Life on Mars Out of ABC Orbit; CBS Sticks With Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory

Life on Mars, Jason O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, Jonathan Murphy, Two and a half men, Charlie Sheen , Jon Cryer ABC/KURT ISWARIENKIO, Greg Gayne/Warner Bros.

Life on Mars is headed to the great TV land in the sky, while Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory are set to remain here on Earth for quite some time.

ABC's quirky, Jason O'Mara-fronted freshman drama will complete its 17-episode order, with a final entry written to serve as a finale. According to the Hollywood Reporter, viewers will learn why O'Mara's Det. Sam Tyler traveled back in time 35 years and possibly see his return to present day.

The show, which also stars Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli and Gretchen Mol, was originally a British series with a limited run. ABC's version, however, was not initially intended for that glorified miniseries status.

Meanwhile, CBS is considering leaping forward in time with its two big, nuance-free comedies. The eye net is considering re-upping Charlie Sheen's Two and a Half Men for another three seasons and Big Bang Theory for another two, per the Reporter.

Men stands as the highest-rated comedy on television, while Big Bang's numbers have increased steadily and considerably since its slow start last year.

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NBC Goes LongER

John Stamos, ER NBC Photo: Michael Yarish

ER may be in defib, but it won't be flatlining quite so soon.

NBC has ordered up another three episodes to cap off the stalwart medical drama's final season, meaning the network has three more weeks of guaranteed ratings glory and, perhaps, three more chances to secure a guest appearance by a certain former County General doc turned Oscar winner.

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What to Watch: 10 Most Exciting Winter TV Premieres

Ryan Seacrest, Amy Poehler, Tahmoh Penikett Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images, Jim Spellman/Getty Images, Jean-Paul Aussenard/Getty Images
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Winter TV starts next week, and there's such an embarrassment of riches this season that it's hard to know where to start. Lucky for you, we've got a countdown of the top 10 winter series most worth your attention. Is your favorite show included? Find out...

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Get Our Winter TV Premiere Dates Calendar!

Josh Holloway, Eliza Dushku, Kiefer Sutherland ABC / Bob D'Amico; Miranda Penn Turin/FOX; Michael Muller/FOX
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Is winter secretly the best season?

TV-wise, it just might be, what with the return of Lost and 24, plus the premiere of much-anticipated series like Dollhouse, Castle and Amy Poehler, Beyond Thunderdome.

Want to know when your faves are back on the air?

Read on for the complete premiere dates calendar in a handy, dandy printable format!

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Reaper Lives! Plus, Winter TV Premiere Dates

The Reaper, Brett Harrison, Ray Wise Sergei Bachlakov / The CW
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It's been gone so long some of you thought it was dead, but sources whisper tonight that devilishly good dramedy Reaper has just scored a spot on the CW's schedule this winter! So, yes, it will live on.

When will Reaper return? Does it have a strong lead-in? And what other highly anticipated midseason series also now have premiere dates?

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THE BIG PICTURE

Serious Business Not as fun as looking for a new BFF, Paris shows she isn't messing around as she heads to court

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