NBC's 'Life' is revived; question is, can it thrive?

0 Comments | USA TODAY, August, 2008 | by Gary Strauss

In life, one seldom gets a second chance. That's the premise behind NBC's Life, the cop drama that gets a second chance of sorts when its new season opens Sept. 29 (10 ET/PT).

NBC is giving viewers ample opportunity to sample the series after the writers' strike cut its freshman run to 11 episodes. Three more shows air on Oct. 3, 6 and 10, when it rests in its Friday slot.

"NBC understands the difficulty of selling this show," says creator Rand Ravich. "The first episode needs to serve as a pilot, as if you've never seen it."

Indeed, new viewers may need a refresher course on the characters and complex back stories. British actor Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers) stars as Charlie Crews, an L.A. cop who is back on the force after serving 12 years for...