Life on Mars (American Version)

[Sheeplovr]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-aDlRJVYuI

this is so bad
wow

like i knew an american remake possibly would be bad

but wow

it doesnt even have the song

[Furtherman]

I'm avoiding this at all costs. I haven't seen the British series and I am patiently waiting for it to be available in Region 1 DVD.

C'MON YA BRITS.... GET TO IT!!!!!

[LaBoob]

This was one of my favorite dramatic series from the BBC... I will also be avoiding the American version. I cannot believe they wouldn't include the song... That, besides DCI Hunt, was the best part about the show...

[Doctor Manhattan]

ewwww

They even got that guy from Star Trek (The TNG Scotty) who kinda looks like Philip Glenister (the BBC Gene Hunt)

Now the American versions of Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt are being played by Irish Actors and it's set in LA? Annie Cartwright is Canadian

[DolaMight]

rubbish.

[mikeyboy]

I don't think it looks awful -- just very Americanized. I thought the remake was a bad idea, but I will give this a chance. I thought it was kind of odd that they re-did the accident scene exactly -- shot by shot, but I guess that's cool. The show will be damned for staying too close to the source material and for straying from it. If it's written well, it could be good.

[Tall_James]

What is this....the 48th new series that Lenny Clarke has been cast in? He's got pictures of someone for sure doing some bad stuff.

[ChrisTheCop]

I agree with MikeyBoy.
If I had never seen the bbc version, this would look interesting,
but I fear this will go the way of JourneyMan.

America just aint ready for time travel.

[Doctor Manhattan]

America just aint ready for time travel.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5779/bantamcoversx6.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6084/slaughterhousefivehm7.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/5865/eef9228348a035b6f78fe01ib8.jpg
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/1913/383pxsupermanver1tw2.jpg
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/7100/956067terminator2posterjm7.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3352/back2futurevm1.gif
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1083/twelvemonkeysmpwx2.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2453/calvinandhobbes2consequri9.gif
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4544/6990posterrp5.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5001/harrypotterandtheprisoncb1.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3410/lostseason4poster320yx8.jpg

[ChrisTheCop]

Well, I stand corrected...

But I'm gonna go back in time and change all that, so I can sit down.




...and America wont watch.

[Doctor Manhattan]

...and America wont watch.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/7523/startrekivver3mu0.jpg
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6325/futureheromm9.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7176/bill26tedcf6.jpg
http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/3986/300px10dr19xw9.jpg

:tongue:

[Badinia]

It's interesting to see how the original trailer would look if it were smeared with a thick layer of stupid.

It can't hurt me if I don't watch it.

[ChrisTheCop]

I concede the point, and you continue.... okay then...

http://www.givememyremote.com/remote/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/journeyman_vertical.jpg
http://www.nbc.com/Journeyman/images/downloads/Journeyman_wallpaper-2-800x600.jpg
http://www.invisible-face.com/pics/collins_sessions/session_clapton_journeyman.jpg

[Doctor Manhattan]

How about this:

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9913/moonqq9.jpg

Love Moon Bloodgood and Love Journeyman.

She was in another "time travel" show:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8099/daybreak03yj5.jpg

[badorties]

ewwww

They even got that guy from Star Trek (The TNG Scotty) who kinda looks like Philip Glenister (the BBC Gene Hunt)

Now the American versions of Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt are being played by Irish Actors and it's set in LA? Annie Cartwright is Canadian

colm maney ... great irish character actor -- particularly in layer cake

[trogdor2k]

When did Journeyman quit the paper and join the force?

[Knowledged_one]

american tv > british tv

[ChrisTheCop]

When did Journeyman quit the paper and join the force?

is this a riddle?

[Doctor Manhattan]

american tv > british tv

I think Ricky Gervais said that (Not kidding)

I agree. American TV is full of a lot of shit but the good stuff is REALLY good. Got to give the Brits credit. They have some really excellent shows as well. (A lot of our crap are just remakes of their shows, including a lot of reality/game show TV)

[mikeyboy]

I think Ricky Gervais said that (Not kidding)


I read an interview where John Cleese said something similar. We certainly do have a lot of crap though.

[Knowledged_one]

I tried watching the Office british version and didnt laugh once

the american version just much funnier

i just dont get british tv to me its just boring

another example - kitchen nightmares british version sucked but the US version is better because the americans argue back with Ramsey while the british just take it standing there

[Knowledged_one]

and the british could never do a real gritty series like the US does like

Homicide, the Wire, Oz, Dexter and on and on

Nobody believes british people as tough guys i guess is what it comes down to

[DolaMight]

american tv > british tv

95% of all tv everywhere is shit. the us has 20x more programs than the uk. Being the fact that you're totally engrossed in us tv you have the impression that it must be worse cuz the few uk shows that make it over here are great. That's why they came.

In canada we get alot of uk tv because we have cbc which is a sister crown-corpration of the bbc. It's 97% shit. Oh they love their awful game shows and soap operas.

However, their comedy is hot right now. Check out Peep Show on channel 4 in the uk. Season 5 just started 2 weeks ago and I'm lovin it. Check out season 1-4 on DVD if you can find them (torrents if you can't). It's like a HBO show in that it's uncensored.

[DolaMight]

America just aint ready for time travel.

America loves sliders

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/pccranford/sliders.jpg

[ChrisTheCop]

America loves sliders


http://www.onedigitallife.com/images/white_castle.jpg

[cougarjake13]

so did he really time travel or is he in a coma

[lleeder]

another example - kitchen nightmares british version sucked but the US version is better because the americans argue back with Ramsey while the british just take it standing there

Nothing could be further from the truth in the British version there are tons of arguements. I love when Ramsey will fight with a frenchman or randomn euro-dirtbag. The British version also has more content and no cheesy overhype and voiceover.

[docgoblin]

I tried watching the Office british version and didnt laugh once

the american version just much funnier

i just dont get british tv to me its just boring

Okay, now you're just talking crazy!

I am wary of an Americanized version of Life On Mars as the original was one of the best series I've ever seen, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

[docgoblin]

I'm avoiding this at all costs. I haven't seen the British series and I am patiently waiting for it to be available in Region 1 DVD.

C'MON YA BRITS.... GET TO IT!!!!!

One word: Torrents

[epo]

I tried watching the Office british version and didnt laugh once

the american version just much funnier

i just dont get british tv to me its just boring

another example - kitchen nightmares british version sucked but the US version is better because the americans argue back with Ramsey while the british just take it standing there

That's just silly.

[Chigworthy]

I read an interview where John Cleese said something similar. We certainly do have a lot of crap though.

This may be true, but you look like Eric Clapton on the cover of Journeyman.

I tried watching the Office british version and didnt laugh once

the american version just much funnier

i just dont get british tv to me its just boring

another example - kitchen nightmares british version sucked but the US version is better because the americans argue back with Ramsey while the british just take it standing there

I just don't understand how this happens.

[Tenbatsuzen]

America loves sliders

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/pccranford/sliders.jpg

... that's not time travel, that's interdimensional travel. It was even mentioned as such in the beginning credits.

[CardiffGiant]

Jesus that does look lame. I've not seen the original BBC show but I've seen ads for it during Top Gear and it seems like it has a creepy supenatural/mystery element in it that the American trailer is clearly lacking. Count me out.

[docgoblin]

The other problem is that network television series' are too long. Life On Mars BBC was 16 total episodes over two seasons and it was wrapped up in a neat little bow. The American version will try to do 20 episodes in one season and then hope to get picked up for a second season. If you know the British version, and if the producers stay true to it, there isn't enough story to drag it out that long. That's why it's likely doomed from the start.

We're probably better off watching the BBC's Life On Mars spin-off 'Ashes To Ashes' which has already completed season one and may show up on BBC America this summer. Check out the info here: CLICK ME (http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/ashestoashes/episodes/)

[Knowledged_one]

and as far as time travel - Quantam Leap did quite well

and for those asking me whats wrong or thats silly because i dont laugh once at the British version of the office, i could say the same for you all that you do find it funny

[badorties]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-aDlRJVYuI

this is so bad
wow

like i knew an american remake possibly would be bad

but wow

it doesnt even have the song

here a split screen comparison from the first episode:

Easy To See Why The American Life On Mars Needs A Total Reshoot (http://io9.com/5018498/easy-to-see-why-the-american-life-on-mars-needs-a-total-reshoot)

[badorties]

they've relocated the production to NYC, the storyline from SF to NYC, and re-casted everyone except the irish guy playing sam tyler ...

the new ray carling:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v296/badorties/those%20other%20sigs/RayCarling.jpg

[booster11373]

First Christopher from the Sopranos joins the cast as Ray now Colm Meany is Out and MrWolf himself is Gene Hunt

at least according to AICN.COM



thoughts?

