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.
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Life
Nov 11, 2007
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there should be a season 3 that show rocked life was so funny and how can they leave u woundering whats next cruz was so interesting resse and cruz work realy well togeter theres so many unasnwered things what happens next do we make it up our selfs please make 1 last season please there is so many fans and my dad and i are 2 of them
That sucks, I think it’s one of the best shows that have been on for ages, and I’ve been looking forward to season 3. Now we will never find out what happens next. No full story.
it make me feel like not bothering to watch any new programs NBC put out just encase they cancel them half way through as well.
Part of the problem could have been the scheduling, I’m not sure about the US but showing it in the UK on ITV2 late at night midweek was probably not a great move
That’s too bad!! The reason it was cancelled was because there are way too many shows as it is. There are shows on every freaking channel, how do you expect ratings to be up? Of course they will drop, I’m surprised that CNN doesn’t have a series. Every channel has either a reality, sitcom, cooking, animals, you name it, it’s there. What a huge mistake to drop a great show! You’re worse than a MLB manager wanting to make 3 pitching changes in one inning, sooooo sad.
Life was a great. I purchases the two DVDs. Well writen with a great cast of actors. Please rethink the possibility of season three to tie up all the loose ends. The thought of a weekly or seasonal slot on the LIFE CHANNEL crossed my mind.
really? you’re not going to continue “life”? will someone else please pick it up? excellent cast and premise…do the reality show drones always have to win?
Life was one of the most compelling TV cop dramas ever. “NYPD Blue” and “The Wire” it was not….but….it had personality and charm. It had great character development…..great story lines…..great sexual tension between Crews and Reese……it had the makings of a hit show if the bean counters hadn’t got their grimy little hands in the mix. The dialog was crisp and clever and Damian Lewis (great actor) and Sarah Shahi played off each other perfectly. There was the ever present on- going plot, which was the real draw to the story line, as well as good sub plots….so we wouldn’t throw stuff at the screen out of frustration at the unsolved long term mystery. And….I mean….Hell ….if anybody can screw up a good thing….it’s NBC. And just as soon as you think they couldn’t possibly make any more bone head moves…..they put Jay Leno on at 10:00 pm. If what’s-his-name……Jeff Zucker…..NBC’s chief bone-head, screws up much more…….there isn’t going to be anything worth watching at all! It’s always about the money and ratings…..that’s why I don’t watch network TV anymore. (I watched the entire Life series on Netflix). Further moving the show around from one night to another is the kiss of death….especially the Friday Night time slot. And…as always….If the general public had even a shred of good taste….none of that would matter. But, sadly, there is nothing to be done about that!
Life was a well written intelligent Police Drama ……(I never seem to tire of them)…..they should bring it back! Scccrrreeeww reallity TV…..I can’t stand it. If the only place I can see good drama is at the theater and on Netflix and HBO/Showtime and British television….so be it. Whatever demise the networks suffer is all well deserved & well earned……they seem to work hard at making all their programing less interesting, less original & more banal and idiotic. They are leading the charge in the Dumbing Up of America. Go for it guys…..we probably won’t miss you!
And another thing…..let’s face it…..Sarah Shahi was just a pleasure to look at. And she’s a good actress…..her delivery and style were great…..but really she didn’t have to say much to make me happy….right? Good luck Sarah…..Maybe Speilberg or Hanks will pick you up!
PLEASE MAKE A LIFE SEASON 3
it is such bull shit!! that they end it i want to know what happens!!!
Bring back Life it was excellent we need to know the rest of the unanswered questions such as who set him up where did the money go etc.
Please, we love it! Bring it a 3 season!!! You cant do this to the viewers!!!
It was the best TV show!
Man, I just finished watching both seasons on Hulu, and the show is awesome. I wonder if this means NBC is testing the water to see if they can get enough viewers for a 3rd season.
I am gutted! Surely another network should pick this show up!!!
There should be a season 3, theres a lot more that needs to be explained: so much has been unanswered. I dont think Cruz and Reese are in a relationship, nor even close to it, he still loves his x-wife and she still loves him, the last episode had no indication of both of them officially loving each other, sure he traded himself for her, but thats because he had to, Roman wanted him (well he wanted Rayborn, but Cruz is now him) theres no real answer, and Tidwell and Reese are still in love with each other, nothing was indicated. We see Ted left to go find Olivia, because they love each other. On that note since Cruz is Rayborn now, what’s next? What Happened to Jack Reese, sure roman said he killed him, but I think he was full of bull, earlier in the season we heard he left, but if you realize it was a cover up, like the misfire of the gun on Man #6 (Not for nothing…). Which brings the big question: Who are the other 3 officers? and whos the one who was in charge of this all? We still havent solved the mystery, season 1 we found the killer, end of this season we found out Cruz’s friend was laundering, that Cruz was Rayborn’s favorite [replacement], and slightly indicated Roman was somebody elses favorite (but whose?). Theres a lot missing still, to much that needs answering. The only way to close this show is to explain who is the man who threatened Jack Reese, why he wanted Rachel, who the other unknown 3 officers are (Originally there were 6, then there was 5 it could possible be 4, Micky, Jack, and then the other guy, but who else is there?), and the rest of the information that has to do with cruz besides the murder.
Looking at NBC’s line up I dont see anything good on that quote that was better than this show, I dont… I bet Damien Lewis would do another season if someone asked him to.
I am so disappointed that the series Life is canceled. It was a well written thoughtful show. But it seems anything that requires thought gets canceled now a days. People don’t want to have to think they want the lowest level of entertainment that can be found. How sad!!!
Who ever is making the cuts at NBC should be axed. Life was an excellent show that made you wonder what was going to happen next and that you could’nt wait to see the next show. Living in Country Australia with only 4 TV channels it was on late at night and I always stayed up to watch it. I even bought the series from America because Australia gets the shows 1 year later and I’ve been waiting for series 3 and I’ve just found out that its been axed.’”F”you NBC
What a tragedy – finally a USA show with wit, intelligence,plot, great acting and fabulous production values – and no audience – What is wrong with you people over there?
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