Life On Mars (ABC)

Life on Mars premieres tonight on ABC and looks pretty good -- starring Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Jason O'Mara and Lisa Bonet.

A NYC detective (O'Mara) gets hit by a car and is hurled back in time to 1973 -- no cellphone, no computers -- and tries to figure out what happened and how to get back home.

Saw the commercials and figured it was worth a look. I mean, Harvey Keitel AND Michael Imperioli?? How can you not watch it at least once?

The UK version that ran for two series was incredible. I never lived in the 70's but it was everything that my parents told me it was like (plus how I'd imagined).

We even went one step further with Ashes to Ashes, which was the same format, based in the 80's with a different cast. Still very good but not as good as LOM.

I hope your Life on Mars gets brought over here. I'm jealous of the cast. Although ours were relative unknowns but really put them on the UK acting map.

What I really hope with your series is that they emulate the politically incorrect humour that was in ours. If they get that right, it'll be a winner.

Just checked IMDB and I'm glad to see the US version has kept the cast names. Let me know how it is.

I wanna watch it tonight. I just hope I don't forget.

BTW Nice unabrow growing on Michael Imperioli.

He can go from looking very dapper, to looking like a heroin addict in like five minutes flat.

I am recording it

I'm watching it, but during commercials I have to flip over to the Phils-Dodgers game!

The original LIFE ON MARS was absolutely incredible, and its series finale might in fact be one of my favorite endings ever.

But the star of the show methinks was Gene Hunt: "There will never be a woman prime minister as long as I have a hole in my arse.""

Haven't seen ASHES TO ASHES yet.

You know, by the title I can't say I was gonna watch it. I didn't realize the cast or the premise (I guess by the title I should have though?)

That's Michael Imperioli??? Damn, he looks good. What did they do to him? Not that he was ugly, but hmmmm.

Anyway, I'll watch it if I can stay awake and if there is not another of my favorite shows opposite it.

BTW, there's a new show with Christian Slater that I saw previews of. That one didn't look bad either.


TIS

Not bad... I'll give this show a chance. And I LOVE the soundtrack!

I enjoyed it (in an odd way). It's reminiscent of Tony Soprano's coma (people talking to him from the present but he has no way of returning the talk). It's an interesting premise but I don't see how it can last for any length of time...

Seeing the twin towers again sent shivers down my spine.

I enjoyed it to and the music was great. I liked how everytime he wanted to use his cell they thought he said sell. I'll watch it again.

Have you seen Imperioli's "For One More Day?" That's what I was reminded of - mainly because that involved a sequence created in the main character's mind following an accident. Even heard ambulance sirens as the plot unfolded as well.

But, I loved Imperioli's lines and how he delivered them. Harvey Keitel added something wonderful to the show too.

I'll tune in again.

It hasn't aired here yet, but sounds like it's worth checking out. I'll try to stay awake.


TIS

That's what I was thinking. It was pretty good though. Imperioli's hair is ridiculous and funny.

Had to look up the diet coke thing... 1982.

Enjoyed both of the UK series very much!

Will be looking for the US version. As Turi says above, a great cast!

Some good songs, but if anything it seems to signal this show won't last long. (Along with the premise)



What, like "No-Nuts" Norris?

Damn! I wanted to watch this so badly, and I fell asleep after the first 10 minutes or so. That's no reflection on the show, just an indication that I didn't feel well. The acting was very good and the storyline seemed interesting.

I watched it last night but half watching it and doing some online research for the inlaws. So I can't even tell you what happened.

I watched the whole second episode. It seemed a lot more corny than the first, which was actually pretty intriguing.

Imperioli was GREAT, though, as usual. I loved one line of his towards the end - (Classic Christopher line) - "I will burn you down and bury you in my big yard where my big dog takes big craps." (Paraphrasing).

Oh, so that's what was recording last night while I was watching the game... I'll watch it tonight.

Shoot, I missed it again? What day is it on??? I would like to see it.



TIS

TIS, How ya doin? It's on Thursday nights at 10pm.

Hi Mig,

I'm having a very rough year at work this year....busier than shit, if you know what I mean. Otherwise I'm ok, just stressed. How about you? How are the wedding plans coming?

