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SOPRANOS’ Michael Imperioli
Discovers ABC’s LIFE ON MARS!!

Anyone else... by anyrandomhero	Jul 2nd, 2008 09:07:33 PM
a little pissed at how they killed chrissie off in the sopranos? i would have loved to see him and laugh at his angry rants in the war with phil leotardo
You don't know what side of October Road you belong on! by Big Bad Clone	Jul 2nd, 2008 09:16:34 PM
Caught just a fraction of this shit fest and had to suffer through the constant commercials. It got to the point where I would say "October Rooooaaaadddddd!!" whenever it came on during a Lost commercial break. I now have the lung capacity of a Spanish soccer announcer.
Looks like shit by badboymason	Jul 2nd, 2008 09:23:57 PM
Seriously, unless the lead guy has some serious hidden acting chops - from the trailers he looks like a meathead. one of the points about Simm's version of Sam Tyler was that, while not being a pussy, couldn't stand up to too well in a fist fight - the main contrast was about the 70s guys using their fists and cracking heads, while the slightly meek Sam used his brains to figure more out... casting a guy who looks like a footballer kind of defeats half the point.
American Remakes by Ladonite	Jul 2nd, 2008 09:42:12 PM
I don't get it... don't you yanks understand a British accent? I mean, I'm Canadian, and I can keep up with original (and awesome as hell) version of Life on Mars. The Office worked, but this... I watched the pilot with a lump in my throat. Then it came out and I spewed everywhere. Short story even shorter, it sucks. It has no feeling, no sense of... anything. Colm Meaney is good, but not in this.
And seriously by Ladonite	Jul 2nd, 2008 09:44:40 PM
The word was that they held out on production so they could get the best actor? What happened with that? This guy's got as much emotion as a bag of rocks. And I've had a heart to heart with a bag of rocks, those bastards are pretty soulless. We'll see. If the show gets better within the first few episodes, I'll give it a shot. Ashes to Ashes (the Life on Mars sequel) got pretty good by the end of the season, so I'll give these guys the same chance.
They said you made #2 on yourself, Christo-PHUH! by James_O'Nasty	Jul 2nd, 2008 10:31:21 PM
Will Ade be there? Oh, wasn't she killed after "Joey" tanked?
Awful by Ferris Beer-ler	Jul 2nd, 2008 10:33:28 PM
This series will be awful. The creatives are great but the pilot is being completely re-done because everyone else has no idea what they're doing. I've seen it and it's all one big mess. Don't bother getting attached because it won't last long.
here's the situation, talkbackers by Ferris Beer-ler	Jul 2nd, 2008 10:35:42 PM
David E. Kelly and head honcho Steve McPherson got in a huge fight about the pilot David did, and that's why he left ABC. Now they are changing it from the deeply dark pilot David E. Kelly did to some stupid series that can't decide if it's a comedy or a drama; they are shooting 13 episodes no matter what but don't expect to see more than 1 or 2.
So David E. Kelly's off the show now? by Bill Clay	Jul 2nd, 2008 10:49:50 PM
If his idea of an American version of LOM was just a shot for shot remake, good riddance! Get somebody in there who will give us an American 70's cop show, not a watered down "The Sweeney" with US actors.
So he's replacing Colm Meany? by Bungion Boy	Jul 2nd, 2008 11:11:59 PM
That's a shame. I didn't see the leaked pilot. I heard it was terrible. But I liked the idea of his casting. I liked the british series quite a bit but there is no need for an American version. The Brit series started running a little thin with only 24 episodes.
Interesting choice but... by aversiontherapy2	Jul 2nd, 2008 11:26:26 PM
They're doing this all wrong.
No he's not replacing Colm Meany... by Paul T. Ryan	Jul 3rd, 2008 12:43:30 AM
As I understand it (having not seen the leaked pilot) the character of Ray Carling wasn't in the original ABC pilot (honestly, wtf???), but he is in the BBC series. This is the first bit of interesting news I've heard with this project. Still not enthusiastic though... The original was amazingly rich, exciting and witty. A very high bar has been set for this remake.
On the plus side by ThrowMeTheIdol	Jul 3rd, 2008 12:48:45 AM
"to some stupid series that can't decide if it's a comedy or a drama" That pretty much sums up the second season of the UK version of Life on Mars.
