Goodbye, Annie. Goodbye, Annie's hair.
Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money, meet Life on Mars. ABC's mass grave of quality shows canceled before their time is one deeper, as the network has officially canceled the freshman sci-fi drama Life on Mars. But instead of the cold shoulder ABC gave last year's trio of high-profile cuts, Life on Mars is being given a proper farewell.
All five of the remaining episodes of Life on Mars will air as planned, reports Variety, instead of the usual shaft job of cutting a canceled show off in mid-stream. This is very important--and can be considered the news' silver lining for Mars fans--because of the show's eerie nature.
Life on Mars, about Detective Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) who finds himself somehow transported back to 1973 after being hit by a car, is a series-long mystery, with viewers (and Tyler) trying to determine whether Tyler has time-traveled, is dead, is in a coma, is simply insane, or a host of other possibilities. By airing the final episodes, and more importantly giving producers time to wrap things up, viewers will be able to get closure and get the answers they need (remember what happened when The Nine got canceled? Me either).
ABC clearly had a soft spot for the program, but once again had to make the difficult decision of breaking up with it because of disappointing ratings. It probably didn't help that the network decided to change its air time halfway through the series, and it might have done better if it had been held to midseason and paired with Lost all along. And the fact that the network hyped up its return after break only to show an episode out of order--opting for a standalone episode to welcome in new viewers instead of wrapping up a two-part cliffhanger (what was up with that!?!?)--was just a bad mistake that left a bad taste in the mouths of its fanbase.
I'll miss Life on Mars and its awesome soundtrack, its weird robots creeping out of people's eyes, the over-the-top police brutality and occasional vaudevillian fisticuffs, Michael Imperioli's snappy dialogue, and its oh-so-relaxed attitude. But most of all, I will miss Gretchen Mol's hair...that 'do was so horrendous it was bitchin'.
Pay your respects below, and feel free to scream at ABC if you are so inclined.
Comments (157)
Ok, this is so not fair, we just found this through netflix as well, we never even knew it was on the tube. Cancelled for bad ratings....I think it was cancelled because of bad promotion...wow, too bad for everyone....get show, would have lasted if only given a chance...love it....
Well, it\'s March 2011 and thanks to Netflix I only recently discovered this show. I remember hearing of it while it was on air but never had a chance to watch it. So, after my Netflix aided Heroes binge (only to find it had also been canceled) I had to find a new show to watch. Started Life On Mars... Loved it... binged it... waited for No Nuts and Sam to do their thing... alas, another show that ended before its time. I was not too happy with the obvious rushed ending. It was all a dream? Wasn\'t there an 80\'s TV show about a hospital that all took place in an autistic boys dream? Nah, that doesn\'t fly with me! I would love to see Life on Mars and Gretchen Mol\'s *** hair back on the air!moreless
AwardsDuring November 2006, the first series of Life on Mars won the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series. The same award also went to the second series of the programme in the 2008 Emmy Awards, which was held in November.In January 2007, it won the Best New Programme category as part of the Broadcast Magazine awards.In March 2007 it won two categories, Best Drama Series and the Writers' Award, at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.The first series was nominated for a British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) in the Best Drama Series category. John Simm was also nominated as Best Actor for his work on the show.The programme won the audience-voted Pioneer Award.In October 2007, series two was nominated as the Most Popular Drama at the 2007 National Television Awards.Have A Nice Time ABCmoreless
this was an awesome show. I cannot believe with the fantastic cast and infatuating story line we lost it so soon. I wll admit that the ending surpassed my expections, (not like Lost's recent ending!). I wish they could revive something with Jason O'Mara and maybe Kyra Sedgewick on the Closer. They had great chemistry. What is Jason's next project?????
how dare abc cut off life on mars i really enjoyed that show and it really annoys me that i wont be seeing it again
add a comment Finally, a show that's worth watching and it gets cancelled. Can't help but wonder if it was a little to cerebrally challenging for the mass market. What're they going to replace it with? Rock of Love 3? Talk about the dumbing down of America.
