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==Production History== | ==Production History== | ||
Initially envisioned as a series of TV movies for ABC, consisting of a three hour premiere and two additional movies of two hours in length<ref | Initially envisioned as a series of TV movies for ABC, consisting of a three hour premiere and two additional movies of two hours in length<ref name="starlog aug 78">{{cite magazine|quotes= |last= Meyers |first= Richard |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= 1978 |month= August |title= Get Ready For... BATTLE STAR "GALACTICA" |magazine=Starlog |volume= |issue= |pages=52-53 |id= |url= |accessdate= }}</ref>, ''Battlestar Galactica'' was ultimately developed into a regular television series. The "first seven hours" of the series, consisting of "[[Saga of a Star World]]," "[[Lost Planet of the Gods]]," and "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero]]," was reported to have cost–"at over one million dollars an hour," according to ''Galactica'''s publicist, Joe Santley–over $7 million dollars<ref name="starlog aug 78"/>. However, this figure is contradicted by [[Richard Colla]], who revealed that the budgets for the three-hour pilot were nine million dollars alone, despite the fact that it was sold to ABC for 1.8 million.<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.galactica.tv/battlestar-galactica-1978---interviews/richard-colla-galactica.tv-interview.html|title=Richard Colla GALACTICA.TV Interview|date=29 April 2008|accessdate=30 April 2008|last=Egnor|first=Mike|format=|language=}}</ref> | ||
To defray costs, the three hour premiere was re-cut as a theatrical release. Several weeks before the TV series premiered in America, the series pilot appeared as a two hour film in Canada, Europe and Japan. Opening on July 7, 1978, the theatrical release did quite well, given modest expectations. | To defray costs, the three hour premiere was re-cut as a theatrical release. Several weeks before the TV series premiered in America, the series pilot appeared as a two hour film in Canada, Europe and Japan. Opening on July 7, 1978, the theatrical release did quite well, given modest expectations. | ||
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: ''"Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, ''Galactica'', leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest—for a shining planet known as Earth."'' | : ''"Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, ''Galactica'', leads a ragtag, fugitive fleet, on a lonely quest—for a shining planet known as Earth."'' | ||
== Year Two == | == "Year Two" == | ||
{{mainarticle|Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal}} | {{mainarticle|Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal}} | ||
In recent years, Glen Larson's son, Chris, discovered various memorabilia from his father's personal collection. In addition to packets for the official Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, he also came across [[Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal|a treatment]] for the second season of ''Battlestar Galactica''. In the treatment, many changes were proposed, including the reduction of the cast size, the addition of [[w:Issac Asimov|Issac Asimov]] as a story and science consultant, and massive character changes. | In recent years, Glen Larson's son, Chris, discovered various memorabilia from his father's personal collection. In addition to packets for the official Battlestar Galactica Fan Club, he also came across [[Battlestar Galactica: Year Two proposal|a treatment]] for the second season of ''Battlestar Galactica''. In the treatment, many changes were proposed, including the reduction of the cast size, the addition of [[w:Issac Asimov|Issac Asimov]] as a story and science consultant, and massive character changes. | ||
While it is uncertain as to whether this document ever made it to Universal Studios, the document does shed light on the origin of various concepts introduced in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. These concepts included the human android Cylons, the concept of Boomer being ''Galactica''{{'|s}} executive officer, and the character of "Troy. | While it is uncertain as to whether this document ever made it to Universal Studios, the document does shed light on the origin of various concepts introduced in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. These concepts included the human android Cylons, the concept of Boomer being ''Galactica''{{'|s}} executive officer, and the character of "Troy". | ||
==Cancellation and Rebirths (of a sort)== | ==Cancellation and Rebirths (of a sort)== | ||
Citing declining ratings and cost overruns, ABC canceled ''Battlestar Galactica'' in April 1979. Its last episode, "{{TOS|The Hand of God|The Hand of God}}," was broadcast on April 29. The cancellation was a shock to fans, as viewership was robust and the series was, by many metrics, a major success. | Citing declining ratings and cost overruns, ABC canceled ''Battlestar Galactica'' in April 1979. Its last episode, "{{TOS|The Hand of God|The Hand of God}}," was broadcast on April 29. The cancellation was a shock to fans, as viewership was robust and the series was, by many metrics, a major success. | ||
An in-depth analysis of the cancellation published in [[Imadb:Fantastic Films Issue 29|''Fantastic Films'' magazine argued]] that the network's official reasons were misleading. According to the article, ''Galactica'' was one of the top 25 series on television, with an average rating of 20.4 and an audience share of 32, both well above the average for a successful new show. Demographically, it was highly popular with adults, teenagers, and men, refuting the claim that it was merely a "kiddy show." The central argument of the article is that ABC deliberately "killed" the series for financial reasons. Because of its high production costs, ''Galactica'' could not generate the same profit margins as cheaper programs, even with its strong ratings. The network allegedly engaged in "manipulation," frequently preempting the show for specials or reruns, which artificially drove its ratings down and created a public justification for its cancellation.