Yvonne Strahovski Interview

What You Need To Know

"'I had a body paint artist, Rodrigo from Costa Rica, who was kind enough to bring his mother along to try and make me feel more comfortable about the fact that I had a straight male body paint artist.' -Yvonne Strahovski"

It’s been five years since Yvonne Strahovski first appeared as the sexy spy Sarah Walker on NBC’s cult favorite Chuck, and after its bittersweet finale earlier this year, the sparkling Aussie export is ready to move on. She'll appear in next fall’s highly anticipated Seth Rogen comedy My Mother’s Curse, but first we get to see a new side of her in a racy SoBe ad campaign in the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition that features the self-described tomboy covered in nothing more than a bucket’s worth of paint. Here, she discusses moving on from Chuck, what it’s like having a complete stranger use your body as a canvas, and why men should never, ever shave their chest hair.

Congratulations on Chuck. Are you sad that it’s over, or excited to move on?

The end was very bittersweet, but I think we’re all excited to move on. There were a lot of tears on the last day of shooting, and I think I was the most pathetic one, although Zach [Levi] was in close contention with me. But it is exciting to move on. It finished at the right time. I think five years is a great run, especially in this day and age when you see so many shows go up and survive less than six episodes. Given that we were always on the bubble, it’s a great victory shared amongst the cast, crew and fans -- especially the fans, because they were the ones that got us there.

Talk to me about My Mother’s Curse, your upcoming comedy with Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand.

It was really exciting! I auditioned for that and got it, and it was great working with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen. I feel lucky that I got to work with some of the big legends in town.

What was it like working with Seth Rogen?

His laugh is the greatest thing ever. It’s so unique! He was very chill, and the dynamic between Barbra and Seth was great. I’m excited to see what they’re like on-screen. It’s a very cool combo.

Why do you think so many Australians have found success in Hollywood?

I think most of us come from a training background, so we studied it, and we have a real sense of the art of it, and most of us are trained to do an American accent, which is something you definitely need. I think, especially for males, they tend to be quite rugged and scruffy, and I think the industry here likes that kind of energy for their leading men.

Let’s talk about the photoshoot you did with SoBe that appears in the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

SoBe approached us, and I was immediately interested because I’m a fan of their zero-calorie drinks, and I knew about Ashley Greene’s campaign, and I loved those photographs. I had never done anything like this before, so it was the body painting aspect that got me interested in the first place.

Was it awkward having a complete stranger paint your naked body?

It was a little. I woke up at midnight; that was my call time. And I had a body paint artist, Rodrigo from Costa Rica, who was kind enough to bring his mother along to try and make me feel more comfortable about the fact that I had a straight male body paint artist, and she didn’t speak any English, so that was pretty funny. You sort of get used to it after that many hours. You sort of think, "Who cares?" and it looks so real you feel covered anyway. I really love the ways the photos turned out.

How did your parents react?

They were really cool, actually! They thought it was a great idea, and they really loved the photos.

Yvonne Strahovski tells us what she looks for in guys, next...

What’s the best compliment anyone’s ever given you?

That’s a tough one! Can we come back to that?

What’s the biggest grooming mistake a guy could make?

Removing chest hair and hair in general. I think a man is a man, and a man has a hairy chest, so let that be! That’s my take on it.

What’s your biggest turn-on in a guy?

Their personality, I have to say. They have to be gentle, understanding, honest, and compassionate. Sense of humor, as well, long walks on the beach -- that kind of thing.

And your biggest turnoff?

Aside from the hair removal, guys assuming that their pickup line is going to work. I remember being at Greenblatt’s on Sunset, and some guy just walked straight up to me, and he had some bling on and whatever, and said something about a party down in Malibu and asked if I would jump in his car and go to the party. All I could think was, "Who are you? I don’t know you, and I don’t care about how good your car is."

What jewelry is acceptable for men to wear?

I think rings and bracelets and leather bands and necklaces are OK. I’[m] not sure about earrings, but I think the rest is cool.

Who should pay on the first date?

I guess I am a bit of a traditionalist. I think the guy should pay, even though I’m all for equality, and then once you start dating, it’s OK to switch it up. It’s an initial, traditional gesture that is remembered.

Do you prefer when a date is planned out or spontaneous?

I like both, but I do like the spontaneity. It’s kind of cool to just go with the flow and be surprised and not really know where you’re going, as long as they warn you about the dress code. That’s important. If someone takes you out, and you’re wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt and they take you to a fancy place and you’re unprepared, that’s bad.

One final piece of advice for men in five words or less.

Be real; don’t be douche-y. I’m not sure if some people don’t know how to not be douche-y, but we’ll go with it.

Crédits: AskMen

Exclusive Interview: CHUCK star Yvonne Strahovski kicks ass to the end as the NBC series signs off

Next up for the actress - I, FRANKENSTEIN with Aaron Eckhart 

By A.C. FERRANTE / Editor in Chief

Posted: January 27th, 2012 / 12:19 PM

For five years, Australian actress Yvonne Strahovski has kicked ass as CIA spy Sarah Walker on NBC’s action-comedy CHUCK.

In that time, Sarah has went from a cold, closed-off spy, to a loving wife (and still stellar spy) to the show’s titular character Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi).

While the ups and downs of CHUCK being on the bubble for its five years on the air has certainly provided anxious butterflies for the cast and crew during the run, Strahovski says the journey has been worth it.

With the series signing off with a two-hour season finale tonight, the actress spoke with ASSIGNMENT X in this exclusive interview during NBC’s Television Critics Association party where she graciously spoke about the end and how difficult it was to hold back the tears filming the finale. In fact, she even admits to having a hard time getting through this interview without tearing up as well.

ASSIGNMENT X: It must have been a relief to at least know that going into this season, it would be the final year so at least the writers could plan ahead for a change.

YVONNE STRAHOVSKI: It’s great because they could write towards an ending and the writers can have a satisfying time doing it. We can all be satisfied that we put our hearts and souls into a real ending, rather than pretend writing something that would fit both an end and a new beginning, which we usually do.

AX: How was Comic-Con this year – knowing it would be the last time the cast got to feel like rock stars together.

STRAHOVSKI: It was really tough. I struggled on stage not to cry. I got off the stage … I had a moment. It was tough.

AX: Was it rough going through the last few episodes, knowing you were getting closer and closer to the end.

STRAHOVSKI: There was a lot of discussion on set about “is this the end?” There were a lot of believers that “no, it isn’t the end.” And there were other people saying “yes, this is the end.” There were a lot of high hopes on set that we would find out we would get the back nine. I was always on the fence. We’ve always been on the bubble, whether we get a midseason pick-up or end of season pick-up. For me, it wasn’t real until we got to the last one and I realized “I don’t think this going anymore – this is going to be it.” It really hit me on the last one. I cried every day. The last week was horrible. It was amazing, and spending so much time with everyone and I got to purge the last five years out of my system. It’s been very emotional for me. I’ve not known this country without this show in my life as my back bone. I’m getting emotional talking about it. Personally, it’s really an end of an era – five years of being in a new country, starting a life here and having this wonderful show and everyone behind it.

AX: Whatever the wrap-up to the CHUCK story is going to be, I’m assuming the emotions you felt as Sarah, were similar to what you were feeling personally?

STRAHOVSKI: We couldn’t get through some scenes. Zach and I shot one of our last scenes of the series and we made a decision – in this particular scene, we’re not going to cry. It would be better if this scene was non-emotional, but we just couldn’t help it. We were a blubbering mess on the day. It was really hard to compose yourself and not cry. There were so many things like that. I saw the editor last night who is editing the last episode and I said, “what’s it like editing this last episode?” And he said “I’m having to sift through a lot of emotional emotions from the actors that shouldn’t be in the scene.” It’s hard for them to cut it together.

AX: Even Adam?

STRAHOVSKI: Adam’s got a really beautiful soft side and I can tell he was reaching out as well in the last week. We all felt it was the end.

AX: One wish you had told previously, was you wanted to have the story regarding your mother [Cheryl Ladd] resolved – when you got that script, it must have been a thrill.

STRAHOVSKI: I really felt that it closed up the Sarah history for me as much as it could have. I was able to have a bit of a Sarah episode going back and finding out who her mother was, why it happened – it really put the pieces of the puzzle together.

AX: Did you hear what your back story was, or did you not know until you got that script?

STRAHOVSKI: As the season was progressing, I would find out bits of information. I could have asked about the last episode, but I chose not to until the very end. There were only so many scripts left and it’s nice to be surprised when you read a script. Maybe I didn’t want to know, maybe I was in denial of the end. I left it for as long as I could before I found out what the ending would be.

AX: Are you surprised they didn’t explore Sarah’s mother last season?

STRAHOVSKI: There was so much we have to cover with spy stuff – it’s hard to focus on something different and tie it in to the main storyline.

AX: There have so many great guest stars too on this show.

STRAHOVSKI: I was very appreciative of working with so many great actors. Timothy Dalton. Linda Hamilton. Cheryl Ladd was beautiful. Carrie Anne Moss I adore. Tim DeKay – loved him to pieces. We had such a great run and there were so many great people.

AX: Since this was your first American series – did you start to look back on the journey that not only you, but your character went on these last five years?

