ChuckTV.net The CHUCK archive
Alan Sepinwall got on the horn with Zachary Levi today for his reaction to Chuck winning the Hulu Best in Show competition as well as talking about the future of the show and his thoughts on season 4. Zac’s thoughts on winning the poll should explain why we don’t push things like that as hard as we do things like letting the advertisers know that you saw their product and appreciate their support.
Update 04.05.11: Please be sure to follow the link and read the rest of the interview. While Zac does sound a little pessimistic about the chance of a fifth season, further on you’ll see that he’s exhausted but still enthusiastic about Chuck. He has some really nice things to say about working with Joshua Gomez in particular.
This contest is far from the first time you’ve gotten to witness the passion of your fanbase. How did it feel this time?
I’m always a little conflicted with it. Obviously, it feels amazing to have fans as passionate and dedicated as we do. I’ve always tried as much as I can to show them that love back. Our fanbase is so amazing and I’m so appreciative of them. It really makes you feel good about what you do at the end of the day.
Unfortunately, none of these competitions mean anything to networks at the end of the day. I’m sure that they clock them to some degree. There’s a couple of issues, one of them being. Most of these online voting battles, you can vote multiple times. It’s not indicative of an overall number. It could be 10 people who are literally on their laptops all day long. If there were 5 million votes for you, it could be just a fraction of that in populace. So networks don’t look at it and go, “Oh, see? There’s a whole lot of people watching the show.”
But even if it was, unfortunately, and I’ve talked to fans about this before, online viewership just doesn’t hold water with networks. The money is coming from advertisers who are paying for the show to be watched on television. We make some online revenue, but it pales in comparison to what we need to make a show, especially one the size and scope “Chuck” is. I want to say to the fans that I love your fervor and your passion and your love, and it means so much to me, but don’t waste your time thinking it’s going to resonate with the network thinking that they’ll renew the show. We’ve come back every year, and I know that the network and studio have taken the fans voice into account. One of the smartest things I’ve ever seen is the Subway campaign, because that does resonate with the advertiser. The advertiser might say, “Well, if they’re willing to buy sandwiches to keep a show on the air, there may be some merit to it.” While going online shows love and shows passion, our numbers continue to drop. You’ve got to go rustle up people to watch the show.
I kind of have mixed emotions about it, I guess. I’m very appreciative of it, but I know, being on this side of it, it doesn’t mean what I think all the fans really want it to mean.
A little depressing, but honest. Though he is right about the monetary campaigns probably being the best bet.
I agree, depressing. I will spend more time thanking the advertisers, now that I understand what mostly affects the network. Can’t wait to see what we have in store to fight! 🙂
I also found this, on USA Today’s website, about bubble shows:
“NBC. The newest (and revamped) Law & Order returns April 11, and the network will wait to see how it fares before making a renewal decision. Perennial bubble show Chuck cheated death throughout its four seasons, but producer Warner Bros. has a financial incentive to compromise on costs for at least a partial-season pickup. The show will have aired 74 episodes by May, nearing the total needed to sell the show in syndication, TV’s profit generator.”
Just thought you ought to know. It’s just a little strand of hope among the threads to hang on to. 🙂
Yep, it’s an honest assessment, though it’s the first time I see Zachary Levi being negative about the show and chances of renewal. Maybe it’s time for Zachary, Yvonne, Adam and co. to move on to another job (as much as they love doing Chuck)?
We must understand that if the numbers are continuing to go down, as much as we love Chuck, there’s a strong chance that it won’t be renewed, because it means that the show is not winning any new fans, they are losing them bit by bit (since Season 3, in fact). It means that sthe how is starting to lose its attraction for some fans
I guess it all depends if NBC/Warner wanna reach syndication or not, and/or are willing to give TPTB one last season to end the series in a good way (and without a cliffhanger 😉 ).
If we get a season 5, I will be happy; if not, I will be satisfied nonetheless with all we got.
“..because it means that the show is not winning any new fans, they are losing them bit by bit (since Season 3, in fact)”
NO, that assessment is wrong. The show has been losing fans since it started. And it’s reached a new series low recently.
Stargazer I hear ya, but especially since season 3. During Season 2, the show had numbers around 2.4-2.5, and even in the 3.x during a big part of season 3, but then it dropped (sadly, especially since most of the episodes of the back 6, and Season 4 were pretty good!).
The lack of publicity, and the various long hiatus’ didn’t help either.
Is there a chance that Chuck will not be renewed for a 5th season? When will we find out if it is?
