Life on Mars : USA - Scifi-Meshes.com

**Dr-Timelord** · 05-14-2008, 04:54 AM

Well here it is. the first screen shot of the US version of BBC show Life on Mars.

Jason O'Mara is playing Sam Tyler, DS9's Colm Meaney is playing Gene Hunt, although i got to say he has got a hellova job trying to outdo Philip Glenister who plays the character in the BBC series.

Some Classic Gene Hunt clips from Life On Mars (click to watch)

Gene Hunt = Bad Reputation

The show follows the same format as the Uk version, Starting in Modern times and then shifting to L.A in 1972 as Sam tries to find out where he is and what has happened to him

First Thoughts:

Well apart from Screaming Starsky & Hutch at me, my biggest concern with the show is that is going to be a carbon copy of the Uk version. I know that 1972 American will be radically different from 1973 England. I've seen plenty of good UK tv shows and them when developed for American Tv they copy it scene for scene, word for word.
Fritz comes straight into my mind as just a US copy of Cracker

Comments anyone?

**Otaushi Lobo** · 05-14-2008, 07:05 AM

I loved Life on Mars and it's subsequent show Ashes to Ashes, but I worry how they are going to play this off. My biggest concern is really are they going to work as well as the BBC did. I really wanted to believe certain things about the show, because even though the series was short, I (the viewer) began to care for Sam Tyler. I really hope that they craft it as well as the original show and not copy it as you have brought up. The original BBC show is one tough act to follow.

**Tovette** · 05-14-2008, 07:33 AM

...so they aren't really on Mars?

Falin · 05-14-2008, 09:33 AM

well in this day when shows don't last more than a season anyways, this will work perfectly for the networks. to bad it's a carbon copy, i already saw the UK version on BBC america, so this show will be more of a "what did they change" viewing rather than a "how did they adapt it" viewing.

ah well, they should have just released the UK version instead of carbon copining it.

Ares Blackmane · 05-14-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falin

ah well, they should have just released the UK version instead of carbon copining it.

My feelings exactly when I hear of a remake of a series or movie, or a cover song: do they really think they can improve on the original? And if not, what's the point? (Well that I know already: $€£)

Sometimes they can (Galactica), usually not.

spudmonkey · 05-14-2008, 10:18 AM

The problem with doing a US based version is that there are so many US cop shows that already have huge followings, so the twist of someone modern trying to fit in with older style policing really needs to work well or it will all fall down. Colm Meaney is one of the few actors who could pull off a Gene Hunt style role - if you are only familiar with his work in Star Trek then you should check out some of his film roles where he frequently plays an Irish mobster to great effect

**Freak** · 05-14-2008, 10:26 AM

I never seen one of the US copies of a British show as does not make it over here unless it something from Ch4, which case it Reality TV and not Drama. As far as I know every attempt the US has made at remaking British TV has faild. This is mainly due to American Public seeing the British Version and being Fans of that, than their own made version.

spudmonkey · 05-14-2008, 10:34 AM

The US version of the Office was awful for the first season, but now it is fairly widely considered to be better than the original. There are a few other programmes that worked better when the US remade them, but they are few and far-between!

**backstept** · 05-14-2008, 10:45 AM

I don't understand why shows need to be remade . . .

I mean with shows like Trading Spaces/Changing Rooms it helps to have people from America on the American version, and vice versa

but other shows that aren't 'reality' shows . . . do they REALLY need to be remade? I just don't get it

**Dr-Timelord** · 05-14-2008, 03:08 PM

I have to say i've tried to watch Red Dwarf USA and i just can't sit through it, its just so awful.

The US version biggest task apart from not becoming a carbon copy, is showing and doing something that wasn't already covered in 70's cop shows like Starsky & Hutch, Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey. Hell even TJ Hooker.

From what i have read, they have developed the pilot but its yet to get a commission as a tv series mostly due to the writers strike.
But i guess we'll see how it goes.

Any idea what kind of car Gene Hunt USA will be driving?

05-14-2008, 04:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dr-Timelord Resident Time Lord Realname: M. Shaw Join Date: May 2006 Location: Scotland Age: 24 Posts: 1,516 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Life on Mars : USA Well here it is. the first screen shot of the US version of BBC show Life on Mars. Jason O'Mara is playing Sam Tyler, DS9's Colm Meaney is playing Gene Hunt, although i got to say he has got a hellova job trying to outdo Philip Glenister who plays the character in the BBC series. Some Classic Gene Hunt clips from Life On Mars (click to watch) Gene Hunt = Bad Reputation The show follows the same format as the Uk version, Starting in Modern times and then shifting to L.A in 1972 as Sam tries to find out where he is and what has happened to him First Thoughts: Well apart from Screaming Starsky & Hutch at me, my biggest concern with the show is that is going to be a carbon copy of the Uk version. I know that 1972 American will be radically different from 1973 England. I've seen plenty of good UK tv shows and them when developed for American Tv they copy it scene for scene, word for word. Fritz comes straight into my mind as just a US copy of Cracker Comments anyone?
	Star Trek: Original Series - Season Four (animated)

