"Life On Mars"

[superstring01]

Has anybody seen this show?

I haven't seen the British version, but the American version is amazing.

First off, love the constant "juxtaposition" that we see with this guy who's thrust back 35 years. His passive acceptance of women in uniform and homosexuality, compared to his fellow police officers of the day.

I love how they show the sexism of the day. The female officer at the precinct is called "no nuts" because she's a woman.

The backstory is just amazing as well. I almost want to rent the British version too. I hope its just as good.

~String

[Syzygys]

I actually saw the original British first. I think it is an interesing idea, but after a few episodes, it is still just a cop show.

I love Life (the series) though. I don't care for the cases, but love his zen, not to mention Dani...

[ashura]

I've seen previews while watching Pushing Daisies and have been meaning to check it out. The whole person from some other time period resulting in culture clashes concept has always appealed to me.

[superstring01]

I actually saw the original British first. I think it is an interesing idea, but after a few episodes, it is still just a cop show.

I love Life (the series) though. I don't care for the cases, but love his zen, not to mention Dani...

"Life" is amazing. It's really become one of my favorite shows. Amazing. And it's not just a typical cop show, there's something about Crews that really sets the show off. His whimsical wit. His new boss is awesome too.

I pared down my shows about a month ago to the bare necessities. Now I've added "Life On Mars" and "Life" to that list. Both are exceptional.

~String

[superstring01]

The whole person from some other time period resulting in culture clashes concept has always appealed to me.

It's really amazing. He brings his "future" ideologies and abilities to the early seventies. It's really a unique contrast and expose of the times (both now and then).

~String

[James R]

Why do Americans only want to watch Americans? Why take a good British show like Life on Mars and Americanise it? Won't Americans watch the original?

Why remake the British The Office, or the Australian Kath and Kim?

In short, why take perfectly good television and remake it into a (usually inferior) copy?

[superstring01]

Why do Americans only want to watch Americans? Why take a good British show like Life on Mars and Americanise it? Won't Americans watch the original?

Why remake the British The Office, or the Australian Kath and Kim?

In short, why take perfectly good television and remake it into a (usually inferior) copy?

This was already discussed in the Kat & Kim thread.

For one: Humor & drama are very parochial (good choice of words, not mine). For better or worse, Americans don't like "watching" foreign shows. We can sit here and debate that fact and criticize that fact, but whatever conclusions we draw won't erase the fact that Americans only want to hear ONE or maybe TWO "foreign" accents in a TV show (and, there are often Aussies or Brits on our TV shows: we like them, we just want more of "us").

Humor is personal business and a TV show needs to make money, it won't do that unless it's populated by Americans. TV is a "for profit" industry and it isn't here to spread accents and/or create fair representation of other senses of humor that, ultimately, Americans don't want and would never get. Besides, the originators of the shows make a lot of money through the remake that would have never been made without the remake.

I pointed out before that "The Office" is an EXCELLENT remake and does very well here. I've seen the British version, it's good, but not funny to me. There are NUMEROUS American remakes, namely "All In The Family" and "Sanford And Son", both of which are classics and far surpassed the British versions that inspired them (financially and critically).

Side Note: The American version of "Life On Mars" is better, IMHO, it takes away the glum of the British version and replaces it with this inspirational mystery that drives him and that he is secretly solving. But, I guess I would say that, since I'm an American.

~String

[one_raven]

A lot gets lost in cultural translation.
Comments about local issues or politicians, for example, would be completely missed.
It allows the shows to be more topical.
It's the same reason some older shows just aren't as funny to people who did not live in that time.

String brought up the perfect example of All in the Family the other day.
Till Death Do us Part would not have been nearly as popular as All in the Family was, because they talked about issues that were in the minds and hearts of the people in the US at that time.

[Tiassa]

I watched an episode earlier this week on DVR at a friend's. In certain ways, I'm impressed. It made me nostalgic for the days when I smoked a whole lot more pot; the hippie neighbor reminded me of the kind of people I miss dearly in the world. And something about Jason O'Mara made me keep thinking of Bruce Campbell. I don't know what it is.

[superstring01]

I just downloaded another episode of British version and I still think it's good but there's this darkness. Maybe it's me. I don't know.

~String

[madanthonywayne]

I've been meaning to start a thread on this show. I also love it. The whole "fish out of water" concept is alsways entertaining, but there's something more at work here. What was the first thing the main character saw when he woke up in the past that convinced him something wierd was going on? It was the world trade center. He looked up, saw them, and said, "Oh my God!"

