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 am so saddened by this news. I love this show. I love revisiting the 70s and seeing the signs of the time and hearing the music. I love the characters, and the storylines. I echo what others are saying, I am hesistant to watch another new ABC show for fear of cancellation. ABC….this is just wrong!
This is SO Sad! I just love looking at Jason O’mara! It’s getting hard to find TV to watch that isn’t “reality” crap…and we all know none of it’s reality, just crap! Many of the sitcoms suck and the only good dramas are on TNT and USA. Thank God for USA or I’d have nothing to watch. I still miss Women’s Murder Club and Moonlight! Where are these networks getting their numbers from! Like I said before, glad to have TNT and USA.
Im so not going to watch any other shows that is made by ABC here in New Zealand. Im enjoying Life on Mars at the moment and hearing about its cancelation really broke my spirit. I mean lets face it, I love the remake, the cast (especially Jason O Mara, he makes Sam Tyler really hot and cute :P) and the whole 70s/08 storyline. Please leave LOM alone!!!!
i will not watch abc anymore even though i was looking forward to castles- whats the point? they will cancel that too!
They need to keep stuff like this on for people who don’t like reality shows and bad comedies. Plus the fact they shoot in New York helps out the local talent.
ABC, whaaaat??? This was the best show on tv this year. terrible decision, but i guess thats why you are were you are. more room for garbage!!!!
I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IF THIS SHOW WAS GIVEN A 9:00 PM TIME SLOT IT WOULD DEFFINITLY TAKE OFF. PEOPLE LIKE THE SHOW,BUT SAY IT COMES ON A LITTLE TO LATE…TO THE EXEC’S AT ABC ..GIVE THIS SHOW ANOTHER CHANCE… ” YOU HAVE A WINNER HERE “, YOU JUST HAVE TO GIVE IT A PROPER TIME SLOT ,MAYBE TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM..NOW THERE’S A GREAT IDEA!!!
PLEASE SAVE LIFE ON MARS……………………………………………………………………..
I think ABC do not have the balls to stick out with life on mars good luck on being dead last in the rating race
For once I found a new show that was intelligent, creative and filled with great music and spectacular acting. Wow – I thought ABC had finally come through with something great in LOM, then it was shelved for 2 months and brought back on another night. Now it’s cancelled, quite obviously leaving thousands of people upset and dismayed. YET, ABC keeps bringing back The Bachelor?????? So more people can be humiliated on reality TV? So what if it get’s ratungs – there are still a strong contingent of people that would rather watch an intelligent drama than that other garbage.… Read more »
Everyone who is a fan of this show needs to write to ABC and tell them we want this show NOT CANCELED! It’s such a great show and it’s ridiculous that it was canceled.
To write to them go here- http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT
If its interesting, different, & appeals to adults, shows never stay on long..If it has 7 year old smart mouth kids, or a dumb ‘comedy’, or a law drama, a medical program it will be on for a very long time. Life on Mars has smartly played characters, how can you not continue this program. At least give it a second season!
DO NOT CANCEL this series! It’s just awesome. As far as the demographics, the posters chiming in about TiVo are exactly right. Lots of us don’t watch at the appointed time and networks need to get a clue. there. i’ve added my 2 cents worth that echoes most of these posts.
I HAVE WRITTEN TO ABC EXPRESSING MY DISGUST AT THEIR CANCELLATION OF “LIFE ON MARS” AND RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALL DO THE SAME!!!!! Maybe with enough complaints ABC will change its mind and keep “Life On Mars” going or at the very least sell this fantastic show to another network or cable.
I so agree with the previous post that mentioned the Neilsen ratings, that is such an outdated way of trying to tell who is watching a show. We all lead such busy lives these days and cannot always watch a show live, we often have to DVR it or watch it online later. I myself watch very little tv these days but I always made time to watch Life On Mars, it was the highlight of my week! Please rethink this decision, ABC, you used to be the best network there was because you used to give your shows an… Read more »
WHAT??!!! I was on this site because ABC Family is not picking up Kyle XY and I see Life on Mars won’t be renewed?
The station is MAD! I actually was not a fan of Life on Mars when I saw the first episode, but after the second one I got hooked. And sure I had to wait like 2 months for a new episode, but I endured. This show is actually really good, please don’t get rid of it!