STRAHOVSKI: I think television is one of the greatest training grounds an actor can have. It’s unbelievably hard core and requires endurance levels like nothing else. The hours we work and the pace we work at and the emotions you have to nail in one or two takes, it really is something I had never experienced. I was so grateful of having the best training ground ever. I did three years of drama school, but that’s something else. Five years on a TV show, I feel I’ve grown a lot. We’ve all grown.

AX: What did you appreciate the most about this final season?

STRAHOVSKI: I think I appreciated the time I got to spend with the cast. I feel like personally I settled in more to living here and feeling like this was home, so therefore, I opened myself more to bonding with all my cast members.

At this moment, Vik Sahay. who plays Lester, leans in to say hi to Strahovski.

STRAHOVSKI: I’m talking about bonding with my cast members.

SAHAY: Oh God. She’s lying to you.

And just like that, Sahay exits with expected Lester timing.

AX: Have you become more of a geek during the course of CHUCK?

STRAHOVSKI: Yes, I think I’m more geeky. I’m obsessed with ANGRY BIRDS.

AX: Have you gotten through all of the SEASONS levels?

STRAHOVSKI: Yes, but I’m ashamed that I haven’t three-starred them all yet. I had a problem. I went to Bora Bora for a vacation and it wouldn’t download in Bora Bora. I guess I’m more open about my geekiness. I love HARRY POTTER and I’m not ashamed to say it.

AX: What’s next after CHUCK?

STRAHOVSKI: I’m doing I, FRANKENSTEIN with Aaron Eckhart. I’m flying away in a month and shooting in Australia, of course.

AX: Is it a retelling of Frankenstein?

STRAHOVSKI: It’s a modern day story. I’m not sure how much I can say. I think it’s going to have action, with a very strong romantic soul-searching component. And I have an accent, not American. I’m really looking forward to working Aaron. I think he’s fantastic and really respect his work and looking forward to spending some time in Melbourne.

AX: Without giving anything away, is the finale a “finale?” Does it play like one and will fans be satisfied?

STRAHOVSKI: I hope so. It’s a surprising turn of events. I don’t think it’s anything people are expecting. I wasn’t expecting it. It surprised me a lot actually. I think it’s going to keep people guessing until the very, very end of how this is going to get resolved.

Crédits: Assignment X

Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin CHUCK Series Finale Set Visit Interview

by Christina Radish Posted:January 25th, 2012 at 9:21 am

With the two-hour series finale of Chuck airing this week, we can finally reveal that we were on set for the filming of that last episode, where we got to interview the cast and creative team about their experiences. While everyone was clearly proud of their work and time on the show, it was also obvious that they were sad to see it go.

During the interview with co-stars Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin, they talked about how what is happening between Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Strahovski) in the finale is going to weigh heavy on people’s hearts, how they’ve done some really gross and inappropriate behind-the-scenes pranks, how hilarious the teaming of Casey (Baldwin) and Morgan (Joshua Gomez) has been, and how they’ll be leaving with a lot of memories. Check out what they had to say after the jump, and be aware that there might be some spoilers:

Question: Adam, in the series finale, what is going to get you, as an actor, and you, as Casey, to cry?

ADAM BALDWIN: Casey doesn’t cry. I think Casey goes out with a bang, or so I’ve been told. It’s emotional. For me, I’ve been through series before where there have been endings that have been premature. With this one, while we would have loved to have had another nine episodes to get through the whole season, I think 91 episodes of a show that was on the bubble is a good long run. I feel satisfied with the course that we’ve taken. I’m grateful that we were able to get this far, so I don’t feel sad. I have all these people’s phone numbers and their emails.

Chris Fedak said that you have no tear ducts. Is that true?

BALDWIN: If he’d have written me to cry, I could have cried. You know the secret to crying on camera? You just think of something sad. It’s easy.

Yvonne, have you really been one of the people who can’t stop crying?

YVONNE STRAHOVSKI: I can’t stop crying. I cried every day, this whole month. I’ve just been crying, every single day. I’m going to cry now. It’s horrible. I cried yesterday when I did my last fight scene, ever.

Adam, since you’ve been through this, do you have any advice for Yvonne?

BALDWIN: Oh, she’s going on to bigger and better things. She’s got nothing to cry about. She’s got all of our phone numbers and emails. She’ll see us around, once in awhile, down the road. That’s the funny thing about Hollywood. Yvonne walked off a plane into a new family here and a new working atmosphere, and now she’s got her feet dug in, in Los Angeles, and she’s established and she’s going to be around for a long time. It’s really great to see nice people succeed.

STRAHOVSKI: That was very nice, thank you.

With the Chuck and Sarah relationship having been such an important emotional through-line in the show, were you happy to see how they dealt with that relationship for the series finale?

STRAHOVSKI: I have to say that in the last episode, what is happening between Chuck and Sarah is going to weigh heavy on people’s hearts. There’s not a lot I can say without giving it away, but there’s a definite element of sadness that we have to go through, to get to the final moment. And then, there’s the funny stuff.

Will it end on a happy note for the fans?

BALDWIN: Come on, it’s a comedy!

STRAHOVSKI: It’s a nice note, but it’s so hard.

Yvonne, how do you feel about being the hot nerd on TV?

STRAHOVSKI: The hot nerd? I’m a nerd, too? I don’t know. It’s so weird. They put me in a pair of high heels in the pilot, and I didn’t know how to walk in them. Now, I do. It’s just that I’ve always been a tomboy, so being thrown into the hot nerd category and the glam thing has been very interesting for me to swallow.

BALDWIN: One of the most endearing things about Yvonne is that she really is just this rugged tomboy character from Australia who is able to embody that glam, geeky, nerdy thing.

STRAHOVSKI: That’s very kind of you to put it that way.

BALDWIN: But, she’s got this behind-the-scenes bawdiness that reminds me of Carol Burnett in her heyday, which is just lovely for a bunch of guys. Movie sets are mostly just guys, with a few ladies sprinkled in to keep us honest.

STRAHOVSKI: I’m not really a lady. Let’s just say that much.

BALDWIN: Yes, you are.

STRAHOVSKI: Really? Oh, okay.

Yvonne, if you were offered a Sarah Walker spin-off, would you be game?

STRAHOVSKI: I don’t know.

BALDWIN: If the price was right.

STRAHOVSKI: Yeah, for $2 million an episode.

But, you have more fun doing movies now, right?

STRAHOVSKI: I don’t know. Look, this has been a long run. I won’t lie. The hours are very difficult on a show like this. I think we’re all a bit worn out.

BALDWIN: We’re satisfied.

STRAHOVSKI: We’re satisfied, beyond belief, with the hours. So, I think, right now, I need to take a deep breath and take a break and do something a little easier on the body. For me, [it’s especially difficult] with the fight scenes and everything. When you get sick, you’re sick for a long time. You just have to keep working through it ‘cause you just can’t rest up. I need to give my body a break, for a little bit.

What is the best prank that went on, behind the scenes?

STRAHOVSKI: Oh, they’re too filthy.

Have you done any pranks to get them back?

STRAHOVSKI: Yes, but they’re really gross.

BALDWIN: They’re really gross.

STRAHOVSKI: It’s inappropriate.

What is the first thing that you want to do, when you have some time to yourself again?

STRAHOVSKI: Sleep.

BALDWIN: Go to the gun range. That’s what everyone wants to hear.

Adam, how did you feel about Casey and Morgan teaming up, in the last couple of seasons?

BALDWIN: [Josh] Gomez is hilarious to work with. He always brings the pizzaz to the scene. I’m just the quiet sniper button that gets to hopefully close it out, if the writers give me a good line, at the end. But, I just play off of him and roll with it. We were joking about putting together an Of Mice and Men production, off Hollywood Blvd. I bet that would be great. I don’t know if we’re going to get that up and running. But, could you imagine a Casey-Morgan spin-off with Grandpa Casey? Could you imagine, in Season 6, Alex and Morgan would have a little piker running around and Casey’s gotta come and be grandpa? Then, I would insist they kill me.

Yvonne, what are you going to take away from this?

STRAHOVSKI: A lot of memories.

Do you have a favorite memory or episode?

STRAHOVSKI: I love the Thailand episode, “Phase 3.” There are so many moments, though. I think, in particular, this season has been one of my favorite ones. We’ve bonded a lot more, knowing that it’s the end, especially the last month. We’ve been hanging out a lot more, as a cast, and just allowing ourselves the time to soak it all up before it all ends.

Who’s the best actor you’ve had to kiss on Chuck?

STRAHOVSKI: I counted how many people I’ve kissed the other day, and it’s not that many. It’s Bryce, Chuck, Daniel Shaw, Beefcake and that nerd guy, in that one episode. There’s no more than that. That’s it.

Will your international fans get to see you make any appearances?

STRAHOVSKI: Maybe. It’s possible, yeah. I’ll have to see how it goes.

BALDWIN: Conventions are fun. I recommend them.

What are you stealing from the set? Is there anything that you just have to have?

BALDWIN: We may be gifted some things.

STRAHOVSKI: Who said that?

BALDWIN: I said we may be gifted some things.

STRAHOVSKI: Can I get my Porsche?

BALDWIN: You have a Tesla now.