[badorties]

First Christopher from the Sopranos joins the cast as Ray now Colm Meany is Out and MrWolf himself is Gene Hunt

at least according to AICN.COM



thoughts?

i kind of like it -- they're giving it a better NY feel ... although, i'm still not too crazy about sam

i read yesterday that annie has been reimaged with a woman's lib/feminist angle (more fitting to a NYC female cop of the mid 70s rather than the doe-eyed, just happy to be here manchester lass)

the article also implied less focus on the sci-fi angle making more of fish out of water 70s cop drama

[booster11373]

i kind of like it -- they're giving it a better NY feel ... although, i'm still not too crazy about sam

i read yesterday that annie has been reimaged with a woman's lib/feminist angle (more fitting to a NYC female cop of the mid 70s rather than the doe-eyed, just happy to be here manchester lass)

the article also implied less focus on the sci-fi angle making more of fish out of water 70s cop drama


Did they change the setting from L.A. to NY as well?

[badorties]

Did they change the setting from L.A. to NY as well?

they've moved the production to NYC, and relocated the storyline from SF to NYC

ABC's 'Life On Mars' Changes More Than Just Accent (http://www.syfyportal.com/news425226.html)

The upcoming Americanized version of the British "Life on Mars" television show will go through a number of changes, including location and possibly the very reason that a 21st century police detective finds himself in the 1970s.

The American version changes locations, moving the story to New York instead of Manchester, England. But that isn't the only changes being made.

"We talked to the creators of the BBC show and asked if we could change the mythology of Sam Tyler, and we got permission to do it," executive producer Josh Appelbaum told SciFi Wire.

Appelbaum and the other producers thought the BBC ending "felt a bit unsatisfying. So we made it a deeper mystery."

[booster11373]

When I was first watching the BBC version and before any talk of an American version I thought to myself that if the did a US version it should be set in Boston

[JustJon]

I hate that they're going to reveal the mystery. Part of the appeal of the show was the mystery of how and why he was there, and I like that at the end...

You don't know if the 70s version was really in Sam's head or the accident really did send him in the past, as well as jumping off the building at the end of the series

[badorties]

I hate that they're going to reveal the mystery. Part of the appeal of the show was the mystery of how and why he was there, and I like that at the end...

You don't know if the 70s version was really in Sam's head or the accident really did send him in the past, as well as jumping off the building at the end of the series

i though that was pretty clear, especially with the young girl appearing at the end to 'turn off the tv'

[booster11373]

I don't think Keitel will have the humor needed to play the Jean Genie, Not that Keitel is a bad actor but has ever been anything close to a comedic or humorous role?

[badorties]

I don't think Keitel will have the humor needed to play the Jean Genie, Not that Keitel is a bad actor but has ever been anything close to a comedic or humorous role?

the wolf had a very dry sense of humor

[JustJon]

i though that was pretty clear, especially with the young girl appearing at the end to 'turn off the tv'

True, but I feel that you could choose to interpret it either way.

[badorties]

maya (sam's girlfriend) old & new:

http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jul/26slide1.jpg
http://www.the-planets.com/star-biography/Lisa_Bonet_Biography_3.jpg


annie cartwright old & new:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/66/300lifeonmars_white.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/worldfilm/1/0/Z/W/gretchen_mol.jpg

[stinkbud]

I just watched the original pilot of the US version. It was pretty much a complete recreation of the UK pilot and it was rather faithfully done. I liked Rachel Lefavre as Annie (i got a thing for red head chicks). Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt was just wrong. He lacks the "cool" factor Gene had in the UK series. Harvey Keitel on the other hand would be perfect. California was a good backdrop for the show, but I can see why it was reshot as a NYC show.

THe pilot is out there on the torrents if y'all are interested. Its not awful and worth a download.

[badorties]

I just watched the original pilot of the US version. It was pretty much a complete recreation of the UK pilot and it was rather faithfully done. I liked Rachel Lefavre as Annie (i got a thing for red head chicks). Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt was just wrong. He lacks the "cool" factor Gene had in the UK series. Harvey Keitel on the other hand would be perfect. California was a good backdrop for the show, but I can see why it was reshot as a NYC show.

THe pilot is out there on the torrents if y'all are interested. Its not awful and worth a download.

the new sam just seems a bit off, maybe a little too intense ... or just maybe his hairline bugs me

i'm looking forward to it ... here's a pic of maya at work

http://jezebel.com/assets/images/jezebel/2008/08/bonet080708.jpg

[ChrisTheCop]

Wow! I havent been paying attention! I just saw an ad... Keitel as Gene Hunt!!!
I still dont like the Sam guy, but now I've GOTTA watch!


On that note, I liked that the bbc version of a 21st century cop wasnt a hulking brute, but a smaller, more intellectual kind of man...like myself. The contrast of the 2 character's physicality vs intellect always seemed to be important underlying characteristics, which the US guys lack.

[JustJon]

Wow! I havent been paying attention! I just saw an ad... Keitel as Gene Hunt!!!
I still dont like the Sam guy, but now I've GOTTA watch!


It was changed from Colm Meanie a few weeks ago.

[Don Stugots]

I will be checking it out.

[ChrisTheCop]

It was changed from Colm Meanie a few weeks ago.

absolutely the best decision ever. In my mind, this has turned from a crappy rehash idea, to something with potential.

[badorties]

http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/08/medium_2782722373_178d22c51f_o.jpg

http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/08/medium_2782722167_7586c8f619_o.jpg

[Don Stugots]

i like that jacket.

[badorties]

http://io9.com/assets/images/io9/2008/09/113711_D_0166r1_pre.jpg

[DolaMight]

http://io9.com/assets/images/io9/2008/09/113711_D_0166r1_pre.jpg

I know it's a remake but why did they have to cast people who looked exactly the same. Even the hairstyles are identical. I thought it's for a whole new audience, why did they pay so much attention to detail? Sure make it look 70's but it didn't have to be identical, they even matched the mutton chops.

I'll defiantly watch now that Keitel is gene hunt. I hope they don't clone the scripts though like the office did with the first season.

[badorties]

I know it's a remake but why did they have to cast people who looked exactly the same. Even the hairstyles are identical. I thought it's for a whole new audience, why did they pay so much attention to detail? Sure make it look 70's but it didn't have to be identical, they even matched the mutton chops.

I'll defiantly watch now that Keitel is gene hunt. I hope they don't clone the scripts though like the office did with the first season.

the pilot will be pretty much spot on ... the first episode is called, "out here in the fields" (which was used in a great scene in the UK pilot)

here's the casting call info:

When his police partner and girlfriend, MAYA DANIELS, is taken hostage by a serial slayer, homicide detective Sam Tyler rushes to the rescue. En route, however, he is hit by a car -- an accident that somehow vaults him back in time to the year 1973. Still a cop, Sam is dismissed as a nutjob by his new colleagues in 1973, who find Sam's claims of coming from the future nothing less than insane. Disoriented and lost, Sam puts his own feelings aside to focus on a 1973 serial killer case that bears bizarre parallels to his investigation in 2008. But as he searches for the killer, he must also solve the mystery of his apparent time travel. Is he lingering in a coma in the present day, or has he been actually, physically transported back in time for a purpose that, so far, eludes his understanding? Stranded in the past, Sam fears that, for Maya, at the mercy of maniac, time may be running out...

[COLIN RAIMES]
A CREEPY-LOOKING, STRANGELY PALE MAN IN HIS 30s, this suspected serial slayer seems to have an airtight alibi. However, just when Sam realizes that Colin is actually the killer in question, Colin has already snatched Maya as his latest victim...1 line, 6 scenes (4) sptv050769 SHOULD HAVE RED HAIR OR BE WILLING TO LET PRODUCTION PUT A RINSE IN HIS HAIR. LOOKING FOR ODD CHARACTER TYPES.

i think they tried to make the characters their own for the SF version, and they promptly scrapped the whole lot and brought in this gang

[badorties]

the lovely couple:

http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/09/medium_2881009819_c96c40ba88_o.jpg

[drjoek]

Whats the consensus Should I Tivo this or not? I loved the orginal based on Ronnie Bs suggestion Its got Harvey Keitel. I should start a poll.

