While today’s NBC infront presentation brought good news for fans of struggling shows like Heroes and Parks and Recreation. Those who enjoy Life weren’t so lucky.
Life revolves around detective Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis), a man who served a dozen years for murders that he didn’t commit. He lost all that was dear to him but survives thanks to his studies of Zen philosophy. He eventually rejoins the LAPD but is a very different man. Others in the cast include Sarah Shahi, Adam Arkin, Brent Sexton, Donal Logue, Brooke Langton, Robin Weigert, Jennifer Siebel, Victor Rivers, and Jessy Schram.
The NBC drama debuted in September 2007 to 10.15 million viewers and a 4.1/11 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Later episodes sank to a low of 5.72 million and a 2/6. If not for the writers strike, NBC would have cancelled Life after one year. The execs instead decided to give it another try and renewed the series for a second season.
Unfortunately, the next round of episodes didn’t perform any better than the first. NBC needs fewer shows next season because of their Jay Leno experiment but, even if they didn’t, Life wouldn’t be coming back with such poor ratings.
NBC’s co-chair, Ben Silverman, made it official today and confirmed that Life won’t be coming back next season. Thankfully, the last episode of the series gave viewers some closure and answers to ongoing questions. These days, that’s a luxury that few other shows are given.
Image courtesy NBC.
Newer and/or Related Articles
-
Life
May 11, 2012 -
TV Show Obituaries: 84 Series from the 2008 – 2009 Season that are Cancelled or Ending
May 27, 2009 -
2008 – 2009 Cancelled TV Shows: 25 NBC Series That Won’t Be Back for 2009 – 2010
May 20, 2009 -
2008 – 2009 Cancelled Shows: Update on NBC Renewals and Cancellations
May 3, 2009 -
Life: Was that the Last Episode or Will There Be More?
Apr 8, 2009 -
TV Series Finale News: The 2007-2008 Season — Who’s Out and Who’ll Be Back.
Jul 3, 2008 -
NBC Announces Their 2008-09 Schedule. Who’s In and Who’s Out?
Apr 2, 2008 -
NBC New Strategy, Renews Three Shows for 2008-09 Season. What About the Rest?
Feb 20, 2008 -
TV News Briefs: Star Trek, Mercy Reef, Life, Chuck, Blade, Kyle XY and Journeyman
Nov 29, 2007
{ 342 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Oh man, I’m so addicted to this show. Of course, every series I fall in love with it gets cancelled. I cannot explain exatcly what Damian Lewis does to me but it is magical. he is phenominal. I actually have thoroughly enjoyed all of the characters, the story line, the mysteries behind each murder. Excellent writing, acting, characters, excellent scripts. Oh man I would love to see this come back. Thank you Damian Lewis for igniting some things inside of me I haven’t felt in a long time.
Watching on netflix-PLEASE do another season. So hard to find good writing without being “trashy”. We love it!!
I wished the show was still on because it was really good show please put it back on
I’ve been watching this on streampix and I love it. I didn’t know about it when it was airing or maybe was just too busy to watch it??
I agree with everyone – it is such an intelligent, clever, positive show. We need more like it!!
I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE “Life” & think the rating tool need to be revisited or find a different way to poll the audience. Too many shows with creative plots, clean/creative humor, great actors, & great cinematography get cancelled for some sit-com about a strong woman & a simple man. This was about a strong man and a strong woman! People with brains!
Please, bring shows like this back!!!
LIFE was a great TV show. It made me sick when it was canceled. Too many good shows get canceled and stupid shows take their place. There are less and less intelligent shows taking their place. The Vampire Diaries, Syfy shows are for 20 year olds. People a little older like a show with a good plot, good acting – some meat to it.
LIFE was a great show. But you shouldn’t criticize Vampire Diaries without watching it first. The pilot was awful but by season 2 it was one of the most compelling shows on TV. It has a good plot, good acting – some meat to it. You are probably one of those people that hated Buffy just because you judged it by it’s silly title and ended up missing out on one of the best shows ever.
Real shame they killed off the series Life. First up, two great lead actors and the interplay between them in the series was entertaining and more importantly the characters were BELIEVABLE. That combined with interesting plots as well as an underlying theme that actually exercised your brain cells made this a first rate show.
Sadly tastes change and it seems that all the masses want these days is ‘mashed potato’ TV. Endless puerile shows about teenage superhero singing vampire wannabe’s with zero depth that audiences can just let wash over them without having to think or even believe in the actors (if you can call them that!). So long Life…
This show needs to come back on I think it would have a lot of hits u guys just stopped airing it! I would love to see it come back on tv!! The story needs go end we need to find out who set him up
How many smart TV shows will continue to be killed? Jay Leno was the contender? That guy is NOT funny. Americans must be really stupid. But I guess ratings rather than writing quality guide what shows win out in the end. Just when I was beginning to see the overarching theme emerge like a rich, character driven novel, the plug is pulled. Why am I still disappointed? This happens all the time.
Another quality show needlessly killed. I put it down to the promotion, as in there wasnt any. I found the show completely by accident like most others. I honestly believe if people were aware of the show, the ratings would have been much higher. At least Psych is still going strong. Just about the last show i bother with.
← Previous Comments
{ 1 trackback }