Yes, as always, Chuck is on the bubble in terms of renewal. We’ll find out for sure if it will be back for season 5 when NBC announces their fall lineup on May 16.
I appreciate Zac’s honesty, as well as his appreciation of us fans. 🙂
What he said in the interview could be depressing, but only if you allow yourself to only see these fan polls from the perspective of whether it will affect the network’s decision making process directly.
Instead, I think it’s better to look at it from the perspective of what it does to the morale of the core fanbase of the show: namely, that it bolsters us and energizes us. Also, anytime “Chuck” wins a fan poll like this, it brings more attention to the show, and could possibly attract a few new viewers who had passed the show up before.
Some might say that the chances of the polls doing much to draw in new viewers are slim, and that the chances of Nielsen viewers being among those drawn in by the attention the polls garner are even slimmer. However, I think Napoleon said it best:
“When you have resolved to fight a battle, collect your whole force. Dispense with nothing. A single battalion sometimes decides the day.”
Glad Zach knows how much we love Chuck and now, we need to show the advertisers and the network. Chuck season 5!!! 🙂
Totally, my insignificant Borders Books paycheck will do what it can to let the advertisers know what show we support.
What Chuck fans REALLY need to do is to somehow get Nielsen viewers interested in the show and to have them KEEP watching Chuck and not turning to another channel midway through the show. NBC has done a poor job of promoting the show anyway, we need to promote it to Nielsen viewers FOR NBC and for the show.
It’s the Nielsen ratings and the competition from the timeslot that are the show’s greatest challenge.
wow, I’ve never seen him do such a pessimistic interview before! But frankly its nice to see someone so down-to-earth and in touch with reality. He doesn’t just go around cheerleading his show.
This is not directed at Zac, but I, and others, could rustle up hundreds of new viewers, but if they don’t have a magic Nielson box attached to their television, then who cares?
Even a small handful of families with Nielsen boxes could make a difference.
kg is totally right. I gotten 10 people to watch the show and it not gone up any. I do not know anybody who has a Nielson box. It so unfair. I bet more people watch Chuck than what Nielson box say. But their nothing we can do just hope and pray that NBC make the right choice. Yea that comforting thought isn’t it
But who the hell are these people, Matt? Curtis gets what I’m saying. The ratings system is a joke, archaic and inaccurate yet television execs and advertisers view it as the gospel.
I’ve bought subs, three DVDs, watched all the episodes on the respective Mondays nights, watched them again on the internet the next day and sometimes the day after, vote on the polls the apparently exhausted Levi says are silly and possibly detrimental and finally, do my best to answer poorly worded questions about the show and commercials the night before on Reward TV.
It begs the question. Am I actually counted? Do my efforts, our efforts, and dedication and passion actually matter and make a difference? I guess we’ll find out in the coming weeks.
I think this interview has shown that the cast and crew have reconciled themselves that this could be the end. Unless Zach was just really down when he gave this interview, I don’t see any other reason why he’s not his usual optimistic self.
The ratings right now are bad. There’s no way to spin it and he knows that. But at times like this I’m glad our passion is noticed by them. We appreciate them and they appreciate us, whatever happens with next year.
Zac sounds exhausted to me. Nine months of 14 hour days, even on a job you love, will wear a person down. As you said, Kevan, even if the poll doesn’t mean much to NBC/Comcast, it lets the cast and crew know that the fans are still rooting for them.
I think Mel that you have hit the nail on the head in the fact that Zac and likely the other cast are feeling the affects of this long season. Couple that with the fact that Chuck has been on the bubble for the past two years and it’s pretty hard to plan your life when everything is up in the air and not knowing if you will be working a 13-episode season or 19-22. Clearly Zac, Yvonne and some of the other cast are now in a position to do a lot more professionally than Chuck. Still I’d like to see a season 5 like everyone else.
A little unsettling that there’s no “we feel good about our chances for a 5th season” like had been previously stated by other cast members (and perhaps Zach, too) earlier this season.
Well, if it’s “4 and done,” that’s life. There are so many shows that are made into pilots which never even get to be series. And then there are so many other shows that get axed before even on season is finished. If “this is it,” we’ll have had 4. Pretty darn good, all things considered.
Still hoping for a 5th, but will accept “the reality” of cancellation if it happens. We all watched SOMETHING on TV before CHUCK, and we’ll all find something after CHUCK is gone – whether it be next year or the year after.
