Claire, when it first started here, I saw a lot of comments on TWOP about it being a UK show, and it sounds like they had a better grasp of the concept. And I remember specifically reading that Sam was fearful, as you say! Not just some happy go lucky new camper.

Actually, I think it was brilliant to set it in the US, w/all the hippy vs police activity in the 70’s – but they didn’t have the writers, and mixed up the Keystone Cops with sci-fi, to lose both of them.

“The reason ?Life on Mars? died in America is because it is based on the history of the British police force. Its not a concept that the wider American audience liked as it is something they could not relate to.”

My bad. (I have dyslexia and tend to mix my sentences up)

Another point about the title- the song “Life on Mars” is a reference to male chauvinism as the only nice, sane, rational person in the show is Annie.

It was named “Life on Mars” after the famous David Bowie soge which includes the line “take a look at the law man beating up the wrong guy, Oh man wonder if he’ll ever know” again a reference to 1970’s policing. I personally thought the title was fine for anyone who thought about it (you seriously must be dull if you have to instantly understand a title to even consider watching it.)

The UK version had plenty of male bonding. Also Sam went through a huge range of emotions, fear and anger being the two key ones.

I think the basic problem is that the original Life on Mars was fantastic, but the American adaptation was always destined to fail, considering the whole concept is based on 1970’s England. 1970’s America was a completely different place.

Perhaps American producers should come up with their own shows rather that trying to adapt something completely British to fit their needs.

I have missed The Office, but everyone loves it so much I might have to try it out.

And the main guy in the US version of LOM is rather worth checking out on his own!