"Life on Mars"--How TV sees NYC in the 1970s

[Hof]

There's a new TV series on ABC ( ??) called "Life on Mars" that I have only recently picked up on. It revolves around an NYPD cop who is in an auto accident and mysteriously finds himself transported back in time to 1973, where he is once again a cop but with 2009 sensibilities.

I began watching the show because of two of the principal actors--Michael Imperioli, who was SO good in "The Sopranos" and Harvey Keitel, who is just a good actor.

The producers have tried mighitly to portray NYC as it was 36 years ago (using older cars as street props, avoiding shots where the buildings are obviously newer, reviving '70s clothing and hair styles--often with humorous results, etc) but even watching the show in a non-critical manner I have caught some gaffes, the most noticable being the one this week when a character mentioned something about a crime taking place in "Chelsea".

Wasn't that area of Manhattan ALWAYS known as Hell's Kitchen until recently???

Have any of you been watching, and have you noticed obvious holes in the way NYC is portrayed???

Like--where are all the Checker Cabs???

[stache]

Chelsea as a neighborhood goes back to the early 19th. Century (Chelsea hotel). The British version that ABC based their show on is more nuanced.

[scumonkey]

And just plain better;)

[stache]

Yes. I was trying to be nice about it lol.

[NYatKNIGHT]

It's "Clinton" that is Hells Kitchen.

[Radiohead]

Sounds interesting. I'll have to check & see if old episodes are available online. I've been so disgusted with network fare that I miss the occasional show worth watching .

[Hof]

I just heard somewhere that "Life on Mars" has about 5 episodes to go and then it is over for the show.

Apparently it didn't snag a 10% Nielson audience share since it's been on, never found an audience and the plug got pulled. It's on half-life and fading.
ABC has not renewed it and what I thought was a pretty good show is about to become a trivia question.

[stache]

I think the original British series was only six episodes, but they do a lot of that kind of thing over there. It's an interesting premise but there's not much to sustain a long term story line, unfortunately.

[tdp]

I think the original British series was only six episodes, but they do a lot of that kind of thing over there. It's an interesting premise but there's not much to sustain a long term story line, unfortunately.

There were actually two very popular series (seasons) of "Life On Mars" in the UK - a total of 16 episodes (series 1, Jan/Feb 2006. Series 2, Feb-Apr 2007).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/series1/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifeonmars/series2/

There was then a similar show, set in 1981, named "Ashes to Ashes"
(8 episodes - Feb/Mar 2008).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/ashestoashes/
I believe that you can currently find this show on BBC America.

[stache]

LOVED Ashes to Ashes - :)

[Ninjahedge]

So what gem is ABC going to pull out of its pocket to replace it?

Ugly Tommy?
Dancing with the Retired?
"101 videos of kids, puppies and guys getting hit in the crotch"?


Oh how I love low-overhead productions. :rolleyes:

[KenNYC]

I just heard somewhere that "Life on Mars" has about 5 episodes to go and then it is over for the show.

Even less, the final episode airs April 1st, so I guess there's two left (17 in total, including pilot that was unaired, and set in LA, different cast). I liked this series too, but it seems these days that series have to make a big impact from day one to survive, at least on the bigger networks. Understandable, but unfortunate.

[Ninjahedge]

Some of the best shows just do not last because they do not make an instant "Dancing with the Stars" impact.

RIP Arrested Development... :(

[BPC]

A fine show, but WAAAY too expensive for network budgets these days -- after all, it had an A list cast, as well as carefully thought out 1970s sets, costumes, cars, etc. Jay Leno is what you will get at 10 pm from this point forward.

[NYCman]

I really liked the show and watched all of them.
Maybe SciFi or one of those smaller channels could pick it up...