NBC To Pick Up 9 Additional Episodes Of Chuck

In other NBC news…as what can only be seen as a huge vote of confidence, NBC has decided to “pick up nine additional episodes of its sophomore drama Chuck” before the show’s second season has even begun to air. (link)


As you may remember, while Chuck had a solid freshman season it was cut short due to the writers strike. (link) According to The Hollywood Reporter, “it’s understood that NBC executives have been impressed with what they’ve seen from the first six episodes of the show’s second-season order and decided to hand out an early full-season pickup.” (link)


I believe NBC initially ordered a shortened season to try and gage whether or not Chuck’s creators could maintain the high quality of storytelling and on screen chemistry they established in the show’s first season. It appears that NBC’s primary fears have already been quashed when Teri Weinberg, Executive Vice President NBC Entertainment, announced yesterday, “We couldn’t be more excited with the creative direction Josh (Schwartz) and his team are executing on Chuck. This show has really hit its stride and deserves a full-season commitment to carry out the producers’ vision for this unique series.” (link)

Honestly, that is like music to my ears. I loved the first season of Chuck and believe the show has the incredible potential to build upon last season and become an even better all-around show. With a great ensemble cast and just the right mix of action, comedy and mystery, Chuck might be the early breakout hit of the 2008-2009 season.


Chuck, starring Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, Adam Baldwin and Joshua Gomez, premieres its new season on Monday, September 29th, at 9/8c on NBC.

Michael Phelps To Host Season Premier of Saturday Night Live

14 time gold medal winning United States Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has been tabbed as the host of the season premiere of Saturday Night Live’s 34th season. (link) Phelps, who recently won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is the latest in a long line of the world’s greatest athletes to host NBC’s legendary sketch comedy show. Previous athletes to have hosted SNL include Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Lance Armstrong and best of all, Peyton Manning.


Joining Phelps on Saturday Night Live’s season premier as the show’s musical guest will be hip-hop superstar Lil’ Wayne. (link) This will be the rapper’s first appearance on Saturday Night Live and it could not have come at a better time. This year has seen Lil’ Wayne finally achieve the type of mainstream success many hip-hop fans knew he was destined for. It is nice to see Weezy finally be recognized as one of, if not the, best hip-hop artists of his generation. His latest album, 2008’s Tha Carter III, “sold over 1 million copies in its first week of release, a feat not achieved since 2005.” (link)

Be sure to tune in to see both Phelps and Lil’ Wayne on the 2008 season premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 13, 2008 at 11:30/10:30c, and as always, only on NBC.

Happy 50th Birthday to the King of Pop

I cannot believe Michael Jackson is 50! Ok, strike that. I can’t believe Michael Jackson is only 50. It feels like the original MJ has been around forever, doesn’t it? While he may be creepy now, he had the type of talent we may never see again. And, while he may not be a hit maker anymore, from the early 90’s all the way back to the late 60’s with the Jackson 5, every song he touched was pure gold.


His personal life may have been in shamble from day one, but the guy could flat out perform day in and day out. For the longest time I was obsessed with everything the King of Pop produced, but now it’s become harder to separate the performer from the train wreck. Regardless, his mark on music and pop culture is undeniable and for that The Blot salutes him on his 50th birthday.