Ashes To Ashes

[Mikey]

I just watched the premier of Ashes To Ashes on BBC America.

I don't dislike like it, but to me it seems like just a remake of Life On Mars.
Almost like the producers said --- Hey, we should remake Life On Mars and set it in the 80's.

I'll watch it if there's nothing else on, but unlike Life, I wont go out of my way to see it.

[samurainoir]

It's definitely not as good as Life on Mars, but being a child of the 80's, I really did get a kick out of it. It is interesting how they do delve into sexual politics more... and for me there was a kind of resonance with shows like Hunter.

We'll see how season two progresses. Like the original BBC Life on Mars I think these things have a shelf life and the British generally seem to have the good sense to get off the stage before things get stagnant.

I'm not sure that the American Life on Mars will have the same luxury, but I am enjoying the New York vibe at has been mixed in as well as the "Starsky and Hutch" or "I Spy" feel that differentiates it from the "Sweeney" resonance of the original British version.

[Mikey]

To me it really didn't have an 80's feel .... like Life had a 70's feel.

Ashes almost seems like it's set today with a few background 80's references.

Even a lot of Ashes background music seemed to be phoned in from an inhouse current band trying to sound "80's"

[johnnystorm]

Agreed- I wasn't as in to this as I was LOM. Maybe it will get better, I dunno. You're right about the non-80s feel. The 70s had a vibe, a look- things still looked old-fashioned a bit, especially in the early 70s like in LOM. The eighties are pretty much a lot like now, but with more pastels and synthesizers.

The clown is annoying, and the constant references to Sam Tyler are too. Gene & crew in the boat was over the top and unnecessary as well. The girl is kind of abrasive, but maybe that will change. I'll give it the full run and we will see how it goes.

And I wish BBC America would stop those annoying "During the break" spots- they serve no purpose, really. Who cares what the actor was thinking when they filmed a scene. Ruins the show a bit as it presents the actors out of character and reinforces the fiction. Same with condensing the credits to show an ad for the same show we just watched!

[samurainoir]

To me it really didn't have an 80's feel .... like Life had a 70's feel.

Ashes almost seems like it's set today with a few background 80's references.

Even a lot of Ashes background music seemed to be phoned in from an inhouse current band trying to sound "80's"

If you watch the rest of the series, the most obvious contrast from Life on Mars is the sexual politics and relationship tension between the two leads (that was a staple of most eighties shows like Hunter, Moonlighting, Remington Steele, Scarecrow and Mrs King etc).

There is some exploration about the protagonist's relative "promiscuity" in contrast with the more conservative sexual attitudes of the 80's. Gene Hunt also has to deal with his attraction for her at the same time he has to deal with "Women's Lib".

[Mikey]

I just watched the second episode.

Mehhh, it's just watchable, imo

I can't believe BBC America is saying CRITICS SAY IT'S EVEN BETTER THEN LIFE ON MARS !!!

What critics are saying this ????

[spotter]

1 word says it for me

eh

i really expected more from it

[The Toyroom]

Just watched the 1st episode....I'll keep watching to see how it turns out.