The seventies have never been considered a particulary great time in American history, yet now, with so much trouble both domestic and international, I suddenly feel a certain nostalgia for that time even though, like the main character, I was only a child then. There's this feeling that, could we turn back the clock as portrayed in the show, we could right all the wrongs that occured since then.

And what symbolizes that idea more than the sight of the twin towers standing, in all their glory.

The show also has an excellent soundtrack, and good acting.

PS Isn't it funny that we so often find String, Tiassa, and myself in agreement on cultural issues such as this show?

[GeoffP]

Why do Americans only want to watch Americans? Why take a good British show like Life on Mars and Americanise it? Won't Americans watch the original?

Why remake the British The Office, or the Australian Kath and Kim?

In short, why take perfectly good television and remake it into a (usually inferior) copy?

So they can peddle it to the Aussies.

[superstring01]

PS Isn't it funny that we so often find String, Tiassa, and myself in agreement on cultural issues such as this show?

Good taste is good taste. It would appear, also, that Tiassa and I have a love affair with McGriddles as well (sausage & egg, thank you).

So they can peddle it to the Aussies.

Doubtful. The Australian market has 20 million people. That amount of "consumption" would barely cover the script costs here in the USA. Nope, the North American audience (USA & Canada: 340 million) is the goldmine. If the show never gets seen by a foreign audience, it won't effect the success or failure one bit as long as Americans watch it. Now, if the American audience receives it luke-warmly, then the foreign audience will count (i.e. "Fresh Prince of Bellaire" and "Baywatch"; both of which had HUGE European audiences and moderate-to-low American audiences). However, if Americans don't watch it, it won't matter how big the foreign audience is, it'll be pulled in a New York minute.

~String

[orcot]

live on mars (the british version) was good, ashes to ashes was less.

Doubtful. The Australian market has 20 million people. That amount of "consumption" would barely cover the script costs here in the USA. Nope, the North American audience (USA & Canada: 340 million) is the goldmine. If the show never gets seen by a foreign audience, it won't effect the success or failure one bit as long as Americans watch it. Now, if the American audience receives it luke-warmly, then the foreign audience will count (i.e. "Fresh Prince of Bellaire" and "Baywatch"; both of which had HUGE European audiences and moderate-to-low American audiences). However, if Americans don't watch it, it won't matter how big the foreign audience is, it'll be pulled in a New York minute.

Basicly I understand that as Americans watch the most sitcoms and are proud of it

[superstring01]

Basicly I understand that as Americans watch the most sitcoms and are proud of it

I don't think I quite get your meaning, but if I can take a stab (assuming that you're talking about how Americans consume) the fact is it's less to do with the individual consumption part and more to do with the sheer volume of consumers total. There is no motivation for American companies to cater to an Australian audience with only 20 million consumers when there are 340 million right here in North America. This isn't jingoism, it's commercialism.

~String

[Tiassa]

The seventies have never been considered a particulary great time in American history, yet now, with so much trouble both domestic and international, I suddenly feel a certain nostalgia for that time even though ....

Well, it was a difficult time in history, but as I was watching the episode where he meets his hippie neighbor, I had a certain pang. That war was worse, and the world was a dark place, but somehow, it seems so far away. At one point I turned to my brother and said, "You know, Lisa Bonet's hot and all, but why? Why would you want to go back?"

Just eat the lasagna, dance with the girl, and don't torture yourself. Maybe you'll find a way back to reality, but if not, at least there's some genuine love left in the world. Take what you can find, and do your best by it.

PS Isn't it funny that we so often find String, Tiassa, and myself in agreement on cultural issues such as this show?

Art is a connecting tool. The specifics of the following won't make sense to anyone who doesn't read Steven Brust, but the generalities will. And, trust me, in its context, it's dead on:

These depictions were, we should say, violent, yet they had also a certain grace to them, as if the artist strove less to show the violence of the encounter than the ennobling aspects of the struggle. For while many artists—and viewers of art—may enjoy only the prurient aspects of works that show us violent activity, it is nevertheless the case that it is in moments of violence, of danger, of the greatest threat to life, that human character can become its most base, or its most sublime. As to why the artist may focus on these matters, this is revealed, in painting, by the use of light, shading, emphasis, and texturing; and the sympathetic viewer will, even if unaware of these things, nevertheless find himself moved by them. Certainly, Aerich was not unmoved, the more-so as he had a nervous, sensitive nature, and had been, himself in mortal danger frequently enough to understand something of the feelings engendered by such extremities, although we must say that to our Lyorn such events were occasioned only by a strict sense of duty and obligation, and so many of the loftier, more ennobling, or, if we may, more Dzur-like facets of the struggle were an enigma to him.