It can only get better... by Wogga Wogga	Jul 3rd, 2008 12:58:24 AM
... as they can probably not make it worse than the leaked pilot, which was DOA. Was hoping they'd replace most of the cast, as most of them were horrible. But maybe that was just the awful script/setting? Unless they make all of them flamboyant homosexuals, it should be a step up.
This is absolutely going t o blow chunks. by AnnoyYou	Jul 3rd, 2008 01:38:53 AM
No disrespect to Imperioli, whom I admire, but really - the guy they got to play John Simm's character is a big pile of nothing, and this is going to deep-six this remake ASAP. Isn't David Milch working on something like this over at HBO? Anyway, I wish to God American producers would leave wonderful British series ALONE. First this, then Gavin and Stacey - the US Office is the exception, not the rule.
Any word on when The Sopranos is finishing up on A&E? by Shermdawg	Jul 3rd, 2008 02:12:30 AM
Still waiting on the second half of season six here.
The show's hamstrung... by photoboy	Jul 3rd, 2008 03:08:16 AM
... by being on network TV. If Gene Hunt can't make a racist/sexist/homophobic crack about someone then the character loses all of his impact. The other problem I noticed with the pilot is that they've missed the subtle double-meanings the dialogue often had.
feculent? by newc0253	Jul 3rd, 2008 03:15:58 AM
good word.
I'd suggest a rewatch if you didn't think Sam could hold by elab49	Jul 3rd, 2008 03:28:04 AM
his own in a fight. There are several - he does fine. He just doesn't use them first, last and only. That being the point of the character. My favourite punch was the joint one on Lee Ross. As for this - unless they get rid of the walking plank that is the lead they may as well forget the whole thing.
This will never work. Shame for Mr. Imperioli. by V'Shael	Jul 3rd, 2008 05:05:47 AM
Like wassername, (Drea De Mateo?) going on to "Joey" this is just heading for a series which tanks.
The original was 16 episodes. Not 24. by V'Shael	Jul 3rd, 2008 05:12:52 AM
If you thought the original was getting thin after 24 episodes, maybe that's because you watched 8 of them twice? And you thought that was okay, because 4 years of LOST watching has desensitized you to plots that never move forward? (/kidding)
Take a peek by Aeronaut	Jul 3rd, 2008 05:48:06 AM
As a big fan of the untouchable original, I'll take a peek at the US version. But who is going to be Sam's wacky neighbour?
not a fan of remaking quality shows by palewook	Jul 3rd, 2008 06:17:36 AM
they should have just ran the original rather than remaking this.
Ruven76 by Papa Lazaru	Jul 3rd, 2008 06:22:40 AM
Colm Meaney and Jason O'Mara are not Brits . They are Irish . Just thought I'd point that out. Its true , us Irish have a major chip on out shoulder over stuff like that. A chip it may be , but it is certainly a justified chip , if there is such a thing.
Recasting the show after the pilot??? by Lenny8	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:02:29 AM
NEver a good sign.
The Sopranos... the Sopranos.... by Series7	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:09:35 AM
Why does this name not ring a bell? Hmmm hmmmm OHH yeah thats right I'm not over 30 and I don't like to pretend that I'm italian. I love how mobsters are always like these untouchable guys in the states. In Italy, they are the workers, mob bosses own real estate and work construction, and look it too. I was at a nice resturante in italy once in a big mafioso part of town and this group of men, who looked like they just spent the day building something (i don't know what they would be building, Naples Italy doesn't look like its had a new building there since the 70's) and we found out that it was a huge mob meeting. I don't know I just despise the whole concpet of orgainized crime, and gangs. And I hate the glorification of it, and how every yuppie a-hole just loves it. What ever Spader deserved that emmy over 8MM star any day. Even if Boston Legal is probably about as real as Sopranos anyway. The way this is turning out and with the way the Wedding Bells didn't turn out, looks like Kelly needs to keep his ass in the legal relm. He didn't do much for Hockey.
Wait by lovecraftian	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:31:36 AM
I thought there was no Ray? Does that mean that Lenny Clarkes's character will be the "Chris"?--Sigh. Rubbing eyes. They're not going to get this right at all, are they?
No they are not. by V'Shael	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:52:29 AM
They show a distinct lack of understanding about what made the original so great.
