The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz, and director McG (We Are Marshall), bring us Chuck, a new drama laced with humor about young twenty-something spies.

Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect) plays Chuck, a nerdy computer tech who has a database of government secrets downloaded into his brain. Chuck soon finds himself recruited by John Casey (Adam Baldwin of Day Break), a veteran NSA Agent, for espionage work with his new partner (and first date in ten years) Sarah (Yvonne Strzechowski) -- leading Chuck to live a split life of computer geek and secret NSA missions.

Also cast in the pilot are Sarah Lancaster as Chuck's sister Ellie, Joshua Gomez as his best bud Morgan, and Natalie Martinez. McG will serve as executive producer with Schwartz. Chris Fedak and Peter Johnson are co-executive producers.

Writer: Josh Schwartz, Chris Fedak

Director: McG

Show Stars: Adam Baldwin (Major John Casey), Yvonne Strzechowski (Sarah), Zachary Levi (Chuck Bartowski), Sarah Lancaster (Ellie), Natalie Martinez (Kayla), Joshua Gomez (Morgan)
Guest Stars: Julia Ling (Anna Wu) , Vik Sahay (Lester) , Mieko Hillman (Young Woman #1) , Kristine Blackport (Young Woman #4) , Don Abernathy (Traveler) , Diana Gitelman (Young Woman #2) , C.S. Lee (Harry Tang) , Mel Fair (Newscaster) , Scott Krinsky (Jeff) , Bonita Friedericy (General Beckman) , Matthew Bomer (Bryce Larkin) , Bruno Amato (Big Mike)

From NBC Universal Media Village

"CHUCK"

"PILOT"

09/24/2007 (08:00PM - 09:00PM) (Monday): MEET CHUCK-SERIES PREMIERE--Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) is a computer geek that gets catapulted into a new career as the government's most vital secret agent. When Chuck opens an e-mail subliminally encoded with government secrets, he unwittingly downloads an entire server of sensitive data into his brain. With the government's most precious secrets in Chuck's head, Major John Casey of the National Security Agency (Adam Baldwin) assumes the responsibility of protecting him. His partner is the CIA's top agent (and Chuck's first date in years), Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski). Also starring are Joshua Gomez as Morgan Grimes, Chuck's best buddy, Sarah Lancaster as Chuck's ever-supportive sister, Ellie, and Ryan McPartlin as Ellie's awesome boyfriend, Captain Awesome.

I saw the first episode of chuck and I loved it. Anyone else see it yet? But is the CIA woman really Jill that Chuck went to Stanford with? Because the pics on her cell phone showed her and Bryce it looked like. So I think the girl, Chuck, and Bryce were the three that hung out at Stanford. What do you guys think?

Hi, I just saw the first episode of Chuck and loved it.

Welcome kingsfan16 and nutcr@cker! I just downloaded the pilot from Amazon today, and I can't wait till I get a quiet moment to watch it.

For those who don't know, you can download the pilot episode at AmazonUnbox FREE.

The link is here.

You have to download the Unbox player before "buying" the episode. But installation went pretty smoothly for me, and now I'm looking forward to watching!

Well, just saw the episode and I feel fairly positive about it. There were several points that made me laugh and the plot moved along at a good pace. For a pilot, it wasn't very expositiony yet got the basic character backgrounds across quite well, so I'm glad for that.

I still feel it require a LOT of suspension of disbelieve on my part to enjoy the show. If I try to analyze the premise beyond "Chuck knows secrets, helps good(?) guys" then everything will just step into the range of absurdity. Seriously.. computer virus stops bomb? At the last second, no less. It's either a cliche parody or.. well, I don't think we're suppose to take that seriously, were we?

I happen to really like the way Bryce was introduced. Funny, yet action packed. I was sad to see him killed. Though, we didn't actually see him buried.. there's always hope he'll make a come back. 'Cause I doubt this show is above the "back from the dead" plotline.

I like the way the episode ended, with the sorta ominous flashback(?) of the woman killing those two guys.

Adam Baldwin! YAY! Always loved him, so hoping this show will actually stick around.. he's has his share of canceled shows.

the show look interesting i might check it out......

I watched the pilot episode last night & really enjoyed it!!! I thought it was funny & entertaining. I can't wait to see more.
It's also really nice to have Adam Baldwin back on my t.v. each week, I love him....