05-14-2008, 07:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tovette Yeah, up another 10 cents Total Awards: 1 (more» ...) Realname: Nate Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Age: 31 Posts: 5,118 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	...so they aren't really on Mars?
	2d art is treated as a bastard child in 3D forums. There are cultures on this planet that are just plain not ready for advanced technologies like explosives and automatic guns

05-14-2008, 10:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
spudmonkey SFM Obsessed Total Awards: 3 (more» ...) Realname: Nick Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,738 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The problem with doing a US based version is that there are so many US cop shows that already have huge followings, so the twist of someone modern trying to fit in with older style policing really needs to work well or it will all fall down. Colm Meaney is one of the few actors who could pull off a Gene Hunt style role - if you are only familiar with his work in Star Trek then you should check out some of his film roles where he frequently plays an Irish mobster to great effect
	Ah well, at least the SFM server is up and running... Wait. What? Oh... SFM contest winner and all round over-bearing, highly opinionated, egomaniacal legend

05-14-2008, 10:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Freak Project Lead on SFM Film Realname: Dean Join Date: May 2006 Location: London, UK Age: 27 Posts: 7,304 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I never seen one of the US copies of a British show as does not make it over here unless it something from Ch4, which case it Reality TV and not Drama. As far as I know every attempt the US has made at remaking British TV has faild. This is mainly due to American Public seeing the British Version and being Fans of that, than their own made version.
	ALL GOOD THINGS, ARE WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND! *Calling all SFM’ers in the UK* 3d : Original Fighter with a hint of BSG.(On Hold untill I fig textuering out) \| Orginal dropship \| Bomber \| Executive Shuttle

05-14-2008, 10:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
spudmonkey SFM Obsessed Total Awards: 3 (more» ...) Realname: Nick Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,738 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The US version of the Office was awful for the first season, but now it is fairly widely considered to be better than the original. There are a few other programmes that worked better when the US remade them, but they are few and far-between!
	Ah well, at least the SFM server is up and running... Wait. What? Oh... SFM contest winner and all round over-bearing, highly opinionated, egomaniacal legend

05-14-2008, 07:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Otaushi Lobo SFM Nugget Join Date: May 2006 Age: 24 Posts: 2 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I loved Life on Mars and it's subsequent show Ashes to Ashes, but I worry how they are going to play this off. My biggest concern is really are they going to work as well as the BBC did. I really wanted to believe certain things about the show, because even though the series was short, I (the viewer) began to care for Sam Tyler. I really hope that they craft it as well as the original show and not copy it as you have brought up. The original BBC show is one tough act to follow.

05-14-2008, 09:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Falin SFM Guru Join Date: Dec 2007 Age: 38 Posts: 284 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	well in this day when shows don't last more than a season anyways, this will work perfectly for the networks. to bad it's a carbon copy, i already saw the UK version on BBC america, so this show will be more of a "what did they change" viewing rather than a "how did they adapt it" viewing. ah well, they should have just released the UK version instead of carbon copining it.

05-14-2008, 10:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
backstept Still Alive Realname: Andy Join Date: May 2006 Location: Syracuse NY USA Age: 23 Posts: 3,482 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 4	I don't understand why shows need to be remade . . . I mean with shows like Trading Spaces/Changing Rooms it helps to have people from America on the American version, and vice versa but other shows that aren't 'reality' shows . . . do they REALLY need to be remade? I just don't get it
	\| It's easy to see in these tired eyes, that blood has no value in modern life. \| All time is held in stars, and it tears me apart. \| www.papertrigger.com \| backstept.blogspot.com

05-14-2008, 03:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dr-Timelord Resident Time Lord Realname: M. Shaw Join Date: May 2006 Location: Scotland Age: 24 Posts: 1,516 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I have to say i've tried to watch Red Dwarf USA and i just can't sit through it, its just so awful. The US version biggest task apart from not becoming a carbon copy, is showing and doing something that wasn't already covered in 70's cop shows like Starsky & Hutch, Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey. Hell even TJ Hooker. From what i have read, they have developed the pilot but its yet to get a commission as a tv series mostly due to the writers strike. But i guess we'll see how it goes. Any idea what kind of car Gene Hunt USA will be driving?
	Star Trek: Original Series - Season Four (animated)

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