Lost? Check out my first and second installments in this great debate, comparing the main characters, friends, and co-workers of Chuck and Reaper! Vote below for your pick of the two.
The boss: Big Mike (and Harry and Emmett) vs. Ted: Not much to say about Michael “Big Mike” Tucker (Mark Christopher Lawrence). He rarely does any work, though he often yells at others for failing to hustle, and he loves fishing. Oh, and he loves him a good breakfast. Get the picture? At Buy More, it’s really the assistant manager who runs the show. We’ve already seen a few, as the sheer power of the position seems to lead people to self-implode. Harry Tang (CS Lee) ended up getting shipped to Hawaii by Casey (not job-performance related), while Lester’s (Vik Sahay) short stint in the role drove the store into the ground. The most recent holder of the office is Emmett Milbarge (Tony Hale, of Arrested Development). That resume is punishment enough. Plus, I can’t stop picturing him with a hook. I’d rather they went back to Lester.
Ted (Donavon Stinson) seems to be right out of the Harry Tang mold. Pompous and rigid, Ted rarely acts human (though why should he on a show about souls?) At the same time, what’s he supposed to do when three (and by the end of last season, four) of his employees are missing work, sleeping on the job, and raiding inventory for their personal needs? For sheer comic relief in this department, I have to go with the Tang. Or maybe Lester. I’m not sure; it’s a tough call.
The “other” boss: Sarah (and Casey) vs. The Devil: First of all, while General Diane Beckman (Bonita Friedericy) is technically Chuck’s superior, his relationship with her is not what I’d call direct report. Therefore, I chose not to include her in our discussion. Second, to minimize the debate, I’m going to stick to where these outside employers affect the main character’s day job.
Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), and John Casey (Adam Baldwin), both appear to have never held down a regular job. Neither seems to understand that it’s really not so feasible for an employee to simply be whisked away all day long. And while the show recently addressed the issue when new assistant manager Emmett called Chuck (Zachary Levi) to task, we’ve never even seen Chuck stop to tell Morgan that he was running out, ostensibly on a Nerd Herd call. As far as consideration goes, Sarah and Casey are low down on the totem pole.
But, they’re eons above The Devil (Ray Wise). Sam (Bret Harrison) generally finds himself walking from the parking lot outside The Work Bench directly into a meadow or a concert hall, no warning provided. But, it’s Ray Wise! Sure, the work sucks, but hanging out with Lucifer? Played by Wise? Hands down winner.
The girlfriend (sort of): Sarah vs. Andi: The truth is that Chuck’s saga with Sarah makes him a stud. As unbelievable as it is (to Chuck’s fellow Buy Morons as wells as to us) that these two are together, the couple sells it, and sells it, and sells it. Even if it’s fake, you have to realize that Chuck comes out a winner here.
On the other hand, Sam and Andi have real feelings for one another. But they spent most of the first season apart, because Sam’s a coward (in love). The guy who faces The Devil each day couldn’t summon up the courage to tell Andi he liked her. And for her part, why not enter the twenty-first century a bit? Be the aggressive one yourself. Not cool. However, the feelings there are real, and have finally been admitted to. The feelings between Chuck and Sarah are clearly genuine, but Sarah maintains her denial. Even so, for being on the show that calls for lingerie (sorry), and for being much cooler and less annoying, Sarah is our champion.
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And that’s that. You know, I considered really pitting one big-box against the other, declaring a winner, maybe even sending out a coupon booklet to the store. But then I figured, why should I make your minds up for you? You can choose your own fictional store to shop at (catch Chuck on NBC, Mondays at 8:00 PM. Reaper premieres tonight on The CW, Tuesdays at 8:00 PM.) Just make sure you send some of those savings my way … it’s not nice to forget about whoever turned you on to a good thing!
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Mar 03, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
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