Spring into Fall: NBC Renews "Chuck," "Life," and "Heroes"

Good news, bad news for Chuck fans: the series will be returning to NBC, just not as early as those promos would have you believe.

NBC picked up second seasons of freshman dramas Chuck and Life, along with a third-season order for drama Heroes, but has no plans to return either series to their schedule before this fall. All three will have major re-launches next season.

Which means those of us hooked on the adventures of Chuck Bartowski and his gang of spies and retail clerks will have to wait quite a while for fresh installments.

"We are thrilled to be bringing back the high-energy dramas Chuck and Life for next season," said NBC Entertainment Co-Chairman Ben Silverman in a statement. "Additionally, we will be saving and re-launching our #1 drama and most successful franchise, Heroes, so that it will run in all original episodes in the fourth quarter."

"These pickups are a sign of our confidence in these quality series and will allow the respective producers to get a head start on their creative arc for next season," continued Co-Chairman Marc Graboff. "As a result, they give us a lot to build on as we point to next year's schedule."

While I am happy that Chuck didn't get a premature cancellation in the face of fallout from the writers strike, I was hoping to get my Monday night fix a little earlier than, say, September. Still, good news for the kids at the Buy More. I think it might just call for sizzling shrimp for everyone.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: Micronesia--Fans Vs. Favorites (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Smallville (CW); Lost (ABC); NAACP Image Awards (FOX; 8-10 pm)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); Celebrity Apprentice (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Lost (ABC)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Lipstick Jungle (NBC); Eli Stone (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Lost.

Missed last week's episode which introduced four new strangers to the island? Here's your chance to catch it again before this season's third episode at 9 pm!

8 pm: Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America.

Season Four of the original UK Kitchen Nightmares begins tonight. On this week's installment ("The Fish & Anchor"), Gordon Ramsay heads to rural Wales where he encounters a bar and restaurant owned by a former boxer and his combative wife. Can he save this sinking place before the owners end up in yet another row with the customers? And is it worth it? Find out tonight. (A hint to those with some major DVR conflicts: the episode also airs at 5 pm and 10 pm PT AND at 11 pm ET.)

9 pm: Lost.

On tonight's episode ("The Economist"), Kate and Sayid attempt to find Locke and negotiate with him into calling a truce when they learn that Charlotte may be the key to getting off of the island.