Published: 08:41 PM, Thu Jan 26, 2012
TV Diva: NBC's "Chuck" ends after five seasons
"CHUCK"
As "Chuck" ends for good tonight after five seasons, I consider it amazing that the series lasted this long in today's TV climate. Thanks to some very enthusiastic fans - with a little help from Subway - the quirky spy show survived cancellation nearly every season, despite low ratings. Well, it's also thanks to some talented writers and the winning personality of Chuck himself, gamely played by Zachary Levi. Levi has been convincing as the regular guy who wakes up one day to find out he has a fancy-schmancy computer in his head. That's right.Inhis head. This computer allows him to instantly learn martial arts skills, speak other languages and fight bad guys, which comes in handy when the CIA needs you. Even when Chuck became a full-fledged spy, married fellow spy Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and eventually formed his own spy agency, we never lost sight of Chuck still being the guy you'd see at your neighborhood computer store. The series also attracted some pretty geek-tastic guest stars, such as Linda Hamilton, Scott Bakula, Chevy Chase and Timothy Dalton. While it's a little sad to say bye to Chuck, Sarah and the Buy More crew, I'm happy we had them around as long as we did. In the series finale, there will be a lot to accomplish. For starters, Sarah's memory has been wiped, meaning she doesn't remember she's married to Chuck. She also has been tasked with getting rid of him. (Ouch!) The final two episodes are titled "Chuck Versus Sarah" and "Chuck Versus the Goodbye," so that gives us an indication about how the finale will go down. Friday, 8 p.m. NBC
"SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE"
It's tricky when the beloved star of a series dies tragically. Andy Whitfield, who played Spartacus, died last year after battling cancer. Starz tried to handle the situation as well as possible. Liam McIntyre was cast in the title role and apparently received Whitfield's blessing before he died. The season will continue to showcase the action, sex and gladiator politics that has made the series so popular. Friday, 10 p.m. Starz