'Life on Mars' premiere: Is it bloody great or what?

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Scribleran Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 02:54 PM EST

I think that "Life on Mars" is a brilliant show all around. Not the most verbose criticism, but true nonetheless. I like the pairing with "Lost" just before as well. Timetravelmania night.

Marley Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 05:24 AM EST

This is by far the best show on TV. I have to admit the ultra cool promos and the retrn of Lisa Bonet drew me in. I had not seen O Mara work before but wow after the first episode he impressed the hell out of me the only worthy new show on TV!

Woland Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 06:00 PM EST

I love the line about comparisons being a waste of time. Since the US remake borrows heavily from the original UK version comparisons are most definitely in order...
As for the comparisons, the US version is better than I thought it would be. Like many here I don't think Keitel matches Glenister (and suspect he went out of his way to play it differently). Nor do I think that O'Mara matches Simm or Moll Liz White. Gotta love ABC's downplay the genre element--isn't this so like mainstream US television? Oh yeah, love the fact that so many don't even know that the US Life is a remake. Parochialism?

JoyousB Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 11:24 PM EST

Well Well Well ... I have another show added to my list of great new shows on TV this season -- thank you for this one - storyline is refreshingly different, cast is super together and the whole look is awesome. Have LOST, Fringe, Despearate Housewives, Dancing w/the Stars, had Moonlight until some idiots at CBS took that off the air and now have Life on Mars. Finally a nice bit of a really good TV this season.

Stuart, 43, Assistant Director, London Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 11:42 AM EST

hey - just wait for the re-make of the follow on show ... Ashes to Ashes set in 1981 ... we had Keeley Hawes in the original... who are you going to get ...?

Hunzi Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST

what is the song at the end of the oct 30 episode? Anyone? thanx.
awsome show hope it doesnt get scrapped.

Pati Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 01:59 PM EST

Life On Mars is part of my DVR library. LOVE IT !!

MissMolly Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 05:50 AM EST

The pilot came off as really lazy. Most of the plot, as well as the dialogue and even some of the shots were taken directly from the original. Hearing Harvey Keitel tiredly drawl lines that Philip Glenister delivered with gleeful tenacity is just plain odd. Keitel is a great actor, but they've sold the character short, as well as the dynamic between the two main characters. In the original, Gene Hunt is in his prime, in complete control of the anti-PC society. He represents the old-style policing which is in full-flower, while Sam and the method of policing he represents are often put at odds with the dominant Gene Hunt. Here, Hunt is weary and looks on the verge of retiring. Here he is the 'grizzled mentor' rather than the alpha male.

lulu Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 02:38 PM EST

Mainstreet.com actually has a story comparing the cost of everything for Sam in 1973 versus now that's pretty crazy. Apparently, he made more money and could buy more with it back then. The 70's ROCK! http://mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/entertainment/life-mars-numbers

Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 08:08 PM EST

Blah Blah Blah whatever dude

glassyeyed Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 02:13 PM EST

it's an 'or what'. this show is the worst. episode 2 was even more horrific than the first.

Sarain Dallas Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM EST

My Family LOVES this new show. Great cast I tuned just too see Harvey! And he did not disappoint.

Great Job ABC!

Michael R. Tomkins Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 01:18 AM EST

Compared to the original British pilot (and how I'd felt upon my first watching of that), this was nowhere near the original. I'd give the British pilot a 9/10, and the remake a 7/10. Keitel was a poor choice - he just hasn't brought the charisma and macho bravado of Gene Hunt to the role as well as Glenister did. I get the feeling he's there mostly for the name, and to attract attention for the series. Gretchen Mol was also somewhat mediocre - there was little of the feeling of chemistry between her character and O'Mara's.

As for the other characters - well, O'Mara was fairly good. The others weren't great, but weren't bad either and I could possibly see them growing on me.

With luck this will turn into a series worth watching. I'll be curious to see if as much of the British plotting (and even largely, the scripting) makes it into the series intact in later episodes.

Even as a middling remake, it's better than most of the trash on TV these days. I'll be tuning in for more.

monica Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 10:35 PM EST

i thought it was interesting that despite everything around him, it was the Twin Towers that informed him that he was no longer in 2008. my favorite part was when the lead and Keitel jumped over the table with the booming background music--it was epic. it's been interesting so far. i think i'll watch another episode.

