In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Today's News: Our Take
Sopranos' Imperioli Gives Life on Mars a Try
Michael Imperioli by Eric Liebowitz/ABC
Casting/recasting news is beginning to trickle in as ABC tweaks its rumored-to-be-in-trouble just fine adaptation of the British series Life on Mars.
Jason O'Mara is still the lead — and dagnabit, he better remain the lead! — but now Michael Imperioli has joined the cast.
The Sopranos' former Christofuh! will fill the role of Det. Ray Carling, a colleague of Sam's who is mysteriously transplanted from the present into 1972.
Imperioli's lawman is described as a rule-bending tough guy who, when the chips are down, is handy to have in your corner. He was played by Dean Andrews in the BBC edition. — Matt Mitovich
Related:
• ABC Entertainment Boss: Life on Mars Is "Fine"
• Mega Buzz: "Is ABC's Life on Mars in trouble already?"
• Fall TV: Mars Lands on ABC's Official Schedule
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Jul 2, 2008 4:23 PM
|
|
This is the only new show I was really looking forward to watching. Since I love crime dramas and was a child/teen in the 70s, the concept sounded intriguing. So, this is good news. I never watched The Sopranos, but I liked Michael Imperioli as Nick Falco on Law & Order. I hope they get all their issues straightened out.
|
|
Jul 2, 2008 4:45 PM
|
|
After watching the pilot, it's too bad that the gorgeous Rachelle Lefevre is no longer part of the project.... She actually was the real reason I was going to give this a try. Now, I'm not so sure anymore...
|
|
Jul 2, 2008 8:24 PM
|
Well, as a fan of the ORIGINAL, British version...just the idea of an American adaptation kind of sickens me.
NONE of the cast works for this American version of the show. I hate to be a downer but this Jason O'Mara is no John Simm. The only way this show would work is if it had the original cast.
And the only reason I ever considered watching was because of Colm Meany, but no longer.
|
|
Jul 2, 2008 9:15 PM
|
I am also a huge fan of the BBC version of this show as well and I hate to say that it cannot be topped. John Simm was very charismatic as Sam Tyler and Philip Glenister absolutely hilarious as Gene Hunt. There was a certain chemistry there that can't really be duplicated. I suggest that people watch the original instead--it was awesome 
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 12:11 AM
|
|
I had hoped that Michael Imperioli would be the one to replace Jesse L. Martin on Law & Order, returning as Detective Nick Falco. However, for some unknown reason, the powers that be (Dick Wolf!) picked Anthony Anderson. So I'm glad I'll be able to watch Michael Imperioli on something else. I had never seen Life on Mars, so I should enjoy it. (Still, the word "Mars" brings me a knee jerk reaction thinking of Veronica Mars!)
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 7:24 AM
|
|
JMO I still think they should have just picked up Journeyman it had a strong fan base despite the low ratings.
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 8:46 AM
|
|
I watched the Original on BBC America and am hoping that the americanized version is a good one and that they don't "screw up" one of my favorite shows. I am also concerned about CBS's version of 11th hour that was very good on BBC as well and noone tops Patrick Stewart in that role.
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 9:13 AM
|
Um, Det. Ray Carling is definitely NOT a "rule-bending tough guy who, when the chips are down, is handy to have in your corner." Really makes me wonder if these guys even saw the BBC show, or care about what made it so good.
And I agree that Colm Meaney was the only good thing I had heard so far about this version. If he's out, honestly, who do they think they're going to get that will be anywhere near as good?
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 10:24 AM
|
|
Sorry, won't be watching this no matter who is cast in it. The original BBC version is a classic and the cast irreplaceble especially John Simm's Sam Tyler. After US-bombs like Viva Laughlin and Touching Evil, the Brits still have all the right moves.
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 1:30 PM
|
After watching the phenomenal BBC version, I can't bring myself to watch this American version screw it up. And to add insult to injury, Michael Imperioli, oh noooooo, I'm gonna be sick, he'll talk just like he did on the Sopranos and his acting is really lacking, emmy or not. I couldn't enjoy him on the wonderful Sopranos, and I won't enjoy seeing him be a part of this farce. Why can't American producers get it through their heads, the British are eons ahead of you in the acting/production category of series. I am an American by the way, before anyone has a hissy fit.
There will be no way to re-capture the magic of the original Life on Mars because the actors were a big part of that. And also the locations, the accents, and everything else British. I hope it gets cancelled quickly.
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 1:36 PM
|
|
Why does ABC keep giving the prime, post-GA Thursday berth to its most troubled, least enjoyable new shows? Last year "Big Shots," this year the ill-conceived "Life on Mars" remake. If they'd put "Dirty Sexy Money" on after "Grey's Anatomy" last year, I am convinced DSM would be a hit by now. It's like ABC expects GA's big ratings to prop up the worst stuff they picked up, instead of building a solid night from start to finish.
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 2:13 PM
|
Why the hate for an American adaptation of the show without even having seen it?
Some shows don't travel too well across the pond ("Coupling", "Cold Feet"), but some do ("All in the Family", "The Office", "Whose Line is it Anyway").
It's gone both ways too, with British versions of "Who's the Boss?" and a short-lived "Golden Girls" (a version just started in Greece as well). Plus there are French and Russian versions of Law & Order CI and SVU. I don't see any Americans getting up in arms about any of those.
For the record, I'd rather see Michael Imperioli on "Law & Order" or one of the spin-offs, but I might check this one out (if only to see Colm Meaney)
|
|
Jul 3, 2008 3:13 PM
|
|
|
