NBC's identity crisis is as bad for audiences as it is for NBC. Silverman recently declined to renew Life, which was smart, character-driven drama, a cop show without an overuse of props, badly lit labs, bad police interrogation, or silly wardrobe choices. The episodes defied formula, the dialogue sparkled and the characters flawed, vulnerable, strong, human and humane. Charlie Crews was the most memorable character to hit the small screen in a long time and Damian Lewis was amazing. But giving it a Season 2 lead in of Knight Rider was bad enough, having a new-ish show up against the Idol juggernaut another. That's where good shows go to die. If they really wanted to be the new HBO they'd stop insulting us with mediocrity and give really good shows a chance to find their feet.

Sadly, NBC declines to develop/support its new shows in favor of showing three hour blocks of "Law & Order" reruns, twice a week.

Without "Dateline", Law & Order and Howie Mandel, the entire network would shut down for lack of programming.

I admit that I'm a L&O junkie, but that is despite NBC, not because of them.

The cancellation of Life is indeed a sad commentary on the decline of NBC. The show was that rare beast among cop shows: original concept, intriguing characters, smart writing, and (best of all) it was not just another CSI/Law & Order clone. The show should have made its amazing star Damian Lewis a household name. Instead NBC seemed intent on steering the show toward cancellation practically from the git-go. Almost zero marketing and a constantly changing time slot all but sealed the series' doom. Do we really need remakes of shows that were mind-numbing and repetitive even when they were original (Knight Rider anyone)? It will likely take a complete shake-up of the NBC management before they will begin to resemble anything remotely resembling the contender they once were.

I was unfamiliar with Mr. Lewis prior to "Life", but discovered him in his native (British) element in a delightful project called "Shakespeare Retold"--it is a series available on DVD featuring contemporary remakes of some well-loved Shakespeare plays. Mr. Lewis plays Benedick in the update of "Much Ado about Nothing". Watch that and marvel afresh at his Charlie Crews. With his red hair and pale complexion, along with a demonstrative acting talent, I think of him as the 'anti-David Caruso'. I hope he will soon have another project to match his not-inconsiderable talents.

P.S. James McAvoy plays "Macbeth' in the same series--2 rising British hunks for the price of one!