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:''For information on the parent series, see [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]]. For information on the 2004 "Re-imagined Series," see [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]].'' | |||
{{shortcut|1980}} | |||
{{Series Data | {{Series Data | ||
| Line 10: | Line 11: | ||
| seasons=1 | | seasons=1 | ||
| episodes=10 | | episodes=10 | ||
| channel= [[w:ABC|ABC]] | | channel= [[w:ABC|ABC]] | ||
| US airdate=1980-01-27 — 1980-05-04 | | US airdate=1980-01-27 — 1980-05-04 | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
| producer= | | producer= | ||
| supervising producer= | | supervising producer= | ||
| associate producer= | | associate producer= | ||
| co-producer= | | co-producer= | ||
| story editor= [[Chris Bunch]]<br/>[[Allan Cole | | story editor= [[Chris Bunch]]<br/>[[Allan Cole]]<br/>[[Robert L. McCullough]] | ||
| prev=[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|The Original Series]] | | prev=[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|The Original Series]] | ||
| next= | | next=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming]] | ||
| itunes= | | itunes= | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Galactica 1980''''' is a [[spin-off]] of the | '''''Galactica 1980''''' is a [[spin-off]] of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]. | ||
''Galactica 1980'' was first broadcast on the ABC Television Network in the United States from January 27, 1980, with its final episode first airing on May 4, 1980. Running for | ''Galactica 1980'' was first broadcast on the ABC Television Network in the United States from January 27, 1980, with its final episode first airing on May 4, 1980. Running for just one truncated series, it was poorly received by both critics and viewers. | ||
The series first aired in Sunday's 7:00 PM time slot, during what was known as the "family hour, | The series first aired in Sunday's 7:00 PM time slot, during what was known as the "family hour", targeting the show's audience primarily for children. | ||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
Set a generation after the Original Series, [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica ( | Set a generation after the Original Series, [[Battlestar (TOS)|battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' and its [[The Fleet (TOS)|Fleet]] of 220 civilian ships finally discover [[Earth (TOS)|Earth]] but find that the planet is technologically backward in relation to Colonial technology. As a result, Earth couldn't defend itself against the [[Cylons (TOS)|Cylons]] as originally expected. Therefore, teams of [[Colonial Warrior]]s are covertly sent to the planet to work ''incognito'' with various members of the scientific community, hoping to quickly advance Earth's technology. | ||
The promotional material for ''Galactica 1980'' sets the series at thirty years after the events of the Original Series. | The promotional material for ''Galactica 1980'' sets the series at thirty years after the events of the Original Series. | ||
Commander [[Adama (1980)|Adama]] and Colonel [[Boomer (1980)|Boomer]]—now second-in-command in place of Colonel | Commander [[Adama (1980)|Adama]] and Colonel [[Boomer (1980)|Boomer]]—now second-in-command in place of Colonel [[Tigh (TOS)|Tigh]]—send Captain "Boxey" [[Troy (1980)|Troy]], the [[Serina|adopted son]] of Adama's own son [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]], and Lt. [[Dillon]] to North America. The two become entangled with TV journalist [[Jamie Hamilton]] who aids them in devising ways to help Earth's scientists and outwit the handful of Cylons that discover the planet. | ||
[[ | [[Image:GAL801.jpg|thumb|Captain Troy and Jamie Hamilton]] | ||
===Cast=== | ===Cast=== | ||
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* [[Barry Van Dyke]] - [[Dillon|Lieutenant Dillon]] | * [[Barry Van Dyke]] - [[Dillon|Lieutenant Dillon]] | ||
Greene (Adama) and Jefferson (Boomer) were the only major cast members of the | Greene (Adama) and Jefferson (Boomer) were the only major cast members of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] to reprise their roles in first nine episodes, with [[Dirk Benedict]] reprising his role as [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]] in the last episode. | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
==Short life== | ==Short life== | ||
''Galactica 1980'' had a promising start in its ratings with a [[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|three-hour adventure]] that saw Troy, Dillon and Hamilton sent back in time to Nazi Germany to save the future, but the series could not sustain this momentum. The series was unceremoniously canceled after only ten episodes, many of which were multi-part stories, or what would be referred to now as | ''Galactica 1980'' had a promising start in its ratings with a [[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I|three-hour adventure]] that saw Troy, Dillon and Hamilton sent back in time to Nazi Germany to save the future, but the series could not sustain this momentum. The series was unceremoniously canceled after only ten episodes, many of which were multi-part stories, or what would be referred to now as story arcs. | ||
