Life on Mars Premiere

Well, I just watched the new and vastly improved pilot for the American version of Life on Mars.  A major factor to consider when comparing this to the BBC version is time.  The UK version ran a full 60 minutes, a luxury ABC does not have.  That taken into consideration, the writers of the US version have done a very nice job in choosing the 13 minutes to cut.  In the BBC show, Annie has a psychologist friend who screws with Sam, leading to a long scene where Annie convinces Sam that he really is in the past.  It is a good scene, but can easily be introduced later in the run of the ABC show if the writers so desire.

In our Americanized version, we have been introduced to Sam and the time period.  Those are the most important elements.  Gene Hunt, I can only assume will develop more slowly than he did in the British version, since he is so significant to the show.  Fear not, fans of the original, Gene Hunt is going to become a huge factor, why else would Keitel be doing the role.

Jason O’Mara turned in an admirable performance as Sam Tyler.  Actually, I did not find myself comparing him to John Simm very much at all.  The change in location and the adjustment to the American form of TV seems to distance me from the original, which is good.

Imperioli as Ray works just as perfectly as I imagined.  Dare I say…he could outdo Dean Andrews turn as Carling.  I dared.

Gretchen Mol was great as Annie.  I think she is so underrated as an actress.  Enough said.

Other bits I loved…they smoke, they drink, they’re sexist (the no-nuts business surprised me), and they’re arrogant.  No, I don’t endorse the lifestyles of these guys, I simply love the authenticity.

I’m ready for more.  Don’t let me down, Life on Mars USA.

Life on Mars USA

I was fortunate enough to check out some preview material on Life on Mars thanks to Miguel at Reprise Media and I am getting excited about it.

The setting is now New York, which should provide some grit that was missing in the previous pilot episode.  Harvey Keitel looks as if he has nailed the Gene Hunt character (some surprise, huh?), and Michael Imperioli is going to do justice to Ray (what a great look he has).

Overall, the vibe of the show seems much more in tune with the fantastic BBC program and that can’t be a bad thing.  There were some funny bits, some drama, nice attention to 70s details, cool music and wide ties.  I will still be interested to see how they stretch out the concept over a full US TV season, but seeing the preview material I am a little more confident that it can be done.

Life on Mars starts Thursday, October 9 at 10/9c on ABC.

Here are some vids released by Reprise Media to youtube: