Last night’s Life on Mars was chock-a-block with blasts from the past, but I’m not talking about the hippies, the hash or the butterfly collars. I mean the boatload of cable stars that appeared in it. First, there’s series regular Michael Imperioli off The Sopranos. Then add The Wire’s Pablo Schreiber (as doomed thief/murderer/heroin smuggler Kent), The L Word’s Heather Matarazzo (double-crossing precinct secretary June), and Oz’s Lee Tergesen (Assistant D.A. Crocker). Lots of serious TV talent for a second episode methinks.
Yet yesterday’s breakouts were once again leads Jason O’Mara and Harvey Keitel, coming in second in total greatness only to the scores of quotable lines. Here’s a sampling: “Looks like she was cute before she put on the dead chick mask,” “If ignorance was a drug, you’d be high all the time,” and “As they say in New Orleans, bayou.” Someone also mentioned something about a ride to pummel city,” which I didn’t quite catch as my companion took that exact moment to complain about the show’s “silly” script. Dude doesn’t get it.
What he also didn’t appreciate was how close O’Mara and Keitel came to replicating the chemistry between the original Sam and Gene that made the British LoM so gosh darn good—specifically during the scene in which they roughhoused at the foot of June’s hospital bed while at the same time having a serious conversation (pictured). That said, I’m still not totally convinced that Keitel will ever nail Gene “you are surrounded by armed bastards” Hunt. I won’t bore those who don’t pray at the old LoM’s altar, but Philip Glenister’s Gene was the type of grumpy, abusive (he invented the “bruise-free groin slap”) and alcoholic dinosaur that still managed to be sexy. I doubt Harvey will ever be sexy. Any attraction to him would, in Gene’s immortal words, be “as fake as a tranny’s fanny.”
But the show’s still got me interested—and scouring the net for my favorite lines for the Brit version (“If I was as worried as you, I’d never fart for fear of sh**ing myself,” and “I’m ‘avin hoops."). After the jump, I posted one of my finds (a set of outtakes) to delight fellow groupies. Now you still down with Life on Mars? Scared it will, like Swingtown and Journeyman before it, choke on its own gimmick? Have any other insights into the episode I didn’t cover? And if anyone can tell me what song played at the end when Sam chased the fake cop, I’d greatly appreciate it…
addCredit(“Eric Liebowitz/ABC”)
I missed the first episode last week but I really enjoyed last night’s ep. I plan on keeping up with this show – never saw the UK version but would like to.
As for the song you asked about, I think it’s “All The Way To Memphis” by Mott the Hoople. Great song!!
I’m sorry, but I wish this series had just copied the premise of the British show, and not tried to duplicate the characters. Jason O’Mara and Harvey Keitel have nowhere near the chemistry of John Simm and Philip Glenister. The British show was really ‘about’ their relationship, and its clear that the new version is going to be more about plot.
And the way they butchered the script for last nights show – also the 2nd episode of the British series – does not bode well for the future of this series.
It’s worth watching for the music alone.
All The Way To Memphis is the song title by Mott The Hoople (what a name).
ABC actually has a music guide page for Life on Mars if you’re ever wondering the future:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars/index?pn=musicguide#t=120560
I like this new Life on Mars, but I wonder how the character of Gene would be if the original cast member was playing the role. The original cast member was Colm Meaney. He would have been great in this role and come more close to what the British version of Gene Hunt was.
I’d just like to say that unlike the recapper, I’ve always thought Harvey was sexy! Admittedly he’s getting older now but I think he still has it.
The dialogue is horrible. but I liked seeing Jason O’Mara getting punched in the stomach – more of that, please!
I get a kick.. that might not be the right word.. with all the sexism and abuse of power that the show displays. The way they treat the women and plant evidence, it’s hard in this day and age to understand that sort of thing was routine back then. In my workplace, men & women are 100% even, there’s no place for sexism because we all do the same job equally as well.
Ya, at least it’s mostly verbal, but I’m waiting for when one of the ‘boys’ grabs a boob or something, and Sam goes total ape-sh*t. He’s gotta do more than just observe that stuff.
Never watched the UK version, but I’m really enjoying this one.
And he SHOULD have had the Lasagna.
I liked last night’s but this show is missing something. Missing sparks. Imperioli plays the same character he played on “Law and Order.” Keitel plays Keitel. Gretchen Mol? A wasted role–and not her fault. Either give Mol a set of b*lls to take on the precinct, or introduce an “Angie Dickinson – Police Woman” character, to create sexual tension without her having sex with any of the cops.
I enjoyed this episode the scene with them chasing after the bad guy and comments about saving him were priceless.
Rich, I completely agree with your comments. I LOVED the U.K. version because I lived through the 70′s. Sadly, Harvey Kietel doesn’t even come close to the U.K. actor who played Gene Hunt. I like Anthony Imperioli and the actor who plays John Simms but the rest of the cast no. I have watched the first two episodes and I think I’m done. I’m very disappointed (but not surprised)in the poor quality.
What?!?!?! No mention of the best Guest Star of all last night?!?!?!? Just because she didn’t have a cable series was no reason to leave out Sylvia Miles (the smoking grandma witness) from MIDNIGHT COWBOY and Warhol films.
I am really liking this show alot. The main reason is the acting. It is better than most that I see on TV nowadays. I also love the grittiness of it. These serial dramas I see on TV now are so sleek and modern, it’s nice to see something gritty and real. I’ve never seen the British version so I have nothing to compare it against, but I plan on being a regular viewer of this version.
Gayle–It’s Michael Imperioli. John Simms is the actor who played Sam Tyler in the original version of “Life on Mars”.
Correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t grease debut in the mid/late 70′s?! I hope I’m wrong, hate to see them goof up on a little detail such as that. Remember, the show is based on the year 1973. But, good show, I really got a kick on the fist exchange, my wife and I got a good laugh!