Exclusive: Zachary Levi talks the Future of CHUCK, Subway, London, Comic-Con, and How Next Season Could Still Be 22 Epsiodes!
Posted by Zac Fan in EVENTS, MEDIA, VIDEOSby Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub – Posted:May 28th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Earlier today I was at a Subway restaurant in Santa Monica on Pico Blvd. The reason I was there is Universal had transformed the restaurant into a special “Land of the Lost” themed location – complete with themed tables, chairs, and they even had some Sleestaks walking around. If you live in the area, you might want to stop by.
Anyway, the reason they were doing this promotion was to raise awareness of the upcoming “Land of the Lost” movie. So to help in that endeavor, director Brad Silberling, Sid and Marty Krofft (the creators of “Land of the Lost”), and Zachary Levi (”Chuck”) were all taking photos and talking to the press to help promote Subway.
After waiting around for a little while, I finally got some time with Zach and we discussed the future of “Chuck” and how Subway saved the show.
In case you don’t know, Subway has become a major sponsor of “Chuck” and without their support, it’s unlikely the show would be coming back next season. But thanks to a lot of fans buying footlong subs and leaving comments in the store, Subway took notice and they’re going to be a huge part of next season. While it isn’t yet known how the restaurant will be integrated, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yvonne Strahovski’s character (Sarah Walker) working at the store.
While I’m usually against this kind of integrated marketing, I know “Chuck” wouldn’t be around anymore without Subway, so I’ll say a big thank you to the company.
Anyway, during my extended interview with Zach we discussed the future of “Chuck”, Subway, this year’s Comic-Con, how next season could still be 22 episodes instead of 13, and a whole lot more. If you’re a fan of “Chuck”, I promise you’ll love this interview. Watch it after the jump:
Zachary Levi part 1
- Is that his child
- We talk about Lost and Chuck
- We talk about how Subway is responsible for saving Chuck
- Tells that great story about being in London and leading all the fans to the local Subway store
- How he’s an unusual actor that’s willing to do a lot of promotions
- How the world of advertising has changed
Zachary Levi part 2
- Comic-Con talk – what will they be doing down there. Could JeffSter perform?
- Zach wants to have a Zach party
- Season Two finale talk
- I ask if when Chuck uses his new abilities they are gone…
- Will Scott Bakula be back as Chuck’s dad
- He says there is a chance they might shoot 22 episodes instead of just 13! He explains how
- Will the Buy More be back
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Great interview(s). There is nothing more to say other than, ZACH, YOU ROCK!!! Thank God for “real people” like you in Hollywood who appreciate what they’ve got – and appreciate the fans. Hollywood needs MORE people like YOU!! That’s why were 1000% behind you and CHUCK. We love ya, bro! (And all the rest of the cast and crew!!)
Agreed!
The Fan’s Appreciate you Zach. Thank You for Being So humble. I pray the Lord Bless you Zach May your Light Shine Continuously. You are a very Good roll model for the young ones. The Fan’s Love ya. Continue to Be True to God He is always Faithful and True. I’m believing the Lord for more episodes.
Agree to all!
I can’t get it to play past 11 seconds!! Is this up anywhere else??
I cannot play it at all.
I got it to work.
Zac is such an amazing guy. He certainly understands how the business works these days and how you HAVE to learn how to use the sponsors effectively to keep a show on the air.
I like how he makes himself available so much too. Yes he gets something out of it but all these appearances he makes really helps promote the show and keeps it in the forefront of people’s minds.
He is one very class act for sure.
Keep on with it Zac!! The fans appreciate it!! And how cute did he look with that child.
I agree. I think it is his accessibility that makes him amenable to his fans and the sponsors, and of course in turn we see his commitment to the job and therefore that solidifies our commitment to him in whatever he pursues.
Regardless of the medium he’s won me as a fan of his both personally and professionally!
Wow what an awesome guy!! I’ve always loved Zach as Chuck but since I’ve seen him in interviews and such I’ve become a huge fan of Zach the person!! He’s so humble and generous and real and appreciative. I’ve never known an actor to really represent a show like he does or give back to the fans. He’s incredibly impressive!! I hope he realizes what a big factor this is for the show’s survival. NBC must love him and he just makes us want to support him and the show even more!!!!!
spoon Reply:
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:52 am
^ this… awesome guy.
Great interview with Zac.
One thing that is annoying. Someone tell Collider that it was Birmingham not London. There is more places in the UK other than London. ARGH.
Try to calm down.
I will echo the comments above. Its cool that Zach is really accessible to the fans and understands his role in making the show successful and the role sponsors play. Zach seems to have a better understanding of the demographic of the show and how tv advertising needs adapt to new technology like DVR, Hulu and downloads that to then the executives do. I think Zach is spot on with how product placement is where the future is going and that the viewers understand how its a business and we don’t mind having subway sanduiches in the show and most of us didn’t even cringe too much when hearing how a matrix is the ideal get away car. I think Chuck has already demonstated that it can profitable this way instead of the traditional way of ratings. The executives need to adapt to the new ways people watch tv and Chuck and be at the forefront of this.
I found interesting Zac mentioning Toyota as a sponsor. Right after the finale & footlong campaign I made a joke in twitter about what was next for Chuck fans. If now they would have to buy both seasons on DVD + a Toyota with a DVD player to watch the DVDs while in the traffic. Oh! And yes, eating a footlong! LOL
Nice interview. I love the idea of a Zac party. That’s hilarious, lol. I love the fact that we may get a back 9 for the season. I rather have them go into the summer though only because the promotion during the olympics I think will really help the show, as much as the wait kills me.
I don’t this link has an extra bit to these vids where he talks about the film PAUL with Simon Pegg.
http://www.collider.com/2009/05/29/zachary-levi-reveals-some-details-about-paul/
Yay! Now I am so much more excited to be going to Comic Con. I have to agree with Zac, I had the privellige of going on the Buy More set back in January and it was the coolest set I have ever seen. It seemed like a real store, I mean, everything was incredibly detailed, and the DVD’s that were in the front of the rack were apparently movies that the set designer had worked on. While I was at the WB studios, the tour guides told me that the cast of Chuck was the nicest cast on the lot, and that Zac was the most down to earth guy. I think this interview just goes to prove that.
P.S. Is Zac dating Caitlin Crosby?
Zacfan Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:02 am
Yes Brenna he is dating Caitlin.
Aw man! When did this happen?
Zacfan Reply:
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I think they’ve been dating a good while.
man love the show in down under…freakin awsome soooo happy theres a season three…
Michael Kostrov Reply:
June 8th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Uh-huh!
I have just discovered Chuck, and am now ADDICTED! It was so weird, they’ve just started showing reruns of Less Than Perfect, and I was curious about what Zachary Levi was up to, so I googled him…I had no idea he was on a current show, let alone the star. What a different character Chuck is from Kip….and ZL seems so much more like Chuck than Kip too. Kip was so smarmy, but I loved his character, thanks to ZL. Anyway…it really is great to see he is such a down to earth guy. I can’t wait for season 3 to start!!!
Michael Kostrov Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Completely agree!
YAY! Melissa, you should ChuckMeMondays with us if you twitter or you can comment on chucktv.net as we rewatch Seasons 1 and 2 over the summer! Welcome to the fold!
I can’t see the videos, I’m from Spain I do not know if that will have to see, but I didn’t leave the players.
Greeting and I hope Chuck last many years.