Life On Mars (TV series)

[MrB]

I just watched a 'sneek preview' of this on Ten.
I have mixed feelings about this remake.
The original UK version as shown on ABC was an excellent programme, loved it even though there were a limited number of episodes (two seasons?)
But I'm a bit worried that this could be the next 'The Office' or 'Kath & Kim' or even 'Top Gear'.
Thoughts?

[Clarry]

Yeah, haven't seen the preview, but I fear this one will be stuffed up like the others you mentioned.

[Dog Star]

Well, we can always hope, I suppose.
Just can't imagine an American Gene Genie.
What I'm really looking forward to is the sequel to Life On Mars;
Ashes To Ashes.
Still no word from ABC as to if and when they are going to show it though.

[OneOfOne]

Sorry, never watched it! I refuse to watch shows with titles that don't describe their content. Every time I see it in the TV guide....a warm feeling comes over me and I get all excited...and then depressed :mad2:

Another one is Big Bang Theory :(

:lol:

My expectation would be that if the Americans have decided to do a remake of anything funny....don't expect much, K&K being the latest example.

[Dog Star]

Understand what you are saying Trevor, but in this case you may just be doing yourself a dis-service.
"Life on Mars" refers to the Bowie track of the same name that "stitches" the entire series together.
Not a comedy, although it is frequently very funny; not just a drama, although it can be gut-wrenchingly suspenseful; not just a cop show, although all the main characters are cops; not exactly science fiction, although it's ocasionally difficult to interpret it in any other way.
Quality wise, the acting and scripts are first class.
All these comments refer to the British version, mind!
Check it out on dvd. Please.

[DJDD]

The ad made me think it was going to be more melodramatic, like most American cop shows, especially with Harvey Keitel in it.

what we need is a doctor who/life on mars crossover... :lol:

[DJDD]

I think Life on Mars was on BBC America. I wonder if that was well received.

[mark3d]

life on mars was very original so might be hard to remake...lets see.

regarding the US office... that is a classic show. series 2 and 3 are better than the original :) its not as good now its into series 5 but still worth a laugh :)

[Ric]

I always cringe when I see an American remake of a great English show, as always I'll give it a go and keep the fingers crossed.

Cheers

[MrB]

Trevor your missing out, as Phil has said quite nicely. Top show. The DVD's are on my to-buy list as I missed an eposide or two..... and I'm in love with the young female cop. :D

As for Big Bang Theory.. have only watched it once but the title is actually very descriptive.....
A bunch of nerdy, horny, twenty-something college guys living across the hall from hot chicks... no doubt what they're always theorising!

[MrB]

Well... watched this last night, was okay in an okay kinda way... Visually it was brilliant, except for the computer generated twin-towers.
The story was kinda fractured and rushed and ofcourse ch10 pumped as many ads into the show as they could, one even cut-in half way thru some dialog... seen 10 do this regularly with the Simpsons, cut to an advert mid-sentance(spelling?), even cutting out whole scenes from the show to fit in an extra ad. :shrug:

[Ric]

Hi Simon, I didn't think it was too bad. I not sure about Gene though but I think he'll grow on me. I'll definitely watch the series and give it a go.

The ads really peeved me off and went to the point of almost ruining it.

Cheers

[Ford Prefect]

I watched a bit but couldn't continue. It wasn't bad, but reminded me enough of the BBC version to come off as a pale comparison. If it were an original show, fine, but all I could think was that it wasn't the BBC version...

[MrB]

One thing that I did enjoy was the music... can't really go wrong there tho.

[Enchilada]

Those that missed it, will find a re-screening on Channel 10 again at 10:49 pm tonight...

This program also reminds me for some reason of of Alexi Sales "'Ullo John, Got a New Motor?", with the lyrics...

"Is there life on Mars?
Is there life on Mars?
Is there life in Peckham?
Is there life in Peckham?"*

* For those who mightn't know, Peckham is an working class area in London with a very large migrant population, whose reputation is based on some crime. It has many public high-rise flats and dilapidated old houses, and a mostly poor population.

[Clarry]

Well I watched it and much to my surprise I enjoyed it. Perhaps not as punchy as the UK original, but still better than expected. I'll be in there for the long haul.

[Enchilada]

What I thought was the most interesting was the various props they used in both series. Frankly, I did recognise more of the America ones than the British ones.
Also 1973 was pretty depression in the US due to the savage economic times, but the outlook of the population was much more positive. The only huge changes were with changes in black America and the rise of feminism. (This is why Annie in the US version is implausible character, because she is a little too submissive.
Britain was more like the post-war, where life was much more grim with the outlook for the future for the middle to lower classes was zero.
The David Bowie song matches the British version much better, as it is more about wanting to escaping the futility of our commonplace existence;
For example, the lyrics;
"It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibeza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns."

