I love the original BBC Life on Mars. It is gritty and fun. I tried watching the American copy when it first came out and it just didn't work for me. One of the main interests of the original BBC version is Gene Hunt as played by P Glenister. Gene Hunt is a tough 70's cop who has no problem going Dirty Harry to get results. In the BBC version Hunt is much bigger and more physically imposing than Tyler. This forces Tyler to have to get on Hunt's good side and also to on occasion outwit him. And this is where it failed for me in the American version. The American Gene Hunt is smaller, much older and just looks like he can be cast aside easily. It also lacks the grittiness of the original. I didn't get through the first episode and as the series was cancelled mid season due to falling ratings it appears I wasn't the only one. Do yourself a favour and check out the BBC version.

Life on Mars.Another prime example of a good show that had a following killed off because of idiotic decisions by a Network, this one by one of the worst offenders, ABC. Had the show not gone on a 2-month hiatus and then a time and day change, it might have seen 2 or 3 seasons, easily. This was one of the first shows of several in a line of 70's or 80's time period. Why? Because that is the time period most of the people now in charge grew up in. It's something they, and myself, relish for a return of. Back to a "Simpler" time, if you will. Of course, EVERY generation thinks and says that lol.This was a remake of yet another British series of the same name and many of the same named characters, with, of course, a few differences to entice the American audiences. I'm not sure what it is, but the British sure seem to have a knack for strange and interesting Television and Movie entertainment.The show has an AWESOME cast. Jason O'Mara is in the leading role as Detective Sam Tyler. He isn't really your "normal" leading man in action based Sci-Fi Television shows, but he does a great job when put into them. Terra Nova was another show he was an "odd" leading man in as well. And now also as a cast member of Agents of Shield. When you first see him, you think, "WHAT?" But after a few episodes, you settle in and can't imagine anyone else in that role. In one of the episodes of this show, his real life wife, the stunning Paige Turco is a guest star. You will recognize her as Clarke's Mother, Abby Griffen from the show The 100. In that same episode, you get a chance to hear Jason's REAL accent. Being that he is from Ireland, it, of course, is Irish.Gretchen Mol plays Woman Police Officer, Annie Norris. She, of course, is a very beautiful woman, but they are able to "Temper" that beauty by her uniform and meek presence. At moments along the way, they spotlight that beauty by adding some growing strength and a Burnette look here and there. Mol is a natural blonde and hot, but nothing like when she turns into a Brunette and sizzles off the TV screen. She is truly one of those women who is much better looking as a brunette and not her natural blonde. The show takes some interesting twists and turns and Mol's character, what is normally a "3rd Tier" supporting role, blasts to the forefront. Harvey Keitel is Lieutenant Gene Hunt, the leader of the 125 unit. He is the typecast of the old 70's man in charge, gruff, tough, mean, but with a tender side. His character, like all of them, seem to grow and change because of the presence of Det. Sam Tyler.The rest of the cast is relative unknowns, but Michael Imperioli who plays Det. Ray Carling, begins to shine as the typical 70's "Sexist Pig" male that Feminists of that era battled for control with. He is some pretty good comic relief with his lines, jokes, and name calling.I recommend this show in general, I gave it a 7, which for me, is a very "good" rating. Any of my ratings of 6 or up you will be happy with the show and easily be able to watch the entire series. If I rate a show 8 it is an awesome show, 9 would be one of the best shows I have ever seen and 10, doesn't exist it. It is hard to classify because it crosses a few genres, Sci-Fi, Police Procedurals, Drama. d then relies on another to keep it going. Much like many of the shows being made now.Final Note: (And if you have read some of my other reviews, MY TYPICAL RANT TIME). In my opinion, the Networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, now FOX and probably soon, the CW, have a LONG HISTORY OF DESTROYING GOOD SCI-FI SHOWS with STUPID Decisions. This show was a victim the same way. Right now, the only way a good Sci-Fi show has a shot at several seasons is on a Cable Network or the CW. The main Networks rely too heavily on an old, outdated, FLAWED, system of measurements, the Neilsens. Nowadays, most of us are busy and DVR or Stream our TV and Movie entertainment. Perhaps a Social Media system should be set up to gauge audience interest rather than the horrible "Neilsen" system used FAR TOO LONG. As proof, imagine how long CBS or NBC would have allowed a show like The Walking Dead to go on. They would have killed it after the 1st season. CBS had a decent winner in Supergirl, but yet they transferred it to their CW. They now have the new Star Trek show, but wisely(?) (We shall see), they are going to be showing just the Pilot on their network and then going to their new "Streaming" service with it. They are going to make it their "Flagship" of their streaming service. If not done right, their streaming service will crash and burn like could easily happen if not handled correctly. NBC killed the show "Revolution" which had massive ratings and proved, done properly, a Sci-Fi show can live on the Networks, but an overly long Hiatus for the show killed it. The audience moved on to other shows and by the time it came back, no one was left to watch it. Plus, they changed the premise so much, it didn't really resemble much of the original 1st season.Yes, I HATE the Networks and can't wait until the day they bankrupt themselves from stupidity and arrogance.

I first started watching this series, the one they produced in UK/London, first. I saw it listed on Netflix. I liked it very much, it had that mixture of perfect humor and action. And, the actors/actresses where excellent! The last decent thing I have seen on American TV was "The Closer", which has now been changed to "Major Crimes", OK, but not as good. I could not believe they canceled the series. (But, I still have not got over BBC canceling Ballykissangel, they must have idiots, making these decisions.)I was glad that they decided to do a USA / New York version, it was just as good! With excellent actors/actresses. Now, that series has been canceled, too! The same idiots, must have immigrated to the US.

I heavily enjoyed Sam Tyler's trip through 1973. FANTASTIC character acting by Michael Imperioli, and Harvey Keitel - a terrific cast all around. I was sad to see this fine series canceled after just one season, and with that said - the ending seems forced. I didn't quite care for the ending at all - I felt like it was an easy way out and rendered the previous 16 episodes rather meaningless. I was hoping for a more meaningful end than what was delivered by the writers, but HEY that's network television for you. They give you something really, really good, and then they pull the rug out from under you because it isn't consumed by the proverbial masses. In summation, great acting, perfect 1970's sets/surroundings, totally worth your time - give this show a viewing!