ABC Cancels Life on Mars
Wednesday March 4, 2009
Jason O'Mara in Life on Mars.
© ABC/PATRICK HARBRON
Coming on the heels of ABC Family's cancellation of Kyle XY (in favor of inferior teen-girl-oriented dreck like The Secret Life of the American Teenager and a not-especially-necessary seventh season of Gilmore Girls) comes news that ABC proper has canceled Life on Mars, one of the most innovative and interesting new shows of the season.
ABC will allow Mars to gracefully conclude with a definitive ending to the main storyline, Sam's conflicted emotions about staying in 1973 versus going back home to the present day. The network informed show producers it will not order additional episodes beyond the 17 in the works for this season and confirmed it won't renew the series for next year. Production will continue through this month and the finale will likely be scheduled for early April.
Tonight's episode, "Revenge of Broken Jaw," is the 13th episode to air, which means there will be only four more episodes after this week. Strangely, cutting off Life on Mars at 17 episodes means that the series will edge out the British series on which it's based: the original Life on Mars, starring John Simm, lasted two seasons of eight episodes each. (But it also spawned a spin-off, Ashes to Ashes.)
The ratings for the show have been soft, but no irretrievable: the show has been getting 5.5 to 6 million viewers recently, but it's been losing its time-slot hands-down to two big brand-name police procedurals (CSI: New York and Law & Order) that aren't distracted by kooky time-travel subplot and hallucinatory images of robots crawling out of people's eyes and so on.
Maybe it's the time travel – two of my most-missed newcomers from last season, Journeyman and New Amsterdam, involved people out of their proper place in time, and both were brutally cut short before they could flower by NBC and Fox respectively.
The point is, what TV doesn't need is more formula, and the Law & Order and CSI clones all hew to a fixed path of how to create a four-act TV drama. What TV needs is what sci-fi and fantasy have to offer more than any other genre: interesting characters who see what's going on around them in ways unlike the plug-and-play drones of ordinary everyday fare.
This idea has occasionally bled over into more straightforward policework shows, and in the distant past with some success (Columbo, Kojak). Recently, however, just the kind of outside-the-box characters we need to shake up the formulas have struggled to hang onto their places on the schedule – a classic example being Damian Lewis's Det. Crews on Life, a good show in which NBC showed meager faith.
What's most tragic about Life on Mars being canceled is that all its characters are outside the mold: not only time-displaced Sam Tyler, but unappreciated policewoman Annie (Gretchen Mol), the gruff but fair Gene Hunt (an outstanding Harvey Keitel in a career-redefining role), tough-guy Ray (Michael Imperioli), and so on. The guest stars have also been strong, if sometimes unexpected. (Whoopi Goldberg? Wallace Shawn? Broadway hunk Cheyenne Jackson? They turned out fine. Paige Turco is in the Mar. 18 episode, incidentally.)
Placing the show in 1973 is a gimmick, but it's also a framework that allows a look at crime and punishment in a new way while adding commentary on the shows around it. It's also good TV and deserves another shot.
Comments
I am infuriated with ABC, the imbeciles that made this decision should be tied down and forced to watch end-to-end episodes of The Bachelor over and over. You mentioned Journeyman, another cruel cancelation and a show I absolutely adored. Not overtly sci-fi, but the time travel thing gave both shows a nice sharp edge and the quirky characters of Life on Mars made it fun to watch cop shows again. Your assessment is spot on, I just wish it had been GOOD news…
I love the show, but frankly I’m not surprised. The U.S. version is a little spoon-feedy compared to its BBC predecessor.
Life on Mars, Jericho, New Amsterdam, Journeyman, Firefly, even swingtown…the list goes on and on. Why bother to offer anything other than cheap to produce reality shows, when the alternative is quality, thought provoking entertainment? If reality shows are what network executives think that the public wants to watch, they are completely out of touch. In seems that immediate gratification has insinuated itself into network thinking as well. Take some attention deficit medication and let these shows develop. You know a good show when you see it. Grabs your attention right away and holds it, makes you look forward to the next episode. Just so you (network executives) know, there are plenty of people outside the all important young adult demographic in this country.
I never got into the US version. I loved the British version. Once he wakes up there really is no where to go with the show so a cancellation is not necessarily a bad thing.
I am just about fed up with network programming. I am in agreement with cc that the reality shows are taking over and are mind numbing. If I go to hell and you want to punish me just show me a reality show. Life on Mars ,Eli Stone Jerico and other shows are a challenge to the mind as well as entertainment… To the powers that be, recend the cancellation notices or have cable channels take over. Something needs to be done.Let the people vote or something. The execs don’t have a clue Thanks for allowing me to vent.
ABCfamily has made an egregious error in cancelling our beloved Kyle XY. They have underestimated the fan base of this show. In one campaign to bring back Kyle for at least another season, several petitions have been consolidated and at present there is an estimated 12,000 signatories on just one, with the other two amassing more then 1,000 signatures. And that is just this week’s count. Let ABCFamily learn from its mistakes. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE the fans! of a particular show.