Thursday night at 10:00 hu? I'm trying to think of what I watched and why I didn't notice it was on. I hope I get to see it before it gets cancelled.


TIS

Okay, so I finally got to watch the Original UK version and I loved it. Granted, with their limited budget, it couldn't compete with the better cinematography, action and extras that the ABC production enjoys, but it just doesn't do without Philip Glenister! He is the heart of the show and Keitel, while being a wonderful actor isn't eligible to play this part because of his age, lack of a certain cuteness that makes us forgive his animal behavior and of course fitness that make him believable. Gordon Brown! lol! Oh me gosh! lolz

But in the US version Sam Tyler is cuter and has become the center of attention.

Anyway, the US version is a bit overdramatic in the storyline, and according to the demand has religious overtone. Not sure if they'll be able to pull off the UK ending which was sheer brilliance. And I hope they don't make it go for more than two seasons, we should thank Simm for this, because this is not the type of the show that could go on and on till it gets cancelled and they decided to wrapped it up. It would be a shame.

ABC cancels "Life on Mars"

I did enjoy the show when I remembered to watch it, but for some reason, I could never remember when it was on. Then they put it in hiatus forever, and I definitely don't know when it airs now.

I think that the concept IS better suited to a limited run. And I hope that they do wrap everything up in the last episode.

Wednesdays at 10pm ET on ABC -- I had to look it up myself. With a DVR, I don't have to remember.

I just loved seeing Keitel and Imperioli every week -- and that great 70s fashion

That's one of the things that I always loved about "That 70s Show" - the clothes actually were quite realistic. I remember looking at something that Donna or Jackie was wearing and saying - Oh,no! I think I actually had that shirt in high school!

Keitel and Imperioli were great to watch. Our DVR is quite limited and my daughter seems to have it quite full of 7 billion episodes of ER, so I'll have to remember to watch it!

I think I only watched 2 or 3 epi's. I'd always forget it was on.

Eh, I guess I'm indifferent. I loved Imperioli, but didn't like O'Mara as Tyler.
Anyone else notice how a LOT of Sopranos actors were on the show (Vince Curatola - Johnny Sack - and the actor who played Jimmy Altieri were featured prominently in 1 episode). I guess that's more of the reason why I liked the show.

The original British version ran for only 2 seasons, and ended by the creators' choice, despite getting big ratings.

Maybe they were right.

Though I haven't yet seen ASHES TO ASHES the spin-off.

I think the main reason it was over in two seasons was John Simm, he didn't want to do more of it and thankfully understood that a concept like that couldn't run forever. If creators didn't want to continue, they wouldn't have agreed to do a spin-off. But with the American series, I don't see how there could be one, since Keitel is too old to find a love interest in 80's.

Ashes to Ashes had a decent finale for the first season, but all in all, is not as good as Life on Mars. Keeley Hawes leaves much to be desired and 80's fashion sucks. Plus I don't see where it want to go for the 2nd season, or the finale of the series be as mesmerizing as that of Life on Mars.

Ashes to Ashes was nowhere near as good as Life on Mars.

The mighty Philip Glenister was last seen on UK screens in a poor show called DEMONS playing an American,his accent was awful

Well. I just watched the series finale and can honestly say I didn't see THAT coming!! Weird. I guess that's how the book ended, and presumably the UK version? And I guess that explains the title.... lol

There is a book???

The US ending, according to what I read must've sucked if you had seen the UK version. The ending for the UK version was fabulous, but I was sure that the US audience would not like it and they would make something else up.

I'm sorry, I guess there isn't a book -- maybe I just misinterpreted the "Based on the story by..." notice in the beginning.

I'd love to see the UK version - but I don't see it on Netflix.

But the ending to the US version, which I won't give away, ...well... was kinda weird/bizarre/abrupt/out-there and almost comical. I know they patched the ending in when they found out it wasn't going to Season 2, so at least I commend them on ending it. But... well... lol.

Don't worry about it, I couldn't wait to see it and read the plot for the finale on wiki. I tell you, it sucked.

Anyway, I suggest you download it from the torrents, which is what I used to do before I lose my dsl connection.

I see there is a new series of ASHES TO ASHES starting on the BBC next week?