Whatever Happened to BUCK ROGERS in the 25th CENTURY? 

Princess Ardala: wow-beautiful and funny character

NGL as a teenager it was the women and a few characters that got my attention. Never realized how amazing Markie Post was until Buck Rogers.

Erin was SMOKIN'.

For the 70's I agree with you, it was Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers. I would also add Space:1999 too

Don't forget about "DUCK DODGERS, IN THE 24TH AND A HALF CEN...TURY!!!"😄😄😄

I’m 55 and remember loving this show as a kid but this is the first time I ever heard about the movie that came out first. Now I must seek this out to watch!

I went to Universal for a casting call one time. I went thru a back gate and had to walk thru the back lot where I saw the life size starfighter sitting next to the Viper from Battlestar Galactica.

I can't believe that Princes Ardala was only in four episodes. She left a lasting impression. But Wilma was still my favorite. Erin is just gorgeous.

Erin Grey is an absolute sweetheart. I first met her at Chicago Comic con and she sat down and just started talking to me like I was a long-lost friend. Adding to my story I was riding the shuttle that went from the hotels in Rosemont to Chicago Airport I was reading a comic book waiting for the bus to leave. Someone asked if the seat next to me was taken, I looked up and it was Erin Grey...again. We talked about random stuff, my Sister just gave birth to my niece, she scrolled through the pictures on my camera and told me my Mom has the same couch as she does. It was great! Eventually, the airport shuttle made it to the airport and she said, "bye" and left to catch her plane.

I was 9 years old in 1977 when I saw Star Wars in the theater. I couldn’t get enough of it. I watched the original broadcast of every episode of Battlestar Galactica, every episode of Buck Rogers, The Black Hole, that campy awesome movie Flash (the Queen soundtrack is still incredible), and the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. I loved every bit of all of it.

The best episode was the one in which Buster Crabbe appeared as "Gordon". Great to see the original Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers appearing in the new version.

Erin said those outfits were so tight they made her cry.

Princess Ardala was great. I'm so sorry she was in so few episodes.

I don't understand how network TV execs get much less keep their jobs. I cant name how many TV shows have a great 1st season but then get turned into garbage in the 2nd season then disappear. It's just ridiculous!

Col.l Wilma Deering was my heart throb, she was gorgeous.

I think it was the pilot ep. where twiki goes "bdbdbd, what a body" when Pamela Hensley walked past......I was in stitches and remember it to this day.

The absolute coolest scene in Buck Rogers was Col. Gordon, played by Buster Crabb, assuring a dubious Buck that he had been dogfighting spacecraft since before Buck was born.

The women of the show did things to preteen me.

oh Erin Gray, take me away!

That first season was great! Actually my favorite thing about the show was the detail in the different costumes. They were so creative. I also loved Wilma before they made her a flight attendant in the second season.She was a woman with authority in the 70s. A warrior.

Pamela Hensley only in 4 episodes? Wow...she made a hell of an impression on me. Interesting.. And thank you.

Not to mention Markie Post pre "Night Court" and Ana Alicia pre "Falcon Crest"

Buck Rogers suffered the same fate as Space 1999 ... clueless meddling by studio executives, that screwed up the second season, which led to a drop in ratings and the show's cancellations.

Erin.....whoa. I was only 7 years old when I saw the movie in 1979. Thanks to Erin, I walked out of that cinema a man.

I loved the Buck Rogers movie/pilot and season 1. Unfortunately, season 2 was abysmal. The naysayers can disagree all they want. Total crap!

Unchained woman is a particular favourite episode of mine from season 1. Jamie Lee, Curtis and, in particular, that outfit she was wearing still linger in my memory even now 🙂

Thanks, Dan! My brother and father and I saw the movie in the theaters and loved it. We also really liked the first season, but even as a little kid we could see the huge drop off after the first season. Beyond that we kind of gave up on the show. I actually once randomly bumped into Felix, who played Twiki, at a hotel and I went over and said hello. He was very kind.

