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February 9, 2012
 
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I love ABC's crazy web promo for Life On Mars

by Jonathan Toomey, posted Oct 9th 2008 2:03PM

Life On Mars web ad
Have you checked out ABC.com at all today? If you do, get ready to be caught off guard. To generate some buzz, the Alphabet network's home page opens up with an advertisement for their new drama Life On Mars and it looks an awful lot like some funky virus just invaded my computer.

Similar to an old MS DOS screen in green block text where you go and enter all those system commands (or the crappy computer that Locke entered the numbers into on Lost), the ad pops up immediately as you load the site and lingers for about 10 to 15 seconds while you freak out about your computer melting down... until you see Harvey Keitel's name. Then you know it's going to be OK.

It's a really fun little gimmick, but I don't know how much help it's going to be in getting more eyes on tonight's series premiere. Last I recall hearing, parts of the pilot were re-shot, David E. Kelley jumped ship, there was all sorts of cast shuffling, and screeners got sent out late to the press (or did they at all)?

Moustache ImperioliBad news like that doesn't bode well for a new series, but it does have the added bonus of being based on the popular British drama of the same name, so who knows? ABC might have a hit on their hands. Any show that has Michael Imperioli sporting a moustache that covers approximately 72% of his face should do great if you ask me.

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13 Comments

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bunsmac

I love the show, But, To see Harvey and Michael not using their trashy talk as other shows they have been on..It kinda seems foolish...I just wish it were on FOX or HBO..So can they can really get down...

October 17 2008 at 6:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jill

I saw the Daily News post also and thought what ABC did to promote this show was amazing. After watching it tonight, I know Life On Mars is going to be the hit of the season and put the UK version to shame!

October 10 2008 at 12:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joey Geraci

How could they replace Colm Meaney with Harvey Keitel! Shame on them!!

October 09 2008 at 5:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Joey Geraci's comment
ner

It's Harvey Keitel! How could they not?

October 10 2008 at 6:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joey Geraci

Oh give me a break!! Colm Meaney beats the pants off Harvey Keitel any day! A big name doesn't mean a good actor!

October 10 2008 at 3:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GiGi26

They are pulling out all the stops! I am in NY and they have a thing on www.nydailynews.com/1973/homepage Its pretty cool... you can see the news for 1973. McCain is on it, Elvis, WTC, the Yankees sold for $10 million, and more...

October 09 2008 at 4:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
George

The fact that they scrapped the original pilot, changed locations and ditched the majority of the cast (none of whom truly *got* the show) is a very good sign. The US version won't be as good as the UK version, but it stands a better chance of succeeding on its own merits. The first pilot didn't *have* merits.

October 09 2008 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carissa

The UK original was fantastic, and the original US pilot (before recasting) was damned closed to it. They used the same script, but some things were changed. I didn't know that then, but watching the commercials for the newer version, it looks like they are more closely matching the characters of the UK version. Yay!

I can't wait.

October 09 2008 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kip

I have high hopes for this show including especially with the two bad lieutenants on tv at the same time.

October 09 2008 at 3:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Miles

I saw it this morning, and I thought it was great. And its the first time I realized Lisa Bonet is on the show. So now I gotta check it out.

October 09 2008 at 3:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Claire

I think it's going to be a really good show. probably the best new show this season. all others have been disappointing. The previews i saw look really interesting and it's getting great reviews everywhere. i guess we'll have to wait and see, but i'm definitely tuning in tonight.

October 09 2008 at 3:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Allen Mendelsohn

10 print "I love TVSquad"
20 goto 10
run

Old school baby! that ABC thing was great.

The reviews that are popping up on the web today are actually quite positive

October 09 2008 at 2:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Allen Mendelsohn's comment
moreartplease

Go BASIC! Back when they thought we would all be programming our own computers...that just made me feel real old.

Haven't watched the show yet, but have a really good felling about it, not sure why. Looking forward to watching tonight. Thanks DVR!

October 10 2008 at 2:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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