Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
1979-1981, Glen A. Larson Productions
Is it so bad it's good, or is it just bad? Yes. Depending on the episode, it's either a grinner or a groaner. I confess I tuned in regularly (at least for the first of the two seasons) just to see Erin Grey, who was actually allowed to act—once in a blue moon. Meanwhile, Gil Gerard, best described as a walking-talking block of wood, was a serious problem during production; at one point he was legally threatened by the studio. He frequently rewrote dialog or even whole scenes, and occasionally outright refused to perform, all just to buff his (frankly non-existent) image. Regularly ridiculed for its cheesy scripts and cheesier production values, the show was completely retooled for an even-worse second season, becoming a best-forgotten bargain-basement Star Trek knock-off. Between Gerard's chronic hissy-fits and in-the-toilet ratings, NBC mercifully pulled the plug.
DKS 2/21/22
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
