User:Daniel Benfield/Battlestars Video Archive

Battlestars was a fun little show that marked the start of Merrill Heatter's solo career (although the Heatter-Quigley logo was still used on Las Vegas Gambit until it ended a month later), but unfortunately has never seen the light of day in repeats.

It's also known by some fans as "The Hollywood Triangles", and for good reason.

LEGAL STUFF SO I DON'T GET SUED: I'm only linking to these videos, none of which were uploaded by me, for the purposes of research and as a public record. Footage ©1981-83 Merrill Heatter Productions and associated entities.

Original Series (1981-82)
NBC Daytime: October 26, 1981 - April 23, 1982

The main difference from the revival is the bonus round – here, it's Battlestars Two, where the contestant picks cards to remove numbered tiles off a photo of a famous face. Guessing the person's identity after the first three cards (plus one chosen by the contestant) awarded $5,000, which dropped for every card picked afterward.

Why yes, that does sound like Face Lifters from the last seven weeks of the original High Rollers. It fit just as well there, too.

Battlestars Two players pick their number before Alex inserts the first three cards
 * December 25, 1981 (Todd Bridges, Nancy McKean, Richard Simmons, Skip Stephenson, Nell Carter, Richard Kiel; Russ at Battlestars Two, then {Game 2?} vs. Arlene {back due to an error} with Debbie playing later, the set decorated for Christmas, and everyone singing "Jingle Bells" through the fee plugs!; taped from WTCN)
 * [For at least this week, the top prize in Battlestars Two was doubled to $10,000. Alex notes that Arlene was on a couple of weeks ago, and is back due to a problem with a question. At this point, Battlestars Two players still pick a number before Alex inserts the chosen cards.]

Battlestars Two players pick their number after Alex inserts the first three cards
 * March 4, 1982 (Dody Goodman, Ruth Buzzi, Richard Kline, Jenallie Harrison, Dick Martin, Michael Warren; begins during Debbie {$8,017?} vs. Nancy, with Chris playing later; has commercials)
 * March 23, 1982 (Charles Haid, Jenilee Harrison, JERRY SEINFELD!, Debbie Reynolds, Rip Taylor, Nell Carter; John {$5,250} vs. Jan, with Didi and Jack playing later; no intro segment {alternate copy})


 * April 23, 1982 (Finale: Tom Poston, Debbie Reynolds, Jenilee Harrison, Rip Taylor, Jm J. Bullock, Ricky Schroder {Part 3}; Elizabeth {$14,000+} vs. Bonnie, continued from yesterday with Steve and John playing later; taped from KNBC with commercials {including a Family Feud promo!}, tape issues at bottom of screen nearly throughout {alternate copy, no commercials})

The New Run (1983)
NBC Daytime: April 4 - July 1, 1983 (65 episodes)

Tweaked the front game slightly, and made the endgame (now "The Main Event") actually relevant to the rest of the show: the contestant played a set of multiple-choice questions with their captured celebs (or three of the player's choosing if s/he had captured more); the first two questions were worth $500, with the third correct answer awarding the Battlestars Bonanza – a growing jackpot of prizes, plus $5,000 cash.

Problem is, the show was slotted at Noon, meaning it pretty much had little to no chance.


 * April 4, 1983 (Premiere {"A class show."}: Erik Estrada, Debbie Reynolds, Tom Wopat, Jm J. Bullock, Glenn Scarpelli, Vicki Lawrence; Deborah vs. Scott, with Chris playing later and Debbie running into some trouble during Game 1! {Bonanza starts at $12,549}; has commercials {alternate copy}))
 * [Alex, after Debbie tackles Jm: "Last time out, ladies and gentlemen, we were on the air for six months. We shouldn't make it past next Friday at this rate."]


 * May 27, 1983 (#40: Charles Nelson Reilly, Mary Frann, Andy Gibb, Fred Grandy, James Sikking, Emma Samms; Christina (Game 2 - $1,000) vs. Sally, continued from yesterday with Brian playing later {Bonanza starts at $17,024}; no celeb intros {begins at "All on The New Battlestars!}, video issues during most of show {still watchable, though}, ends late in fee plugs)
 * [Alex notes that the Bonanza "hasn't been won in a little while".]


 * July 1, 1983 (Finale: Charles Nelson Reilly, Betty White, Candy Clark, Jimmy Bullock, Stuart Damon, Mary Crosby {Part 3}; Wesley {$30,753!} vs. Leslie, continued from yesterday with Andy playing later {Bonanza starts at $10,051}; has commercials)