I urge everyone to hound ABC about them canceling " LIfe On Mars". They can bring it back if viewers keep demanding it. This was a great show with a lot of possibilities. Put in the search CONTACT ABC and it will show you the link. Keep sending them messages.
What a terrible decision by ABC. Mars was such a breath of fresh air from the other programs on tv. This was truely my favorite show. I couldn't wait to see the next episode. Outstanding casting, writing and acting!! A perfect tri-fecta. That hasn't happened since Seinfeld. As a matter of fact, I believe Seinfeld's first season was a bust in the ratings, and look how that show turned out. I hope another network picks it up. Shame on you ABC for giving up on such a great show.
Life on Mars cancelled but, aliens keep coming Ben:10 Alien Swarm lands on Cartoon Network with Alien-Grace Baine, Ben:10-Ryan Kelley, Alyssa Diaz-Elena, Gladriel Stineman-Gwen, Nathan Keyes-Kevin, Barry Corbin -Grandpa Max are directed by Alex Winter Bill(Bill & Teds Bogus adventure) to take over earthlings this fall 2009 on Cartoon Network. Dreamworks Monsters this spring Aliens on Cartoon Network this fall. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1140761/
http;//www.imdb.com/title/tt1327701/
I am seriously so sick and tired of this. Reminds me, once again, why I am moving closer and closer to abandoning Network TV altogether. ABC, you greedy, clinging-to-the-old-paradigm, too-lazy-to-figure-out-how-to-make-great-programming-turn-a-respectable-profit bums can just bite it. Dead to me.
This was my fave tv show, I was looking at the tv guide a few weeks ago and found out tonite was the last show. I'm very upset, you are just replacing with another out there detective show. At least Life on Mars had a great plot. I hope it comes back on air, the year 2035 tonite for the finale ending was a super job. Its too bad some of the lulls in a few of the programs did not have all the buildup the last few episodes did, maybe more people would have watched. i think moving time slot after Lost was a huge mistake. Bring Jason O'Mara back with his co-star Annie, they were great together, and excellent actors. Too bad the real kiss didn't show up till the finale. Leaves me thinking there is more to come again, and soon, one can only hope. I'm tired of seeing the ordinary detective dna etc shows, can't the writers and producers find something unique, we are not all from back in 1973, but the middle aged tv watchers really should have more of Life on Mars types of shows, all tv seems to be going to the younger generation, we are people too.moreless
Here is a little bit of news why it was cancelled. The original show from the BBC only had 16 shows. ABC bought the rights for the scripts, the only thing changed was of course the city etc etc. ABC was only able to get permission to write the 17th Finale. Leave to ABC not to be able to come up with the rights to write their own scripts. Maybe they're not bright enough to come up with their own ideas. If ABC was smart enough, they would buy the rights to "Ashes to Ashes" which is the next story of Sam, and this time ask to extend and write their own scripts, or even better bring the writers of the show in. Either way ABC has blown it again. When are they ever going to learn their lesson that the way they do things is turning people away from ABC and their other station ABC Family.moreless
Please do not cancel this show - it is one of the few truly entertaining, original (save the British origins) shows on the air right now. Cancelling this show is just another chapter in network televisions slow demise and short-sightedness. There will now be absolutely no reason to tune into ABC - period.
It probably won't change anything, but please sign this petition:http://www.tv.com/story/12741.htmlMaybe we can keep LOM on the air!
I signed up so I could express my frustration over ABC's ridiculous decision to cancel such a great show! What should speak volumes to ABC's out-of-touch execs are the Google hits. When you begin typing "is life on mars..." the auto-fill results reflect staggering numbers. Over 12 MILLION have googled "is life on mars still on" alone!! And another several million have googled other similar phrases related to whether or not this show was cancelled. ARE 12 MILLION VIEWERS NOT ENOUGH?? Not to mention the fact it is unlikely that 100% of this great show's viewership have googled that question. Put them all together and you have one heck of a large fanbase. C'mon--PAY ATTENTION ABC! And stop thinking that we've all been reduced to only liking trailer-trash programming!
