Life in Pieces

Last updated
Life in Pieces
Life in Pieces.png
Genre Sitcom
Created byJustin Adler
Starring
Composer Rob Simonsen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes79 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
EditorRich Hall
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time21 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network CBS
ReleaseSeptember 21, 2015 (2015-09-21) 
June 27, 2019 (2019-06-27)

Life in Pieces is an American television sitcom created by Justin Adler that aired on CBS from September 21, 2015 to June 27, 2019, with a total of 79 half-hour episodes spanning four seasons. It was produced by 40 or 50 Years, Inc. and Kapital Entertainment, in association with 20th Century Fox Television, with Adler serving as showrunner.

Contents

The series chronicles the lives of three generations of the Short family as they go about their daily lives in Los Angeles County. Each episode is told as four short stories, one for each branch of the Short family. CBS canceled the series after four seasons on May 10, 2019.

Premise

The series chronicles the lives of three generations of the Short family as they go about their daily lives in Los Angeles County. Each episode is told as four short stories, typically one for three of the four Short family branches and one that involves the fourth and ties the other three stories together. [1]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankAvg. viewership (inc. DVR)
(in millions)
First airedLast aired
1 22September 21, 2015 (2015-09-21)March 31, 2016 (2016-03-31)3010.53 [2]
2 22October 27, 2016 (2016-10-27)May 11, 2017 (2017-05-11)408.15 [3]
3 22November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)May 17, 2018 (2018-05-17)448.27 [4]
4 13April 18, 2019 (2019-04-18)June 27, 2019 (2019-06-27)776 [5]

Cast

Family tree

John Doe Short
(James Brolin)
Dr. Joan Pirkle Short
(Dianne Wiest)
Dr. Timothy Hughes
(Dan Bakkedahl)
Heather Short Hughes
(Betsy Brandt)
Matthew Short
(Thomas Sadoski)
Colleen Brandon Ortega Short
(Angelique Cabral)
Gregory Short
(Colin Hanks)
Jennifer Collins Short
(Zoe Lister-Jones)
Tyler Hughes
(Niall Cunningham)
Clementine Hughes
(Hunter King)
Samantha Hughes
(Holly J. Barrett)
Sophia Hughes
(Giselle Eisenberg)
(adopted) Lucas Short
(Vivaan Bisoi)
Lark Short
(Ana Sophia Heger)
Talia Short

Main

Recurring

Production

On January 22, 2015, CBS placed a pilot order, under the title Life in Pieces. [8] The pilot was written by Justin Adler and directed by Jason Winer. On May 8, 2015, CBS placed a series order. [9] The first season was picked up for a full 22-episode order on October 27, 2015. [10] On May 11, 2016, CBS renewed the show for a second season, [11] which premiered on October 27, 2016. [12] Life in Pieces was renewed for a third season on March 23, 2017, [13] which premiered on November 2, 2017. [14] Life in Pieces was renewed for a fourth season on May 12, 2018, [15] which premiered on April 18, 2019. [16]

On May 10, 2019, it was announced that CBS cancelled Life in Pieces. A combination of factors, including declining ratings, CBS's desire to have an ownership stake, and the network needing to clear space in getting four new sitcoms in the fall 2019 and mid-season schedule, led to the show's demise. [17]

Broadcast

The show debuted on September 21, 2015 on CBS. [18] The first five episodes aired on Mondays, before it was moved on November 5, 2015, to a new time slot of 8:30 p.m. ET/PT (7:30 p.m. CT) on Thursdays, directly after CBS finished its NFL broadcasts. [19] In the United States, all seasons are available on Hulu. The first season airs on Netflix, with all seasons being available in Canada. [20]

In the United Kingdom, all seasons are available on Amazon Prime and Life In Pieces is shown season by season on Comedy Central UK and Ireland.

