A few days ago, we lost Gil Gerard—forever Buck Rogers in the 25th Century to a generation of kids who grew up in the late 70's believing the future was sleek ships, sharp one-liners, and heroes who always found a way...oh yeah and some absolutely beautiful woman.
For Shawn, Buck Rogers wasn’t just a show. It was a piece of his childhood. It was imagination, escapism, and optimism wrapped into a weekly ritual. Years later, that love became something more when Shawn and Shiff took it live on The Place to Be Pop Feed back in 2021–2022 when Battlestar in the 25th Century Podcast began.
What started as Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century watch-alongs turned into a journey—one where Shawn got to share the shows that shaped him with someone who had never experienced them. The goal was simple: pass along the joy, the absurdity, the heart, and the fun of the sci-fi that made Shawn who he was.
And then came what would become the final episode of the pod.
A one-off.A curveball.A deep dive into Gil Gerard’s personal journey, including his decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
It is still talked about in Backbone circles as the first and only podcast that truly broke Shiff. Laughter, disbelief, humanity—it had all of it. And fittingly, it centered on the man who meant so much to us in the first place.
Gil Gerard wasn’t just a TV hero. He was human. Complicated. Honest. And willing to share his story in a way that connected with people far beyond the world of New Chicago.
So this is a tribute—to Gil Gerard.To Buck Rogers.To childhood wonder.To shared fandom.And to the unexpected moments that stay with us long after the microphones are turned off.
Rest easy, Buck.The future you helped us dream about is still flying.
***Original Write Up of the Pod from March 12, 2022***
On “very special” Episode 26 of Battlestar in the 25th Century, Shawn and Scott pause on a regular episode watch and go down the You Tube rabbit hole to watch Buck Rogers star Gil Gerard in “Gil Gerard Action Hero Makeover Video Mini-Gastric Bypass”. Gil, now at 350 pounds shares his journey to Gastric Bypass surgery taking on a larger fight than the Draconians, his health! Guest stars galore, including Bill Clinton and some Buck Rogers favorites!
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