STRAHOVSKI: It’s a Lotus.

BALDWIN: You like the Porsche better. What should we take? Some of the weapons. Some of the Reagan paraphernalia.

STRAHOVSKI: We can’t take the weapons. I would take my gun, if I could, but we can’t do that. Not that I own guns, by the way. Just to clarify that.

BALDWIN: I would take the Bible that’s sitting on the bookshelf.

What’s your favorite episode, in this last season?

STRAHOVSKI: My flashback one with my mom.

BALDWIN: I liked the one on the train.

STRAHOVSKI: The bullet train is good, too. Our D.P. made his directing debut on that episode. He did great.

Chuck Final Countdown: Adam Baldwin & Yvonne Strahovski on Saying Goodbye & Looking Ahead

Posted by Mel on January 25, 2012

Back in December, on the second-to-last day of filming Chuck, ChuckTV.net was included among a group of reporters invited to the set to talk with the cast about the finale and look back at the previous five seasons. We’ll be releasing those interviews this week as we countdown to “Chuck vs. the Goodbye” on January 27.

Adam Baldwin and Yvonne Strahovski talked with reporters together, and the bond we’ve seen between Sarah and Casey in the last couple of seasons is clearly there off-screen as well. Yvonne was trying to keep it together as she talked about the end of Chuck, while Adam was more pragmatic but very complimentary about his co-star.

Adam thanks the fans

Adam: First of all, I want to say thank you guys for all your support through the years. You’re a big part of the family and the reason why we continue, because you got the word out and you like the show and we all just really appreciate it. So thanks for sticking it out. You know, we were a bubble show and I think it was a good team effort to get us over that bubble.

On crying (or not) while filming the final episodes

Adam: Casey doesn’t cry. Who told you that? Casey, I think Casey goes out with a bang, so I’m told. It’s emotional. For me, I’ve been through series before where there have been endings that have been premature. This one, while we would have loved another nine episodes to get through the whole season, but I think 91 episodes of a show that was on the bubble is a good, long run, so I feel satisfied with the course of the taping. I’m grateful that we were able to get this far, so I don’t feel sad. I have all these people’s phone numbers, I have their emails.

Yvonne: He’s a heartless bastard, that’s why. [laughs]

Adam: Well, if you had written me to cry, I could have cried. You know the secret to crying right, on camera?

Q: What is that?

Adam: You just think of something sad. It’s easy. On the other hand, Yvonne, you’ve been outed as one of the people who can’t stop crying.

Yvonne: I can’t stop crying. I’ve cried every day this whole month. I cried yesterday. I’ve just been crying every single day. I’m going to cry now. It’s horrible. I cried yesterday. I did my last fight scene ever.

Q: Adam’s been through this. Do you have advice for Yvonne?

Adam: She’s going on to bigger and better things. She doesn’t have anything to cry about. She’s got all the phone numbers and emails. She’ll see us around, once in a while.

Yvonne: Once in a while.

Adam: Down the road. That’s the funny thing about Hollywood. Yvonne walked off a plane into a family here and a new working atmosphere and now she’s got her feet dug into Los Angeles and she’s established and she’s going to be around for a long time. It’s really great to see nice people succeed.

Yvonne: That was very nice. Thank you. I’m going to cry.

Cliquez ici pour voir la suite de l'interview sur le site chucktv.net

'Chuck' finale: Yvonne Strahovski and Adam Baldwin on crying, memories and more

By Rick Porter January 24, 2012 12:00 PM ET

The final days of shooting on "Chuck" brought out a lot of emotions in the show's cast. Most of the cast, anyway.

"I can't stop crying. I cried every day, this whole month," Yvonne Strahovski says. "I've just been crying every single day. I'm going to cry now. It's horrible. I cried yesterday when I did my last fight scene ever."

Adam Baldwin, however, was remaining true to his stoic character of John Casey -- at least in front of a gaggle of reporters.

"Casey doesn't cry. I think Casey goes out with a bang, or so I've been told," Baldwin says. He does allow that the end of the series is "emotional," but he's pretty happy with "Chuck's" five-year run.

"I've been through series before where there have been endings that have been premature," he says. "With this one, while we would have loved to have had another nine episodes to get through the whole season, I think 91 episodes of a show that was on the bubble is a good, long run. I feel satisfied with the course we've taken. I'm grateful that we were able to get this far, so I don't feel sad."

Someone then tells Baldwin about a joke co-creator Chris Fedak made that Baldwin doesn't actually have tear ducts, to which he replies, "If he'd have written me to cry, I could have cried. You know the secret to crying on camera?"

Strahovski: "What's that, Adam?"

Baldwin: "You just think of something sad. It's easy."

As we saw in "Chuck vs. the Bullet Train" last week, Strahovski's Sarah Walker is going into the finale with no memory of her time with Chuck (Zachary Levi). She says it will "weigh heavy on people's hearts" to see them try to get back to where they were.

"There's a definite element of sadness that we have to go through to get to the final moment," she says. "And then there's the funny stuff."

That's not to say "Chuck" is going to a dark place as it ends: "Come on, it's a comedy!" Baldwin interjects.

Asked for their favorite episodes, Strahovski offers up the Sarah-centric "Chuck vs. Phase Three" from Season 4, but she also says the final season has been a string of highlights for her. "We've bonded a lot more, knowing that it's the end, especially the last month. We've been hanging out a lot more as a cast, and just allowing ourselves the time to soak it all up before it ends."

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'Chuck's' Yvonne Strahovski Teases 'Tragedy' for the Series Finale, Cast Would Do a Movie

The actress tells THR what it was like to wrap on Sarah and what fans can look forward to as the series reaches its finale.

10:29 AM PST 1/20/2012 by Jethro Nededog

“I think fans will be surprised where the story goes from this point on,” Yvonne Strahovski, who plays super spy Sarah, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “It surprised me when I picked up the scripts and read them. I didn’t expect it at all.”

Strahovski, 29, wrapped Chuck on Dec. 7 and already has several projects planned. Aside from signing on to a racy Sobe campaign at its spokesmodel, she’s preparing to start production next month on I, Frankenstein costarring Aaron Eckhart and her movie with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen, My Mother’s Curse, will hit theatres in November.

THR spoke to the Australian actress about what we can expect as Chuck reaches its finale and what she’s planning for the future.

In the new Sobe Campaign, you’re naked and covered with paint. What was that like?
Yvonne Strahovski: It was actually pretty cool. I have to say it was kind of liberating. The artist works on you for about six hours. It’s a hand-painted custom design. I was going to say outfit, but…it’s not really an outfit. It is and it isn’t. You kind of feel like you’re wearing something, even though it’s just paint. It was really cool. We shot in Miami. It was like a little mini holiday. We were doing it to launch New SoBe Lifewater with Coconut Water and the three new flavors that they’re launching. It was fun and there are more photos actually coming out in Sports Illustrated on February 14th, I believe. There will be a nice spread in there.

Your movie, Killer Elite, was just got released on DVD. and you actually use your own accent. Does that make the acting easier when you don’t have to concentrate on having an American accent like on Chuck?
Strahovski: You know, it’s funny. I guess in theory that would make sense, but because I’ve been doing the American accent for so long, it’s been five years now, that it was kind of weird actually, to do my own accent. In fact, I had to sort of remind myself to not do the American accent because it comes out so naturally now. So, it was almost more effort at the beginning to speak in my own natural way. I’m not used to doing that on camera.

Chuck wrapped in early-December. What was that like for you?
Strahovski: Oh man, it was an emotional roller coaster. I have to say, it was really…I don’t know if I’ve gotten through any interviews talking about the end of the show without tearing up. It was really, really emotional. I knew it would be. I just didn’t expect that it would be that much. After five years, you become a family. You go through highs and lows together. It’s like you’re blood related. So, when it came to the end it was like, it was like tearing a Band-Aid off, it was kind of sudden once you got to that last scene. It’s interesting now that we’ve all walked away and you sort of figure out, well, I saw all these people every single day and now it’s going to be my choice to keep seeing these people and the friendships that I’ve made. There was a lot of emotion.

Part 1 of the two-hour finale is titled “Chuck Verus Sarah.” What’s going on there?
Strahovski: Yeah, I guess I can say that something is taken away from Chuck. That’s very cryptic isn’t it? It’ll make sense when you watch it. Something is sort of taken away and it causes us to name an episode “Chuck versus Sarah.” I’ll put it that way.

What can fans look forward to as the series winds up?
Strahovski: It’s definitely going to keep people sort of sitting on the edge of their seats, wondering how this is going to finish up, or is it going to finish up in a good or a bad way. It’s quite heartfelt and there is sort of an element of tragedy somewhat leading up to the finale. It will all make sense when you watch it.

What are the chances of a Chuck movie?
Strahovski: There are always more stories to tell. I’m sure that if that idea came up, I’m sure most if not all of the cast members would probably be up to doing something like that. We love each other. We’re such a close-knit group and the crew as well. So, it’s a real community that we’ve created amongst ourselves and the fans. So, I think if it was in the cards, I think we’d all be up for it.