<ref | An in-depth analysis of the cancellation published in [[Imadb:Fantastic Films Issue 29|''Fantastic Films'' magazine argued]] that the network's official reasons were misleading. According to the article, ''Galactica'' was one of the top 25 series on television, with an average rating of 20.4 and an audience share of 32, both well above the average for a successful new show. Demographically, it was highly popular with adults, teenagers, and men, refuting the claim that it was merely a "kiddy show." The central argument of the article is that ABC deliberately "killed" the series for financial reasons. Because of its high production costs, ''Galactica'' could not generate the same profit margins as cheaper programs, even with its strong ratings. The network allegedly engaged in "manipulation," frequently preempting the show for specials or reruns, which artificially drove its ratings down and created a public justification for its cancellation.<ref name="ff29">{{Cite magazine|author=William J. Adams|date=June 1982|title=Who Killed Galactica?|magazine=Fantastic Films|issue=[[imadb:Fantastic Films Issue 29|29]]|pages=66-69, 45|publisher=Fantastic Films, Inc.|issn=0273-7043|quote=In the face of manipulation that should have driven the ratings down a minimum of 10 points, Battlestar's dropped only three. It held among the top 25 programs in the nation... In other words, in spite of everything, Battlestar refused to fail. ABC canceled it anyway.}}</ref> | ||
After the series's cancellation, the pilot was edited together into a new theatrical release, with certain scenes trimmed or edited out completely. This release is notable for the incorporation of the [[w:Sensurround|Sensurround]] enhancement system first introduced in the film [[Wikipedia:Earthquake (film)|''Earthquake'']] in 1974, and is considered by most critics as perhaps the only film where the technology was used properly. It was, in fact, the last of only four films ever released in the US to feature Sensurround. | After the series's cancellation, the pilot was edited together into a new theatrical release, with certain scenes trimmed or edited out completely. This release is notable for the incorporation of the [[w:Sensurround|Sensurround]] enhancement system first introduced in the film [[Wikipedia:Earthquake (film)|''Earthquake'']] in 1974, and is considered by most critics as perhaps the only film where the technology was used properly. It was, in fact, the last of only four films ever released in the US to feature Sensurround. | ||
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Special effects shots from the series were reused in the low-budget 1988 film ''Space Mutiny'', which later had the dubious honor of being mocked on ''[[w:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''. | Special effects shots from the series were reused in the low-budget 1988 film ''Space Mutiny'', which later had the dubious honor of being mocked on ''[[w:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''. | ||
A news story in fandom was reported on the suicide of a 15-year-old boy named Eddie Seidel, Jr., who jumped 200 feet from a bridge out of despair of the series' cancellation.<ref | A news story in fandom was reported on the suicide of a 15-year-old boy named Eddie Seidel, Jr., who jumped 200 feet from a bridge out of despair of the series' cancellation.<ref>[http://www.kobol.com/archives/suicide.html "TV Death," Associated Press, August 25, 1979. Reprinted on website Kobol.com.]</ref> | ||
A series [[spin-off]] did appear some months later in the form of ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Despite initially promising ratings, the show became victim to questionable writing that was heavily influenced by science fiction clichés. The show was generally panned by critics and fans alike (with the exception of its [[The Return of Starbuck|last episode]]). ''Galactica 1980'' was canceled after only 10 episodes. | A series [[spin-off]] did appear some months later in the form of ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Despite initially promising ratings, the show became victim to questionable writing that was heavily influenced by science fiction clichés. The show was generally panned by critics and fans alike (with the exception of its [[The Return of Starbuck|last episode]]). ''Galactica 1980'' was canceled after only 10 episodes. | ||
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== Legacy and Retrospective == | == Legacy and Retrospective == | ||
The Original Series has been described by [[Ronald D. Moore]], creator of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], as a "noble failure." Moore praised its ambitious visuals and dark premise, but noted that it was ultimately a "show of its time," created in the wake of ''Star Wars''. He elaborated: "It was made just after ''Star Wars'', which was the ultimate in escapist popcorn fun, so there was no way it was going to be a dark and brooding science fiction series. Ultimately, the show attempted to tell the story of these people after the destruction of their entire civilization and be escapist fun at the same time, and it just couldn't square that circle."<ref group=" | The Original Series has been described by [[Ronald D. Moore]], creator of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], as a "noble failure." Moore praised its ambitious visuals and dark premise, but noted that it was ultimately a "show of its time," created in the wake of ''Star Wars''. He elaborated: "It was made just after ''Star Wars'', which was the ultimate in escapist popcorn fun, so there was no way it was going to be a dark and brooding science fiction series. Ultimately, the show attempted to tell the story of these people after the destruction of their entire civilization and be escapist fun at the same time, and it just couldn't square that circle."<ref group="Book">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=12}}</ref> | ||
[[Jamie Bamber]], who portrayed [[Lee Adama]] in the Re-imagined Series, shared a similar view, stating that while the original "still has a lot of charm today... it is a product of its time and it would be a naive piece of television if you made it now. The world has changed, and television has changed."<ref group=" | [[Jamie Bamber]], who portrayed [[Lee Adama]] in the Re-imagined Series, shared a similar view, stating that while the original "still has a lot of charm today... it is a product of its time and it would be a naive piece of television if you made it now. The world has changed, and television has changed."<ref group="Book">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=109}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||