Spinoff!!!
Two of NBC's once-promising series limped to the finish line last night, and while one is guaranteed another chance to fight, the other is at the mercy of network executives. Neither Chuck nor Heroes impressed in their season finales last night, concluding disappointing seasons ratings-wise.
Both shows took different routes this season, with Chuck playing Mr. Consistent and Heroes enduring a steady freefall. Chuck's finale finished with a 2.3 rating among adults 18-49 and 6.11 million viewers, somewhat consistent with its final 10 episodes and not too far down from the season premiere, which ticked in with a 2.7 rating (its season high was a 3.0). Heroes finished with a 3.0 rating and 6.39 million viewers, slightly down from the average of its last 10 episodes, and almost out of view from its season premiere (and season-high) rating of 5.0. Both finales finished last among major networks, except for Heroes' second half-hour, which beat Bob Saget's Surviving Suburbia. (note to self: pitch Sylar versus Saget next time I talk to someone from Heroes).
Heroes has been renewed for another season, but the talk around TV blogs has been the future of Chuck. There's a lot of love for the show from fans and critics, but the numbers don't justify NBC renewing it for any reason other than the goodness of its own heart.
One bad sign for Chuck fans came from NBC itself, when the network's Web site declared last night's episode a "series finale" in a blurb (credit: TV By the Numbers, who have a screen cap). It's possible that was just a mistake (the site has been updated and has removed the phrase), so keep your fingers crossed that it was just the error of an intern.
But beyond all this negative discussion of poor ratings, let's look at the seasons themselves. Admittedly, I was pretty disappointed in Heroes, but thought Chuck was exactly what Chuck always has been: a harmless, enjoyable romp. I'll be sad to see it go if it isn't renewed. I know there are tons of Heroes and Chuck fans here on TV.com--what were your thoughts on their seasons?
Comments (274)
Chuck is amazing and is just warming itself up in my mind. Being from the UK I have no say on the ratings, I bought the DVD tho :P Heroes did slump from its usual form but should get a chance to do a good final series.
Heroes was disappointing. The season finale bored me, and it was riddled with way too many plotholes, such as not bringing Nathan back to life using Claire's blood, as they did in a previous volume. Heroes was one of my favorite shows years ago, but it has declined dramatically. I'd be happier with Heroes canceled and having another season of Prison Break.
The ratings system is broke and shouldn't be used to decide the fate of a show. Maybe NBC should look at the number of times it is watched on-line, purchased from itunes, etc. Also, Subway loved all the publicity from the Save Chuck! campaign. People obviously love the show and want it to stick around.
I loved the season finale episode of Chuck. It was the best episode yet and I really do hope that they bring the show back for another season. As for Heroes, I'm still catching up on it and am a few episodes away from the finale. The series has sort of fizzled out for me, like Lost. I'll watch it. Eventually. But I'd rather watch the finale of Chuck on my iPod for the fourth time instead.
Volume 3 was a mess that was filled with plotholes and empty promises, Volume 4 was a improvement of the previous volume but still a long way to be as epic as as volume 1. When one of the main writers from season 1 came back, I could tell an improvement in writing. Maybe volume 5 will bring it back to it's former glory but who knows. I was hoping volume 3 be more fast-paced than volume 2 but I ended up getting a huge mess.
why cancel chuck?all your favorite in tv is all on chuck.like love story, action, drama, funny, awesome plot, sexy chicks.so what more do you ask for. the last two episode are great.as for heroes the finale really suck. the problem on heroes is they got lot's of heroes and few villain.and what the hell did they do to sylar and nate.nate should live because of the cheer leaders blood. sylar should have escape and will round up a few back up villains. and why the hell did they do to hiro and peter? they make them so weak unlike the 1st season.enough of bring the flash back. we need to see new plot. maybe world domination, or destruction of the human race, or maybe aliens could mix it up. beacuse yeah they have powers, but now where to use them on a action scenemoreless
what?? i LOVED the season finale of chuck!! it was so good! plzzz bring it back! the ending was a total cliffhanger and its killing me that they would consider canceling the show
They can't cancel Chuck! Please! The season ended so well. I can't wait to see what Chuck gets into next. Please help save Chuck at SaveChuckBartowski.com!
Please bring Chuck back. It has been a fun show from the beginning. Usually just two of us watch Chuck, but with this last show we actually had the whole family watching and laughing. The DVR got in overtime use. We are hoping they will bring it back. We use the DVR for most shows as Saturdays or Sundays are one day we can all sit and watch a show together, and skip the commecials. We love Chuck, please please bring it back for another season.
I love chuck-I thought the season finale was one of the funnyist they have done yet. I and my son are the only ones that usually watch but the rest of the faminly had to come see what we were lauaghing about. so we restarted (DVR)and everyone watched. All are now hoping it will return so they can watch with us. chuck is such an enjoyable show and just plain fun to watch. Please please Renew, Please renew.
