Executives at NBC must have had some very pleasant Thanksgivings, because they certainly are in the giving mood the week after the holiday. The Peacock's suits announced yesterday that they have picked up a pair of its new shows for full seasons, the first such pickups for the network this season.
Nine more episodes of newcomers Chuck and Life have been ordered by NBC, which brings the first-season tallies to 22 total episodes. Of course, this is all contingent on a successful resolution to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. Chuck is still in production with an unknown number of episodes already written, and Life is currently shut down, according to Variety.
It appears as if the strike may have been a good thing for both shows. With the next round of pilots crippled by the writers strike, networks have let shows stick around longer than normal before making final decisions, which has allowed both Life and Chuck to develop audiences. Chuck is averaging 8.4 million viewers this season, and Life is averaging 8.0 million, according to NBC.
"With the pitch-perfect Damian Lewis at the center of a brilliant cast, each week this show has quietly built since its premiere into the little engine that could," Universal Media Studios president Katherine Pope said of Life.
"Both shows are hitting their stride creatively, have developed loyal audiences, and offer unlimited potential to grow throughout the season," said NBC Entertainment cochairman Ben Silverman.
Chuck stars Zachary Levi as the title character, a geeky computer pro who works at a Best Buy clone. After opening an e-mail from his former college roommate who moonlighted as an elite spy, Chuck has government secrets uploaded into his brain and suddenly becomes a boon to national security and the country's most valuable spy. Chuck, from producers Josh Schwartz and McG, mixes action and comedy, given that Chuck must juggle both of his jobs. The show also stars Aussie actress Yvonne Strzechowski and Firefly's Adam Baldwin as government agents.
Life stars Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers) as Charlie Crews, a Los Angeles detective recently released from prison after serving 12 years for a crime he did not commit. Back on the beat, Crews must adapt to life outside of the pen, use his untraditional methods to solve crime, and decipher the mystery of who framed him more than a decade ago. Life also stars Sarah Shahi and Brooke Langton as Crews' partner and lawyer, respectively.
Chuck is on Monday nights at 8 p.m., and Life airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m.
Comments (107)
i glad that chuck will be coming back, it is seriously funny and cool
I Love Life. I'm from New Zealand and this show really makes me wanna help poor Charlie Crews to find that real killer. I felt so sorry for him:(. I haven't seen Chuck yet but I've found this cool website to watch full episodes of both Life and Chuck. If you wanted to, send me a PM and I'll give it to you!!:D:D
Just wanted to say GREAT JOB! Thanks NBC for bringing us talented entertainment not only through tv but online. The Actors are excellent and the writting superb! Can't wait for the new series to air.
However it may happen... I'm definitely hoping for Chuck to stay on air... It's really a great show!
I love Chuck and Life, but I actually love Journeyman even more... and it is an NBC show that is in jeopardy of being cancelled -- perhaps legitimately due to low (yet rising!) ratings.
great !
I haven't watched either, but I plan to find the previous episodes of Life. It looks good, so it will be nice to have a new show to watch. There has not been very much in the way of quality new shows lately (except Dexter)
yea chuck got picked up yea.
nbc is becoming the best network in my oppinion, because it gives shows a fighting chance before it cancels them....friday night lights,30 rock, and now chuck,life.
it proves that they support creative quality not viewer quantity.
I watch Life so yea i'm happy.
I've not watched life yet, but i have it to watch, but i LOVE chuck, well funny and enjoying it. Glad to see it renewed.
This has got to be two of the top favourite shows this year for me.Love the fact that they are being extended!
my two favorite new shows of the year! nothing beats having them both renewed
Both great shows. Good that they will have a full season.
Life is on at 10 and this angers me because I am a student and I often don't have time to watch it.
):
I never miss Chuck though- I barely can last a week without Bartowski.
im happy they open their eyes to good shows ...
Two great shows. Can't wait to see them. I swear I will never miss an episode :). I saw Chuck on millionaire dating site WealthyRomance.com last week. Is she single now? Just curious.
Thank God. I need to know who the hell put Crews in prison. More LIFE equals more happiness in my life!
I am so glad both these shows was signed for full seasons lets just hope the writers strike can come to an end so we can enjoy a full season
Both of these are by far my favorite new shows! Whoo-hoo! Glad NBC is pulling it together!
YAY! I love them both!good choice NBC! :]]]
Two of the best shows on television!
Awesome! Two of my absolute faves this season. You have no idea how excited I am!!
yes great news
I'm very happy for Life, but I haven't seen Chuck at all.I should've as I can see.
Chuck is very funny.I was watch all episodes.All perfect.If Life I not yet watch.Maybe I like.
I love both! Life is the best of the two. It's compulsive watching for me now... along with Pushing Daisies.
YEHHH CHUCK RULES
Yay!!! I was worried Chuck wouldn't make it!!!! Now I just hope the strike ends somehow, so it can have a whole season...
Thanks God for this, I always liked Chuck (even though I didn't watch episode 3 or 4, at least I watched the first 2, 5 and I think 6)
Awsome for both shows but I like Chuck the most...And I really hope that they will pick up Journeyman too cause I've really fallen for that show! Course wouldn't be bad if Bionic Woman got picked up either, damn hot woman! Really great shows this season!
Two great shows! Happy to hear the news!!
Good news. Life is excellent and Chuck is a fun watch.
My two favorite new shows of the season, so glad to hear they are both getting picked up! Yay for NBC, listening to the viewers and not just the ratings. Way to lead the pack!
YAY!
I love Life! So this is amazing news!
Brilliant for Chuck, not seen Life but believe it's good, just glad Chuck has a full season.
I love Chuck! I am so happy there will be more episodes! I have never seen life so I don't know if thats a good thing.
I love Life!! And Chuck ain't so bad either. ;-)Crews becomes more and more interesting as he develops ... I have a feeling there will be a lot more after he gets his "personal baggage" put away. Only one little quibble ... I think he looked better with darker hair. And Chuck can use a trim.
Excellent news! More Chuck to love!
Yay! I am happy that Chuck got picked up! :) It makes me very happy! Now if the studios can just figgin pay the writers so they can write those extra 9 episodes and we can enjoy a complete 22ep season!!!
Yeah! Chuck is one of my favourite new shows this season. This week's episode was hysterically funny I loved it!
Im really enjoying Chuck right now so very glad to hear this, its not often nowadays that a new series gets 22 episodes so well done!!
Woo, and may i say, Hoo! Chuck is a real delight to watch.
Yeah for Chuck! I love Chuck. Life seems like a good show too.
This is a perfect example of corporate stupidity. without the strike, a lot of the shows that started this season would have been canned. Instead, they've been given a chance and most of them have done quite well.Of course, expecting the execs to learn from this experience is way too much to ask. >:(
You better believe I'm happy about both! It's also (temporarily) restored my faith in networks - well, all of them except for Fox, who has broken my heart too many times. Here's to LIFE and CHUCK.
We love both CHUCK and LIFE. The shows are two of our favorites. So glad they have been picked up for the entire season.
Good news for Chuck. Now only if Journeyman coul get a pick up.
very happy, Chuck is the best new show this year