Feature by Kate Blake- Admin Multipleverses
News this week that ABC is canceling the US adaptation of Life on Mars has angered many fans of the ABC 
series. The blog TV Series Finale has over 3100 signatures already asking that the show be continued. If you would like to show your support- click HERE and sign the petition!
Want to let ABC know how you feel about the news that your fave show has been cancelled? Send them an e-mail detailing how much you like the series, that you have watched every week and would like to see more episodes. Be polite, articulate and concise. You can send your messages through the ABC website using their contacts page- every message is forwarded to the correct people and they will be read. This is easy and allows you make your opinions heard by the right people.
CLICK HERE to contact ABC.
Personally- Life on Mars is the only show I currently watch on ABC. I will check out Nathan Fillion’s Castle- but the rest of their programming? Well Dancing with the stars is not what this fan of Chuck and Heroes watches and sorry- but American Idol wins out of a bunch of has beens and wanna be celebrities doing ballroom dancing any night of the week.
The US version of Life on Mars is smart, has humor and some outstanding supporting performances from veteran actors Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli. My favorite person on the show by far though is Jason O’Mara. He has brought Sam Tyler convincingly to life in the 1970s and I have enjoyed how he has shown Sam go through all of the phases of disbelief, denial, just plain rejecting his circumstances to now being at a point where he is starting to accept that this is his life in 1973 and that he needs to embrace the strangeness of his circumstances and live in the right now. I loved the recent episode where Sam stopped a man who had been abusing women and killing them more than 30 years before he was stopped in Sam’s time. He saved countless lives by his being there and not giving up on his absolute belief that the slick art dealer was an A-class scumbag killer.
Every week we get nuggets of strange and interesting factoids and points of view that are unique to Life on 
Mars’ Lieutenant Gene Hunt played brilliantly by Harvey Keitel. Keitel is known for his film work- having appeared in films such as The Piano , Thelma and Louise and countless others. He has made a career out playing character spots and he was exactly what was needed to bring some weight to the role of Gene Hunt. Hunt was played in the UK version by Phil Glennister and it was his portrayal that people in the UK loved so much that led to the show being revived as Ashes to Ashes which followed Gene into the 1980s. This week on the US show we got a nod to Phil as the cop bar- which made an appearance earlier in the season- was named Glennisters. Harvey Keitel’s Hunt is not a mirror to Glennister’s- it is his own interpretation of the role. I loved the episodes with Gene and his daughter and how they had to work on understanding each other and forgiving each other. Gene is a hard ass – but he cares. He cares for the people around him and he loves his city and does everything he can to make sure they are safe even when it means crossing the line.
I tune in every week to see what Michael Imperioli will do next and what he will say as Ray Carling. I have to give Michael big props for growing out the most impressive moustache on TV. He was at the New York Comic Con in January and you can see it is real. I loved Michael as Christopher on The Sopranos- but on Life on Mars I think in some ways his character is more complex than Christopher ever was. We saw some really interesting insight a few weeks back when we met his wife on screen. He complains about her- but we saw she is beautiful, talented and sweet beyond belief. I think the complaining masks a man who knows he married a woman who is way out of his league and is terrified of losing her to anyone and anything else. He is afraid of change and takes things out on “No Nuts” Annie all of the time. It isn’t that he has anything in for Annie but sees her as a symbol – he sees women on the job as a threat to his place in life as a man. This chauvanistic attitude is perfect for the time and place and his blue collar cop in the 1970s. I can see Ray today as an old gray haired guy, alone- his wife having left him long ago and his never finding anyone who can live up to her. He is at a bar with a bunch of his cronies, reminiscing about the good old days and giving Hillary Clinton the finger when she shows up on the news from Capitol Hill.
Gretchen Mol plays Annie Norris- the psychology graduate who is working as a glorified errand girl as part 
of the women’s brigade, assigned to the precinct and seen as a nuisance by the squad. She and Sam are drawn together because he values her intelligence and he is from a time when men and women work side by side. He is completely confused as to why she takes the abuse the men dump on her and is always including her in his investigations as a full team member. This doesn’t alwasy sit well with the rest of the team but they are coming around. Even the Lieut Hunt sees Annie’s value when they need a woman to do things a man just can’t. Where is Annie in 30 years? Well I think that when the FBI starts VICAP in the 1980s Annie- by then a detective herself in the NYPD applies and becomes a profiler and eventually moves into a position as a director with the FBI. She writes a book about her career when she retires- it becomes a huge best seller and a TV series is based upon her experiences. She never forgets Sam Tyler and meets him one day and thanks him. He of course has no idea who she is personally but knows her professionally.