"I know there are tons of Heroes and Chuck fans here on TV.com--what were your thoughts on their seasons?"<p></p>Indeed there are...I'm one of them. No sooner than I finished watching and commenting on Chuck I headed over to Heroes' forum as I always do. My thoughts? I loved Chuck's season finale in fact ever since the second intercept was installed in Chuck I could not help but wonder why they had not gone the Matrix route sooner.<p></p>To be honest about Heroes though? I record it I don't watch it as much as I used to but I still try every episode.<p></p>I'm not behind by much I mostly have my eye on the forum delving into the revelations and realizations about the series some of which have come true.<p></p>A friend has not seen it in quite some time and is a little behind and by a little I mean a few or so seasons.<p></p>I don't suppose they'd ever consider doing a season marathon to help people like him catch up. Is that even possible. There's an idea a season marathon.<p></p>At any rate it doesn't look good for former Heroes fans like him and no I'm not talking about myself when I say my friend I do mean my friend as in someone else.<p></p>As for Heroes season finale? I'm almost certain that Sylar's Nathan now. That comment on the watch being slightly faster as well as that extremely obnoxious comment about eating Italian food versus Chinese.<p></p>They're not even trying to consolidate their fiction over at the writer's guild for Heroes anymore. I mean how else do you explain that Mohinder can shoot Mr. Benet to death in one eye one season.<p></p>Then administer Claire's blood to bring him back to life shortly thereafter but completely forget to do so with Nathan Petrelli this season. With claire right there with the rest of them and Mohinder there too?<p></p>There's no excuse. They're not even trying. It would be different if they were actually trying to keep it good and consistent but they aren't even trying to find ways to keep characters and its the second time they've killed Nathan Petrelli off.<p></p>I won't be sad to see it (Heroes )go. Hayden Panetierre seems to have already moved on she's got several ads on tv and a couple movies too.<p></p>Its like this I mean you guys over at Heroes went on strike along with the rest of the writers for this? The writers over at Chuck are doing better than you guys now.<p></p> The reputation of the writing for this show is going to carry over into your overall reputation and portfolios. So at least try to care 'kay?<p></p>I can see it now how the interview will go:<p></p> studio exec:"so what have you written lately?"<p></p>former Heroes writer: "Umm I did some writing for Heroes"<p></p> studio exec: "Oh... that show. (set's papers off to the side) Don't call us we'll call you. (buzz over intercom)Could you send the next person in please? Thanks"moreless
i found Chuck's finale really good, it would really suck if they'd cancel it after this episode, since it ended to be continued..as for heroes, i found the finale really dissapointing, the whole sylar being nathan just doesn't fit, i guess i'll continue watching but just because i want a see how things end up..hopefully next season will be much better, although we have hoped that since the end of season 2 and they have continued to dissapoint us
There may have been the series finale blurb, but they also allowed them to put the "to be continued..." sign on the end of the finale.
Chuck was great, and I really hope they renew it. Lost interest in heroes a while ago.
I think the Chuck is the great show, and I hope it´s renewed, but heroes is not good this last season, and the season finale isn´t good, now Sylar is Nathan? Ups... a horrivel idea,what are the thinking? And Hiro, Peter. I think they are lost.
Chuck is one of the best shows on TV in a long time--the network has not done a good job of promoting it at all! Not to mention the fact that the so-called"ratings" numbers are an obsolete system that no longer demonstrates actual viewership at all.
I think chuck and heroes is a great show. I was disappointed in heroes this season. I felt it had lost its way, it took a different route then what it had in the previous seasons. Chuck I thought was great. Instead of canceling Chuck they should move it to a different night. Chuck occupies the same time slot as House. Chuck is a great show but it can't compete with that. Move it to Thursday which isn't as packed as other days in the week and I bet its viewer numbers would increase dramatically,
I am getting tired of reading people comparing Chuck and Heroes and saying cancel this show and save the other. If you dislike one of the shows stop asking to cancel it because there are people who still watching it. I am sure there are more unselfish ways to solve your problem, just stop watching it.
Heroes should've been cancelled after the second season. Chuck on the other hand is still as fun and enjoyable as it always has been - it would be a shame to see should a great show cancelled so soon.
this ratings crap, horse-crap and BS needs to stop!! you cant use this nonsense to decide the life of a show. both are great shows.... and neither should be considered axeing, these guys need to copp on to the fact that so what if ratings indicate less watching ...those ratings dont count all those that watch ... its impossible... there can be several natural reasons... people have other things that happen and cant see the show on that night .... the infinite list of possibilities goes on.... i my self follow alot of a shows... and the one thing i've learned over the years ... is that there is always an audience for every single show/series...
Heroes is a quality show. How many shows are there where they tell the story like this? I can't think of another one. When you think like; Ha! now I know what is going the happen next, they are getting predictable!!1, and then something else happens. Also how the story goes now it looks like its going to be like it was in the future but you don't know for sure.Heroes keeps surprising me and it is one good show.
