Seventh and final episode in 7 straight days of actual podcasting! Amrit and I talk about things a bit more interesting than in episode 72. Warning, a finale spoiler is discussed around the 17 minute mark (if you want to know nothing going in) until around the 21 minute mark.
This episode has ADULT LANGUAGE. Do not listen if you are sensitive to harsh language.
Please RATE and review this podcast here. You can post anonymously.
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking this link.
Tracks used in this episode, in order of appearance:
Hollow - Pantera
State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
State of Love and Trust - Pearl Jam
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
Magnus, I happen to work in advertisement and am the decision maker type you referred to and I both agree and disagree with your assessment. First of all your strategy is good. I dare say superior to that of WGAC. It is what I would have suggested if someone asked. Targeting specific advertisers increases volume impact.
ReplyDeleteSecond, this is my however, I don't think your 'throwing pooh at the wall' analogy fits the grand logic puzzle. I see no harm in doing it as it still splashes over onto the bigger picture. If combined with your focused strategy, it should have no negative side effect.
Finally, I can see why certain people find you overbearing and feel the need to demonize you but I don't think I have heard you say anything that wasn't true. I don't always agree with your ideas/analysis but you shoot straight with people and I respect that. The world needs more people like you. I would rather argue with someone like you than someone who smiles in my face and stabs me in the back.
Known ID, we are going to disagree that it can't hurt anything, since I believe it distracts people from helping to deliver the best possible result. If CHUCK gets cancelled, it will make no difference what Dominos or Pizza Hut or McDonalds thought of CHUCK fans. They won't reach out to NBC to save the show. We lucked out with Subway because they had ALREADY reached out to NBC before Wendy's campaign. Since you work in advertising and are a decision maker, you must know that the process of becoming integrated into the show is not quick. We need a quick solution. We need companies already on board to feel like investing even more into the show is to their greatest benefit.
ReplyDeleteAnd we need to do it NOW.
Magnus, I already conceded to your main argument. ;) If you ever want to move to Seattle, I may have a job for you. May I E-mail you?
ReplyDeleteHeh... just click on my name and you will see my email address. Fire away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the spoiler. I have the opposite problem. The way you described Cliff Hanger makes me not excited at all. It's hard to have expectations when you are not excited for the episode. I am a shipper and I am definitely not expecting a wedding so I will watch but I am not pumped up like I was in past finales.
ReplyDeleteI don't have 500 million to invest but I am also not emotionally invested in it either. Really hope they get a S5 or Chuck will fade away into the sunset on a weak cliffhanger.
I never said the cliffhanger was shipper related, or even Chuck and Sarah related. In fact, I think 4.24 is emotionally satisfying, whether there is a wedding or not.
ReplyDeleteMagnus Razorback, Oh great Wiseman and Spoiler Guru of All Things CHUCK, have you talked to your source recently of his opinion on thew odds of Chuck being renewed for season 5?
ReplyDeleteAnd is the rumor true that Comcast hates Chuck and doesn't understand what the show's about?
And what do you think of the odds on Harry's Law being renewed?
And have you seen the 1976 movie "Network" yet? Some say it predicted the coming of the "reality television" genre.
Wait... Comcast hates CHUCK? Where did you hear that?
ReplyDeleteFrom somebody online who I don't even know.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
ReplyDeleteSo you consider some anonymous person online who you don't know anything about as a rumor source? Here, I am going to start a rumor... Magnus is actually Chris Fedak.
GO!
Hi Magnus,
ReplyDeletejust read the synopsis from 4x24 and have one small question will Chuck save the day with his mind again or will he use his fighting skills?
Magnus is actually Chris Fedak....
nena
No, I don't trust some anonymous person online. However, I trust you and I trust Ausiello.
ReplyDeleteAnd I won't be spreading around a rumor that you are actually Chris Fedak, because I KNOW I would be lying to other people if I did spread that rumor. And I do not want to lie to other Chuck fans.
It's over? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I've enjoyed this week. Thanks so much for taking the time.
ReplyDeletenena, innate qualities.
ReplyDeletemelwicker, I haven't gotten any major update on CHUCK and season 5 since I wrote the prediction blog.