The final episode, "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," aired on May 4th, 1980. The episode featured the return of [[Dirk Benedict]] as Lt. [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]] in a flashback episode. The episode's popularity was too late to save the series. Repeats were aired through August 17th | The final episode, "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," aired on May 4th, 1980. The episode featured the return of [[Dirk Benedict]] as Lt. [[Starbuck (1980)|Starbuck]] in a flashback episode. The episode's popularity was too late to save the series. Repeats were aired through August 17th; the series was replaced by repeats of ''[[Wikipedia:Fantasy Island|Fantasy Island]]'' the following week.{{citation needed}} | ||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
In the fall of 1979, ABC Television approached [[Glen A. Larson]] and Universal to bring back ''Galactica'' series. | In the fall of 1979, ABC Television approached [[Glen A. Larson]] and Universal to bring back the ''Galactica'' series. According to ''1980'' story editor [[Chris Bunch]], neither Larson nor Universal wanted to do the series at all. Bunch claims that both parties were threatened to do the series for reasons which were not known to him, and attributes the reason that Larson agreed to do the series to "[whore] for the money with a bad attitude".<ref name="bunch">{{cite_web|url=http://geocities.com/sjpaxton/bunch.html|title=Battlestar Zone Interview: Chris Bunch|date=|accessdate=11 August 2007|last=Paxton|first=Susan J.|format=|language=}}</ref> This is also corroborated by Bunch's then-writing partner, [[Allan Cole]].<ref name="cole">{{cite_web|url=http://www.battlestargalactica.com/outside_docs/bg_outdoc0030.htm|title=Interview with Galactica 1980 story editor Allan Cole|date=28 Feburary 2005|accessdate=11 August 2007|last=Larocque|first=John|format=|language=}}</ref> | ||
All the parties agreed that the discovery of Earth would be a suitable vehicle for drawing back viewers. However, many of the actors had moved on to other roles, most of the sets had been struck, and the time available for completing the production before the proposed January 1980 airdate was short. Actors and production personnel who worked on ''Galactica 1980'' describe a crazy shooting schedule that involved working on multiple episodes at the same time, last minute re-writes, and working days that extended well into the night. | |||
All the parties agreed that the discovery of Earth would be a suitable vehicle for drawing back viewers. However, many of the actors had moved on to other roles, most of the sets had been struck, and the time available for completing the production before the proposed January 1980 airdate was short. Actors and production personnel who worked on ''Galactica 1980'' describe a crazy shooting schedule that involved working on multiple episodes at the same time, last minute re-writes, and working days that extended well into the night. | |||
Bunch notes that both he and Cole were "literally blackmailed into the gig because of ostensible expertise in SF. | Bunch notes that both he and Cole were "literally blackmailed into the gig because of ostensible expertise in SF".<ref name="bunch"/> They (including [[Robert L. McCullough]]) were story editors for the series, and would chant "Come on, 13" every morning. ("13" is the ratings number that, should ''1980'' ever hit or go below it, would result in the series' cancellation.)<ref name="cole"/> | ||
Larson wrote or rewrote the entire series' worth of episodes from either [[w:Hawaii|Hawaii]] or [[w:Malibu|Malibu]].<ref name="bunch"/> Further episode rewrites happened on the sets just prior to shooting.<ref name="cole"/> Additionally, there was no clearly defined purpose to the show prior to development, as the purpose of the show changed on a daily basis. Additionally, new characters were created for the series, and then subsequently dropped as though they never existed.<ref name="cole"/> | Larson wrote or rewrote the entire series' worth of episodes from either [[w:Hawaii|Hawaii]] or [[w:Malibu|Malibu]].<ref name="bunch"/> Further episode rewrites happened on the sets just prior to shooting.<ref name="cole"/> Additionally, there was no clearly defined purpose to the show prior to development, as the purpose of the show changed on a daily basis. Additionally, new characters were created for the series, and then subsequently dropped as though they never existed.<ref name="cole"/> | ||
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== Budget hell == | == Budget hell == | ||
Despite what Cole calls "revisionism" from people, such as lead actor [[Kent McCord]] | Despite what Cole calls "revisionism" from people, such as lead actor [[Kent McCord]] -- who claimed that they needed a way to "economize" ''Battlestar Galactica'', ergo ''1980'' -- ABC "knew very well that Glen [Larson] never met a budget that he didn't hate".<ref name="cole"/> | ||
