It's 9/17--Happy Birthday, Battlestar Galactica!

[JLHurley]

I'll be watching the theatrical version of BG tonight after work and listening to Stu's incredible music on the way to and from work. Happy 30th, BG! Thanks for the great memories.

:salute:

[Dawg]

I'm with you on that one.

Only I'll probably watch the full premier episode from the boxed set. ;)

Happy Birthday, BSG!!

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

[KJ]

Looks like BG made its 30th anniversary!

Agreed happy birthday.

Still hoping Larson does something to honor it soon though with those film rights of his (wishful i know?) Or sells them off to somebody who would produce a heck of a big multi-million dollar movie franchise series with them (DeSanto).

KJ

[peter noble]

Battlestar Galactica is 30

Thirty years ago today, Battlestar Galactica premiered on the ABC network at 8pm in the evening.

With a running of three hours (with adverts), it was the most expensive television show in the world at that time.

Initially watched by over 65 million Americans, the show was cancelled after one year on the air, primarily because the network thought they weren't making enough money on it.

Why does the memory of this one-season wonder still endure after all this time?

I think because in many ways it was unique.

Sure, it wasn't 'real' science fiction like Star Trek or the Twilight Zone, after all it was written and created by Glen A. Larson – a man with very little experience of writing science fiction, who up until that point had written cop shows and westerns.

But what Larson did was something that hadn't been done before in American SF television, he wrapped his series in the trappings of his religion, the Mormon faith and reversed the direction of every show that had come before it – that of people from Earth going out into the universe. Now, the people of Galactica would be searching for Earth – alien humans from a society with nods to the ancient civilisations of our planet.

Also, unlike many shows that came before and after it, Battlestar Galactica had a far from liberal bent. It's philosophy of strength through superior power to maintain a peaceful existence echoes the policies of the Reagan years in US politics.

The show's main premise is also notable, in that within the first half hour, the human race is defeated and almost wiped out from their corner of the universe.

Out of the fires of defeat, however, the crew of the mighty battlestar Galactica leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet of survivors away from the clutches of their mortal enemies, the robotic race of chrome-clad proto-Terminators, the Cylons, on a quest (for the lost 13th Tribe who are said to exist on a planet called Earth) that is sustained by the unswerving faith of their leader, Commander Adama.

So, is the series about defeat?

No, it’s about hope and human resilience and the fact that very often, humans are at their very best when things are at their worst.

Is the series perfect?

No, far from it. There are too many plots that are reminiscent of popular movies from yesteryear and the writers' unfamiliarity with the tropes of science fiction can be embarrassing, but very often the sheer visual spectacle carries you through these rough spots, aided by the show's good-looking and likeable cast, the majestic musical score of composer Stu Phillips and it’s Emmy Award-winning special visual effects.

It may have lasted only one TV season, but the series is still shown throughout the world today. It is acknowledged in shows like the Simpsons and Futurama and it’s influences have even crept into the mighty Star Trek.

So, I raise my glass to Battlestar Galactica, gone but far from forgotten.

Happy Birthday!

[Charybdis]

I did it! I just watched Saga today for the 30th anniversary. This show still does hold up well no matter what anybody else says....

Long live Battlestar Galactica!!!

[Charybdis]

by the way, does anyone know what channels or networks today are still showing BSG???

[BST]

I couldn't find any.... not even Skiffy.

:(

[Arachne]

None at all? That's sad.

I'm celebrating by trying to convince friends to give TOS BSG a chance.

[BST]

That's ok. My wife and I watched Saga (from the boxed set).

Made some popcorn for the occasion. ;)

It was fun..... :)

[Pegasus4]

OMG, I still remember my dad rushing us home from my grandparents so he could watch it and I still remember the parts I watched before being sent to bed. I was 10.

[Sarika]

Happy Birthday BSG!!!!

