in advance for what may be seen as cold water on a campfire, but in regard to NBC expanding order possibility, Mr. Greenblatt already stated his case — 10 million viewers just to rethink the situation. From what I can tell, Chuck has never hit the 10 million mark in total viewers (9.21 is the highest I can find — and that was the series premiere). I doubt 10 million viewers are going to show up on “death slot” Fridays at this stage.

    As to the move to another network, it’s even more unlikely than keeping it on NBC past the 13 episodes promised this fall. Chuck has run for 4 seasons. The past 1 1/2 seasons are, unfortunately, terrible in terms of the ratings (yes, I know the Nielsen ratings are not a well-loved mechanism of measurement in regard to counting viewership — my own past posts in the ratings pages have expressed a negative opinion about them — but they are the advertisers’ measure of success and failure until something better comes along). If Chuck was on an upswing or, at least, stable at higher ratings, there might… *might*… be a moderate chance to jump networks. With its current ratings and trends — it would be a miracle. Not saying it won’t happen. Just saying it will be extremely difficult to make happen. People who want to campaign for that to happen — good luck. Maybe you can pull it off.

    As for me, I’ll watch what’s coming and enjoy it while the ride lasts. I’ll hope that the writers give the show a proper, well-considered send-off that wraps up as many of the plot threads as possible that might still be lying around in ways that are surprising, yet appropriate.

    See you in the fall, Chuck, for one more season. Enjoy the summer until then!

  31. This might seem silly, but the one thing I want more than anything in S5 is for Chuck to have hair long enough to curl into little animal shapes across his forehead again. I really miss it.

  32. I am looking at this as a challenge. We’ve gotten executives and sponsers to take notice. I want to get the viewership numbers up. At least get the ratings to a point where NBC and other potential networks take notice of it. I am going to continue passing around my DvD’s, wearing my Chuck paraphinaelia, tweeting, facebooking and purchasing Chuck gear from NBC. I like the direction the season finale indicated the show will be going and I think it has more than 13 episodes worth of potential. We’ve got probably around 4 months until the fall season. Time to go to work.

  33. I would have liked for Chuck to end up with the Intersect–perhaps he and Morgan can both be equipped with the Intersect at the same time—In Wifely fashion did you notice how quick Sarah was to remind Chuck the money belongs to both of them-and it does-hope the money does not screw up the relationship. I think that Sarah and Chuck working as independent contractors can provide an endless number of really great storylines–something I mentioned a couple of years ago. I want there romance to even get hotter–I wonder if we could generate enough viewers to possibly come up with an affiliate continuation of Chuck as mentioned above or a spinoff which would include the main characters of Chuck. When will the new season begin? Will the whole cast go to Comic Con in San Diego–when is that? Hope everyone has a great off season/Summer!!

  34. There should be 100 episodes it can not end with 13 episodes !!!

  35. Chuck is for me THE BEST SHOW EVER CREATED ! I’ve listen to all of the 10 season of Smallville, but they don’t even get close to be at the same level that Chuck is ! Save Chuck WE WANT MORE SEASONS !!! PLEASE MORE SEASONS!!!!!

  36. do you guys count chuck fans in other countries like Philippines? we love chuck! and we would certainly aim for more episodes and season!

  37. we love CHUCK, one of the best series to watch and we are hoping more seasons to come.to all cast of Chuck..good job guys and we love you—- from Philippines 🙂

  38. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.I will catch up your updates in future.

  39. Well I have not commented in this block for merely 1 year……but i must say that this site is awesome and keep chuck fans updated about all beautiful things with chuck………Chuck is one of the best TV series that I have ever watched……and the thought that it’s gonna end is unbearable than i thought.I always loved the chuck crew and special thanks to MEL for boosting our passion to follow every episode of chuck with all the heads-up……