I just finished watching the Pilot episode. I thought it was really good. I'll definately be watching this show

Interesting. This may be the first prime time show in awhile that has a hero with a Polish surname. That is if he is a hero. Most Polish-American types on American tv are pretty much Polish jokes -- I don't think any other ethnic group gets hits so hard with such impunity.

So, whether he's portrayed as Jewish Polish or Goyim Polish, at least someone named Bartowski is not portrayed as an idiot. I mean, if he's not portrayed as an idiot.

B99

In the pilot episode of this show, there was an action scene in which Bryce escaped a few men chasing him )presumably to do him harm). Bryce used several strategic jumps and vaults to escape. This is something called Parkour.

This is very exciting to me, because I am an active practitioner of Parkour. Parkour is the art of movement, and it has an added philosophy of trying to be useful.

I hope that this show continues to use Parkour in more episodes, because it really catches the idea of the show: using your talents to be useful to others.

As for you video hogs out there, you can search YouTube for "Parkour" and find many videos about it. I would suggest watching B13 with David Belle, and the Parkour scene in Casino Royale if you want to be impressed by some awesome moves. If you want to learn about the philosophy, watch Jumpm Westminster or Jump London.

The website for American Parkour is http://americanparkour.com

I watched the pilot last night using my cable company's On-Demand service.

The show definitely has potential. Though I second the comment above that the show requires some serious suspension of disbelief to get past the brain programming via encrypted images, once you get past that it worked well.

I wonder, though, will Chuck need further downloads in the future to keep his info up to date?

Silliest moment of the pilot for me?
(Possible spoiler in hopefully hidden font color below)


Between the crazy hot ladies of this show, Morgan's comic relief, the always fun Adam Baldwin and the downright likableness of its star, Chuck is looking up.

I just saw the pilot and liked it enough that I'll probably watch it again. The main character reminds me a lot of the character from "Ed". I really loved Chuck's character and this best friend was amusing. Although, I think he should be used sparingly or he could get tiresome rather quickly.

Just saw the pilot episode on Time Warner Cable On Demand.
I enjoyed it and think it has great potential...I definitely see it lasting a full season.
The action sequence with Bryce was hot and I'm looking forward to the many secrets Chuck has stored in his brain to be revealed. All in all a good first episode.

-6Mil$Man

OHMG... I just saw Chuck using Amazon Unbox and it was just amazing. The action scenes at the begining were rare in television. Zach Levi's Chuck is just perfect. His looks, his reactions, his mannerisms... just perfect. I definitely want to see his other projects in IMDb.

While there is some need to suspend reason at a couple of points and to ignore the necessary large font in another, I found it still believable overall and very entertaining. I think that the writers did a good job with the technology, avoiding anything that (as an engineer) I would be forced to turn away in pain. I liked the high production values and the good mix of set and location work, with excellent lighting for all.

Chuck is already on my Tivo Season Pass and I plan to urge others to watch.

I also watch the pilot show. It really looks great. Going to be a watcher...

Hey, I'm Ryan. I just joined the forums yesterday, and I'm pretty excited for Chuck. The previews looked good and the show looks funny and entertaining

First commercial break and it definitely has my attention.

The methadone clinic called.....they want their patient back (re: 3rd girl Chuck who talks to in premier episode).

Any real nerd worth his salt doesn't use a mac. They build their own. I'm sorry, they make nice monitors but the rest of it is all proprietary. real nerds tinker. he should have a custom PC running Linux. just my opinion, but most definitely not mac, maybe his little friend but not him.

Okay..so kill me now, I'm loving the character of Morgan. The scene where he jumps on Chuck when he tells his sister he has a date is priceless, the sad thing is, I know guys like this.

JD

Ok, I like the show Chuck thus far. I'm not trying to bash it. But the chase scene in the beginning of the show was a COMPLETE ripoff of a French movie called District B13. I don't know if the creators of this show were banking on the fact that probably alot of Americans haven't seen this movie, but I still think it's kind of crappy that they did it. I mean, it's not just similar to it...ALOT of it is almost identical, scene for scene.

Don't believe me? Check out the proof.

Chase scene from District B13


Comments please.

There are lots of good scenes between Chuck and Morgan. The one you mentioned is my favorite. But not to be overlooked are:

"Peddle safe!" and "Why are you following me home?"

Beyond Morgan, I think I'm going to like all the Nerd Herd guys. That guy Jeff who winked with both of his eyes was a scream.

