'GALACTICA:1980': INTRODUCING THE NEW SERIES...

Despite the huge loss of Apollo and Starbuck, Galactica fans must surely have been excited for the then upcoming new series that was Galactica 1980, of which this US TV Guide magazine publicity looked intriguing enough to get viewers watching its opening installments. But such potential promise wasn't to last, as the series became too restricted and noticeably too budget strapped in its soon family audience format.

'GALACTICA 1980': THE FUTURE IS HERE!

That long lost shiny planet of Earth has been found and now the next generation of Galacticans must engage in its culture, as the Cylon menace returns to threaten all humanity. A nice promo card apparently used by ABC TV to promote the short lived Galactica 1980 series, promising much with its diverse mixture of old and new.

It's a shame that the exciting card was actually more interesting and intriguing than the actual show itself, in many ways!

'GALACTICA 1980': THE NEW TEAM!

With the series in a new and more children/family orientated viewing slot, and with a reduced production budget, the odds of long-term survival were never great for the short-lived Galactica 1980. Despite a relatively good pilot episode, the show was never going to find time to develop its core trio of heroic new characters - Colonial Warriors Troy and Dillon, alongside Earth beauty Jamie - beyond what had already been thinly developed - a shame really, as Robyn Douglass, in particular, proved a solid talent (and a clear beauty) who deserved more...

Don't forget to check out the exclusive Robyn Douglass audio memoir Messages for the Future, available from audio producer Daniel Earnshaw.

Details here:

Robyn Douglass Records Her Galactica 1980 Memoirs - Colonial Fleets

Robyn Douglass - Messages for the Future - The Galactica 1980 Memoirs sample - YouTube

'GALACTICA 1980' AT 40: SABOTAGE!

Trapped in deep space, Troy and Dillon have no choice but to perform some perilous outside space repairs on their two-man viper, resultant sabotage created by the evil colonial fugitive Commander Xavier, in one of the few memorable scenes from the Galactica 1980 episode, Spaceball.

'GALACTICA 1980' AT 40: 'CONQUEST OF THE EARTH'!

Though my ten-year old self was disappointed that my favourite heroes in Apollo and Starbuck were not coming back to the new series of Battlestar Galactica airing on US TV in 1980, the idea of the Rag Tag fleet finally finding Earth, in Galactica 1980, still caught my interest. The Starlog magazine coverage for the new series at first seemed relatively encouraging, too. And when it was announced that a selection of episodes were being released as a theatrical compilation in Europe, as had been done with BG's Saga of a Star World and The Living Legend/ Fire in Space, my hopes and anticipation were higher spirited, especially as no indication had been given that the new series had actually been bought yet for UK screenings.

Then followed the above great art/photo composite poster, which, for the most part, actually ended up being better and more exciting to witness than the total onscreen edited mess, UK 1981 released, that was ultimately to be Conquest of the Earth!

The poster also made a terrific cover to the rare Japanese laserdisc release! With thanks to John Johnson.

GALACTICA 1980: BIKE FLIGHT!

Bemused by an aggressive gang of bikers plaguing their exploration of Los Angeles, Troy and Dillion take to the skies in their advance flying bikes, in a scene shot with back projection from Galactica 1980. Intriguingly, these vehicles were devised for the original series but were never used until its kid-friendly successor.

GALACTICA 1980: THE NEXT HEROES...

They were never able to replace our original heroes in Apollo and Starbuck, but Troy and Dillon were adequate enough as series leads for the subsequent and short-lived GALACTICA 1980.

GALACTICA 1980: CONQUEST OF THE EARTH (UK STYLE!)

It sure looks like Galactican warriors Troy and Dillion are on their own as the Cylon attack on Earth, 1980, begins, in the exciting UK movie poster art for CONQUEST OF THE EARTH eventually used for the CIC Video rental release back in the day. Great art- I just wish the cobbled together from three episodes "movie" had ultimately been better!

If anyone has a better quality scan of this image, please get in touch.

GALACTICA 1980: A NEED FOR SPEED!

Colonial Warrior Dillon gets to try out one of the snazzy flying bikes accompanying them on their away-team mission exploring the newly found Earth- one of the few iconic and genuinely liked additions of the kid-friendly GALACTICA 1980.

GALACTICA 1980: A NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY!

Now fully part of the Galactica's long-term mission to help her planet become more technologically ready for the future, and possible Cylon attack, Earthwoman news reporter Jamie Hamilton (the lovely Robyn Douglass) gets to wear a Colonial uniform and is ready for her next time-travel related assignment with her new friends.

Unfortunately, despite the relative onscreen success of the time travel aspects of the pilot relaunch for GALACTICA 1980, ABC TV decided to drop that intriguing and often budget friendly aspect from the series as it went into its short-lived production- Jamie's character ending up being dumbed down as a result, to become a custodian to a bunch of mischievous and obnoxious "super scouts" for the duration! An insult to the past strong female characters that had been seen with the original 1978 series.