Pilot was Horrible! wow by ls420	Jul 3rd, 2008 10:41:12 AM
they better start over, but with the October Road crew behind the show, it wont last 6 episodes
Is420 by lovecraftian	Jul 3rd, 2008 12:17:09 PM
NO kidding. I just saw it. Gross. Talk about ripping the heart and soul out of what was a great show. It wasn't just bad, it was ridiculously awful, and some places, antithetical to the original show.
V'Shael's right by aversiontherapy2	Jul 3rd, 2008 12:25:40 PM
The pilot showed they had no idea what made the original great, and these changes don't change that. Unless they're going in a very different direction, which would be something at least.
Hmmm... by The_Skook	Jul 3rd, 2008 05:03:18 PM
I just watched the US pilot, and felt like I was in my own 'Life on Mars', where everything was the same, but just a little bit different and not quite as good... Hope it works better in NYC, but why bother?
YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY ARMED BASTARDS! by Lenny8	Jul 3rd, 2008 05:53:40 PM
I don't expect that line to be in it.
Why is it still called "Life on Mars"? by Bill Clay	Jul 3rd, 2008 08:42:43 PM
The title "Life on Mars" has a meaning with the UK audience that will be totally lost on US viewers. They need to Americanize the brilliant concept of the original series- a modern day forensics detective dropped back into the stone age tactics of a 70's cop show. This remake needs to be CSI meets Starsky & Hutch, if they want to connect with the US audience. Just refilming the original script with UK actors in an American city will not work.
elab49 by badboymason	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:35:41 PM
OK I could have phrased it better, your point is the point I was trying to make - not that he was a wimp, when it came down to it, he could scrap if needed, but wasnt a big man who you would always bet on winning. That fighting is not his first instinct, and he doesnt look that tough. Either way, casting a guy who looks tough isn't the way to go... Totally agree with the guy who said they should take the essence of the show and make the US version "CSI meets Starsky & Hutch" instead of trying to redo the UK series exactly. And really are they going to keep Michael Imperioli's character called Ray Carling? Ray Carlino anyone?
Sopranos: Definitive analysis of the end by GaryDellabate	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:35:54 PM
Im sure Imperioli will be fine. I don't know if this has been posted already but this blog has been sweeping the internet the last few weeks (at least for Sopranos fans). It really is a striking piece of work and very convincing. Read it and thank me later: http://masterofsopranos.wordpr ess.com/the-sopranos-definitiv e-explanation-of-the-end/
Correct link; sorry by GaryDellabate	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:36:52 PM
http://masterofsopranos.wordpr ess.com/the-sopranos-definitiv e-explanation-of-the-end/
Ok, this is the correct link, sorry again by GaryDellabate	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:38:22 PM
http://masterofsopranos.wordpr ess.com/the-sopranos-definitiv e-explanation-of-the-end/
Ok; the letters keep separating by GaryDellabate	Jul 3rd, 2008 09:39:33 PM
just cut and past and put them together.
Simm and Glenister were offered roles... by Bill Clay	Jul 4th, 2008 12:51:28 AM
...in the US remake. They both said that they were asked to play their original characters in the US version. Am I the only one who thinks that this is insane? Why would you bother to film an American remake with the original UK actors? This fundamental lack of originality or creativity shows why the US version is doomed to failure. BTW, they both wisely turned down the opportunity. Even though most European actors strive to break into the American market, they realized what a mistake a carbon copy remake would be.
Simm and Glenister ... by Shan	Jul 4th, 2008 01:17:24 AM
... Of course they had the sense not to do it but part of me wishes they'd done the original US Pilot just to see how weird it would have turned out - especially if they made them do American accents. The other part of me took that part outside and had it killed.
Colm Meany's been removed... by Bill Clay	Jul 13th, 2008 01:29:56 AM
... from ABC's LoM website. Looks like they are going to recast the role of Gene Hunt. I love Colm, but an American Gene Hunt should be more American. Also, what's up with filling the US LoM with so many Irishmen?

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SOPRANOS’ Michael Imperioli
Discovers ABC’s LIFE ON MARS!!

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SOPRANOS’ Michael Imperioli Discovers ABC’s LIFE ON MARS!!

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SOPRANOS’ Michael Imperioli
Discovers ABC’s LIFE ON MARS!!