Never start watching a show that hasn't got at least 4 seasons. Learnt that from Pushing Daises.
This was the best show on TV. ABC is the stupidist of the stupid for cancelling this. With all the absolute schlock out there on the air waves, why is it then whenever a show rises out of the mire it is almost immedeatly snipered. Set fire to the swamp of crap and leave the good shows to run their course. Morons!
I am convinced that when I like any show it's bound to be killed. Add this one to the list. Too bad.
Sick to death of great shows getting the axe :(
Since being hooked in this show(in NZ), I have come to my senses that ABC is the crappiest network EVER!!!! Even though I'm not in America. Looks like I have to either watch it on tv (here in New Zealand), try and buy the whole show from iTunes, wait for the dvd to be released in New Zealand and watch both the US and the UK versions (to compare the two shows) on the net. Now this cancelation is given me a VERY HUGE HEADACHE. >:(
It is no wonder why ABC is last in the ratings game. They have short sighted idiots running and making the program decision. ABC sold the crap out of this which brought in a lot of us to watch it. I don't understand why they do that and then pull the plug so quickly without giving a real shot. When they have shows (i.e. dancing with the stars and the bachelor) that I will NEVER watch. At least they were kind enough to allow the show to "play" out and hopefully show us how this is really happening.I will now quit watching ABC because they have F***ing crap on.
This has been one great show. I can't believe that ABC would be letting this one go. Both my wife and I enjoy the characters that are being so well developed in the weekly episodes. Even my grandson comes over and talks about them. While there are so many predictable, trite shows out there, it is a shame that this unique and entertaining show that will be cut. Sorry to see another great one go!
My bad, not (Chris) I meant Jason O'mara. I really do love to watch him.
Canceling "Life on Mars" is wrong. You have a great show. It's imaginitive, entertaining and the possibilities for storylines are endless. Is it the same executives that cancelled "October Road" calling the shots on LOM? I can't say enough about how disappointed I'll be when you cancel this program. It has been along time since there has been a program televised that I looked forward to on a regular basis. It would be interesting to hear the real reasons it is being axed. Chris Omara is top of the line. I enjoyed watching him as a serial criminal on "The Closer" and needless to say was thrilled to find him starring in a show of his own. Wise up. Listen to the fans.
I am in total agreement with most of the posts here. I would add a few more of the rediculous shows of today. "Dancing with the Stars", "The Next Top Model", "American Idol". First, I don't remember a single winner of "American Idol". Who won "Dancing with the Stars" first series? I don't know the names of ANY top models! I really don't much care WHO is on the cover of the fashion magazines. They look good, or they don't. I want plotlines. What happened to "The Agency", "E-Ring","Commander in Chief". I know that ABC did not air all of these, but the networks are all the same. They are not interested in quality programming, they simply want to make a quick buck. Some of these shows would have done exceptionally well put in the proper time slot, but the networks just look at the numbers they want to see. When are we going to be able to count on quality programming, in an appropriate time slot, and given the time they deserve to show the "suits" that WE THE PEOPLE ARE SMARTER THAN JUST WANTING A PRETTY FACE ON SCREEN! Why not sell the rights to these shows to a Canadian network. They seem to make shows at one third the cost of the American counter parts. Please give our LOM new life with a company willing to let it run its course.moreless
Oh yeah ABC lets have more of the moronic fare like "Hole In The Wall" instead of cerebral, unique programming like L.O.M. Your execs are nothing but a bunch of tools!