The original is getting a marathon this coming weekend on BBCAmerica I think.

[badorties]

Whats the consensus Should I Tivo this or not? I loved the orginal based on Ronnie Bs suggestion Its got Harvey Keitel. I should start a poll.

The original is getting a marathon this coming weekend on BBCAmerica I think.

i'm going to give it a shot, and put it in the DVR queue

i going to watch it with a huge grain of salt, and try not to endlessly compare it to the original

[drjoek]

i'm going to give it a shot, and put it in the DVR queue

i going to watch it with a huge grain of salt, and try not to endlessly compare it to the original


I think I'll do the same. Whats the worst that could happen, I delete it

[ChrisTheCop]

I predict itll end up doing well, ratings wise.

Trouble is, for those of us that have already seen, and loved, the BBC version, we wont like it.
Just like those of you who liked the BBC Office; but thisll be so much worse for us, because it's gonna be the same exact story.

I think it's a cool story that should reach as many audiences as possible.
If you havent seen the BBC version, DEFINITELY watch this one!!!

[badorties]

I predict itll end up doing well, ratings wise.

Trouble is, for those of us that have already seen, and loved, the BBC version, we wont like it.

Just like those of you who liked the BBC Office; but thisll be so much worse for us, because it's gonna be the same exact story.

I think it's a cool story that should reach as many audiences as possible.
If you havent seen the BBC version, DEFINITELY watch this one!!!

some research group predicted it should do very well with target demos

the one (non-spoiler) twist i've read ... they're gonna make the show less sci-fi and focus on the 'fish out of water' concept ... but as the show ended, there was very little sci-fi to it at all

the music had such a great (british-centric) soundtrack, i wonder how much will carry over

[Friday]

the BBC is running an ORIGINAL Life on Mars marathon today and they actually have SUBTITLES on the screen.

stupid bloody americans!! who can't understand a british accent??!?!?! :wacko:

[badorties]

the BBC is running an ORIGINAL Life on Mars marathon today and they actually have SUBTITLES on the screen.

stupid bloody americans!! who can't understand a british accent??!?!?! :wacko:

the way the intro'd each episode was kinda funny, i've seen PBS docs that have subtitled irish folks too

i noticed the songs seemed different (from the BBC/UK airings), and in the last episode there was an exchange with phyllis (regarding annie) in the pub that was missing

here's some new info for thursday run:

The American remake of the British time-travel cop show has a plan for its complex mythology of why/how Sam Tyler ended up in 1973. The producers already know where it's going to end up, and they know what's really going on with Sam. So even though they have a million options besides the "Sam's in a coma" option, they do have an ending in mind. Really. Also, the show takes place on the lower East side. Also, Phyllis may not show up in the pilot, but you'll see her eventually. Oh, and the thing of Sam's girlfriend Maya being abducted in 2008 will be resolved early in the show's run. We won't be dealing with any time paradoxes or worries about Sam changing his own past, or anything like that.

Oh, and that thing in the second episode, where Sam writes down 13 options for what's happened to him on a blackboard? He actually only thinks of 12 options. The 13th is a question mark. "That's the one he hasn't thought of yet. That's the one that scares him most of all. It's stuff like he's alternating on two separate planes of reality at the same time, that kind of thing, and in the second episode you'll see the full list of options," says producer Josh Appelbaum.[Sci Fi Weekly (http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw19600.html)]

[JustJon]

I'll watch it, and I hope it's good, but I'm afraid if it is, they'll just drag the story on way too long.

[Don Stugots]

I'll watch it, and I hope it's good, but I'm afraid if it is, they'll just drag the story on way too long.

me too. it already on the DVR list.

[Doctor Manhattan]

the BBC is running an ORIGINAL Life on Mars marathon today and they actually have SUBTITLES on the screen.

stupid bloody americans!! who can't understand a british accent??!?!?! :wacko:

Are the subtitles for local references that we wouldn't get? (Not that those things are hard to pick up when watching British TV)

[badorties]

I'll watch it, and I hope it's good, but I'm afraid if it is, they'll just drag the story on way too long.

the producers have talked about the challenges of making a 16 episode series into a 16 seasons series

Are the subtitles for local references that we wouldn't get? (Not that those things are hard to pick up when watching British TV)

more for fast-talking and slang

[stinkbud]

I cannot wait till Thursday...unfortunately there are no leaks of the reshot pilot online. Just gonna have to wait I guess.

[Friday]

more for fast-talking and slang

it's not all That fast though.... i guess it's person to person though.
i have an ex who used to spend extended amounts of time in London on business and he would tell me stories of needing a 'translator' when they went out for lunch and such.
hilarious...

[GreatAmericanZero]

watching this i'm like "if he doesnt know hes in the 70s but then looks up and sees the world trade center and knows that would be so distasteful" and thats what happened

[GreatAmericanZero]

Holy Shit, i can't listen to Harvey Keitel speak without hearing Jay Mohr's imitation!

[booster11373]

Harvey Keitel is not pulling off the Jean Genie.........so far

[GreatAmericanZero]

Harvey Keitel is not pulling off the Jean Genie.........so far

i never saw the original british version, but im guessing his character is suppose to be tough. Instead Keitel seems old and frail and sounding like a parody of himself

[Don Stugots]

i am 2 mins in and i like it already.

[Reephdweller]

i am 2 mins in and i like it already.

I agree, I like it a lot so far.

I haven't seen the original, but I'm digging this.

[booster11373]

i never saw the original british version, but im guessing his character is suppose to be tough. Instead Keitel seems old and frail and sounding like a parody of himself

Ding!

If I didn't love the original Id like this, It gets alot of things right but.......

[Sarge]

So far I think its a pretty good show, but I never saw the original.

[TheGameHHH]

i like it so far, i actually think the lead guy plays the weakest character.

[JustJon]

The first ep is very close to the first ep of the british series, so it's not that bad. I don't think Keital is as big a scumbag or as tough as the british Gene, but the rest of the cast is good.

[booster11373]

I dont want to come off like to cool for the room but make the effort and try and see the original.

The cast is good with the exception of Keitel, He is 10 years to old to play this guy

[NAFC]

Anyone who has not seen the original that wants to:
http://ipb.quicksilverscreen.com/index.php?showtopic=20355

[Judge Smails]

OK, I'm one of the ones who never saw the original but I like this. They must be spending a fortune on the music rights if this keeps up with every episode. Did the original rely on music to this extent to set the mood also?

[epo]

I dont want to come off like to cool for the room but make the effort and try and see the original.

The cast is good with the exception of Keitel, He is 10 years to old to play this guy

I'm a total snob for the original, but I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode. I'm happy they had fun with the time rather than made fun of the time as I feared they would.

[epo]

OK, I'm one of the ones who never saw the original but I like this. They must be spending a fortune on the music rights if this keeps up with every episode. Did the original rely on music to this extent to set the mood also?

Completely. Here is the music from the original series (http://tviv.org/Life_on_Mars/Music).

[drjoek]

I dont want to come off like to cool for the room but make the effort and try and see the original.

The cast is good with the exception of Keitel, He is 10 years to old to play this guy



X2. Seek out the original

[badorties]

i am 2 mins in and i like it already.

I agree, I like it a lot so far.

I haven't seen the original, but I'm digging this.

I'm a total snob for the original, but I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode. I'm happy they had fun with the time rather than made fun of the time as I feared they would.

i really liked it ... it was wierd with the scene-for-scene and dialog-for-dialog moments, and i liked the changes

the WTC moment seemed genuine, and liked the touch at the end

the new sam has grown on me, annie is great and chris and ray just miss the mark -- but not enough to be a distraction

i'm looking forward to the new storylines and angles, but the re-created episodes will be interesting

[booster11373]

I'm a total snob for the original, but I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode. I'm happy they had fun with the time rather than made fun of the time as I feared they would.

It was better then I thought it would be, The did a better job recreating 1970's NY the the original did doing 1970's Manchester. The original always seemed so empty the remake seem full and vibrent like NYC

The music played a big part in the original I hope it continues to do so here, But it needs to be Funky!

