What TV Guide's Matt Roush says about CHUCK in Oct. 8 issue by jwhedonaddict

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What TV Guide's Matt Roush says about CHUCK in Oct. 8 issue

POSTED BY: JWHEDONADDICT
UPDATED: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 08:57
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Wednesday, October 3, 2007 8:57 AM

Revenge of the Nerds: CHUCK Saves the Day

Who'd have imagined it: TV has made pocket protectors the hot new accessory. This is the season of the adorable misfit hero, geeks made chic in sitcoms (The Big Bang Theory, Aliens in America) and in high-concept comic adventures, ispired no doubt by HEROES' comic-book-obsessed breakout Hiro.

CHUCK is at the moment my new favorite, a slick caper of thrills, spills, and belly laughs involving a bashful computer and video game whiz (the sweetly sensational Zachary Levi) who becomes a walking--make that on-the-run--human database of government secrets when they're unwittingly downloaded into his brain.

Suddenly, Chuck's the target of assassins and double agents. He is ill-equipped to step into Sydney (Alias) Bristow's shoes, although his history with joysticks makes him a natural at landing a helicopter. And so he requires babysitting by two super-spies: lovely Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) from the CIA and the NSA's brutish Casey (Adam Baldwin). That's where the fun begins.

CHUCK scores with an effervescent mix of high action, slapstick comedy, and winning performances. Baldwin is especially hilarious as he seethes with contempt in disguise as Chuck's new trainee at the Buy More store where Chuck leads a computer-repair "Nerd Herd"--when he's not busy saving the day and trying to keep those he loves in the dark about his dangerous new life.

What sets this wacky show apart, as well as the CW's equally agreeable horror hybrid REAPER (slacker-turned-bounty hunter for the Devil) is that it represents the action show as rollicking comedy, smart escapism at its most entertaining. (As opposed to the glum show that follows HEROES on Mondays: the hokey time-tripping nonsense of JOURNEYMAN.)

Good luck, Chuck. We're rooting for you. Don't let us down.

***********************************************
Joss is like a present, he's like a gift as far as I'm concerned.--Ron Glass

"They talk about me in the chatty rooms?"--Angel

"I'm 1120 years old. Just give me a frigging beer!"--Anya

"All I had to do is want it bad enough...and guess what I want to do now, you prissy son of a bitch?"--Spike

For Joss!

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