The Star Wars Holiday Special was a two-hour
television specialA television special is a television program which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Sometimes, however, the term is given to a special TV telecast of a theatrical film, such as The Wizard of Oz or The Ten Commandments, as opposed to the...
(including commercials) set in the
Star Wars galaxyThe Star Wars galaxy is the fictional setting for the Star Wars franchise. It is referred to in several official publications as the galaxy or the Known Galaxy...
. It was the first official
Star WarsStar Wars is an epic space opera franchise initially conceived by George Lucas. The first film in the franchise was originally released on May 25, 1977, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, spawning two immediate sequels, released at three-year intervals...
spinoff produced. It was directed by
Steve BinderSteve Binder is an Emmy and Ace Award winner for his work as an American producer and director. He found success behind the camera on influential TV shows showcasing music, like The T.A.M.I. Show and Hullabaloo...
. It was broadcast in its entirety in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
only once, on Friday, November 17, 1978 on
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
-TV from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.,
Eastern Standard TimeThe Eastern Time Zone of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America. Its time offset is −5 hrs GMT or UTC−5 during standard time and UTC−4 during daylight saving time...
(EST). In it,
ChewbaccaChewbacca, nicknamed Chewie, is a Wookiee character in Star Wars franchise. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in the films Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
and
Han SoloHan Solo, played by Harrison Ford, is a fictional smuggler and "reckless mercenary" in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire...
visit
KashyyykFor the imperial bodyguard of the Mongol emperors, see Keshik.Kashyyyk , also known as Wookiee Planet C, is a planet in the Star Wars universe...
, Chewbacca's home world, to celebrate Life Day. Along the way, they are pursued by agents of the
Galactic EmpireThe Galactic Empire is one of the main factions in the fictional universe of Star Wars . It is a galaxy-spanning regime established by the series' lead villain, Palpatine, to replace the Galactic Republic in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The Galactic Empire is introduced in A New Hope...
who are searching for
rebelsThe Alliance to Restore the Republic is a interstellar faction of the fictional universe of Star Wars....
on the planet. The special introduces three members of Chewbacca's family: his father Attichitcuk, his wife Mallatobuck, and his son Lumpawarrump.
The main storyline of the film, which is set in
2 ABYThe chronology of the Star Wars fictional universe is maintained according to narrated time rather than real-world time and publishing chronology. For this purpose, a calendar based upon the Battle of Yavin in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is used...
, transpires on Kashyyyk. During the film, scenes also take place in outer space and in spacecraft including the
Millennium FalconThe Millennium Falcon is a fictional spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...
and an Imperial
Star DestroyerStar Destroyers are the iconic capital ships of the Imperial Starfleet in the fictional Star Wars universe. The Imperial Star Destroyer, which first appears at the beginning of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, is "the signature vessel of the Imperial fleet"...
. The variety-show segments and cartoon introduce a few other locales, such as a cantina on the desert planet of
TatooineTatooine is a fictional planet and setting for many key scenes in the Star Wars saga, appearing in every Star Wars film except The Empire Strikes Back. Since it is the home planet of Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker, it is also one of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe.Tatooine...
and a gooey, reddish
water planetWater planet may refer to:* Issues concerning planetary habitability* Water is a fictional planet in the television series Lexx* Water is a fictional planet in the 3D CG animated television series Shadow Raiders* Water World* Ocean planet...
known as Panna.
The program also features some
cameoA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television. Short appearances by film directors, politicians, athletes, musicians, and other celebrities are common. These roles are generally small, and...
s (although the cameo actors are listed as stars) by other
Star Wars characters, including
Luke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker is the main protagonist of the Star Wars films Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
,
C-3POC-3PO is a character from the Star Wars universe, who appears in both the original Star Wars films and the prequel trilogy. He is also a major character in the television show Star Wars: Droids, and appears frequently in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, comic books, and video games...
,
R2-D2R2-D2 , is a fictional droid in the Star Wars universe, an astromech droid...
,
Darth VaderDarth Vader is the central antagonist in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy and his final prequel, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. In the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader is embodied by David Prowse, though Sebastian Shaw makes a brief cameo as the unmasked Vader. In Star Wars...
,
Han SoloHan Solo, played by Harrison Ford, is a fictional smuggler and "reckless mercenary" in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire...
and
Princess Leia OrganaPrincess Leia Organa Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. She is portrayed by actress Carrie Fisher in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Star Wars Holiday Special. Aiden Barton appeared as an infant Leia in Revenge of the Sith...
(who sings the film's "
theme songTheme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
", set to the music of
John WilliamsJohn Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career that spans six decades, Williams has composed many of the most famous film scores in Hollywood history, including Star Wars, Superman, Home Alone, the first three Harry Potter movies and all but two of Steven...
's
Star Wars theme, near the end). The program also features a
cartoonAn animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
produced by Toronto-based
NelvanaNelvana Limited is a Canadian entertainment company, founded in 1971, known for its work in children's animation. It was named by founders Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith after a Canadian comic book superheroine created by Adrian Dingle in the 1940s...
that officially introduces the
bounty hunterA bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include, bail enforcement agent, fugitive recovery agent, and bail fugitive investigator...