Kyle was abruptly cancelled, blaming it on lack of audience. Untrue, over 1.3 million viewers tuned in weekly despite the lack of promotion by ABCF.
Currently, there is a campaign underway to MOVE the TUB to a network that would appreciate the 1.3 weekly viewers who would follow Kyle wherever it goes.
I think ABC Family has lost their minds. They really had something special with Kyle XY. They don’t care about unique, quality programming anymore. And they have certainly proved they don’t care a whit about their viewers. Well, they lost a lot of them forever.
They (ABC) are doing the same poor decision making job they did with “Push, Nevada” and “Kyle XY”…..
ABC is showing the same poor reasoning they had when deciding about “Push, Nevada”, a few years ago…..
I LOVE this show!!! I’ve been a fan from the start. Harvey Keitelis amazing, as are the rest of the cast. It’s smart, clever and helps focus on what progress we have made in 30+ years. I agree with many of the posters — I’m so tired of truly excellent writing & shows disappearing. Next, we’ll have shows with the Blue Navy manniquins! This is terrible news.
Thiings are getting to the point that I am not even going to watch tv any more I no sooner get intersted in a show and they take it off. Life on Mars, Pushing Daisies,Eli Stone,Kyle XY, the one about the women who solved crimes and were friends. I do not watch reality shows they are not worth my time and they are silly. Come on keep good shows on or loose viewers. And I am in your demografics.
I also was really enjoying this, though the BBC version was more edgy and intense, and it’s a pity they cancelled the American version just when it was starting to find its feet and make the stories their own. Truly sad and really stupid of ABC.
Entertaining AND smart AND a great cast and the network pulls the plug! No wonder we’re all jumping ship to the cable stations. Thousands of baby boomers out there who watch it even though it’s up against some heavy hitters – instead of moving it to another day or giving it more time to catch on with others, they shut it down. This network doesn’t deserve loyal fans. Say, any cable stations willing to pick it up and keep it going? How about it?
I rarely watch shows on ABC, because new ones are always dropped. Although I decided to give it another shot and look another one is canceled. Its really irratating when you invest in a show and the network does not even support or give it a chance. “Life on Mars” is a great show!!! I love the comparisons between then and now and history refresher. I think the network is shooting themselves in the foot. I can only hope that another network would consider picking up such a show that offers so much entertainment and interesting characters.
Life on Mars is such a well-written, well acted show. It has so many poignant moments and allows us to take a long, hard look at where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.
I find it such a conundrum that such innovative concepts make it past the programming powers that be and then when superlative shows result, the networks don’t give them the chance to build and grow. It’s always about the almighty dollar and seeing an immediate return on their investment. Unfortunately, television doesn’t work that way, despite their greed.
Back in the day, a show was given at least two seasons to build a following. Today it annoys me that good shows are expected to garner huge followings in short time periods, while the inane reality shows continue to drone on and on. ABC was really short-sighted on this one. Life on Mars deserves better. If they aren’t careful, they will end up as bad as CBSucks…with the inept Nina Tassler calling the shots. Her role in the cancellation of Moonlight is already legendary and proves she is so out of touch with viewers, it would be comical if it wasn’t so pathetic. Actor..centric my ass!
omg, wth? not life on mars!!!
come on…what is wrong with abc. it is cancelling a really good show. what next? LOST? oh, they better not cancel Lost. i am so freakin pissed.
all i know is that they better answer all the questions in the show when they end it. omg, i cant believe this…i so had a feeling they would cancel it the other day. DOn’t cancel it!!!
not to mention that the show is hilarious to me.
I couldn’t agree more. Finally a network puts on a well written intellent show and decides to cancel it! The show brings back many memories,has the perfect music sound track and the actors are fantastic. I guess TV is for the simple minded. Hopefully a cable channel will be smart enough to grab it
Come on!!!! Life on Mars is a great show, something different. Leave it alone, keep it going and stop screwing around with the good shows!
Oh and thank God Supernatural is still going!!!!
I love the show. It’s the only show I look forward to every week.
Although I’m dissappointed, the storyline demands a limited life. Better to let it die young and beautiful than jump the shark!
I agree Life on Mars is the best tv drama on ABC. ABC need to get their act together. Cancelling Life on Mars is a big mistake. I think another network perhaps SCI FI should pick up the show and show ABC that they were fools to let this show leave their network.
I’m done with ABC. LOM’s is a great show and ABC kisses it goodbye because they can’t give a new show a chance to build an audience?!
That’s way ABC is not only loosing money,but viewers as well.
I just can’t believe this show is being cancelled. I’m not into Sci-fi but I enjoyed this one. The banter with Harvey Keitel and Jason is enjoyable. As a previous writer pointed out, and from one who lived during the 70’s, you can truly see how things have changed in many areas. Please move it to another time slot and get rid of some of the ridiculous shows.