I'm partial to Chuck's nemesis at the store, what's his name? I anticipate some great moments between them.

I totally saw that too but I thought the movie is also called Yamakasi. I posted the rip off too on IMDB. I wonder what the connection is to this movie. Even the jumps and reaction of bad guys was almost verbatim i.e. twisted ankle, jump through high small window, knock down doors etc.

I have the best line of the night...

From the NSA guy..."Don't puke on the C4."

I see a cult following building for this show as we speak.

I'm glad to see that I was not the only one who noticed this. Although it may not be a bad thing. It would have been nice to have a little more originality, it was still very flattering to District 13.

Ok, I saw the pilot episode and there are some GLARING issues with this show.
1. The computer with the "Government Secrets" was an Apple IIe.
2. The handheld took several minutes to download the data from the computer but took seconds to send the file in an email? Umm NO! Someone hasn't ever tried to send a movie on 3G before.
3. The store, "Buy More" and the group "Nerd Herd", kinda like Best Buy and Geek Squad?
4. If the Government really REALLY wanted their secrets back, wouldn't they just show up when he went to work and snatch him there?
5. When the "intruder" broke in to steal his computer, wouldn't it make more sense to steal the hard drive instead of hauling an entire G4 out the front door dressed like a comic book ninja?
6. A Standford grad working at an $11 an hour job? Wow, they should be insulted.
7. This show seems to have been written by a recluse that is so technically voided that they must still have a Betamax flashing "12:00" on the clock in the livingroom.

NBC, please PLEASE do some work to make this show somewhat better otherwise you might as well cut the final checks and set this one out to pasture.

L8tr all...

Phiend...


The show is supposed to play off reality, it's not a drama, look at it as a mix of Get Smart and Man From UNCLE meet James Bond and just roll with it. I loved the show, it's a welcome change from the tired old "family" comedies the networks usually trot out every season.

There definitely has to be a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, (duh), but it's no surprise if the computer/techno geeks/nerds are all over the details. I wonder what kind of consultant help they have when writing and staging the show.

1. I think that was supposed to be funny. That scene reminded me of Mission Impossible. Perhaps the joke was too subtle.
2. Technicality that most non-computer people wouldn't catch. After all, most people think the iPhone is fabulous despite the fact that it is on a slow network.
3. The producers are not hiding this similarity. I've seen them make this connection in interviews. They acknowledge the rip-off.
4. Yeah, probably. But then what would be the fun in that. They (weakly) acknowledge that he may have made a backup.
5. Again, I'm guessing that it was funnier to see the ninja stealing the whole computer. And Hollywood will never understand the difference between PCs and Macs. They simply don't comprehend that nerds DON'T use Macs.
6. Chuck admits to being a Stanford drop-out, although he also mentions that Brice got him "kicked" out of school.
7. I think it is supposed to be a little campy, again, that's part of the joke.

already want to watch it again...
is there a way...

I'm hooked

and already can;t wait until next Monday night


wow!
StLSteve

My belief may be suspended, but my surprise in you beating me to the punch is certainly not.

P.S. "Zorkers Do It Under the Rug!" (oh dear, I think I just betrayed my age AND my dorkilisciousness in a single post!)

I loved the pilot! Keep up the humor and slyness and you've got me as a viewer.

I think "Chuck" is a keeper....I'll be watching, hope it stays in the new fall line up.

I have the same exact car as Chucks. I really want the decal kit that is on his car if there was anyway to get it. But all in all the show, I think, is going to be a real success.

i really enjoyed the Pilot of Chuck. it was funny and it's about time those Geek Squad people get some respect(LAWL)

hopefully in further episodes we find out more about the life of Chuck's buddy!

I don't blog but I HAD to come here to say this was a great show! I even dragged my husband (who doesn't watch TV unless basketball/football is on) in to watch it with me. We both loved it. My husband is a computer geek himself (programmer) and he also thought it was funny. PLEASE, PLEASE keep it coming. I'm a CSI junky but I'll watch Chuck over CSI. It's already become my favorite show after the 1st episode. This beats out all of those stupid reality shows anyday.

Great show, loved it. Sure it's unrealistic and improbable, pure escapism. That's why I watch TV in the first place. And Chuck is hysterically FUNNY! And for those of you who said you have to suspend disbelief, well, yeah.........it is exponentially better than those stupid 'reality' shows. I don't care to see 'reality' - I see enough of that in my own life. Even my husband liked the show - and he watches very little TV.