Boba FettBoba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon, he is the "next major villain" after Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
.
The film is notorious for its negative reception.
Anthony DanielsAnthony Daniels is an English actor, best known for his role as the droid C-3PO in the Star Wars series of films made between 1977 and 2005.-Biography:...
in a documentary promoting the worldwide tour of
Star Wars: In Concert notes with a laugh the Star Wars Universe includes "The horrible Holiday Special that nobody talks about".
George LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
had limited involvement with the film's production, and he was unhappy with the results.
David AcombaDavid Acomba is an award winning producer/director with substantial experience in both television and film. His television programs have been featured on CBS, ABC, PBS, CBC, CTV, BBC, Channel 4, Showtime and HBO.-Biography:...
, a classmate of Lucas's at
USC film schoolThe USC School of Cinematic Arts, until 2006 named the School of Cinema-Television , is a film school within the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. It is the oldest and largest such school in the United States, established in 1929 as a joint venture with the Academy of...
, had been selected to direct the special, but he chose to leave the project, a decision supported by Lucas. The special has never been re-aired or officially released on video.
Synopsis
It is Life Day (a holiday analogous to Christmas on Earth).
ChewbaccaChewbacca, nicknamed Chewie, is a Wookiee character in Star Wars franchise. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in the films Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
is on his way home to see his family and to celebrate the holiday, accompanied by his friend,
Han SoloHan Solo, played by Harrison Ford, is a fictional smuggler and "reckless mercenary" in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire...
. Not long after departing
TatooineTatooine is a fictional planet and setting for many key scenes in the Star Wars saga, appearing in every Star Wars film except The Empire Strikes Back. Since it is the home planet of Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker, it is also one of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe.Tatooine...
in the
Millennium FalconThe Millennium Falcon is a fictional spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...
, the duo find themselves chased by two
Star DestroyerStar Destroyers are the iconic capital ships of the Imperial Starfleet in the fictional Star Wars universe. The Imperial Star Destroyer, which first appears at the beginning of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, is "the signature vessel of the Imperial fleet"...
s, which Han derisively refers to as an "Imperial garbage
scowA scow, in the original sense, is a flat bottomed boat with a blunt bow, often used to haul garbage or similar bulk freight; cf. barge. The etymology of the word is from the Dutch schouwe, meaning such a boat.-Sailing scows:...
." After a short argument whether they should abort the mission a decision is made to move forward. Han then sends the
Falcon into hyperspace.
Meanwhile, on
KashyyykFor the imperial bodyguard of the Mongol emperors, see Keshik.Kashyyyk , also known as Wookiee Planet C, is a planet in the Star Wars universe...
, Chewie's family is anxiously awaiting and preparing for Chewbacca's return. For the most part, they are going on with their everyday lives. However, Chewie's family is a bit nervous, because Chewbacca has not arrived yet. Malla takes down a framed picture of Chewbacca; her father-in-law Itchy notices her worries and reassures Malla that Chewie is safe, and she replaces the picture. Itchy then gets out a movie (in the form of a futuristic capsule), and gives it to his grandson, Lumpy, to play on their movie device. After the movie is over, the family begins to do various chores.
Malla and Itchy begin to worry again. Malla switches on a viewscreen-computer, and runs a search for any starships in the area, hoping that the
Falcon will be found in the scan, but the computer returns the result of "no starships in the area." She is deeply disappointed, and switches off the viewscreen. She opens a hidden communication device from within their cabinets — it is a device that allows them to communicate (via the HoloNet) with Chewbacca and the rebellion. Since this type of device is not allowed by the Empire, they must keep it a secret. Malla contacts
Luke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker is the main protagonist of the Star Wars films Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
, who, along with his faithful droid
R2-D2R2-D2 , is a fictional droid in the Star Wars universe, an astromech droid...
, is working on his
X-wingX-wings are fictional starfighters from the original Star Wars trilogy and the Star Wars Expanded Universe. They are depicted as the primary interceptor and dogfighter of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic...
starfighter. Luke says he doesn't know what has happened. But knowing Han and Chewie, he suggests that they probably stopped off somewhere and would arrive soon. Luke begins to have a few problems of his own when the part he is working on begins to emit a large amount of steam. Seeing that he is busy, Malla shuts off the communication viewscreen.
Next, Malla contacts Saun Dann, a local human trader on the planet. He is dealing with a customer when she contacts him, and Malla is able to view the proceedings. An Imperial navy trooper is looking around Dann's shop, but is uninterested in any of Dann's suggestions. While the guard is still looking at things, Dann notices Malla on the viewscreen, and lets her know through a carefully-worded message that Han and Chewie are on their way, and should be arriving soon. However, he doesn't know of their current whereabouts.
Meanwhile,
Darth VaderDarth Vader is the central antagonist in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy and his final prequel, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. In the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader is embodied by David Prowse, though Sebastian Shaw makes a brief cameo as the unmasked Vader. In Star Wars...
