- Life Unexpected
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Life Unexpected 
IntertitleAlso known as Light Years
Parental Discretion Advised
LUXGenre Drama Created by Liz Tigelaar Creative director(s) Gary Fleder Starring Britt Robertson
Shiri Appleby
Kristoffer Polaha
Austin Basis
Kerr SmithOpening theme "Beautiful Tree" by Rain Perry Composer(s) David Baerwald
Pieter A. SchlosserCountry of origin United States Language(s) English No. of seasons 2 No. of episodes 26 (List of episodes) Production Executive producer(s) Liz Tigelaar
Gary Fleder
Janet LeahyLocation(s) Vancouver, British Columbia Running time 42 minutes Production company(s) Best Day Ever Productions
Mojo Films
CBS Television Studios
Warner Bros. TelevisionBroadcast Original channel The CW Original run January 18, 2010 – January 18, 2011 External links Website Life Unexpected is an American television series that ran for two seasons, from 2010 to 2011.
The show premiered on The CW on Monday, January 18, 2010. The 13-episode first season run ended on April 12, 2010. The series was picked up for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2010, airing on Tuesdays at 9/8c following One Tree Hill.[1][2]
The CW declined to order the back 9 episodes for the show's second season, leaving the season's episode count at 13.[3] On December 6th, 2010, series creator, Liz Tigelaar made the TV show's cancellation official via Twitter.[4][5]
On December 3, 2010 Warner Bros. reported that the show's two seasons would be released on DVD as a "Complete Series" set; but, on December 24, 2010 this was changed and the set was renamed "The Complete 1st & 2nd Seasons."[6]
Contents
Production
Life Unexpected is produced by Best Day Ever Productions and Mojo Films in association with CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television with executive producers Liz Tigelaar (Brothers and Sisters, What About Brian), Janet Leahy (Boston Legal, Gilmore Girls), and Gary Fleder (October Road). Gary Fleder directed the pilot.
The CW announced the series in January 2009 under the working title of Light Years because the main character Lux's name means Light.[7] According to Tigelaar, the title "tested way too sci-fi"[8] and it was changed to LUX (the name of one of the lead characters) in April. This was quickly changed again into Life Unexpected, but at The CW Upfronts in May, the series was promoted as Parental Discretion Advised.[9][10] That June, the network reverted to the name Life UneXpected, again highlighting the name of the main character in capital letters. Initial advertising for the series in fall 2009 listed it without the capitalized "X", which became the final version as it appears now.
While the show is set in Portland, Oregon, most of the filming is done in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scenes of Westmonte High are filmed at Sutherland Secondary School in North Vancouver and H. J. Cambie Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia. The exterior of Baze's bar is located on Granville Island and the Ironworks Building in Vancouver. North Shore Studios, formally Lionsgate, was used as the primary studio for season one while Coast Mountain Film Studios housed the show for the second and final season.[11][12]
Plot
Teenager Lux (Britt Robertson) had been through the foster care system for almost her whole life. Cate Cassidy (Shiri Appleby) had given birth to her while still a teen but gave her up for adoption believing a better home could be found for her. Most likely because of her heart problems as a baby, Lux was never adopted. On her 16th birthday, she decides that it's time for her to become an emancipated minor, but before that occurs, she has to get signatures from her unknown birth parents. First she encounters former High-School Football Quarterback, Nathaniel "Baze" Bazile (Kristoffer Polaha), her birth father and owner of the Open Bar. He lives a semi-fraternity boy lifestyle above the drinking establishment with two lazy roommates, and sleeps with many women. However, even when he signs the papers, Baze discovers that he is bonding with his newfound daughter, and realizes that she has his eyes. He introduces Lux to her mother Cate, co-host of the "Morning Madness" drive time show at Portland radio station K-100 and Baze's former one-night stand from high school.
Lux has been listening to Cate's voice on the radio as long as she can remember, so she feels an instant connection with the mom she's never met. Baze takes Lux to meet Cate, who is shocked and saddened to learn that Lux has grown up in foster care instead of the adoption she believed would take place and is reluctant to commit to her daughter. Eventually, Cate wants to be a part of Lux's life, and she shows that she really does care. When a judge decides that Lux isn't ready for emancipation and unexpectedly grants temporary joint custody to Baze and Cate, they agree to try to get past the awkwardness. Cate, due to her job as a radio host, and the fact that she has a suitable house, is given primary custody of Lux. Ryan Thomas (Kerr Smith), her radio broadcast partner, as well as her fiance, also takes to Lux.
As the series progresses, though, Baze becomes more responsible, and works harder to get the bar and the living space above it in shape so that Lux can be able to visit and stay with him. Due to their close bond, Baze, the one that was considered to perhaps be more of a slacker, had proven that when the chips are down, he inevitably comes through for Lux, giving her support and love. Cate, despite her constantly disappointing Lux, still means well. Ryan, in some ways jealous and insecure because of Baze's constant presence in his fiancee's life, gets resentful and has physically fought Baze. Ryan, finally fed up with Baze's continual interference, breaks it off with Cate. Eventually though, Ryan and Cate reconnect, and their engagement is back on. He also relents a bit towards Baze after the two have drinks and Baze explains that all he is to Cate is the father of Lux, and nothing else.
