“Life on Mars” Premieres This Thursday
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- October
- 6
It’s time (10 p.m., Oct. 9) again to say hello to another rip-off from the British. (What–we Yanks have lost our creative mojo?) But if this Americanization is anything like our good ones (“All in the Family,” “Friends” and “The Office”) rather than our crummy ones (“Coupling,” “Viva Laughlin”), then we’re all in for a treat. Irishman Jason O’Mara (formerly of “Men in Trees”) is current-day NYPD detective Sam Tyler, who’s trying to hunt down a serial killer. He also has a girlfriend who’s also a NYPD detective, Maya (“Cosby” kid Lisa Bonet). After getting bashed by a car, he wakes up in the same city and same job, but in a different era: the 1970s. ‘73, to be exact. That wouldn’t be MY idea of a bad year, but for a cop without stuff like cell phones, computers and all of today’s forensic abilities at his fingertips, it’s a nightmare.
As for why he’s gone back in time, Sam doesn’t know if he’s in a coma, dreaming or what. While he tries to solve his own time-traveling predicament, he’s partnered up with scruffy and snarky Det. Ray Carling, played by “The Sopranos’” Michael Imperioli, a loose cannon who feels threatened by Sam. Their boss is the no-nonsense Lt. Gene Hunt, Harvey Keitel in this first television series. Sam will find a friend in policewoman Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol), whose being a woman relegates her to doing the precinct’s scut work and being subjected to blatant comments from the guys.
Each episode will have its own crime to solve, and Sam will search for his 2008 partner/girlfriend Bonet. Now, looking for Maya makes no sense to me. While Sam was somehow hurtled back 35 years, chances are that she wasn’t hurtled—or wasn’t even born yet! Logistics aside, “Life on Mars” will be a fun ride if it’s as enjoyable as the pilot episode (which I’ve seen). And going back to the ‘70s—my favorite decade–on “Mars” has GOT to be better than going back on “Swingtown,” the tepid 13-ep summer series made on the cheap and featuring sexaholics—male and female—occasionally doing things that should be left to cable, not broadcast TV. I should know. I had to watch every installment. (Photos: Courtesy of ABC )
This entry was posted
on Monday, October 6th, 2008 at 12:21 pm by Jenny Higgons.
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Here come the Irish. Our TV is being infiltrated by the Irish and English this season and it is no mistake! Life On Mars is going to be even better than the UK version and the cast is a testament to that! This is a MUST SEE and if you’ve seen the sneak peeks, you’ll see why. Who do you think will shine in this cast? See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEWpWM7Iyhc&feature=related
I have high hopes for this one! I think it is going to be great. The cast is Amazing! Thanks for the link… very cool video!
this looks awesome! thanks jen for the link!
I saw Jen’s preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEWpWM7Iyhc and it looks pretty interesting. I have to say that I am more than a little curious about this show. ABC tends to do cop shows pretty well so I am going to get this on the DVR and check it out.