[epo]

i'm looking forward to the new storylines and angles, but the re-created episodes will be interesting

That will be the test of whether the series works or not. Tonight was a cover version of the original series, but once they are working on their own with the characters we'll figure if its working.

[badorties]

That will be the test of whether the series works or not. Tonight was a cover version of the original series, but once they are working on their own with the characters we'll figure if its working.

next week's seems like another cover, too

[epo]

next week's seems like another cover, too

Looks to be a cover of Episode 2 with the thief that Tyler lets free after Hunt sets him up.

[Furtherman]

I liked it.

This will probably get me into the sounds of the 70's again.

The shots of the Towers, especially the last scene at night, gave me chills.

[Aggie]

I had never heard of either version until this thread. I got sucked in last night after Grey's and ended up watching the whole thing. It wasn't bad, wasn't great but it kept me the whole hour.

However I love a good BBC show so maybe I'll just check out the original and save myself from having to follow another TV show. I watch waaaayyyy too much TV.

[badorties]

I had never heard of either version until this thread. I got sucked in last night after Grey's and ended up watching the whole thing. It wasn't bad, wasn't great but it kept me the whole hour.

However I love a good BBC show so maybe I'll just check out the original and save myself from having to follow another TV show. I watch waaaayyyy too much TV.


see if you can get the BBC UK, not the BBC US version ... better soundtrack

[mikeyboy]

My DVR stopped recording 15 minutes in, right as Keitel walked out of his office daintily fanning himself. In those few seconds of seeing him, my only thought was that Keitel got Gene Hunt totally wrong.

[PD]

I agree, I like it a lot so far.

I haven't seen the original, but I'm digging this.
that's me- I thought it pretty good.

I dont want to come off like to cool for the room but make the effort and try and see the original.

The cast is good with the exception of Keitel, He is 10 years to old to play this guy
I hesitated to see it for that reason; it's like reading the book before the movie.
I may eventually see the original but it seems that I shouldn't do it too soon or I wont want to watch this.

[badorties]

My DVR stopped recording 15 minutes in, right as Keitel walked out of his office daintily fanning himself. In those few seconds of seeing him, my only thought was that Keitel got Gene Hunt totally wrong.

yeah, i miss the gene geanie ... keitel is 69, who's ass would he kick

[ChrisTheCop]

I watched this with my team last night.
I loved the BBC version, none of them had ever seen it.

They all really liked the american version, but I just couldnt stop comparing it to the original.
Again, this story is one that should be shared, and I hope it does well and is able to finish completely. I may give myself one more chance b4 I give up, but I'm glad new viewers seem to be liking it.

[epo]

My DVR stopped recording 15 minutes in, right as Keitel walked out of his office daintily fanning himself. In those few seconds of seeing him, my only thought was that Keitel got Gene Hunt totally wrong.

I hope that Keitel makes Gene Hunt his own character, rather than Phillip Glenister's character. He still needs to be a gruff asshole, but maybe a different spin.

[ChrisTheCop]

I hope that Keitel makes Gene Hunt his own character, rather than Phillip Glenister's character. He still needs to be a gruff asshole, but maybe a different spin.

I kinda wish the director and actors never saw the bbc version, and just went with the script, making changes as they saw necessary. But it seems theyre doing it ala Vince Vaughn's Psycho; line for line, shot by shot, joke for joke. No one has "made it their own" yet.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I haven't seen the original, I always thought it was some jlehane ranting.

However, I saw the last 45 minutes of it last night and I really dug it. I loved the use of Baba O'Riley, and the last shot of New York with the WTC was actually pretty-well done IMHO.

I was about to complain that the WTC wasn't complete yet in 1973, but it was. My bad.

[Tenbatsuzen]

One quibble:

I can't look at Imperioli and not think: "Nathan Wind as Cochese".

[badorties]

One quibble:

I can't look at Imperioli and not think: "Nathan Wind as Cochese".

that's perfect

there's a WTC moment at the beginning that's really strong

i thought the new annie really put a great spin on the character ... same foundation, charm and cuteness -- but with a great NYC feel (a fordham alum with student loans living with her parents in kew gardens)

what i miss about the original sam was his nerdieness, new sam's a little too tough guy (who cries way too much) ... the old sam's bookish/cerebral mannerisms fed the fish out of water concept nicely -- new sam seems to almost fit in 1973 easily

i hope they tune ray's one-liners a bit, and make him a little less likeable

[stinkbud]

I was about to complain that the WTC wasn't complete yet in 1973, but it was. My bad.

It may have been completed, but it wasn't filled to the point where it would be all lit up like that at night.

Regardless, I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to a good season. Lets hope they take it to interesting places

[Zorro]

Seems mis-cast.

Did Keitel have plastic surgery? He's starting to look like an old woman.

[ChrisTheCop]

(9/01/08)
I still dont like the Sam guy, but now I've GOTTA watch!


On that note, I liked that the bbc version of a 21st century cop wasnt a hulking brute, but a smaller, more intellectual kind of man...like myself. The contrast of the 2 character's physicality vs intellect always seemed to be important underlying characteristics, which the US guys lack.

(10/10/08)
what i miss about the original sam was his nerdieness, new sam's a little too tough guy (who cries way too much) ... the old sam's bookish/cerebral mannerisms fed the fish out of water concept nicely -- new sam seems to almost fit in 1973 easily


Thaaaank youuuu.

[Friday]

i'm watching now.
i keep wanting Sam to say 'mobile' and am bitterly disappointed when he says 'cell' instead.
and i miss my little british sam... this one is way too hunky. teehee

and i agree... Keitel is way old to play Hunt but I will try to keep an open mind.

I saw the last half of the series last week but I really wish I had a dvd of the episodes i missed...... *siiiiiigh* *coughcough*

[ahhdurr]

I watched this with my team last night.

http://www.geocities.com/paperbag3/Bowlers.jpg
I heard you guys won the league frog last year.

[mikeyboy]

I finally got around to watching the first episode. I liked it. I really liked the British version though. I located a copy of the original pilot for the U.S. series that didn't air, and it sucked. Other than Sam, the entire show was re-cast. The basic plot was more or less the same as the overhauled premiere, but the script was changed a lot. One of the things they seemed to be doing with the overhaul was to keep the characters closer to the British version. In the original version, the guy playing Gene Hunt just doesn't register as strong as he does in the British version or even as strong as Keitel does. In the original, the focus is really on Sam and Annie, with Gene Hunt as a more secondary character. Also, they had Lenny Clarke playing a more jovial version of (I think) Ray, and Chris doesn't seem to be in the pilot. Gretchen Mol also makes a much better Annie than the actress they had playing her in the original. Fans of the original would have been outraged if they went in the direction they originally intended.

[WhistlePig]

I wasn't even planning on watching this show but I flipped to it and ended up watching the entire thing. I remembered Ron saying how great the British version was, and watching this one made me want to see that version more.
It's fun to see all the stuff from '73. It doesn't seem that long ago for me (35 years?!?) and it's fun to see all the stuff I remember from childhood. (I was 8 years old then)
The only beef I have is all the predictable references to the time, as if we don't know it's 1973 people have to quote Bob Dylan or mention a TV show to make sure we know. Something I always hate with "back in time" shows/movies.

[badorties]

Thaaaank youuuu.

you're verrry welllcommme


in great casting news, dennis “the beeper king” duffy, will be playing sam's shifty dad vic

[GreatAmericanZero]

let me preface this again with saying i never saw the british version

i think this show would be more compelling if it was just a NYC 70s cop drama. The time travel does nothing for me. But a modern tv series about a police unit in 70s NY would be great. Its just such a great, compelling time

[Reephdweller]

let me preface this again with saying i never saw the british version

i think this show would be more compelling if it was just a NYC 70s cop drama. The time travel does nothing for me. But a modern tv series about a police unit in 70s NY would be great. Its just such a great, compelling time


I have to agree with that. While the time travel element in interesting to me, I've found myself more interested just in the 70's and seeing things from back then, things I remembered if it was just a 70's based show it would still be something I would watch.

Someone linked the original British version earlier so I watched the first one yesterday, I was amazed how close both versions are to one another. I'm not as familiar with the British character that Keitel plays so I don't have as much criticism as others have for him, yes he seems a bit old for the part, but I just love Keitel so I'm enjoying seeing him in the show.