Though I'm a day ahead of everyone on the states, and this actual date is a sad for me(I lost my dad last year on BSG anniversary date), I'm happier to observe BSG's day today on the 18th .
I plan on watching the Saga to commemorate such a auspicious time!:salute:
Hope everyone is celebrating it in their own special way, have fun !:colonial::cylon::viper::beer::balloon::muffit:

[JLHurley]

Very, very well said, Peter. :salute:

[KJ]

Bravo in the U.K. still shows BG next to Buck Rogers, people!

KJ

[Aphrodite]

It Was Thirty Years Ago Today


Thirty years ago today on September 17th 1978, Battlestar Galactica premiered on ABC here in the USA. I remember it very well even to this day what it was like to watch 'Saga of a Star World' for the first time. We just moved to Denver, Colorado about four months before, temporarily staying in a townhouse until our house in Bailey was built. When I turned on the TV that night, I was blown away. Seeing Vipers and those Battlestars on the TV screen was one of the best things I'd ever seen. I was almost 9 then. And I was instantly hooked! When I went back to school, every single kid was talking about Battlestar Galactica. During that whole season (and the only season unfortunately), we played Battlestar Galactica on the playground, even in the snow. This was also around the time I started writing stories based on the series. Even though I do watch the new series, the original is the one I prefer. It's still number one in my heart.

So, what did I do to celebrate? I watched the entire series in a marathon that started at midnight eastern (which is 9pm for me) on Sept 16th, and I finished at 2:45am Pacific this morning. I did sleep! LOL

[CBSG4ever]

Happy 30th Nova Yahren BSG.
I'm afraid I will postponing my celebration of the anniversary a bit. A very dear friend of mine passed away, way before her time, on Sunday. The passing of this friend was a tough one and I'm trying to deal with it all. I attended the wake yesterday afternoon/evening and the funeral today. Just as Sarika stated, I will save my celebration of BSG for a more appropriate time. Best to everyone and enjoy the anniversary of our favorite show.

[Gemini1999]

I had my celebration last night. To be honest, I would have rather had it on a weekend, but I really didn't have any excuses. I pulled out the DVDs, popped a bit of popcorn and watched "Saga of a Star World" from beginning to end. I started at 7pm and was finished before 9:30. I'm glad that I don't watch my BSG DVDs too often as it makes the experience more special when I do.

I still really love the premiere episode - I'll never forget the first time I saw it as an 18-year old. It really was a big deal, everyone I knew could talk about nothing else. It got even better the next summer when I got to see BSG in the movie theatre. It may not have been Star Wars, but I enjoyed it just as much and I still do.

Keeping the memory of the original alive....

Bryan

[Sarika]

Happy 30th Nova Yahren BSG.
I'm afraid I will postponing my celebration of the anniversary a bit. A very dear friend of mine passed away, way before her time, on Sunday. The passing of this friend was a tough one and I'm trying to deal with it all. I attended the wake yesterday afternoon/evening and the funeral today. Just as Sarika stated, I will save my celebration of BSG for a more appropriate time. Best to everyone and enjoy the anniversary of our favorite show.

Hang in there, sweetie.

[monolith21]

My God. I just returned from celebrating the anniversary for a week straight on Galacticruise! It was truly amazing to celebrate with other fans and so many of the cast memebers who graciously made themselves available just to hang out with around the clock!

Please don't take that as bragging. It was so great to meet and visit with old friends and new. I definitely missed all of my fellow fans who didn't get to come. I now know for sure what I suspected all along. Battlestar fans are some of the nicest people to come from every walk of life from every part of the globe. I hope you all had a great week and particularly a great anniversary day.

[KamikazeAthena]

First off, VERY well said Peter.

Second, I had the double pleasure of hanging out with Mark and Erik on the Galactic Cruise. I am exhausted now and will need to post more on the cruise later, but I wanted to say that I just spent the last few days with some of the most amazing people on the planet. Not only were all of the fans easy to get along with, but the celebrities felt like kinsmen to all of us. BSG has amazing people associated with it. It deserves recognition.

Oh, and I was at the same table as Tom for dinner on the QM. (Thanks Mr. Mathews.) That man really still wants a continuation. He is as much of a fanboy as the rest of us. Every time we say we want him to work on it, it fuels him more. He assured me he is still pushing. BSG is still about hope!