's star destroyer is orbiting
TatooineTatooine is a fictional planet and setting for many key scenes in the Star Wars saga, appearing in every Star Wars film except The Empire Strikes Back. Since it is the home planet of Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker, it is also one of the most iconic planets in the Star Wars universe.Tatooine...
. Vader has been alerted to the escape of the
Falcon from the grasp of the Empire. He was not ready to let them escape for the second time, as he has been on the search for the rebels who had destroyed the Death Star not long ago, and was obsessed with locating the ones responsible. An Imperial officer informs Vader that a blockade has been set up around Kashyyyk, and a search started on the planet. Vader is pleased, and instructs him to continue the search.
Back on the
Falcon, Chewie and Han have just come out of hyperspace not far from Kashyyyk. They are completely surprised by the blockade, and immediately begin to do battle with four TIE fighters blocking their way. Meanwhile, back On Kashyyyk, an Imperial officer broadcasts that a blockade has been set up around the planet, and the Empire has declared martial law. Immediately after the announcement, Chewie's family get a knock at the door. Frightened, Itchy goes to open it and to their relief, it is Saun Dann at the door. Saun Dann brings everyone Life Day gifts; a music box for Malla, a box with an unknown present in it for Lumpy, and an Interactive Virtual Reality Fantasy Chip for Itchy.
Malla then contacts Princess Leia via viewscreen to alert them of Han and Chewie's tardiness. Princess Leia Organa and C-3PO are at a Rebel base, hard at work on something. Leia can offer no help, but does ask if Malla is alone, and is relieved that Saun Dann is there to protect everyone. With little help from Leia, Malla switches off the communication device.
Back on the
Falcon, Han and Chewie are approaching Kashyyyk. They are glad to finally almost be there. Han notices the increased Imperial presence, so they decide to land on a safe section of the north side of the planet. However, this is far from the Wookiee household and will be a long walk. Chewbacca protests, but they finally decide to land the ship. As they enter the atmosphere, Lumpy hears the roaring of the ship. Everyone in the Wookiee house gets excited, and all run to the door. Believing Han and Chewie might be at it, Malla opens the door, and find two stormtroopers and two Imperial officers behind it.
The Imperials force their way into the house. The head officer checks the house for residents and finds that the male Wookiee, Chewbacca, is missing. He orders a search. The officers rudely look through the house, nearly discovering the hidden communication device. To try to distract the attention of the Imperials, Saun Dann suggests that he and Malla prepare some food for everyone in the kitchen. While they are doing this, Dann turns on Malla's music video box for one of the officers, who then seems to be more interested in the music than his duties. When the music finishes, the head officer orders the search to continue. Saun Dann sees he cannot help further and leaves. The head officer tells Malla to keep Lumpy busy while they search his room, so Lumpy (and the viewing audience) watches a cartoon on a viewscreen of one of his father's many adventures.
The cartoon deals with Luke, Han, and Leia's first encounter with Boba Fett. During a search for a talisman, the
Millennium Falcon crashes on a water planet known as Panna. Luke and the gang go after them, dispatching from a rebel base in a Y-Wing. Upon landing, they run into Fett, who wants to help them. They all board the
Falcon, where Han has been infected by a mysterious sleeping virus caused by the talisman. Luke immediately contracts the virus as well. Fett and Chewie go into Panna City to get the cure for the condition. Once they get into the Imperial-occupied city, Fett instructs Chewie to stay behind while he gets the cure. Once away from Chewie, Fett contacts Darth Vader and informs him of the situation. He reveals that he and Vader are in a plan to reveal the location of the Rebels so that Vader can stop them, as he tried and failed to do previously. Back on the
Falcon, as C-3PO is caring for Han and Luke, he and R2-D2 intercept the message between Vader and Fett. After evading the Imperials, Fett and Chewie return to the
Falcon with the cure. After everyone recovers from the virus, they all learn of Fett's true allegiances. Fett ignites his jet pack and blasts away, promising that he will meet them all again. Everyone then blasts away from the planet, and back to the rebel base on board the
Falcon. Lumpy shuts off the monitor and applauds it.
By this time, the Imperials have trashed everything in Lumpy's room. Once the Imperials are done there, they move to another part of the house, Lumpy surveys the damage and is very saddened over what they have done to his stuff, and after a moment of sadness, creates a plan for revenge using the gadget Saun Dann gave him earlier for his Life Day present. His plan is to create a communication device that will fool the Imperials into returning to their base by emulating the voice of one of their superiors.
While the Imperials are still searching downstairs, the living room viewscreen activates, advertising a video that is "required viewing by all Imperial personnel." All the Imperials in the house turn their immediate attention to the viewscreen. A reality-TV type program entitled
Life on Tatooine is inturrpted by a broadcast announcing that Tatooine is now being put under curfew by the Empire, due to "subversive forces." Everyone must return to their homes immediately. Lumpy uses this opportunity to put his plan into motion. The Imperials get a repeated call to "return to base." They leave, but the head officer instructs one of the stormtroopers to stay behind. After the other Imperials leave, the stormtrooper still hears the repeating signal. He immediately sees that something is wrong because there are no more radios around. He determines that the sound is coming from upstairs, where he finds Lumpy speaking into the box he had constructed earlier. His voice is being translated and amplified to be more human and deeper. The stormtrooper walks into the room and grabs the box, startling Lumpy. The trooper throws the box to the ground, shattering it. Lumpy is frightened, runs down the stairs and out onto the deck, followed closely by the stormtrooper.