[badorties]

let me preface this again with saying i never saw the british version

i think this show would be more compelling if it was just a NYC 70s cop drama. The time travel does nothing for me. But a modern tv series about a police unit in 70s NY would be great. Its just such a great, compelling time

if you stick with the show, it'll eventually will become less sci-fi, more period cop drama ... especially, this version

[badorties]

I have to agree with that. While the time travel element in interesting to me, I've found myself more interested just in the 70's and seeing things from back then, things I remembered if it was just a 70's based show it would still be something I would watch.

Someone linked the original British version earlier so I watched the first one yesterday, I was amazed how close both versions are to one another. I'm not as familiar with the British character that Keitel plays so I don't have as much criticism as others have for him, yes he seems a bit old for the part, but I just love Keitel so I'm enjoying seeing him in the show.

the gene genie (spoiler free):

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[stinkbud]

Thanks for those badorities....I forget how great Phillip Glenister is as the Gene Genie. I cannot wait for series 2 of Ashes To Ashes. Its going to be interesting having a weekly comparison of the two Gene Hunts. I just hope the US version of LOM lasts that long.

[badorties]

the one thing that really missed the mark was keeping the 'hyde' angle ... they really should've used a weschester or nassau town (new hyde park)

[Friday]

this re-make is definitely growing on me.
definitely enjoyed tonight's episode.
made less comparisons.... let myself just get into the story.
new sam grew on me a little too.

[barjockey]

is the english version available?

[PD]

O&A discussing this today.

Anthony is mentioning that the 70's references are over the top- but isn't it possible that since it's his perspective he may be the reason? if you have a dream, isn't it usually over the top?

how did the BBC version handle this? (ie - was it intentional, or just bad writing?)

[Furtherman]

I thought O&A's criticism of the show was over the top. I didn't get the hate at all. I really enjoyed last night's show.

WTF with the Mars rover? Some kind of experiment?

[TjM]

From Wiki

Philip Glenister and John Simm, stars of the UK version, had been approached for lead roles in the series, but had turned them down, partly due to family commitments, and partly due, in Glenister's case, to a fear of becoming "a nutter in The Priory".

:unsure:

[~Katja~]

is the english version available?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/
they have episodes on there.

I was wondering, since I heard that it pretty much just copies the uk version if their conversations were just alike or if they referenced it more on things that were happening in the UK during that time

[PD]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/
they have episodes on there.

I was wondering, since I heard that it pretty much just copies the uk version if their conversations were just alike or if they referenced it more on things that were happening in the UK during that time

are those full eps? it looks like just clips to me.

[Furtherman]

are those full eps? it looks like just clips to me.

It's just clips. I'd love to see the original version but they're not released on region 1 DVD yet.

I know you can unlock a dvd player to play region 2 but I keep reading that it could also break your dvd player.

[epo]

It's just clips. I'd love to see the original version but they're not released on region 1 DVD yet.

I know you can unlock a dvd player to play region 2 but I keep reading that it could also break your dvd player.

Try Ebay. I got Region 1 copies of the show that way.

[epo]

O&A discussing this today.

Anthony is mentioning that the 70's references are over the top- but isn't it possible that since it's his perspective he may be the reason? if you have a dream, isn't it usually over the top?

how did the BBC version handle this? (ie - was it intentional, or just bad writing?)

In the original version the 70's references in the show are MEANT to be over-the-top and fun. The writers had fun with the time period, yet didn't mock it.

Of course the hair and mustaches are ridiculous. Of course some of the settings are silly...that's the point. The contrast is the element that makes the show different in the construct of a drama.

If Anthony wants "accuracy" then he should watch one of the 50 CSI or Law & Order shows on the air.

[kdubya]

I am still not 100% sold on this version, but the naked girl was pretty hot.

[~Katja~]

It's just clips. I'd love to see the original version but they're not released on region 1 DVD yet.

I know you can unlock a dvd player to play region 2 but I keep reading that it could also break your dvd player.

I just recently changed my dvd player to be regionless and it works great. Did not break.
I play German DVD's all the time now. set it to region 0 which plays all.

[JustJon]

I liekd the second episode alot better. The first ep was note for note the british first ep, the second one started veering off. I think by episode 6, the show will start to have its own voice. I'm hoping the show has a good length, but finite run so we learn what is ?.

[badorties]

I just recently changed my dvd player to be regionless and it works great. Did not break.
I play German DVD's all the time now. set it to region 0 which plays all.

that seems like a lot work to watch chicken flicks

[~Katja~]

that seems like a lot work to watch chicken flicks

took 1 minute. change a code in settings and voila. I am also not a fan of chick flicks. did this one for my son so he can watch German movies... do I don't have to talk German with him :D

[WhistlePig]

I watched the 2nd episode and was tempted to stop the automatic recording. I didn't like it at all. Now I want to dump this american version and seek out the british version and see if that is better. I like the 1973 stuff, but the bad acting is painful. (Was that woman policeman who helped the bad guy the chick from "Welcome to the Dollhouse?")

[mikeyboy]

(Was that woman policeman who helped the bad guy the chick from "Welcome to the Dollhouse?")

yeah - Heather Matarazzo.

[stinkbud]

Was that woman policeman who helped the bad guy the chick from "Welcome to the Dollhouse?"

WIENER DOG!!!!!!!

[NewYorkDragons80]

I was really hoping this show was good since I first heard about it. I've never seen or heard of the British version until this one came out, but I really like it. Maybe I'm just too into the concept to be objective, but the stupid references O&A goofed on were not as embedded in these episodes as they made them out to be. I'm def looking forward to how it develops.

[JustJon]

I was really hoping this show was good since I first heard about it. I've never seen or heard of the British version until this one came out, but I really like it. Maybe I'm just too into the concept to be objective, but the stupid references O&A goofed on were not as embedded in these episodes as they made them out to be. I'm def looking forward to how it develops.

I agree. I'm enjoying the show too, and I did see the uk version. I think it needs a few more episodes to gain its own voice.

I'm also hoping this show has a finite run so they fully explore the mystery, and allegedly the American Sam has a concrete reason he is in the past.

[badorties]

I agree. I'm enjoying the show too, and I did see the uk version. I think it needs a few more episodes to gain its own voice.

I'm also hoping this show has a finite run so they fully explore the mystery, and allegedly the American Sam has a concrete reason he is in the past.

the fifth episode seems like another spot on cover of the UK, and looks like they've intorduced the very american sweeps, stunt guest-star casting

http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/10/smallish_2956872769_4f8d6d28d3_o.jpg
http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/10/smallish_2956873937_44d07cbb81_o.jpg


http://io9.com/assets/images/gallery/8/2008/10/smallish_2957716742_bcafdb6b09_o.jpg

[PD]

I'm liking this ep.

"hate crimes- as opposed to I really like you crimes"?

again, I'm not comparing it to the BBC version (since I didn't see it).

hell, even the Knicks were good back then.

[badorties]

my wife's tapped out after 1.5 episodes (she loved the UK version)

i'm trying to stick it out -- it's rough though ... gene has no joy or mania of DCI hunt, but new sam has grown on me ... some of the preachy war/tolerance dialog is trite, but i'll give it a few more episodes

after watching the UK version, the strorytelling feels really drawn out -- why can't they have a short run show ...?


two points:

i'm surprised that the second episode had such a strong allusion to the show's finale with the shaving scene, and the third episode echoed the same points

does the hippie chick exist ...? is she the new test card girl or nelson the barman...?

[JustJon]

I'm enjoying the show for what it is. But I still prefer the British Gene Hunt

[King Imp]

So, I didn't catch this, but my wife did.

Did anyone else notice in the scene where Sam and Gene were sitting on the car hood drinking after they found the latest girl dead in the water there was a Verizon logo on one of the buildings in the background? I can't believe no one noticed this and didn't have this taken out in production.

[cogsdoc]

So, I didn't catch this, but my wife did.

Did anyone else notice in the scene where Sam and Gene were sitting on the car hood drinking after they found the latest girl dead in the water there was a Verizon logo on one of the buildings in the background? I can't believe no one noticed this and didn't have this taken out in production.

It drove me nuts. I'm not overly picky about mess ups, but that was just so sloppy. The scene went on forever and it was so blatant.

[badorties]

So, I didn't catch this, but my wife did.

