Shark Bytes
I really enjoy this show, and I'm not usually a fan of police dramas. Has anyone noticed the incidental music? It sounds like it was lifted from a 1973 TV police drama! Even the sepia tone works, if you look at the way Polaroid and Instamatic pictures taken back then have faded out over time.
The more I look at it, the more it seems like they're trying to make a 1970's police show than a completely realistic depiction of the 1970's...perhaps the main character is creating a universe within his own mind using his childhood memories of the era?
The more I look at it, the more it seems like they're trying to make a 1970's police show than a completely realistic depiction of the 1970's...perhaps the main character is creating a universe within his own mind using his childhood memories of the era?
The show hasn't jumped the shark but could use some help:
1. The show might seem a tad more realistic to 1973 by being on cable so they could use blue language. By now the main characters would be dropping F bombs, MFs, CSs, SOB and even the C word at each other or at least the bad guys. Even Mol's character would have confided to O'Mara's that Keitel's is an A-H at the way she's treated.
2. The show only runs about 41 minutes due to commercial advertising. I hate that, it should run longer in its hour slot.
3. I'd like to see more shows reflect the times it was then. Stick to events that actually happened for example there was a contested mayoral race in '73 where it made the headline every day.
4. A bit too much on the mother/father storyline. Move off that for a while but come too every now and then not every episode.
But they are plenty of things I do like so far: the sci-fi aspect of time travel and when O'Mara is stuck in the past something from 2008 jars him back to his plight: the newspaper, the pinball machine, the soap opera, etc...
Keitel and Imperioli's non PC cop roles are key. PC did not exist back then: knocking down doors without a warrant, beating confessions out of perps, treatening other cops like O'Mara on how its done in the ole 125th Pct. Keitel telling O'Mara its 1973, the year of the fist then socking him in the gut was priceless.
1. The show might seem a tad more realistic to 1973 by being on cable so they could use blue language. By now the main characters would be dropping F bombs, MFs, CSs, SOB and even the C word at each other or at least the bad guys. Even Mol's character would have confided to O'Mara's that Keitel's is an A-H at the way she's treated.
2. The show only runs about 41 minutes due to commercial advertising. I hate that, it should run longer in its hour slot.
3. I'd like to see more shows reflect the times it was then. Stick to events that actually happened for example there was a contested mayoral race in '73 where it made the headline every day.
4. A bit too much on the mother/father storyline. Move off that for a while but come too every now and then not every episode.
But they are plenty of things I do like so far: the sci-fi aspect of time travel and when O'Mara is stuck in the past something from 2008 jars him back to his plight: the newspaper, the pinball machine, the soap opera, etc...
Keitel and Imperioli's non PC cop roles are key. PC did not exist back then: knocking down doors without a warrant, beating confessions out of perps, treatening other cops like O'Mara on how its done in the ole 125th Pct. Keitel telling O'Mara its 1973, the year of the fist then socking him in the gut was priceless.
I gotta say, JTS has jumped the shark. There are no reasons for jumping anymore and there's no way to add new shows.Life on Mars is still entertaining
I haven't seen the American version, so I won't comment on it. The BBC series never jumped the shark because it did not last long enough to do so. The sequel 'Ashes To Ashes' is far inferior, but watchable.
Are there any blogs where I can voice my opinion on the jumptheshark.com website itself? Its seems that when Jon Hein sold out and sold the site to Tv Guide things just went to hell. The front page with the show list hasn't been updated in months, and for new shows it seems the only categories allowed are day 1 and never jumped. That and now you get people chatting on a show page like its AIM or some chatroom. I use to like a new "sharkbyte" every day and thats not updated either. On the FAQ page there is a question "when will Jump the Shark" jump the shark? I answer: Feb 2007. Looks like Jon Hein took the money and ran. Pity
The original BBC series was the best, but even that wore thin. The best parts are when the character mentions or behaves like he is in the 21 century, and then realizes he is in the stone age 70's. The English version did that a lot, this one not too much, thereby
completely missing the whole point of the program.
I think I read somewhere it will be renewed for a 2nd season.
completely missing the whole point of the program.
I think I read somewhere it will be renewed for a 2nd season.
To Mike Morelli
Hi Mike. I haven't seen so far much of the USA version, so I can't explain about the rip-off/watered down thing (from the pilot, probably the two thing together).
The original series was set in Manchester. It run for two years (16 episodes), then the writers and the main actor decided to end it at its best.
Last week it won its second Internation Emmy Award. Now on BBC there's a spin-off, set in 80s, named "Ashes to Ashes".
Hi Mike. I haven't seen so far much of the USA version, so I can't explain about the rip-off/watered down thing (from the pilot, probably the two thing together).
The original series was set in Manchester. It run for two years (16 episodes), then the writers and the main actor decided to end it at its best.
Last week it won its second Internation Emmy Award. Now on BBC there's a spin-off, set in 80s, named "Ashes to Ashes".
I like this show and I do not think that it will jump, HOWEVER, enough of the hippies...
That movement was OVER in 73'.....
That movement was OVER in 73'.....
Have never seen the BBC version, but really enjoy this one. You can do so much with time travel, and they are doing it well. Seems many below have different versions of thes VS the BBC. A few said the show is shot for shot and word for word others have said this is a watered down version of the BBC. Which is it? Two questions to those who watch the BBC's version. Is it set in NY too or set in England somewhere? second when is it on the BBC?
Being 13 years old in '73, I must have been sheltered in the North East Bronx. Was the city that dirty then? That said I hope they give this show a chance. The acting is great.
As a New Zealander, & thus neutral, i hav to say that i find most british TV shows are far superior to most US shows - especially the copies! There are exceptions - Hill Street Blues was EXCELLENT. The reason for this, I feel - & I'm going to get torn to pieces for this - is that the US shows play to the lowest common denominator in intelligence terms. British stuff requires that you think, US stuff waters down then spoon-feeds you everything. Go BBC/ITV!
I don't watch many new shows but I like this one? By the way is that Christopher from the Sopranos as a supporting character. think is a great actor. I hope the show does good. The low tech is refreshing and it is good escaspist television. I wish them well.
Somebody earlier wrote:
"Next thing you know, some idiots in the US networks will try to re-make "Doctor Who" and fail miserably."
Err, they did... the Eighth Doctor was created for one US TV movies... the Master was played by Eric Roberts... it failed miserably... and voilated the DW canon, placing the Eye of Harmony inside the TARDIS and having The Doctor have a human mother...
"Next thing you know, some idiots in the US networks will try to re-make "Doctor Who" and fail miserably."
Err, they did... the Eighth Doctor was created for one US TV movies... the Master was played by Eric Roberts... it failed miserably... and voilated the DW canon, placing the Eye of Harmony inside the TARDIS and having The Doctor have a human mother...
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