But then, to the left, it is exactly here that art may play its most vital role: by opening the heart and mind to feelings, the particular expressions of feelings, of which it had been otherwise unaware. Indeed, the fact that the same work of art might touch the heart of beings as disparate as a Teckla and a Phoenix, or a Serioli and an Easterner, is, more than anything else, the proof both of the value of that work in particular, and of art in general.

And what greater proof of the power of art can exist than that these reflections are caused by the work of Tazendra, whose personality, as the reader must by now be aware, is defined by violent activity, strong passions, and a certain lack of sensitivity which must almost inevitably characterize someone who can, with sword and staff, make herself as feared as our Dzurlord?

(Brust, 120)

Okay, it's that middle paragraph that is the most relevant, but I thought to bookend it for context.

• • •

String

In truth, I don't do eggs. I can't explain it except to say they are wholly discordant to my palate. Nonetheless, I can't figure out what it is about McDonald's food that makes it so damnably attractive.

Life on Mars premiered to 11.3 million viewers; it's fallen off to just over 8 million. At least, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(U.S._TV_series)#U.S._Nielsen_ratings ).
____________________

Notes:

Brust, Steven. Sethra Lavode. New York: Tor, 2004.

"Life on Mars (U.S. TV series)". Wikipedia.com. Updated October 25, 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(U.S._TV_series)

[superstring01]

People don't normally know this fact, but the USA was at it's apogee in the early 70's. In so many ways. If you remove the Vietnam War and lingering sexism and racism, it all makes a little more sense.

Between 1970-1971 the USA had it's highest (in terms of "completeness" and relative quality) infrastructure (roads were their best, airports were their best, canals, ports and trains were their best). The Schools ranked at the top of the worlds. We had our lowest national debt (per capita), our fairest tax burden, enough "personal" income to allow one parent to easily work and feed a family, the highest government expenditure on military per capita, and the lowest personal debt per capita. Also, the divorce rate was still very low. The only real domestic statistic that was bad was the crime rate in places like LA, Chicago and NYC which were slightly higher back then than they are now, and the lingering sexism and racism that still permeated society.

But, no matter how much we might want to avoid this fact, the early seventies were the best years in American history in terms of tangible facts.


String

In truth, I don't do eggs. I can't explain it except to say they are wholly discordant to my palate. Nonetheless, I can't figure out what it is about McDonald's food that makes it so damnably attractive.

Actually, as fast foods go, you're better off eating McDonalds than anybody else. Period. I very, VERY rarely allow myself to eat any fast food, but in the off occasion I do, it's usually Mikky-Dees. A McGriddle or a BigMac. Sometimes I will do Burger King or Rally's... but I don't have a Del Taco or a Jack In The Box, so I'm stuck with the other national brands... which kind of sucks, 'cause Del Taco is my all time fave.

Life on Mars premiered to 11.3 million viewers; it's fallen off to just over 8 million. At least, according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(U.S._TV_series)#U.S._Nielsen_ratings ).


Let's hope it doesn't bottom out. It's such a good show.

~String

[ashura]

Watched the first three episodes, was pretty impressed and enjoyed them. Watched both seasons of the British version next and was impressed even more, and I think so far I like that version better. I agree with you string about the darkness, but I think it's a darkness that's used well and contrasted great with the humor. That grittiness to it makes the British version seem more real, more immersive. The American version has a sort of hopeful wistful quality to it similar to Pushing Daisies (although nowhere near that extreme) that makes it seem more like a fantasy. Maybe that'll change with upcoming episodes, I'll definitely be tuning in.

One IMO undeniable point to the British show though, the American Gene Hunt has nothing, nothing, on the British Gene Hunt. :D

[superstring01]

This show continues to amaze me.

Last night's offering was simply amazing. I absolutely loved it.

~String

[madanthonywayne]

This show continues to amaze me.

Last night's offering was simply amazing. I absolutely loved it.

~StringYes, another good show. I enjoyed it. Did you know the main character was originally named Sam Williams, but the writter was asked to change it to something better. His daughter suggested Sam Tyler, she got the idea from the Dr Who character Rose Tyler. Which, in yesterday's episode, was Sam's mother's name!