Did anyone else notice in the scene where Sam and Gene were sitting on the car hood drinking after they found the latest girl dead in the water there was a Verizon logo on one of the buildings in the background? I can't believe no one noticed this and didn't have this taken out in production.

i'm more concerned about the show keeping with the spirit of the BBC version, and that the show is enjoyable ... i've suspended my disbelief enough, so the little quirks of timeline don't really phase me too much

[King Imp]

Sam doing "Ice Ice Baby" while being held hostage was classic.

[badorties]

i almost bailed out on last week's epsiode

the scene in the car between sam & 'clams' was good, and the final funeral scene was redeemed a pretty weak episode

[King Imp]

Maybe I'm just blindly following what they are trying to make you believe, but to me it seems like a no brainer that Sam is in a coma all this time.

Between all the beeping which sounds like hospital equipment to him hearing people talking to him like they are at his bedside, I never once thought this whole trip back was anything more than where his mind went while being in a coma.

[lleeder]

Sam doing "Ice Ice Baby" while being held hostage was classic.

Did they make one of the definitions of "classic" ,douche chill enducing? If so you're correct.

[King Imp]

Did they make one of the definitions of "classic" ,douche chill enducing? If so you're correct.

Sorry this isn't your precious UK version. Go fucking turn on BBC if it bothers you so much.

[NewYorkDragons80]

Did they make one of the definitions of "classic" ,douche chill enducing? If so you're correct.

I really love the show, but that was the only douchey moment I've seen so far. All the other 70s references that O&A referenced were nitpciky and taken out of context. This is still a good show.

[JustJon]

Sam doing "Ice Ice Baby" while being held hostage was classic.

It was a cheap laugh, but it worked in context.

i almost bailed out on last week's epsiode

the scene in the car between sam & 'clams' was good, and the final funeral scene was redeemed a pretty weak episode

The episode was just ok, but the characterization was well done between Sam and Clams and their related story.

[stinkbud]

Sorry this isn't your precious UK version. Go fucking turn on BBC if it bothers you so much.

For those of y'all missing the precious UK version...the original Gene Genie, Raymondo and Chris will be back in a couple months in the second series of Ashes To Ashes. I am looking forward to a virtual side by side comparison of the charaters.

I am enjoying the US version so far, but Phillip Glenister IS Gene Hunt, and there is no other to me. Harvey Keitel is an acting immortal, but he is missing something in the role and I can't place exactly what.

[King Imp]

I am enjoying the US version so far, but Phillip Glenister IS Gene Hunt, and there is no other to me. Harvey Keitel is an acting immortal, but he is missing something in the role and I can't place exactly what.

Maybe because one is playing a New Yorker and the other is a Brit. Of course the characters, the dialog, and the humor are gonna be different.

[badorties]

Maybe because one is playing a New Yorker and the other is a Brit. Of course the characters, the dialog, and the humor are gonna be different.

no, there's something off ... the other characters have migrated nicely enough

[stinkbud]

no, there's something off ... the other characters have migrated nicely enough

I agree. I am enjoying all the other characters...especially Michael Imperioli's Ray. He has really made the character his own in a way that Keitel hasn't. I think its just that they havent really gotten into Hunt's personality yet. Glenister's Hunt was an interesting character from the first episode.

I am finding that I miss the bartender character (I can't remember his name) with the subtle info to Sam told with the wisdom of a pubkeep. I think that character has morphed into the hippie chick who lives across the hall. She seems to give NY Sam the same kind of insight with the naivety of a stoned out love child.

My wife is losing interest but I am still there. However, once Ashes To Ashes starts up again, we shall see.

[epo]

I agree. I am enjoying all the other characters...especially Michael Imperioli's Ray. He has really made the character his own in a way that Keitel hasn't. I think its just that they havent really gotten into Hunt's personality yet. Glenister's Hunt was an interesting character from the first episode.

I am finding that I miss the bartender character (I can't remember his name) with the subtle info to Sam told with the wisdom of a pubkeep. I think that character has morphed into the hippie chick who lives across the hall. She seems to give NY Sam the same kind of insight with the naivety of a stoned out love child.

My wife is losing interest but I am still there. However, once Ashes To Ashes starts up again, we shall see.

Wasn't the bartender named Nelson?

[badorties]

I agree. I am enjoying all the other characters...especially Michael Imperioli's Ray. He has really made the character his own in a way that Keitel hasn't. I think its just that they havent really gotten into Hunt's personality yet. Glenister's Hunt was an interesting character from the first episode.

I am finding that I miss the bartender character (I can't remember his name) with the subtle info to Sam told with the wisdom of a pubkeep. I think that character has morphed into the hippie chick who lives across the hall. She seems to give NY Sam the same kind of insight with the naivety of a stoned out love child.

My wife is losing interest but I am still there. However, once Ashes To Ashes starts up again, we shall see.

the new ray is great, started a little too jokey but really turned it around ... keitel is just too keitel ... i really liked the original choice of colm meaney as gene, but it didn't work out ... gene needs to be a little bigger than life, a little aloof and almost silly at first glance -- but can really bring it when necessary


Wasn't the bartender named Nelson?

yes

[Friday]

sam's hunkiness is starting to grow on me. he is doing a good job of showing the silly parts of the character too ... so that helps. i really loved last weeks episode ... and so far this one looks good.

i only saw a smattering of the UK version episodes but i still prefer british Gene Hunt... he was just so greazy... Harvey can't compare to it. But fuck OnA and their base critique... i don't rely on them for their politics and i certainly don't rely on them for entertainment reviews.

[PD]

i only saw a smattering of the UK version episodes but i still prefer british Gene Hunt... he was just so greazy... Harvey can't compare to it. But fuck OnA and their base critique... i don't rely on them for their politics and i certainly don't rely on them for entertainment reviews.

agreed- especially because the 70's ref are out of context.
I didn't watch the BBC show, however if a big part of this is that it could be in Sam's mind (or at least perception), it wouldn't be unreasonable for all the obvious 70's refs.

I'm still enjoying the show. It's not perfect, but it is entertaining.

[WhistlePig]

I've considered stopping my automatic Tivoing of this show but I haven't and I still keep watching it. I don't love it, if it didn't tape I wouldn't miss it, but for some reason I keep watching. Is it because there's nothing else on on Thursday night?
It certainly isn't a Californication, the Shield or Dexter, which I can't wait to see every week. I can't figure out why I haven't dumped it yet.

[badorties]

I've considered stopping my automatic Tivoing of this show but I haven't and I still keep watching it. I don't love it, if it didn't tape I wouldn't miss it, but for some reason I keep watching. Is it because there's nothing else on on Thursday night?
It certainly isn't a Californication, the Shield or Dexter, which I can't wait to see every week. I can't figure out why I haven't dumped it yet.

each week my interest is fading ... 45 minutes of the show fails, but there are a few moments of intrigue

i didn't care for them pushing a sam/annie angle so early in the show's run

[lleeder]

I never watched the British version but was it so obvious that he was in a coma in that one. I don't like how the coma stuff comes off, I wish they kept us guessing more. I would like it to be a little more like Jacobs Ladder.

[PD]

WTF with this long break?
to return after Lost returns?

by the way, how many episodes was the BBC run?

[JustJon]

WTF with this long break?
to return after Lost returns?

by the way, how many episodes was the BBC run?

16 episodes total. 8 each season.

I'm hoping the show doesn't go on forever and actually follows thru with the mystery and solution.

[badorties]

they're hoping to have a 16 year run

i liked that that they finally split from the BBC canon, and gave the show a new storyline

i hope the (pending actor) strike doesn't kill the show

[stinkbud]

i think the story line has been pretty close actually...the end of thursdays episode was VERY close to the series 1 finale from the UK.

[badorties]

i think the story line has been pretty close actually...the end of thursdays episode was VERY close to the series 1 finale from the UK.

really...?

in the BBC version his dad doesn't shoot him (twice), and sam doesn't persue him -- let alone study case files to find him

it really seems the second half maybe devoted to sam bringing his dad (and crew) down ... in the BBC version, sam knew his father's deal, but let him run away

[NewYorkDragons80]

I agree. I am enjoying all the other characters...especially Michael Imperioli's Ray. He has really made the character his own in a way that Keitel hasn't. I think its just that they havent really gotten into Hunt's personality yet. Glenister's Hunt was an interesting character from the first episode.

I couldn't disagree more. Keitel makes the show and he's specatcular as Gene Hunt.

