I know, I keep raving about Chuck. I love this show. (Mom keeps teasing me by chanting “Chuck, Chuck. I love Chuck” in a breathless, little girl voice.)

But it’s true.

Why do I enjoy this show so much? It’s the only one that I absolutely Will. Not. Miss. Every Monday at 8:00, I am in front of my television, riveted. And while I do usually watch television at 8:00 while knitting, there really aren’t that many shows on right now that I care about.

But, Chuck is different. Chuck is fun.

Chuck manages to combine international espionage spy-stuff, with the cool gadgets, the secret facilities, the gun fights, the action, car chases, and some impressively choreographed fight scenes with outright comedy and light-heartedness. Add in a smoking-hot cast. Zachary Levi. Yvonne Strahovski. Adam Baldwin. Sarah Lancaster. Ryan McPartlin. These folks are all so very easy on the eyes (as are most of the guest-villains).

More than that, they can ACT. Everyone on this cast is totally believable in their roles, and carry off the seriousness, foolishness, funniness, gravitas, or whatever kind of -ness they need with totally convincing flair. (And, in Yvonne Strahovski’s case, in a foreign accent as well. She’s Australian but does a knock-dead American accent.) And Casey’s growls are divine.

Then there are the writers, who do a bang-up job coming up with stories that are convincing and have the right mix of drama/comedy. They manage to keep Chuck and Sarah’s characters interested in each other, but separated, without too much unnecessary angst. They give Chuck’s compatriots at the Buy More enough to do to add some levity to otherwise serious episodes. (Although I think they get more air-time than they often deserve, but when done well–which it usually is–they’re outright funny).

They can use guest stars without making it look like a casting stunt. Chuck has had some GREAT guest stars. Chevy Chase. Scott Bakula. John Larroquette. Tricia Helfer. Jordana Brewster. Michael Clark Duncan. Tony Hale. Nicole Richie. Ben Savage. Morgan Fairchild. Bruce Boxleitner. Andy Richter. Jenny McCarthy. Gary Cole. Dominic Monaghan. Jonathan Cake. Robert Picardo. And that’s just in Season 2. And each one played characters that FIT, and didn’t feel like stunt-casting.

Did I mention that this show is just FUN? It hits on all cylinders AND I swear, it just keeps getting better and better. I haven’t  been disappointed by an episode all season.

I am not the only one loving this show, either. Just in the last week or so, look at some of the impressive pleas to NBC to renew it.

• GiveMeMyRemote.com has proclaimed this “Chuck Week,” and even redone its banner for the week to read “Give Me My Chuck.” (For that matter, check out their collection of links to various “Save Chuck” sites.)

• Alan Sepinwall has given his reasons why this show deserves to be renewed. It’s also on his best shows of the year list from last year … and its 2009 shows are JUST as good.

• Maureen Ryan from the Chicago Tribune is a huge fan, too.

• Television Without Pity gave its Seven Reasons why Chuck deserves a Third Season. An entire post devoted to this one show, rather than just putting it on its list of generally deserving shows.

• The Fien Print over at Hitfix is lauding the show.

• Jace over at Televisionary is raving about it every week, but particularly about this week’s episode with Scott Bakula and Chevy Chase.

• Media Predict is cautiously optimistic.

• Here’s a series of Reasons to Watch at RTVW

• How about a list of the 5 Best Episodes (So Far) from Ducky?

• Not to mention a whole campaign over at Chucktv.net?

• Oh, and if you’re a Scott Bakula fan, here’s a great interview with him. (Heaven knows I’ve been a huge fan since Quantum Leap.)

Now, seriously. I can’t think WHY NBC hasn’t renewed this show yet. It’s true that its ratings aren’t as good as one might hope, but it’s airing on what may be the most challenging hour of programming.

It’s also really good, scripted television–not some of that reality dreck (or, dare I say, talk shows) that they’re so fond of lately.

Of course, I’m not unreasonable. NBC’s new, um, plan for Prime Time–the one that had them eliminate 1/3 of possible programming time for scripted prime time shows–does limite the possible slots where Chuck could air for next year. I could live with it coming back as a mid-season replacement, if it had to. A deal with Direct-TV where it airs via satellite first, but not live on NBC for months? I’d rather have to wait for months to see season 3, if I at least GET to see a season 3! Because this show is so entertaining.

If you have a Nielson box, please help out and WATCH. If you don’t check out some of the options on the Save Chuck campaign.

Because, darn it, this show is far, far too good to let die. And with the way the economy and all sorts of other things keep piling up bad news? I’ll be crushed to lose this show–one of the very few that actually entertains and diverts me.

Not to mention being fun.

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