Lux has several friends from her old life, including best friend Tasha (Ksenia Solo), Lux's boyfriend Bug (Rafi Gavron), and Tasha's boyfriend Gavin (Rhys Williams). She must decide whether she can continue to have her old friends in her life as she attempts new friendships. Sometimes, Bug is known for doing things which brings him in trouble with the law, and that sometimes imperils Lux's life with Baze and Cate. Baze also incurs Cate's wrath when it is discovered that he is sleeping with her sister and Lux's aunt, Abby (Alex Breckenridge). Baze also slept with Ryan's sister Paige (Arielle Kebbel) after a drunk incident in season 2.
Cast and characters
Lux Cassidy is the main protagonist. Catherine "Cate" Cassidy-Thomas is Lux's birth mother and primary caregiver. Nathaniel "Baze" Bazile is Lux's father, who lives above the bar he owns called the Open Bar. Matthew "Math" Rogers is Baze's best friend, who lives with him and Jamie above the bar. Ryan Thomas is Cate's former morning drive-time partner on the Morning Madness radio show, as well as her fiance.
Guest stars have included Emma Caulfield, Sarah McLachlan, Pam Grier, Ben Lee, Rain Perry, Kate Voegele, Bethany Joy Galeotti, Jaime Ray Newman, Krista Allen, Shanica Knowles, and Keegan Connor Tracy.
Awards
Year Result Award Category Recipient(s) 2010 Won Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Show Life Unexpected Episodes
Main article: List of Life Unexpected episodesOne Tree Hill crossover
In an attempt to improve Life Unexpected's ratings by attracting One Tree Hill viewers, The CW aired a crossover event involving both programs on October 12, 2010.[13] Beginning with One Tree Hill installment "Nobody Taught Us to Quit", Haley James Scott (Bethany Joy Galeotti) and Mia Catalano (Kate Voegele) traveled to Portland (where Life Unexpected is set) to perform at the Sugar Magnolia Music Festival hosted by K-100. Haley and Cate meet in the crossover and are "surprised to learn that they share a similar back story [as] mothers." "Music Faced," the Life Unexpected episode of the crossover, also featured Sarah McLachlan, Ben Lee and Rain Perry whose song "Beautiful Tree" serves as the series' opening theme.
Critical reception
Life Unexpected scored a 69 out of 100 on Metacritic.[14] The series has garnered mostly positive feedback, with many reviews favorably comparing the show to the critically acclaimed series Gilmore Girls and Everwood.[15][16][17][18][19] Maureen Ryan, from the Chicago Tribune, stated that the show "recall[s] the good things about shows like Gilmore Girls and Everwood,"[17] and similarly, Hank Stuever from The Washington Post called it "a pleasant mix of a little Juno hipitude and a lot of Everwood glow."[18] Furthermore, the Chicago Tribune review called Life Unexpected a program "that parents and their older kids could enjoy together without feeling condescended to,"[17] and The Boston Globe's Matthew Gilbert states that "the show works, in its own hokey, feel-good, alt-soundtrack way."[20]
Show writer Liz Tigelaar (who has also worked on Brothers & Sisters, American Dreams, and Once and Again),[21] has received much praise. A review in the Los Angeles Times called Tigelaar's writing smart and insightful.[19] Similarly, Randee Dawn, from The Hollywood Reporter stated that Tigelaar "has a delicate, spot-on feel for dialogue."[22] The Futon Critic's Brian Ford Sullivan singled out writer Liz Tigelaar and director Gary Fleder for adeptly exploring Lux's perceived lack of love in her life.[23]
On a negative note, a review in the Chicago Sun Times by Paige Wiser called the show "somewhat predictable"[16] and The Post's Stuever adds that Life Unexpected "burns off its most interesting plot twist [...] in the first 20 minutes."[18]
U.S. Nielsen ratings
Season Timeslot Original Airing Rank Viewers
(in millions)Network Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season 1 Monday 9/8c January 18 – March 1
Monday 8/7c March 8 – April 12January 18, 2010 April 12, 2010 2009–2010 #136[24] 2.01[24] The CW 2 Tuesday 9/8c September 14, 2010[25] January 18, 2011[26] 2010–2011 #140 1.50[27] International distribution
Country Network Premiere Date Title Life Unexpected 
CroatiaAXN April 6, 2010 Neočekivani život 
SloveniaNepričakovano življenje 
BulgariaПревратностите на живота 
HungaryDerült égből család 
MacedoniaНово семејство 
SerbiaNeočekivani život Happy http://www.happytv.tv/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=58:neocekivani-zivot&Itemid=123 
Czech RepublicAXN Změna je život 
BrazilLIV April 12, 2010[28] Life Unexpected 
El SalvadorTelecorporación Salvadoreña TBA 
CanadaRadio-Canada CanadaYTV Canada (September 2010) 
FranceCanal+ Family November 7, 2010 
ItalyRai 2 October 2, 2010 
IrelandRTÉ Two August 2011 
HondurasCanal 11 TBA 
Germanysixx January 4, 2011 
NorwayTV 2 Bliss October 2010 
TurkeyDizimax June 2010 
SpainFactoríaDeFicción 
Hong KongHallmark Channel Asia June 17, 2010 
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
PhilippinesHallmark Channel Philippines Velvet September 2010 
NetherlandsRTL 5 
IsraelHOT3 April 22, 2010 חיים בלתי צפויים 
RomaniaAXN April 24, 2010[29] Viaţă Neaşteptată 
PolandnVOD April 12, 2010 Nieoczekiwana szansa 
PortugalFox Life August 11, 2010 Vida Inesperada 
United KingdomE4 September 19, 2010 , Season 2 Daily from Thursday 27th January 2011 15.25 Life Unexpected IrelandRTÉ Two July 2011 Life Unexpected 
CyprusRIK 2 
EstoniaKanal 11 April 7, 2011 Elu keerdkäigud 
RussiaSET (Russia) May 4, 2011[30] Жизнь непредсказуема 
Peru
SlovakiaJOJ May 8, 2011 Zmena je život 
AustraliaNetwork Ten November 5, 2011 Life Unexpected References
- ^ Hibberd, James (May 18, 2010). "CW picks up 'Nikita,' 'Hellcats,' 'Life,' 'OTH'". The Hollywood Reporter. http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/05/cw-picks-up-nikita-hellcats-life-oth-.html. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
- ^ "Top Model, Hellcats to Kick off CW's New Season". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/News/CWs-Fall-Schedule-1020088.aspx.