Alan Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 10:48 PM EST

The words "better than it has any right to be" come to mind. This show had train wreck written all over it, but it was surprisingly decent, all things considered. It was nearly a line-for-line remake of the BBC version except for the Rames twist (which is a good thing) and the cast was OK but really lacks the chemistry that made the original so engaging. As much as I like Harvey Keitel, he's just not Gene Hunt. I'll keep watching and see how it develops.

Bill from Las Vegas Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 09:07 PM EST

I loved the original series and was curious to see how much ABC would screw it up, but I was surprised. The first episode was almost a line for line copy of the original, including the "military jeep" line that made sense in the UK but not in the US, but there were a couple of rough spots. I think Colm Meany would have made a better Gene Hunt than Kietel and Gretchen Mol doesn't even come close as Annie. Too blonde I guess. And I had to laugh at the fact that in 1973 the NYPD green and whites were still '65 Belvederes. I would have thought they would be driving something more recent considering Hunt's car was a '72 Coronet. I hope the rest of the episodes aren't just copied from the original series but instead are original stories using the formula that made the BBC series so great. It's sort of sad that the networks can't come up with original ideas and have to rely on the BBC for quality show ideas.

susan bowers Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 08:06 PM EST

i would like to see it but i like earth better then mars

L B Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 02:44 PM EST

I too am a BIG fan of the UK version of the show and was skeptic about a US remake. I LOVED it tho!! I cannot wait to see the rest of the season.

Joe Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 01:30 PM EST

This was a great start to a show I hope is on for some time to come. I was a 14 year old kid in '73 so i am very familiar with the music and everything that occurred during that time period. I think I had the same look on my face as the lead character did when he walked into a record shop and let me tell you I feel the same way about today's music format. Music just doesn't sound good in this digital age. Lets see where this goes it could get old fast like Swingtown or it could turn into a classic. Lets hope for the best.

W. Goulart Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

Terrific writing, acting and production (including cinematography and music) made the pilot such a mind-blower. I never heard of the British version, but this is worth watching week to week. Jason O'Mara is so effective as the lead character. I wonder whether the show will be able to maintain the same energy level, wit and cleverness across the entire series as demonstrated in the pilot.

Anita Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

This was a fun show for me since I was a child of the 70's and grew up near New York. It was great to hear the music and see the fashion of the 70's too. Nostalgia!

Anita Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 12:44 PM EST

I loved this show. I can't imagine why someone wouldn't like it. It was well written, acted and great music. It's refreshing to see something different on tv instead of dumb fat guy with hot wife sitcom. I watched it a second time with my daughters and a third time with my husband. Everyone loved it!

jakesdad Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

not blown away but definite potential here so I'll keep watching for now. I WILL agree with the people saying the anachronisms need to stop NOW! you could get away with those kind of mistakes 20 yrs ago but not today. fact checking has never been easier in the age of google so there's really no excuse for it...

Howie Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM EST

This show is a big disappointment. The scene involving Sam searching for his vehicle was unlikely. When Sam said he owns a Jeep and the cop asked why he would be driving a military vehicle. Civilian jeeps were even more popular in the 70s than they are today, and have been common since the late 40s! This was the first insult to the viewer. Secondly, Harvey Keitel is nearly 70 years old! It shows in his looks and his inability to move with the spryness of a younger man holding that position (detective). How anyone could be intimidated by him is beyond belief. He may have been able to play a tough guy 20 years ago, but lose the hair dye Harvey. Next an Irishman playing a born and bred American? Although he does a good job in the role, the accent is just not good enough to make it believable. What…No one who was born here could handle this either? I was excited when I started watching the premiere episode, but my interest soon turned to regret. Another fine Brit show bites the dust here.

Leah Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM EST

I really enjoyed the show! I have worked on some marketing for it so I was watching no matter what, but I loved it!! The doctor on the TV in Sam's apartment was such a LOST moment for me. Love LOST and am happy to have this show while I wait for season 5 of that...

queue55 Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 09:25 AM EST

Loved the pilot. Jason O'Mara is delicious and the music!! Excellent! I agree with Astrid...can't get "Willie Won't Go" out of my head.
Is the BBC version available for viewing anywhere?

