Life On Mars

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 9, 2008
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    60
    The show raises questions, and fans of the paranormal will find they're kept open in reasonably interesting ways. The problem is that time-travel shows require a level of attention casual TV viewers don't always want to invest.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: John Leonard
    60
    This is a flabbergasting cast, so far called upon to do not much besides posturing. But my fingers are crossed, and my eyes too.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    50
    Purely as a cop show, Life on Mars is competent but not that compelling, though O’Mara does a fine job as Tyler.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    50
    Despite the prestigious presence of stars such as Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Lisa Bonet and Gretchen Mol, Life on Mars, a new ABC crime drama, comes off as naggingly undistinguished.
  6. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    50
    Jason O'Mara is enormously appealing as the determined but befuddled Tyler....Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Life on Mars' writers, who seem to have been knocked considerably deeper into history than their character.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best TV Season of 2008
12
#12 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 101
  3. Negative: 10 out of 101
  1. PolisKanin
    Feb 8, 2014
    5
    Without the charm of Philip Glenister as Gene Hunt and John Simm as Sam Tyler, the charm of the real series just isn't there. I couldn't makeWithout the charm of Philip Glenister as Gene Hunt and John Simm as Sam Tyler, the charm of the real series just isn't there. I couldn't make it through the first episode, it left me wishing for John Simm. Whether or not theres Life on Mars, theres no Life in this tv series.… Full Review »
  2. AxeT
    Jul 19, 2015
    8
    What a terrific little sci-fi limited series. From the beginning besides the period re-creation and colorful cast, I knew there was a reasonWhat a terrific little sci-fi limited series. From the beginning besides the period re-creation and colorful cast, I knew there was a reason I kept watching and I wasn't disappointed!… Full Review »
  3. KieranDevlin
    Dec 11, 2009
    3
    It has the music, at least, but this remake of Life On Mars UK was entirely unnecessary and extremely poor in comparison to the great It has the music, at least, but this remake of Life On Mars UK was entirely unnecessary and extremely poor in comparison to the great original. I don't need to watch more than 10 minutes before hitting a WTF moment, as something not in the original is included. Maybe I haven't watched enough, but it was genuinely awful from what I saw.… Full Review »
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