Aside from the relationships, what are you taking away career-wise from Chuck?
Strahovski: It’s just been such a thrilling, sort of, training ground in a way. To be on a one-hour drama like what Chuck is, you really learn how to get your job done and get it done in a timely manner and be on point. We work 15-hour days. You really have to be prepared and know what you’re doing. I think it’s probably the best sort of practice training ground that I’ve had ever.

Chuck airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on NBC

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Short Chat With Yvonne Strahovski: "Long Live Chuck"

We had an opportunity to catch up with Yvonne and ask her some questions regarding the end of Chuck, and what she's looking forward to in her career.

Chuck may have finished with filming, and there may be only a couple of weeks left till the finale airs, but Yvonne Strahovski has a long career ahead of her. Her fans, including us here at Sarah Walker Fangirls, cannot wait to support her in her future endeavors. Watch for this space to turn into Yvonne Strahovski Fangirls.

Here are her answers to our exclusive interview!

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Q: It's been weeks since the final day of Chuck filming. You were really emotional then. Has any of that emotion subsided? Do you still hang out with some of the cast and crew?

A: Some of the emotion has subsided, but I still get very teary when I talk about the last week of filming. I haven't seen anyone from the show since we wrapped because I flew to Miami, then Bora Bora and then there were the holidays with lots of family time.

Q: What's been your most favorite part about Sarah Walker in terms of her inner character? What are you going to miss most about her?

A: Oh man - there's a lot I love about Sarah Walker. I love her bad ass-ness. I love that she grew to be more open emotionally. And that a 'normal way of living' became more comfortable for her. I love that she allowed herself to fall in love. I'll miss all of the above about her. I'll definitely miss kicking ass.

Q: A lot of fans praise you in particular for being able to evoke emotions with just a look. How do you prepare for the big emotional scenes in your work?

A: I do a lot thinking about the scene. I figure out exactly how Sarah would feel in the moment. What she would be thinking and what she would be doing, or wanting to do or say, versus what she is unable to do or say in the moment ...

Q: What are your hopes for the future in terms of the direction of your career?

A: I hope to play a variety of different, juicy characters. I hope to touch on a variety of different genres, and do some film now that I've done years of television. I'm really excited about shooting I, Frankenstein!

Q: Any special additional message you'd like to extend to your fans?

A: I hope you guys enjoy the last few episodes of Chuck. I know I've enjoyed every bit of filming them. And I'm excited for the future and grateful to have the greatest Chuck fans in world. Long live Chuck.

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January 13th, 2012  02:17 PM ET

Yvonne Strahovski looks back on 'Chuck,' forward to 'Frankenstein'

When Yvonne Strahovski joined the cast of "Chuck," the Australia native didn't quite know what to make of the show's "Nerd Herd."

“It was definitely a new concept for me, which now I know a lot more about than I did five years ago," she said.

After the first season, she joined the cast at San Diego's Comic-Con, one of her first big exposures to American nerd culture and the already dedicated "Chuck" fan base.

“That first year, I was blown away with the costumes and everything going on. The response was amazing, they’ve been the most loyal fans ever since," she said.

About her four years of going to Comic-Con, she said, “It’s definitely intimidating with a few thousand people staring at you, asking you questions, you never know what to expect. It definitely took some getting used to. We always play a clip before we go up there for the panel. My favorite part is watching the audience watch the clips of the show. On set, shooting, we don’t get to see anyone reacting to it, so it’s always a nice treat for me, seeing that."

One thing that Strahovski will miss about working on the show (with its third-to-last episode airing Friday night) is "ChuckFest," a fundraiser for Operation Smile that offered the cast the chance to meet with fans in a more intimate setting. "We’ve just heard so many stories about people who love the show, families love the show, people can sit down with their kids and watch it because it’s family friendly, and people bond over the show. [The show says to the fans,] it’s cool to be a nerd, and [it] has liberated the nerd nation in a way. There are so many wonderful things we’ve been told."

In this final season, Strahovski's character, Sarah Walker, has been through a lot: She's had a few major fight scenes and was tortured by Brandon Routh's character, Shaw. About that scene, she said, “It’s quite an effort, it’s almost like a workout to sell that stuff. Anything high energy like that is going to have a big impact on you, physically and emotionally."

"Chuck" wrapped production toward the end of 2011, and Strahovski has a big movie coming up: “In a month, I’m heading to Australia to work on ‘I, Frankenstein’ with Aaron Eckhart, and I’m really excited about that."

She described "I, Frankenstein" as "somewhat of an action/romance in a way. The heart of this one is going to be a lot of soul-searching and heart amidst a lot of the action."

She also has two coming movies this year, the comedy "My Mother's Curse" with Seth Rogen (something of a "nerd herder" himself) and Barbra Streisand, and "Killer Elite" with Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro.

As for the remaining episodes of "Chuck," Strahovski can only say this: “There will be a couple of people who will come back. We sort of get back to the heart of Chuck, and that is the relationship between the characters. I can say that that will become the primary focus leading up to the end."

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Chuck’s Yvonne Strahovski Opens Up

Posted 01/13/12 Shawn Donnelly

Yvonne Strahovski is in a lot of stuff. For the past five years, she’s been the best thing about Chuck, the cult-favorite NBC series that airs Fridays at 8/7c… and ends

January 27. “It’s a pretty big chapter to close,” notes the Australia-born, Polish-speaking beauty. “And definitely very emotional. I cried for the last month of shooting.” She’s also lent her talents to movies like The Killer Elite and video games like Mass Effect 2. The latest starlet to get the skinsuit photo shoot treatment from SoBe (enjoy the outtakes!), Strahovski will next play Seth Rogen’s love interest in My Mother’s Curse. But there’s nothing cursed about her looks—or the strong opinions about fitness, dating and Foster’s she shared in this exclusive Made Babe Q&A.

MADE MAN: We assume you work out a lot. What are some fitness turn-offs of yours?
YVONNE STRAHOVSKI: I don’t know about other women, but it’s not really my thing when guys are way too beefy. Toned and in shape is good.

MM: Any other turn-offs in general?
YS: Yes. Men removing hair from their bodies. I’m not into that. I like a man to be a man. Hairy, you know? Maybe if there’s an overload of back hair, it would be acceptable to remove that. But anywhere else, it can stay.

MM: What’s your ideal-looking guy? Long hair, beard…?
YS: He’s a caveman from prehistoric times. And he has a pet Tyrannosaurus Rex.

MM: So if you were making rules for the gym, what would they be?
YS: People should wear deodorant in the gym. They should wipe their palm sweat off the weights and stuff. Towel off the seat on the bike. Clean up your body fluids!

MM: What’s the best way for you to be approached?
YS: To be approached? By a courting gentleman? I was just approached before. Someone was interviewing me. He wooed me with onion rings. It’s probably not the best way to approach someone. With onion rings.

MM: You also speak Polish because your parents moved to Australia from Poland. Would it be cool if a guy said something in Polish?
YS: Yeah, sure. That’s kind of cool. I mean, the flight attendant on my flight from LA to New York was Polish, so we spoke in Polish, so that was kind of cool. I ordered a glass of wine in Polish. He was from the same city that my parents and my whole family are from.

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Yvonne Strahovski: "Something Tragic" for Chuck

Strahovski talks about the very last episodes of the series, hinting it won't all be good times.

US, January 12, 2012by Eric Goldman

We're just a couple of weeks away from the final episode of Chuck airing, and I recently spoke to Yvonne Strahovski about saying goodbye to the series, which wrapped production last month.

IGN TV: So last time I talked to you was on set, the day before you wrapped.

Yvonne Strahovski: Oh boy.

IGN: What was the final day like?

Strahovski: Oh my God, the final day. Nothing much changed I think from when you spoke to me until that last day except things got a little more intense, and the end was upon us. It was so emotional. I can't get over it. I already started crying before when somebody was interviewing me. It's still so raw.

IGN: We've seen plenty of shows just sort of end, and they didn't know it was the ending. You guys had times when you thought that could be the case. Was it just a relief though to know, "This is our ending. We're getting to tell the ending on our own terms," and know that you could really close out the story?

Strahovski: Yeah, it was a big relief. We got to end it on our terms, and it's so much better than getting the plug pulled on you and, "Show's cancelled. Oh well." It really nice that the writers got to write their own ending and we got to have our last moment with the fans at Comic-Con. And we really got to feel it out, like, the last month. I feel so grateful for the last month of Season 5. It was really special. I can walk away having no regrets, I can walk away knowing I'm going to have some really great friendships out of this, and I can walk away knowing Sarah Walker will always be a part of me. It was really hard to say bye to her. I'm going to cry again. [Laughs] Oh my God, it's terrible. I'm so emotional about it, ugh!

IGN: I'm sorry to make you emotional!

Strahovski: Oh my God, it's been -- yeah. But you know, it's really good. For me, I feel like it came at the right time, the ending. We're really excited to be moving on to a movie now in a month -- I'm going to do I, Frankenstein with Aaron Eckhart, so that's something to transition into film. You know, I just feel really grateful right now for everything that's happening.

IGN: Obviously, without giving away specifics, what did you think story-wise of how the show wrapped up? When you read that script did you feel this is the right ending for Chuck?

Strahovski: It was not what I expected. Oh man, the lead up to the finale is I feel somewhat tragic. There's a moment of tragedy in there. We sort of focus on the Chuck and Sarah story, which is sort of the heart of Chuck. I think there is a satisfying end. But I think the process of getting there is going to be a little on edge.