Home media

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released region-free, MOD versions of the first two seasons on Amazon on May 22, 2018. [21] [22] This was followed by the third season on June 12, 2018 [23] and the fourth on July 9, 2019. [24]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 62% approval rating for the first season, with an average rating of 6.58/10 and based on 39 reviews. The website's consensus reads "Life in Pieces strong cast delivers funny, offbeat stories even if they're not always relatable". [25] On Metacritic, the season holds a score of 64 out of 100 based on 24 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [26]

Ratings

SeasonTimeslot (ET)EpisodesPremieredEndedTV seasonRankViewers
(in millions)
DatePremiere
viewers
(in millions)
DateFinale
viewers
(in millions)
1Monday 8:30 p.m. (15)
Thursday 8:30 p.m. (622)
22September 21, 201511.28 [27] March 31, 20167.23 [28] 2015–16 3010.53 [29]
2Thursday 9:30 p.m.22October 27, 20165.96 [30] May 11, 20175.97 [31] 2016–17 408.15 [32]
322November 2, 20176.67 [33] May 17, 20184.95 [34] 2017–18 448.27 [35]
4Thursday 9:30 p.m. (19)
Thursday 9:00 p.m. (1013)
13April 18, 20196.73 [36] June 27, 20193.38 [37] 2018–19

Related Research Articles

Blue Bloods is an American police procedural drama television series that has been airing on CBS since September 24, 2010. Its main characters are members of the fictional Reagan family, an American, Irish Catholic family in New York City with a history of work in law enforcement. Blue Bloods stars Tom Selleck as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan; other main cast members include Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes and Len Cariou for all 14 seasons, plus Amy Carlson, and Sami Gayle.

We Are Men is an American sitcom television series created by Rob Greenberg starring Christopher Nicholas Smith, Tony Shalhoub, Jerry O'Connell, Kal Penn, and Rebecca Breeds. The series aired on CBS as part of the 2013–14 American television season, and premiered on September 30, 2013. After the airing of two episodes, which performed poorly, the show itself was cancelled by CBS.

<i>Gotham</i> (TV series) American crime drama television series

Gotham is an American superhero crime drama television series developed by Bruno Heller, produced by Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from the Batman mythos in comic books published by DC Comics. The series originally aired on Fox from September 22, 2014, to April 25, 2019, over five seasons, comprising a total of 100 episodes. It features an ensemble cast that includes Ben McKenzie as James "Jim" Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, and David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne. The show follows Gordon's early days at the Gotham City Police Department following the murder of Bruce's parents, as well as the origin stories of Batman's infamous rogues gallery.

<i>NCIS: New Orleans</i> American military drama/police procedural television series (2014–2021)

NCIS: New Orleans is an American action crime drama and police procedural television series that premiered on CBS on September 23, 2014, following the twelfth season of NCIS. The pilot was written by Gary Glasberg. Produced by CBS Studios, Wings Productions and, for the first four seasons, When Pigs Fly Incorporated, the series stars Scott Bakula and CCH Pounder. The series, set and filmed in New Orleans, is the third series of the NCIS franchise. In May 2020, the show was renewed for the seventh season, which premiered on November 8, 2020. In February 2021, CBS announced that the seventh season would be the series' final one. The series concluded on May 23, 2021, making it the first show in the NCIS franchise to end.

<i>The Odd Couple</i> (2015 TV series) American sitcom (2015–2017)

The Odd Couple is an American multi-camera sitcom television series that aired on CBS from February 19, 2015, to January 30, 2017. It was the seventh screen production based on the 1965 play written by Neil Simon, following the 1968 film, the original 1970s television series, a 1975 Saturday morning cartoon, a 1982 reboot of the 1970 series, The Odd Couple: Together Again and The Odd Couple II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arrowverse</span> American superhero media franchise and shared universe

The Arrowverse is an American superhero media franchise and shared universe that is centered on various interconnected television series based on DC Comics superhero characters, primarily airing on The CW as well as web series on CW Seed. The series were developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Geoff Johns, Ali Adler, Phil Klemmer, Salim Akil, and Caroline Dries. Set in a shared fictional multiverse much like the DC Universe and DC Multiverse in comic books, it was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast and characters that span six live-action television series and two animated series.

<i>Chicago</i> (franchise) American television series franchise

The Chicago franchise is a media franchise of American television programs created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, produced by Wolf Entertainment, and broadcast on NBC, all of which deal with different public services in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago franchise has maintained strong ratings, leading primetime in total viewers, averaging nearly seven million viewers per show, between Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.

<i>Chicago Med</i> 2015 American medical drama television series

Chicago Med is an American medical drama television series created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, and is the third installment of Wolf Entertainment's Chicago franchise. The series premiered on NBC on November 17, 2015. Chicago Med follows the emergency department (ED) doctors and nurses of the fictional Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. As they work to save lives, these members deal with the personal and professional pressures of their jobs.

