NBC Ups Chuck, ABC Enlists de Rossi, Tamblyn, Milano
Trae Patton/NBC
Here's one piece of inside information Chuck doesn't need to keep secret: NBC has picked up an additional nine episodes of the computer-geek spy show, guaranteeing a full second season before the new run even kicks off.
"It's an incredible show of faith by NBC and so amazingly nice to get based on the work along," creator Josh Schwartz said.
The network made the decision to order nine more episodes, a full month before the second series even debuts, based on the strength of the six episodes already in the can for its premiere Sept. 29.
The series' first season was cut short last spring, when the network decided to hold out for the fall rather than have the new episodes return in the wake of the writers' strike.
"We couldn't be more excited with the creative direction Josh and his team are executing on Chuck," NBC Entertainment VP Teri Weinberg said. "This show has really hit is stride and deserves a full-season commitment to carry out the producers' vision for this unique series."
NBC isn't the only network bolstering its schedule this week.
On Monday, ABC confirmed it would pick five series orders based on the strength of their pilots, projects that count Harold Perrineau, Amber Tamblyn, Adam Goldberg, Bobby Cannavale, Portia de Rossi and Alyssa Milano among its stars.
Two comedic New York-based procedurals led the list: Castle, starring Nathan Fillion as a novelist who helps solve homicide cases, and The Unusuals, an hourlong comedy set inside a quirky precinct starring Perrineau, Tamblyn and Goldberg.
Also getting the greenlight from the Alphabet net was the romantic comedy Cupid, a remake of the late-'90s series of the same name created by Veronica Mars' Rob Thomas. While Jeremy Piven was the lead the first time around, in this incarnation Canavale stars as a man who claims to be Cupid and who is ordered to begin seeing a therapist, played by small-screen vet Sarah Paulson.
Rounding out the order were the sitcoms Better Off Ted, revolving around an office worker who tries—more than likely in vain—to work his way up the corporate ladder, which stars the new Mrs. DeGeneres, and Single With Parents, in which Milano stars as a woman struggling to juggle her personal and professional lives. Annie Potts and Beau Bridges also star.
All five series are expected to have midseason debuts.
BIG PICTURE
A Pound of Flesh Will repays fans for his success by posing for pics and signing autographs at his movie screening
More PhotosE! News Now
-
Madonna and Guy's Speedy Divorce
The power couple's divorce proceedings lasted only a minute, but the words were still sharp--even without them there!
-
Chenoweth on "Daisies" Cancellation
"Pushing Daisies" star Kristin Chenoweth is sad to see her show go--but there's a big world out there for this petite gal!
-
Ashley Dupre on "20/20"
Eliot Spitzer's infamous call girl is speaking out for the first time on "20/20." Get a sneak peek.
-
Rosie Apologizes to Walters
The feud between O'Donnell and Babs may be coming to a close after Rosie addresses the situation on "Conan."
Most Commented
- Lipstick Jungle: Is It Really Dead or What? (696)
- Help Us Help You (253)
- Old Christine's Wanda Sykes: "I'm Proud to be Gay" (147)
- Sundance Film Fest's Prop 8 Headache (136)
- Heroes Redux: Who Is Sylar's Baby Mama? (129)
- Miley Cyrus Victim of Hacker Hoax (121)
- Who Should Perform at the Obama Inauguration? (113)
- DWTS Backstage Dirt: Cody Cries! And Derek Disses (102)
- Barack Obama Draws a Crowd...on 60 Minutes (101)
- Samantha Ronson: PO'd About Lindsay's Flour Power (100)
Top 10 Stories
- Bloom Already Off Rosie O'Donnell's View Apology
- Jason Bourne Renews License to Kill James Bond
- Dead Denny Livens Up Grey's Anatomy Ratings
- Madonna, Guy Granted Quickie Divorce
- Ashlee Simpson-Wentz Births a Fall Out Baby Boy
- Jacko P.A.: Michael, Sheik Brothers From Another Mother
- Harry Potter's Not Opening, and They're Not Over It
- Twilight's Night "Is Going to Be Huge"
- Seven Survivors Remain on Gabon
- John Mayer Meets Jennifer Aniston's Dad?
Hot Topics
Fashion Police
Calling All Couture Cops!Does Madge's Green Giant getup have you craving frozen veggies? Do tell! It's YOU Write 'Em Up time
More Photos
More Pics from mystyle.com
Our Partners
Shop
-
The Girls Next Door, 2009 Calendar Have your favorite girls with you all year long!
-
The Soup "Coffee, Tea or...Soup" Mug Spend $40 on oup stuff and get the new mug for only $5!
Get Your E! News Now
E! News Now
-
Madonna and Guy's Speedy Divorce
The power couple's divorce proceedings lasted only a minute, but the words were still sharp--even without them there!
-
Chenoweth on "Daisies" Cancellation
"Pushing Daisies" star Kristin Chenoweth is sad to see her show go--but there's a big world out there for this petite gal!
-
Ashley Dupre on "20/20"
Eliot Spitzer's infamous call girl is speaking out for the first time on "20/20." Get a sneak peek.
-
Rosie Apologizes to Walters
The feud between O'Donnell and Babs may be coming to a close after Rosie addresses the situation on "Conan."
10 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 10 comments
Now loading...