Frank Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 09:19 AM EST

"NYPD Stupid"

If a surgeon had transplanted a heart in the manner ABC transplanted Episode 1, the patient would be dead and the surgeon would be facing manslaughter charges. I don't mind competent transplants of scripts but the key word is COMPETENT. Either ABC spent so much money on actors that they couldn't afford a scriptwriter and a reality checker or they just didn't care.

I mean really, what kind of idiot doesn't know that Jeep was selling to the civilian markets in 1973?

czechkayte Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 03:13 AM EST

See, and I thought I was all special having watched this awesome BBC show that no one in the US that I knew had even heard of. It was okay...but then again I suppose people are always biased towards their first experience, and mine was the BBC's version.I think the defining points will be whether Harvey Keitel can pull off the line to some kids, "If there's a scratch on my car, I'll come to your homes and stamp on all your toys" (approx.), and if they have a stop-motion Sam on the TV with Gene hitting him over the head with a trashcan lid (don't forget the wave).

Ben Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:14 PM EST

Good premise and very well acted. I am intrigued by this show and wonder what direction it will take to keep going week after week

Ben murphy Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:13 PM EST

Good premise and very well acted. I am intrigued by this show and wonder what direction it will take to keep going week after week

Derek Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:03 PM EST

I would have to say "or what". Some of the dialogue was terrible - they have to drop the sitcomy jokes (how many times does he refer to his cell phone?) especially after you use the image of the World Trade Center. Gretchen Mol was the only good thing in the show but her character's blase reaction to a guy constantly claiming he's time travelling (he could have a serious head injury!)is another example of poor writing.

joules Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 05:23 PM EST

What was the Peter Paul & Mary comment? At some point Jason O'Mara says to Gretchen Mol, "I was 4 years old in 1973." So was I! I loved the attention to detail in the costumes, hair, music, etc. This will take care of my 70's nostalgia fix, now that Swingtown is over. Anyone want to join me for a bowl of Freakies cereal?

Jazz Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 03:16 PM EST

Well all I can say is this show is fun! Loved the premiere and will be watching for now on. The music is a trip and I've already down loaded all the songs. Good job ABC!!!

Dduellman Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM EST

Love John Simms, love Jason O'Mara, love Life on Mars in all its incarnations.

Best moment in the pilot...when they jumped over the desk near the end. My husband and I both laughed out loud.

teri Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 01:17 PM EST

I loved this show. The plot was well written the actors were compelling but the camera work and editing was as good if not better than the Shield.....love this show. I never thought that I would find an on network series worth watching after Seinfeld and Friends shut down.....

love this show as much if not more than The Shield.

ras Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM EST

Overall opinion: not as good as the original so far, but better than lots of stuff on TV.

All I can think in Keitel's scenes are, "Man, he's OLD. And kinda small, too." I liked the rest of the casting.

rhinogirl Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

Had my doubts about it but I loved the pilot. I especially liked the attention to detail the producers put in to create the feel that he was really in the 1970's. I liked how Sam's attempts at applying 2008 police techniques were as poorly received by his fellow officers as they probably would have been in the 1970's - esp. profiling. Seemed realistic to me. It look me a while to warm up to the characters but by the end of the episode I was hooked on the show.

Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 11:38 AM EST

I thought it was great. There is no use in comparing the BBC version and the ABC version. I'll be tuning in next week.

Astrid Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST

Love it! Can't get "Willy won't go" out of my head though LOL. Keeps playing over and over and over...

A Nonymus Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 10:40 AM EST

New Amsterdam meets the Journeyman! Good, but not as good as New Amsterdam, so how long can it last? Maybe Harv and Imperioli can keep it going?

Farva Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 10:00 AM EST

Also, It did have a great soundtrack. Not only the Who, but also Chris Cornell.

Farva Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 09:58 AM EST

I really liked 'Life on Mars'. Personally, crime shows and comedy is a great mix. The mystery of '73 (sorry, that rhymed) is a great plot point. Hope this one stays!

justin Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 09:35 AM EST

i liked it. didn't love it but i liked it.

i'll definitely be tuning in next week. i think it's a show that will get better as time goes on. jason o'mara is fantastic.

jcdc13 Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:44 AM EST

Sorry, did not like it. Will give it one more chance next Thursday. Can't see my self being dragged along with this contrived gimmick.

brian Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:07 AM EST

I miss Journeyman.