BTW, for all you BBC purists, get a load of this: (http://www.syfyportal.com/news425608.html)

"We're really very proud of it," Pharoah told The Hollywood Reporter while visiting the show's New York set. "I think it's marvelous."
"They're changing the mythology, which I think is all right," He said. "It has to be different. Otherwise everyone just goes on YouTube and sees how it ends."

[epo]

It's back tonight.

[epo]

I just had an awesome laugh and felt like they finally took the identity of the show over from the original version.

[King Imp]

Glad the show is back, but was a bit puzzled as to why they didn't continue from where they left off. They didn't even allude to Sam in that cabin and that mysterious phone call he received telling him to go to the basement.

[Chimee]

I forgot all about that strangeness.

I really liked this episode though.

[Chimee]

And now they're showing the episode that should have aired last week.

[Coach_Mac]

And now they're showing the episode that should have aired last week.

Exactly. And as a matter of fact, I turned it off midway through last weeks episode and said I was done with the show. I tried to like it from the beggining but it never grabbed me. This week may have pulled me back in. Probably the best episode yet.

[badorties]

Exactly. And as a matter of fact, I turned it off midway through last weeks episode and said I was done with the show. I tried to like it from the beggining but it never grabbed me. This week may have pulled me back in. Probably the best episode yet.

tonite's episode definitely hooked me back in after the break and last week's weak outting ... except for the first episode, this latest one had a feel closest to the BBC version

[PD]

so, anyone still watching?

I read they are gonna break away from the BBC version- have they done it yet?

the previews for tonight seem to indicate something might occur in the mythology.

[epo]

And now they're showing the episode that should have aired last week.

Actually I think you are wrong about this point. The second part of the cliffhanger episode was told as a flashback and they referenced the "russians", who were a part of the previous episode.

The writers had it right and you had it wrong.

[epo]

so, anyone still watching?

I read they are gonna break away from the BBC version- have they done it yet?

the previews for tonight seem to indicate something might occur in the mythology.

After the "break" they definitely have seemed to break away from the original in terms of character development. The Gene Hunt and Ray Carling characters are definitely evolving.

[lleeder]

Actually I think you are wrong about this point. The second part of the cliffhanger episode was told as a flashback and they referenced the "russians", who were a part of the previous episode.

The writers had it right and you had it wrong.

You're right. I like the way that they showed the episodes in this way. The cliffhanger was so long ago they reestablished the characters in the first episode back from break before they went into the cliffhanger storyline. I never watched the British version but was there an interal affairs investigation like in this version of the series. I think the nerdy young cop is the one behind the deep throat type phonecalls I don't know why but he's the least likely so why not him.

[Chimee]

Actually I think you are wrong about this point. The second part of the cliffhanger episode was told as a flashback and they referenced the "russians", who were a part of the previous episode.

The writers had it right and you had it wrong.

Eh, it's hard to be right 20 minutes into the episode and I completely missed the Russian reference.

Right or wrong, it was a damn good episode.

[epo]

Eh, it's hard to be right 20 minutes into the episode and I completely missed the Russian reference.

Right or wrong, it was a damn good episode.

Meh....either way no big deal. I'm happy to say the big deal is the way in which they are developing the Sam Tyler/Gene Hunt relationship in an entirely new way.

[Don Stugots]

i am still watching it and still enjoying it.

[Furtherman]

I'm still enjoying it too, but I think we're seeing more and more clues to what happened to Sam unfortunately because the show might be canceled. Ratings have been tough.

I'm disappointed in my fellow Lost fans! I thought it was a perfect show to follow it. Then again, I thought Invasion was a good show to follow it as well and look what happened there. I think we may end up with a Journeyman-like finale.

[ChrisTheCop]

The difference between this and LOST is that you cant just go rent the original LOST to see how it ends up.

I watched this last night, and it in no way holds up to the original OR Journeyman.

Great cast, some good jokes... but for me, it falls short. Way short.

[badorties]

last nite's wasn't too bad -- maybe it helped that it was another BBC episode plot

i can do without the long, poignant scenes of gene in an undershirt, drunk on scotch and being rueful or refelective

[JustJon]

The difference between this and LOST is that you cant just go rent the original LOST to see how it ends up.

I watched this last night, and it in no way holds up to the original OR Journeyman.

Great cast, some good jokes... but for me, it falls short. Way short.

But the American one is already pointing to a different ending. The American producers have said there is a real and finite reason Sam is in the past, as opposed to the ending of the British ending.

[Contra]

I Tivoed the whole season so far and kict watch all of them a couple days ago. I have not seen the original, but I am really digging this version. I didn't watch last night's yet, from the responses here I think I'll watch it tonight.

[spadanko]

Canceled

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/breaking-abc-ca.html

[Don Stugots]

i like the show but i am glad it is ending. i didnt want the show to drag on.

[epo]

Canceled

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/breaking-abc-ca.html

God damned ABC.

[Contra]

I would have liked to see at least two seasons, but I didn't really think the plot could hold up very long. At least it will have an ending.

[badorties]

God damned ABC.

double goddamn ... as many problems i had with the show, it's stylists did a ton of business with my job -- not good

[Dave's Cackle]

I LOVE Life On Mars. Fuck ABC.

[boobieman]

Anyone know when how many episodes are left? Sucks that it is gone, but I just hope they give the show an ending. Tie everything up. Heck while i am at it..can I also get 2 more inches..and ah fuck it..world peace...yea.


SEEYEYAYAYAYAYAYA

[booster11373]

The follow-up to the British series starts this Saturday on BBC America

[JustJon]

The follow-up to the British series starts this Saturday on BBC America

Cool, I still haven't seen that show.

Too bad about the American, it was slowly starting to find its footing, but at least they'll have the ending.

[LordJezo]

Canceled

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/03/breaking-abc-ca.html

Good.

People should go watch the original instead of American remakes.

[King Imp]

Of course it's being cancelled because the goddamn inbred hicks who have Nielsen boxes are too busy watching garbage like The Bachelor, Super Nanny, and Wife Swap.

I mean, come on. Why would anyone watch a show that actually requires a bit of thinking when you could watch absolute drivel. :wallbash:

[PD]

Good.

People should go watch the original instead of American remakes.

and if we don't have BBC america, or pal dvd player, where are we supposed to see it?

Here is another show I got involved in without resolution.
Journeyman, pushing daisies, even "the nine".

as King Imp said, its annoying as hell that idiotic crap stays on, and interesting shows get killed.

Thank God Lost already has its commitment.

[PD]

and tonight's episode opens with......


Satellite of Love!!!!

[fezshog]

yay so does bkv write for this show too?

must be a whately possee insider:thumbup:

[~Katja~]

so there is a thread for 2008 and another for 1973?

[Contra]

Yes the 1973 thread is MUCH better!

[zildjian361]

and tonight's episode opens with......


Satellite of Love!!!!

great thougt i woke up at three in the morning.:unsure:

[indymike]

and tonight's episode opens with......


Satellite of Love!!!!

Great opening - going to miss this show.

[NewYorkDragons80]

I don't care what the BBC purists say, I love this show. Can't wait for the DVD

[epo]

That ending?

Fuck you ABC!

[~Katja~]

That ending?

Fuck you ABC!

I agree...

[MIKEYDAKEN]

hey man at least it tied things up. most shows don't get that

[epo]

Deal with this spoiler ABC!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aOEfvMMcw_A&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aOEfvMMcw_A&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[NewYorkDragons80]

Epo, try this alternate ending out:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r6_72g8kEw&hl=ja&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r6_72g8kEw&hl=ja&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Judge Smails]

I stopped watching weeks ago. Just for shits and giggles - what was the ending?

[badorties]

what a hokey, dog shit of an ending

i was willing to accept the ending up until gene patted sam on the back and the shitty mars voage ending

just dumb, and so many forced references -- 'gene hunt' was awful

i bailed three episodes ago -- were there other scenes of 2009 sam reading to annie (thinking that she was his mom) ...?

who was annie then to sam ...? just a confused set of memories from the neural transmitter ...?

booo

[epo]

Epo, try this alternate ending out:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r6_72g8kEw&hl=ja&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r6_72g8kEw&hl=ja&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

I've seen it on You Tube and it always makes me laugh.

[stinkbud]

Love that alternate ending.

I had no problem with the ending of the US series. It tied things up and left no loose ends. Sure it wasn't what we expected, especially after watching the UK series, but so fucking what? It was an ending. It answered all the questions.

[epo]

I stopped watching weeks ago. Just for shits and giggles - what was the ending?