Erin Gray now runs a business booking stars for convention appearances...

Excellent video as always! Mark Leanerd was also a guest star on Buck Rogers. He played an alien that could remove his own head. Seems logical.

We must be about the same age because I also remember Erin Gray being the Colonel we all wanted to… fly with. 😁 Ah, the joys of youth!

Erin Gray and Lynda Carter. The 70's were amazing for young males.

Gil was great and I loved Erin's skin tight costume. 🥰🤓😎✌🏼🛸🤖

Mark Lenard was also a famous guest. I recall him from season 2 of Buck Rogers. He had the ability to physically remove his head. I know. Weird. As we know, Mark Lenard famously played Spock's Vulcan father, Ambassador Sarek. He also played a Romulan commander in the first season of Star Trek. -OG

Erin Gray was stunning

Wow! It's the first prototype for the Tesla CyberTruck: 3:17

Erin was my adolescent dream, but space series also were hope based fun. Have you looked at Space 1999 (Moonbase A)

I worked on the restoration of the Draconia. It was a mess when it was brought into the shop, but we restored it back to film condition, including some of the fiber optics. It was a lot of work, but it was nice to see it go. I am one of the builders in the photo.

Star Wars, Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica. Damn skippy, they were fantastic.

Please do a video on the old Project UFO series. I really liked it as a kid.

I loved the original mini-series of V. It was just so awesome. It really kept us guessing.

Now do "Duck Dodgers, in the 24th and a 1/2 Thentury".

A tremendously fun show to watch in 1979. Season Two was indeed disappointing so much that a Third Season was not missed. You forgot to mention one more must-watch wonderful film in those years… Flash Gordon.

I especially liked the Draconian ship because it just wasn't a basic shape with a lot of model kit parts glued to it. I liked the layers or laminar structure as it seemed to give a lot of detail to the way the decks of the ship were actually laid out.

I had remembered Season 2 as better than Season 1, then when I rewatched the series I realized my memories were very wrong. My favorite episode is probably Space Vampire. The vampire looks ridiculous now, but back then it gave me nightmares.

I remember as a little kid we were on a tour of universal studios. At one point the tour tram stopped and we went into these three different sound stages They asked for volunteers in about 20 hands went up and I was one of four that was picked. In the the first soundstage was something to do with model effects and the second one was one lucky kid was chosen to ride a bike with ET in the front and they showed how they did the flying through the air affect. Then we went into the third sound stage. It was now my turn as well as a older girl to participate. They took us behind the stage and handed us flight helmets and uniforms. They told her she was Vicky and I was Buck Rogers. Now mind you I was a big fan of the show as a kid. Used to run around with a wire whisk as a Buck Rogers gun. So I was blown away. We got into our costumes and was led on to the stage where a cutout of a shuttle cockpit was on display. The host told us to go ahead and step in and sit down and press any buttons we want except for the Big Red One or we would go into hyperspace. The girl sat there pushing buttons left and right. But me , I was frozen. I thought for sure I would push the wrong button and kill us all. I must have been six or seven at the time. Anyway by the time I started to reach over and press a button the demonstration was over and we were done.

The episode with the space disco is hilarious! Come to think about it, the whole show was a space disco! 😂

My Dad grew up with Buster Crab's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century of the 1930s-40s hated this show. 1:34 Is that a Mark IX Hawk and the Dragon Ship from Space; 1999? Whatever happened to that classic SciFi show of the 1970's

I met Gil Gerard a few years ago here in the UK . He was such a nice genuine bloke. Sitting on his table he actually came to the front and spoke to me, my wife and my 2 boys and asking all sorts of questions .Never asked for an autograph because I was so happy to just speak to him.

As a young teen boy when this came out, my eyes were on Erin Grey. 😍 Buck who?