Keep the episodes coming!

Oh I definately like this show. Within the first few minutes of the show I knew just KNEW this would be a great program. What sold me you might ask? Within 60 seconds of seeing Chuck I knew all I ever needed to know. Tron poster on the wall, Xbox on the table and also a poster of North by North West on the other wall. I loved the humorous use of Nerd Herd, Buy More and that other big box store next door that was an obvious reference to Wal-Mart.

Sure the show isn't a brilliant drama that is realistic and believable. But **** who wants that? I think the comedic genius of this show is so refreshing and I surely hope this new program becomes another NBC hit that lasts forever.

All I will say about the show is that it looks like my Monday nights just got locked into place. Chuck, then Heroes, then Journeyman ... wow.

Anyway, about this show. Good action sequence in the beginning - and while it may be a direct copy, I'd place bets that it was unintentional. most copyright violations are of the "I didn't remember you had done it exactly that same way, I'm sorry," variety.

The recurring imagery was a good theme, but if I were the producers, I'd run it a little less frequently, as epilepsy can be triggered by this kind of thing. I'm not saying they shouldn't have it, because I actively search the images sequences as they happen, looking for the clues to what's happening next ...

I liked the dance sequence - the covert combat underneath the cover of the club ... great. And the scene with the SUV hitting the instant barrier ... Heh.

MY little quibble was that scene, actually. When she threw the knife, the button didn't depress, it just stuck to the button like a wood target.

The chase scene is a rip off of a rip off. How terrible! We must boycott the show. [/sarky]

The buzz seems to be good. Now we just have to wait for the evol ratings.

Hello, I am a science fiction and fantasy lover, and I watched the last 10 minutes of the pilot. It seemed ok but it is awfully similar to another show that was cancelled after one season, Jake 2.0. I don't know which TV network it was created for, but the SciFi Channel shows the first season every once in a while. Jake 2.0 was about a twenty-something computer geek who is a contractor at NSA, maintaining and trouble-shooting computers. Due to an accident in a special NSA lab, he is infected with nano-bots and can interface with all digital technology and has superhuman physical abilities. He ends up being trained as an NSA agent and uses his special abilities to spy and catch criminals who are a national security problem. Of course there are those higher up who want to either lock him up forever or kill him.

Sound somewhat familiar? Has anyone on this board seen the old series?

Chuck. Good job McG. Editor? Bad. Editing...wow? I know how you get tied down by the corporate monster, but does that prevent you from adding 10 frames here, a beat there, overlapping dialogue, etc.? Why do your cuts have to be SO transparent?

Editing on Chuck - horrendous. I hope not to offend the editor who toiled and worked long hours with so much footage, but add 10 frames... overlap... give me beats and your cuts become invisible...instead of jarring and annoying. I know, you think I'm an internet a-hole. Good work nonetheless... for getting the gig.

To corporate monster...editing BAD... show - has potential!

I noticed the not-so-hot editing job too....like the mising hubcaps on the yaris down the stairwell scene and then there back again two seconds later... It doesnt bother me that much tho....I still really enjoyed the show.....I guess a little bit more pride in a job well done could be shown in the editing phase though.... Sometimes I find those kinds of slip ups add to the comedic value of the show.....

Hey Everyone, I'm exiceted about the new incarnation of a toned down jake 2.0. A normal IT guy gets dragged into the world of espionage by a freakish accident and gets involved (potentially) with a gorgeous blonde. New premise huh... Still this show shows a greater connection to the public, quirky and relevant humor and has an appeal that should endear it to teenage men of all ages (I'm 34 going on 16). The story of the everyman that becomes something far more is kinda like the American dream right? One episode down, I hope the next few make me a true believer. Good luck.

I'm 29 a female, and I love it!

Although I suppose I'm not your average female, because I also like gaming. But I guess this show appeals to "geeks" as well haha.

The humor should appeal to everyone though. Well done and a fun show to watch. Thanks NBC. Between this and Heroes, so far so good.

When the commercials first started airing for this show, I was intrigued. If you can't tell by my screen name, I was/am a HUGE ALIAS fan. So at first I was like...Oh no...another CIA show....with comedy? But after watching the pilot last night I am impressed. I can't wait to see the next one! I liked it! Very well written. A bit cheesy in spots, but nonetheless good!!