The series itself cost between $1.2 and 1.5 million to produce per episode; the $1.5 million number is the budget that "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]" used. As ABC only paid $600,000 to $700,000 per episode, Universal was left to pay the remainder for each hour of programming.<ref name="cole"/> | The series itself cost between $1.2 and 1.5 million to produce per episode; the $1.5 million number is the budget that "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]" used. As ABC only paid $600,000 to $700,000 per episode, Universal was left to pay the remainder for each hour of programming.<ref name="cole"/> | ||
Additionally, Cole notes that "there were almost as many producers listed on the show as secretaries. I mean, every day we'd be introduced to another guy who had just joined the staff as a new producer. I don't know what any of them did | Additionally, Cole notes that "there were almost as many producers listed on the show as secretaries. I mean, every day we'd be introduced to another guy who had just joined the staff as a new producer. I don't know what any of them did -- we rarely saw them again -- but they sure were collecting the bucks." He adds that this was Universal's decision as they "figured [that] if they were going to eat the big green slime anyway, they might as well take care of some obligations and dump all their losses into one (overflowing) bucket."<ref name="cole"/> This constant overflow of personnel to the series did nothing to alleviate the budget issues. | ||
Ironically, the only episode that did not go over-budget was "[[The Return of Starbuck]], | Ironically, the only episode that did not go over-budget was "[[The Return of Starbuck]]", and so Universal did not have to pay the remainder as, by that time, they were overspent.<ref name="cole"/> | ||
== "Kiddie Hour, | == "Kiddie Hour", Standards and Practices, and "kids crawling out of your ears" == | ||
During its initial run, ''Galactica 1980'' was relegated to the 7 P.M. Sunday timeslot. Its only competition was that of [[w:CBS|CBS]]'s "television news magazine" ''[[w:60 Minutes|60 Minutes]]''. | During its initial run, ''Galactica 1980'' was relegated to the 7 P.M. Sunday timeslot. Its only competition was that of [[w:CBS|CBS]]'s "television news magazine" ''[[w:60 Minutes|60 Minutes]]''. | ||
This | This timeslot was deemed by Standards and Practices as children-friendly, and thus had restrictions as to the type of stories that could be told, or how they could be told. | ||
The content of shows airing in this | The content of shows airing in this timeslot needed to be educational, and thus the Galacticans' lack of knowledge on Earth cultures and locations, and finding out about them through their [[wrist computron]]s came to satisfy this. | ||
Additionally, people in the series needed to be clean-cut and presentable, thus removing any ability to present realistic presentations of people. Furthermore, Standards and Practices complained to Larson that there weren't enough kids; according to Cole, Larson replied "Okay, I'll give you kids crawling out of your ears." This resulted in [[The Super Scouts]]<ref name="cole"/> and the episodes that they were featured in, notably "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]]", "[[The Super Scouts, Part II]]", "[[Spaceball]]" and "[[Space Croppers]]". | |||
Additionally, people in the series needed to be clean-cut and presentable, thus removing any ability to present realistic presentations of people. Furthermore, Standards and Practices complained to Larson that there weren't enough kids; according to Cole, Larson replied "Okay, I'll give you kids crawling out of your ears." This resulted in [[The Super Scouts]]<ref name="cole"/> and the episodes that they were featured in, notably "[[The Super Scouts, Part I]], | |||
Unfortunately, shooting with large groups of children proved another major headache for the series, forcing the producers to hire child actors who were twins. In addition to the kids having reduced hours of availability, and the lack of professionalism exhibited by them, the cast and crew had to deal with the "stage moms, all of whom ought to be locked up" and the teachers for each kid. As Cole put it, "if the kid is a star you have to listen to the teacher as if she were speaking from on high"<ref name="cole"/> regardless of the reason. | Unfortunately, shooting with large groups of children proved another major headache for the series, forcing the producers to hire child actors who were twins. In addition to the kids having reduced hours of availability, and the lack of professionalism exhibited by them, the cast and crew had to deal with the "stage moms, all of whom ought to be locked up" and the teachers for each kid. As Cole put it, "if the kid is a star you have to listen to the teacher as if she were speaking from on high"<ref name="cole"/> regardless of the reason. | ||
Furthermore, the censor at ABC, Susan Futterman, was the crux of many of the series' problems. As told by Bunch, she questioned the information in the planetarium scene in "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I]]", and believed the [[Arnie's meatballs|meatball]] joke in the same episode to be sexual innuendo -- which resulted in Larson peppering additional meatball jokes in that episode, in addition to its conclusion, "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II]]".<ref name="bunch"/> | |||