As they both run onto the deck, they discover Han and Chewbacca walking up to the door. Chewie runs around the stormtrooper to protect Lumpy as the trooper points his gun at both of them. Han backs against the wall, sneaks up behind the stormtrooper attacks the trooper, making the trooper break the railing and fall off of the deck to his death in the deep forests below. Relieved, Han picks up Lumpy and hands him to his father.
As all three go inside, they find Malla and Itchy are waiting. Han tells them he has taken care of the threat, and everyone is glad to be safe and back together. Chewie and Han hug everyone. They want Han to stay, but he says he has to get back to the
Falcon before someone finds it where he has hidden it. After bidding everyone a heartfelt goodbye, he leaves wishing everyone a happy Life Day. After he leaves, another knock at the door announces the return of Saun Dann, arriving with bags in his hands. Suddenly, the Imperial officer appears on the viewscreen, giving a general alert for a missing stormtrooper (which is the stormtrooper that Han has just killed.)
Realizing the trouble they could be in, Saun Dann quickly claims that the trooper stayed behind after his squad had left as instructed, but then the trooper stole a lot of food from the house and left without a trace. The excuse works, and the officer says he will send out a search party to find the missing trooper. Everyone is relieved as the viewscreen deactivates. Saun Dann wishes the entire family a happy Life Day as he leaves. The family prepares to go the festival at the Tree of Life, gathering crystals together and joining them above their heads.
Magically, along with many other Wookiees, the family is next seen in space, travelling toward a bright star. They walk into it, arriving at the great Tree of Life, where many Wookiees dressed in red robes are gathered. As Chewbacca takes the stage, C-3PO and R2-D2 suddenly appear, along with Luke, Leia, and finally Han. He had had a surprise for everyone, as he brought the whole gang back for the celebration. Everyone is glad to be together. Leia gives a short speech on the meaning of Life Day and sings a song in celebration. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chewbacca remembers the adventures he had in
A New Hope, such as his first meeting with Luke and Leia, their escape from the Death Star, playing dejarik with R2-D2, and the award ceremony after he and Han had helped Luke destroy the Death Star. The Wookiees began to file out of the ceremony as his memories end.
That night, the Wookiee family (Chewbacca, Mallatobuck, Lumpawarrump, and Attichitcuk) all sit at the family table, feasting to celebrate the day and being back together again.
Reception
Generally,
The Star Wars Holiday Special has received a large amount of criticism, both from
Star Wars fans and the general public. David Hofstede, author of
What Were They Thinking?: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History, ranked the holiday special at number one, calling it "the worst two hours of television ever."
Shepard SmithShepard Smith is an American television news anchor. He is host of Fox Report with Shepard Smith and Studio B weekdays on the Fox News Channel. In addition, he anchors the 5:00 p.m...
, a news anchor for the
Fox News ChannelThe Fox News Channel , commonly referred to as Fox or Fox News, is a major American cable news and satellite channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation. As of April 2009, it is available to 102 million households in the U.S...
, referred to it as a "'70s train wreck, combining the worst of
Star Wars with the
utter worst of variety television." Actor Phillip Bloch explained on a
TV LandTV Land is an American cable television network launched April 29, 1996. It is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon....
special entitled
The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments, that the special "just wasn't working. It was just so surreal." On the same program,
Ralph GarmanRalph Garman is an American actor, best known as the host of The Joe Schmo Show, for his voice work in Family Guy, and as the entertainment reporter and impressionist for the Kevin and Bean morning show on Los Angeles radio station, KROQ...
, a voice actor for the show
Family GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television sitcom, created by Seth MacFarlane, for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family which consists of Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, and their pet dog Brian...
, explained that "
The Star Wars Holiday Special is one of the most infamous television programs in history. And it's so bad that it actually comes around to good again, but passes it right up."
The only aspect of the special which has been generally well-received is the animated segment which introduces the bounty hunter
Boba FettBoba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon, he is the "next major villain" after Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
, who would later become a popular character when he appeared in the
Star Wars theatrical films.
Regrets
George LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
himself has rarely commented on or even acknowledged its existence, except to friends and co-workers. He is thought to hold a low opinion of it. For instance, Tom Burman, one of the costume designers for the holiday special, has said that Lucas once told him that he was very disappointed with the final product.
At one Australian fan convention he reportedly said "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." In an online chat with fans, he reportedly said: "The holiday special does not represent my vision for
Star Wars." In an interview with
Maxim magazine in May 2002,
Maxim asked the question, "Any plans for a Special Edition of the
Holiday Special?" Lucas responded with "Right. That's one of those things that happened, and I just have to live with it."