The lyrics also describes a girl regular escape to the movies theatre - seeing the same movie endless times I.e. "...ten times or more."
"Is there life on Mars?" is certainly rhetorical, because the picture of Britain in 1970's left one wondering is there really any more life than depressing and meaningless everyday existence in 1973. :(
I wonder how an Australian version, say, set in Sydney would be? Then, under tough law and order reforms of Robert Askin, along with the dramatic rise in drugs and organised crime. Characters like Gene Hunt and his motley crew of detectives would fit like a glove.
I will be watching the second episode, but will probably drop it altogether as the characters don't really engage me. Anyway, that's what I think...

Comment: Frankly, the US program that had time related elements was the 2007 TV Series "Journeyman", which was much more slick and believable - especially of America in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Sadly it was killed by low ratings and the 2007 Writers Guild, even though the filmic quality of the series was second to none. (It also had the fairly sexy Gretchen Egolf :whistle:)

[Jen]

:lol::lol::lol: sounds like one big bang to me :D:rofl::rofl:

Yes very misleading title i was all excited to see that i even taped it thinking it was a science show and oh boy was i very dissapointed :bashcomp:
But i havnt watched Life On Mars yet :doh:

[Enchilada]

I was a little bit shocked at the second episode of Life on Mars, mainly because I sort of enjoyed it. The guy who played the main character seems pretty good - especially with his logical reasoning and deductive abilities against the aghast of the sloppiness and corruption of his police colleagues.
Some of the general photography of chasing the bad guys reminded me very much of the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" films, and I was expecting to see 44-Magnums popping out all over the place.
I also particularly like the general subtle references to Mars, like the little couple of models of the two rovers ______:rover1:_____:rover1:______ now still five years later rolling across the red Martian surface. (They should have been Viking landers if it were in 1973, which we then in the process of manufacture.) Also the reflected image of plasma TV was a cleverly thought out. Other selected random comments were also of Nixon and interesting events of the time.
They are probably in all this taking the story-line a bit too seriously and quite literally for the dummies (usually expected for American dramas) - but at least it isn't overtly too offensive.
Might even now give Episode 3 a go, though the promo seems to suggest a familiar story-line seen in the UK version. :o

A real improvement nonetheless.

NOTE: I've tried to avoid spoilers for those who are yet to see it, but the information given above is cryptic enough to avoid ruining it for others.

[Dog Star]

Local stations still haven't picked this up yet, which is a pity, as I'd like to see what it's like.
Guess I'll have to wait for the dvd release.

[Clarry]

Don't know if any of you are still watching this but my wife & I are and really enjoying it. Tonight was quite special too, channel 10 played some old 1970's TV promos during the ads, plus an couple of vintage commercials. Notably Gaytime ice cream and then Colgate with Miss Marsh sticking the chalk in the coloured liquid to show us how it really gets in. Great stuff.

[Chippy]

I've watched it a couple of times. I really just like the lead female character. What a babe! :P

[Enchilada]

This American Life on Mars series has improved after the shock of the mimicry of the UK version. However, last night's was a bit confusing as the plot was similar to the original series but had a few different twists. I had some trouble remembering the parts in earlier episodes.:mad2:
Apparently, the show wasn't too popular is the US, so the network had decided to limit it to 17 episodes - and there will be no second series. However, it remains worthy to watch, as unlike many cancelled series, all the loose ends will be tidied up to a conclusion. :) (It is unlike 2007 sci-fi American TV series 'Journeyman', which was limited to one season and cancelled after only 13 episodes. :mad2: This slickly produced and interesting story line had so many thing left in the air in the last episode, which in the end was very disappointing and frustrating. I.e. I wasted 13 hours of my life. :whistle:)
As to other sci-fi programs shown on Ten HD on Thursday Nights, have also left me annoyed in that the free sports channel One will remove these programs from the Ten line-up. :( For example, the "Battlestar Galactica" final episodes will no longer be shown on free to air :mad2:, as will the quirky "Eureka". :mad2: The only options will be either hire/buy 'em on DVD (whenever they are released I.e. 2010) or you luckily have at home the sci-fi channel on pay TV. :sadeyes:
Pity the networks only focus on overall popularity instead of quality or entertainment - and not having a real commitment to the end of the series. No wonder those watching now television are now turning to the net! (Even though government seems hell bent :mad2: to control the what people access - applying the same ratings as television programs, who effect might be just as horribly sterilising. :scared:)

[Dog Star]

G'day Enchilada,
In case you're interested, I've just picked up the 4th season of Battlestar Galactia - Part One (!) today, so I'm guessing that it's generally available everywhere.
Just came inside from doing a bit of viewing and logged on so I won't be watching any of it tonight as I'm a bit tired.
Really looking forward to watching this as I've really enjoyed the rest of the series so far.
I tend to buy a lot of tv series on dvd as the local station, Imparja, doesn't have a deal with Channel 10 to screen its programmes. They showed the first and second season of Battlestar and the first season of Torchwood, but zilch ever since.
Still waiting for ABC to screen Ashes To Ashes, the UK sequel to Life on Mars. (Looks like that will be yet another dvd purchase):mad2:
On a slightly different note, I've heard that the re-make of the classic series The Prisoner has been completed. Has anyone heard who will be screening it or when?:shrug:

[Enchilada]

Thanks Dog Star. I completely forgot about Ten now not showing the next series of Torchwood, which is also a victim of the rise of One Sport. :mad2:
As to the new series Ashes to Ashes, I think the ABC said they were still negotiating. It is a pity that two of the main characters in Life on Mars won't be in it, and that it is central on the character of Gene Hunt lead the next one. (I dislike his character a bit as he seeming has no real empathy - at least that I do understand.)