- ^ http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/11/02/cw-decides-not-to-order-more-life-unexpected-for-this-season/70676
- ^ http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/11/09/cw-game-over-for-life-unexpected/71218
- ^ http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b209204_Life_Unexpected_Canceled_What_About_Parenthood_.html
- ^ http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Life-Unexpected-Seasons-1-and-2/14845
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 12, 2009). "Meet the CW's young parents". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5n0LgOOVi. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Today’s TV Addict Top 5: Things you didn’t know about LIFE UNEXPECTED". The TV Addict. January 25, 2010. http://thetvaddict.com/2010/01/25/todays-tv-addict-top-5-things-you-didnt-know-about-life-unexpected/. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- ^ Lafayette, Jon (May 2009). "CW Upfront: 'Melrose Place,' 'Vampire Diaries' on Tap". Television Week (TVweek.com). Crain Communications. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5n0OYVAWH. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "The CW Announces Schedule for 2009–2010 Season". Los Angeles Times. May 21, 2009. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5n0NNcub8. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (January 18, 2010). "'Life Unexpected': Kristoffer Polaha previews the CW's new drama". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5n57lmP6y. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- ^ Horton, Kelly Jo (October 23, 2009). "Scene in Portland: CW Series Life UneXpected Shooting in Portland". The Portlander. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5n57YOnbf. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
- ^ Exclusive: The CW plotting 'One Tree Hill'/'Life Unexpected' crossover event! Retrieved: 2010-08-10.
- ^ http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/lifeunexpected
- ^ Hale, Mike (January 17, 2010). "Wise Teenager, Unpromising Parents". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mvtjDBW0. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ a b Wiser, Paige (January 17, 2010). "TV REVIEW: 'Erica,' 'Life' offer hope of turnaround". Chicago Sun Times (Sun-Times Media). Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mvtzkJhk. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c Ryan, Maureen (January 18, 2010). "Sweet 'Life Unexpected' may fill that 'Gilmore Girls'/'Everwood' gap". Chicago Tribune. http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/01/life-unexpected-cw.html. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c Stuever, Hank (January 18, 2010). "Hank Stuever on MTV's 'Buried Life' & CW's 'Life Unexpected'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mvtnO2p3. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ a b McNamara, Mary (January 18, 2010). "Surprise, 'Life Unexpected' is pretty sweet". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mvtvlFk5. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ Gilbert, Matthew (January 18, 2010). "An ‘Unexpected’ take on family". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mvtuCfhS. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (August 4, 2009). "'Life Unexpected': Remember this TV show's name, and watch for it". Entertainment Weekly. http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/08/04/life-unexpected-remember-this-tv-shows-name-and-watch-for-it. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ Dawn, Randee (January 13, 2010). "Life Unexpected – TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on January 20, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mwAWHLlb. Retrieved January 20, 2010.
- ^ Ford Sullivan, Brian (June 29, 2009). "The Futon's First Look: 'Life Unexpected'". The Futon Critic. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20090629_lifeunexpected.
- ^ a b Gorman, Bill (June 16, 2010). "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV By The Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/06/16/final-2009-10-broadcast-primetime-show-average-viewership/54336. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
- ^ "The CW Network Announces Fall Premiere Dates". TV By the Numbers. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/06/30/the-cw-network-announces-fall-premiere-dates/55827. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
- ^ http://twitter.com/liztigelaar/status/11976812561178624
- ^ http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/full-2010-11-season-series-rankers/
- ^ http://www.tvmagazine.com.br/talktv/read.asp?ID=15833&CurPage=1
- ^ http://www.axn.ro/shows/viata-neasteptata
- ^ Жизнь непредсказуема
External links
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