Later, in a May 2005 interview with StaticMultimedia.com, Lucas was asked if the film had soured him on working in television:
He replied: "The special from 1978 really didn't have much to do with us, you know. I can't remember what network it was on, but it was a thing that they did. We kind of let them do it. It was done by... I can't even remember who the group was, but they were variety TV guys. We let them use the characters and stuff and that probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but you learn from those experiences."
The official
Star Wars site states that the holiday special "delivered mixed results," but explains that the highlight of the special was the Boba Fett animated segment. The official site also says, when referring to the fan interest in seeing the Wookiees on screen, "the 1978 Holiday Special didn't cut it." When asked at a fan convention, "So, you don't like it (the holiday special) either?", Lucasfilm head of content and fan relations,
Steve SansweetStephen J. Sansweet is the Director of Content Management and Head of Fan Relations at Lucasfilm and the author of fourteen books, twelve of them about Star Wars. He is also the owner of the world's largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia...
replied "No. I mean, I like the ten minute introduction of Boba Fett, but that's about it." The official site also refers to the Boba Fett animated segment as "a cult classic.".
On February 8, 2006, Harrison Ford made an appearance on
Late Night with Conan O'BrienLate Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC from 1993 to 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and stand-up comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 a.m....
, and during the interview,
O'BrienConan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, television writer, comedian, producer, and the current host of The Tonight Show on NBC. He rose to fame as the host of NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien from 1993 to 2009, before leaving to succeed Jay Leno to The Tonight Show helm,...
brought up the special, and began asking various questions regarding it, such as inquiring whether he remembered making it. Ford said nothing, but looked away and shook his head nervously, then saying he had no memory of it whatsoever and it, therefore, "doesn't exist." The audience responded with laughter and applause. O'Brien then asked Ford what he would think if he played a clip of the special on the show, Ford jokingly grabbed him, then said that "[he'd] never seen it, maybe it'll be nice." Humorously acting anxious and distracted, Ford suffered through the clip (which featured a scene showing Ford as Han Solo telling Chewbacca and his wife that they are "like family" to him), and then muttered a gruff, sarcastic "thank you" to O'Brien, before continuing with the interview to promote his then newest film,
FirewallFirewall is a 2006 action/thriller film directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Joe Forte. Harrison Ford stars as Jack Stanfield, a security expert at a bank faced with a corporate merger and the offer of a new job.-Plot:...
.
Recognition
- The special was ranked at #3 in "The Five Goofiest Moments Of The Star Wars Mythos", in the 62nd issue of UK's Star Wars Magazine.
- TV Guide
TV Guide is a North American weekly magazine about television programming.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews. Some issues have also featured horoscope listings and crossword puzzles.-Annenberg/Triangle era: The...
and TV Land ranked The Star Wars Holiday Special at number 59 on their "Top 100 Unexpected Television Moments" in a five part special that aired from December 5 until December 9 in 2005.
International distribution
The program was seen in Canada on
CTV Television NetworkCTV is a Canadian English language television network. It is Canada's largest privately owned network, the main television asset of CTVglobemedia, one of the country's largest media conglomerates...
on the same evening as the CBS broadcast. Toronto CTV station
CFTO-TVCFTO-TV, channel 9, is a television station in Toronto, Ontario, Canada owned by CTVglobemedia. Currently branded as CTV Toronto, it is the flagship station of the CTV Television Network, and was one of the charter members of the network when it was launched in 1961...
aired the program at 7 p.m., an hour earlier than seen on the nearest American outlet,
WIVB-TVWIVB-TV is the CBS television affiliate in Buffalo, New York. It broadcasts a digital signal on UHF channel 39. It is owned by LIN TV Corporation, and is sister station to WNLO 23, the area's CW network affiliate...
in Buffalo, NY.
Parodies and references in popular culture
- In the music video for "Weird Al" Yankovic
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, actor, comedian, and satirist. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
's song "White & Nerdy"White & Nerdy" is the second single from "Weird Al" Yankovic's album Straight Outta Lynwood, which was released on September 26, 2006. It parodies the song "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone...
", Yankovic's character can be seen buying a pirated VHSVideo Home System, better known by its abbreviation VHS, was a video tape recording standard developed during the 1970s. It was released to the public during the latter half of the decade. During the late part of the 1970s and the early 1980s it formed one-half of the VHS vs Betamax war, which it...
copy of the special from a bootlegger on the street.
- On askaninja.com, the Ninja refers to the Cantina scene in Episode 64 saying in the tag that even the aliens were unhappy with Bea Arthur's musical number.
- In 2007, a humorous audio commentary
On disc-based video formats, an audio commentary is an additional audio track consisting of a lecture or comments by one or more speakers, that plays in real time with video...
for the film was featured on RiffTraxRiffTrax are downloadable audio commentaries featuring comedian Michael J. Nelson heckling films in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000, a TV show in which Nelson was the head writer, and later the host. The RiffTrax are sold online and delivered by digital download...
, in which former Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000, often abbreviated MST3K, is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc...
castmembers Michael J. NelsonMichael John Nelson is an American comedian and writer, most famous for his work on the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Nelson was the head writer of the series for most of the show's eleven-year run, and spent half of that time playing the on-air host, also named Mike Nelson...
