NBC orders full season of 'Life'

NBC has given a full season order to detective drama "Life."

The network has ordered the back nine episodes from Universal Media Studios.

The pickup comes despite a modest performance from "Life" this week in the show's new Wednesday night slot -- where it earned a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49 and ranked fourth place in the 9 p.m. hour. "Life" did manage to outperform its recent Friday night average, however, and picks up plenty of viewers from time-shifted DVR viewing.

"This unique crime drama continues to offer consistent and compelling stories each week," said Teri Weinberg, executive vp, NBC Entertainment. "We love 'Life' and are thrilled that we get to see more of these characters and amazing new cases."

The full season order is the latest twist in the police drama's odd network narrative: "Life" launched last year ... was shut down from the writers strike ... returned this fall to get a "Heroes" welcome on Monday nights at 10 p.m. airing for two weeks after the action-drama series in what's considered NBC's strongest slot ... then NBC shifted to show to Fridays at 10 p.m., a viewership dead zone where the show's ratings crashed ... then NBC swapped "Life" with the underperforming "Lipstick Jungle" and now the quirky crime series is the tentpole 9 p.m. drama in a new Wednesday crime block.

Previously NBC gave a full season pickup to "Knight Rider" and "Kath & Kim." Though "Kath" has been relatively stable on Thursday nights, "Rider" has fallen sharply since receiving its order.

Updated: Fall TV series survival status report.