Ugly Betty & Life on Mars (Oh, and Survivor too)

[arabian]

Thursday night viewing ... I already wrote my mammoth Secret Diary of a Call Girl post. Here are a few of the other shows I managed to watch tonight too.

Comments

[pie_is_good]

Wow, I couldn't have read a more opposite review than what I thought! It's probably my absolute adoration for the British version that made me think the pilot tonight was a load of crap, though I haven't decided if that's the case yet

[arabian]

I read your review and when I saw your name here, knew you wouldn't agree, LOL!

I laughed at the Twin Towers thing. I really thought it was hilariously cheesy. In the original, Sam realizes he's near a construction site for a highway that's been around decades in his time. I really think the difference speaks loads for the way US shows tend to treat their viewers. Like we needed something so huge and obvious to make sure we knew it was the past.I dunno, for me it was such a powerful moment that, like I said, showed just HOW monumental the change was. Of course, while I tend to love the subtle moments, the big sucker-punch moments -- if done at the right time -- I love. And it was just that moment. It wasn't as if the entire episode was filled with them, it was just that one that was the big one, like in the BBC the rest were the smaller, generational changes

[eolivet]

I do know that I really don't like that it didn't feel like they're trying to do anything new.

Pardon me for butting in, but I adore the UK version as well, and I completely disagree. By omitting the end scene, with Sam on the roof, and having him try and take action like killing a kid to change the future, it set up a Sam that is much more willing to fight to get home (instead of just complaining about it). The UK Sam talked himself out of jumping (by feeling the grit on Annie's hands) and ultimately handed the decision over to her. The U.S. Sam heard Maya's voice (which the UK Sam never did in 1x01), which changed his mind. Already 2008 is more tangible in the U.S. version than 2006 was in the UK version (and Annie and Maya's dynamics with Sam are already very different, as well)

That's where I think the shows will part ways. :)

[eolivet]

I'm thrilled you liked the new old new LoM. :D I thought everyone did a fantastic job.

I felt for him from moment one and the scene when he was facing the TV and hearing the "doctor" and then had the tears in his eyes, so devastated? Man, I felt so for him.

I'm psyched to hear this, because I've seen the Genuine Original so many times, that moment kind of got lost on me (because I was remembering it from before). But it's an incredibly powerful moment. :)

I was quite surprised that I liked her in this, and I thought that she did a delightful job.Loved Mol, too -- she was fantastic in that scene. I didn't get it at first, but she really put it in context later (and played it so differently from Liz White in the Genuine Original, too

[arabian]

This was just incredibly well-cast, and the ending blew me away.

No one struck a wrong note and in this day and age of casting for looks as opposed to talent or suitability for the role.

Excellent point about the Twin Towers -- the Genuine Original had a sweeping pan of an empty skyline, emphasizing how it was before tall buildings, but NYC isn't like that: they had skyscrapers in 1973.

Right, now I remember it; and you're right that simply couldn't have worked in the US version, so they came up with a way to really stick it home and managed to do so in a wonderfully powerful way.

I'm SO glad you like the remake, yay!!! :D\

I do. I wish I could have gotten into the BBC, but you know I tried and it just did not take for some reason.

[harper47]

I liked the British version but I'm with you. I wasn't a fan of the British Annie.

I loved the show last night. I say word to your entire post except that I've always loved Gretchen since I saw her perform at the Sanibel playhouse years ago. I am so happy at how much I loved this. And yes, the twin towers shot was really powerful.

I thought the stupid Fang gang is made of stupid. I want Matty to team up with Ace and Sugar and stay safe because along with Bob, these are my favorite people right now.

I loathe Crystal and her little boys.

[arabian]

I loved the show last night. I say word to your entire post except that I've always loved Gretchen since I saw her perform at the Sanibel playhouse years ago.

Well, you have a personal investment in her that makes it different. Prior to this, I've only seen her in a few, unsuitable roles and was unimpressed. I did like her in this, though.

I thought the stupid Fang gang is made of stupid.

But they are right in that Jackie COULD have been playing them and thus sided with Ace and Sugar, and if Sugar DOES have the immunity (which of course she does) that gives them an extra out. So they were playing it strategically. Doesn't take out that they are morons, but in this case, they were making a logical strategic move.

I want Matty to team up with Ace and Sugar and stay safe because along with Bob, these are my favorite people right now.Yup to every word above, with Sugar being my number one, right now

[harper47]

I can always appreciate a good Dean icon so thanks. It's too bad you're not watching it this year though because it has been superb, except for this week's misstep.

And true, I guess it is good strategy. I just don't like that whiney girl. I would be booted so fast on Survivor. Hee!

[arabian]

Well, Dean is so pretty. I dunno, I'd like to say it lost me early last season when I stopped watching, but if I'm being honest, it really did when they turned Ava bad and then unceremoniously killed her. I loved her, and she made Sam interesting for me. So yeah.

I think I'd be booted pretty quickly too. I'd drive people insane, utterly insane.