IGN: A couple weeks back, we had some pretty emotional moments for Sarah, involving that baby she saved and her mother.

Strahovski: I'm really glad we got to do that episode. I always wanted to meet Sarah's mother, and I did say that to Chris Fedak. I wanted to make sure that we did that, but there might not have been an opportunity to do that. So I'm really glad that they've found a way to write that episode. For me, it kind of put the last piece of the puzzle in there for me, and I got to close my book in a way.
 

IGN: Chuck has had its struggles with the ratings, but as you mentioned, with Comic-Con a great example, you always knew you had such a loyal, core fanbase. Has that always been a great sort of touchstone for you guys, knowing that whenever you hear about the numbers you can go and see tangibly these people truly love the show?

Strahovski: Yeah, the fans have been so great. I am eternally thankful for everything they have done, and I feel really lucky. I think I can speak for the cast when I say we can all go off and whatever we choose to do in our careers we will always have people behind us, and that will be the Chuck fans who were there from the beginning. This show holds a really special place in my heart. I don't know this country without this show in my life. So this is the end of a five-year era for me that not only marks the end of a series, but the end of an era in my personal life where I move to another country and didn't know anybody. And now -- I'm going to cry again. [Laughs] But I can walk away with so much more.

IGN: And lastly, what are you playing in the Frankenstein movie?

Strahovski: Well, I don't know how much I can say about it just yet! I'm working with Aaron Eckhart, which I'm very excited about. I really respect his work. And I'm excited to go back to Melbourne, Australia where it seems I'm always shooting movies. So it'll be two months or more out of my year. Yeah, I've got some cool stuff coming up. My Mother's Curse is coming out in November with Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen that I did last year. I've got a cool spread coming out in Sports Illustrated. I'm promoting these Sobe's new Lifewater with Coconut Water

IGN: Oh, one of their body paint pictorials?

Strahovski: Body paint. Yeah, so that's sort of coming out online right now. Yeah, there's a lot going on!

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Chuck Star Yvonne Strahovski Reveals The Secrets Behind Her Sexy Naked Sobe Shoot  

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 @ 10:30AM

With only a thin coat of body paint saving her modesty, Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski is the latest spokesmodel to strip off for Sobe water and RadarOnline.com has a behind-the-scenes look at the sexy tropical photo shoot.

Wearing just an intricate design painted expertly onto her naked body, Strahovski revealed why she wasn't worried about baring all for the new Sobe Lifewater with Coconut Water campaign.

PHOTOS: Check Out Yvonne Strahovski’s Sexy Naked Sobe Shoot

"I was a little nervous," 29-year-old Yvonne told RadarOnline.com in an exclusive interview. "But I've been a fan of their previous campaigns, so I knew half of what to expect and I always thought they came out beautifully."

When asked how the artistic shoot - which included having palm leaves painted across her stomach and coconuts on her hips - differed from posing in a bikini, the Chuck star replied: "I guess I'm a little more exposed. You feel the air against you but the same time you look down and go, 'Oh, I'm covered with this semi-bikini situation on my body.'

PHOTOS: Sexy Stars Who Have Played Assassins In Their Bikinis

"It looks so real. It looks like there are leaves on my body," said Strahovski, who patiently sat for six hours as the design was drawn over her skin.

Instead of obsessively hitting the gym or starving herself before she stripped off for the cameras, the Australian-born actress simply went to work!

PHOTOS: Hottest Gals Who Have Never Posed Nude!

"My show keeps me in shape and I was finishing up Chuck right at the time and we were really busy all the way to the end and I was doing a lot of stunt work.

"The stunts have taken care of that for me with the training aspect of things.

PHOTOS: Celebs Who Posed For Playboy

"I'm not really a fan of the gym, I prefer to go hiking or rock climbing with a friend, so it will be a challenge to find new ways to stay fit when I don't have fight scenes," she explained.

PHOTOS: Celebs Who Have Done Nude Scenes

Now that Chuck has ended its five-year run, Yvonne not only has to say goodbye to her castmates, but also find a new workout routine.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do now that the show has finished because I don't have any more stunts to do, but we'll see!," she told RadarOnline.com.

PHOTOS: Naked Do-Gooders: Ladies Who've Stripped Down For A Cause

"The hardest thing is saying goodbye to everyone, all the highs and lows and all the memories.

"For the longest time I was thinking that it was going to be hard to say goodbye to the cast and crew but in the last few days it really hit me that I have to say goodbye to Sarah Walker."

Yvonne will soon be heading Down Under to her homeland to begin shooting I, Frankenstein with hunky Aaron Eckhart, and while she's currently focusing on her film career, she doesn't rule out doing a real nude shoot if the right opportunity came along.

"I don't know, it would have to be... everything is case by case. It’s like when you're picking a movie or a TV show or role to play, you have to consider the character and the people involved.

PHOTOS: Celebs Who Have Done Nude Scenes

"This one I was definitely attracted to, I think the body painting looks beautiful and it's very classy."

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5 Questions With 'Chuck' and 'Killer Elite' Actress Yvonne Strahovski

Charles Webb in Interviews, Movies, TV

With Chuck nearing the end of its run on NBC this month, we spoke to star Yvonne Strahovski about wrapping up five seasons of the series alongside co-star Zachary Levi, her role in Killer Elite which hits home video this week, and what she has planned post-Chuck.

On bringing Chuck to a conclusion after five seasons:

Yvonne Strahovski: Yeah, it's really emotional and I'm glad we got the time to build up and the writers got to write the whole season leading up to the series finale the way they wanted to, rather than just having the plug pulled on us. We're going out our way and we got the chance to say goodby and milk the time for what it was worth with each other and I can't believe it's over [laughs]. It's definitely made me cry, for sure, a lot in the last few days of shooting.

On getting the ending that she wanted for her character, secret agent Sarah Walker-Bartowski:

I felt really lucky to have played a character like Sarah. I got touch on so many different genres like, Chuck has been a part of the spy stuff and the action stuff as well as the drama, comedy, and romance. So I've just had a great journey. [Sarah] started off as the spy who wasn't very good at expressing her emotions and now, through Chuck, through falling in love and getting married, she's sort of become a more normal person and able to bridge the gap between normal life and spy life.

And in one of the previous episodes that aired, meeting her mother, played by Cheryl Ladd, that was a great sort of piece of the puzzle for me—it sort of made everything make sense up until this point.

On the appeal of her role as "Anne," girlfriend to the retired mercenary played by Jason Statham in Killer Elite:

Yvonne Strahovski: Well, I thought it was pretty interesting that she was pretty much the only female in the movie and she was sort of the heart of the movie as well. With all of this action going on, there was this love story happening between Anne and Danny and I really liked that about it—that it's the heart of the movie.

And I also got to play a character with an Australian accent and she lives in Australia, and of course, work with Jason Statham awesome as well as Robert De Niro who signed onto the movie which a real sort of bonus. I think a lot of actors would want to work with Robert De Niro and I feel really luck to have done that already.

On being the only character not toting a gun in the movie:

Yvonne Strahovski: I felt really good about that because A., it's a change from what I'm used to on the set of Chuck, and B., the story needed to have a softer side to it—it makes it not just an action movie but a love story as well.

On keeping busy post-Chuck:

Yvonne Strahovski: Well, I feel like I'm already busy. Straight after shooting, I flew to Miami and shot the SoBe Lifewater campaign—they're launching new SoBe Lifewater with coconut—so I've just done a photo shoot (mildly NSFW) for that which is going to appear in Sports Illustrated in February. And then, I'm going to Australia to shoot a movie with Aaron Eckhart, doing I, Frankenstein, so that's coming up real soon. And My Mother's Curse, which is a movie that I shot last year coming out in November this year—that's one I did with Barbara Streisand and Seth Rogen.

So yeah, it's been busy so far, it's keeping my emotions in check about Chuck.

You can catch Ms. Strahovski on Chuck Friday nights at 8 on NBC. Killer Elite is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD now.

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NBC's 'Chuck' exclusive: Yvonne Strahovski on series finale, SoBe photo campaign

Matt Carter,  TV Examiner January 12, 2012

For five years, we've come to know Yvonne Strahovski as Sarah Walker on "Chuck" (Fridays on NBC, 8:00 p.m. Eastern) -- and thanks to this, she has devoted a following as passionate as just about any other actress currently on TV. (Want evidence of this? We were sent more potential questions for this interview from readers than any other we've ever done.)

Now that the show is (regrettably) coming to a close on January 27, we had a chance to sit down with Yvonne to talk a little bit about her past, present, and future -- which includes everything from her new gig as the 2012 SoBe Skinsuit Model (inspired by the new SoBe Lifewater with Coconut Water) to her hopes to make the successful leap into film.

Matt Carter: First and foremost, let's talk about this gig as the SoBe Skinsuit Model. What was this whole process like -- I hear there was about six hours of application [when it comes to the body paint].

Yvonne Strahovski: Yeah, it was six hours of body paint application. I had to get up at midnight and we painted throughout the night, and then we went out when the sun was rising to take some photos. We did it two days in a row out in Mimai in South Beach. Despite the long hours it felt like a holiday in the end -- Miami and South Beach are gorgeous and the weather was great.

