Life on Mars Maybe Not as Terrible As Life on Earth

Every year ABC rolls the dice on one truly first-rate pilot that breaks (or at least bends) the usual mold. "Life on Mars" is the latest gamble -- albeit one predicated on an existing template, that being a BBC drama. 

Splendidly cast, handsomely produced and conceptually intriguing...

Life on Mars is a show I have strangely been looking forward to for two years, since back when I heard David E. Kelly was adapting a British cop show involving time-travel. 

SOLD!

After reshooting and recasting nearly all of the pilot (and booting Mr. Michelle Pfieffer from the proceedings) we are left with a high cost, super cast, and potentially exciting series. 

Old Cast...

...New Cast

Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, and Gretchen Mol in a 70's TV show?  Hot.

And Variety says it doesn't suck.

Count me in.  I'll see you there. ABC. Thursdays. 10pm. October 9.

Life on Mars - Variety

-RoboNixon

EDIT: The Hollywood Reporter also has a particularly nice review up, saying 

If it holds its own against the final season of NBC's "ER," "Mars" might be orbiting the schedule for years

Count me in.