Yes even though this show's premise was lifted off the British version Life on Mars was an original hour of pure delight every Wednesday evening. From the superb casting, great music, wardrobe, and writing this show was perfect. Don't the networks realize that the Neilsen model for determining a program's audience size is outdated? L.O.M. will be missed.....F. U. ABC
Life on Mars is a show that not only entertains but, also provides twists and turns with a challenge for intriguing thought on the part of the viewer. The ever evolving thought of time travel and influencing the future for the better has been an item that has brought entertainment to the movie and television viewers for decades. In this series there is an appeal to the baby boomer generation that bring the good things in life, and the bad in some cases, from the past to the forefront of our current day lives. The show also has a way of showing us, even if the outcome is not as we expected, or a rosy as we remember, life goes on and we get through it all. With the looming world economic crisis and wars that affect the lives of so many, here you have given us a view of how our generation got through what we viewed as our toughest times. With the Star Trek SCI-FI twist, and the passion and emotion of M.A.S.H., you have opened a door to the past for our children to understand the world their parents grew up in. To remove this show from production would truly be a shame.moreless
I can not believe this show has been cancelled. It seems all the next works cancel the shows that are really good. The true fiction story line as TV should be. Instead the shows that continue season after season or they start new ones to replace the good ones, is reality TV. Don't people get enough reality in their own life? Who cares about how fat someone is and how much weight they lost, or which desperate girl/guy is going to be picked as the next Mrs. / Mr. so-in-so. I say these shows are for all the people who are afraid to go out and try to find a date, or is too lazy to get off their own @$$ and workout. So they must live vicariously though the dumb schmucks on the TV. TV shows should be about the books we used to read. The fictional story of mysteries, romance, and dramas about the characters we grow to love and look forward to week after week. Instead of now they want to see real people suffer or about the loss of weight (which they will more then likely gain back once the camera is turned off). Don't we see enough suffering in today’s world just by turning on the news, why do we need to see other people living life? Are people to afraid to live life themselves? TV should be a way for us to escape from the suffering of our own lives. TV should be a journey much like how sailor Ishmael wandered looking for Moby Dick, or how Jay Gatsby built an illegal empire to win the love of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. These stories brought us in not knowing the out come and only kept us needing the answers, so this only would keep us committed to turning the pages. These awesome TV shows are much like these novels hooking us in, but at least the novels would have an ending. I hope that this show is not replaced with some stupid reality TV America does not need any more %&#@!#* reality. The networks need to learn some commitment to the views and quit stringing us along only to be let down. I have to ask each time they cancel one these shows where the hell my rose is as I am being kicked off of my favorite story...moreless
What a rotten thing to do. Cancel the only good show on ABC, Life On Mars. I really loved the show. Each actor was perfect for their role in this program. What a waste. I think the public has way better taste for what type of show they like. ABC, I am done with you. Guess I will just be on my computer instead of watching TV. Shame on ABC and the decision makers who canceled this wonderful program. Get rid of the stupid reality shows; like who cares?
^%$#ing #@$% jerks did it again...well at least this time i guess they will be able to answer questions and wrap this series up b4 sending it to it's tomb. Anmd yes what DID happen to the hot hippie chick that refered to him as {what was it b-2,b-4} There,at least I feel,that there is so much potential fun that can be had with the writing on this show.The Vanilla Ice rap det tyler broke out with in the episode which featured whoopi goldberg as an underground radio DJ,I thought was hilarious,clever,and fun.I was looking forward to some more clever stuff like that in the episodes to come,now it looks like we are on the fast track to wrapping it all up and shelving it so we can be stuck with unimaginative csi clones,reality shows,and game shows. I WANT NON-REALITY,TOTALLY SCRIPTED,PURELY ENTERTAINING TV WITH CLEVER {NEW} CONCEPTS....moreless
I agree with most of the previous comments - ABC sucks! Something told me not to get hooked on Life on Mars. I knew it would get cancelled and Detective Tyler would be stuck in the 1970s. Now we will never understand what really happened to him. I truly hope the last five episodes gives us some answers. And what happened to the cute hippie chick that lived next door to Sam? I thought she was a great character who helped represent the era. She just vanished, unless I missed something.