Jo Ann Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 08:03 AM EST

Nix, I like my sense of humor. And I liked the Peter, Paul and Mary line. It was funny!!! If you didn't like that line, then you probably wouldn't like the new show, Little Britain USA which leaves me breathless and hurting from laughing so much each week. Thanks to my grandfather who left me his sense of humor......

Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 05:52 AM EST

saw the uk version LOVED ITTT!!! the us version SO F-----N HOTTT!!!! JASON O'MARA IS MY KIND A GUY, SWEET!!!!!

Nix Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 04:53 AM EST

Your humour is different from mine, thank goodness! The line about Peter, Paul and Mary is absolutely tasteless.

Joe Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 12:04 AM EST

I missed Phil Glenister. Harvey just doesn't have the same capacity for the unpredictable. He just isn't offensive enough, though this is probably as much because of US tv than anything!

Shannon Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:18 PM EST

BTW, I'm hoping they'll release the BBC version on DVD here in the states. Unfortunately it looks like its only available on Region 2 (UK).

Shannon Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:16 PM EST

Loved it and it doesn't hurt that Jason O'Mara is pretty easy on the eyes. Will definetely continue to watch!

Also, even though I was kind of expecting it that scene with the WTC still really got to me.

PML Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 09:21 PM EST

WOW! I loved it and am planning to see it every week. I'm a big fan of time-travel stuff generally, especially the "Back to the Future" trilogy, and I enjoyed seeing a few little details which I'm sure were inspired by BTTF (the sign advertising the housing to be built, Sam asking for a Diet Coke in the bar, the gun showdown on the roof, etc.). This show is a keeper! Can't wait till the whole season comes out on DVD!

bb Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 08:03 PM EST

screw the UK show. I've never seen it, and I liked this new show.

glassyeyed Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 07:54 PM EST

hey, Mike, good to know that you think this:

'but most of the episode plots were forgettable at best.'

since the next five episodes are also pretty much plot point for plot point of the BBC original. enjoy!

sarita Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 07:40 PM EST

imo, the pilot gave too much away; it pretty much established that he's in a coma and that this 1973 bit is all in his head, so the suspense is kind of lost.

mercedestexas Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 07:03 PM EST

we loved it!!!!!!! i was 17 in 1973,so this gave me an opportunity to "go back".great acting,great scenes.....we are hooked!!!!

Mike Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 05:38 PM EST

To all the original BBC series fans: Get over it, it's over and gone. I was a semi-fan of the BBC show. The characters were fantastic, but most of the episode plots were forgettable at best. Let's all give this new show a chance. Comparisons are a waste of time.

Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 04:42 PM EST

Why bother reinventing the wheel? The English original is matchless. Invent your own ideas.

it-s Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 03:03 PM EST

I was also a big fan of the original BBC version and I loved the USA remake. Having grown up in the 70s in NYC, I found it very authentic. Certain details were off, but hey, its a TV show. I thought the actors were wonderful and I liked the New York attitude & slang. I didn't expect it to be an exact duplicate of the BBC version and I am enjoying the differences. I thought the idea of him shooting the serial killer as a child was pretty daring and an excellent way to tie the stories taking place in two diferent times together.

Sheena W. Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

I think this show would probably look better if you had never seen the original BBC show, which is incredible. Weird they substituted the jump off the roof scene at the end of the BBC version with Tyler trying to force the bad guy to kill him to bring him back to 2008 instead. Yeah, and were they implying he was going to shoot a child?? So, how do you think this American series will end. Those of you who have seen the original, makes one wonder... hmm?

Jason O'Meara: No John Simm, but ok. Maybe he'll get better...

Gretchen Mol: Yikes!

Imperioli: Like a weird 1-dimensional version of Ray of the original. As a matter of fact, the whole episode was a 1-dimensional run-through of the original pilot.

Keitel: The only bright spot, really. Not Gene Hunt but different.

