This Forgotten '80s TV Drama Was An Adaptation Of An Oscar-Winning Sports Movie

In 1980, ABC aired a prequel series titled "Breaking Away," which was an adaptation of the Oscar-winning 1979 cycling movie of the same name. The movie, directed by John Badham, had won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and also received four other Academy Award nominations. The story revolved around a teenager named Dave (portrayed by Dennis Christopher), who lived in an Indiana college town and aspired to become a competitive cyclist.

Three of the original cast members returned for the TV series, including Jackie Earle Haley as Dave's friend Moocher, Barbara Barrie as Dave's mother (who had also been nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film), and Steve Tesich, the film's screenwriter. However, Dennis Christopher did not reprise his role as Dave, and instead, Shaun Cassidy took over the lead, while Dennis Quaid played another character, Mike, on the small screen.

Upon its premiere on November 29, 1980, the series received mixed reviews. Although some critics praised its promise, the show struggled to maintain a strong audience. Despite the movie's success, the TV adaptation failed to capture the same level of popularity. The post-mortem analysis suggested that while the show had a talented cast and crew, it couldn't match the best coming-of-age television shows of the time.

The cancellation, which occurred after just seven episodes, remains a mystery, with some speculating that it was simply one of the many 1980s shows that were forgotten over time.