But for now, KEEP HOPE ALIVE! 🙂
Remember that several of those interviews were done some time ago when the numbers were nicely above or on the NBC average. This one was done after the gutting we took on DST and the start of DWTS. DST week we still ended up just over the NBC average (because it was so bad that week) I believe the week after we were below the NBC average the problem is if we don’t trend back up we are in a lot of trouble. I really wish NBC had decided to show the final eps of the season in a complete five week block and not gone for May 16th as the last ep mainly because the last eps numbers will probably have no bearing on a pickup now as upfronts are that day I believe and the decision will aready have been made and it will just be used to have some nice ‘finale/wedding’ type numbers.
I really hope WB are keen to make a syndication deal and try to offer Comcast a combined on demand and NBCU cable channel deal for the show.
I totally understand what he’s saying about fan support & future of the show.
Even though it’s only effect is to make me feel good, I’ll continue mailing postcards and voting in polls. I can’t watch live (work on Mondays) and can’t record so I watch on line, it feels like I’m contributing.
I think I’ll focus on how much enjoyment I’ve rec’d and accept what happens.
*Hugs to all #Chuck fans!
Melissa
Wow – everyone sounds so down. Think good thoughts and support the sponsors! Every season renewal has been a miracle and I don’t think that we’re done yet~
Zach
Was direct and honest and as a Fan of the Show I appreciate it. As much as I would like a season 5, I definitely understand the situation. It all comes down to a numbers game.
For Zach, his career is on the rise with the Tangled and New Management from a top agency, it can’t be good for his career to be on a show that has such low ratings. I honestly though they might go up since he has had so much exposure.
I think for Zach and Yvonne, they will be just fine with their careers. Adam Baldwin will always find a home on some show, because he is always fun to watch. No matter what, if the band breaks up, I will be sure to watch whatever shows/movies they might end up on, because they have done such a good job keeping me entertained over the past year and half since I started watching Chuck.
I can subway every day if it helps save Chuck. Just sayin.
Unfortunately, I live in Paris, so I can’t watch it live. Hulu was the only way I had to express my enthousiasm about the show.
I NEED this fifth season, common this is the best thing on tv !
I can *eat* subway every day
Nobody has been more enthusiastic in their appreciation of fans than our beloved Team Bartowski. Despite their incredible talent, uncanny ability to engage us each & every episode (IMHO), and stamina to keep energy levels high during 14 hour days, the show isn’t pulling 12-15 mil fans. While this speaks to the taste of the general viewing public, I’m thrilled to have 4 seasons of Chuck to enjoy. I also think the Nielsen system needs to be revamped.
I sincerely hope there will be a season 5, as I munch my Subway, click online polls until my fingers cramp, and write postcard after postcard. I’m looking at my Sleep Sheep and making my shopping list from the list of Chuck advertisers.
MKEdeena – *Hug right back at you, and all the rest of the AWESOME chuck fans
@Houndmaster1717
Its interesting looking at the ratings and it tells me a very important thing.
“Chuck vs the Fake Name” had 6.7 million viewers. After that episode it declined to 6.3 in “Mask” and 5.89 in “Tic Tac” The highest watched episode since “Mask” was “Leftovers” with 6.17.
This tells me that the show took a huge hit with what was going on the middle of that season with Shaw and Sarah and Chuck and Hannah and they have never recovered. The first part of Season 3 were all 7’s and 6’s.
People said “We’ve had enough of this” and walked away .
Ironcially the life of “Chuck” mirrors another Josh Schwartz creation, one that I have noticed for a long time, “The OC”.
It was pretty good the first two seasons, went awry in the third season, and had an ok fourth, which was not enough to bring ratings back, before being canceled.
Yep. Schwartz seems to have a difficult time sustaining the initial brilliance of his shows. Too bad, really. Chuck was a show that had all the elements in place for sustained greatness. If only they had stayed true to our heroes character.
Yes, the unfortunate Chuck-Shaw-Sarah-Hannah situation was both a tactical and strategic error. I know several Chuck viewers who, when that story arc hit, became former Chuck viewers. They did not like the story or acting (some of them were particularly harsh with their criticisms of Shaw and Sarah), and felt the show had steered away from what made it fun and enjoyable. They never went back and they couldn’t be convinced to trust the show again. I tried. They weren’t caring anymore. Right or wrong, they decided Chuck had gone off the rails and was not to be trusted any longer as a good show.
Given that Season 4 didn’t get the nod until all the writers had other gig’s, it’s amazing that some many shows were so good. I get that the creator should helm the show, but you can’t understate the value Chuck’s Season 2 and 3 writing teams brought to the show. Season 4 was all penned by newbies.