I've been watching chuck since day one and have always waited patiently for the next episode. I watched Heroes from season one as well, but had to stop before season 2 ended, it just wasn't cutting it for me. Chuck on the other hand has always kept me in anticipation of the next episode, and the season finale was amazing! CHUCK MUST BE COME BACK! I own season 1 dvd and will buy season 2 day 1 it's released!
i argreekill the heroes, save the chuck !!
I'm going to start out by saying I am a junkie for super hero stuff, but Heroes was a big disappointment to me from the start. I only watched a few episodes and didn't like it at all.But Chuck on the other hand, had me from the very first episode I watched, and is now my favorite show at the moment. I by far believe that Chuck should stay, and Heroes should go. chuck has both suspense and humor, and is a wonderful hour of what a lot of shows should be.
HEROES WAS GOOD 1ST SEASON, AFTER THAT IT WENT DOWN HILL..NOW CHUCK IS A DIFFERENT STORY..I DIDNT SEE CHUCKS 1ST SEASON ON TV, BUT 1 DAY I SAW THE PILOT AND I JUST LOVED IT, IT WAS FUNNY AND IT JUST DREW ME IN..SO I SAW THE REST ON INTERNET AND NOW I CANT GET ENOUGH OF CHUCK. THIS SHOW JUST HAS TO GET RENEWED IT SH OULDNT EVEN BE AN OPTION. RENEW CHUCK!!!
I will go crazy if they don't renew Chuck. Especially with that cliff hanger (and to be continued....message). Heroes is whatever. I really liked the show when it first premeired but it seemed to go down in quality each season....SAVE CHUCK!
The last few episodes of Chuck have been amazing, and the finale blew my mind. I am really hoping for a renewal, so I can see what Chuck does now that he is a real spy. Next season could be great if they just give it a chance.
Heroes used to be one of my best shows, now it's a complete waste of time. They should cancel Heroes.
So much more can happen to Chuck now that he can become a real spy.The show can go so many different ways. Keep chuck alive
Bring back CHUCk it's one of the best shows on tv. It's got everything you ned sex,comedy, and action. Leave a good thing alone. Tv excecs we need this show I can't stand all of these reality programs. They suck
I feel like Heroes finally starting pulling itself together and is back to Season 1 levels of enjoyment. The only problem is a lot of people tuned out in Season 2 and haven't been back because they just don't know that Heroes has actually gotten GOOD again. Ah poor poor Chuck, a show I really love but am 60% sure will get canceled. I'm just angry that if it does get canceled we are getting one of the most irritating cliffhangers.
i love heroes but seriousily they need to move it to a different day cause it is very irritating that all my favorite shows have to come on monday nights...and if monday is not stressful enough...
I love both shows and hope they stay around and can do something better, NBC is a sinking ship that needs help
I am a major fan and I'm not afraid to say that Heroes Season 03 was a complete waste, notwithstanding a few moments of genious. Some characters and storylines that we've been introduced to were pointless. Don't have an opinion on Chuck though, sorry.
i agree w/ most of the responses - chuck has been consistently entertaining, while heroes has unfortunately vacillated between pretty freakin' amazing (aka: season 1) and downright crappy (aka: seasons 2 & 3). while i don't think they should necessarily cancel heroes, i definitely think chuck should be given another chance, especially after that awesome finale (imho).
keep Chuck. Heroes lost its charm
are you all nuts , keep heroes, thank good there getting rid of chuck.
Cancel Heroes, renew Chuck! Chuck can't be canceled now that he knows Kung Fu!
Kill Heroes! Save Chuck!!!Heroes has had a long enough run, Chuck cannot get canceled!!!! Its awesome! Every episode to date has been awesome with everything - humor, action, suspense, etc. Heroes lost my interest barely half way through Seas 3...
kill the heroes, save the chuck !!
i love chuck, i want it back!
This is exactly what is wrong with Tv networks there are tons of passionate fans on here who want more Chuck (for that matter any show that isn't some horrible mindless reality or something show that mindless drones who seem to control the ratings like) it is so unfair great shows that aren't mainstream or a little bit interesting get canned because the haven't been given a chance!!!!!
Chuck needs to be renewed. I want to know whats gonna happen with Chuck after what he did in the last few mins of the season finale.I dont see a way that NBC can just let Chuck end wiht such a cliff-hanger. Chuck had some pretty good episodes this season. Hopefully NBC will give them another season and a chance to improve on their ratings. WOOOOOOOO LETS GO CHUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think heroes got stronger towards the end. Kring needs to pull finger and get back to basics (season one style story and character development). Chuck is classic, I really enjoy it. I will shed a tear if it goes, and then get over it being just a little more jaded and in awe of networks ability to destroy good TV... NBC, I dare you to prove me wrong.