Gothamist: Life on Mars Found in Williamsburg

Psychotronic

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:31:42 -0500

Admittedly, I was a bit rushed when I wrote that about Franco. That said, his presence was still very much felt for some time.

heycarrieann

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:02 -0500

The BBC show was brilliant, so the US version had better be better than good. Gene Hunt is trully the best of the worst as far as any sort of correctness goes, and hopefully that stays and doesn't succumb to frail american sensibilites. If anyone was around NYC in the 70's there is plenty for the show to work with and make it their own.

FromtheFuture

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:05:56 -0500

Love love love, the BBC version, I really hope they are changing the series a bit for the US at least in plot. What would be the point of watching it if its a slavish re-make? I already know what happens! Surprised they kept the names the same, but Harvey Keitel is a good sign... He seems very Gene Hunt to me, I mean 'Gov'... I mean... Sarge? what would be the US equivalent?

edward_g_robincat

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:38:38 -0500

There is somewhat similar thinking with a version being made in Spain set during the reign of Francisco Franco (though that version is set in 1978). ...I'm having trouble remembering the zombie Franco's iron grip on Spain three years after his death in 1975. (I wonder if he'll have his head in a glass jar like president Nixon on Futurama.)

Kingpin

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:36:21 -0500

Having seen the original on BBC1, I'm very intrigued to see how the American version plays out, it certainly has a much more interesting city to play with... Manchester just seemed to be a collection of terraced housing, warehouses and grotty concrete buildings... it has nothing really recognisable in the way of landmarks. But this, it pleases me no end that we'll be seeing the World Trade Center making regular TV appearances again. And it'll be cool to see Harvey Keitel in a series as I've only seen him in film roles. It's also going to be fun because it conjurs up fond memories of things like Starsky & Hutch and Hill Street Blues.

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:35:25 -0500

The Spanish version sounds quite interesting, although for some reason we would really love to see an Australian version of the show. Now the biggest problem with the failed pilot episode was that it tried to be almost a slavish copy of the original with a bit of Americanization. There are indications that the US version will take more of the same tack as The Office and be its own show. Interestingly the follow up series to the original Life on Mars called Ashes to Ashes met with some unfavorable reviews. (Don't expect it on this side of the pond.) It has Keeley Hawes as a modern day detective/psychologist who knows all about Sam Tyler's trip back to 1973 Manchester, who gets shot (maybe?) and wakes up in 1981 London with Gene Hunt and his boys. Ashes to Ashes is good, but in a different way. One can only hope that the US version of Life on Mars is good, but in a different way than the original.

Psychotronic

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:04:21 -0500

I think like The Office, this version of Life on Mars will be a different animal from its UK counterpart for a number of reasons. For one thing, the socio-political climate in 1973 New York was considerably different from that of 1973 Manchester. Also, the producers are looking to expand the overall storyline beyond a mere 16 episodes (the length of the UK incarnation). There is somewhat similar thinking with a version being made in Spain set during the reign of Francisco Franco (though that version is set in 1978). I think the overall concept of Life on Mars could work in a variety of international formats, each with a unique spin.

babyhitler

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:02:11 -0500

fuck this shit! I was just at rockefeller center and they were filming 30 rock with Adam Baldwin and Will Arnett. They are fucking giants! They are like 6'4 or something.

Sommelier

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:35:12 -0500

"Life On Mars" was a good show. Why do we have to have an American-made remake? Too many viewers who are too stupid to translate from the original English?

Psychotronic

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:07:29 -0500

Both seasons of the UK version ran recently on BBC America, and I understand the network plans to air a mini-marathon of selected LOM episodes on Oct 5th, the week of the U.S. version's premiere.

esquared

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:04:19 -0500

Gretchen Mol is in this series. I loove GMol.

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:58:07 -0500

They did show the BBC version, albeit edited for language and nudity, on BBC America.

thewrongballoon

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:37:15 -0500

real sad at how they're no doubt going to wreck this awesome show. why not just show the bbc version here?

Boss T

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:57:48 -0500

NY cops in the 70s seem to be a popular subject these days. saw them filming this last week on West 4th at B.

matty

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:52:00 -0500

"Bad Lieutenant rocks" I'm not an abel ferrara fan but that was probably one of the most hardcore cop movies I have ever seen. Completely raw and disturbing.

slappy

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:46:26 -0500

Bad Lieutenant rocks. Keitel is a genius actor.

matty

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:29:45 -0500

Sounds like a cool show. Love NY in the 70's.

Pull My Finger

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:26:39 -0500

Love all those old cars the Monte Carlo and the Olds look great.

DaLata

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:16:34 -0500

wow! Mr. Keitel looks like a million bucks....minus $999,999.