ABC cancels 'Life on Mars'

Nellie Andreeva reports:

ABC's "Life on Mars" won't return for a second season.

The network has decided not to renew the series starring Jason O'Mara as 2008 Detective Sam Tyler working as a cop in 1973 New York.

The series, from 20th TV and ABC Studios, will complete its 17-episode freshman series order with the season finale written as a series finale that will wrap the loose story ends, explain how Tyler got transported back in time and (maybe) bring him back to his own time.

"Mars" enjoyed strong support from ABC brass and was slotted in some of the network's premiere slots, Thursday 10 p.m. after "Grey's Anatomy" and Wednesday 10 p.m. after "Lost."

Still, the show, based on the British series of the same name, didn't click with viewers.

With its serialized nature, many considered "Life" to be better suited as a limited series the way it aired in the U.K.

In its current ABC incarnation, "Life" was created by Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg.

The series, filmed in New York, boasts one of the strongest acting ensembles on TV with O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol.

UPDATED: TV survival status report

Comments

[Sarah]

Why does ABC cancel the intelligent shows (Daises, Dirty Sexy Money, Life on Mars) but keeps the crap? (Private Practice, WipeOut, etc)

[smokeybear]

That's too bad. :(

[Chuddy]

Seems to me like the spot behind lost is kind of a deadzone where nothing lives. What was that awful show behind it last season? It had the guy from trainspotting..it's that memorable.

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[shari]

We LOVE Life on Mars!! Don't do this to us, ABC!! You are making yet another stupid horrible decision!! Keep Life On Mars alive!!!

[john rad]

Bummer! Maybe they will replace it with "Gainers", a new series followup on the Biggest Losers as they gain their weight back.

[Bryan Bennett]

Not too surprised here. Life On Mars never garnered a big audience on broadcast TV or on the web. We have 200+ TV show applications on Facebook and Life On Mars only has ~2000 fans after 4 mths. compare that to 90210 that has ~10,000 over same time frame. Demographics play a role, but probably not to that extent.

[Ellen]

Trash like Private Practice stays, but a great show like Life on Mars gets canceled? Write to ABC. Tell them you won't watch the network at all, or at least none of their new shows. Tell them you won't let them sucker viewers again. THEY move good new shows around, don't promote them, and put them on hiatus, which almost always kills shows. If they don't hear from us, why would they change anything This is a show worth keeping, but they've killed it. Don't let it go without showing ABC that it DID have an audience after all.

[Heradite]

@Sarah:

People watched the crap, and didn't watch the intelligent shows. What...do you want ABC to go bankrupt just to give you one more season of those intelligent shows?

@Ellen:

All networks do that Ellen. And second...I don't think ABC cares about you unless you have a Nielsen box. And even if you do...well their ratings won't change anyways.

[Curtis]

No surprise since it originated as a BBC show that had a planned limited run. I've watched some of the other limited series (maybe instead of a mini-series we call them maxi-series?) that had a definite end point. I think it lets all the creative people involved get more invested since they can tell proper stories that don't have to continue indefinitely.

The BBC "Life On Mars" was never intended to run forever and the ABC one shouldn't have been either. It sucks, but I'd rather watch quality shows than most of the drivel that's out there now.

[Pamela]

Love LOM. I am soooo sad to see it go, please reconsider!

[david]

I'm sorry guys. I should have learned not to watch new shows. If I watch it and like it, it dies. If I watch it and hate it, it is a hit. If I ignore it chances are I'll catch it in reruns 5 years later and eventually start watching it in real time in its 6-10th years.

[Carol]

I am really bummed to hear this. I LOVE watching "Life On Mars" and haven't missed an episode. Began watching on Thursdays after "Greys" and continued watching when it moved to Wednesdays. I don't watch "LOST" so I tune at 10 PM just to watch "Life on Mars." It is the only show that I watch from ABC on Wednedsdays.

This is a show I can really get into and feel that I am mesmerized by and can't take my eyes off from for the entire hour!

If you are able to change your mind, please reconsider keeping this show on!!!

[Rockets]

What the heck?!!! This is by far the best show on tv. I'm not one to ever watch a weekly series, frankly I don't have time. But this show keeps me very interested, and if I miss it i watch it online (even a few times to catch all detail). I'm not surprised ABC would cancel a show with an incredibly talented cast, great sets and interesting story lines. It is all contributed to what so many call "the dumbing down of America". Well, ABC held me interest there for a little while, but not anymore. Kill this show and you kill my viewership of this station. It's just wrong.

[Rockets]

Another note, I can watch it or listen to it online while I work. I love this show and am so bummed they are pulling it. ABC needs to shake the coconut headed managers the heck out of their trees.

[jim wisniewski]

I LOVE Life on Mars........I beg ABC not to cancel!!!! The show is evolving into a
truly original program........and the Actors are amazing!!!!!

[Tallie Vuckevic]

I, for one, am very disappointed with ABC. Life on Mars has the best acting ensemble on tv.
How many episodes of Wife Swap & Bachelor can we watch? Where has good tv gone?

[sam from poland]

why?????? :(((((((((((

[ShMike]

It's rather bittersweet. Keep in mind that by ending this show now, they don't have to drag it on with various filler.

