Chuck - Chris Fedak Interview

Even if “Chuck” weren’t in the midst of of an ever-burgeoning cyber-fight for its renewal, there would be ample reasons to talk to series co-creator Chris Fedak this week.

“Chuck” is coming off a penultimate episode — “Chuck Versus the Colonel” — that may have been the finest hour yet for the NBC action-comedy. The show is just days away from a Monday (April 27) night finale that truly is, to use Fedak’s word, “cataclysmic.” The show is wrapping up a second season of wacky antics, shocking twists, memorable guest stars and, alas, less-than-stellar ratings.

That’s why, as Fedak and I talked on Wednesday, various corners of the Internet have been mobilizing to attempt just about anything to let NBC know that a third season of “Chuck” would go a long way toward quieting the discontent caused by those looming, endless hours of Jay Leno.

Nerds? Subway viewing parties? Petitions? Riots in the streets?

In our lengthy interview, Fedak discusses last week’s killer episode, the show’s hopes for renewal and whether or not the finale will actually make people set their living rooms on fire.

HitFix: So let’s get right into it. It’s Wednesday, April 22. How’re we feeling about renewal today?

Chris Fedak: You know, we’re positive. We’re hopeful that the show will be renewed. The network and the studio are both big fans of the show and they’ve been supportive throughout the entire process, though both seasons of the show. But it’s still important that our fans out there on the web and in the world get the word out on the show. It’s still up in the air. As of this point in time, we still don’t know. So it’s still important for the fans of the show get out there and to watch it, to get friends and family to watch it, whatever you can do to get people excited about the show and keep the drum-beat going in regard to “Chuck” being renewed and just how excited they are about the show.

HitFix: Are there better or worse ways for fans to be watching? Is it better to watch it on air? On Hulu? On iTunes?

CF: However you watch the show… Listen, just watching the show is important. I think watching the show on NBC, that’s the classic metric for how a network makes its decisions, so getting your friends and family to watch the show on network is, of course, a fantastic way to watch, but there are many different options. Our “Chuck” fans are a savvy bunch, so there’s Hulu and there are the people who have their DVRs as well. From my perspective, whatever it takes to watch the show is fantastic. To watch it live? That’s how I watch it. I watch it in the most immediate way possible. I’m a big proponent of that. The most important thing is watching it and telling your friends and family to just get into the show. Even our season finale, I think that somebody could come to it fresh and really see it and enjoy it. Our season finale is such a launching pad for Season Three that even a new fan can really enjoy the show next Monday.

HitFix: When you talk to network types, do you get the impression that they’re paying attention to the various non-live ways people are watching the show?

CF: Oh yeah. Absolutely. From our conversations with the studio and the network, they’re very savvy to the different numbers, to the different metrics for defining the success of the show. They know about that. They’re definitely aware.

HitFix: I’ve seen a number of people online talking about how this Monday’s episode, “Chuck Versus the Colonel,” would have made a perfect season or, heaven forbid, series finale. Is that a concern?..............................