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ABC Cancels Life on Mars | Pajiba - Scathing Reviews for Bitchy People

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Wonder if he’ll ever know he’s in the best selling show?

Not so much / Seth Freilich

Trade News | March 3, 2009 | Comments (23)

Astronomers can stop with all the fancy space missions because there is no “Life on Mars,” at least not come April 1. That’s when the freshman ABC show will air its series finale, as word has come down that it done be canceled. The producers say that they’ve been given enough time by ABC to make a true series finale, so all your remaining questions will be answered. Word also has it that the show will not resolve in the same way as the British one so, (*BBC spoiler*), the answer to “why is Sam in 1973” won’t be “coma.”

While I’ve enjoyed the show more than I thought I would (especially Michael Imperioli’s misogynistic Ray), I don’t particularly care why Sam’s in 1973, why there are little robots critters, and whatever and all that. All l really care about is whether he’s going to tag Annie because g’damn, Gretchen Mol’s a cutie.


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Comments

OMG. I just brought in the mail and The Vermont Country Store now sells vibrators, and products call Tired Old Ass Soak, and Anti-Monkey Butt. The catalog just fell open to the page. I'm shocked. Totally shocked.

(Nothing to do with Life on Mars, except that suddenly I feel like I'M living on Mars.)

Posted by: BWeaves at March 3, 2009 4:49 PM

Man...I was really liking the show. I agree that I didn't care so much for the whole 'why am I here' plot. If it was just a cop show in the 70s, I would have watched it. I love the music and Keitel and Imperioli are awesome.

Plus I really like the tension between Imperioli and Mol. I wanted it to get ugly!

Posted by: lex at March 3, 2009 4:53 PM

BWeaves, I have on more than one occasion felt like or acted like a Tired Old Ass deserving of a refreshing soak, but what does Anti-Monkey Butt actually do? Is it for people with angry red rashes on their tushies? Really, what is this product?

Posted by: Sharopa at March 3, 2009 5:04 PM

wait, so there was a REASON why we were subjected to the 70s period drama - like, the dude time traveled or some shit?
Wow. puts a whole new spin on the thing. Here I thought it was another procedural, just set in the 70s.

Posted by: Stella at March 3, 2009 5:06 PM

Yes, Anti-Monkey Butt is a real product. I think it's for bikers who get sore red butts after peddling for hours. I think it's talc and calamine lotion or teflon or something like that.

Posted by: BWeaves at March 3, 2009 5:32 PM

It was all a dream. Patrick Duffy was in the shower with Gretchen Mol the whole time.

Posted by: branded at March 3, 2009 5:37 PM

Thanks for the info BWeaves. How awesome would teflon Anti-Monkey Butt lotion be for a baby shower gift!

Posted by: Sharopa at March 3, 2009 5:49 PM

I heard that the Vermont Country Store was selling that the personal products now on Wait Wait Don't Tell me the other day. Still just a little amazed.

Posted by: alphawhiskey at March 3, 2009 6:05 PM

Is him... Seems he is famous on some ta ll da ting place ____TallMingle Co M___ where are many hot models and handsome guys. Many tall singles find their lovers there

Posted by: owen at March 3, 2009 6:10 PM

Damn! Little more warning before the spoiler? I haven't been able to get my hands on the British Life on Mars yet and had only seen a couple of episodes. I guess I don't need to now.

Oh wait, I forgot. John Simm. Never mind.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at March 3, 2009 6:15 PM

Man, I am so upset by this. I guess I'm the only one, but I actually DO care why he's in 1973. I'm sure that whatever resolution they do give it is going to feel really rushed and slapped together at the last minute, although I guess I should just be happy they're even giving it the chance to conclude properly.

First Pushing Daisies, then Ugly Betty (a guilty pleasure), and now this. That means that in the span of like 2 or 3 months ABC has canceled (or effectively canceled, in the case of Ugly Betty) every one of their shows that I watch, except for Lost.

And I second Anne (in Reno)'s complaint about the spoiler.

Posted by: AMT at March 3, 2009 6:53 PM

I've seen the BBC Life on Mars and for those of you worried about that "spoiler," it's really not a spoiler. You're aware that the character is in a coma in the 2000's from the first or second episode IIRC. That's not the mystery.

It really is quite a good series--the first season, at least; I was sated by the ending and I was worried the second season would be subpar and ruin my enjoyment, so I've never seen it. Can anyone provide an evaluation of the second season?

Posted by: Jerce at March 3, 2009 7:28 PM

Heehee...oh, BWeaves, that should've been a post all on its own...