When it came time for Sam to go "back to the future", he went back to 2035 (or some fucking year) and was a member of a NASA crew. The crew with him was the crew from 1973. They were on a literal trip to Mars to discover a gene to cure cancer, and his original order for the 2 year trip was a "dream" in which he would be a cop in 2008, but a mistake happened which sent him to 1973.

Of course he is friendly with the crew as they are his friends...to the point in which Ray calls him "spaceman" as an endearing nickname. They are on a trip under the request of President Obama (a daughter, whose father is ill). Think that will make you gag? Not even close.

The last ship mate is Gene Hunt, but not. Since they are on a "gene hunt" for cancer, it is revealed that the character is really a NASA person named "Major Tom"...hence the weak-ass Bowie link. And of course....Major Tom is actually Sam's dad.

Of course the soundtrack for this whole revelation....is an Elton John song.

Lamest shit I have seen on my TV in years. I'm considering suing ABC for 17 hours of my life back.

[Don Stugots]

BOOOOOOOO!!!

i threw tomatoes at my TV

[epo]

BOOOOOOOO!!!

i threw tomatoes at my TV

And the irony was that your TV DESERVED the abuse.

[mikeyboy]

Love that alternate ending.

I had no problem with the ending of the US series. It tied things up and left no loose ends. Sure it wasn't what we expected, especially after watching the UK series, but so fucking what? It was an ending. It answered all the questions.

..except it sucked and was really strained.

Holy shit. Did anyone count all of the recitations of song lyrics from the song "Life on Mars"? It's hard to work "look at those cavemen go" into regular conversation.

[hammersavage]

I'm gladder than ever I never got invested in this version.

[Judge Smails]

When it came time for Sam to go "back to the future", he went back to 2035 (or some fucking year) and was a member of a NASA crew. The crew with him was the crew from 1973. They were on a literal trip to Mars to discover a gene to cure cancer, and his original order for the 2 year trip was a "dream" in which he would be a cop in 2008, but a mistake happened which sent him to 1973.

Of course he is friendly with the crew as they are his friends...to the point in which Ray calls him "spaceman" as an endearing nickname. They are on a trip under the request of President Obama (a daughter, whose father is ill). Think that will make you gag? Not even close.

The last ship mate is Gene Hunt, but not. Since they are on a "gene hunt" for cancer, it is revealed that the character is really a NASA person named "Major Tom"...hence the weak-ass Bowie link. And of course....Major Tom is actually Sam's dad.

Of course the soundtrack for this whole revelation....is an Elton John song.

Lamest shit I have seen on my TV in years. I'm considering suing ABC for 17 hours of my life back.

No offense, but I refuse to believe a word of this shit until its coraborated by at least two other posters.

Man oh man - glad I stopped watching.

[epo]

No offense, but I refuse to believe a word of this shit until its coraborated by at least two other posters.

Man oh man - glad I stopped watching.

I can't blame you, its that lame.

[paracetamol flanders]

I don't mind one way or t'other about this Life On Mars stuff, but I do miss Milf On Lars.

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/i/acrosstheworld/09_21_07/sanfran/sanfran26.jpg

[ChrisTheCop]

I accidentally posted in the REAL Life on Mars thread.

This one was awful.

I hope my tivo didnt notice that it recorded it, or I'll be getting shows about elephant dung and larvae infested vaginas for weeks.

[NewYorkDragons80]

I'm in Japan and have not seen the episode yet. Does anyone have a link (not hulu or some other authorized source, since they are only valid in the US)?

Before seeing it, I just want to say that we should not judge the producers or writers since they were in the middle of filming the last episode when they found out they were cancelled. So if it seems rushed and ad hoc, that's because it was. Leading up to this, I've found the show to be one of the best on TV. So if the ending sucks, I'll blame the real villain: the Americans with Nielsens boxes who didn't watch this show. Because ABC gave them the chance to wrap up the show, and the producers/writers/actors gave me something I enjoyed for a dozen or so hours. Sucks they had to rush the ending, but it was fun while it lasted.

[epo]

Before seeing it, I just want to say that we should not judge the producers or writers since they were in the middle of filming the last episode when they found out they were cancelled. So if it seems rushed and ad hoc, that's because it was.

I would love to believe than sentiment, but the American producers and writers have done press to the contrary....that this was the planned ending all along....

From the Seattle Post Intelligencer: (http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/404464_tvgif31.html)

In a rare instance of mutual forethought and cooperation between producers and a network, ABC's Life on Mars will wrap up its abbreviated freshman run this Wednesday at 10 pm/ET with a proper series finale, bringing to a close Detective Sam Tyler's time-tripping odyssey. Here, executive producers Scott Rosenberg and Josh Appelbaum reflect on their Mars journey

TVGuide.com: The episode airing this Wednesday, is it more or less what you had envisioned the series finale as being? Or is it slightly different, if only because you had less time to build up to it?
Josh Appelbaum: We always knew that the season finale was going to be this episode, and we always knew what our series finale would be. Basically we went to [ABC] and said, "Our ratings are grim. We want to shoot a series finale and a season finale; the only difference is Act 6." They thought about it for three minutes and came back to us with: "We've got good news and we've got bad news. The good news is we will let you shoot your series finale. But we will not let you shoot a season finale." So [you'll get] big reveals instead of a bunch of cliffhangers. And we had planned the best [Season 1] cliffhangers, too! [Laughs] But they will now never be seen.

Nobody gets off the hook for this one.

[PD]

I did find the last scene forced, but I'm not as much a hater as most of you
(except for the President Obama crap).

If they went with the basic idea (without the forced references) I'd be ok.

[Chimee]

The fucking foot touching down at the end of the series could be the absolute worst thing I've ever seen on TV.

[CruelCircus]

So wait, in the UK series he wakes up from a coma and then kills himself?

How is that any better?

[mikeyboy]

So wait, in the UK series he wakes up from a coma and then kills himself?

How is that any better?

In application? Much, much better.

[NewYorkDragons80]

There were some cheesy moments, but this was not an awful ending. Weird? Unexpected? yes. The shoe was kinda cringy, but the only other problem I had was how rapid it was. This should've been 2 or 3 episodes and instead it just moved way too fast. Also, they don't resolve Lisa Bonet or his 2008 mentor. It was just too rushed, but I liked the concept.

[booster11373]

Can someone post the US version did end

[~Katja~]

Can someone post the US version did end
there

When it came time for Sam to go "back to the future", he went back to 2035 (or some fucking year) and was a member of a NASA crew. The crew with him was the crew from 1973. They were on a literal trip to Mars to discover a gene to cure cancer, and his original order for the 2 year trip was a "dream" in which he would be a cop in 2008, but a mistake happened which sent him to 1973.

Of course he is friendly with the crew as they are his friends...to the point in which Ray calls him "spaceman" as an endearing nickname. They are on a trip under the request of President Obama (a daughter, whose father is ill). Think that will make you gag? Not even close.

The last ship mate is Gene Hunt, but not. Since they are on a "gene hunt" for cancer, it is revealed that the character is really a NASA person named "Major Tom"...hence the weak-ass Bowie link. And of course....Major Tom is actually Sam's dad.

Of course the soundtrack for this whole revelation....is an Elton John song.

Lamest shit I have seen on my TV in years. I'm considering suing ABC for 17 hours of my life back.

[Dan G]

So if this American ending was planned all along, why would they have an episode where Sam sleeps with Gene Hunt's daughter?

[Kevin]

This season finale was gay....

That is all.

[Don Stugots]

So if this American ending was planned all along, why would they have an episode where Sam sleeps with Gene Hunt's daughter?

cause he wanted to bang his sister?

[ChrisTheCop]

There were some cheesy moments, but this was not an awful ending. Weird? Unexpected? yes. The shoe was kinda cringy, but the only other problem I had was how rapid it was. This should've been 2 or 3 episodes and instead it just moved way too fast. Also, they don't resolve Lisa Bonet or his 2008 mentor. It was just too rushed, but I liked the concept.

There literally was a Twilight Zone with the same concept, so forget 2 or 3 episodes, it couldve been done in half an hour.

[booster11373]

Descriptions of the ending sounded so bizzare that I had to watch it, After just watching the last segement Im so glad I dint invest any time with that show

Cringe worthy ending to the max

[Contra]

Yeah the whole major tom thing made me throw up in my mouth a little.