I'm afraid the US version of Kath and Kim (the first episode of which was on Australian TV tonight) is really almost unwatchable. It had none of the evilish cutting humour we loved in the original. I didn't laugh once.

See:

"When an OZ remake tanks, it reveals we are not yanks"

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/11/1223145699293.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Just watched Life on Mars. I'm so glad they trashed that earlier pilot. This one was cast better, locating it in NYC made sense and they basically stuck to the exact script of the original UK Series. The WTC towers were an anchor to the 1973 locale bookending this episode with a day and night shot of what existed then which no longer exists. The character of Annie is given a touch more of a feminist streak which will make the character likely more palatable to American audiences. Jason O'Mara does a much better job with a much better script. I'm glad that they have kept the Chris character from the original and Michael Imperioli's hair does a great job. Harvey Keitel is an older Gene Hunt than Philip Glenister's take but still gives the role plenty of vigor. I'll be interested to see if future episodes stick with the original scripts as much. After seeing the original US take on the series, I would hope they would.

When the heck is 30 Rock coming back?