<i>Code Black</i> (TV series) American medical drama television series (2015-2018)

Code Black is an American medical drama television series created by Michael Seitzman that premiered on CBS on September 30, 2015. It takes place in an overcrowded and understaffed emergency room in Los Angeles, California, and is based on a documentary by Ryan McGarry. On May 16, 2016, the show was renewed for a 13-episode second season, which premiered on September 28, 2016. On November 14, 2016, CBS added three more episodes, to bring the total to 16.

<i>APB</i> (TV series) 2017 American police procedural drama television series

APB is an American procedural drama that aired on Fox from February 6, to April 24, 2017. A first trailer was released on May 16, 2016.

<i>Kevin Can Wait</i> American television sitcom (2016–2018)

Kevin Can Wait is an American television sitcom starring Kevin James that aired on CBS from September 19, 2016, to May 7, 2018. The series was created by James, Rock Reuben, and Bruce Helford, and marked James' second starring role in a CBS sitcom, following The King of Queens (1998–2007). The show was directed by Andy Fickman.

Pure Genius is an American medical drama television series created by Jason Katims that aired on CBS from October 27, 2016 to January 26, 2017. The series stars Augustus Prew as James Bell, who is a Silicon Valley tech billionaire, and Dermot Mulroney as Dr. Walter Wallace. It was produced by True Jack Production, CBS Television Studios and Universal Television. In May 2017, CBS cancelled the series after one season.

<i>Bull</i> (2016 TV series) American legal drama television series (2016–2022)

Bull is an American legal drama television series created by Phil McGraw and Paul Attanasio and starring Michael Weatherly. CBS ordered the pilot to series on May 13, 2016, and ran for six seasons on from September 20, 2016, to May 26, 2022.

<i>Man with a Plan</i> (TV series) American sitcom

Man with a Plan is an American television sitcom created by Jackie and Jeff Filgo and starring Matt LeBlanc, who also served as an executive producer. The series ran on CBS from October 24, 2016 to June 11, 2020 airing 69 episodes over 4 seasons. The series was a staple on CBS' Monday night comedy lineup for its first three seasons, before being moved to Thursday nights for the fourth and final season.

<i>Person of Interest</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the American television series Person of Interest premiered on May 3, 2016. The season is produced by Kilter Films, Bad Robot, and Warner Bros. Television, with Jonathan Nolan, Greg Plageman, J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Chris Fisher and Denise Thé serving as executive producers and Nolan and Plageman serving as showrunners.

<i>MacGyver</i> (2016 TV series) American action-adventure television series (2016–2021)

MacGyver is an American action-adventure television series developed by Peter M. Lenkov that ran on CBS from September 23, 2016 to April 30, 2021, comprising five seasons and 94 episodes. The series stars Lucas Till as the title character, an undercover government agent who prefers to fight crime with ingenious feats of engineering rather than lethal force. It is a reboot of the original series of the same name created by Lee David Zlotoff, which aired from 1985 to 1992. CBS cancelled the show in April 2021; the series finale aired on April 30, 2021.

<i>Training Day</i> (TV series) 2017 American television series

Training Day is an American crime-thriller television series that aired on CBS from February 2 to May 20, 2017. The series serves as a follow-up to the 2001 film of the same name. It stars Bill Paxton and Justin Cornwell, and is known for being one of Paxton's final performances prior to his death in February 2017.

S.W.A.T. is an American procedural action drama television series, based on the 1975 television series and 2003 film of the same name. Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan developed the new series, which premiered on CBS on November 2, 2017, and is produced by Original Film, CBS Studios and Sony Pictures Television. In April 2022, the series was renewed for a sixth season which premiered on October 7, 2022. In May 2023, the series was canceled after six seasons at CBS, only to be renewed for a seventh and final season at CBS a few days later. The seventh season premiered on February 16, 2024. In April 2024, the final season decision was reversed and the show was renewed for an eighth season.

<i>SEAL Team</i> (TV series) American military drama television series

SEAL Team is an American military drama television series created by Benjamin Cavell. The series is produced by CBS Studios, and began airing on CBS on September 27, 2017.

