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Life on Mars (American version)

(May 2008)

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DB
dbl
Has anyone seen the trailer for it? Looks really awful from the looks of it IMO.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1GBHvkoDnOE
DA
David_02
I'm usually a big fan of American dramas, and ABC's dramas are some of the best right now, but that looks absolutely dire. It looks like some kind of spoof. I think it was a mistake to even bother remaking it.
JR
jrothwell97
Any particular reason it's 1972, and not 1973?

Either way, this version looks to be a complete and utter pile of sh*t. It just looks awful from this trailer, and they seem to have completely missed the reason why the original Life on Mars was so fantastic.

(Speaking of which, what will replace the test card girl that occasionally appeared during British Life on Mars ? The only equivalent test card symbol I can think of is the Indian Headdress, and that probably disappeared along with black and white transmissions in the 1970s.
BA
Bail Moderator
I'd say I prefer this "Americanization" of it. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gUpu6P_eG98&feature=related
DC
DrCheese
Quote:
(Speaking of which, what will replace the test card girl that occasionally appeared during British Life on Mars ? The only equivalent test card symbol I can think of is the Indian Headdress, and that probably disappeared along with black and white transmissions in the 1970s.

It's in the trailer, tho it's a "blink and your'll miss it" as it's pretty much just one frame at the end.
I can't actually see the Indian head on it tho.
http://www.abortretryfail.com/graphics/testcard.jpg
RE
remlap
Quote:
(Speaking of which, what will replace the test card girl that occasionally appeared during British Life on Mars ? The only equivalent test card symbol I can think of is the Indian Headdress, and that probably disappeared along with black and white transmissions in the 1970s.


Thats the key thing it would of been, WCBS in New York was still using its 1950's testcard well into the late 80s long after going colour.

Thing is a plain Indian Head pattern maybe illegal in America since it would of had to contain the stations call-signs plain ones were for internal use and industry, stations would of each had their own custom test card monoscope tube created.

I think something different will be needed for the scary thing that's wishing him to die, I personally think a Horror host from late night movies would be bloody awesome.

Still it looks like a gag made for a sketch show from that promo of how America would make Life on Mars
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
Actually I think it looks not bad. The 70s look is very authentic.

It might work.
NG
noggin Founding member
Considering that is a launch trailer for a US market I think it looks like it could be great. They've taken the UK concept and reversioned it for a US audience. The 70s stuff looks like a US cop show - just like the UK version had Sweeney overtones.

Think I'm quite looking forward to it.

Yet again it illustrates that the US is increasingly looking to the UK for TV formats though.
RJ
RJH Glover
Don't know what to think tbh. Could be popular in the States. Americans have copied some of our shows e.g Red Dwarf and the Office and vice versa e.g the Golden Girls. In my opinion the original is always a lot better. Could anyone have imagined a British version of Cagney and Lacey?
BR
Brekkie
It'll be interesting to see who picks this up to air here. BBC4 would perhaps be it's most natural home - but I can't see the BBC getting away with buying a remake of a series it made itself, though didn't BBC3 initially have The Office USA before ITV2? UKTV Gold might be another possibility.


It's a shame though the US networks won't (and probably can't due to language etc.) show the original British versions of such shows, and the only remake I can think of in recent years which hasn't flopped is The Office. Most of the rest are lucky to reach the end of their first season.
MS
Mr-Stabby
Colm Meaney is an inspired choice for Gene Hunt, he's exactly the American i'd choose to play him (even though he's Irish, but lets move on ha)

Never seen the other guy in anything before, but the trailer doesn't really give me any indication of whether he's going to be any good or not.
NG
noggin Founding member
Brekkie posted:
It'll be interesting to see who picks this up to air here. BBC4 would perhaps be it's most natural home - but I can't see the BBC getting away with buying a remake of a series it made itself, though didn't BBC3 initially have The Office USA before ITV2? UKTV Gold might be another possibility.


FX could be an option as well?

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