I hate ABC. The list leading this story says it all. Entertaining shows are apparently not meant for this station.
Not Just ABC sucks but most of the studios now adays. They jerk the shows time slots, play repeats, put shows on weekly hiatus then wonder why viewership is down when you can't find the show!
Hello haven't these high paid geniuses heard of PVR/VCRs?
Incredible....
ABC is totally messed up. Why would anyone want to invest time in any of the decent shows they produce when they will inevitably be cancelled?
I sent of my complaint to ABC. Men In Trees, Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Life On Mars. Hmmm Castle will be next and Better Off Ted even before the get an audience. Maybe ABC should start to go bankrupt in order to learn 2 lessons. One don't cancell good shows and Two, hmm mabye changing air dates and times in not such a good idea duhhhh!
abc proves again why they are the worst t.v. station. I promise to not start watching any new shows on ABC, for it seems to be the death of every show I liked.
Maybe SciFi could get it pleaseABC=a bunch of crap they wouldn't know a great show if it was sitting in they're lap!!!!!!!!!!!?
what next ? - a Really good show which shows some qualities - and other terrible shows keep going on season after season - shows where the general population taste lies...
ABC=a bunch of crapthey wouldn't know a great show if it was sitting in they're lap!!!!!!!!!!!?
Fuoq you abc, foq you
oh by the way for the other comparing uk-us versions just dont their like 2 different shows with just the same plot ones uniquely british the others uniquely american, just think of it this way their CANCELLING a slice of america! gasp!
Same, this is bilge ABC cancelling good shows theres something seriously wrong with the people who come to these decisions and i hope they die a painful death, i'm british and i was REALLY enjoying the american spin on this series i loved so much from our shores, well atleast i get more ashes to ashes soon, in my eyes everything deserves to get to 2 season to see if it takes off hardly any of the cult shows back in the day had brilliant viewing figures for 1st seasons, they need to stop doing this seriously
Im afraid to watch another new series for fear I will really really like it and hear SORRY CANCELLED!!!! Life on Mars and life are my favorite shows. EVERY year my picks for the season get cancelled. I love This show, it has a unique storyline, great soundtrack, and Jason O Mara. The execs making these Moves need to stop
its just so depressing i hate ABC they never give shows a chance! its awful the show was awesome!!!! screw ABC
I think some of the decision makers who prematurely cancel some of the good shows, must have worked at a bank first. I am really tired of ABC, canceling all of these shows before really giving it a try. Think back... how many shows that really didn't take off until it had been on for a while or in the 2nd season. My hunch is that someone is getting a $$ bonus if they can cancel a show in the first season, or when it starts to do good. Because that means the actors will want more money, so the network cancels the show, the actors don't get a raise, The fill the time slot with a new show, the network saves money, and someone in charge gets a bonus. ABC has really has got to stop canceling the good shows.moreless
I'll have to agree with zosyd, bigape2005 and critterish. Pull all reality shows off and keep these shows in. :( >:(
I really don't think you can compare the UK and US Life on Mars. The UK show was original, gritty, funny and above all... a new idea. Sadly it was set in the grimy sump that was the UK I grew up in during the 70's. -- The cast was good, but has nothing on the US show. Harvey Keitel was born to play Hunt, Jason O'Mara is a much better Tyler than John Simm's and jesus Christ isn't Michael Imperioli just the perfect actor for this show? -- The production quality of this US show is years ahead of the UK one. In short, both great series but, come on, the US one should never have been cancelled. Could this have something to do with the rising costs of using that NY studio. I heard Fringe has moved production to Canada because of it.moreless
I am soooo sick of ABC!!! Why even bother having a network. They are ending so many shows that I am afraid to watch anything new that comes out. It's just one show after another. I've been watching Life on Mars since it started and just when I start getting into it deeper it gets canceled. Eli Stone, October Road, Dirty Sexy Money, Life on Mars.... I mean if ABC can't commit why should we???!!!