This fall, when we at Airlock Alpha took it upon ourselves to begin providing reviews of the new crop of genre shows, we didn't include a couple of shows, including "Chuck," airing on NBC's Monday night before "Heroes."

Why wasn't this series in our schedule? Honestly, I don't think it caught the interest of many of us. Was it too close to home? Maybe, but that's for another column.

So, to make up for this apparent oversight, I thought this time I'd give my general impressions about "Chuck" as well as some observations I have about the new fall season in general especially when it comes to the new crop of genre programs.

As I've mentioned previously, I try to watch all the shows that fall under what I think might be the SF umbrella. That means I've watched everything from "Moonlight" to "Journeyman," and I've come away with one general feeling - nothing new really stands out.

Does that mean the programs are bad? Not at all. It does mean that while they are passable, most of the shows just make me want to tell all my non-SF friends to watch them. They are perhaps in the worst category possible - just OK.

Ah, the dreaded word, "potential." "Why, that show had such potential!" is the clarion cry for many a series that has left the airwaves. The bad news is that you really only have a few minutes to catch the viewers' attention. After that, I can hear people saying, "What else is on?" and the channels being changed across the country.

I'll talk more about "Bionic Woman" again in the future, but this show is in the same boat. I watch an hour, and when it's done, I am left feeling just OK. And in these days of constant and powerful competition for our attention, that's not a good thing.

Add to that, the notion that all the new genre shows are recycles of older programs. "Chuck" is "Jake 2.0" revisited. "Journeyman" is "Quantum Leap." "The CW's "Reaper" is a rehash of "Brimstone." And "Moonlight" is "Angel" redubbed. That doesn't help.

All right, on to NBC's "Chuck," which airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. As part of NBC's "genre night," "Chuck" seems to be intended to balance the night. "Heroes" includes a wide variety of characters, from slick to "unslick." After that, "Journeyman" leans to the cultured among us, with a lead actor who resembles the new James Bond. Everyone is always wearing fashionable clothing, working in upscale jobs and dealing with unusual circumstances with dignity.

Not so with "Chuck."

As one of the Nerd Herd (I wonder which current business this company is based on?), Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi) receives an unexpected e-mail from a former friend. When he opens it, his computer spends hours of time loading his brain up with all kinds of government secrets. This causes Chuck to come to the attention of shapely secret agent Sarah Walker (brought to life by Yvonne Strahovski) and jock spy guy John Casey (best known to genre fans as Jayne in "Firefly"). Of course, now the fount of all secret knowledge, Chuck is needed by the spy community for his unexpected and untimely ability to spout out important facts.

The tough part for Sarah and John is that they need him in the field, but Chuck is in no way able to take care of himself when the bullets start flying.

But they make do, and Chuck occasionally tries to masquerade as a high-class bachelor or another agent. He fails, of course, or else the agents would be unnecessary.

Of course, Chuck's sister has the ultimately perfect boy friend, who Chuck compares badly with. And Chuck's friends and co-workers make Chuck look like a he-man by comparison. I'm sorry, but's that simply way too predictable.

Now, regarding the show's premise itself, I have a few other problems. First, if Chuck got a one-time zap of info, how timely will those facts be in a month or two during an era where communication and information change by the moment?

Second, when a shapely secret agent throws herself at Chuck, he stays loyal to Sarah, who leads him on but never "comes across," as it were? In what universe does that actually happen? Come on, Chuck should have taken advantage of the situation and done the dirty deed. But this is television, after all, and it is shown in the 8 p.m. family hour, so Chuck maintains his dignity and purity, sadly. I mean, I understand that Chuck has to be upstanding, but that much?

Third, how long can the same song and dance be repeated week after week before we get bored? You know, Chuck remembers something important, the agents drag him along, they get caught or distracted, Chuck has to intervene and either he or the agents beat the bad guys?

Based on the ratings, not too long.

Although the show is doing better than its high-class counterpart "Journeyman," it is still sitting on the bubble as far as getting renewed.

Yes, the show has a sweet nature to it, but like its rating, "Chuck" is just "OK" television in my opinion. If after a busy first day of the week at the office, you want to come home and park in front of the tube for some light fare, then "Chuck" is for you.

Wayne Hall is the news editor of Airlock Alpha, writing out of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at whall@airlockalpha.com.