PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST 2008: 25TH ANNUAL WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL: CHUCK {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Cinerama Dome at the Arclight, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening honors "Chuck," an action comedy about a nerdy computer specialist who becomes a wanted man after spy secrets become embedded in his brain. Damon Lindelof (executive producer/co-creator/writer of "Lost") moderates. Pat Mitchell (President and CEO of The Paley Center) offers opening remarks. Mitchell then acknowledges William C. Paley, son of the festival's namesake, in the audience.
Next, Lindelof brings "Chuck" executive producer/co-creator Josh Schwartz to the stage. Schwartz introduces a clip package of highlights from the show, which is subsequently screened. Clips include: CIA secrets being downloaded into Chuck's brain; Chuck telling Sarah that he's worried by Ellie being involved with spies; Sarah's escalating romance with Chuck; Morgan putting moves on Anna; Devon teaching Chuck to dance; Chuck secretly watching Sarah kissing Bryce; John taking Sarah to task over her actions with Chuck; Chuck standing up to Sarah, which inspires their first romantic clinch; Chuck alerting Morgan to a deadly problem at Buy More; Jeff being assaulted with a bullhorn; Big Mike showing off his pimp costume; Morgan and Vic having a video game faceoff; Casey sacrificing his love life; Chuck attending Bryce's funeral; Chuck discovering why Bryce chose him to hold the secrets; and Chuck realizing an associate's true identity.
Lindelof then introduces the panelists: Schwartz; executive producer/co-creator Chris Fedak; executive producer McG; cast members Mark Christopher Lawrence ("Big Mike" Tucker); Scott Krinsky (Jeff Barnes); Vik Sahay (Lester Patel); Julie Ling (Anna Wu); Joshua Gomez (Morgan Grimes); Ryan McPartlin (Devon Woodcomb); Adam Baldwin (John Casey); Yvonne Strahovski (Sarah Walker); and Zachary Levi (Chuck Bartowski). Sarah Lancaster (Ellie Woodcomb) was scheduled to participate but was unable to attend.
The panelists discuss topics which include: how Schwartz and Fedak came up with the concept; the "art" of striking a balance between comedy and adventure; why Baldwin was the first actor to be cast; what clinched Levi's selection for the title role; how a "bromance" formed between Chuck and Morgan; why the character of Chuck's girl-next-door love interest was dropped from the pilot; if the actors who play Chuck's co-workers resent being left out of "action scenes"; if Strahovski has trouble hiding her Aussie accent when playing the American-born Sarah; how the plots differentiate between "geeks" and "nerds"; Baldwin's "rabid fan community"; the effect of fans' overwhelming reaction to the show at Comic-Con; why the show's title changed from "Scenario Five" to "Chuck"; how success has changed Levi's life; if NBC has been supportive of the show; and what's ahead for the second season.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: if McPartlin mirrors his "Captain Awesome" character off camera; why friendships between men are becoming more frequent on TV shows; if Chuck will get Batman-like accessories in future episodes; why many of the show's cast members are preoccupied with video games; plot twists that cast members anticipate in season two; and what Strahovski misses most about Australia.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: March 18, 2008 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:35:58
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:92163
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Host
- Damon Lindelof … Moderator
- Josh Schwartz … Panelist
- Chris Fedak … Panelist
- McG … Panelist
- Mark Christopher Lawrence … Panelist
- Scott Krinsky … Panelist
- Vik Sahay … Panelist
- Julie Ling … Panelist
- Joshua Gomez … Panelist
- Ryan McPartlin … Panelist
- Adam Baldwin … Panelist
- Yvonne Strahovski … Panelist
- Zachary Levi … Panelist
- William C. Paley … Guest
- Sarah Lancaster