I think Twiki's Egyptian look was heavily inspired by the Japanese sci-fi kid's show Johnny Socko and his Giant Robot"

Colonel Deering, Erin Gray, did adverts for Bloomingdale's Dept Store, "Like no other store in the world. "😊

My 6 and 7 year old self wasn't looking at Wilma quite that way. She was just another girl in the show at the time but watching the show today my appreciation for those space suits has definitely improved

Not enough Princess Ardala.

I remember the episode with Buster Crabbe. The line ...you look like you've done this before. The answer from Crabbe...before you were born.

What do I remember of this series? Princess Ardala. Formative stuff.

There is a great interview with Erin Grey on the Inglorious Treksperts… she could have been Captain Janeway on Voyager. She tells the tale on the show and she does talk about Buck Rogers

This was probably one of my most favorite shows as a kid.

I think Erin Grey accelerated my puberty.

Had an opportunity to meet miss Erin Grey at a convention around 10 years ago. She still looked as good as she did back during the series. She was very wonderful to meet. I hope to meet her again one day

Pamela Hensley & Erin Grey

Erin Gray , what a hottie

Changing Twinkies voice was the final straw.

I found my old Buck Rodgers figurine sitting in a drawer at my dads place last year......I was sooo stoked. There was also a mini Star Fighter with it.

A good show (1st Season) and campy but fun. I liked how when Buster Crabbe appeared he was Brigadier Gordon - a reference to Flash Gordon, who he also played. Now, for us who were teens then, we have to make mention of the opening titles of the movie, where both Erin Gray and Pamela Hensley are featured. Ahem.

I loved Cricthon...and that episode where Buck has that fever and can see that green glow around those visitors who turned out to be lizard people. I also LOVED that vampire episode!

Erin Grey may have been the prettiest woman to ever be on TV. It was a very fun show. Wish it had been able to keep up the quality.

Pamela Hensley made a Sci Fi Con appearance back then in LA, I was there and she was VERY much IN character for her appearance. Now she sells cookbooks!

Don't forget Twiki was voiced by the legend Mel Blanc

Let's not forget that Buster Crabbe was not only the original Buck Rogers, but was also to original Flash Gordon

Oh. I had such a crush on Princess Ardala. Still do! Pamela, you were the best.

We called it T&A in the 25th century. That's why you watched it. T&A

What I remember most was the parade of guest actresses the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Markie Post, Morgan Brittany and Judy Landers.

Wilma and Princess Ardala were certainly good arguments for a young teenager to watch the series. 😁 I watched again the whole series quite recently and I enjoyed the first season particularly (don't forget John Quade !)

Erin Gray was one of my first "crushes" in that blue catsuit!

Mel Blanc deserved a list that "goes on all day." He was the biggest legend involved.

Dan, there is another guest star you could have mentioned. Her name was Dorothy Stratten. She was the Playboy model who was murdered in August 1980 by her husband, Paul Snider. She was in an episode called "Cruise Ship to the Stars."

11 year-old me absolutely loved this show - I loved the Sci-Fi aspect but yes, I admit I loved Wilma in her outfits and the other female costumes. Oddly enough, my dad, who wasn't into Sci-Fi, started watching the show, I soon figured out why...lol Always thought the Terran Starfighters were among the coolest looking ships ever made. Personally I liked Twiki, I think it helped he was voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, I doubt he would have worked without Mel. I never understood the changes to season 2...totally different show. Gil Gerard supposedly had to fight for Erin Grey to still be in the show, but the Ice Cream Parlour outfit was...disappointing to say the least. Rumour has it a lot of the changes were at the demands of Gil Gerard, largely because of his issues with the show you mentioned, as well as a new showrunner. Admiral Asimov was supposed to be a distant relative of Isaac Asimov, Crichton was Uber annoying, but the only good thing about Season 2 was undoubtedly Hawk. I have the blu-rays - they look absolutely awesome!

I'd have surrendered to Princess Ardala.