, Kevin MurphyKevin Murphy may refer to:* Kevin Murphy , American actor, author and puppeteer* Kevin Murphy , retired American football player* Kevin Murphy...
and Bill CorbettBill Corbett is an American writer and performer for television, film and theatre.He was a writer and performer on the cult television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 , for which he voiced the robot Crow T. Robot during the show's later seasons on the Sci Fi Channel and played the character...
heckled the special in the style of an episode of the TV series. Because of the unavailability of the special, RiffTrax suggests that fans procure a copy "you can Get frOm yOur friend Greg, in LakE VIDEOGoogle Video is a free video sharing website and also a video search engine from Google. Google Video allows select videos to be remotely embedded on other websites and provides the necessary HTML code alongside the media, similar to YouTube. This allows for websites to host large amounts of video...
, Illinois."
- In the South Park
South Park is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become infamous for its crude, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episode, "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics"Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics" is episode 46 of Comedy Central's animated television series South Park. An album of comedic holiday songs, some featured in the episode, and others exclusive to the album, or featured in other episodes, was released the week prior to the episode's original air...
", an anchorman teases before and after each commercial break, "Fighting the frizzies, at eleven." This was in reference to Rolland SmithRolland G. Smith is a former American television news reporter and anchor who is best known for his time in New York, where he was based for most of his long career. He served as an anchor for WCBS and WWOR-TV in New York.-Broadcasting career:...
's news promo on New York City's WCBS-TVWCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City and owned by CBS Corporation. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center in midtown Manhattan and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building...
, which is included on bootlegged copies of The Star Wars Holiday Special sourced from WCBS.
- In one ad for the Robot Chicken Star Wars
Robot Chicken: Star Wars is a 2007 episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken, airing as a one-off special during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on June 17, 2007...
special, George Lucas, in stop-motion animation form, is at his psychologist, lamenting about letting the special happen, and then agreeing to the Robot Chicken special. The doctor shakes his head and mutters, "30 years of therapy down the drain."
- In the ABC Family
ABC Family is an American cable television network currently owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a division of The Walt Disney Company. ABC Family offers contemporary and inclusive programming, including series, movies, events, and enhanced ABC encore presentations...
Christmas special, Chasing ChristmasChasing Christmas is a 2005 ABC movie that features the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. They try to use a spiritual guilt trip to make "Scrooges" celebrate Christmas....
, the Ghost of Christmas Past (Andrea RothAndrea Roth is a Canadian actress. She is perhaps best known for her continuing role as Janet Gavin, the wife of Tommy Gavin, the main character from Rescue Me.-Biography:...
) is sitting in a bar in 1978. The television behind the bar announces "Stay tuned for the Star Wars Holiday Special". There are a few more brief references to the show while she remains in the bar.
Cast
| Actor/Actress |
Role(s) |
Mark HamillMark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director and writer, Hamill is a best known for his role of Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the iconic voice of The Joker in the DC Animated Universe.-Early life and education:Hamill was born and raised in...
|
Luke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker is the main protagonist of the Star Wars films Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
|
Harrison FordHarrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. Ford is best known for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series...
|
Han Solo Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, is a fictional smuggler and "reckless mercenary" in the Star Wars franchise. Introduced in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca , become involved in the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire...
|
Carrie FisherCarrie Frances Fisher is an American actress, screenwriter and novelist. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy and her bestselling novel Postcards from the Edge.-Early life:...
|
Princess Leia OrganaPrincess Leia Organa Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. She is portrayed by actress Carrie Fisher in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Star Wars Holiday Special. Aiden Barton appeared as an infant Leia in Revenge of the Sith...
|
| Anthony Daniels Anthony Daniels is an English actor, best known for his role as the droid C-3PO in the Star Wars series of films made between 1977 and 2005.-Biography:...
|
C-3POC-3PO is a character from the Star Wars universe, who appears in both the original Star Wars films and the prequel trilogy. He is also a major character in the television show Star Wars: Droids, and appears frequently in the series' "Expanded Universe" of novels, comic books, and video games...
|
Kenny BakerKenneth "Kenny" Baker is a British dwarf actor and occasional musician, known as the man inside R2-D2 in the popular Star Wars film series....
|
R2-D2R2-D2 , is a fictional droid in the Star Wars universe, an astromech droid...
|
Peter MayhewPeter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Early life:Mayhew was born in Barnes, London, England, five days after Star Wars creator George Lucas...
|
ChewbaccaChewbacca, nicknamed Chewie, is a Wookiee character in Star Wars franchise. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in the films Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
|
James Earl JonesJames Earl Jones is an American actor of stage and screen, well known for his deep basso voice. To modern audiences, he is best known for providing the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise, and Mufasa in The Lion King.-Childhood:Jones was born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, the son of Ruth...
|
Darth VaderDarth Vader is the central antagonist in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy and his final prequel, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. In the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader is embodied by David Prowse, though Sebastian Shaw makes a brief cameo as the unmasked Vader. In Star Wars...
