Life on Mars Remake

[chloris]

So, it looks like the American remake of Life on Mars is actually going to happen. No matter how bad it is, it's probably not going to be as bad as the remake of Blackpool, though I suppose it's good to have something to shoot for. ;) It's weird to have watched the original and then see this trailer looking so, well, so American. Also, David E.

Comments

[professorworm]

I don't feel good about this. I haven't even seen all of the Life on Mars eps, but I know we're going to screw it up. It can't be any good, John Simm won't be in it! LOL!

[chloris]

After the Blackpool remake, I don't have much hope. And the new Sam Tyler just looks so square-jawed and all-american, it seems odd. I haven't seen all the eps either. I have season 2 but I've been waiting to watch it after Who is done for the season.

[professorworm]

I don't understand why they try and remake something that was great just as it is. Why not show us the good one? Probably copyrights and stuff.

[chloris]

It's probably a bit of they want to own it and bit of giving it wider appeal (they hope). Even popular British tv is a niche market in the US. The average US viewer just isn't interested in shows with a British sensibility.

But it doesn't always work. Some shows *need* to be British to work at all. Or at least need British men. See icon. :)

[peasant_]

Oh dear, that does look rather... American.

They remade Blackpool? Do I want to know?

[chloris]

I know! It was quite jarring, and I say that as an an American.

Oh, yes...Viva Laughin. A quote from the wiki article says it all The musical numbers themselves were not criticized as much as the plot, the dialogue and the acting..

[peasant_]

Cancelled after two episodes - hee!

I think LOM is made worse by the fact that they have kept the names. Normally they change names so it feels less like an appropriation.

[chloris]

All that money and promotion and it was dire enough to get yanked immediately. I watched a few minutes of it because I wanted to see Hugh Jackman singing, but even he couldn't get me to stick around.

[artic_fox]

Did Life on Mars even do that well in the US for them to justify doing this? Why don't they just really promote the original?

And eww, I don't like the look of the new Sam Tyler. He looks like a thug.

[chloris]

I only heard of Life of Mars through Who fans so I really doubt most Americans know anything about the show. Which may be a good thing...no expectations.

He does. I guess I'll have to see how he handles himself. It sounded to me as though everyone was using American accents, which makes me wonder why they cast two Irish actors in the leads.

[artic_fox]

I suppose. But those who have heard of it won't be pleased. Absolutely no one on my flist seems to be pleased about it - it is mostly outrage and disgust! I just want John Simm back!

I didn't know they had two Irishmen in the leads. I suppose there were lots of Irish immigrants going to America in 1972? Who knows! I don't think I'll watch it nevertheless.

[chloris]

I didn't know the new Sam Tyler actor was Irish until I looked up his info...I'm not familiar with his work. It's set in LA so I don't know how many Irish immigrants there were on the west coast. Though, if they're both speaking American it doesn't matter.

[lunar47]

no, no, no. Why? I was kind of excited until I saw that preview. Pretty much the only thing I liked about it was the 70's street scenes and Colm Meaney.

It's just...it's just not the same :(

[chloris]

I know! The preview isn't very promising!

[sahreekah]

ummm ... actually ... i don't know the remake of blackpool, but i unfortunately knew the pitiness thats named as us-version of lom. and i don't mean the trailer. and even after more than four weeks, i'm still trying to put it somehow in words.

to make it somehow short ... well ... it gave me no kind of reaction. nothing. not a tiny bit of emotional something. k, i watched the original kinda backwards and first ep 5/6 in german, than tried to get the beginning in original. as for the german synchro, forget it, although at least i saw some small point in it.
but in the us, yeh, there was really nothing. not even ... i mean, when a chara isn't able to get you somehow at the beginning, wot's the good about it?

[sry for rambling, will shut up now]

[chloris]

You're referring to the pilot, yes? I heard it was pretty dire. I'm not planning to watch it. I'm actually still working on season 2 of the original. The Blackpool remake lasted all of two episodes - dire would have been an improvement.

[sahreekah]

yep, meant the pilot. although dire ... dunno if it might properly fit.
as for blackpool [the remake i mean] ... i suppose i knew, why i didn't look for it.