The eighth episode of a vastly retooled Battlestar Galactica (or, depending on how you look at it, the show’s 29th episode) premieres on ABC. Wolfman Jack guest stars. 
The eighth episode of a vastly retooled Battlestar Galactica (or, depending on how you look at it, the show’s 29th episode) premieres on ABC. Wolfman Jack guest stars.
The ninth episode of a vastly retooled Battlestar Galactica (or, depending on how you look at it, the show’s 30th episode) premieres on ABC. Dana Elcar, Bill Cort and Ned Romero guest star.
The tenth episode of a vastly retooled Battlestar Galactica (or, depending on how you look at it, the show’s 31st episode) premieres on ABC. This is the final episode of the original Battlestar Galactica. Dirk Benedict stars as Starbuck.
Mattel Electronics releases the Space Battle cartridge for the Intellivision home video game system. Early in its development cycle, this game was intended to be a licensed tie-in to Battlestar Galactica.
Long after Glen A. Larson’s science fiction series Battlestar Galactica has completed its run, a California judge throws out 20th Century Fox’s 1978 lawsuit, which alleged that Galactica was too close to elements of Star Wars for the studio’s comfort. (Also at issue, though not specifically mentioned in the legal proceedings, was Universal Studios’ hiring of such Star Wars personnel as FX guru John Dykstra and illustrator Ralph McQuarrie to work on Galactica.) Universal’s television series is declared different enough in key areas to not be considered a rip-off – small comfort for the studio, since ABC cancelled had the series earlier in the year. Still, Galactica’s legal status will come into play later, as Universal will later reassert and exploit its rights to the basic Battlestar Galactica storyline in the 21st century. This is not the end of the lawsuit, however; much like both franchises, it too is revived in 1983, and Universal is ordered to pay 20th Century Fox a settlement of nearly a quarter million dollars in 1984.
Canadian-born actor John Colicos, known for numerous genre roles among his countless TV appearances, dies at the age of 71. In the original Star Trek, he was the first actor to be seen portraying a Klingon, in the 1967 episode Errand Of Mercy, and would later reprise the role in two episodes of the 1990s spinoff Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the late 1970s, he had a recurring role as Count Baltar, the chief human antagonist in the original Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the first part of the miniseries re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. A reboot rather than a sequel to the late ’70s series, this more hard-edged version of the story plays fast and loose with many of the character outlines and is influenced heavily by the post-9/11-attacks western mindset. Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell star, with the script written by Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine). Hotly anticipated due to over a year’s worth of speculation about the far-reaching changes to the show’s story outline, the miniseries is an instant hit.
Sci-Fi channel airs the second part of the miniseries re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell star, with the script written by Ronald D. Moore (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine). The miniseries wins instant critical acclaim for its writers and cast, and many critics hail the new Galactica as the best Sci-Fi Channel original series to date. However, it takes some time for a full series order to happen, and will eventually involve an infusion of money from British satellite channel Sky One to be approved at all; this results in the first season airing first in the UK, and not until 2005 in North America.
La-La Land Records releases the soundtrack CD from the two-part Sci-Fi Channel miniseries rebooting Battlestar Galactica, with music by Richard Gibbs and Bear McCreary. The music from the miniseries sets the template for the scoring of the early episodes of the weekly series, though the musical style of the show expands rapidly under the direction of McCreary (Gibbs opts not to return for the series).
British satellite channel Sky One premieres the first episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica, months ahead of the first season premiere in North America on the Sci-Fi Channel. The remainder of the season airs first in the UK due to Sky One’s financial contribution to the production of the series (without which it’s unlikely that Sci-Fi Channel alone would’ve continued production).
Sci-Fi channel airs the second episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the third episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch, who played Apollo in the original series, makes his first appearance as political agitator Tom Zarek (and plays most of his scenes against Jamie Bamber, the new series’ Apollo). Brent Stait (Andromeda) also guest stars.
Sci-Fi channel airs the fourth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the fifth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the sixth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the seventh episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the eighth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the ninth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Kate Vernon guest stars.
Sci-Fi channel airs the tenth episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 11th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch, Alex Zahara (Jeremiah) and Kate Vernon guest star.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 12th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 13th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. This episode and its shocking cliffhanger ending bring the critically acclaimed first season to a close, with a few media outlets claiming that the new Galactica is one of the best television series in history.
La-La Land Records releases Bear McCreary’s soundtrack from the first season of Sci-Fi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica reboot. Released by popular demand from the show’s fan base, the soundtrack displays the series’ rapidly evolving, complex musical direction, including the unusual dual main theme tunes (one used for broadcast in the UK, one used in the US). 
Sci-Fi channel airs the 14th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. This episode begins the show’s highly anticipated second season; from the second season onward, all episodes premiere in North America. Kate Vernon guest stars.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 15th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Kate Vernon guest stars.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 16th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Kate Vernon and Richard Hatch guest star.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 17th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Kate Vernon and Richard Hatch guest star.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 18th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Rick Worthy and Richard Hatch guest star.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 19th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch guest stars.
Sci-Fi channel airs the 20th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch guest stars.