The BIONIC WOMAN episode "Canyon of Death" (airdate: April 14, 1976) features a fun (totally unintentional) peek into the near-future of science fiction television when Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) explains the functions of a high-tech flying suit ("...and now, we're gonna take a quantum leap into Buck Rogers."). QUANTUM LEAP starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell aired on NBC from 1989 to 1993 and BUCK ROGERS in the 25th CENTURY starring Gil Gerard and Erin Gray
aired on NBC from 1979 to 1981.
The Bionic Woman is copyright (c) and trademark NBC / Universal; created by Kenneth Johnson.
...regarding Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979 - 81)... It has always struck me as somewhat odd that the two lead characters - William ("Buck") Rogers and Wilma Deering should have nearly identical first names. In the original comic strip from the 1930's, Buck's real name was Anthony - he was renamed William for the TV series. Was this "mirroring" of the characters names (sigh) yet another attempt to rip-off Star Wars (1977) with the famous Luke and Leia "double L" combination? Or possibly (dare I say it...) Mork and Mindy (1978 - 82)? In the case of case of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, nothing whatsoever is made of the characters similar names in the episodes themselves.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Centuryis copyright (c) and trademark NBC / Universal
...a thought that crept into my mind the other day. Was the Galactica: 1980 character Colonel Sydell (Allan Miller) named after Eddie Seidel, Jr.? Eddie Seidel, Jr. was a huge fan of Battlestar Galactica who tragically committed suicide in August of 1979 when he learned that ABC had cancelled the series. Sadly, only a few weeks later ABC announced that Battlestar Galacticawas coming back for a second season - as Galactica: 1980. And of course, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century premiered only a month after his death. I won't comment on the absurdity of anyone committing suicide over a TV show (clearly there were other factors at work), but I bet that Eddie would have enjoyed both Galactica: 1980 and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Was Colonel Sydell named after Eddie Seidel, Jr.? I doubt if anyone knows. In the newspaper clipping below, Mrs. Seidel (Eddie's stepmother) expressed her hope that Battlestar Galactica would never be seen on TV again. It seems to this reviewer that having a character on Galactica: 1980 named Sydell (different spelling, but presumbaly the same pronunciation) is in very poor taste.
Read the tragic story of Eddie Seidel, Jr. in the newspaper article below (click to enlarge).
Newspaper article about the tragic suicide of Eddie Seidel, Jr.
From the mid-70's towards the end of the '80's, most one-hour dramas on U.S. television opened with a "teaser" trailer showing a quick succession of highlights from the upcoming episode. Stand-alone shows (non-serial dramas) and even prime-time soaps like Dallas opened with "teasers". These "teasers" usually ranged in length from 30 seconds to 1 minute. When a show made it to syndication, it was always a bit of a letdown to see that the "teaser" had been removed, no doubt to make room for commercials. When television shows began being released on DVD in the early 2000's, it was great to see many long-gone "teasers" restored - often being seen again for the first time in decades. Also - sometimes inexplicably - shows that HAD "teasers" originally but they were not included on the subsequent DVD releases - I'm looking at youGreatest American Hero and Max Headroom - where did the "teaser" trailers for these great shows disappear to?
One of the better aspects of Ron Moore's "re-imagined" Battlestar Galactica (2004 - 2009) was the use of a "teaser" trailer at the **end** of the opening credits - a fast clip of upcoming scenes were shown without dialogue - very similar to the eclectric !This Episode! trailers that appeared during the opening title sequence of the first Season of Space: 1999.
Would it be too much of a throwback if a new sci-fi show premiered in the 21st Century - and each episode opened with a "teaser"? What do you think - too retro? Maybe so, but I would love it if opening "teaser" trailers made a comeback.
Below are 3 all-time great opening "teasers" that are well-worth viewing -
1) Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - "Space Vampire"
2) Battlestar Galactica - "Fire in Space"
3) Voyagers! - "Jack's Back"
All 3 of these great classic TV shows were produced by Universal Studios - either by coincidence or design, the most memorable opening "teasers" were produced by Universal! :-)
-
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
- "Space Vampire"
Battlestar Galactica - "Fire in Space"
Voyagers! - "Jack's Back"
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Galactica and Voyagers! are copyright (c) and trademark NBC / Universal.
This 2 minute German Trailer for the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century feature film is really cool. Listen for music from Battlestar Galactica during the romantic scene between Buck and Princess Ardala! View this cool trailer HERE:
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is copyright (c) NBC / Universal.
