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Allow me to summon the wisdom of Roger Ebert and say I hated, hated, hated the ABC Life on Mars ending. The British version gave fans more satisfying closure and it had the hero commit suicide at the end.

If it had ended about 30 seconds before it did, I would have loved it. Sam and Annie find a love so strong it doesn’t matter he’s trapped over three decades in the past. I mean, mad props for that. I wouldn’t go back in time to marry Cleopatra or Helen of Troy if I had to surrender my Buffy DVDs, Xbox 360 or indoor plumbing to do so.

That’s not to mention how little I would trust myself not to do a Biff Tannen and bet on every sporting event in the 30 years up to 2009. But unfortunately, Life ended in a mishmash of as many sci-fi cliches as the writers could cram in there. Gene Hunt (who turned out not to be Gene Hunt) is Sam’s father? The whole thing was a simulation/dream? And don’t get me started on his character being named “Major Tom.”

Seriously, the “it was all a dream” plot device is considered to be the low watermark of TV writing. People are still blasting and lampooning Dallas for it and how long ago was that? In an interesting side note, at least Michael Imperoli can say it was not the least satisfying series finale he’s ever been involved in. After all, it didn’t just fade to black at the end.

And God bless NBC for trying to do something to fix Heroes. I think it reminds them of happier times when their network wasn’t in complete meltdown. Perhaps changing the net name to En Bee Cee will get the young kids to watch again. It’s not a sci-fi related development per se, but it’s also going to be interesting to watch NBC battle its Boston affiliate over Jay Leno.

Apparently this affiliate recognizes Leno in primetime as the surrender move that it is. Thus, they’re looking for other ways to program the hour. NBC is threatening to remove their affiliate status and the right to show NBC programming. Wait, the punishment for not showing Leno is not being forced to show the rest of NBC’s failure-laden lineup? That’s like saying “We were going to send you on a dream date with Joan Rivers, but now we’re not going to. That’ll show you, WHDH! I’m sure the prospect of never again getting to air ratings winners like Crusoe and My Own Worst Enemy will have them quivering.

I watched Chuck for the first time, and yes only because of Tricia Helfer’s guest stint. As much as I miss Battlestar Galactica, I promise that trick is not going to work every time. So far, I’ve enjoyed Chuck and I was already watching Burn Notice, another show Helfer has guested on. But I warn NBC Universal, The Biggest Loser now hosted by Tricia Helfer or Law and Order: Caprica Six Unit will not lure me in. Actually, I’m lying. I would totally watch that second show.

On Smallville, we learned that Clark Kent is Jesus and Doomsday is Judas, or something to that effect. DC has never shied away from the potential religious connotations of Superman. Darkseid crucified Superman in the comic books. But is all this leading to the death of Chloe? I think she’s one of the most important characters on the show and if they’re going to go there, her death had better be meaningful. Maybe Clark fails to save her because he can’t fly and that’s what triggers the ability? Just throwing out the ideas. I’ve always thought the ability to fly at superspeed negated the need to run at superspeed.

After all, for a character that is a touch slower than The Flash I never thought Superman made proper usage of that speed. Go ahead, count the number of times you’ve seen Clark duck. No, not run away at super speed but actually duck at the speed he’s capable of moving at.

I guess that would make for crappy fight sequences overall. I read an interview in which a comic writer talked about how hard it was to write for The Flash. If you fire a gun at him, he has time to go search Central City, find a bulletproof vest and come back before you can pull the trigger. It has to be hard to write for these superpowered characters. That’s why the “meteor freak of the week” got old and we’re seeing other DC characters brought in.

If CW really wants a Smallville follow-up show, a live-action Justice League would be a fun romp. I understand that Tom Welling probably wouldn’t want to be involved. Supes can just be referred to in episodes. It would have action, the young, pretty people that CW loves to show and soap opera drama between Green Arrow, Black Canary and whoever else shows up.

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Variety confirmed the American revamp of the British sci-fi series will end this season, but ABC has informed producers so they can resolve the story in 17 episodes. Ironically, the British original ran only 16 episodes as a closed-ended series. That show then spun into the 1980s with Ashes to Ashes, a show following Lt. Gene Hunt. No such luck for the American series.