Watch the BBC original. If I wasn't curious how they were going to end this ABC version, I would tune out.

Stevie Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

I tried watching it and could barely get through 1/2 an hour. But, I hate anything that seems like a show/movie to a soundtrack and I can't stand things that make people say "OMG! I USED TO LOVE DAVID BOWIE!!" or whatever music artist is on at the time.

Pamela Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM EST

Loved it! Thursday couldn’t come quick enough. Being able to watch the very sexy Harvey Keitel once a week......I’m already hooked!

Stephanie T. Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:58 AM EST

I have met and had dinner with Mr. Imperioli and his wife Victoria. He's a very nice guy, not sexy...perhaps if you like the rugged look. Still, he was awesome on this show.

Ryan Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 11:22 AM EST

I LOVED the premiere. Now I'm excited that I have a new show to watch and fall in love with this year.

Lesley Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:40 AM EST

I am a huge fan of the BBC original as well, so it was more curiosity that made me tune into the ABC remake. I have to say, that they got it almost spot on with Jason OMara playing Sam Tyler. He was fantastic and comparable to John Simm's Sam in every way! I thought they casted Annie's part well with Gretchen Mol, and the actors playing Chris Skelton and Ray Carling are quite formidable as well. But my only dissappointment with the show (and it's a huge one) is Harvey Keitel's version of Gene Hunt. Phillip Glenister played him as rough, yet charming, in a sexy sort of way. Keitel oozes none of this so far, and given the fact that he's a much older, grumpier version of Gene Hunt, I can see him having that same appeal that Glennister had. I think maybe someone like Ray Liotta might have fit the bill better Keitel. Nevertheless.... I will be definately be tuning in next week!

Cait Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:32 AM EST

You guys must have seen a different show than I did. I loved the BBC version, it's one of my all-time faves, but this just seemed like an embarrassing high-school theatre production of the original. O'Mara in particular could not have been less believable and stilted, and he had no chemistry at all with either Mol or Keitel. And Imperioli looked like he was gussied up on the cheap for a 70s-themed costume party. Really, really not good.

Robert Dalziel Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:31 AM EST

Time travel shows are absurd, unless they're comedies. I turned out a quarter of the way through. The lack of attention to detail (the U.S. abandoned the Vietnam war in January 1973 making the Daily News headline an anarchorism) raised a signpost. But the jokes (two weeks to get fingerprints is an amazing turnaround) were stupid and cloying. Kind of a 2008-ist dis of the good old days. The only reason I would watch this is for the great Harvey Keitel, the fetching Gretchen Moll.

Randy Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 08:33 AM EST

Fantastic!! When they jumped over the table in slow motion to the tune of "Little Willy" I thought I was watching Starsky and Hutch. Very Cool!! Will definately watch every week. I would like to believe that he ACTUALLY returned to 1973 and is not dreaming or in a coma.

Jen in WI Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 08:14 AM EST

Oh and I forgot, I love period pieces when they're well done--big fan of Mad Men and Swingtown as well.

Jen in WI Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

I have never seen the original, and the premise didn't interest me much, but when I caught a promo and saw the hunka hunka burnin' man meat Jason O'Mara, I thought I'd give it a shot. I liked him a lot in The Agency and he killed it on The Closer. I was pleasantly surprised by LoM, totally loved it.
My dvr is smoking, working overtime on Thursdays!

Amy Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 01:30 AM EST

I am a fan of the BBC original. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the episode. I can't believe the Americans didn't muck it up. The acting was great. However, the clincher for me was the music. Much more than in the BBC original, and some really cool obscure songs. However, I did feel dated since 1973 was the year I graduated from high school and the only time I was ever in New York, and only to change planes on the way to Belgium.

Sina Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 12:18 AM EST

Liked the show especially Michael Imperioli. I just think Lisa Bonet forgot how to act. She was the reason I decided to watch this version. The one thing I didn't like was that there was NO NO chemistry between Sam and Annie. In the original one, Sam and Annie had chemistry right off the bat. And Annie had a big butt! So far so good though. Also in the original Sam had already broken up with his girlfriend, in this one he and Maya are still together. I like the end scene with him in the car almost in tears over Maya.