If you have missed any episodes of LIFE on MARS you can watch them at ABC.com – they are available in streaming HD. Watch the last episodes of Life on Mars on Wednesday nights after LOST.
Here is the Life on Mars Starter Kit to get you into the show:
Here is the trailer for this week’s episode:
This is our family’s favorite show. Please give it another chance. It is so rare that you find a story that still contains
this much imagination in its plot. Give it another chance!
PLEASE,PLEEEEEASE DON’T CANCEL CHUCK. MY HUSBAND AND I LOVE THIS SHOW. WE LOVE THE PLOTS, THE CLOTHES AND EXPECIALLY THE MUSIC OF THE 70′S. WHY PUT NEW SHOWS ON WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE A GOOD ONE.
SO PLEASE RECONSIDER. THANKS, A LIFE ON MARS FAN
THIS IS THE BEST SHOW ON TV!!!! PLEASE DONT TAKE IT OFF .
By far the best new show of the year. Maybe one of the best on TV period. Outstanding cast, story, writing. You guys hit a homerun and you don’t even know it. You cannot just cater to the simple minded reality TV crowd. That will only last so long. There is a huge audience for creative, well written TV. Give it time and you will see the returns. You have my word. I also think that Harvey Keitel’s character will become a TV icon if you just give it time. Also, have you noticed the large amount of the Hollywood crowd that want to guess star on the show??!! They will be lining up.
It is sad. I hear so very many people comment on how they love Life On Mars, yet that sentiment does not seem to be represented by the number of petition signatures or comments. But the brass at ABC should recognize that this cast nailed the chemistry in the very first episode and never let up. Sometimes it is hard to believe you are watching TV and not an academy award winning film, the acting is that formidable, powerful. The writing became less formulaic with each episode. It just boggles the mind that a time slot cannot be found for this quality show.
please do not cancel life on mars. it is one of several shows we have really come to enjoy on you station. however i will be dubious to watch some of your new programs because when we really start to enjoy them you cancel hem and leave a lot of other programs on that we have no interest in. we enjoy this show and look forward to seeing it onthe air in the future.
Cancelling Life on Mars would be a HUGE mistake. Finally a show with some substance and what does ABC do, yep, cancel it. How many Bachelors do we have to be subjected to? ENOUGH ALREADY. Life on Mars was, and is, a breath of fresh air. It took us back to a time when things weren’t so complicated, and actually fun. I love the music, the clothes, and OMG, Jason O’Mara is just adorable. I know he won’t be unemployed for long. Maybe HBO will pick it up, you never know. Maybe some programmer with some modicum of taste.
LIFE ON MARS FOREVER!!!!!!!!
Are the only shows that we will be able to watch are reality shows??? I hate watching the networks put people’s real pain and anguish as entertainment and then sum it up with a fairytale ending at the end of each episode! That’s why I love Life On Mars! It’s like watching an episode of the Twilight Zone with Detectives each week. I have even started watching the original BBC version. Will someone tell me how the viewers are counted for these great shows that ABC seems so willing to cancel???
Please keep it on. It is so much better than reality tv. I enjoy along with my co workers the plots and the way the setting brings back memories. I love the acting and reminising. Please keep it on!!!!!
LIFE ON MARS was a great lookback to the 70′s. It is an intelligent portrayal of the way things were, things we may have forgotten. Funny at times to think we existed without cell phones and i pods. The story line had and still has great potential for numerous more great shows. LIFE ON MARS was different from the boring sitcoms and reality shows. It had depth and should be given a chance. It is going to be replace by the “unusuals”??? What is that? It sounds like another nonsense show.
CANCELLING THIS GREAT SHOW IS A MISTAKE I WORK FOR THE SHERIFFS AND EVERYBODY LOVES THIS SHOW WHERE I WORK,YOU GUYS GOT PLENTY OF REALITY SHOWS FOR THE DONKEYS, CANT YOU LET THE OLD SCHOOL PEOPLE HAVE A SHOW TO ENJOY.FOR MANY PEOPLE THIS IS THE ONLY GOOD SERIES ON TV ONCE A WEEK THEY GET TO ENJOY.THE ACTOR MIX AND BACKDROPS ARE GREAT.I NEVER HEARD ONE PERSON THAT DIDNT LIKE THIS SHOW.PLEASE GET RID OF THE DONKEY SHOWS LIKE AMERICAN IDOL,BACHELOR AND LETS GET BACK TO GOOD OLD AMERICAN TV.
