American version of “Life on Mars”

ABC announced that the US version of Life on Mars will be on Thursday nights this Fall.

Here’s the cast, with Colm Meany playing Gene Hunt:

Apparently, the show has been relocated from Manchester to Los Angeles (expected) and from 1973 to 1972….which makes the title a bit problematic. Bowie’s “Life on Mars” was released as a single in ’73. Although, to be fair, it appeared as an album track in 1971 on Hunky Dory — although the single never charted in the US, and the album didn’t chart until 1975. Beyond keeping the title the same as the UK release, I’m not sure if it will make any sense for US audiences, since the song isn’t something they strongly associate with the 70s.

The original is one of my favorite series of all time — I cringe at the possibilities of this new version.

Doses of Happy

Went to The Minion’s Senior Recognition Ceremony last night, where they honor the graduating seniors who have gotten awards and scholarships, as well as handing out any local scholarships they’ve won.

She was announced as a Kansas state scholar, a Kansas ACT scholar, and Presidential Award of Excellence winner. They announced her scholarship to Mount Holyoke, and her scholarship from the Bill of Rights Institute….and then also told her that she’d won *another* scholarship: $750 from the League of Women Voters.

Proud? Yep.

Following up that dose of happy with this evening’s event: The Police (with Elvis Costello opening) in Kansas CIty. A concert that I’ve been waiting to attend for about 25 years.

With that in mind, the following song seems appropriate:

The Police – “Bring On The Night.”