Actually, I have already watched much of the next series of Eureka already from an on-line site through http://www.tv-video.net/ (TV video network), which has many good series on-line and does not spit up - "unavailable to view in your area." God I hate that!. :mad2: It makes me feel like a second-rate citizen of the world. (it is not only the US that does this but the UK's BBC - which also might be pervaded as too, you know, 'politicall' :eyepop:)
If you do miss some crucial episode, at least you can watch it - though the quality is just abysmal (in actually in swf format.) Even better, if you want to look 'hip' but can't be bother watching whole series, just read the episode summaries on-line - like some Wiki, production sites, or the fan sites. In ten minutes you'll be discussing television around the office cooler like an absolute pro! :lol:
Note: Battlestar Galactica shows the last episode tonight in the US, which is actually before the switch to One Sport. Ten could have shown to the last episodes - but no - our viewers will just have to do something else. :mad2: Might have to watch it on the tv-video site instead of wait for the DVD release sometime in 2010 or 2011 - knowing our luck. Damn frustrating methinks. :mad2:
Have a good one Dog Star! :)

[GrahamL]

Well the wifes taken a shine to this one so its compulsary viewing
in our house .. I actually find it very watchable .

Chippy Gretchen Mol was dubbed THE new face of hollywood some years back , but as it happens sometimes that can be the kiss of death to your acting career. I think she will carve out a name for herself in time as she is vey talented .. Looking past the odd bit of nudity She did a great job in :)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notorious_Bettie_Page

[Enchilada]

Folks,
There is on Friday Night the final episode of "Life on Mars" on Channel 10 at 10:25pm.

This series has turned out as brilliant, if not better, than the original UK version. The end of this series is brilliant too, finishing differently than the original and is more sci-fi based. Must see viewing for all attracted to the series - probably even without watch the earlier 16 episodes of this series!
.
The explanation of what is happening to Sam was unexpected and brilliantly contrived!!

Must watch! :):):):)

Any impression of the series so far (without killer spoilers please!! :whistle:)

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Courtesy : Aries Toy Company

[MrB]

This series started off okay I thought, but it just lost me in the end, haven't bothered to watch the last few episodes.
Will probably watch the final tho.
I heard somewhere that the US series has already been axed, there will be no season 2.. anyone know more?

[Gallifreyboy]

American version of Life on Mars as good as original ...... as John McEnroe would say "you can't be serious".:scared:
The climax of the final episode of season 2 and all of the various interpretations of it divided opinion amongst friends and family, the net forums were unbelievable. What you saw and what you wanted to believe confronted each other. Although a little offbeat its characters and complex story make it a must view for anyone who hasn't seen it. As Molly Meldrum would say....."do yourself a favour".

Ashes to Ashes has its own charm, just as good but in a different way. I've been looking for a good condition early 80's Audi Quattro ever since watching the series :screwy:.

[Enchilada]

Yes it has. There is only seventeen made episodes. No more due to the good but unacceptable ratings. (It is not left in the air thought, like other cancelled series !) The final one may explain much the series for you! :thumbsup:

[mswhin63]

I don't know how long the UK series was around before the US took it over but it was way to short a time. I could never get used to the US version, especially when it major plot is so similar to the UK.

Bit like Kath and Kim (although didn't like that series anyway) :zzz2:

[Enchilada]

I thought that too in the very beginning, but as I saw more of it the more I warmed to it and its characters. The last few episodes have slowly deviated from the original UK version. IMO, as a US series, it is one of the better ones they have produced. Me, I started as being a doubter and have come a real fan of this series. I will miss it after it is finished on Friday - and will probably buy the series when it comes out on DVD! :thumbsup:

[Enchilada]

A few hours to go and I am actually looking forward to it! :thumbsup:

A review of the final episode appears on the SMH Site in "The Friday Guide : Life on Mars"
http://media.smh.com.au/entertainment/the-guide/the-guide-friday-life-on-mars-545824.html

[Enchilada]

Far out Brussel sprout. Psychedelic man!!
Still don't know if the end was another illusion or not ?

At least he got the girl in the end... :thumbsup:

In all, a bit twisted, but all quite entertaining... ::eyepop:

Pity it is the last one. :sadeyes:

[Omaroo]

That was officially....out there. I was NOT expecting that. :thumbsup:

[spearo]

I loved it
took me by surprise
frank

[Jen]

Awww so he finally got the girl in the end :thumbsup::thumbsup:
Good work hehe:D