So were you doing this during 'Chuck' production?

No, we had wrapped up production on the series finale and then a few days later I flew to Miami. I was really looking forward to being there ... like I said it was a bit of a relaxing holiday right after being there and finishing up 5 years of my series.

Jan 11, 2012 by Brian Gallagher

EXCLUSIVE: Yvonne Strahovski Talks Killer Elite

Australian actress Yvonne Strahovski is best-known as the beautiful, ass-kicking Sarah Walker on NBC's Chuck, but she takes on a much different role in Killer Elite: the beautiful, non-ass-kicking Anne, who gets close to Jason Statham while he's living a life of exile in Australia. I recently had the chance to speak with Yvonne Strahovski over the phone about Killer Elite, which just hit the shelves on Blu-ray and DVD. Here's what she had to say below.

This movie shot all over Australia, and I was wondering if one of the big draws for you was going back home?

Yvonne Strahovski: Oh, it was a good draw. A lot of my friends are in Australia, and it's definitely nice to get back there. I missed the more natural aspect of Australia, and I knew we were shooting out in the Yarra Valley, which is beautiful country. So I definitely got back to my roots, doing this movie.

Were you a little bummed you didn't get any action in this, or was that part of the draw too, that you were playing a normal woman?

Yvonne Strahovski: You know, it was a bit of both. I was really happy to change it up, because that's what I love best about my job, that I get to play so many different people in one lifetime. I did get a little jealous, I have to say, when the guys were throwing punches. I sort of wanted to get in there and throw a couple of punches myself (Laughs).

There are some great fight scenes in here too, so I can definitely understand that.

Yvonne Strahovski: Yeah, there are some really awesome fights in the movie.

Can you talk a bit about working with Jason? Did you have a lot of time before shooting started?

Yvonne Strahovski: We didn't have too much time together. I did meet him for lunch, at one point, before we flew to Australia. We were really getting to know each other on set, and just go straight into it. He's a really funny guy. I said to him that he should be doing more comedies than action movies. He's equally as funny as he is Mr. Tough Guy.

Yeah. I've met him a few times, and he's rather hilarious. It'd be nice to see him to an action-comedy.

Yvonne Strahovski: Yeah, definitely.

Those scenes you did with Robert (De Niro) must have been quite a thrill. Can you talk a bit about those days on the set?

Yvonne Strahovski: I didn't know Robert De Niro was going to be in the movie, when I first signed on to do it. It was quite a surprise. I remember getting to Melbourne and walking into the production office. They have all the actors' photos on the wall, in the production office, and there I was with Jason. Then I saw Robert De Niro's photo and it was like, 'Oh my gosh. Is he going to be a part of the movie?' I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. It was one of those things where you feel so lucky to work with a legend in the industry. He's so sweet and made me feel so comfortable on set. There's an air of giddyness throughout the cast and crew. You could tell that they were all super-excited to have Bobby D down in Melbourne, Australia, shooting a movie.

I read an interview with you recently where you talked a bit about the Chuck finale. You said there were some rather shocking elements to it, Is it shocking in a good way, or can you elaborate a bit on that?

Yvonne Strahovski: It's shocking in the way we get to the end, I think. I was shocked when I read the script, and it will definitely keep people on the edge of their seats, wondering how it's going to get resolved and finished up. I mean, we do have an episode that's called Chuck vs. Sarah, after all. That's, I'm sure, raising a few eyebrows.

Is there anything else you have coming up in your post-Chuck career you can talk about?

Yvonne Strahovski: I've been kind of busy already. When we wrapped, I did a SoBe Life Water campaign. They're launching this new SoBe Life Water's coconut water, so I got body paint for that. I'm flying in a couple of weeks to Australia to shoot another movie with Aaron Eckhart, which I'm really excited about called I, Frankenstein.

I read you play a scientist in that. I'm really intrigued about this project, so could you talk a bit more about your character, and how she fits into the story?

Yvonne Strahovski: Well, it's going to be sort of an action-drama-romance type movie. I play a scientist, and I think I'm changing up my accent. I'm going to be British in this one, which is nice for a change. I've been an American for so many years now (Laughs). It's kind of a modern take on the original (Frankenstein) story. There will be some romantic elements, I think it's safe to say that much.

Finally, what would you like to say to anyone who didn't see Killer Elite in theaters about why they should pick up the Blu-ray or DVD

Yvonne Strahovski: Oh, it's an awesome movie, and definitely one to watch when you're cuddled up on your couch. It's a good night of entertainment, and I definitely recommend it.

Great. That's my time. Thanks so much for talking to me, Yvonne.

Yvonne Strahovski: Awesome. Thank you.

You can watch Yvonne Strahovski in Killer Elite, which is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Killer Elite was released September 23rd, 2011 and stars Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Dominic Purcell, Aden Young, Yvonne Strahovski, Ben Mendelsohn, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The film is directed by Gary McKendry.

Sources: Brian Gallagher

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‘Chuck’ Star Yvonne Strahovski Teases ‘Tragic’ Finale

by David Onda | January 11, 2012 at 12:32 PM |

In just two weeks, the Nerd Herd will be stabled permanently as the NBC spy dramedy “Chuck” airs its final episodes in a two-hour finale January 27.

It’s been a long and winding road for Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), the geeky computer expert-turned-super-spy, and Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), the super-spy-turned-trophy wife, but according to Strahovski, the couple’s drama is far from over. The 29-year-old actress had been running the publicity circuit for several projects this week, when she revealed a disconcerting bit about Chuck’s final mission.

“I had very specific things that I thought [the finale] was going to be, and it turned out to be not what I thought,” Strahovski told TVLine. “There will be a satisfying ending, but it’s almost slightly, slightly tragic.”

To say that Yvonne’s revelation is more alarming to fans than it is reassuring would be an understatement. I followed up with the actress during an interview for her film “Killer Elite” – which is now available on XFINITY On Demand, DVD and Blu-ray – and asked her to elaborate. Which she did. Sort of.

“I hope that NBC isn’t mad at me for promoting the final episode like that,” she said, laughing. “It might get people watching.”

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Strahovski continued, “It’s definitely a surprise turn. It’s not the way I expected [the finale] to go. It’s definitely satisfying in the end, but we’ve got to get there somehow. And it is somewhat sad, what’s happening.”

When I jokingly suggested that I’ll assume Chuck dies, she simply replied with a laugh and, “Ok.”

“Chuck” has been in a permanent state of limbo since the end of the second season, with fans mounting successful Internet campaigns to save the struggling geek show each year since. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm didn’t translate into ratings – a stinging point recently made by NBC President Bob Greenblatt.

“Have you seen the ratings for ‘Chuck’? Unfortunately, that rabid fan base that was going crazy on the ’net didn’t come to the show,” he said after a Television Critics Association press conference, later adding, “’Chuck’ is over. Let’s alert the masses.”

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Jan 11, 2012 by Brian Gallagher

EXCLUSIVE: Yvonne Strahovski Talks Chuck and I, Frankenstein

I recently had the chance to speak with Yvonne Strahovski about Killer Elite, which just hit the shelves on Blu-ray and DVD January 10. We also talked a bit about the upcoming two-hour series finale of her NBC show Chuck, which airs Friday, January 27. The episodes, entitled Episode 5.12: Chuck Versus Sarah and Episode: 5.13: Chuck Versus The Goodbye, definitely have some shocking elements.

"It's shocking in the way we get to the end, I think. I was shocked when I read the script, and it will definitely keep people on the edge of their seats, wondering how it's going to get resolved and finished up. I mean, we do have an episode that's called Chuck vs. Sarah, after all. That's, I'm sure, raising a few eyebrows."
The actress also talked a bit about her role in I, Frankenstein, the adaptation of Kevin Grevioux's graphic novel, where she plays a scientist who tries to bring people back from the dead. Here's what she had to say about her character.

"I'm flying in a couple of weeks to Australia to shoot another movie with Aaron Eckhart, which I'm really excited about called I, Frankenstein. It's going to be sort of an action-drama-romance type movie. I play a scientist, and I think I'm changing up my accent. I'm going to be British in this one, which is nice for a change. I've been an American for so many years now (Laughs). It's kind of a modern take on the original (Frankenstein) story. There will be some romantic elements, I think it's safe to say that much."
I, Frankenstein comes to theaters February 22nd, 2013 and stars Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Socratis Otto. The film is directed by Stuart Beattie.

Sources: Brian Gallagher

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Exclusive Interview with Yvonne Strahovski

On 'I, Frankenstein,' the 'Chuck' Finale, and Bodypainting

By Rebecca Murray, About.com Guide

Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck, Killer Elite) was just about to take off for the airport in New York to fly to LA when she graciously spoke to me about a multitude of her current and upcoming projects, including her involvement in the SoBe Skinsuit campaign. Strahovski is the latest gorgeous actress to have her body painted as part of the SoBe Lifewater ad campaign, with artists painstakingly drawing palm fronds and coconuts across her body during six hour makeup sessions. The result is striking, but don't just take my word for it. Check out the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for the finished photos or visit SoBe on Facebook for behind-the scenes shots.

