NBC has finally announced when they’ll be airing the two finished episodes of Chuck they’ve been holding back. Their press release says:

NBC will broadcast two original episodes of “Chuck” (8-9 p.m. ET Mondays) on Thursday, January 24, 8-9 p.m. ET and again at 10-11 p.m. ET — sandwiched around an original episode of “The Celebrity Apprentice” from 9-10 p.m. ET.

These are the last two new episodes of the show, so I’m surprised that NBC is letting them both out of the gate in one night. They’re no holding back anything for a sweeps night, or another special event? And why in the world are they being sandwiched with Celebrity Apprentice?

Is this a mark of confidence that NBC thinks Chuck will be coming back soon? Or are they sweeping it under the rug and writing off this season?