The American version was troubled from the beginning, undergoing a total overhaul and recastings before the pilot aired. It was generally well received by critics, but after a strong showing for its heavily advertised premiere ratings kept dipping.

I’m just going to save the phrase “generally well-received by critics but still canceled” and keep copying/pasting for future reference. Still, if there’s a silver lining here it is that the show will get to wrap up its storyline. Hopefully that’s the beginning of a trend not just at ABC, but at all the networks.

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PASADENA, CA – JULY 13: Actress Lisa Bonet speaks during the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour for the Nick at Nite Network at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on July 13, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (Photo Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images).

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And talk about a kid with sci-fi street cred. Lisa Bonet, currently starring as Maya Daniels on Life on Mars, gave birth to Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa in December. The proud papa is Bonet’s actor hubby Jason Momoa, who played Ronon Dex on Stargate Atlantis.

Us Magazine reports on the happy couple. This is their second child, as they also have 1-year-old Lola Iolani. They’re a great looking couple so I’m betting these little tykes will grow up to be heartbreakers. And possibly battle against Wraith for the future of our galaxy. All kidding aside, though, congratulations to the new parents.

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20 Century Fox Television

I can’t tell you what we’ll see from this as I’m not sure what a 2 percent cut looks like at a TV show. Will we even notice that amount? It’s better than developments at NBC Universal and CBS Corp. who are doing layoffs. The entertainment industry traditionally does well during economic downturns because people want escapism.

But right now, even the purveyors of fantasy and fun are having a tough time. Readers, what shows, movies and/or actors help you get through the doldrums?

©2008 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Isabella Vosmikova/FOX

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Jason O’ Mara goes retro as he finds himself on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1973 as it was recreated this afternoon on the set of ‘Life on Mars’ which is filming in New York City. Pictured: Jason O’Mara Picture by: Brian Prahl / Splash News

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After the axe fell on not one, not two, but three ABC shows yesterday producers and actors alike were probably reluctant to answer any phone calls if “ABC” was on the caller ID. But Life on Mars and its fans got actually good news as ABC has ordered four more episodes of the British time-travel remake.

USA Today reports that while Mars hasn’t been a ratings smash, ABC’s programming chief Steven McPherson is a huge fan. The show is about a New York detective who is transported to 1973 after a car accident. It’s one of numerous Brit remakes that hit American airwaves this year.

That list also includes two CBS shows: Eleventh Hour and The Ex-List, or as some of our readers have taken to calling it: “That Evil, Evil Show That Took Away Our Sweet Moonlight.” The Ex-List has already become an ex-show, while no announcement has come on Eleventh Hour. It’s been averaging around 11 million viewers and plays in a ridiculously strong lineup with Survivor and CSI. So a pickup for Eleventh Hour would seem to be just a formality, but there’s no word from the Tiffany Network just yet.

Life on Mars will leave its Thursday slot now to be paired with the returning sci-fi super show Lost. Mars seems like a more natural fit in a block with Lost and the move will also put Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff Private Practice on the same night.

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Tonight, Detective Sam Tyler has to deal with a strange hostage situation that may be connected to his own – strange situation. Also, he gets a phone call from what sounds like his mother in 2008 begging him to wake up.

Life on Mars will soon be leaving its Thursday night digs to be paired with the returning Lost on Wednesday nights. ABC is hoping the two sci-fi shows will play well together, not unlike FOX’s decision to pair up Dollhouse and Terminator on Fridays.

What do you think, readers? Are you ready to follow Life on Mars to a pairing with Lost or is it too soon to be jerking a new show out of its time slot?

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Tonight on Life on Mars, the 125th Precinct is caught in the middle of racial tensions between Black and Puerto Rican factions. A Black girl is thrown off a building and there’s a Puerto Rican murder suspect. The Black Liberation Army wants to handle the matter in its own way and I’m guessing it will not involve Miranda rights or writ of habeas corpus.

As a bonus, Whoopi Goldberg guest stars. After election season on The View, I’m imagining a full-scale riot may be a quieter gig for Whoopi.

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Again, that is an abbreviated ep title. The full title is “Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadows?” Feel free to join me in my petition to get shorter episode titles for Life on Mars.