I’m good friends with Gil. Whenever Felix and him get together it was like abbot and costello. They were great friends for many many years. Having dinner with Gil and has him talk about the show, and other stuff was a treat! Gil is no fan of Erin Grey tho now. Whenever they were at a con together they were totally separated. Gotta lot of stories, but not enough space to share here :)

I would say this show needs a reboot, but such things make me shudder these days.

Loved this show as a kid. I bought the Blu-Ray set and lot of it holds up better than I expected, especially Gil Gerard's performance. I've met both Gil Gerard and Eric Gray and am pleased to be able to say that they are both incredibly nice people.

VERY cool indeed. This was one of my favorite shows in the day. Especially Hawk, LOVED that character.

I was 10 years old in 79 and I loved this show so much. TV show producers didn't understand their workers or their audiences..or didn't care back then. Markie Post :)

All hail Princess Ardala... she can conquer...you know what, maybe I should just keep that to myself...

I always drew comparisons between Lost in Space and Buck Rogers, in that, the first and second seasons had wild departures from "the norm" that they had set. In some ways it ruined them and doomed the shows to cancelation. Also Space 1999 suffered the same fate.

I remember watching this on TV in the 80's. Though the way Twiggy always went "biddy biddy biddy" drove me nuts.

I love watching Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as a 12 year old kid in 1979. My friends and I would be talking about it and sometimes we would have go to each other's house to watch it.

Buck’s starship is still my favourite design. Wilma… hubba hubba!

watched Buck Rogers on Tubi about a half year ago. brought back the feels for this Gen X'er (1977), the soundtrack and first season are great. loved seeing the ladies in the wonderful 70's and 80's outfits. I struggled through maybe 5 episodes of season two and just couldn't anymore.

This and Galactica were definitely two of my favorite childhood shows, even after it mutated into a Star Trek knockoff

I was working for a PBS station at the time of production. Some of the staff was involved in the series. I remember how impressed they were with all the matte paintings that were created. I think that at the time a record was set for creation and use if those paintings in a TV series. 🎨🖌️

Cool video . Yea princess Ardarla was awesome i didnt realize she was only in 4 eps

I remember when I was around 7-9-years-old. This show used to come on a channel I did not get at my house. Cable was absurdly rare where I lived, not actually making it to my area until I was 14 or so and we only got 6 (CBS), 10 (ABC) and 12 (NBC). 25, 38 and 56 often showed syndicated Sci-Fi shows and 1960-1970's rerun cartoons along with a little anime but we were not getting any of those without the antennae on the roof of the house getting lucky because of a storm or some other odd meteorological situation. *_Sigh_* I did catch this at a friends house a few times though, and wow did I love it. Weird, but I kinda miss sappy science fiction shows that both kids and adults could watch. Kids got the adventure and the adults got to laugh at the silliness of the whole thing. Win win.

Robots head looked like another kind of head you know we all were thinkin that

Believe it or not… How about doing Greatest American Hero?!

Dan, you and me had the same childhood, I was obsessed with Battlestar, Star Wars, and Buck Rogers too, in addition to The Micronauts, Space 1999, Jason of Star Command, Space Academy, etc. The 70s was a goldmine of awesome sci-fi. Love the vids, keep 'em coming!

Glad to hear that the "Draconia" still exists. I went looking for pics of it online several years ago and couldn't find anything. Also Glad to hear Gil Gerard fought to save the show from bad writing. In some ways the show was almost "Starbuck but without Apollo" where the producers realized that Smart Alec Starbuck was the break out star of Galactica, and tried to duplicate that, but without the chemistry.

Your show is like comfort food,I look forward to each new episode.Well done thanks Dan!

I wonder if Gil Gerard was reacting against the producers' efforts to make Buck like a sci-fi Burt Reynolds. You can tell Gerard's Buck really wasn't in that vein. He was closer to guys like Tom Selleck's Thomas Magnum, handsome, masculine, but a little more sensitive, not quite a swinger looking for an easy score.

I love your enthusiasm! Great vid! .