I'd wager that about 90 percent, maybe more, of the audience for ABC's Life on Mars premiere Thursday will be people who've never seen the British show on which it's based.

For those people, I'd say this: Life on Mars is a promising new series, one that could turn out to be the best new show of the fall. (That's faint praise this season, but still.) And to those of you who have seen the original -- a small but passionate bunch who watched on BBC America or on DVD -- I'd say this: Early signs are that the show's producers have stayed faithful to the original's spirit, made a couple of smart nods to the American locale, and generally have managed a pretty successful transition.

For all the changes Life on Mars went through on its way to the air -- and there were a lot of them -- the finished product feels remarkably coherent and sure of itself. That's a rare thing for any pilot, let alone one that replaced nearly its entire cast -- everyone but lead Jason O'Mara -- brought in a new group of executive producers and moved the entire production from Los Angeles to New York.

All that happened to Life on Mars, and it all worked out. The cast, which in addition to O'Mara includes Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol, is strong top to bottom, and writers Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg, avowed fans of the British show who took over the ABC version from David E. Kelley, seem to get what made the original so good and apply it to their version.

It helps that the first episode is a near-exact copy of the original's premiere: NYPD Detective Sam Tyler (O'Mara) is tracking a serial killer in the present day when he gets hit by a car and wakes up in 1973. He might be in a coma or he might actually have traveled back in time, but either way he doesn't take to the change too well, especially when he starts getting messages from 2008 through his TV.

He's also still a cop, and when he reports for duty at the 125th Precinct he suffers a little bit of culture shock. Modern forensic science and computerized databases don't exist yet, which means police work is based more on gut feelings, tough interrogation tactics and, in the case of Lt. Gene Hunt (Keitel) and several of his fellow detectives, a healthy disrespect for things like warrants.

To top it all off, the case Tyler was working in 2008 is tied into his first assignment in 1973, and his 21st-century girlfriend (Lisa Bonet) just might have fallen victim to the killer.

O'Mara, who did a strong guest turn on Grey's Anatomy at the end of last season, plays the right mix of dislocation and determination as Tyler, and he holds his own against what for many people will be the more recognizable members of the cast. As the bare-knuckles Hunt, Keitel (Reservoir Dogs, National Treasure) isn't quite the force of nature that Philip Glenister was in the British series. But he brings a different kind of intensity to the part, with a sense that he's always seething just below the surface and more or less looking for a reason to go off. Ex-Sopranos star Imperioli, as Gene's right-hand man, cops a fine Noo Yawk attitude, while Jonathan Murphy (October Road), as a younger detective, is a little more receptive to Sam's unorthodox ideas.

As the only female officer in the precinct, Mol has to bear a raunchy nickname and a barrage of sexist language. She's also probably the smartest cop in the room, which Sam recognizes and tries to encourage, not quite realizing that the culture of the department isn't yet ready to admit a woman as an equal.

Filming the show in New York also feels like the right choice. The city's politics were roiling along with the country's, and films of the era, from Keitel's Mean Streets to The French Connection, have such a prominent place in our pop-cultural consciousness that the show doesn't need to do a ton of work to establish a sense of place. Which is not to say that the producers have been lazy -- the details look right, and the music, a mix of songs from '73 and the previous few years, is spot-on.

The biggest question facing ABC's Life on Mars is how long it can sustain Sam's central dilemma. The British show settled what really happened to Sam and wrapped things up in 16 episodes; if it succeeds, ABC will run more episodes than that just in this season. The producers say they've worked out a way around that, and we'll see how it plays out in future episodes. I hope they're right, because in this relatively barren fall season, we could use a new favorite show.
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Life on Mars premieres at 10 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 9.

Comments

Weren't the World Trade Center towers being built in 1973?

How are they going to deal with that? (Special effects to make them appear in the skyline, or pretend that they weren't built yet?)

Spoilsport | Oct 8, 2008 5:33:03 PM | #

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That gets dealt with pretty quickly. All I'm sayin' before the show airs.

Rick | Oct 8, 2008 7:28:50 PM | #

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One of the 10% or so who became addicted to the BBC version -- I still wish I could get it on DVD! I'm approaching the remake with trepidation; John Simm and Philip Glenister were absolutely perfect in their roles. It's hard to picture a hunk like O'Mara as Sam or an ancient like Keitel as Hunt. And oh, that blonde hair on Annie just doesn't look right!
Still, your review is encouraging and I will be glued to the set tonight.

spuffy | Oct 9, 2008 6:58:01 AM | #

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I guess I'm in the small minority of American viewers who already has enjoyed the original BBC version. I have to agree that Simm and Glenister were perfect in their roles, so I definitely will be comparing O'Mara and Keitel to them. I'm hoping that this show gets at least one full season, so the writers have a chance to wrap up the time travel/ coma mystery. Even if the US version turns out to be good, I wouldn't want it to run for too many years. The premise is way too limited, unlike the traditional procedurals, like CSI and Law & Order.

Paige | Oct 9, 2008 8:02:13 AM | #

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Weren't the World Trade Center towers being built in 1973?
Spoilsport said:

How are they going to deal with that? (Special effects to make them appear in the skyline, or pretend that they weren't built yet?)

Actually the towers were completed and opened on April 4, 1973 and tenants had moved in even before that Port Authority and departments of city government.

