THE brilliance of Life On Mars does not diminish.
Re-watching old episodes is a reminder of just how good the series was.
And of John Simm’s superb performance as Sam Tyler.
Much of the focus since the series ended has fallen on Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister.
That continues in The Real Life On Mars, a new documentary on BBC4 this Monday night.
There’s a feature on the film – part of the Britcop season – in that day’s MEN.
Update: The online version is here.
Co-producers Simon Brown and Steve Bradshaw say: “We talk to ex-cops, criminals, academics and writers to discover the truth behind Seventies’ policing – and how much we’ve gained and lost.”
Life On Mars co-creator Matthew Graham is one of the contributors.
He explains how he discovered the character of Gene had been underwritten.
Author: ianwylie
YOU can hear the critics sharpening their keyboards for Lost In Austen.
Modern day bank worker Amanda Price is obsessed with Pride and Prejudice.
Then one night she discovers Elizabeth Bennet standing in her bathroom.
And suddenly finds herself back in time in the world of the book.
Before you mention it, the cast claim comparisons with Life On Mars are wide of the mark.
I saw episode one of the new four-part ITV1 drama yesterday.
It includes a scene where Amanda, played by Jemima Rooper, sings Petula Clark’s Downtown to Mr Darcy and co.
JAMES Benamor pretended to be filming a TV documentary in Moss Side about voluntary youth workers.
But he’s really a multi-millionaire said to be worth £77m.
The hard-nosed tycoon thought taking part in Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire would be just like any other business deal.
Identify the projects worthy of his cash and then hand it over.
Except it proved a lot more emotional than that.
“I’ve always wanted to be the best at whatever I do,” he says.
“But this experience has softened me a little bit.
“I realise that you can be the best at making a difference in one person’s life.
“And that’s really special.”
JENNIE McAlpine described it as a seriously scary experience.
Even more frightening than bumping into John Stape again.
I spoke to her yesterday about the Coronation Street special of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
It will be screened later this month.
Jennie, who plays Fiz Brown, recorded the celebrity charity special earlier this summer with Samia Smith (Maria Connor).
The pair were first into the hot seats and followed by Sally Whittaker (Sally Webster) and Michael Starke (Jerry Morton).
Bury-born Jennie was playing for a cause close to her heart – the Manchester-based Mood Swings Network.
It’s a mental health charity which supports those with mood disorders and their carers.
CELEBRITY meltdown is big business.
“Her heartbreak turned into everyone’s entertainment,” says one contributor to tonight’s Channel 4 film Saving Britney Spears.
It’s a documentary by Manchester-raised TV director Bruce Fletcher, who witnessed the Britney breakdown economy at first hand.
I spoke to Bruce recently about his road trip across America and the characters he met along the way.
They include Sheeraz Hasan, the founder of Hollywood.tv.
And Kristi, who runs the Poor Britney blog.
“Her enthusiasm for tragedy was infectious,” Bruce comments during his film.
You can read Kristi’s take on the documentary here.
HEARTBEAT fans won’t need to be told just how badly the drama has been messed about by ITV schedulers.
So here’s a photo of former Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson wondering just when her first Aidensfield appearance will be screened.
It was taken back in January, with new regular character Dawn Bellamy finally making her Heartbeat debut this Sunday.
I spoke to Nikki – best known as Corrie hairdresser Candice Stowe – earlier this week.
She told me how she has now filmed the last eight episodes of series 17, as well as the first five of series 18.
The online version of today’s MEN TV feature is here.
Co-star Gwen Taylor has already voiced concerns about the sporadic scheduling of series 17.
CAN you guess who this is and where they are standing?
The image is taken from a stunning new BBC1 series called Britain From Above.
“It’s like Google Earth but for real,” explains presenter Andrew Marr.
That’s him on the roof of Manchester’s Beetham Tower for the opening sequence of the pioneering show.
I’ve watched the first programme three times now.
It contains amazing new images and perspectives shown for the first time on television.
Andrew was filmed from a circling helicopter as he stood talking to an on-board camera while on top of the tower.
FORMER Coronation Street star Suranne Jones has gone blonde to play her latest TV role – as a police killer.
The Manchester-based actress appeared as pictured on GMTV last week.
She explained that her new look was for a TV job but didn’t give any details.
So let’s put that right.
Suranne will play a woman called Ruth, trying to rebuild her life after serving a long prison sentence for murder.
She begins filming three-part ITV1 drama Unforgiven next month, with a script by ex-Corrie writer Sally Wainwright
The new series is being made in Yorkshire by Manchester’s Red Production Company and features that new look for the Chadderton-raised actress.
ALAN Halsall was on good form when I met up with him at Coronation Street last week.
Chatting during a break between scenes, we spoke about his tenth anniversary on the cobbles.
Plus a range of topics, including wedding bells for Tyrone and Molly and his forthcoming real life marriage.
Not to mention Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Pele.
And Gray O’Brien’s – Street villain Tony Gordon – love of baking.
You can read the online version of the feature here.
At the time of writing, a second sidebar story on the same feature page has yet to go online.
THE summer of 2008 has not been the best of times for TV drama.
Euro football, Wimbledon and the Open Golf have taken up big chunks of the schedules.
Not forgetting a little Olympic affair in Beijing still to come next month.
So if you’re feeling a touch deprived of top class telly drama, don’t miss Burn Up on BBC2 at 9pm tonight.
It’s a terrific two-parter, concluding at the same time on Friday.
I watched the first 90 minute episode almost two months ago in the screening cinema of a posh London hotel.
And the second last week, via my laptop, on a train from Manchester to Euston.
Spooks star Rupert Penry-Jones plays oil company boss Tom McConnell in a cast which includes The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford, plus Neve Campbell and Marc Warren.
Life of Wylie 