Network: ABC
Episodes: 17 (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 9, 2008 — April 1, 2009
Series status: Cancelled/ended.
Performers include: Jason O’Mara, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Dominick Mancino, John Cenatiempo, Chris Miskiewicz, Tom Stratford, Lisa Bonet, Matthew Cowles, and Tanya Fischer.
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TV show description: Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) is a modern-day detective for the NYPD’s 125th precinct. He lives with his girlfriend, Detective Maya Daniels (Lisa Bonet), who is kidnapped by a serial killer they’ve been investigating. Soonafter, while chasing a criminal, Tyler is hit and knocked unconscious by a speeding car. When he wakes up, Tyler finds that he’s been transported back to 1973.
Confused, Tyler makes his way back to his precinct building where he finds that the surrounding and attitudes are very different. Strangely, everyone at the precinct has been expecting him, thinking that he’s a transfer from Hyde Park.
Sam immediately clashes with his new boss, the irascible Lieutenant Gene Hunt (Harvey Keitel), a man who would rather use his fists than his brains to solve a crime. Eventually, the two begrudgingly become a powerful team — whether they like it or not.
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The other squad members are a unique group. Detective Ray Carling (Michael Imperioli) is a sexist tough-guy, Hunt’s former right-hand man, and a handy guy to have in your corner. Police Women’s Bureau member Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol) is often the smartest person in the room but she’s relegated to menial tasks because of her sex. Tyler often defends her and the two develop a relationship. Rookie Detective Chris Skelton (Jonathan Murphy) is a sweet guy trying to make it in this uncompromising world. He likes Tyler’s modern thinking and begins to emulate it.
When he first arrives at the precinct, confused Tyler demands to know why his computer, desk and chair are missing. The detectives wonder if Tyler has a unique way of establishing authority, is a science fiction fanatic, or both. Once things quiet down, the police delve into a case that strongly resembles the one that Tyler was investigating before his apparent time travel.
Tyler continually tries to figure out what’s happened to him and receives various subliminal messages through televisions, phones, and various hallucinations. Can he find a way to return home, in time to help his girlfriend in peril? Is he in a coma, insane, or a true time traveler?
The series is based on a UK show of the same name that ran for two seasons.
The show has been cancelled.
There are currently no plans to revive or remake the series.
Image courtesy ABC.
I’m so sick of ABC canceling shows that are actually good. This is the best show in a very long time and once again ~ ABC cancels it.
But the Bachelor or another lame reality show will sure be in it’s place.
Nice going ABC. Now I remembered why I stopped watching your channel.
Lame.
Dear ABC Execs: I am an AVID watcher of LIFE ON MARS and think it is the best TV show you have had on in YEARS or ever if that matter. WHY WOULD YOU CANCEL THIS SHOW? Is is because you think young viewers are more important (who are out most nights) instead of us hard working 40/50something viewers? We are the ones who have the money to buy things despite this shaky economy. WAKE UP and keep this show on the air. Do something good for a change and change your mind. KEEP THIS SHOW on and make us… Read more »
It’s too late. The series finale has already been advertised on last night’s episode. The only chance this show has now is if enough people make enough noise and it’s either bought out by a different network, or ABC realizes it made a mistake and they resurrect it as a spinoff like the BBC spinoff Ashes to Ashes. Posting rants and raves on blog boards will not get ABC execs to reconsider because most of them probably have no desire to troll around. They rely on ratings and other factors. You need to contact them directly and POLITELY let them… Read more »
I shouldn’t be surprised, everytime I find a good show it is cancelled. I was shocked last night when I saw them advertise the Series Finale. Life on Mars great show ! Condolences to the cast which by the way was fantastic.
ABC- keep this interesting, adult show with fantastic characters, storylines and the best dry humor on the air!!
This show has the best ensemble cast on television.
This is a great show!! I look forward to watching it every Wednsday night, now it seems that all we have to watch are shows like C.S.I Miami, like we don’t have enough of those murder happens, the cops investigate, they figure it out in about 45 minutes, crime solved. Please don’t take away a show that is actually interesting and unique. I hope that someone will wake up and give this show a chance, I think it could be great!
Becky
Bloody hell. Everytime I start to like a show the studios take it off the air. Why? Poor ratings, give it a chance. Seinfeld and Friends didn’t start off with great ratings. Imagine if these were taken off the air early. We might not have The Soup Nazi, Yada Yada Yada, Helloooooo, and countless other references I make daily. If you want to try out a different show, wait til the season is over and put it on in the summer. Watching the same reruns week after week is intolerable anyway. Jericho was a great show, journeyman as well. They… Read more »
You took my other comment off – I don’t know why. I agreed with Rob C that ABC gets rid of all the “grown people” shows. (He named every single one of my favorites – what is WRONG with you, ABC??!!) I guess we’re not the right demographic. Don’t know why some indie group can’t take it over.
Rob C, I agree with you. It seems like all the shows directed toward “grown” people get cancelled. You named all my favorite shows! Good grief – why isn’t there some underground/indie group to whom ABC can give these shows?
This is the only show on ABC that I watch. The rest of the shows on the network are CRAP. If this series leaves, so do I. Many other viewers will leave as well. ABC, do the right thing and keep Life on Mars as a part of your line-up.
Love this show…… Dont cancel it!!!!!!!
I expected it. Everytime a good quality show comes along, it gets axed and a horrible silly fake reality show replaces it. thanks ABC I wouldnt have expected anything else.
Another great show being cancle by network idiots that wouldn\’t know a good show if it slapped them in the face.CBS did it with Jericho and I hae watched nothing on that network since,now I will do the same with ABC because they are canceling the one series I anxiously anticipate watching each week.
ABC,may all your \”dancing stars\” go super nova!
C’mon ABC-Life on Mars is the best show to come along in quite a while. The cast is riveting and the writing is smart. Give it a chance.