Given the cancellation of Kyle XY, Journeyman, New Amsterdam and now Life on Mars, encompassing three broadcast outfits, we now have a good indication of the degree of nonimagination and simple-minded programming taught in today’s business and broadcasting schools. Obviously the current crop of decision-makers are indicative of a generation deprived of arts in the public schools and directed into a purely utilitarian view of life, a view which, as these comments indicate, greatly impoverish one’s life, starving the emotional and introspective richness that is so palpable a potential in all human lives while focusing all too singularly on material riches. (And I am a sociology teacher, not English or literature.)
Networks need to give shows a chance. I watched Eli Stone and now Life on Mars simply becasue they followed LOST… and then I got hooked. In some cases, it takes time for people to become aware of shows, and see how entertaining they are. I didn’t see the first few episodes of Life on Mars, but wouldn’t miss it after finding it. Put it in a time slot which isn’t quite as competitive and watch it blossom. You’ll be surprised at how well it might do. And the music… MY music… is awesome…..
How many positive comments do you “higher ups” need to finally figure out, that you are making a BIG mistake canceling LIFE ON MARS? I should have known-Everytime I start LOVING a show -there it goes! I give up! I will watch whatever takes it’s timeslot-But I WILL NOT buy anything that is advertised within that timeslot-so, DO YOU HEAR ME ADVERTISERS-not one thing will I buy-so don’t waste your money-I will hit them where it hurts-they can advertise all they want -it will be to NO avail!
someone please come up with an online
?
petition and send it to that no gooooooooooooooooood station .
oh no ratings : i gueese 8.3 is a bad rating .
no , this is ridiculous.
im sorrybut do we really need like a millions shows on people solving murders.
dont get me wrong i LOVE mystery shows ands stuff.
but must they cut out on of the most UNIQUE and memorable shows there is .
i dont even know what else to say but this is incredibly rude of them to do .
the actors play their parts so welll its INSANE. its ten times more better than listens to people get burnt but theese judges. jason o’ mara made me cry .
that is how goood n of the episodes were.
that is the only piece on the 70’s we had on the air …. i believe ; but im not sure.
and you want to cutit out ; .
SURE : that makes so much sence .
cut out a amazing funnny , sci-fi , 70’s, interesting , good old sarcast people , love , mystery, amazing actors that play their parts to the tens , cut that out ?
good going .
and ps. ow do you expect anyone to watch it ?
its on past evryones bed time ? LIKE PARENTS AND TEEENS . we are all doing better things ; one of whihc is sleeeeping mylove
so i dont find it fair but whatever .
its what they think .
oh im sorrry .
8.3 wasnt the rating .
but im really going to miss the show.
I can’t believe that ABC is cancelling LIFE ON MARS! This show has a great cast and the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat! ABC changes the time slot without notifying fans, then pits the show against some very heavy hitters… I am extremely disappointed! At least we get to see the series wrap up – they could have just ended it at 13 episodes…
Enough, enough, enough. From now on, my entertainment will be from MySpace and other Internet Tubes. There is so much talent being offered on-line, there is no reason to ever again pay attention to ANYTHING the networks offer.
I Love Life on Mars. It is my favorite show. I do not even watch TV but I watched this show. why in the world would they take this off the air?
I love you Sam Tyler and the rest of the cast. So very disapointed, I never write in to anything but this actually upsets me!!!!
I’ll go back to spending my evenings reading a good book. How many more CIS shows or reality shows can be made? I’m pissed ! thanks
I am so upset that they took this show off, it was one of th ebetter ones on TV, they should try taking off some of this other crap that is on that they decide that is good TV.
I agre with you so much cc, that wasn’t a wise choice to take the show off, it was a hit in my eyes..They never really gave it a chance.
I love that show!!!!!! ABC is stupid!!!
ABC is making yet another mistake and letting its competition trounce it on strategy and execution. Life on Mars was smart, funny, entertaining and with rich believable characters. NBC is topping you with its variety and ability to tap into thematic issues and viewer desires.
Life on Mars is one of the hilights of weeknight TV; well written with excellent actors and to die for music…guess the lights are being extinguished; how grossly unfair to all concerned.
Never quite understood why this was remade for US TV – the UK version seemed to work perfectly well. The US remake looks like typical Hollywood-miss-the-point – especially the mis-casting of Harvey Keitel. Maybe we can now see the real-deal on US TV – that is, bring the original to the screen somebody!
The U.S. version ends differently than the British version. In the U.S. version he is not in a coma he is on a spaceship going to mars and wakes from a dream but if you look at the spaceship that could easily be a dream too. That is why we are fighting as we are for the show because it could go on.
ABC itself is so 1973. Actually, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. ABC had better programs on the air in 1973 than they do now.