Lost in translation

Last night I watched the first (pilot) episode of ABC's version of 'Life on Mars'. As you may recall, this was a phenomenal sci-fi/police thriller from the UK that was followed by an equally amazing semi-sequel 'Ashes to Ashes'. When I first heard of the project to make a US version of Life on Mars I was very skeptical and this trailer really didn't make me feel any different. In fact, it looks bl**dy awful. Unfortunately, US TV men seem to have this mania for re-inventing the wheel and trying to 'cash in' on popular programmes from over 'the pond'. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Some of the more famous copies have been 'All in the Family', which was a toned down version of the controversial 'Till Death Us Do Part'. Toned down? If you have ever seen the original you would understand. There was also the semi-success of 'Sanford and Son', which was a weak copy of the incredible 'Steptoe and Son' and the excellent 'Three's Company' rehash of 'Man About the House'. However, I have always found most US efforts at attaining the critical success of their UK progenitors has been poor at best - 'Dear John' is one example that I recall. Thank goodness they left Torchwood and Doctor Who alone and seem to have given up on 'Top Gear'.In the case of the US 'Life on Mars' I was ready to be disappointed and upset. What a pleasant surprise. With a whole new cast from the trailer and following the original first episode closely even to the look of the main characters and the same names, Life on Mars was very watchable. I am looking forward to the next  episode and that makes it a winner for me. Don't think that all UK TV is good though - remember what I said about Merlin....Well, I did watch the second episode and about 2 minutes of the third before I turned it off in disgust. When one of the main characters asked someone about  a sandwich, I just gave up. What a load of rubbish.The picture at the top is the new cast of 'Life on Mars' - awesome. Here is the first cast - pathetic.

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