Life on Mars: Thoughts?

Ian Ascher · 04-05-2009, 07:01 AM

I never saw the BBC show but I was aware of it.

I was really into this new, ABC version and was bummed to hear it got canceled. At least they were given enough time to "complete it" although I would have liked to see a whole lot more.

Anyone else watch and like this newer version?

And yes... I know about Ashes to Ashes. Watched the first episode and it wasnt the same.)

**Ron Phillips** · 04-05-2009, 09:42 AM

Having seen the original BBC telecast, I have to say the US version didn't do anything for the series. I couldn't watch it after a few episodes for the feeling of deja vu. It wasn't that it wasn't good or the actors didn't fit well, well except Harvey Keitel. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the BBC version. As for it's cancelation, I've read they are trimming down a lot of the hour shows, which is a shame.

I think the networks need to start making a commitment to the shows and the viewers. Plan them out so they can fit into a single season and leave enough of an opening that a continuing season can be made if the prior is successful enough. British shows aren't necessarily better, just better planned. Though to take us back to LIFE ON MARS, I don't know, but the second series for BBC seemed forced at times. So maybe extending a series doesn't work all the time either.

ASHES TO ASHES is in a 5 episode marathon on BBCA today at 3pm EST. It gets better after the first episode. Though I'd be more apt to put Alex in the loony bin than Sam. It takes a great bit of disbelief to shrug off every time she goes on one of her "going home" tirades.

**steveo** · 04-05-2009, 10:05 AM

I enjoyed the show. Never saw the BBC original version. Will want to check it out now.

Wasn't sure I liked the ending but at least it was wrapped up.

I thought the cast was great. I'll miss this show.

SteveO

zcotty · 04-05-2009, 10:36 AM

I haven't seen the american version, but the BBC one was great! I've heard that the US one wasn't as good.

robtlsnyder · 04-05-2009, 01:59 PM

I loved the BBC series. Even enjoyed Ashes To Ashes a bit too. The American version I watched all of it, but it was mainly just to compare. Each episode had it's moments that made me think that maybe they could make it thier own. Unfortunatly, they didn't. At least IMO. I liked all the actors as individuals, but as a collective, they didn't seem to mesh very weel. I am soooooooooooooooo glad they got Harvey Keitel for the series 'cause I thought the Star Trek guy who played Gene Hunt in the Pilot was horrible.

**Ron Phillips** · 04-05-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robtlsnyder

I am soooooooooooooooo glad they got Harvey Keitel for the series 'cause I thought the Star Trek guy who played Gene Hunt in the Pilot was horrible.

Who was the Star Trek guy? My problem with Keitel as Gene Hunt is I can't separate his age from the character. As much as I admire Keitel, the man is 70 and is starting to look it. Gene Hunt in the original series is in his early his Early 40s and I can see him getting into it with a mid-late 30 year old like Sam Tyler. Keitel was also so much smaller than Jason O'Mara.

onizuka43 · 04-05-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Phillips

Who was the Star Trek guy? My problem with Keitel as Gene Hunt is I can't separate his age from the character. As much as I admire Keitel, the man is 70 and is starting to look it. Gene Hunt in the original series is in his early his Early 40s and I can see him getting into it with a mid-late 30 year old like Sam Tyler. Keitel was also so much smaller than Jason O'Mara.

Yeah I'm with you on Keitel, I though the BBC version worked better because Sam and Gene were near the same age yet they had such different conflicting issues on how cops should act. With Keitel it's to much "I'm older then you do what I say" instead of not having that age difference that makes them peers instead of superior.

zcotty · 04-05-2009, 04:33 PM

Yeah yeah yeah, but who was the Star Trek guy??? I never saw it, so I'm curious.

Mike225 · 04-05-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Phillips

Who was the Star Trek guy? My problem with Keitel as Gene Hunt is I can't separate his age from the character. As much as I admire Keitel, the man is 70 and is starting to look it. Gene Hunt in the original series is in his early his Early 40s and I can see him getting into it with a mid-late 30 year old like Sam Tyler. Keitel was also so much smaller than Jason O'Mara.

Goddamn, Ron. What's up with your avatar?

**Ron Phillips** · 04-05-2009, 04:52 PM

I found out who the pilot Gene Hunt was. Colm Meaney.

Gav Heryng · 04-05-2009, 04:57 PM

I just watched the first episode of the US version. Don't think I'll be watching any more. Where was the humour?

Gav

Jason Arthur · 04-06-2009, 09:42 AM

The US series was watchable, but the ending was kinda... blah.

I just hope Lost ends without a VR simulator type thing.

-- J

The DarkMind · 04-06-2009, 10:18 AM

The US series i didn't even really learn about until it was about halfway over but it peaked my interest. i watched one episode and turned it off before it was over it was so bad. Didn't see it again until the series finale. I was actually happy to watch the end of the entire short run series and was curious to know how they were going to handle the time travel thing in the last episode. Was Sam going to some how get home and leave more questions then it answered? was he going to decided he didn't want to go home anymore?

The VR thing though????? UGH. What a cheap ending.

robtlsnyder · 04-06-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Phillips

Who was the Star Trek guy? My problem with Keitel as Gene Hunt is I can't separate his age from the character. As much as I admire Keitel, the man is 70 and is starting to look it. Gene Hunt in the original series is in his early his Early 40s and I can see him getting into it with a mid-late 30 year old like Sam Tyler. Keitel was also so much smaller than Jason O'Mara.

That was one of my problems with the pilot. Colm Meaney looked tiny compared to Jason O'Mara. In the BBC version it was the other way around. So when Sam actually fought back, it was like the little guy sticking up to the bully. Colm hitting O'Mara just looked lame and unbelievable. It didn't look much better with Keitel, but it was a litle better.

