NBC Renews Chuck, Heroes

In the wake of the end of the writers' strike, NBC has started work on the fall season, renewing Chuck for a second season and and Heroes for a third, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The quirky new crime drama Life was also renewed.

Chuck, Life and Heroes had been picked up for a full season this season, but only aired about half a season. They won't air new original episodes in the spring, since work was cut off by the strike, but will be relaunched in the fall.

Marc Graboff, co-chair of NBC Entertainment, said, "These pickups are a sign of our confidence in these quality series and will allow the respective producers to get a head start on their creative arc for next season."

"We are thrilled to be bringing back the high-energy dramas Chuck and Life for next season," NBC Entertainment's other co-chair, Ben Silverman, said.

Does that mean they're not thrilled about Heroes? It's true that Heroes in particular will have its work cut out for it in its third season: the aborted second season, involving a virus that will wipe out humanity in the future, was such a critical and fan disappointment that creator Tim Kring apologized and promised to do better.