I'm not surprised that the series was cancelled as quickly as it was. There were too many competing alternatives at the time with better writing, acting, photography, and editing.
Want more palatable social justice allegories? Watch some Star Trek reruns where they take place comfortably on alien worlds.
Want better car chases and more believable bad guys? Watch CHiPs.
Want more stunt driving and inept local law enforcement? Watch The Dukes of Hazard.
Want more irrascible children? Watch The Bad News Bears.
I'm sure there are many other (and better) comparisons that could be made. "Galactica 1980" just tried to appeal to too broad an audience, and in doing so, completely lost any semblance of a coherent story to tell.