==Syndication, VHS and DVD releases== | ==Syndication, VHS and DVD releases== | ||
The ten series episodes were rolled into the television syndication package for ''Battlestar Galactica'' and were given the same title as its parent program. Some of the episodes were edited together to produce a VHS home video under the title ''Conquest of the Earth''. Very few out-of-print copies of the VHS release of ''Conquest of the Earth'' remain publicly on sale. Unlike its Original Series parent, ''Galactica 1980'' was late to release for home video. | The ten series episodes were rolled into the television syndication package for ''Battlestar Galactica'' and were given the same title as its parent program. Some of the episodes were edited together to produce a VHS home video under the title ''Conquest of the Earth''. Very few out-of-print copies of the VHS release of ''Conquest of the Earth'' remain publicly on sale. Unlike its Original Series parent, ''Galactica 1980'' was late to release for home video. | ||
As of August 2006, the [[Sci Fi Channel]] in America and the [http://www.spacecast.com/ SPACE Channel] in Canada periodically air the series. The three parts of the pilot were featured as part of SPACE's 2006 New Years Day marathon of the | As of August 2006, the [[Sci Fi Channel]] in America and the [http://www.spacecast.com/ SPACE Channel] in Canada periodically air the series. The three parts of the pilot were featured as part of SPACE's 2006 New Years Day marathon of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]. | ||
In the US, a [[Galactica 1980 (Region 1 DVD)|DVD set]] of the series was released in December 2007. In the UK ''Galactica 1980'' | In the US, a [[Galactica 1980 (Region 1 DVD)|DVD set]] of the series was released in December 2007. In the UK ''Galactica 1980'' will be released on 18th February 2008 <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/3515623/Galactica-The-Complete-Series/Product.html|title=Play.com Galactica 1980|date=|accessfate=|last=|first=|format=|language=}}</ref>. | ||
==Episode list== | ==Episode list== | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
[[ | [[Image:Heroes.jpg|thumb|Troy, Hamilton and Dillon]] | ||
* The series suffered from what are now considered science fiction clichés. For some fans, the addition of the mysterious [[Doctor Zee]], a prodigy child that serves as counsel to Adama, pushed their suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. | * The series suffered from what are now considered science fiction clichés. For some fans, the addition of the mysterious [[Doctor Zee]], a prodigy child that serves as counsel to Adama, pushed their suspension of disbelief to the breaking point. | ||
* Many fans of the Original Series over the years since the series' conclusion have demonstrated scorn for ''Galactica 1980'', often considering it [[canon|apocryphal]] with the exception of one episode: "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," whose story of the fate of a popular character of the Original Series was | * Many fans of the Original Series over the years since the series' conclusion have demonstrated scorn for ''Galactica 1980'', often considering it [[canon|apocryphal]] with the exception of one episode: "[[The Return of Starbuck]]," whose story of the fate of a popular character of the Original Series was well written and full of the same energy found in many of of the Original Series episodes. (Battlestar Wiki treats this aired series as canonical for the purposes of this encyclopedia.) | ||
* One curious Cylon character in the two-part episode, "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" may be the one significant contribution to the "Galactica" saga. In the episode, [[Andromus|Cylons disguised in human form]] arrive on Earth to cause mayhem. Some 23 years later, the [[Re-imagined Series]] also introduced [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] that wreak terror and havoc amongst the Colonies. | * One curious Cylon character in the two-part episode, "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" may be the one significant contribution to the "Galactica" saga. In the episode, [[Andromus|Cylons disguised in human form]] arrive on Earth to cause mayhem. Some 23 years later, the [[Re-imagined Series]] also introduced [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] that wreak terror and havoc amongst the Colonies. | ||
<div style="clear:both;"></div> | |||
== Official Statements == | == Official Statements == | ||
* ''[[Allan Cole]] discusses his thoughts on the show to John Larocque:'' | * ''[[Allan Cole]] discusses his thoughts on the show to John Larocque:'' | ||
