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.
PLEASE EVERYONE write to ABC at the address below and tell them what you think of them cancelling LIFE ON MARS:
http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html
I am so disappointed this show [‘Life on Mars’] is leaving TV. I thought it was very fresh, new, and different from other shows. It’s a shame because it seems like there are always so many shows (in general) on television anymore and there’s so much inconsistencies with air times (because all these shows need to be aired) that no one really has a chance to grow on any one series. I just thought I would voice my opinion because I really liked this show – it was funny, dramatic, and very interesting/addicting. Thanks for the one season I guess… Read more »
I LOVE Life on Mars! Reminds me of the best years of my life–my childhood. The idiots who run ABC have SO MUCH CRAP on the air and then they cancel one of the very best shows on ANY network? This makes NO sense.
As usual, another good show gets cancelled while mindless dribble stays on the air. Way to go ABC.
I was 10-years-old in 1963 and had forgotten the wonderful world of 1973 until I got hooked on this show. I not only love the writing and directing, but the small details they put in every show make me smile. I love the clothes, cars and songs in every episode. P.S. Sam Tyler is a FOX!……….
i guess greed is the word of the day. 5.5 million watchers is not enough to keep a good series going? shame, it was one of the few shows i liked to watch- good cast, good stories, and good lines, what else do you want?
Just like ABC to cancel an Original show…this is why I prefer to watch other stations that aren’t afraid of being different. Reality shows are ruled by people who prefer to watch others wallow in their own shame, the type of people who usually don’t pick up a good book every once in a while just to stimulate the imagination.
Way to go ABC. This is a perfect example of why ABC, NBC,and CBS are
becoming irrelevant. I couldn’t believe it when I first watched this show, that
such a captivating series could be airing on a COMMERCIAL NETWORK!!!!
HBO needs to pick this one up. Just like “The Sopranos”, each episode ending
had me wanting more. OK you network retards, keep the Charlie Sheens,
David Spades, and Ray Romanos of the world, busy with your mindless comedies.
I’ll stick with the satellite channels.
P.S. – This cast is/was AWESOME! Not only is Jason O’Mara great in the leading role, but ALL of the supporting cast are perfect in theirs, especially Harvey Keitel & Michael Imperioli. What a shame!
UNBELIEVABLE! This is the best show that has come out in I-don’t-know-how-long and they cancel it?! It’s also one of the VERY few that my husband really likes, too, and will watch with me. WHY do the networks keep doing this with new shows? Go and check your history, all of you overpaid, Gen-X brats with degrees and no insight or patience! Lots of TV series that became major hits took awhile to gain an audience. This is beyond disappointing… 🙁
my god! this was truly one of the only shows that i actually looked forward to watching every week! i cant believe abc is doing this. abc, you suck! why, with a show that has such a great story line must they end it so abruptly? how are they gonna cram all those answers into a 1 hour show? i am so dissapointed…
Here we go again…another reason why we should be watching Fox, HBO, etc. I’m not a big TV watcher..I have a few shows that watching religiously and Life on Mars is one of them….mind you the only one on ABC. Great going ABC-cancel another great show!
I cant belive this..Of all the crappy shows out there they want to let go a GOOD one..I am so upset..I finally found I rare show I atually like that isnt stupid and they dump it..
ABC is terrible, terrible, terrible for doing this. I can’t believe it. My boyfriend and I love this show! I think the show is consistantly good every week! I wish HBO would pick this show up instead. I hate you ABC…you suck and I will never watch another ABC show again ever! I hope NBC eats you alive.
What is going on? For the first time in years, I actually looked forward to a night of TV. Now, I’m going to be tortured by more reality nonsense that I cant stand. What a great show with great characters and a fun & creative storyline. But why would ABC keep a show on the air that actually lets people forget about their lives for a night and enjoy… I’m with everyone else- no more ABC for me. I’ll just read on Wednesday nights. By the way, you should of never cancelled Battlestar galactica 30 years ago either- do we… Read more »