The Neilson model is outdated. It no longer serves it’s original purpose. I am 43 years old this year, and even I have not watched “TV” as it plays “live” in over 3 years. I don’t know anyone who does, especially not people younger then I.
We watch Chuck on the DVR. We catch it on Hulu. We buy the DVD’s and Blu-Rays. Monday nights are spent in rehearsal where I come from. They aren’t spent in front of a TV, at the whim of a network programmer. We simply can’t afford to live like that anymore, and — thanks to technology — we don’t have to.
NBC: I implore you to explore revenue models and metric gathering techniques that take the real world in 2011 in account when you decide the fate of your TV shows, because expecting everyone to tune in at a particular time each week is simply not realistic in 2011.
Thank you,
Don’t worry, Chance, NBC does take many viewing metrics into account. We posted a breakdown of their internal ratings system last October: https://chucktv.net/2010/10/09/how-nbc-measures-chucks-ratings/
Thank you, Mel. I will read that over and hope for the best.
This is one of two shows on TV that I feel is appropriate for my whole family. I’d hate to see anything happen to it.
So true, the Nielsen stuff. I’ve seen the percentages and numbers that the amount of people with Nielsen boxes represent, and it’s flat out ridiculous, laughable, and an utter joke. It’s like 1 box represents 25,000-50,000 houses. The way TV shows are watched has changed, and right now Chuck is suffering because Nielsen hasn’t adapted to it. 1 of 2 things has to happen here: either Nielsen has to get off of its a$$ and upgrade/improve their ratings system, or NBC has to change the way it measures things. So far, NBC has done that somewhat. Problem is the Nielsen box number is the only thing the advertisers care about, so NBC can only do so much on their end. The only way to really fix this debacle is for Nielsen to improve their ratings system so that it’s, oh, what, 100x more accurate? I’m not even sure if that’s enough.
On the upside, I’m really looking forward to the April 11 episode. Hamilton and Dalton are both back, and for the first time in a little while I’ve actually seen 2 solid promos get released for it, which is good. I’m expecting this episode to get somewhat better ratings than the last few, which have been nothing special. Also, in the episode after this one, Jack Burton (Sarah’s dad) is finally returning, and I know many fans have been wanting him to return for a long time, so I can’t wait for that one.
I agree with Zach about the subway campaign. We should be doing something like that again this year. Subway is pushing their breakfast, everyone start buying breakfast at subway and send the receipt to NBC.
The question is this: What can we consistently purchase (like Subway sandwiches) to show the sponsors that having Chuck on is worth it? I can only buy so many Sleep Sheep. And frankly I can’t afford getting my 75K mile checkup on my car much less buy a new one.
Anyone have an idea?
Hello everyone first time, long time and I need to rant:
I think when you look at the facts as bad as Chuck’s numbers are right now season 5 is a lock. It just wouldn’t make any sense at this point for NBC to pull the plug. Granted this is NBC we’re talking about, but when NBC gave the greenlight for season 4 and gave ordered 24 episodes it had to be a strategic move to get Chuck in position for syndication. Right now NBC has nothing to replace Chuck with. When you look ahead to what their Monday night lineup could look like next season it could actually be pretty decent. Picture Chuck leading off followed by the planned Wonder Women series and The Event. Thats not bad. I’m not saying NBC will give Chuck a full season, but at this point they’ve invested to much to pull the plug just yet. Plus remember NBC is the same network that gave Scrubs 8 seasons which was another great show with terible ratings.
When you think about it Chuck being on NBC has been a double edged sword. On one hand, like Zac says in the interview, if Chuck was on another network it probably would have been canned a while ago. On the other hand if the show was on a network that promoted it the right way and paired it with at least one other decent show maybe the numbers would be more respectable right now.
Its a hard position to be in as a fan right now because you’d like to complain about the network and the show being slighted but at the same time you have to be grateful that they’ve at least given us four seasons of one of the most unique/original shows ever created. I hope and believe Chuck will get one more shot but if this is it we had 4 great seasons and I just hope they give Schwartz and Fedak the heads up before it’s to late. I won’t be able to handle the show ending in a cliff hanger, guys I know kung fu situation. Rant over. Viva La Buy More.
Sadly, the ‘gospel’ of only the Neilsen boxes counting is frankly outdated and shortsighted. Especially in light of things being viewable on line [in the States] and the many thousands of international ‘Chuck’ fans.
Where did Zac’s unique, historic and mould-breaking ‘Subway’ walk-out happen? In England, at the world’s first ‘Chuck’ convention!!! With around 400 or so keen and eager ‘Chuck’ fans; many of whom bought a sandwich made by Zac’s own hands!