Television show creator Josh Schwartz knows how to make nerds sexy. He started with the adorable but neurotic Seth Cohen in ‘The OC’ and has now renewed the role for Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), a computer nerd and Jimmy Fallon look alike who also happens to be a double agent.

Returning to NBC at 8 p.m. today after a week hiatus, ‘Chuck’ hopes to build the fan base it so desperately needs. In the middle of its second season, the comedy is still dwindling on the ratings scale.

Despite its quirky dialogue, hilarious plot lines and good-looking cast, the show remains relatively under the radar.

Chuck is an average man in his 20s who works as a member of the Nerd Herd at Buy More, a knock-off of Best Buy’s Geek Squad. But his job at Buy More is only a cover to hide his real job as an NSA agent. He was drafted by his boss John Casey (Adam Baldwin) to work for the organization due to his ability to download and store information in his mind.

Chuck is constantly trying to keep his life a secret from his sister, Elle (Sarah Lancaster), with whom he lives – often ditching, dashing and getting into crazy situations so as not to blow his cover.

Although the nerd-turned-double-agent would ordinarily be an extremely cliché plot, there’s something about this show that makes it stand out from its hopeless predecessors.

The redeeming factor seems to be the off-the-wall humor that has always worked for Schwartz in the past. Let’s be honest, if it wasn’t for the hilarious pop-culture references and socially awkward situations almost everyone could identity with, ‘The OC’ would have been nothing more than a Southern California cry-fest with an awesome soundtrack.

Quirky humor is the only thing Schwartz took with him to this project. ‘Chuck’ replaces teen drama with action scenes and explosives. And unlike ‘The OC’ and ‘Gossip Girl,’ the plotlines in every episode of ‘Chuck’ wrap up, and each new show is a new beginning.

In the last episode, which aired Oct. 27, Chuck and the other agents had to stop terrorists who were brainwashing people via video games. Though the plot sounds like something from the Disney Channel’s ‘The Famous Jett Jackson,’ it’s much more entertaining than a Disney plot. The cheesy reflection/sentimental scene at the end was the most Disney moment.

In tonight’s episode, Chuck is supposed to get a visit from an ex-girlfriend. Exes always bring comedy and drama. This episode should be one worth watching.

Despite the different hybrid of comedy and action ‘Chuck’ brings to a primetime line up made up of basically reality TV and sitcoms, the ratings don’t reflect the show. NBC ordered another full season, but whether or not there will be a third depends on the audience.

kaoutram@syr.edu

Published on November 9, 2008 at 12:00 pm