Posted by: figgy at March 3, 2009 8:02 PM

BBC also has a spin-off of LOM coming up, with a female protagonist who is dropped into the 80s. Could be some good music.

Posted by: cindy at March 3, 2009 8:22 PM

Season 02 of Life On Mars (original BBC flavour) was fabulous - go ahead and see it, you'll enjoy it.

Ashes to Ashes, the fem 80s spin-off ... not so much. I managed two eps only, the female lead character was so annoying I couldn't watch any more of it.

Posted by: hell.kelpie at March 3, 2009 8:43 PM

Well this is painful. I became attached because in the earlier episodes when Sam runs across his mom and a younger version of himself it felt close to home. I was five in 1973, I remember a lot of the music and understand a lot of the struggles that were portrayed in the show. It has been a nice little look back some of the scenery from my childhood.

What I do not understand is how a piece of crap like Grey's gets continual seasons and a show like this with actual acting is one and done. I knew when I became hooked on the show that the premise might be limited but it has been done really well, and will enjoy the rest of the shows and sob at its passing.

Posted by: richmac at March 3, 2009 10:33 PM

AMT, no you're not the only one. i really enjoyed this show. i haven't seen the BBC version--although i plan on catching it on Netflix and watching Ashes to Ashes--but i thought this version was pretty good.

nothing in the universe could make me stop watching Lost, but i'm holding this; Pushing Daisies; Dirty, Sexy, Money; & Ugly Betty against ABC. what can i say? i enjoy quality programming along with a side of cheese.

Posted by: pq at March 3, 2009 11:53 PM

I couldn't get into the US Life on Mars, though I'm sorry it's going, since it clearly had it's fans.
I loved the original too much, and the tone of the US version never gelled for me. Plus, Jason O'Mara, hot though he is, seems to have attended the Rutger Hauer school of acting.
And lastly, Keitel was no replacement for the magnificently un-pc performance of Philip Glenister.

"You great... soft... sissy... girlie... nancy... French... bender... Man United supporting POOF!" (Gene to Sam Tyler)

"I'm not a religious man Mr Warren - but isn't there something in the Bible that says, thou shalt not suck off rent boys?"

Gene: They reckon you've got concussion - I couldn't give a tart's furry cup if half your brains are falling out. Don't ever waltz into my kingdom acting king of the jungle.
Sam: Who the hell are you?
Gene: Gene Hunt. Your DCI. And it's 1973. Almost dinner time. I'm 'aving 'oops.

"Drop your weapons! You are surrounded by armed bastards!"

That's the Gene Genie, that is. Accept no substitutes!

Posted by: Tarn at March 4, 2009 10:32 AM

I'm with Tarn-whileI love Harvey Keitel, he REALLY doesn't live up to Philip Glenister as the Gene Genie. Luckily my mum-in-law is in Britain so I got both seasons for my birthday. John Simm is FANTASTIC. His face conveys so much, I was so disappointed they picked an Abercrombie & Fitch model for the US version.

Posted by: Shazza at March 4, 2009 11:23 AM

And I like Gretchen Mol but Liz White is ADORABLE!

Posted by: Shazza at March 4, 2009 11:24 AM

Jerce, 2nd season of UK Life on Mars is excellent. I liked US version well enough, but UK version actually made me cry a bit at the end...it ends rather beautifully and yet creepily (I shall not spoil it). John Simm and Phillip Glenister need to do many many more series together, they are a treat to watch.

Posted by: lil_a at March 4, 2009 1:34 PM

Echo rebel base:

The UK version of Life On Mars is vastly superior. The second season UK is different in tone, more steady and confident, and the story arc has a different flavour than the first season, and the ending is kinda sublime. John Simm and Glenister won me over completely and I was very invested in them. One of the best shows I've ever seen - and I loved the serial nature of it - you can do a lot of powerful things with a set story arc.

Ashes to Ashes was completely different - I understand why the actress put people off - very 'a' type neurotic fretsy, also a tad tarty. Not the most sympathetic character ever. It was also jarring to see the Glenister crew in the 80's framework - it seemed like a lot of the power was dissipated (though plot and 'realistic' means, however). Once I dealt with the loss of John Simm and readjusted to the new - I quite liked the first season. Shazzers is pretty much every friend my teenage sister ever had in the eighties, and the Gene Genie is still damn hot.

I hope to see the second season pretty soon - not as compelling as LOM, but a nice companion piece (it has correlations and revelations about the John Simm storyline) and far better than anything offered over here.

Posted by: replica at March 4, 2009 9:55 PM

ABC does it again. Why am I not surprised?

Total fucking douchebags.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at March 6, 2009 7:13 PM





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