"Life on Mars" (2008) TV series 2008-2009

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

Back in the nick of time

Plot:

A present-day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s. An American remake of the BBC series.

Plot Keywords:

Based On TV Series | Planet In Title | TV Series Pilot

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Jason O'Mara	...	Detective Sam Tyler (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Michael Imperioli	...	Detective Ray Carling (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gretchen Mol	...	Annie Norris (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jonathan Murphy	...	Detective Chris Skelton (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Harvey Keitel	...	Lieutenant Gene Hunt (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Greg D'Agostino	...	Detective (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Chris Miskiewicz	...	Detective / ... (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
John Cenatiempo	...	Sizable Ted (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Dominick Mancino	...	Detective (12 episodes, 2008-2009)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Kudos Film and Television

Trivia:

The original BBC series took its name from the David Bowie song, "Life on Mars".

Goofs:

Continuity: The type of rifle that is in Sam's hands when it is kicked by his Dad changes. When he places it down when he goes to talk to his younger version on the boat it looks like a Ruger Mini 30. When he picks it up a minute later it has changed into a Ak-47 or SKS type of rifle, which is then kicked by his Dad and it seems to go over the side of the boat. That is a less expensive type of rifle, which may be why it was the one tossed into the water.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/David Cook (#34.7)" (2008)

Better than the original?

In some ways, it is.

When I first heard "Life On Mars" was being adapted for American television, I really didn't expect much. And when I first watched it, I was unimpressed. The British series is just SO original, and SO excellent. Who could replace the Gov? No one. Even now that my opinion of the show has changed, I still think he is irreplaceable. But that's okay! The American series has other things going for it, which I suspect largely stem from a bigger budget. The music is better, for one. Also, the attention to detail is immaculate. One of the joys of watching it is experiencing the atmosphere of 1973 New York. I also quite like Michael Imperioli as Ray— perhaps he's not as funny as Dean Andrews, but he's enjoyable to watch in a grittier kind of way. I also like Jason O'Mara as Sam Tyler. He brings a lightness to the role which was absent in John Simm's portrayal. Whereas Simm was often terribly serious and painfully moral (admittedly why we loved him—it is these traits which made his exchanges with Gene Hunt so entertaining), O'Mara's Sam Tyler immerses himself more in the time period. When he takes delight in 1973, so do we. One of the few elements damaged by the adaptation is DC Chris Skelton—played in the BBC series by the talent Marshall Lancaster. Jonathon Murphy fills the role in the ABC version and he is so extremely boring that I lament the adaptation of his character every time he appears in a scene. Finally, it's certain that Harvey Keitel has big shoes to fill but he's adequate. He's a professional and has a presence which embodies 1973 New York.

If you are a big fan of the British series, you will enjoy this show. And if you've only ever seen this adaptation, I encourage you to rent the original BBC series.