Trailer Blazer: ABC's 'Life on Mars' remake

chris Sat, Feb 7, 2009 at 08:28 PM EST

i haven't seen the british 1 but i just saw the american 1 (which was nothing like that tralier. they must have changed the whole series coz they have different characters except the main guy and also changed everything really so if you haven't watched the series don't think it looks like that coz they changed pretty much everything)but i think the american 1 would be better coz it's in new york so it doesn't look dul and it's a real drama/action i give it 10/10 it's a must watch!

Michele Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 02:37 AM EST

I'll watch the first episode, mainly for Colm Meaney, but I've seen the UK version and it was brilliant. John Simm was fantastic as Sam Tyler and I just don't see this other guy doing as well. Anybody remember when NBC tried to do Coupling? Leave British shows alone ... why ruin a good thing?!

maroonflower Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

ABC has bitten off more than can chew! I agree this is cheesy and replaced one of the best shows they ever had to put this on. October Road was a true to life show and replacing it with this is just another atempt failed. All of the roadies invite everyone to join in the fight to save O Road. Join us at the ABC board to find ways to help!! Check out O Road and you'll find a piece of home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKWdskF2Wfg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ozMdE8JeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-YsWJuyng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P0lajBbMjM

Bryan Hodges Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 10:57 AM EST

Oh my it hurt to watch that trailer! I agree the voice-over was just wrong. It made it sound like a comedy! I love the UK version & it’s defiantly not a sitcom. Why re-do a good show that’s still practically new? Are the accents really that hard for some folks to follow?

As far as a US Torchwood: The UK Torchwood did mention a US branch if I remember correctly. Though I don’t see how the series can operate complexly independent of it’s anagram: Doctor Who. I would assume that the US version would be a bit more…shall we say straight…for lack of a better term. The UK show took about 4 episodes to grow on me.

fred tam Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 05:52 AM EST

botched..botched botched in every way imaginable.

it needed a significant rethink, it was based on british culture. you can't just change just a few things.

Jim Sat, May 17, 2008 at 04:24 AM EST

Once again the US networks see fit to take a gourmet dinner, with candles, soft lighting and a beautiful companion, pop it in a liquidiser, tip ketchup all over it and turn it into fast food.

The British make the finest TV in the world, and it usually comes from the BBC, you wouldnt do a paint by numbers copy of the Mona Lisa and hang it in the Getty centre would you?

Leave it alone ABC and stick to what youre best at.

Laurie Fri, May 16, 2008 at 09:37 PM EST

I will be watching. I will probably hate myself for it, but I will be watching. A friend of mine read the DEK script of the pilot and she said it was crap, so if they're scrapping it for real, that can only be good. It could end up being fun, it could end up being atrocious, but I already like New Annie more than the old one. Holy cow, did that woman's voice get on my nerves.

Billie Fri, May 16, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

LIfe on Mars, Worst Week of My Life, what British shows are going to get ruined on American TV next? If they touch Shameless, I'll just give up on life. I think the worst thing is that it gives the Brit show a bad rap when the American show does poorly (See: Coupling, Men Behaving Badly).

TheDude Fri, May 16, 2008 at 10:13 AM EST

The word is that this David Kelley pilot will never be shown and that the new writers want to start afresh - this time in New York. And with some recasting. Trouble is, it has to be on US screens by September! Bit of a worry.

SPACED wasn't pick up.

Miranda Fri, May 16, 2008 at 07:27 AM EST

I totally agree. Only John Barrowman can be Captain Jack Harkness (well the time travel-y Jack Harkness).

Onno Fri, May 16, 2008 at 06:20 AM EST

What an american version of Torchwood if they do that that whole company should be shot. Just leaf the British shows as they are don't make remakes cuz they will never ever come close to the british ones same as they did with Couplings the american version is just not funny. So keep your hands off of British series and make your own.

Claire Thu, May 15, 2008 at 08:46 PM EST

I only saw a few episodes of the original and it was superb. I still don't see why it needs to be remade. this americanized version just doesn't have the right something of the original. hopefully it will get better. also Miranda; i really, really hope there is no american version of torchwood. it would be a travesty. there is only one Captain Jack Harkness. no other actor could do that role. ever.

dj Thu, May 15, 2008 at 07:20 PM EST

"State of Play" is being re-made with Russell Crowe (in the John Simm role), Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren (in the Bill Nighy role), Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman - should be interesting!

I miss my "Annie" from BBC's LOM. Liz White was great - don't see much chemistry with this Sam and Annie.

La La Love You Thu, May 15, 2008 at 05:57 PM EST

This one is going to be painful - the producers of October FREAKING Road are the show runners. I think that tells you all you need to know.

It's a shame the UK version isn't available on DVD.

Thu, May 15, 2008 at 05:51 PM EST

I do really like Colm Meaney but this feels all wrong. Like one of those mashups where the Shining turns into a fun family film. If they keep the original tone but market it like this, I think it will disappoint the new viewers while also alienating fans of the original.

Miranda Thu, May 15, 2008 at 04:05 PM EST

Patty - They already did a sort of Doctor Who in the mid-90s. The TV movie with the only on-screen appearance of the 8th Doctor was a part British and part American production. I have heard about the possibility of there being an American version of "Torchwood".

And now some good stuff! The first link is of Sam getting hit and going to 1973 and the other is my favorite chase scene in the entire series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR0ec_woG6Y

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

Patty Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:57 PM EST

Speaking of ruining other Brit shows, you know the will be a subpar American version of State of Play very soon. Another John Simm role - excellent miniseries, not sure how it will translate to a 2 hour movie. What is next? Our own version of Dr. Who? Stop the madness!

Deb Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:38 PM EST

I can't watch the trailer until I get home, but "Amen" to Miranda and others with similar doubts. I'll tune in out of curiousity but I really loved the Brit version. Why a remake? I can't wait for LOM DVDs either. I also can't wait for BBCAmerica to air the 80's spin-off, Ashes to Ashes. More Gene Hunt please!

Miranda Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:14 PM EST

OMG! It's like shredding a Van Gogh, mixing it into some paint, and then letting a 2 year old finger paint with it! Life on Mars was one of those rare British shows that could've been translated well to an American audience. It wasn't like it was super British. But this makes me super leerty. I don't mind Colm Meaney as Glen Hunt. I mean I'd always prefer Phil Glenister, but I could get behind Meaney. Now Jason O'Mara...there's no way that he'll ever be a tenth of a tenth as good as John Simm. I thought this before I saw this trailer and I think so still. The lack of the David Bowie song is mystifying. Honestly, BBC should just release the British version onto Region 1 DVDs and the American version should never see the light of day. A huge part of me hopes that this goes the way of Viva Laughlin. Just a big blech!

Nose Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:14 PM EST

I know nothing about this show, but just came into say why oh why do they have to rip off every single British show for American tv? Are there really no new, fresh, brilliant writers/network people to come up with their own ideas? The bottom line here, I suppose, is that I'm really peeved about the upcoming US rip-off of "Spaced," for which they are using Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's name to hype, while not asking any permission to do.

cruzilla Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:09 PM EST

Anyone know when the original will be out on DVD?

mirdeb6 Thu, May 15, 2008 at 03:02 PM EST

I agree with "Snarf", saw the BBC original and don't believe it will fly!

Lisa Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:54 PM EST

I agree with Kristen. It felt so wrong for this guy to be called Sam Tyler. (They should've changed the names) I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, because I loved the original (and I only ever saw the second season!) and because of Colm Meany. But I'll have my finger on the Delete button the whole time, so it better win me over quick.

Tony Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:48 PM EST

Never saw the original, though I've wanted to for a while now, it sounds right up my alley. This just looks cheesy. Although, I like to see Colm Meaney as much as possible. He's a better actor than he usually gets credit for.

Kristen Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:41 PM EST

I agree that it looks horrible as well. I also have a feeling the jokes are going to be too sitcom. Although the BBC version has its moments of comic brilliance, it was by no means a comedy.

I am not liking like the new Sam and Gene either. It sounds so wrong to hear them call that guy Sam Tyler. John Simm's performance in the original is some of the strongest acting I have ever seen. This new guy has the presence of a wet mop. And with a such a character-driven show, that's a really bad sign.

Robbie Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

I'll check it out. I dig how well they got the look of the 70s, and the stars seem very appealing.

Court Thu, May 15, 2008 at 01:49 PM EST

How about NO? This will be another failed US version of a brilliant UK show. If John Simm is not playing Sam Tyler, I have no interest in seeing this.

Shirley Thu, May 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM EST

It looks interesting, i'll watch. Love Colm & Jason.

Patty Thu, May 15, 2008 at 01:43 PM EST

Horrible. The original was amazing - this looks like Starsky and Hutch (they are certainly using the S&H music). The Brits get is right so often - 2 very short seasons, wrap up and let it go off with people still loving it. If this does any good, they will drag it out for 7 years until people are sick of it.

Snarf Thu, May 15, 2008 at 01:35 PM EST

Saw the original. Very strange. Not sure if it will fly in the USA. Time will tell I guess