ABC
Let’s face it: U.S. writers and networks are plumb out of original ideas. The Office; The Ex List; American Idol (Pop Idol). And there’s more, for sure, all re-tooled for U.S. audiences. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, mind you. At least for us viewers.
Life on Mars is another show that grew up across the pond on BBC and premieres next week on ABC (October 9, 10PM). I got a chance to check the pilot out recently, and unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) for me I never caught the original series, so I had nothing to compare it to. So, it is with fresh eyes I bring you a quick early review of the episode.
Let me first bring you up to speed with the premise. A NYPD detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) from 2008 is in the middle of helping apprehend a serial killer who’s taken his partner and girlfriend, Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet), hostage. Reeling from what’s happened to his girlfriend and while listening to David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars’ on his car radio, he exits and is slammed by a passing car. He immediately gets up and finds that, somehow, he’s now living in 1973 New York, unharmed, complete with the clothes, car and identification in his wallet that says it’s where he belongs.
Eventually Sam finds out that he’s also a detective, here in 1973, and has a new boss: Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel), and a few new colleagues, including Detective Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli) and Annie Noris (Gretchen Mol). All of these people play by the rules of the early ’70s … or, I should say, the lack thereof.
Is this all a dream or coma-induced hallucination, or is Sam really in 1973? Or is 2008 the hallucination? Those are clearly the main questions thrust at Sam and the viewers, though there are hints throughout even the pilot that seem so overly obvious that you’re not sure if they aren’t just red herrings.
I spoke with two of the producers for this remake, Josh Appelbaum and Bob Levy, at the ABC Family party at ComicCon this past July. I asked if, since the U.K. version had completed and had an overall “endgame” that followers of that show know, are they going to have the same ending for this series? All they could tell me was that the ending would be different and that they already have that ending written down. Should the show not get renewed at some point, they want to have a concrete and satisfying ending ready to write and air that wraps up the series and doesn’t leave people wondering what the hell happened.
The cultural references of the ’70s seemed pretty spot-on and didn’t seem to overdo it. Keitel is awesome in his role, and Imperioli’s look and act is thrust right out of the era. I definitely recommend giving the show a look when it premieres.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Oct 02, 2008 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
I watched the entire UK Life on Mars, as well as it’s sequel, Ashes to Ashes. I loved the ending of LoM, but don’t doubt one bit the series here will end differntly. It was definitely not an American ending.
The series, in my view, rode on the character of Gene Hunt, so I hope you are right and that Harvey Keitel has just the right qualities to do the role justice.
I’ll have no choice but to give it a try. The reason I watched the UK version was because I saw the first pilot of the US version…and I liked it. It should be interesting to see how cast overhaul affects the overall effect.
I watched, loved and re-watched the British original and even with the potential for this to be a huge disaster in the face of that masterpiece I’m still looking forward to it. The culture shock Sam Tyler experiences should be fun to watch, the nostalgia factor is a plus and Keitel means I have to tune in.
The original is such a great piece to me. One thing that really worked for me in the original UK was it’s known from the start limited run. Even at a 13 episode US season, that is alot more of the story to tell. From what I have heard they are changing about the overall premise, I can’t say I will enjoy the new one.
Even as much as I love Harvey Keitel, he can’t touch the awesomeness of Philip Glenister’s Gene Hunt.
Trust the Gene Genie.
I watched and loved the BBC series (Philip Glenister is so great) and I also watched the horrible first pilot of the US Version that was leaked. I hope they are able to duplicate the “heart” of the UK version in a way that the original pilot failed (spectacularly) to do. Gretchen Mol seems like a better fit for Annie than Rachel Lefevre was. And as much as I love Colm Meaney, he just didn’t seem to have his heart in it. I really can’t picture Harvey Keitel in the role of Gene Hunt – firstly because of the age difference and secondly I can never wash Bad Lieutenant out of my head and he gives me the wiggins.
I’ll give it a shot though.
I’m totally going to watch the ABC version of Life on Mars. Loved the British version and this one has Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli. Saw the preview and it looks really good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvL4Z-XXYNg