l'm probably at least partially to blame for "Chuck's" predicament.
I came to the show late, and I've been banking episodes on my DVR while I catch up with episodes on iTunes.
Which means I don't show up in any ratings for the show, a kind of "Alias" meets "Office Space" that is one of the funniest and most enjoyable shows on TV.
Alas, if a whole lot of people don't catch up with the show soon, it's a potential goner. That is, unless the burgeoning fanbase doesn't succeed with its Facebook, Twitter and blog-based effort to save the show.
Now, even Subway sandwiches is getting into the act. According to AD AGE, a new "Finale & Footlong" is a campaign to get NBC to renew the show - which is apparently "on the bubble" in TV speak - by having viewers buy Subway sandwiches. (I bought one today, and The Canadian Press reports Subway is "thrilled" with results so far.)
According to the Ad Age, Wendy Farrington, a pharmaceutical sales rep, created "Finale & Footlong" in a blog posting on a site called Television Without Pity. She asked fans to write letters, buy foot-long sandwiches at Subway today, and watch the second-season finale live tonight (which is a spoiler for me, as I'm, like 10 episodes back) to demonstrate the group's buying power.
It's unusual for an advertiser to be enlisted to help save a show, but hey, these are desperate days for The Intersect. NBC isn't fighting; it's working the refs with a video of star Zachary Levi in a Subway restaurant in England, shown here.
Personally, I'm wondering why fans aren't pressing Best Buy to get into the action - the entire show is a kind of loving spoof of everyone's favorite electronics store.
Still, I can't help thinking something is afoot, pardon the pun. I was under the impression that "Chuck" - critical and fan darling - was one of the few shows to actually gain viewers this season.
Must be some plot from Fulcrum.
We'll stay tuned to see how it all turns out.
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Rick,
Great short piece. I personally am a huge Chuck fan, you will truly enjoy the next 10 shows (as you catch up...)I hope that NBC wises up and does renew the show, cause there are lots more episodes left to be told I believe.
I also think that the show's tie in with the Chuck franchise is brilliant, working the brand into the show slowly but later adopting more and more participation and direct reference in the scripts. More and more brands should hope to find the positive association Subway has with Chuck'ers (came up with that myself - TM) like us...
I am buying footlong's for the office today in support, I urge others too as well. Thanks again.
Twitter: @tylerlecompte
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Posted by: Tyler LeCompte | April 29, 2009 at 06:05 AM