<i>FBI</i> (TV series) 2018 American crime drama television series

FBI is an American crime drama television series created by Dick Wolf and Craig Turk that airs on CBS, where it premiered on September 25, 2018. The series is produced by Wolf Entertainment, CBS Studios, and Universal Television, with Dick Wolf, Arthur W. Forney, Peter Jankowski, and Turk serving as executive producers.

References

  1. "Life In Pieces Has Our Jaws Hitting The Floor, But In A Good Way". CBS. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  2. "Full 2015–16 TV Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  3. "Final 2016–17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  4. "2017–18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts". Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  5. "100 Most-Watched TV Shows of 2018-19: Winners and Losers". 22 May 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Life in Pieces Cast". CBS . Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  7. "'Life In Pieces': Hunter King Upped To Series Regular For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood . June 3, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (January 22, 2015). "Justin Adler Family Comedy Spec Life In Pieces Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood .
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2015). "Limitless, Rush Hour, Criminal Minds Spinoff, Code, Life Among CBS Orders". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  10. Andreeva, Nellie (October 27, 2015). "Life In Pieces Gets Full-Season Order At CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  11. Andreeva, Nellie (May 11, 2016). "Life In Pieces Renewed For Season 2 By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  12. "CBS Announces Its 2016–2017 Primetime Lineup". The Futon Critic . May 18, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
  13. Andreeva, Nellie (March 23, 2017). "CBS Renews 5 Freshman & 11 Returning Series, Including MacGyver, Superior Donuts, Life In Pieces & Hawaii Five-0". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  14. Andreeva, Nellie (June 1, 2017). "CBS Sets Fall 2017 Premiere Dates For Young Sheldon, 9JKL & Returning Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  15. Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2018). "Life In Pieces Renewed For Season 4 By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  16. Pedersen, Erik (February 25, 2019). "Life In Pieces Gets Season 4 Premiere Date On CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  17. Vick, Megan (May 10, 2019). "CBS Cancels Murphy Brown, Fam and 2 More Shows". TV Guide . Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  18. Bibel, Sara (June 9, 2015). "CBS Announces Fall Premiere Dates: 'CSI' Finale on September 27, 'Supergirl' Debuts in Late October". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on June 12, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  19. Bibel, Sara (May 13, 2015). "CBS 2015–16 Primetime Schedule: 'Supergirl' to Monday in November, 'Limitless' on Tuesday, 'Code Black' Wednesday, 'CSI' Finale on September 27 'Rush Hour' & 'Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders' Held for Midseason". TV by the Numbers . Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  20. "Life In Pieces". Netflix. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  21. "Life In Pieces: The Complete First Season". Amazon.com. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  22. "Life In Pieces: The Complete Second Season". Amazon.com. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  23. "Life In Pieces: The Complete Third Season". Amazon.com. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  24. "Life in Pieces: The Complete Fourth Season". Amazon. 9 July 2019.
  25. "Life in Pieces: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  26. "Life in Pieces – Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  27. Kondolojy, Amanda (September 22, 2015). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'Significant Mother', 'Life in Pieces' & 'Penn & Teller' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  28. Porter, Rick (April 1, 2016). "Thursday final ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' adjusts up, 'Scandal,' 'Life in Pieces' and 'The 100' adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  29. "Full 2015–16 TV Season Series Rankings". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  30. Porter, Rick (October 28, 2016). "'The Good Place' and 'Chicago Med' adjust up, 'Pure Genius,' other CBS shows adjust down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  31. Welch, Alex (May 12, 2017). "'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Masterchef Junior' adjust up, 'The Blacklist' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2017.
  32. "Final 2016–17 TV Rankings: 'Sunday Night Football' Winning Streak Continues". Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  33. Porter, Rick (November 3, 2017). "'Will & Grace' adjusts up, 'Sheldon' and other CBS shows adjust down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  34. Porter, Rick (May 18, 2018). "'SWAT' and 'Arrow' finales adjust down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  35. "2017–18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts". Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  36. Rejent, Joseph (April 19, 2019). "'Grey's Anatomy,' 'The Big Bang Theory' adjust up, 'Supernatural' adjusts down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  37. Rejent, Joseph (June 28, 2019). "'The Wall' rerun adjusts down, Democratic Debate adjusts up: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2019.