Anonymouse Sat, Oct 11, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

having seen the cringeworthy first American pilot before they scrapped the cast and re-shot it all, I am extremely impressed and will be tuning in again.
Trust me - the original American pilot was painful.

Jan Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:28 PM EST

We loved the show. Have it on our list of must sees every week.

Nergol Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 09:57 PM EST

As with others, huge fan of the BBC original.

I was pleasantly surprised. On the whole I like the BBC series better, but as someone whose general opinion is that remakes pretty much universally suck, I have to admit, this one didn't.

O'Mara was impressive. He delivered a different take on Sam, but I don't mind that - he made the role his own.

Keitel didn't quite grab me as Gene the way that Philip Glenister did, but he made a good enough impression that I'm willing to give him some time to let the role grow on him.

Imperioli shows great promise as Ray.

Gretchen Mol was nondescript as Annie, but neither was she terrible.

I thought the end scene with Sam deciding wether or not to shoot Colin was a good one, and an effective substitute for the rooftop scene with Annie in the original.

The real test of this show will be what happens when they run out of scripts from the BBC version and have to start writing original scripts. That's when we'll know wether this is a keeper or not.

Bubba Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 09:11 PM EST

Its ok... Getting hit by a car isnt much of a time travel..

Stage Left Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:53 PM EST

Well I think ABC does have a hit on their hands. Granted it did fall short against the BBC original but I thought style wise it was pretty good. Of course I can’t help but compare Glenister’s Gene Hunt to Keitel’s Gene Hunt and I think the producers need to make some improvements there. Overall I give it a B-.

my2cents Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:49 PM EST

I was not impressed with what I saw and won't be tuning back in.

Nik Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:44 PM EST

I love Harvey Keitel, but found him painful to watch in this; he'd have clinched it 10 or 15 years ago, though. The show itself scored, on the whole, by getting back to the original incarnation - virtually scene for scene - so I'm giving it a 7/10 and will likely stick with it, if only to see what new finale they've dreamed up.

glassyeyed Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:33 PM EST

I thought it was really awful and to be honest? The twin towers moment had me cringing. Using the WTC to prop Jason O'Mara's wooden acting is kind of gross.

Won't be watching.

Vanessa Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 08:22 PM EST

I heard about the British show Life on Mars and thought it sounded like a cool show so I found it and watched it. Then I heard it was coming to ABC so I got excited. I watched the new show and was surprised to find it was a whole knew thing. I thought it a bit strange that the show was a remake of the original. So far I like the original better, but I can't really say too much with only the pilot episode. Also I may just be being prejudice as I love English shows.

scottap Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 06:43 PM EST

I love the British original (I have both seasons on DVD). Maybe because this was close to a scene-by-scene remake of the British pilot (except for the weaker ending) it felt hit and miss to me in comparison.

I liked Jason O'Mara and Michael Michael Imperioli well enough, but Harvey Keitel (too one-note and old) as well as Gretchen Mol and Jonathan Murphy (bland and dull) don't do much for me. The chemistry between John Simm and Philip Glenister, which you could feel from their first scene together, is what made the British version so great. I just don't sense the same chemistry developing between O'Mara and Keitel.

Sam Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM EST

Liked it! Can't wait for more.

Brad Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:47 PM EST

It seems to be a very good show but I hate the fact that this show has TWO sets of interesting character-actors and not utilizing all. Clark Peters? Lisa Bonet? Hey, that's a pretty good show to begin with. But with Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol, Jason O'Hara has a very good cast to work with. There's too much and what are the other cast members supposed to do, while O'Mara's character is in his coma?

Honeybee Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:44 PM EST

I loved the original, but I gave this a chance and loved it too. I hope I will soon love it as much as the original - and I got goosebumps when Tyler saw the Twin Towers still standing, which was a great way to prove that something major had happened to him. It worked really well.

Yes, it's a pilot and it needs to find its footing, but I'm on board.

EJL Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:43 PM EST

I got to watch a pre screen on Life on Mars. It is a series. There are so many good plot twists. It has humor, drama and Sci-Fi all wrapped into one. The actors in the series are great. I hope ABC renews this as a regular series for the long run. I think the show has many ways it can go in "time" to keep viewers interest for instance. I really like how the show shows how we have evolved yet in some respects, miss some of the more simple things in life. Again, the actors are great and convincing. I never lost interest in any segment of the show.

Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

The USA should stop trying to remake good shows from other countries and just air the originals. What a waste of film.

In Love Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM EST

I am totally in LOVE with Jason O'Mara, so glad I liked the show because I would have watched it just for him!

EMalt Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 05:00 PM EST

Loved this show!! It was so similar to time travel shows and I love those types. Oh and the music was awesome! Won't miss an episode. I just hope they don't take it off the air!

BRENDA Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 04:59 PM EST

I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I THINK
Michael Imperioli was soooooooo SEXYYY A.B.C DID GREAT WITH THE CAST THEY ALL LOOK GOOD !!!!

anglophile Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 04:48 PM EST

I watched the 2nd season of the original LoM and was totally hooked. On the whole I liked the pilot of the remake. Jason O'Mara is very good as Sam Tyler. But...Philip Glenister's Gene Hunt was brash and blustery, sometimes charming and sometimes awful, and totally unforgettable. Keitel's Gene Hunt was charmless, mean, and one-note. And casting Hollywood-pretty Gretchen Mol as the sweet girl-next-door Annie doesn't work. She's too glamorous!

Rebop Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 04:30 PM EST

Even if Michael Imperioli wasn't in the cast, the humor would have reminded me of The Sopranos. Humor at dark times is the best kind of humor, to me, in both life and art. I love everything about this show and hope to never miss an episode. Imperioli is a great writer, so I hope he gets a chance to contribute in that way, too. His 'From Where to Eternity' script is one of the best Sopranos episodes, VERY funny.

Lola Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 04:22 PM EST

L-O-V-E-D loved O'Mara. What a hunk. And it can't be easy to act like you just woke up in 1973 and make it believable and he totally did. Keitel, Imperioli? I am in heaven. What a stylish show. LOVE IT. Also enjoyed the premiere of The Mentalist. These shows should give me two hours distraction from thinking about our current society/economy/politics.

MickeyG Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 04:15 PM EST

Iwasn't going to watch it,then i got pulled in and couldn't take my eyes off it. Great story, Great characters, and so real. To the person who said the people on the street looked too hippy? I was a kid at that time and memories and pictures confirm, yeah we all were into the flower power, mix-match, straight long hair or big afro hair hippy phase. The twin towers was very emotional and unexpected. Loved it.

Jane Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 03:54 PM EST

This show is fantastic!!! I graduated from college in 1973 and the show brought back some great memories. The music was awesome...I was singing along with the "oldies but goodies". I am definitely not going to miss Life on Mars.

ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 03:52 PM EST

Life On Mars...Restoring Faith in my TV Set.
Chicago, IL USA: Reviewing Movies has always been left to those who work at a major newspaper but sometimes a blommentary - a Blog Commentary will have to suffice. Such is the way I feel about seeing (after months upon months of vomituous Reruns and Reality Series) Life on Mars that debuted last night, October 9, 2008.

Like millions, there were a few standards that stood out in my time:

#1: That was my hey-day. Although I claim 'each' Day as my 'Hey-Day,' 1973 was the year I became legal, of legal age: 21. That was momentous to we BabyBoomers.

#2: The Theme was incredibly clever. The Story Line about losing a loved one and thinking if only a few elements were changed, that that person could be 'retrieved' and returned to us has undoubtedly occurred to all of us...at some point in our Lifetime. The rest is found on my blog at: http://adriennesiouxkoopersmith.blogspot.com/

Fatima Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

GREAT. Now I have to watch this AND Angela Basset on ER. I was so excited to see Clarke Peters and Lisa Bonet, but are they going to be on ever? Why would they cast name actors if they weren't is my rationale

Don Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 03:45 PM EST

Guess I'm in the minority. Unneeded violence and low class talk. Too many street scenes portraying everyone as a Hippy. Maybe I am just a snob. Probably won't watch it again.

Philly Fri, Oct 10, 2008 at 03:43 PM EST

BBC America still runs the original 'Life on Mars', although he programming department takes a decidedly eclectic approach to scheduling. Oddly enough, BBC America has now added subtitles, plus a snide aside about accents prior to the show.