Sue, thanks for listening. There will be the usual episode next week (Tuesday or Wednesday). I may consider doing daily podcasts down the line, provided that it is not just CHUCK related.
Gah your comments about 4.24 make me nervous. I like "emotionally satisfying" but not sure I like certain major characters being sidelined. Not sure that will work for me if there is no renewal. Hope the rest of the episode can stand up well enough to carry the story or I QUIT CHUCK FOREVER!!!!!!- j/k thanks again for the multiple podcasts this week!
ReplyDelete-OPD
Cool. Now I've got to find time to listen to all these.
ReplyDeleteI haven't listened to the spoiler (and don't want to) but I just wondered how you rated the identity of Agent X?
Rate the identity of Agent X? Hmmmmm.... well, it rates much higher than the cliffhanger rating. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha. Interesting 'spoiler' there, Magnus. That'll make folks go crazy I'm sure. Sarah in his head, eh?
ReplyDeleteAs far as the rest.. fun podcast once again, man. Always enjoy listening to your stuff.
Oh, and my opinion of "Phase Three".. I don't think Chuck's life could have ever been in jeopardy, but I do think they could have gone a 'memory wipe' sort of route, though it was probably highly unlikely.
This is pretty cool that Samsung it now part of the save Chuck campaign.
ReplyDelete@Samsungtweets: Ok #Chuck fans, it's time to tweet more than ever before! #RenewChuckSeason5 #NotaNielsenFamily
Hah! I never even thought about a quid pro quo response like that. That is cool.
ReplyDeleteAusiello still lists Chuck as "Could go either way" on the renewal scorecard. But Ausiello also thinks that Harry's Law might be a "safe bet" for renewal.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ausiello on HARRY'S LAW.
ReplyDeleteI think your " spoiler " gave the chuck this blog people an ulcer . Lol
ReplyDeleteThey are welcome.
ReplyDeleteFYI, to the twit who told people on another blog that I hate this season, do you just pull all your thoughts from your arse or do you sometimes aim for facts?
ReplyDeleteI haven't hated any season, least of all this one. Not that the truth will change your meltdown any.
Heh. People are idiots. Why would Chris Fedak hate his own show? ;)
ReplyDeleteAre they even listening to these podcasts? You've said several times in the last week how fun you've found the season.
Oy, the meltdown. Hating an episode without having seen it has been the bread and butter of the fandom this season, but it gets so tiring.
@Magnus: Don't worry, another person came in to say that you never said you hated this season, and actually said you've enjoyed this season a ton.. so there's that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the freak out is reaching an 8 on the 10 scale.
Usually I know when there is going to be a meltdown based on something I write or say, but I really didn't think it would be now from this. Especially after I have said the finale is emotionally satisfying. Heck, I think I called it "emotional nirvana" at some point.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading some of the comments over there, and they seem to be under the impression that Chuck and Sarah are split up for the majority of episode 23. Weird. Where are they getting that from? The synopsis I read makes it sound like Chuck and Sarah are working together to find/save Mama B.
ReplyDeleteSome blogger somewhere once said Chuck and Sarah were split up during 4.23 and so the usual suspects have decided that is for most of the episode.
ReplyDeleteI went over to that forum to see what they were saying.
ReplyDeleteI wish I hadn't. All that negativity in one place makes me wonder if anyone is mixing some Kool Aid to put them out of their misery.
The obvious reason they latched onto the "Chuck and Sarah are seperated" thing and blew it up beyond what was originally written is because it just wasn't negative enough for them in its original form.
Thanks, Magnus, for this week of podcasts that always manage to leave me in a good "emotionally satisfying" place. Maybe because I actually listen to what you say.
wait. so im a little confuzed by your spoiler as it is late and i have listened to it a few times.... are you saying the the ending will be something like "inception" where the fan chooses either way about regards to sarah? or am i off base in this
ReplyDeletedkd, it is kind of impressive how certain people can listen to what I say, or read the words I write, and totally get what is going on, while another, very specific group of people I don't associated myself with because of their tendency to overreact (who also tend to be the most negative toward me), always behave as if they were children in need of heavy medication.