(voice) |
| Beatrice Arthur Beatrice "Bea" Arthur was an American actress, comedian and singer whose career spanned seven decades. Arthur achieved fame as the character Maude Findlay on the 1970s sitcoms All in the Family and Maude, and as Dorothy Zbornak on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls, winning Emmy Awards for both roles...
|
Ackmena |
| Art Carney Arthur William Matthew “Art” Carney was an American actor in film, stage, television and radio. Carney portrayed the upstairs neighbor and sewer worker Ed Norton, opposite Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden in the situation comedy The Honeymooners.-Personal life:Carney, youngest of six sons , was...
|
Trader Saun Dann |
| Diahann Carroll -Early years:Carroll was born Carol Diahann Johnson in The Bronx, New York, to John Johnson and Mabel Faulk. Her family moved to the Harlem neighborhood of New York City when she was an infant...
|
Mermeia Holographic Holography is a technique that allows the light scattered from an object to be recorded and later reconstructed so that it appears as if the object is in the same position relative to the recording medium as it was when recorded...
Wow |
| Marty Balin Marty Balin is an American musician. He is best known as the founder and one of the lead singers of Jefferson Airplane, the pioneering psychedelic rock band from San Francisco.Born and raised in Ohio, Marty was mildly autistic as a child, and he struggled with this while growing up...
|
Holographic Band Singer (as Jefferson Starship Jefferson Starship is an American rock band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Although its origins are complex, it is generally regarded as a spinoff from Jefferson Airplane and evolved from a 1970 science fiction-themed concept album by then-Airplane member Paul Kantner entitled Blows...
) |
| Craig Chaquico Craig Chaquiço is an American guitarist from Sacramento, California who has had over thirty years of success in a variety of genres: in the 1970s with the post-Summer of Love Jefferson Starship, in that band's 1980s incarnation, Starship, and in the 1990s and 2000s as a smooth jazz and New Age...
|
Holographic Band Member (as Jefferson Starship) |
Paul KantnerPaul Lorin Kantner is an American rock musician, most noted for co-founding the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane.- Overview :...
|
Holographic Band Member (as Jefferson Starship) |
| Harvey Korman Harvey Herschel Korman was an American comedic actor who performed in television and movie productions beginning in 1960...
|
Krelman / Chef Gormaanda / Amorphian instructor |
| Mickey Morton |
Malla |
| Paul Gale |
Itchy |
Patty MaloneyPatricia Anne "Patty" Maloney is an American actress with dwarfism.-Biography:She was born in Perkinsville, New York. She stands 3 feet 11 inches and weighs 60 pounds...
|
Lumpy |
| Jack Rader |
Imperial Guard Officer |
| Stephanie Stromer |
The Great Zorbak (Holographic gymnast) |
| Michael Potter |
Imperial Guard Officer |
| Wazzan Troupe |
Holographic Tumblers |
| Yūichi Sugiyama |
Ringleader |
| Mum Brothers |
The Reeko Brothers |
| Claude Woolman |
Imperial Officer (wallscreen) |
| Lev Mailer |
Imperial Guard #1 |
| John McLaughlin |
Imperial stormtrooperThe Imperial Stormtroopers are fictional soldiers from George Lucas' Star Wars universe. Stormtroopers are the personal army of Emperor Palpatine and of his commanders, carrying out the will of their superiors without questioning....
|
Sir Alec GuinnessSir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE, was an English actor. He featured in several of the Ealing Comedies, including Kind Hearts and Coronets in which he played eight different characters. Guinness later won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai...
|
Obi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several protagonists in the Star Wars series and the main protagonist of the second two films of the prequel trilogy. Along with Anakin Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear...
(archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Kenneth Svanold |
Darth VaderDarth Vader is the central antagonist in George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy and his final prequel, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. In the original Star Wars trilogy, Vader is embodied by David Prowse, though Sebastian Shaw makes a brief cameo as the unmasked Vader. In Star Wars...
(uncredited) |
| Arthur Rowton |
Zutmore (uncredited) |
| Leslie Schofield Leslie Schofield is an English actor who is most famous in the UK for his role as Jeff Healy in the popular soap opera, EastEnders where he played Jeff from 1997 to 2000. His character was famous for unsuccessfully proposing to Pauline Fowler...
|
Imperial Officer (uncredited) |
| Don Francks Donald Harvey Francks or Iron Buffalo is a Canadian actor, vocalist and jazz musician.- Life and work :Francks was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a drummer, poet, native nations champion, motorcyclist, author and peace activist...
|
Boba Fett Boba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon, he is the "next major villain" after Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
(voice, uncredited) |
Segments
The Star Wars Holiday Special is important for being the first film-length
Star WarsStar Wars is an epic space opera franchise initially conceived by George Lucas. The first film in the franchise was originally released on May 25, 1977, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, spawning two immediate sequels, released at three-year intervals...
story after the original theatrical film, and for showing an expanded look at parts of that universe. The main focus of the holiday special is the Blockade of
KashyyykFor the imperial bodyguard of the Mongol emperors, see Keshik.Kashyyyk , also known as Wookiee Planet C, is a planet in the Star Wars universe...
