To no great surprise, ABC has opted not to order a second season of their Wednesday night drama, Life on Mars. The show was one of the most anticipated of the season. So, what happened? Will viewers be left hanging or will the show’s mysteries be resolved?
A remake of a UK show of the same name, Life on Mars follows Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) , a modern-day NYPD detective who’s investigating the abduction of his girlfriend (Lisa Bonet) by a serial killer. After being hit by a speeding car, Tyler wakes up in 1973. While trying to figure out what’s happened to him, he ends up becoming part of his precinct in the past. Is he in a coma, insane, or a true time traveler? The stand-out cast includes Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Dominick Mancino, John Cenatiempo, Chris Miskiewicz, Tom Stratford, Matthew Cowles, and Tanya Fischer.
The series debuted on October 9, 2008 to a solid 11.33 million viewers and a 3.8/10 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. Unfortunately, the numbers fell significantly in the second week, to 8.22 million and a 2.5/7 — a loss of 25% of the total audience. The ratings for the next five episodes averaged just eight million, sinking to a low of 7.77 million and a 2.5/7 rating/share on November 20th.
Mars then went on a two month hiatus, which is essentially like a death sentence for any serial drama. As expected, when the series returned at the end of January, following Lost, the numbers got even worse. For the past four weeks, Mars has been averaging a terrible 5.5 million viewers, hitting a low of 4.63 million and a 1.6/4 rating/share.
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As expected, ABC has decided to cancel the series at the end of its 17 episode season. On the positive side, it’s being reported that the producers have time to make that last episode an actual series finale. Though there are many outstanding questions that need to be answered, it looks like most of them will be answered. ABC Entertainment Group President Steve McPherson told TVWeek, “We felt it was the right thing to do for the producers and the fans and creatively.”
Of course, whether ABC actually gets around to airing the episode remains to be seen. Considering that fans are still waiting to see the final episodes of Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, and Pushing Daisies, the network’s track record isn’t so good.
For now, the plan is to continue airing the series though the March sweeps period, with Mars finishing on April 1st. Let’s hope that actually happens and it isn’t some twisted April Fool’s joke from the network execs.
Image courtesy ABC.
i actually enjoy watching this show.. damn
This is huge mistake!! My husband and I are extremely busy during the week, but this is one show we never miss. The series has been increasing getting better this season and it’s a real shame that we will not get to see these amazing actors take their characters any further. This was the only ABC show I watched – maybe this “good show” didn’t fit in with the other crap they have to offer!! Back to Fox and NBC I guess!
really good shows are so rare…….this show had it ALL…i’m so disappointed…..what is this world coming to..it’s getting harder and harder to fine a reason to even turn the tv on………………………..
I absolutely love this show, but it seems that anything that is remotely good gets yanked out to make room for rubish. Does anyone know if yhere is a dvd release in the future?
Bull ****!
I was very dissappointed to learn that ABC has not renewed ‘Life on Mars’. This is one of the few shows that I will allot time out of my busy schedule to watch…simply because I enjoyed it! Imagine that, looking forward to a TV show that you really enjoy watching and look forward to seeing. The characters were fantastic! Mr. Keitel who plays Lt Gene Hunt…I loved his character as a tough guy! Mr. Imperioli who play Det Ray Carling is an asset to Lt Hunt’s character. Ray had the ability to put a little ‘tabasco’ sauce on the 70’s… Read more »
Why are you cancelling this show, I loved it. If you had not taken it off the air for so long you would not have lost so many viewers. I checked my TV Guide everyweek looking for it to come back and I was soooooo happy when it did. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb
Unbelievable. The one good new show this season is prematurely aborted. What a waste. I wish this decision could be reversed, and the show be promised to us for years to come! I am so sad it’s ending. What is ABC thinking? I LOVE this show.
don’t end life on mars it is a good show
Dear ABC Executives, Chairmen & Program Directors: You have really dropped the ball on this one! What are you going to replace LOM with: Better offTed, Castle or some faux reality show? These are bottom-of-the-barrel selections while Life on Mars is the top! What’s the real reason for this fabulous show’s early demise? Someone not kissing ass enough? It is mind-boggling that ABC would consider cancelling this so soon. It’s your fault that you put LOM on hiatus and then switched the day and time. That’s just another tactic on the part of you “executives” to kill a thought-provoking, enjoyable… Read more »
Is there still a chance for “Life on Mars” to continue?
It is an awesome show. It took me back to the 70’s. Sam Tyler is GORGEOUS, the cast is excellent. Where else can you see Keitel and Imperiole in their New York BEST?!
Please, someone tell the ABC executives to get a real grip of what is finally GOOD and taseful programming!
ABC – Absolutely Bull Crap
Life on Mars is one of the most interesting, entertaining and enoyable shows I’ve seen in a long while. Figures ABC would cancel it. Can only imagine what crap they’ll put in it’s place.
yeah man, **** abc. i watched this show religiously. it is so good! the characters are all so perfect for the show, and the development was coming along so nicely. the episode i watched before i found out about the cancellation was the best time i’ve had watching tv in a while. it was the one where annie disguised herself as that dead chick. so much comedy and drama, i loved it. now i’m just sad/pissed off at abc. i hope another station picks it up and it can be saved. GO FOX!
What a bad decision abc is making. Always keeping the crap and doing away with good stuff. The abc executives are idiots — maybe that’s a requirement to be an abc exec. Let’s see how long it will take you to get rid of Better offTed — morons
What a riduculous mistake to cancel “Mars”. Please Fox….if you see this do not cancel “24” and become like the Anything But Care (ABC) network to real fans. Soon ABC will be joining General Motors, AIG and others with a hand out for help. Their executives are as stupid as the forementioned companies. ABC go the way of the Edsel !!