Allan, I didn't see "That Was Then," so I can't offer an opinion on how it'll affect your novel's outcome. My opinion is, I don't think it will. I can't bring myself to believe that publishers take their cues from television.

If it helps, Ken Grimwood wrote a book called Replay that was published in the late 80's. Plot: man has fatal heart attack at 43, wakes up in 1963 at age 18. Relives his life until he gets it right. That one won the World Fantasy Award. So obviously there's something to the idea...

Alan -- I watched about 10 minutes of one of the episodes, enough to get the general idea. This fellow seemed to be able to jump back and forth in time almost at will (perhaps it had something to do with a particular popular song?) and every time he did, his actions in the past changed something in the present for the worse. I could guess, without watching, that he somehow found a way by the end of the episode to put everything back exactly the way they had been to start with. As with 'Do Over', it didn't seem to me that this character was freaked out enough by the experience. If it were me, I would probably immediately check myself into the nearest mental health facility.

I would think it more fun if, no matter how hard you try, you can't change anything in the present....

I don't think either show will last very long.

Saw the second episode. It reminded me of Back to the Future Part II. Had potential as an idea but the writing was boring and awful, and the entire show pretty depressing. The message seemed to be stop complaining about how bad things are because they could be alot worse.

I mean, here's a guy who knows the result of every election, stock market pick, and major sporting event for the next 10 years, *whose father is a bookie!!!* taking a job at a seafood restaurant to earn minimum wage. What's wrong with this picture?

I haven't seen the 1/2 hour comedy version of the show, but the reviews I read indicated that the canceled 1 hour drama version was the superior show of the two, for what it's worth.

I think there have been enough renditions of this concept to make it clear that the mood of the piece makes or breaks it. Version which are open eyed and light hearted work well; version which are bleak, as a rule, don't. (12 Monkeys being a notable exception).

I saw it and it was pretty cool show. I hated that I missed the second episode. anyone record it?

An an avid reader, let me assure you that a lot of what makes a good story is in the telling, not the premise. A new take on an old story, a witty take on a dull story, or just a better turn of a phrase can keep me reading. Not to imply that your novel premise is old or dull; I am counting on you to make it new and witty and better than going to Bennett High School really was. Can you do that for me?

Grace