RT | Oct 9, 2008 9:22:20 AM | #

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i'm really excited for the premiere. I agree that it's been a pretty barren TV season. Loved the BBC version and i think the ABC one looks great. high hopes for this series

Mindy | Oct 9, 2008 9:29:17 AM | #

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I also want to say I am very excited about this new show and really happy for Jason O'Mara because he deserves a win.

RT | Oct 9, 2008 9:35:27 AM | #

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Also watched the BBC version and loved it. Think this one might just work as well.

Heard the BBC is doing a spin off of their version - hoping that is true.

MJ | Oct 9, 2008 10:12:19 AM | #

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I am so looking forward to "Life on Mars".

Carly | Oct 9, 2008 12:29:55 PM | #

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MJ - The BBC spinoff is called "Ashes to Ashes" and follows Gene Hunt and a female detective in the '80s, after he moves to London. One season has aired already, and a second is scheduled for next year.

Haven't heard anything yet about whether BBC America will air it.

Rick | Oct 9, 2008 1:07:27 PM | #

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From what I understand, "Ashes to Ashes" was a big bust for a lot of people. Personally, I've never been a fan of the female lead.

I'm looking forward to this newer version of "Life on Mars". I liked the original a great deal. I'm always open to a fresher version of a British series. If done well, it can go a long way. The one negative of British programs for me is its short run. Character development usually falls on the way side.

Tania | Oct 9, 2008 4:40:14 PM | #

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Paige, to compare the original to this new American version is really unfair. There are going to be differences while the spirit of the original remains. There are different versions of Law and Order in various countries while the spirit of the series remains in its core. I'm looking forward to the Brit version of Law and Order. I expect it to be very British with the original's heart weaved into it.

I'm a fan of the original Office and thoroughly enjoy the American version which I understand many Brits enjoy as well. Some even consider it better than the original. I never had any problem watching the "yank" version. ;)

Tania | Oct 9, 2008 4:47:40 PM | #

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As a Brit and a fan of the original, i'm a little worried about Harvey Keitel. Philip Glenister was brilliant and funny as Gene Hunt and i think some of the humor might be lost.

But who Knows? I'll definately give it a shot.

p.s. sorry about the spelling, it's 1am over here and i'm about to slip into unconciousness!

Scott | Oct 9, 2008 5:03:35 PM | #

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Actually the South was opened in Dec. 1970 and the North Tower in January 1972 and "officially" opened in April 1973. So they were complete in 1973.

sulphurtor | Oct 9, 2008 10:20:09 PM | #

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The show went by in a minute. It's fantastic to see something new and fresh. A fantastic line up, and how great to see one of the greats Harvey Keitel on the small screen. Looking forward to bringing back great memories, the clothes, cars, and music!!!!!!!

corie barraco | Oct 10, 2008 10:55:05 AM | #

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For the record their are several anachronisms in the orginal LOM series. So the World Trade Center even thought was finished by 1973.

The sequel series "Ashes To Ashes" will run for a second series. Maybe it would be smart for them to finish the show with 16 episodes just as LOM.

Don McCullen | Oct 10, 2008 5:08:02 PM | #

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Watched the show already--& they did show the tower!!

Michele | Oct 11, 2008 12:42:54 PM | #

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As I was a devoted fan of the British version, I tried not to expect too much from the American version. For a pilot episode, it was far better than most, but I just don't think it compared to instant sharpness of the British show. What captured me from the first episode was the chemistry evident between Simm and Glenister. But it was definitely worth watching, and I plan to give it a few more episodes to develop.

alphabetsoup | Oct 12, 2008 12:26:09 AM | #

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I'm wondering if Sam will try to warn about 9/11? I love the show and I'm thrilled its set in NYC, but the one problem with that is actually the WTC. Unfortunately we can't change history so it wouldn't really do any good for him to warn anyone, but yet how can they just ignore that? I'll be curious to see if and how this plays out.

Shannon | Oct 14, 2008 8:50:59 AM | #

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Another thing I was thinking is that I've been reading how several people just don't think that Harvey Kietel is a good fit as Gene. Now keep in mind, I didn't see the original series on the BBC, but Harvey Kietel just seems to fit perfectly the quinessential 1970's NYC Detective (tough as nails and doesn't put up with any stuff from anybody). He may be different from the original Gene, but if the show is going to be set in NYC then the show in itself is different right there and therefore so would the characters.

Shannon | Oct 14, 2008 8:58:37 AM | #

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I've been wondering the same thing...will he warn everyone about the WTC? As a matter of fact, when that thought first crossed my mind I wondered if he would be able to change anything else in history. Since he has no 'rules' to adhere to(as did the characters on the various "Star Trek" series who sometimes traveled through time), he could get filthy rich betting on a World Series or Super Bowl.

Jody | Oct 14, 2008 7:40:13 PM | #

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LOVE THE SHOW. I think its great and it is something new for the boring lineup all the networks have. I just hope that the 10pm time slot is not a bad idea b/c its late. I would much rather see it at a 9pm slot b/c I think more people will watch it. I haven't been this excited about a show since lost.

Melissa | Oct 27, 2008 2:04:28 PM | #

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this is a very good show for thursday night

maurice | Oct 28, 2008 5:15:44 PM | #

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this is a very good show for thursday night

maurice | Oct 28, 2008 5:15:44 PM | #

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Sorry, but here's what's going on:
Sam is an astronaut on his way to Mars. He is living a simulation to keep hime from going crazy on the long journey...

celeborn | Nov 22, 2008 4:28:22 PM | #

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