Friday Five: Most Memorable Interviews

In the almost three years ChuckTV.net has been around, we’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview all of the regular cast members, most of the supporting cast, several guest stars, writers, directors, the composer, and producers. Today’s topic is a trip down memory lane highlighting my most memorable interviews over the last couple of years.

1. Sarah Lancaster (December 2007) – This was our first interview for the site and Sarah was a delight to talk with. She and I are native Kansans, which allowed for instant bonding, and she was so excited to talk about the show. When we spoke with her, Chuck had been granted a full season, but the writers’ strike was underway, so no one knew how that was going to play out. Looking back at the questions and answers more than two years later reminds me what hooked me on the show in the first place. (This was pre-podcast, and Liz & I didn’t know how to record things for posting on the Interwebz yet, so this interview is text only.)
2. Tim Jones (February 2008) – Gray’s interview with Chuck composer Tim was the first time I’d heard someone talk about what goes into making music for a television show. Since then I’ve learned to recognize certain pieces of the score as themes for characters and situations which adds to the richness of the experience. On top of that, Tim’s just an all around nice guy and we’ve enjoyed keeping up with him over the years. (Listen to the interview here.)
3. Rally Time – 16 Cast & Creative Team Members (April 2009) – I know, this is more than one interview, but what list is complete without it? With less than a week until the season and possibly series finale aired, we pulled together 16 interviews with the cast and creative team of Chuck to thank fans for their renewal efforts and tell them why they should watch the finale. It was a crazy few days, especially watching Gray conduct several of the interviews and put together the final product.
4. Comic Con (July 2009) – Another compilation of interviews, this time celebrating the upcoming third season. We were in the press room at Comic Con in San Diego, face to face with the cast and producers. It’s one thing to talk to these folks on the phone, wearing sweatpants and holding a list of questions to refer to as needed. In person, in a very noisy room, on three hours of sleep? It was pure adrenaline!
5. Vik Sahay (November 2009) – This may be my favorite Chuck interview of all time. At least that I participated in. I was battling a cold and really tired the day we were supposed to talk, and I was worried that the interview would suffer as a result. If anything, it might have been better than if I’d been more prepared. Vik keeps you on your toes, so buzzed on Dayquil and with just a loose outline could be the secret to having a successful interview with this guy.

We’ve had some really terrific interviews with the Chuck gang. This was a lot harder to pare down to five than I expected! If the topic hadn’t occurred to me at 10PM on Thursday, I might have been organized enough to get Liz and Gray’s most memorable five. Perhaps we’ll save that for another Friday.

‘Chuck’ Cast, Creative Team Thank Fans & Talk Finale on Chuck vs. the Podcast

As fans of NBC’s critically acclaimed show CHUCK continue to rally behind the show and ask NBC for a third season, a star-studded lineup from the cast and creative team came together to thank the fans for their efforts on Chuck vs. the Podcast leading up to the season finale, airing Monday, April 27th. From London, New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, they were all eager to reach out and share their gratitude for the fan campaigns, excitement about the finale, and passion for the show.

“The grassroots campaigns to save CHUCK have been nothing short of remarkable,” says series lead Zachary Levi, calling from London. “It means so much to know that the fans are doing so much to keep the show on the air.”

Adam Baldwin, who plays gruff Colonel John Casey, expresses his gratitude as well. “I think the campaign by the fans for the renewal is very helpful, and I appreciate all the support that’s out there.”

The cast and creative team gave a few clues about what to expect in the season finale as well, promising an episode that will thrill fans and whet appetites for a third season.

“It’s going to be epic,” promises Joshua Gomez, who plays Morgan Grimes. “Whether you’ve been watching the whole time or not, you’re going to get your money’s worth. I think people are going to be really excited when they see it.”

“The finale is going to be a game changer,” teases Ryan McPartlin, aka Captain Awesome. “The finale is going to get the fans’ mouths watering for a third season.” McPartlin also discusses his excitement at fan reaction for the penultimate episode of CHUCK, and how he plans to join the fans in the campaign for a third season.

Other highlights include Bonita Friedericy (General Diane Beckman) talking about the strong female characters on the show; Tony Hale (Emmett Millbarge) talking about how important CHUCK is as a family show that all ages can safely watch; and writers Ali Adler, Phil Klemmer and Scott Rosenbaum talking about their plans for season 3.

This episode of Chuck vs. the Podcast will be released at 6PM ET on Friday, April 24th on www.chuckpodcast.com and iTunes.

For more information on the fan campaign for a third season of CHUCK, visit ChuckTV.net.

Included in this podcast: Zachary Levi, Adam Baldwin, Joshua Gomez, Sarah Lancaster, Ryan McPartlin, Ali Adler, Scott Krinsky, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Norman Buckley, Julia Ling, Tony Hale, Bonita Friedericy, Jason Ensler, Scott Rosenbaum, Tim Jones, Phil Klemmer

Welcome to Rockville, CA!

The latest project from the fertile mind of Josh Schwartz is now showing on a monitor near you! Rockville, CA is a web-series set in a rock club in L.A. and follows the lives of a group of twenty-somethings who frequent the club for various reasons. Are Deb and Hunter the new Sarah and Chuck? Is Hugh the new Casey? Is The Douche the new Jeff?

The series was directed by Norman Buckley, editor/director on Chuck and is co-produced by Alex Patsavas, Chuck‘s amazing music supervisor. Rockville‘s  first four episodes, available now, feature performances by Nico Stai, The Kooks, The Broken West, and Duke Spirit. 

Chuck vs the Podcast Episode 017 is Live!

Can you believe it? Chuck vs the Podcast episode 017 is already here! You’ll love Gray’s interview with Norman Buckley…  he edited and directed The O.C., won an Eddy award for editing the Chuck pilot episode, and now he directs for not only Chuck but Gossip Girl, Privileged, 90210, and more.  Where (and why?) did his cat and his trip to France appear in Chuck?  And what key storylines were cut from the pilot episode, that might have made it a different show?

Also, he tells about the new Rockville, CA web series, which he is directing for Chuck and Gossip Girl creator Josh Schwartz.  Watch for it on theWB.com starting March 17th.

Mel & Liz also have some news briefs, and will be back with a full episode next week, including commentary on the MI-6 arc.  Keep an eye on your iTunes!

Listen now!

Chuck Wins ACE Award

Congratulations to Norman Buckley, winner of the American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited One-Hour Series for Commercial Television for the pilot episode of Chuck!  Norman’s work was recognized at yesterday’s awards ceremony in Hollywood.