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW!!! We DVR every week and watch it religiously…the music is awesome and the characters and plots are absolutely the best! It’s our link to the past!
Finally, a really interesting and original show with first-rate acting. There is so much reality-garbage on TV…please don’t cancel Life On Mars! Take a stand, ABC, against the boring shows your competitors air.
Thank you for your consideration.
Let this show find its audience. I started watching it after Lost and it only took one show to hook me. Mindless replacing with boring formula sitcoms is not going to work. How can you beat Kietel and Imperioli in this they are a perfect fit.
Please keep Life On Mars. It is the best show ABC has had in its line up in years
Everyone needs to petition this to try to keep Life on Mars on. ABC really sucks for doing this.
http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/life-on-mars-petition-to-continue-the-abc-tv-show/
Please….ABC has already made up it’s mind. Some other network, please pick it up. You’ve already got an audience for it. Best show on TV, hands down.
Please keep Life on Mars on. There are very few shows that have such a strong story line or interesting characters. How is it that shows like the Biggest Loser can survive, but quality TV goes by the wayside.
It is the best show on TV. Sam and no nuts are good but Imperiali and Kietel are amazing. The music is also great. If you cancel at least have a show that shows us the ending. Canceling will be a hugh mistake.
It is the bsest show on TV. Sam and No-nuts are great but Imperiali and Keitel are amazing. The music is awsome. Canceling will be a hugh mistake. If you do, at least do a wrapup show that tells us if it was a coma or real.
I love this show, please don’t cancel.
I love this show – please do not cancel it. I look forward to watching it each week — it’s different and that’s what makes it so interesting. The cast is great – this show should be renewed.
one of my fav tv shows and i always look forward of the new episodes each week. it’s different and that’s what makes it interesting. i mean come on if i was hit by a car and went back in time and i would the same thing sam tyler would do.
PLEASE, PLEASE, DONT TAKE THIS SHOW OFF THE AIR…IM HOME BOUND AND HAVE NOT MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO. THIS IS THE ONE SHOW I GET EXCITED ABOUT…SO MUCH TRASH ON TV BUT THIS ONE IS GREAT…
One of the only shows on right now to keep you wanting more ! And if you cancel I won’t have anything to talk to Joe R. about. LOL
Please do not take Life On Mars off the air. I was looking forward to many years of enjoyment from this show and would miss it dearly, as I am sure many others would. It is fresh and innovative with many story-line possibilities.
PLEASE KEEP THIS SHOW ABC! I SEE YOU ALREADY HAVE A NEW SHOW TO PUT IN IT’S PLACE CALLED THE UNUSUALS? WELL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL NOT BE GIVING THIS SHOW OUR TIME OR EVEN A CHANCE BECAUSE LIFE ON MARS DESERVES TO BE ON TV! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? PULLING THIS SHOW…WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU GUYS???????????????????????
Please leave Life on Mars on the air. If nothing else ship it to CBS or NBC or any other cable network. It is so like ABC to cancel a good show. They probably would have canceled The Sopranos if it had been on their network. There are so few good shows on tv and now you are taking one of the best that has come around in a long time off. Now we know why ABC is in the ratings dumpster.
NO MORE HOUSEWIFES,NO MORE DANCING WITH THE HAZ BEENS,NO MORE PLEASE DATE ME.
A BLESSING OF REALLY GREAT SHOW,NOW TAKEN AWAY NO DOUBT REPLACED BUT ANTOHER CRAZED CHEFS SHOW.WELL BACK TO CABLE THE FRINGE WHEN IT RETURNS ON FOX.RIP LOM.CZB
WHY OH WHY DO YOU SHOOT US ,THOSE WITH LONGER ATTENTION SPANS THAN 30 SEC. WHO APPRECIATE EXCELLENCE IN CRATIVE WORK? WE RAELY WATCH ABC WE LOVE LOST FOR THOSE CREATIVE THINGS IT BRINGS,WE LOVED PUSHIN DAISIES BUT IT WAS ABLOLISHED FOR WHA<I ALMOST CRY TO THINK. RECONSIDER PLEASE DONT CANCEL. RSB
Please save one of the best shows on Tv and do not cancel
Also, please everyone who posted a comment, contact ABC. I did and requested they not cancel the show.