Anyway, tonight Sam encounters his younger mother after she gets attacked by mobster Nick Profaci. Sam finds Profaci could be involved in the murders of two other women. Also, Profaci and his mob boss might be entangled with some of the cops from the 1-2-5. Lucky Sam already has such a great working relationship with them. Oh wait, he doesn’t.

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Actually, the full title of this ep is “My Maharishi Is Bigger Than Your Maharishi.” They’ve really got to quit that with the long episode titles. They don’t fit up there nicely after Life on Mars Tonight.

All kidding aside, tonight a returning Vietnam veteran gets murdered. This brings nothing but bad publicity to the 125th and Lt. Hunt wants this case solved yesterday. So far I really like this show, although I will admit that I have never seen the British version so I can’t really compare the two.

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Air Date: Oct. 16,2008

Sam is still having dreams of Maya, his girlfriend in 2008. Can you blame him? Lisa Bonet is still quite hot. But he still wakes up in 1973, with a bathroom shared with the rest of the building denizens including a naked hippie named Windy.

Cops from the 125 catch an armed robbery suspect named Kim Trent. That master of innovative interview tactics Lt. Hunt throws Kim into a lake, but the suspect can’t swim. It of course falls to Sam to dive in and save Kim, who punches Sam in the face for his trouble. In spite of Hunt’s unique tactics, Kim isn’t giving up any info about a recent string of robberies at AAA Check Cashing places.

Hunt’s got even more problems as 125th  precinct assistant June tells him the assistant district attorney wants to see him. Gee, can’t imagine why a clean cop like Hunt would be on their radar. ADA Lee Crocker tells them they don’t have enough evidence to hold Kim and Sam’s in agreement. Hunt suggests they plant some and Sam is mortified.

Sam prefers releasing Kim and following him. Hunt reluctantly agrees and tells Sam things are on his head if it doesn’t work. As they let Kim out, Sam sees a strange robotic device. This causes him to even further question his grip on sanity. Chris and Ray agree to take the first watch on Kim, with Sam and Hunt relieving them the next day.

When Sam and Hunt arrive to relieve Chris and Ray, they’re not there. Word about another AAA robbery comes over the radio so Sam and Hunt race to the scene. Kim shoots at them and Hunt returns fire killing Kim. After the shootout they find June, who’s been shot. Sam finds two cops who tell him an employee’s been hurt. Annie wonders why June was at the crime scene with a police radio.

Hunt blames Sam for this entire mess and they scrap, Sam still trying to understand why he is where, or rather when, he is. After a visit to the check cashing place Sam sees a woman watching from her apartment. He talks to her and she tells him cops come to the AAA every Tuesday and Thursday to keep the money safe.

Sam goes to June’s hospital room where Hunt is. Hunt and Sam get into two more scuffles in the hospital room. Too much testosterone, guys. In the midst of all this there is some talking and Hunt actually admits June would be a good cop if not for being a woman in 1973.

Sam talks to Ray, who has worked security for AAA before. Ray suggests Sam take the case straight to Crocker, since Hunt won’t do anything about alleged dirty cops. After Sam has a clandestine meeting with Lee, the mysterious robotic thing appears again.

The next day, Sam goes to work and finds out Hunt knows about the meeting with Crocker. When Hunt slams the door in Sam’s face, there’s a reflection of Sam’s life in 2008. Suddenly he realizes the key to this case: the cops at the AAA weren’t real cops!

The other big break comes from questioning June, who it turns out gave Kim info and police uniforms. Annie can’t believe it as she thought June wanted to be in the Bureau of Policewomen. June has seen the way the men at the precinct treat Annie and doesn’t want any part of it.

Sam goes to track down the fake cops and he chases one of them down, another policeman calls for backup. But with Sam in plain clothes and the suspect in uniform, it’s Sam who gets mauled by the cops. The fake tries to run but Hunt busts him up before instructing the other officers to let Sam go.

In the shipping terminal where all this went down, officers find boxes of toys that look just like the machine Sam has been seeing all episode. That night on the fire escape, Sam hears Maya’s voice saying she misses him. Windy shows up and dances with Sam as he wonders just what in his life is real.

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