In the UK, the series ended on a rather sad note... *spoiler* he goes home, realizes he'd rather be back in the 70s and kills himself, only to find out later in the next series that he dies unexpectedly in the past as well *end spoiler*

Hopefully this time around the series ends in a more positive manner as not ALL of the UK plot lines are used in this series.

Just be thankful this series gets a proper sendoff unlike other recently canceled series *cough* My Own Worst Enemy *end cough*

I look forward to the DVD release!

[sharon Atsab]

It is so sad that this excellent show is being canceled. Oh well, I just won't be watching channel 7 anymore.

[Jorge B]

I am so sad you guys are making a big mastake. Thats the best tv show now, You guys have no idea on tv shows. You are the biggest losers now.

[Sam Tyler]

You guys suck.

[Yoli]

I absolutely LOVED this show. What a terrible loss.

[DSG]

What A Shame The most intelligent and interesting show on television gets cancelled. The only show on ABC on Wed that I watch. Please reconsider!!!!!!!

[Tricia]

I really enjoy watching Life On Mars. Why cancel such a good show? havent we had enough shows about medical life and the Bachelor? I'm simply bored with it... ABC should definitely reconsider.

[Felicia]

I am SOOOOO disappointed yet again with ABC!! ABC cancelled "Pushing Daisies", "Eli Stone" and now the best TV show in a long time "Life on Mars". PLEASE reconsider and bring it back. I am tired of the mindless reality shows! I grew up during the 70's and I love the nostaglia the show brings not to mention the great acting-Bring Back "Life on Mars"!!!

[steven]

They cant get rid of life on mars. Just when we all start to love a show it ends up getting killed by the network. Same goes for knight rider. I still have no clue when prison break returns. Prison break hasnt returned since new years.

[DJMom]

My husband and I love the show. It is so interesting, has a new spin, and I love the 70's! I really hope another network picks it up. We are tired of the same old cop show!

[Joan Heagney]

I watch TV only online. ABC has the best online accessibility. I actually watch the commercials because they are so short. This series is the most intelligent and interesting series I have watched in recent years.
And it's being canceled? Surely some other network can develop their online TV as well as ABC and pick up the characters. These are interesting stories and characters I want to continue seeing.

[JTS]

Another great show, another cancellation. Doesn't ABC get it? There are people out there who don't want to watch the stupid sitcoms or reality shows. Each episode of LOM was terrific, the actors were great. I was hooked on this show from the beginning and I am very sad to see it go, in fact, I'm angry at ABC and will not give them my ratings after the last episode.

[Melissa Jackson]

keep life on mars.....great show, even better actors and storyline.
keep ABC or someone pick it up!!!!please

[Disappointed]

I'm really bummed that ABC is cancelling this show. Super cast and great story line. It's a shame that so many of the "hits" these days don't require any brainpower. It was nice having a show that I could watch that reminded me what it was like in 1973, when I graduated from high school, too. Don't know why I bother watching a show like this anyway; they are always cancelled and replaced with some mindless reality show or soapoperaesque drivvle like Private Practice or Grey's Anatomy.

[Jen]

I'm soooo disappointed!!! Life On Mars is such a great show. Its the only show my husband and I watch together. The cast is incredible. Is anyone thinking at ABC???

[DocF]

My wife have followed Life on Mars since it first aired. We both love it and don't understand why it is being canceled. Maybe the cast can reunite in the future for a big screen movie or different series.

[PAT]

I CANT BELIEVE SUCH A GOOD SHOW (WITTY, ENGAGING AND SO PERFECTLY TIME SET) IS CANCELLED SHAME ON ABC F

[linda caddick]

Good thing NBC didnt cancel Conan O'Brien when he had a rough start huh? Not that LOM had a rough start...in fact its been great from the beginnig and sadly to the end....Private Practice is one of the most worst shows on....CANT BELIEVE it has made it this long!!! LOM brings back great memories for most of us and is kind of like the "Giligans Island" of this generation...love to watch them try to get home but glad they dont because it would be over!! If there are any of you in the boardroom with any pull....reconsider.....maybe it wasnt marketed enough.......Its a great show....love the actors!!!

[Evinde]

ABC this is a terrible terrible mistake, finally a real show ocmes on and you decide to snatch it away? I loved all the characters and it's so original. the songs are great and really add to the show. I am so sad, this is my favorite show, it's so amazing. Please reconsider!

[Karen]

WOW, loved this show. The first year CHEERS was on they were dead last in the ratings, then 10 years later.....I know it was NBC not ABC but hopefully point taken. LOVED THIS SHOW. Too bad.

[Kendall]

Hope it gets picked up by cable. This show would rock even more on cable.

[MACK]

This is a Very good show. I look forward each week to watch this show, and now you are telling me it is being cancelled. What a shame. This show was funny, clean and interesting to watch. I guess clean and funny isn't what ABC wants us to watch.
I will stop watching new shows on ABC......you will just cancel the good ones. Why waste my time.

[Patti]

I am sooo disappointed that Life on Mars is being canceled. A great, intelligent and funny cast; great story line; great music. What's not to like, it's the 70's. With all of the stupid reality shows on TV today, is was a pleasure to watch a great show like Life on Mars. ABC should be ashamed for canceling this show! Intelligent people like to watch TV too! Not everyone wants to watch reality shows.