: '''Allan Cole:''' Let's face it, ''Galactica 1980'' was an awful show. It deserved to be dropped. At the time, I remember that I posted a big sign on my office door with the number 13 on it. We had been told if the ratings dropped to 13 or below that we would be cut. Every morning my then partner, [[Chris Bunch]], and I would chant "Come on, 13!" Must have been a great mantra, because the show dropped steadily, week after week. ([S]o much for the nice writer's comments about building an audience.) Of course, Chris and I wanted out of our contracts in the worst way. ([W]e had just sold the [[w:The Sten Chronicles|Sten series]] and were desperate to get started). Because of the "family hour" timeslot, the censors were always making us put in "educational beats" for the kiddies. I personally told Susan Futterman, then head of the network's program practices, that they ought to open every episode of the show with an "educational" tag that read: "Why aren't you little bug snipes watching ''[[w:60 Minutes|60 Minutes]]''." (our, ahem, competition in that time slot) | : '''Allan Cole:''' Let's face it, ''Galactica 1980'' was an awful show. It deserved to be dropped. At the time, I remember that I posted a big sign on my office door with the number 13 on it. We had been told if the ratings dropped to 13 or below that we would be cut. Every morning my then partner, [[Chris Bunch]], and I would chant "Come on, 13!" Must have been a great mantra, because the show dropped steadily, week after week. ([S]o much for the nice writer's comments about building an audience.) Of course, Chris and I wanted out of our contracts in the worst way. ([W]e had just sold the [[w:The Sten Chronicles|Sten series]] and were desperate to get started). Because of the "family hour" timeslot, the censors were always making us put in "educational beats" for the kiddies. I personally told Susan Futterman, then head of the network's program practices, that they ought to open every episode of the show with an "educational" tag that read: "Why aren't you little bug snipes watching ''[[w:60 Minutes|60 Minutes]]''." (our, ahem, competition in that time slot) Susan wholeheartedly agreed with our sympathies.<ref name="cole"/> | ||
* ''[[Glen A. Larson]] discusses [[Lorne Greene]]'s involvement with the spin-off in "[[Sciography]]":'' | * ''[[Glen A. Larson]] discusses [[Lorne Greene]]'s involvement with the spin-off in "[[Sciography]]":'' | ||
: '''Glen Larson:''' Lorne Greene called me and said his heart was broken over the fact that he wouldn't be in it. I don't think I've ever told anybody that, but I... I... I, um, I guess I reacted somewhat sympathetically to how he felt and, uh, rehired him. But it probably would've been better in terms of the cleanness and clarity to have gone forward some generations, and continued the trek. | : '''Glen Larson:''' Lorne Greene called me and said his heart was broken over the fact that he wouldn't be in it. I don't think I've ever told anybody that, but I... I... I, um, I guess I reacted somewhat sympathetically to how he felt and, uh, rehired him. But it probably would've been better in terms of the cleanness and clarity to have gone forward some generations, and continued the trek. | ||
* ''[[Anne Lockhart]] ([[Sheba]]) and [[Richard Hatch]] ( | * ''[[Anne Lockhart]] ([[Sheba]]) and [[Richard Hatch]] ([[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]]) discuss their thoughts on the series:'' | ||
: '''Anne Lockhart:''' Well, I | : '''Anne Lockhart:''' Well, I don’t know…when [[Boxey (TOS)|Boxey]] [[Troy (1980)|grew up]] into ''[[w:Adam-12|Adam-12]]'', I really got worried…and that long white beard on Lorne [Greene]…. | ||
: '''Richard Hatch:''' And [[Herb Jefferson Jr.|Herb [Jefferson Jr.]]]…. | : '''Richard Hatch:''' And [[Herb Jefferson Jr.|Herb [Jefferson Jr.]]]…. | ||
: '''Lockhart:''' Yeah, the snow that went in | : '''Lockhart:''' Yeah, the snow that went in Herb’s hair! And everybody else died fighting the war. I thought it was pretty bad, frankly. I watched one episode and was so offended that I never watched another one. (to Richard) What did you think about it? | ||
: '''Hatch:''' I think you summed it up pretty well!<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://geocities. | : '''Hatch:''' I think you summed it up pretty well!<ref>{{cite_web|url=http://geocities.com/sjpaxton/galacon.html|title=1986 Galacon Q & A with Richard Hatch and Anne Lockhart|date=|accessdate=12 August 2007|last=Paxton|first=Susan J.|format=|language=}}</ref> | ||
==Narration== | ==Narration== | ||
This is the opening narration to ''Galactica 1980'', spoken by Commander Adama. | |||
: ''"The great ship ''Galactica'', our home for these many years. We've endured the wilderness of space, and now we near the end of our journey: we have at last found Earth."'' | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
< | <div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div> | ||
== | ==See also== | ||
{{ext-wikipedia|article=Galactica 1980}} | {{ext-wikipedia|article=Galactica 1980}} | ||
* [[2003 Video Game|Battlestar Galactica]], the 2003 video game | |||
* [http://battlestar.ugo.com/television/galactica_1980/default.asp UGO Galactica 1980 site] | |||
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080221/ IMDb Entry for Galactica 1980] | |||
{{ | {{Episode List (1980)}} | ||
[[Category:A to Z]] | [[Category:A to Z]] | ||
[[Category:1980]] | |||
[[de:Galactica 1980]] | [[de:Galactica 1980]] | ||