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.
This is the ONLY thing on TV I watch. Graduating high school in 1973, it has everything I remember from that time, from the clothes to the furniture and dialect. How many of you, at the end of the March 18th show, sat there with your mouth hanging open when Ray and Chris were shot? If that isn’t writing that will get your attention, I don’t know what is. We have involved ourselves in a series that not only makes us care about Sam and his quest to figure out how he got to 1973, but also his relationship with… Read more »
I think abc SHOULD rethink this show, before they cancel it!!!!Of course one of the best shows in a long time and you are giviing it the axe!!!Wrong move!!!They always take all the great ones off!
I absolutely adore this show. It takes me back to a kinder, gentler time, and brings back memories so near and dear I want to cry. Finally, something innovative, creative and cutting edge, so naturally it gets axed. Guess it requires too much thought and imagination for today’s audiences.
Please reconsider renewing this awesome, classically different series. Other networks out there, are you listening?
Noooooooooooooooo………… Going slit my wrist now.
Cancelled? ABC, are you people on crack? GRRRRRRR…
Well now I have no reason to even turn abc on I will stick with the other networks or the cable network that picks it up.
I am pretty distraught, I watch Life On Mars every week. The actors are great and it has an interesting plot. I think that ratings can be a bit skewed because I watch the show on abc.com and that does not gyet added on. Sorry Britany, I am not going to boycott abc, I watch Greys Anatomy.
that is (was?) such a great show. I am heartbroken.
how can such a creative, different series be killed because everybody else is watching a by-the-numbers, no-writing show featuring, for the gazillionth time, a bunch of loser signer wannabes.
looks like one again, uninteresting crapfest shows beat quality TV.
I’m very disapointed in ABC. This is one of three shows I watch on their network. It takes season after season to wind down the never ending “make it up as we go” or “smoke some more weed and write another episode” series LOST. (I like LOST but it’s begining to get on my nerves.) and you can close this great show in one fricken season. Let LOST get FOUND and keep this series on the air! It’s ABC’s own fault…switching it around, gone for two months… Send some TARP money their way because they are just as big of… Read more »
This is the best Show on TV. Please dont Cancel!!!
I have been a fan from day one and I am so upset that the show will end! I can only hope that they will not let us fans down again with the final episode!
I can’t believe they are cancelling this show! What a different approach to a drama series, not your everyday cop show. And I can’t say enough about Harvey…he is so great in this series, he really brings it! I believe ABC is making a wrong move.I will miss you Sam, Ray, No Nuts, Gene you were all great, hope you all can continue with another series, maybe on another network!!!
I am so disappointed!
What an amazing idea that could have run years given the opportunity to gain a toe hold. I so believe that networks are their own worst advisors.
I refuse to watch ‘reality TV’ (garbage) and was delighted to have found something that captured my imagination and I looked forward to watching. Never missed it.
I think the network made a huge error.
I use my DVR for 3 shows, this was 1 of those 3. It’s probably just way cheaper to put on a “reality” show where you can use some dummy as a host, and you don’t have to try to hire anyone with any creative talent to write, or any acting talent either.
What a great disappointment that Life On Mars will be dropped by ABC. The show was unique, quirky, and engaging. If you’re a fan of such a series you’re bound to have the rug pulled out from under you. Eli Stone, My Own Worst Enemy and Pushing Daisys are just three other recent shows that were so much fun to watch and which couldn’t crack the mainstream. I refuse to get into any new series. I’m done.