TV Angel

*New Series

Here’s how Thursdays break down for me:

• ? Ugly Betty (8pm)
• ? CSI (9pm)
• SCHEDULE CONFLICT: Life on Mars/Eleventh Hour (10pm)!

There are two issues with Thursdays. The first is, despite the fact that it’s supposed to be such a hot night for television, most of the shows just don’t appeal to me. The second issue is that I have a major conflict at 10pm.

I’ve been hearing about the original British version of Life on Mars for a while now. I’m hoping that BBC America will choose to rebroadcast the series this summer before the remake airs on ABC in this fall. Point being, that I’m really excited about this show. But I’m also amped about Eleventh Hour. The premise is similar to Strange World, which is one of the best sci fi shows of the last decade (as far as I’m concerned).

It’s certainly no accident that the two shows are going head-to-head, considering all they have in common. They’re both sci fi oriented British remakes from TV uber-producers. Life on Mars is from David E. Kelley (Boston Legal, Boston Public, Ally McBeal, The Practice), although the Kelley has stepped back from the project leaving day-to-day operations in the hands of former October Road producers. Eleventh Hour is from Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI franchise, Without A Trace, Cold Case), who has certainly done right by CBS so far.

The two shows will even both feature UK actors in leading roles, with British actor Rufus Sewell starring in Eleventh Hour and Dubliner Jason O’Mara playing the lead in Life on Mars.

I may have to watch one of these shows exclusively online. But I have no idea which one.

As for the 8-10pm period, I may check out Ugly Betty (ABC) and CSI (CBS). Otherwise, I’ll probably just read a book.