20 years ago when it aired on MST3k, I just assumed that the entire writing staff was just ignorant that Battlestar even existed. If you look at the jokes, they routinely knock the effects as "lame" etc. when in actuality they are just about on part with Star Wars and definitely better than you would find in a cheap sci fi movie made in 1988.

Now that I think about it, that just CAN'T be true as Battlestar was a pretty popular show in its day and most of the MST3k writing staff must have at least been children (the prime audience) for that show when it was on. I find it even more suspicious that not one of the MST staff has ever explained why they missed it.

So my theory is that they feigned ignorance because they may have had the rights to SPACE MUTINY but maybe not the rights to Battlestar? Perhaps Space Mutiny straight-up stole the effects shots and were hoping to just go under the radar with it? MST3k becomes aware of this and just acts like they are none-the-wiser? Thoughts anyone?