ReplyDeleteAnd these same people, not just from one site, are also the people who consistently tell others NOT to listen to me, but who hang on my every word and over (and almost always incorrectly) analyze almost everything I say.
It is like that dude who said that I hate this season. Where did he come up with that? Hate this season? I think I said something negative about THREE episodes... maybe four. Otherwise, I have been accused of NOT being critical enough because I know people on the show and that I can't be more critical out of fear of hurting those relationships. So which is it? Am I not critical enough or do I hate the season?
ReplyDeleteShockingly, someone defended me with the truth. I wasn't expecting that one. Still, now that doucheface has said it, someone will now run with it as if it were the truth because that is what drama queens do. They latch onto the negative and ignore the positive.
I'm not advocating that every Chuck-focussed blogger or critic needs to give the show shining reviews every week. You don't and neither do the few other critics I read regularly. It's possible to love the show and still think specific episodes or scenes aren't very good.
ReplyDeleteBut, in a negative evironment, people latch onto any turn that sounds like they won't like it and it suddenly will ruin the entire series--perhaps even their life--for them.
In such a group of people, I can imagine someone might hear someone say a negative words about SOMETHING that ran this season and extend it to meaning you hate this season. In their universe, one bad scene or episode = whole series ruined.
That is very true. Look at how people speak of season 3, or even this season. A couple of episodes that were off and a few things didn't go their way and BOOM! Worst season(s) ever!
ReplyDeleteForgotten are the same arguments from season 2. I guess it helps to have 9 months between seasons as opposed to four. That way people get to become nostalgic about it.
Razorback, very nice job on the pod cast. i have enjoyed several of them a great deal. thanks for taking the time to put them out.
ReplyDeletei don't quite know what type of viewer i would be classified as. i watched most of season one, about half of 2 and none of three. during season 3 i was out of country and had no access to it. i never liked the show enough to pay money to watch it. in the fall watch it as a lead in to football and during the spring baseball or the hockey playoffs.
i enjoy going to different sites to see what the posters think about an episode or the season. the one common thing common to all of them is the refusal to accept that someone could have a different opinion about the show than they do. some of the reactions to posts get almost hateful. it's really nuts if you ask me.
i take chuck for what it is to me and let others see it for what they want. like i said i don't know where i would fit in. i enjoy the show some nights and dislike it some nights but for the most part it's just there.
keep up the good work and look forward to your next podcast. thanks again!
Just a reminder there is a new episode of Chuck on tomorrow and if you don't believe me just check www.tv.com or http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934814/ Both websites will tell you there is a new episode of Chuck May 2, 2011
ReplyDeleteWHAT?! NEW EPISODE TOMORROW!?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!
ReplyDeleteFYI, that poll on the side exists only to see whether I should post more spoilers or not. You guys failed. Chuckgasmic.com was the only legitimate vote.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed this search phrase was used to find my site:
ReplyDelete"are chuck and sarah together in real life"
The answer is obviously no... since Chuck and Sarah are FICTIONAL characters and therefor do not exist in real life.
Though, I suspect the person meant the actors in which case: they play FICTIONAL characters who are in love. Truth is, the actors hate each other (that is not true at all but now it will end up in the search engine).
silly showrunners,
ReplyDeletechuck + sarah + angst = sexy
chuck + sarah + together = cutesy
SEXY = VIEWERS
Damn... that is the best way I have ever seen it put and you didn't even sign your comment so I have no idea who is the genius I am going to steal it from!
ReplyDeleteJust call me Hannah.
ReplyDeleteOh... Hannah.... why did they let you go?! WHY?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteFools. Well maybe I can come back and break up Chuck and Sarah, that'll get rating ups!
ReplyDeleteSo .. if season 5 comes... it should start with a divorce ? =)) :)) that would cause angst i think :))
ReplyDeletePERFECT! That'll bring sexy back.
ReplyDeleteto be perfectly honest.. i think it's not the actors , characters fault.. it's about the way the producers/directors aproached the whole thing.. they could of went for mr/ms smith kind of thing .. but instead they went for the 80 year old couple who instead of make up sex scenes have shake hands make up scenes :)) (who i don't say r not cute.. but tv without violence & sex = waste of time) =)) p.s. if NBC gives it a 5th shot i'm curious how they will deal with the lack of hotness in the show (hope they don't go all season 3 on us) :)
ReplyDeleteKEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAGNUS !
So, Magnus, why would Harry's Law be "a safe bet" for renewal?
ReplyDeleteAnd are the odds on Chuck getting renewed still 50/50?
What is your prediction for the ratings this Monday?
Good job Magnus, this podcast has me REALLY chomping at the bit to see how the heck these last three eps are gonna play out now!! Re: the spoiler you gave, on a GENERAL level I'm actually fine with a storyline like this just because Team Bartowski have extremely dangerous jobs and the fact that neither Chuck or Sarah ever get hurt (more than just scratches/bruises) always makes the stakes seem lower and makes it seem a little less exciting/thrilling to me. They've never had the b*lls to put Chuck or Sarah in a situation like this, so instead they abuse poor Casey all the time hahaha ... poor guy has been shot THREE times and thrown off a building!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBUT, regardless of that, I totally agree with you that I dunno why they would choose NOW to do this, of all times (i.e. to incapacitate one of the main characters in the season finale). I mean, I think the timing wouldn't feel so weird if I wasn't so nervous that this might be their last episode EVER, rather than just a season finale. They are definitely taking some big risks here given the fact that the prospect of a 5th season is so precarious right now. If I was confident that this was just a season finale I think I'd probably be fine with it. But in any event, we'll see how it all goes down when the ep(s) actually air.
Oh and also I have a fear that they are trying to shove WAAY too much story into just one or two eps. Episode 13 of this season wound up feeling very disjointed to me for that reason, so I hope they do a better job of pulling it off in these last few eps of the season. It will certainly be difficult; they definitely have their work cut out for them!! (Or I guess I should say "HAD their work cut out for them" since the eps are complete by now). ;-)
But in any case I am REALLY excited to see how this all plays out!! Thanks for the fun podcasts to keep up my anticipation/excitement!!
Please Magnus tell us if you have something new about chuck's fate
ReplyDeletenena
In regards to ratings for this Monday, I've noticed that despite having a decent promo for a change, I haven't seen it run at all. I've recorded many NBC shows just to scan through them to see if they are promoting Chuck* and haven't seen it all. They are really pushing the 2nd week of The Voice. I've seen those promos constantly. I think they feel they may have a hit on their hands and don't want to blow it in Week 2.
ReplyDelete* Yes, I do not have a life.
Yeah, I haven't seen one promo on any NBC show I watch... so, 1.3.
ReplyDeleteI checked out that other blog that has been mentioned recently . I found this comment , and got a chuckle outvof it .
ReplyDelete" To be honest this guy who set off this meltdown sounds like a real wind up up merchant and ass! I mean he has already admitted that people call him comic book guy, i.e. he is a loser. He has information on the show and he uses it to hurt people’s feelings and shake their faith in the show just so he can feel important. You guys feed his hunger for power and validation by freaking out on what he says, so what if sarah is not much in the finale, chuck was barely in phase three and you guys loved that episode. This show maybe for some fans as much as sarah as chuck but the show is named chuck and considering this season has been a major sarah season and not chuck season! why can’t he have an episode to be a hero! Man just look at what fringe has done to peter, he is not in half the episodes! and when he did get that one thing this season that made him important (the doomsday device) at the last minute they gave olivia all the glory! so fans at least when it is about chuck sarah is in the episode! you are not losing out as much as peter has! not in the slightest! Also to that guy who is a loser, do not worry about him! "
"He has information on the show and he uses it to hurt people’s feelings and shake their faith in the show just so he can feel important."
ReplyDeleteThere isn't even any logic to that train of thought. What kind of power do I get from them freaking out? THEY FREAKED OUT and it is my fault? LOL!
I listened to the spoilery part of the podcast again and I still don't see what people are freaking out about... we were talking about potential post-viewing reactions. What would make anyone freak out about that?
ReplyDeleteClearly, only like 5 people listened to the podcast and the rest are just taking the hyperbole they passed on as totally accurate. Listen to what is said. I even noted the specific time in the episode to look for... then decide for yourself if it is worth freaking out over BEFORE seeing the episode.