But having her body painted isn't all that's keeping Strahovski busy. The series finale of Chuck is set to air on January 27, 2012, she recently completed work on the comedy movie My Mother's Curse with Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand, and in the next few weeks she'll begin work on the much buzzed-about film, I, Frankenstein, starring Aaron Eckhart.

Although her time was limited due to a tight travel schedule, we were able to chat about all of her big projects in this short-but-sweet interview. And for Chuck fans, she even clarified her comment in a recent interview about the finale of that series being "slightly, slightly tragic."

Exclusive Yvonne Strahovski Interview:

You had six hours worth of makeup applied for the SoBe campaign. How do you sit through that without going crazy?

Yvonne Strahovski: "It's not something I've ever done before, the bodypainting, so it was definitely interesting. It's an interesting process. I stayed awake for the most part of it. I was a little delirious just because we had to get up at midnight. But, yeah, it was pretty awesome. I was really impressed with the design in the end because it really does look like I have palm fronds and coconuts on my body. It looks really cool. It totally reflects the drink as well, because SoBe's launching the new SoBe Lifewater with Coconut Water so hence the coconuts on my left hip."

Were you able to give any input into the design?

Yvonne Strahovski: "I had a little input, yeah. They designed it and we sort of tweaked it a little bit. And then the artist painted it on for six hours. We did it two nights in a row, actually."

After going through a process like this, would you do it again?

Yvonne Strahovski: "Yeah, sure. I mean, I think the photos look really cool at the end of the day. It was part of my decision when I saw the previous campaigns, like Ashley [Greene] and Jessica [Szohr] - they did the previous campaigns - and I really loved the work they did and their photos. Raphael Mazzucco, the photographer, does a really nice job. So, it was definitely something that attracted me to the campaign in the first place. You know, the bodypainting."

You haven't started on I, Frankenstein yet, but what drew you to the film in the first place?

Yvonne Strahovski: "Well, number one is working with Aaron Eckhart. I think he's a wonderful, wonderful actor. I'm super excited to meet him and work with him. I hear he's amazing on set to work with, and he gets very involved in his characters. I'm really looking forward to that. Plus, it's something a little different. I have a British accent in this and I'm a scientist, so it's sort of another character to play, which is what I love about my job is that I get to be a bunch of different characters in one lifetime."

Were you familiar with the graphic novel?

Yvonne Strahovski: "I actually just started reading it on my flight to New York. I'm getting through it, yeah."

Can you describe the tone for those of us who haven't read it?

Yvonne Strahovski: "It's written in 1817, I believe, so it's very old-school. It's an old, old language. It starts off in the form of a couple of letters and then it goes into the narration from Victor Frankenstein's point of view. It's kind of a unique way to start, with a couple of letters and then launching into the actual story. It changes gears in that way. I'm excited. I'm about to jump on a plane back to LA so I'll continue reading it."

And you've also got My Mother's Curse heading to theaters this year.

Yvonne Strahovski: "I shot that before I started shooting season 5 of Chuck. That is coming out in November, at the end of the year, which is a straight-up comedy. That was really fun to be a part of, you know, working with Barbra Streisand who is one of the legends around town, and Seth Rogen who's awesome. They're a great dynamic. They play mother and son in this movie."

You don't really picture those two as mother and son, but it works?

Yvonne Strahovski: "It works, yeah. [Laughing] They're really great together. It really does work, and the script was awesome."

In a recent interview you did about the finale of Chuck, which we're all really sad to see come to an end, you said it's slightly tragic. Can you clarify that a little?

Yvonne Strahovski: "It's so hard to explain without giving it away. Something is taken away from Chuck [played by Zachary Levi] and Sarah, and in that sense it becomes slightly sort of sad and tragic. I think audiences will be sitting on the edge of their seats wondering how this is going to get resolved and how this is going to finish up. I certainly was taken by surprise when I read the script for the first time. It's definitely unexpected and sort of shocking. And we do focus on the heart of the story, the heart of Chuck, which is the relationships and the Chuck and Sarah love story."

All the popular shows seem to be airing their finales and then almost immediately there's talk of feature film versions of the series. Will there be a feature film of Chuck?

Yvonne Strahovski: [Laughing] "Maybe, I don't know. If it comes up, I'm sure we'll be interested."

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Yvonne Strahovski On The Chuck Finale

Dave Golder at 09:24am January 10 2012

 “There will be a satisfying ending, but it’s almost slightly, slightly tragic, the lead-up to what happens.”

With Chuck’s two-hour series finale due to air on Friday 27 January (oh, that seems far too near), TVLine has been talking to Yvonne Strahovski, aka Sarah Walker, about what we can expect. And while she doesn’t go into specifics, what she does say is certainly tantalising.

“I had very specific things that I thought it was going to be, and it turned out to be not what I thought,” she says.

NBC’s official synopsis reveals: “After a harrowing mission, Sarah returns to Chuck with a huge secret. Chuck enlists his family, friends and some unexpected allies as he races to stop villain Nicholas Quinn (guest star Angus Macfadyen, Braveheart) from destroying everything Chuck has built over the past five years.”

Which may sound action-packed but Strahovski emphasises, “We’re going to see a lot of the focus on the Chuck and Sarah love story, which is the heart of the show,” adding that the finale, “surprised me to the point where I kind of felt like an audience member myself, sitting on the edge of my seat wondering, ‘Oh my gosh, how is this going to get resolved?’

“There will be a satisfying ending,” Strahovski stresses “but it’s almost slightly, slightly tragic, the lead-up to what happens.”

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January 9, 2012 01:38 PM PST

Yvonne Strahovski Surprised By Chuck's Series Finale: 'It's Satisfying, But Almost Tragic'

Matt Webb Mitovich

We spy anxiety building in the loyal fans of NBC’s Chuck, especially for those about to read here what Yvonne Strahovski shared with TVLine about the two-hour series finale airing Friday, Jan. 26.

When asked about her expectations for the five-year-old series’ capper versus what it actually presented itself to be, the Aussie beauty – perhaps skilled by her time playing a savvy CIA agent – ably sidestepped that “trick” question, saying, “I can’t tell you my expectations, because then I reveal what the finale is not.”

But then, measuring her words with some care, Strahovski went on to share, “I had very specific things that I thought it was going to be, and it turned out to be not what I thought.”

In fact, she says, the final leg of Team Bartowski’s journey “surprised me to the point where I kind of felt like an audience member myself, sitting on the edge of my seat wondering, ‘Oh my gosh, how is this going to get resolved?’”

Wait, there are things to be resolved? Edge-of-seat kinds of things? Should fans prepare to be left hanging? “There will be a satisfying ending,” Strahovski reassures, “but it’s almost slightly, slightly tragic, the lead-up to what happens.”

A well-placed source echoes Strahovski’s intimations, telling TVLine that elements of the finale are, indeed, “pretty shocking.”

Officially, NBC’s synopses for the series-ending hours read, in part, “After a harrowing mission, Sarah returns to Chuck with a huge secret,” then, “Chuck enlists his family, friend and some unexpected allies as he races to stop [villain] Nicholas Quinn (guest star Angus Macfadyen, Braveheart) from destroying everything Chuck has built over the past five years.”

But Strahovski boils it down thusly, and romantically: “We’re going to see a lot of the focus on the Chuck and Sarah love story, which is the heart of the show.”

Chuck fans, are you readying for the show’s final mission?

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Hair Ideas: Yvonne Strahovski Gets a Chris McMillan Cut

by Kate Sullivan, Writer, January 9, 2012, 1:55:22 PM

Yvonne Strahovski delivers some painful blows as tough CIA hottie Sarah Walker on Chuck. But it was at an Allure shoot where hairstylist Chris McMillan gave her a sexy, shoulder-skimming bob that she showed her ability to roll with the punches as McMillan lopped off her hair. We asked Strahovski what she thought of the look—and for more, check out "The New Rachel" in the January issue and our behind the scenes video of the shoot.

What did the cast and crew of Chuck think of your cut? "Everyone loved it. I'm still getting compliments on it. And I really didn't expect it—the shorter it became, the more I fell in love with it. It's so much easier to handle now. I wake up and it's in place. I wish I'd cut it sooner."

What was your first thought when Allure approached you to cut your hair off for this story? "I was hesitant at first, but of course, when you're in the hands of somebody like Chris McMillan, who does amazing work and has such a good reputation, it became the perfect excuse to have a cut I wouldn't have done otherwise."

On the set, you found out that McMillan wanted to lighten you hair. How did you react? "I got a little bit scared, but he kept it blonde; if it were green it would have been a different story. It brightened my face."

Your face looks pretty bright as it is. Any tricks? "I use a cleanser, a scrub, and serums from MyChelle. I also use a Neutrogena face wash, which is great after working long hours with loads of makeup."

Have you learned any beauty skills from being in the makeup chair at work? "I've learned so much—even just putting on eyeshadow. That you use three different shades. I also learned to smile to make my cheeks stick out when I'm applying blush in an upward motion along my cheeks. I was a bit of a joke when it came to doing my hair and makeup at first. I was a bit of a tomboy. I'd never really walked in high heels until I got this job."

