Level Orange

Reports are in that ABC has cancelled Life on Mars after only one season. However, in a bit of an unprecedented move, the network will let the show wrap up and bring its main storyline–how detective Sam Tyler found himself transported back in time to 1973–to a fitting conclusion. Apparently ABC was pleased the show’s creative spin, but couldn’t continue to back its falling ratings, so perhaps allowing a series finale is a move to reward those viewers that stuck with the show.

Frankly, I’m surprised that more viewers didn’t get into Life on Mars. While it’s yet another British remake and was hampered by a complete revamp before even airing (including reshoots and recasting), I thought there was enough great writing and performances to keep viewers engaged. And while the show revolves around a central mystery, it never went so far into LOST territory that new viewers couldn’t check in and still enjoy it. Maybe that was a mistake on ABC’s part. After all, the show had excellent production quality (and exceptional music selections), but it was nothing like LOST, and perhaps aligning the two shows worked against Life on Mars. Either way, I thought it was a great run and will be happy to see things wrap up.

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Call me lame, but I’ve just now begun watching some great stuff that’s been available on “the pay TV” for some time now. I’ve heard about them, read about them, and while I’m sure most folks have already digested them fully, I was still hungry for a taste. So I only had one other option–rent them on DVD.

The upside to not having cable TV is that I don’t have to put up with all of the crap that airs in between the really good stuff.

I’m talking about shows like Da Ali G Show, Chappelle’s Show and The Office. Having only recently made their way to my television, I’d even dare to say that they’ve made up for the last few years that I haven’t had cable TV.

I used to like the news channels, perhaps even to an unhealthy degree. I still read CNN.com several times a day, but as far as the TV network goes, I can do without all of the talk/panel/pundit programming. That and after seeing what has become of FoxNews and MSNBC–which I have subsequently judged it’s parent companies by–I have to say “no thanks”.

There was always MTV, which while still keeping a cutting edge visually, has grown stagnant from prolonged exposure to Britney-crotch-rot. That and I just don’t like any of the music anymore. From what I’ve read, fuse is on the verge of becoming the new MTV. Hmm…

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