U.S. networks have a long history of adapting British shows for American audiences, particularly those with an “everyman” character who is universally recognizable. Archie Bunker from All In the Family, Jack Tripper in Three’s Company, and most recently Michael Scott in The Office – they all began life on British TV but were easily translated for American viewers. A few tweaks here and there to the plot, drop the odd confusing British phrase that would mean nothing across the Atlantic, plonk it in a familiar setting, add a good ensemble cast and hey presto! Job done.
Not Every Crossover is Successful
Except … it’s not always that easy. A prime example of not being able to capture the success of the original has to be the remake of Cracker, the massively popular BBC crime drama starring Robbie Coltrane as Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald, chronic alcoholic, gambling addict, chain smoker, womaniser and amazingly intuitive psychologist. Most definitely not a Joe Public character you see on your average weeknight viewing. ABC did not appear to be prepared to let a man with this many character flaws take centre stage in a prime time drama, so the “toned down” Fitz disappeared off U.S. screens after one series.
2008 vs. 1972 - Where Would You Rather Be?
In the latest raid on the British archives, Life on Mars centres on 21st-century NYPD detective Sam Tyler (Jason O’Mara) who, after a car accident, awakes to find himself back in 1972. Or is he merely in a coma, still in 2008? Or has he simply gone mad? The cars, the clothes, the “we do it whatever way that gets results” attitude of his fellow policemen; the culture shock is literally like finding himself on another planet, hence the title (a David Bowie track). So Sam must try and find a way to get himself back to the present day, while still carrying out his role as a detective using the rather primitive policing methods (no DNA testing or psychological profiling here) of the 1970s. And how can he convince his colleagues, particularly his gloriously Neanderthal boss Gene Hunt (Colm Meaney), he is actually from the future and just wants to go home?
Will It Be Politically Correct, Or True To Life?
So how successfully can ABC remake this much-lauded BBC police drama? As with Cracker, the network will have to do more than simply switch the setting from Manchester to New York. The original Life on Mars worked for two main reasons. Firstly, the 1970s period detail, from the clothes, the cars and the music to, most importantly, the prevailing attitudes of the day, was totally accurate. From smoking and drinking to a distinctly un-PC attitude to both women and criminals, the American version must be true to its time, and not water down any of these aspects for fear of causing offence. This must be 1970s New York in all its unwashed, unreconstructed glory.
Secondly, the relationship between Sam and Gene is crucial. These two aren’t buddies, like Starsky and Hutch, They are policemen from different eras with totally different ideas of the best way to do their job. Gradually they have to learn to work together with mutual respect, seeing things from the other’s point of view, not just endlessly banging heads to try and prove “who’s the better cop”.
If ABC can get it right, not only will viewers have a treat in store Thursday evenings, America, like Britain, may find itself with one of the unlikeliest sex symbols ever, in the shape of the decidedly non-metrosexual Gene Hunt. Ladies, you have been warned! For further information on the show visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars.