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Exclusive Interview: CHUCK star Scott Krinsky clears his head and looks back on the series

The actor talks five seasons of being Jeff on CHUCK

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Contributing Writer

Posted: January 7th, 2012 / 05:02 PM

On NBC’s CHUCK, now on Friday nights at 8 PM as it winds up its fifth and final season, the title hero played by Zachary Levi is still juggling his Buy More workplace and his secret identity as a spy. The spy missions can be dangerous, even deadly, but they lack one menace found only at the Buy More – the team of Jeff Barnes and Lester Patel, played respectively by Scott Krinsky and Vik Sahay.

Washington,D.C.native Krinsky’s background in standup comedy has served him well in his role as Jeff, who until earlier this season has been wandering around in a state of strangeness fueled by alcohol, drugs and Lester’s influence. When Chuck’s doctor brother-in-lawDevon(Ryan McPartlin) cured Jeff of carbon monoxide poisoning (Jeff had been sleeping in his van with the motor running), Jeff went through a radical change of personality.

He’s a model citizen – for now, at least. Krinsky – with some guest comments from costar Yvonne Strahovski (who plays Chuck’s wife and fellow spy Sarah Walker) – talks to us about Season Five, some of his favorite moments and the Jeff/Lester musical combo known as Jeffster.

ASSIGNMENT X: Were you pleased/surprised/not surprised that CHUCK was picked up for a fifth season?

SCOTT KRINSKY: You know, I have always been such an optimist about the show, so [not surprised]. I feel like it’s a great show and we have amazing fans. I felt better about coming back this season than I ever did, because I knew from a business standpoint, with the whole syndication, that it felt like it was a really good chance that it would come back.

AX: Were you concerned at all about the Buy More coming back?

KRINSKY: No. I felt like, if it was going to be the last season, they’re going to keep the whole show intact.

AX: It seems like you might have had reason for trepidation about Jeff’s place on the show when the Buy More blew up at the end of Season Three. Were you worried?

KRINSKY: Of course I was. It was like, “Whoa, are they going to do one of those big season game-changers?” It’s a real game-changer and that doesn’t include me. Would you not worry if the office where you go to work blew up? Yeah, I was very worried.

YVONNE STRAHOVSKI: To be honest, I was [worried]. I was wondering, “God, what are they going to do? What is going on?”

KRINSKY: You’d miss us, right?

STRAHOVSKI: Sh**, yeah. It wouldn’t be the same. That’s the beauty of our show – we have this great mix of the Buy More, the nerd stuff and then the spy stuff and the funny …

KRINSKY: I’m crying now, tears in my eyes …

AX: Were you given any reassurance at the end of the season that you’d be coming back with the show?

KRINSKY: There were some hints. “Don’t go off yourself, don’t go drinking too much and taking pills, it may not be as bad as it looks.”

AX: Jeff has really cleaned up his act this season since he’s recovered from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, for four seasons, did you feel a particular sense of responsibility to slackers everywhere, playing perhaps the most extreme slacker in a group of slackers?

KRINSKY: Yeah, it doesn’t get any slacker than the way Jeff [was]. He was coming to work hung over and who knows what else. He’s a great, fun character to play and it’s a blast working with these guys and our amazing writers. We have the most amazing writers. I read the scripts and I’m always cracking up when I read it.

AX: Was the toilet stall where Jeff hung out the size of an actual toilet stall?

KRINSKY: Yes. It’s a handicapped-size stall. Because Jeff is kind of a handicapped person. I think they’re thinking of putting Jeff’s bathroom in the Smithsonian.

AX: When you were first told that you and Vik Sahay were going to be singing and playing as Jeffster, what did you think?

KRINSKY: When they told us we were going to be singing, we were terrified, but at the same time, I thought it was really exciting that we were going to have this band and it’s been great. The fans love it, and it’s fun to perform.

AX: How is it when you play in Jeffster at Comic-Con?

KRINSKY: Yeah. It’s all over YouTube. We had a music video to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” And I got finger burns from spraying foggy mist around Vik. It was amazing. And our biggest fans were there and we just had a blast. It was awesome. And I felt like a real rock star.

AX: Was there a lot of emotion at this last Comic-Con?

KRINSKY: There was. I mean, to think that it might be our last season going there as a cast, it was emotional, but at the same time, we meet so many fans and it’s so fun. I’m swept up in an emotion of fun, of feeling good and getting to meet all the fans, which is the reason we’re there in the first place.

AX: Will we see any more of Jeffster?

KRINSKY: It’s a safe bet. You can’t have a whole season of CHUCK without Jeffster.

AX: When Chuck the character first got kung-fu, did you have any concerns as to how that might factor into his interactions with his Buy More colleagues?

KRINSKY: Well, I guess we could [have had] our asses kicked by Chuck [laughs], if his powers sort of popped up while we were pissing him off or bugging him or making his life miserable, as we do sometimes at the Buy More.

AX: Did you have any clue as to Jeff’s past as a videogame champ prior to the second-season episode “Chuck Vs. Tom Sawyer”?

KRINSKY: No, I didn’t, actually. They always know what’s coming up, but I don’t want to know until I read it, so I was like, “Don’t let me know anything,” and it was great to find out that [Jeff had a past as a gaming champ]. I saw THE KING OF KONG, of course, the documentary that it’s based on, so it was awesome.

AX: Do you have any videogame-playing in your real-life past?

KRINSKY: Yeah. The thing is, I’m not a big gamer right now, I don’t do a lot of games, but those were the Missile Command, Donkey Kong, Carnival, Centipede, all those old arcade games, the quarter games.

AX: How did you like working with the Gretas, the CIA agents who were installed undercover at the Buy More?

KRINSKY: The Gretas have all been really great to work with. Summer Glau was one of the Gretas, and Isaiah Mustafa, so yeah, it was been a lot of fun.

AX: Jeff and Lester still think that Casey is not a spy, but rather a hardcore partyer, based on them finding him drugged on the street …

KRINSKY: It was fun to [apparently] find out this about Casey, that he has a little bit of a wild side, and it’s fun to play those scenes with Adam [Baldwin] as well. He’s really got a great sense of comedic timing.

AX: Were you surprised when Jeff actually stumbled upon doing something emotionally right with his editing of the music video for Chuck and Sarah’s wedding?

KRINSKY: [laughs] Yeah. I love when Jeff gets to have kind of more human, more touching moments like that. It shows another side of him than his binge drinking and drugging. It’s nice to see that he’s got a human side, heartfelt.

AX: Were you surprised by Jeff’s sudden recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning?

KRINSKY: Yeah. It wasn’t the pills and alcohol after all. I was really excited, just to do something different with the character and to see him going in a more positive direction.

AX: Was it a relief to get to wear a suit and have a haircut?

KRINSKY: Yeah, it was fun. You change your look and you feel different and the character becomes different, and it was fun to go in and see everybody’s reaction, even on the crew, and [hear them] say, “Oh, my God!” Because they didn’t know until I walked in on the set.

AX: How was it playing the comedy once you were coming at the comedy from a different direction?

KRINSKY: It’s no different really, I think, as an actor, because you’re still just playing the scene, you’re playing what’s written and you just hope it works. I sort of became the straight man to Lester and it was so funny, it was a different dynamic between us, and it was nice to change it up at the end here.

AX: Is Jeff trying to straighten out Lester now? Is that how the characters wind up?

KRINSKY: I don’t really want to say what, but there’s a nice way that our characters evolve. There’s only a few episodes left and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but I just can say that I really like the direction it continues in and I like the way it ends.

AX: Do you have favorite episodes?

KRINSKY: You know what, when anyone asks those questions, I draw a blank. “Oh, God, you’re putting me on the spot!” I really loved the Tom Sawyer episode and finding out about my past – that was great. That [Season Three] episode with the Buy More rebellion, where we sang – that was kind of a highlight.

AX: Are there things you’d still like to see for Jeff?

KRINSKY: I’d love to meet [Jeff’s] mother, because his mom’s in jail, so I’d love to see his mom get out of jail and see what happens with Jeff and his mother.

AX: What else have you done over the past few years?

KRINSKY: I did a film called SILVERLAKE VIDEO: THE MOVIE, and that actually has Marc Christopher Lawrence, Big Mike from CHUCK, in it. Patricia Rae, who played Bologna, Morgan’s mother, is in the film as well. I did a little part in TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON, [with scenes] in an office. I did make the cut [laughs]. It was great to be a part of a film that big, an incredible experience, working on a film of that size.

AX: Did you have to do anything different for the 3D in TRANSFORMERS 3?

KRINSKY: No. That’s more of a technical thing. On my side of the camera, it’s very different.

AX: For 3D, sometimes they want the actors to move differently than they normally would …

KRINSKY: I think it depends on the shot, but I didn’t have to do that. When we did the 3D episode of CHUCK, I think there were some scenes where I had to do a little something different for the camera, but not for TRANSFORMERS.

AX: Do you have anything else coming up that we should know about?

KRINSKY: Just starting to read a lot of stuff and we’ll see what happens. It’s exciting seeing what’s out there and not knowing what’s next again.

AX: Is there anything else you’d like to say about CHUCK at this point?

KRINSKY: I just want to say thank you to all the fans, because again, CHUCK has the best fans, really, and we are here because of you guys. Friday nights, eight o’clock.

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