I really don't think it was anything you said, really. I think genuine fear is starting to sink in adout the shows future, and its causing some fans to lash out like two year olds. You are just an easy target. Doesn't make it fair or right, though.
ReplyDeleteOF COURSE it makes it right. I am obviously evil for sharing info... oh wait, that's right, I forgot. I USE the info to hurt people.
ReplyDeleteSilly me.
BREAKING :
ReplyDeleteIn light of yesterdays events , NBC has decided to pre-empt this weeks episode of CHUCK for a Matt Lauer special on the death of Osama Bin Laden . NBC will return to its regular schedule with NEW episodes of RATINGS darlings " The EVENT " and " Law&Order L.A. " at 9/8 central .
In other news , the United States of America has decided to change its national ANTHEM from the former " Star Spangled Banner " to the more appropriate " AMERICA , F*** YEAH " !
What does that mean ? no chuck this week ?
ReplyDeleteFWIW--
ReplyDeleteI finally saw them air a promo in the 2nd half hour of The Apprentice.
The :15 started with a kiss and ended with Chuck covering Ellie's eyes. Thus, it didn't have the most spoiler-y part in it.
Hey Magnus - well I just caught up on the various podcasts and am again reminded that you do more to keep the Chuck fans engaged than anyone else!
ReplyDeleteThere hasn't been this much chatter on the net about Chuck in weeks. Okay, some people are having meltdowns, but the bottom line is that there is noise and refreshed content and that means more eyes on Chuck stuff. Hopefully this will translate into more eyes on Chuck on Monday nights! Nice work young man!
Now, I've been thinking a lot about the zero cliffhanger and have been piecing together some of your other comments while inserting other spoiler info along the way and I am making a lot of presumptions - that Sarah is in the hospital at the end of 23 and a majority of 24; that Chuck has to turn to the wedding party for help in getting to the altar (Carina & Zondra are part of that wedding party); that the CIA has sent out The Eraser to protect the governments secrets ie: Chuck; that at the end of the episode, Chuck will embrace (not sure about that word but believe it was the sentiment) a lifelong career at the Buymore; and that this episode might deliver emotional nirvana - and I am left with the thought that the zero cliffhanger is not about the Chuck/Sarah relationship or marriage but that it is about Chuck's future with the CIA - that maybe he is deciding to walk away completely or that the CIA now sees him as a liability. In that case, I can almost see the last scene being a kill order on Chuck by someone higher up the ladder.
If I am close, it will be the first time. Again, thanks for the distractions - it's fun sifting through the rubble after you drop a bomb.
PeterO, I wouldn't find that to be a zero cliffhanger. That kind of sounds cool.
ReplyDelete**Sigh** - and the not even close streak continues.
ReplyDeleteSo now with the news of who shall not be named being dead . Do you think the ratings will take a hit tonight due to people watching the news more than usual ?
ReplyDeleteWe can't say Osama bin Laden?
ReplyDeleteUnless there is some new item of news that comes out between 7-11pm, I doubt it will have a huge effect. But I am sure CHUCK fans will use it to excuse whatever ratings the episode does get, unless it goes up.
I don't get all these comments by fans that are constantly complaining about Chuck's declining quality.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone that does complain about the drop in quality ever seen shows like Dynasty, Happy Days, Dallas, The Simpsons, Nip/tuck, Desperate housewives, Alias etc.
If you've ever watched those shows that's what a drop in quality really is.
Chuck is a very good and entertaining show.
every t.v. show has what their fans consider a best season and for Chuck the majority will say the 2nd season is the best but that doesn't mean that every season afterwards is a decline in quality.
P.S.The writers have obviously made the decision to focus on Volkoff and why he is dangerous rather than his organization.
Volkoff by himself has tried to kill Chuck two or three times this season without any real assistance from his employees.
good podcast Magnus
This cliffhanger doesn't have anything to do with Sarah getting pregnant, does it? I imagine that would be as close to a 0 as anything in your opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sarah is pregnant in the finale with twins... one is Cole's and the other is Bryce's.
ReplyDeleteOh thank goodness!
ReplyDeleteMagnus, I told you a while back I thought Sarah was gonna die.
ReplyDelete