Also, The picture below is the original cast. Ray and Chris were replaced by some white haired guy, and I think they changed the ending. Either way, the first aired episode was way superior to the pilot and that made me hopeful. Then it leveled off. Except for a couple episodes. I think the two stand out episodes were the ones with Whoopee Goldberg (even though I can't stand her) and the one where Sam goes undercover in the gang. I think it was because they strayed away from the BBC series and tried to make thier own story. If they would have done more of that, I think the series would have done better.

robtlsnyder · 04-06-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The DarkMind

The VR thing though????? UGH. What a cheap ending.

It was really cheap and pretty lame, but I can honestly say I did not see it coming. I gotta hand it to them for that. I can't wait till the series finale of Lost when we find out it was just a story in a book that Sawyer was reading.

04-05-2009, 07:01 AM	#1
Ian Ascher Uncle Buck Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: In a House Posts: 3,044	Life on Mars: Thoughts? I never saw the BBC show but I was aware of it. I was really into this new, ABC version and was bummed to hear it got canceled. At least they were given enough time to "complete it" although I would have liked to see a whole lot more. Anyone else watch and like this newer version? And yes... I know about Ashes to Ashes. Watched the first episode and it wasnt the same.) __________________ The Last Paladin: Updates, news, previews, and projects http://lastpaladin.blogspot.com/ My Comic Space: http://www.comicspace.com/ianascher/

04-05-2009, 09:42 AM	#2
Ron Phillips Are you terminal? Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Some where under a deep blue sky. Posts: 4,105	Having seen the original BBC telecast, I have to say the US version didn't do anything for the series. I couldn't watch it after a few episodes for the feeling of deja vu. It wasn't that it wasn't good or the actors didn't fit well, well except Harvey Keitel. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the BBC version. As for it's cancelation, I've read they are trimming down a lot of the hour shows, which is a shame. I think the networks need to start making a commitment to the shows and the viewers. Plan them out so they can fit into a single season and leave enough of an opening that a continuing season can be made if the prior is successful enough. British shows aren't necessarily better, just better planned. Though to take us back to LIFE ON MARS, I don't know, but the second series for BBC seemed forced at times. So maybe extending a series doesn't work all the time either. ASHES TO ASHES is in a 5 episode marathon on BBCA today at 3pm EST. It gets better after the first episode. Though I'd be more apt to put Alex in the loony bin than Sam. It takes a great bit of disbelief to shrug off every time she goes on one of her "going home" tirades. __________________ Ron Earl Phillips Buy Ron's Books - on Amazon Kindle Flash Fiction Friday - A community writing project Shotgun Honey - a blast of fiction to blow your mind Home \| Twitter \| Facebook \|MySpace

04-05-2009, 10:05 AM	#3
steveo There's no stopping it! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 2,043	... I enjoyed the show. Never saw the BBC original version. Will want to check it out now. Wasn't sure I liked the ending but at least it was wrapped up. I thought the cast was great. I'll miss this show. SteveO __________________ Writer The Unforgiving Dark 48 BloodRayne: Skies Afire BloodRayne: Dark Soul BloodRayne: Twin Blades

04-05-2009, 04:52 PM	#10
Ron Phillips Are you terminal? Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Some where under a deep blue sky. Posts: 4,105	I found out who the pilot Gene Hunt was. Colm Meaney. __________________ Ron Earl Phillips Buy Ron's Books - on Amazon Kindle Flash Fiction Friday - A community writing project Shotgun Honey - a blast of fiction to blow your mind Home \| Twitter \| Facebook \|MySpace

04-05-2009, 04:57 PM	#11
Gav Heryng Formally Known As Dismas Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Madchester Posts: 3,589	I just watched the first episode of the US version. Don't think I'll be watching any more. Where was the humour? Gav __________________ Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Deviant Art! Follow me on MySpace!

04-05-2009, 10:36 AM	#4
zcotty Based on a living person. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,583	I haven't seen the american version, but the BBC one was great! I've heard that the US one wasn't as good.

04-05-2009, 01:59 PM	#5
robtlsnyder Color Hack Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 236	I loved the BBC series. Even enjoyed Ashes To Ashes a bit too. The American version I watched all of it, but it was mainly just to compare. Each episode had it's moments that made me think that maybe they could make it thier own. Unfortunatly, they didn't. At least IMO. I liked all the actors as individuals, but as a collective, they didn't seem to mesh very weel. I am soooooooooooooooo glad they got Harvey Keitel for the series 'cause I thought the Star Trek guy who played Gene Hunt in the Pilot was horrible.

04-05-2009, 04:33 PM	#8
zcotty Based on a living person. Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,583	Yeah yeah yeah, but who was the Star Trek guy??? I never saw it, so I'm curious.

04-06-2009, 09:42 AM	#12
Jason Arthur Starving Letterer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 4,501	The US series was watchable, but the ending was kinda... blah. I just hope Lost ends without a VR simulator type thing. -- J

04-06-2009, 10:18 AM	#13
The DarkMind Chaos Array Studios Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Trapped inside the head of the infamous Timothy Gula Posts: 1,947	The US series i didn't even really learn about until it was about halfway over but it peaked my interest. i watched one episode and turned it off before it was over it was so bad. Didn't see it again until the series finale. I was actually happy to watch the end of the entire short run series and was curious to know how they were going to handle the time travel thing in the last episode. Was Sam going to some how get home and leave more questions then it answered? was he going to decided he didn't want to go home anymore? The VR thing though????? UGH. What a cheap ending.

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