You know what would be fucked up? If Sam were to have a one night stand with some black girl and then find out the girl was Lisa Bonet's mom.

[superstring01]

Yes, another good show. I enjoyed it. Did you know the main character was originally named Sam Williams, but the writter was asked to change it to something better. His daughter suggested Sam Tyler, she got the idea from the Dr Who character Rose Tyler. Which, in yesterday's episode, was Sam's mother's name!

You know what would be fucked up? If Sam were to have a one night stand with some black girl and then find out the girl was Lisa Bonet's mom.

LOL.

For a minute there I thought he was going to... um... YOU KNOW with his mom, and stuff.

Gross.

~String

[Zakariya04]

Why do Americans only want to watch Americans? Why take a good British show like Life on Mars and Americanise it? Won't Americans watch the original?

Why remake the British The Office, or the Australian Kath and Kim?

In short, why take perfectly good television and remake it into a (usually inferior) copy?

the yanks are "the Masters" of the bastardisation of Uk shit man

thats why!!

[superstring01]

Ahem. We can still hear you!

~String

[madanthonywayne]

Great episode tonight! Imagine reliving such a pivital moment in your life, and then being shot twice by your own father. And then, what's in the basement? Worst of all, no new episodes until January fucking 28! Mother fuck. That sucks.

[superstring01]

Anybody who doesn't know that this is the best GODDAMNED television show in the past decade is really missing out. This episode was one of the best episodes of TV, ever. Anywhere. Anytime.

~String

[madanthonywayne]

Good episode tonight, the ending where Sam found out he'd slept with the bosses daughter was hilarious. Still, it was good to see him "embrace his immigrant status" and finally enjoy some of that seventies pre-HIV "free love". But what the hell happened to "go to the basement"? What did he find there? Did I miss an episode?

[madanthonywayne]

Holy shit! CCCP?!? WTF? I know that in the English version of this series it turned out he really was in a coma, but this is starting to look like some kind of actual time travel experiment by some communists unhappy with the outcome of the cold war.

[pjdude1219]

have seen niether but I am willing to bet the british version is better.

[superstring01]

Holy shit! CCCP?!? WTF? I know that in the English version of this series it turned out he really was in a coma, but this is starting to look like some kind of actual time travel experiment by some communists unhappy with the outcome of the cold war.

I don't. I think he was hallucinating those images. I think he's there on some purpose to figure out something about his life, and that's why he back in time. I hope the show has a five year arc and then it ends.

have seen niether but I am willing to bet the british version is better.

Which is exactly the comment we can expect from you. I mean, it's ever so much better to jump on the "Everything American Sucks" bandwagon than actually watch and--perish the thought!--conclude that something American is great or, perhaps, even better.

I've now seen some episodes of the British version. It's pretty damned good, no doubts about that. They do TV right, and this is saying a lot considering how low their production costs are. Just look at their show "Spooks" (i.e. "MI5" in the US & Canada). It's fracking amazing.

That said, many American originals & versions of their TV shows blew theirs out of the water. Namely: "Sanford & Son", "All In The Family" and "Three's Company." I also like the American version of "The Office" and "Queer As Folk" better, but that has to do more with my sense of humor being--well--American and not British.

While the USA does have an inconsistent record of re-producing TV shows, the fact is, as many times as they miss the mark (i.e. "Kath & Kim"), they also hit them Dead on (see: above posted shows).

~String

[pjdude1219]

Which is exactly the comment we can expect from you. I mean, it's ever so much better to jump on the "Everything American Sucks" bandwagon than actually watch and--perish the thought!--conclude that something American is great or, perhaps, even better. every single show I have seen that has a original british version and an american version the british is better. I watch a lot of british television mainly for the fact I feel it doesn't treat me like I'm stupid. the transition IMO from british to american some intangible quality is lost.


and I have thought american versions of british shows are better. Touching evil for example butr the trend is the original british version being better which is probably because its the original.

[madanthonywayne]

I don't. I think he was hallucinating those images. I think he's there on some purpose to figure out something about his life, and that's why he back in time. I hope the show has a five year arc and then it ends.
Well, there is the fact that Sam himself never saw the CCCP folder. Furthermore, Wikipedia says the American version was re-written to include some "deeper mystery". I also found out why todays episode was aired after rather than before last weeks (as it should have been). Apparently, the network was hoping for some Lost spillover and didn't want to confuse those potential new viewers with this episode.