i cant beleive it they canceled Life on Mars The only show I watch on wenesday night , I record the show so I dont have to watch lost wich I hate now there is on 4 shows I will watch on ABC all week Thanks alot , I enjoyed watching Life on Mars Great Cast And I was in College in 73 and loved looking back in time along with music of the times , every week I could not wait for it to come on . I just hate TV no adays you get hooked into a show and be for you know it it get canceled well all I can say is thanks ABC you did it again
I lok forward to this show every week as much as I do Lost!! Are they crazy? This is a GREAT show…..Please DON”T cancel this show!!
Keep the show going or I’ll stop watching your network completely. I am tired of watching a great show and then it told it will be cancelled. Put the show back on or my family and friends will cancel your network from our remote control. Hey HBO take this show off ABC’s hands. They don’t know what they have until all their veiwers are gone.
I agree with all the aformentioned reasons for NOT canceling Mars. Dramatic and humorous, silly and serious, provocative and reminicant. Mars brings a stream of consciousness non-linear character lesson to party in polyester! Don’t loose this show to obsurity.
SPFD
With so many reality show trash and cookie cutter police dramas, we need a show like this. Life on Mars is one of the few TV shows out there that is truly unique, clever and entertaining. With such an amazing cast and original storyline, It’s tragic that it has been canceled. So here’s hoping that ABC hears our cries and has enough good sense to reconsider and let such a great show continue.
please do not let it end here
I think that the show is smart and very well done. I make time to see it each week. Whats -up ABC????????
Great show keep it going maybe new characters but keep it. Maybe DirectTV can pick it up like Friday Night lights.
Life On Mars is the only show that I seriously can not wait until it comes on! I love the music, the clothes, it truly depecits life back then and brings back some fantastic memories. Those times were amazing, there was so much going on at the time, liberating times I would agree. This shows characters are the perfect, they are a great group of actors and they are doing a wonderful job. I enjoy the lines that Ray and Gene say, they make me laugh and cry sometimes, it is great drama about an interesting time. Nobody has done a better job with life back then until now….
Please keep the show on – it has it all. It shows poeple who in your life and how they stand by you.
Everyone in my house likes this show! Its one of the few we all watch together (actually the ONLY show we all make a point to watch together.) Last night when they announced that it was being cancelled we all knew we wanted to do something about it! Glad to see that this petition is up. I just signed it, and sent a letter to ABC by the link on this page. Everyone should do the same.
PLEASE don’t Cancel this show ABC, you do and ill never watch your station again, Life on Mars is the only thing on ABC I was ever interested in watching. I have been searching the net all week, and have discovered countless sites with petitions for Life on Mar’s continuation. Some sites have 1,000 signatures, others 2,000, 3,000, and 1 with over 11,500.
They are royally dropping the ball on this one. This is a really good show. Great cast and a wonderful mix of drama and comedy. I’m on line for keeping this show going as well.
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?
Thank you.
The best show ever (since Firefly:-)!! It is heartbreaking that ABC has cancelled it. There are so few quality TV-shows out there, and when someone finally make one, it gets cancelled! I don’t want another CSI (which I hate) or hospital drama, Life on Mars is what I want! I get the same feeling for this show as I did with Joss Whedons Firefly, which was also a very loveable show. Life on Mars has humour, good dialogue and characters you know you will miss….
Anja, Norway
I am heartbroken about Life ON Mars being cancelled. Everyone should write to Ellen Degeneris, if anyone can compaign to keep it on the air, she can. She got George Clooney on her show and she is going to be on the cover of “O”. If anyone can do it, she can. Please flood her with this request, as will I.
ABC must have it’s brains somwhere far below it’s head!
I only watch three shows on ABC! Two of them seem to either be for cancellation ( Life on Mars, Ugly Betty ). The other one, Lost almost lost this fan. For awhile the script got so contrived it was barely worth watching. Of all three, this one I feel could be ended within this season easily. However Life on Mars and Ugly Betty could easily last a few more seasons, if not longer. The head honchos obviously only care about neisen ratings. Who are the “nielsens” anyway, a group of brainless nitwits. Since some of the hightest rated shows, are brainless twaddle. That would seem obvious. I had all but given up on network tv a few years ago, than these few shows once again got me watching the boob tube. Now I know why it’s called that!