To no great surprise, fans of ABC’s Life on Mars are quite upset that the network has decided to kill the series after only 17 episodes. Granted, the early ratings weren’t that great but the network didn’t help matters either. Will viewers be given closure or will they and Sam Tyler be left stranded forever in the 1970s?
Life on Mars, a remake of the popular UK series, revolves around a modern-day detective (Jason O’Mara) who is somehow transported back to 1973. He manages to acclimate himself but is stymied as to the how and why of his situation. The series also features Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Dominick Mancino, John Cenatiempo, Chris Miskiewicz, Tom Stratford, Matthew Cowles, and Tanya Fischer.
The drama 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, those numbers didn’t last and Mars fell significantly in its 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.
Though the series was struggling, there was still a chance that things could turn things around. But then, the network put Mars on a two month hiatus. For a serial drama, particularly one with an ongoing mystery, a hiatus like that is essentially a kiss of death. As expected, when the series finally returned in January, lots of viewers didn’t come back. For the first four showings in 2009, Mars averaged a disastrous 5.5 million viewers and hit a low of 4.63 million and a 1.6/4 rating/share.
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This decline caused ABC to pull the plug but, as executive producer Andre Nemec told the LA Times, it didn’t come as a big surprise. He said, “We were struggling a bit with our numbers… It didn’t seem like we were getting that slow, steady climb every week.” Thankfully, the network execs made their decision early enough for the producers to be able to craft an ending for the series.
Nemec noted, “We’ve felt from the beginning that if the show wasn’t going to get its legs for a second season, nothing would have been more of a gift from the network and the studio than to give us the opportunity to find the creative closure a lot of shows don’t get.”
When ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson called with the bad news, the crew was prepping to shoot episode 17, the final installment of the season. Josh Appelbaum, Scott Rosenberg, and Nemec immediately got busy reworking the script. Nemec reflected, “It was heartbreaking to have to write it and simultaneously cathartic to be able to do it.” Production on the episode wrapped last week and it’s scheduled to air on April 1st.
Though the details are a closely guarded secret, we do know that the last episode of Mars begins with Sam searching for his younger self who’s been kidnapped. The story ends in another time.
For those who have looked to the UK version for clues about the show’s final resolution, they should know that it will be significantly different. In the British version, Sam awoke from a coma at the end of the program’s two season, 16 episode run. Applebaum assures, “This could not be further from that.”
He tells TV Guide that the show’s secrets will indeed be revealed — including those about Hyde Park, the precinct he supposedly came from. Appelbaum said, “We will go to Hyde. We will learn what it is and what it looks like.” He continued, “Everything we did is completely justified. It’s one of those endings I believe will make you want to watch the series again, because you’ll see that we’ve given you very distinct clues that will come together.”
Nemec isn’t sure if viewers will be surprised by the resolution but hopes that they will be pleased. He said, “If you’ve been watching the show and paying attention, I think in the last frame you’ll find yourself saying that we didn’t cheat you.”
Image courtesy ABC.
Maybe if they all became doctors, danced and sang each week, were rated by a pannel of 4 judges (because it’s sooo much different than 3) and voted on by text messaging it would still be on…
HEY ABC.. read these opinions and see how it goes.
I think that they brought in new wrighters for the end of the season. Things were just not the sme. The stories were so much more hard to follow and much more violent. I wish that they would of stayed down to earth and worked with what they had….
Guess I can officially strike ABC from my channel guide now! Grey’s has become a sham, nothing else is satisfying…can’t stand the Super Nanny/Bachelor genre. Life On Mars will be sorely missed.
You suck! I really dont like television show these days. You finally put one on and then you cancel it. Back to playing video game I guess. LIFE ON MARS ROCKS
Such a shame, or maybe a sham, that such a great show didn’t get a chance. Why can’t the networks give good shows a chance? Past juggernaughts, for example Cheers, where horrible in the rattings initially. But given time, a good honest show should continue to gather viewers. However, if you don’t have any complementary programing to support the show it will be a tough road. But then again in this day in age when crap TV (reality TV) reigns supreme and the only programs people watch are garbage like this, any show that has 1 ounce of intelligence is… Read more »
I already feel cheated. First you ran 2 episodes in the wrong order. Then you left us hanging for 3 months. Then you up and cancelled a fabulously interesting show. Hey maybe FX or TNT or some other network will pick it up and run with it.
Let’s hope.
What a great series, much more fun and interesting than the UK series which just lacked substance and the reality of making you feel the characters were really there in the 70’s. Sam was gutless in the UK version, Gene wasn’t convincing at all in his roll. That was all changed in the US version where Sam grew a set and did his bit and Gene! well became my favorite character! It’s still in infancy here in Australia, guess I’ll have to watch it online. Where did Windy go? that was such an awesome distraction mucking up Sam’s head, waking… Read more »
Well, this was the only show we watched on ABC, guess we won’t be watching that network anymore. In a way, it’s good we won’t have to see the commercials for the other crappy shows they air. I hope another network will pick this show up, we LOVE it!!
DIdn’t cheat us? You are right you didn’t cheat us.
You snuck up behind us in a dark alley way, beat us up, stole our money, and then pit on us. Good thing is you didnt cheat. Hurrah!
I can’t believe this quality show has been cancelled while all the crap that passes for programming on ABC continues. Give this show a cahnce — many of the really good long running series had to have someone as a champion behind the scenes that kept it on despite the ratings until it gained momentum. Don’t give up on this show — instead give it more publicity. bring it back!!!! Please. The cast is stellar and many of us love it. it’s great to go back to the 70’s. it’s my favorite show.
doesnt that figure: the one and only TV show I watch.
I Can’t believe that Life on Mars is not coming back for a second season. It has been the only show that I have ever watched on ABC- so peace out ABC!
I find it hard to believe that Life on Mars is canceled. It is my favorite show. I don’t think it was given a fair chance. As usual a Tv show really intresting and holds your intrest and off it goes…..Not fair. All of the actors are great in their art. The last episode was really really good. But, I’m so upset the two got shot. Please don’t cancel this great show.
This show is really too good to be cancelled. The characters are great, the actors are maybe the best on TV, the story line is intriguing… I don’t get it. It wasn’t given a fair chance, especially with that two-month hiatus. So please, reconsider.