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.
Totally love season 2. They need to bring it back on Netflix.
I noticed Life on netflix and LOVE it!!!!! How was this cancelled? Maybe netflix should do this show and give viewers what we want….soooooo upset I’m almost done with season 2
I stumbled upon this show like many others,this was one of the best police shows ever,and I have set them all.I have just finished season one and due to comments from others I am reluctant to watch second season due to lack of great writing that made first season one that was tremendous. Maybe some day some will bring this back,best first season ever.
The second season was just as good! Wished there was a third one. If not for Cruz finding his answers but for the great show it is, police work and the great actors.
Larry Whom ever told you season two is not as good as season one is wrong . This show is fantastic! My comment to Netflix was, if they do not bring it back for season 3 I am cancelling my subscription. I think many of us are sooooo sick of reality shows (which are really scripted anyway) and sitcoms that go on forever and offer no value to my life. For once there is an excellent series and of course the idiot “powers that be” wouldn’t know a great show if it slapped them in the face. WATCH SEASON TWO… Read more »
Found Life on Netflix, it is fantastic. Love Damian Lewis, what a fantastic actor. Looking for other work with him. Forsyte Saga also the best.
They cancel shows like LIFE and Vegas but then continue dragging series after they suppose to be finished. Life is cool its diff something new…. greys anatomy just repeats itself. Keep making boring shows its cool… their ratings will also be low
This was the best series that I’ve stumbled upon on Netflix. They ought to reconsider and bring it back!
I agree… it only got bad ratings coz it played late at night. It was probably the most different crime show ever. Will be missed a lot
I also stumbled on this series on Netflix and I watched BOTH SERIES, evevery show and I LOVED THEM….Someone REALLY NEEDS TO RECONSIDER BRINGING THIS BACK ON THE AIR….
Silverman’s an idiot, “Life” was a great series! It simply needed to be advertised correctly, I just stumbled upon it on Netflix. The writing was terrific, the acting was terrific, what’s not to love? Bring on Season 3!!!
Love the show bought season 1&2 at once watched at once.was amazed it had such low ratings.I think the bad guy’s had so much pull.”they had show cancelled”so wouldn’t be set out.the bank of los Angeles job had people high in the police force involved.they got season 3 cancelled so we wouldn’t find out…
Are Reese n Dani in love. Cause I have been praying for this since the second season started. I just finished the series and I was about to and watch the finale when I realized that I just did. What in the world was that. At least a kiss. Just one.
Seriously my favourite show ever! Have watched both seasons 5 times. I really think that after Homeland’s success and Damian Lewis’ notability; they could re run the first 2 season of Life, let people fall in love with it and then make season 3 for me!
The timing of your comment (today) is interesting since I am watching it right now for at least the 4th time. Love the pacing of the show. It felt so inline with the Zen nature of Crews attempts to get his life together.
Bring Back Life!
Bring ‘Life’ back – nothing on TV now is as good.
I recently finished watching Life and was trying to find more info about it. Seems as though the ratings drop is what lead to such a sub-par second half of Season 2. The writer’s strike also happened at this time, with half the writing staff not returning for the second season, which explains a lot. The first season was excellent, definitely one of the best ‘cop shows’ I’ve seen. Damian Lewis’ Crews is a great character, and has great chemistry with all the other characters. But the second season ended up being very disappointing. I’m guessing there were scheduling/availability issues… Read more »
I just finished binging on “Life” on Netflix, and I’m left with a question. When Jack Reese is threatened by Rayburn, he is told, “There were six, now there are five, but there could just as easily be four.” I count Reese, Rayburn, Nevikov, and Ames, but who are the other two? I suspected maybe the show was cancelled early and so a full six characters could not be developed, but alternatively I suspected maybe Crews was being counted as one who was involved and could eventually benefit (though it’s odd for the threat). Perhaps Sp. Agent Bodner was being… Read more »
Watching this now! Must have been too early for it’s audience. I have loved EVERY episode and think it is one of the best shows I’ve ever watched. I, like Pug Pete, was not even aware of the show! Would love more shows like this. Always looking for the overlooked obscure shows that are now on Netflix, Amazon or Hulu.