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.
this suck so much
nbc will go down the drain with all the crap they keep
WHAT?! I can’t believe this. Life was the best show on tv. I continue to see excellent shows with great plots cancelled again and again. It seems innovation doesn’t come to networks–they don’t want shows with substance. Pushing Daises and Eli Stone were two of my faves from ABC, they were both very new in the way of typical television thought and they were cancelled. Dollhouse had a very new edgy vibe and Fox chose to cancel that. Now I see Life getting the axe and I think–is there any hope for the future of television? Can’t I get anything… Read more »
nbc idiots they seem to cancel all the better shows including Journeyman which i liked alot my own worst enemy and now life on of my favs usual for them
What is wrong with you people at NBC! Are you kidding! Life was one of the best shows ever. I would rather watch that than Leno…or Parks and Recreation. Who are you kidding getting rid of a well scripted drama. ugh! so dissapointed.
NBC is the king of pandering to the lowest common denominator! I have been a faithful fan of NBC for ten years, to the point that I don’t watch even a single show on ABC, or CBS. I have been willing to put up with mind numbing drivel such as “The Bachelor”, “Knight Rider”,”Mama’s boys”, “The Apprentice”, “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here”, ETC. In exchange for shows like “life”, “Kings”, “heroes” , “Friday Night Lights”, ” My Name Is Earl”, “The Office”, and yes, I even liked “My Own Worst Enemy”. But to cancel a quality show… Read more »
I am so disheartened to hear this!!!! I absolutely love this show!!!! Please don’t go!!!!
Shutting down Life, is the absolutely worst idea NBC’s executive directors have had. Why do you keep the nonsense (so sick of Syler), such as Heroes, and take out an intelligent humor series? BAD, BAD, choice!!!
I am so bummed…this was smart, witty, and you really cared about the characters. What in heck is going on?
Loved this show. Thoughtful, intelligent, witty, quirky, very enjoyable.
Good acting. Grows on you and makes you want more. Why do the clever, intelligent shows get cancelled. The public can’t be that unworthy and banal. All we’ll be left with soon is reality and talk show hades.
NBC killed Life, Which I too believe to be one of the best shows on television, before it could get a decent following. I remember when it came out NBC kept changing its timeslot, moved it to fridays and it seems like they even tried to pit it against lost. that was a sure fire way to shake off viewers if you keep burying it so that they can push the bionic woman or christain slaters stupid bomb of a series, “I am two people”…..lame. Life had great characters and grea writing great acting, I especially loved the first season.… Read more »
Life is such a great!! You cancel all the good ones!! Damien Lweis Shari are sogreat toghether.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this was one of my favorite shows on tv. why in the world would they want to cancel it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
why!!!!
How can NBC cancel this show? Life is amazing and funny and sad and interesting. How many shows have those qualities? I NEVER watch Leno, so how smart are they?
Why are you cancelling this show? This is a great show and many people love it. There are so many **** shows it is not even funny and you go and cancel a good show. No care how your viewers feel. The people that actually give you money. Do you have idiots making these decisions or are they children?
You guys are stupid this is 100 times better than CSI yet you plaster that all over the tv. Do you guys actually like bad acting and ****** story lines? Maybe that is why you cancel good shows.
Idiots!!!!
I can’t believe life is being cancelled – I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, as any show with half a brain and quality doesn’t seem to make it very long. I had hoped this would be different. I love Crews & Reese – and the other characters as well. Very clever, intelligent, show – none of the csi-like formulas that are so old by now. I wish it could be saved – please – TNT, USA, Fox – anyone who is not afraid to have a smart show that can have a cult following – please step in and scoop… Read more »