ABC have released a handy "starter kit" for their upcoming remake of the BBC's Life On Mars, starring Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel (see above). The original pilot was uninspiring dross, but the show has been heavily recast and switched from L.A to NYC. Ignoring the preview video's rather irritating voice-over and slightly patronizing tone, it looks grittier and the '70s vibe is clearer. I'm fascinated to see what Keitel does with the Gene Hunt role, and Gretchen Mol should be good as the American version of Annie Cartwright.
There's also a 2-minute preview of the moment Sam gets hit by a car in 2008 and is transported back in time to 1973 (which amusingly tweaks the "mobile phone" gag for American ears), and the full trailer to give you a broader taste of the concept. It generally seems like a funkier, funnier take on the BBC original. But trailers are often deceiving. What does everyone else think? Is this remake doomed to fail, or will the US version actually improve on the British formula?
Life On Mars premieres 9 October on ABC.