. But for the most part, the plot serves as little more than a means to string together a series of musical numbers, celebrity
cameosA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television. Short appearances by film directors, politicians, athletes, musicians, and other celebrities are common. These roles are generally small, and...
, and other variety-show acts. These include songs and comedy routines by such 1970s talents as
Jefferson StarshipJefferson Starship is an American rock band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Although its origins are complex, it is generally regarded as a spinoff from Jefferson Airplane and evolved from a 1970 science fiction-themed concept album by then-Airplane member Paul Kantner entitled Blows...
,
Diahann Carroll-Early years:Carroll was born Carol Diahann Johnson in The Bronx, New York, to John Johnson and Mabel Faulk. Her family moved to the Harlem neighborhood of New York City when she was an infant...
,
Art CarneyArthur William Matthew “Art” Carney was an American actor in film, stage, television and radio. Carney portrayed the upstairs neighbor and sewer worker Ed Norton, opposite Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden in the situation comedy The Honeymooners.-Personal life:Carney, youngest of six sons , was...
,
Harvey KormanHarvey Herschel Korman was an American comedic actor who performed in television and movie productions beginning in 1960...
, and Bea Arthur. Easily the most notable segment is an animated cartoon featuring the pre-
Empire Strikes BackStar Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
debut of
Boba FettBoba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon, he is the "next major villain" after Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
.
Music
The special features four songs. The first, "This Minute Now," sung by
Diahann Carroll-Early years:Carroll was born Carol Diahann Johnson in The Bronx, New York, to John Johnson and Mabel Faulk. Her family moved to the Harlem neighborhood of New York City when she was an infant...
, is best remembered for the bizarre monologue which precedes it in which Carroll — who is supposed to be an image created by a
virtual-realityVirtual reality is a technology which allows a user to interact with a computer-simulated environment, whether that environment is a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world...
machine — tells
ChewbaccaChewbacca, nicknamed Chewie, is a Wookiee character in Star Wars franchise. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in the films Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
's father, Itchy, that she is his "fantasy" and suggestively invites him to "experience" her. The second musical number is the song "Light the Sky on Fire", performed by
Jefferson StarshipJefferson Starship is an American rock band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Although its origins are complex, it is generally regarded as a spinoff from Jefferson Airplane and evolved from a 1970 science fiction-themed concept album by then-Airplane member Paul Kantner entitled Blows...
, which is presented as a 3-D music video watched by one of the Imperial guards; during production the song was given the working title "Cigar-Shaped Object (Vanished Without A Trace)". Later, Bea Arthur, who plays a bartender in the
Mos EisleyMos Eisley is a spaceport town on the planet Tatooine in the fictional Star Wars universe. In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi described Mos Eisley as a "wretched hive of scum and villainy." It is also the home of the Mos Eisley Cantina and Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes.From a...
cantinaCantina is a word that can refer to various places and establishments. It is similar in etymology to "canteen", and is derived from the Italian word for a wine cellar, winery, or vault. It is probably derived ultimately from the Late Latin canto, meaning "corner".Cantinas are found in many towns...
, sings "Good Night, But Not Goodbye" to the same set of aliens that were seen in the Cantina in
A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released simply as Star Wars, is an American 1977 space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It was the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films continue the story, while a prequel trilogy contributes...
, including, as the back-up musicians, the Cantina's resident group,
Figrin D'an and the Modal NodesFigrin D'an and the Modal Nodes is a fictional band from George Lucas's science fiction saga Star Wars. The group first appeared in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and were depicted as bald aliens with dome-shaped heads and round, black eyes, a race called Biths. They are seen in the...
. Finally, at the end of the special,
Carrie FisherCarrie Frances Fisher is an American actress, screenwriter and novelist. She is most famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy and her bestselling novel Postcards from the Edge.-Early life:...
sings a song in celebration of Life Day to the tune of the
Star Wars main title.
Comedy
Harvey Korman provides comedy in three of the special's skits, including the Cantina skit with Bea Arthur where he plays a barfly who drinks through a hole in the top of his head. He also performs two solo routines: one as Chef Gormanda, a four-armed parody of
Julia ChildJulia Child was an American chef, author and television personality. She introduced French cuisine and cooking techniques to the American mainstream through her many cookbooks and television programs, notably The French Chef which premiered in 1963...
(the four arms allow her to work much faster than Malla can keep up with), and one as a malfunctioning Amorphian android in an instruction video watched by Lumpy. Art Carney has a more integral role in the story, playing a trader named Saun Dann on
KashyyykFor the imperial bodyguard of the Mongol emperors, see Keshik.Kashyyyk , also known as Wookiee Planet C, is a planet in the Star Wars universe...
who is a member of the Rebellion and helps Chewie's family. His segments are also largely played for laughs, and at one point includes a scene alluding to his character Ed Norton from
The HoneymoonersThe Honeymooners is a situation comedy television show that was created by Marvin Marx, and shot before a live audience which debuted as a half-hour series on October 1, 1955...
, where an Imperial officer demands that he "get on with it" while Carney dallies with a prop.
The cartoon
The high point of the special is generally considered to be the animated segment produced by
NelvanaNelvana Limited is a Canadian entertainment company, founded in 1971, known for its work in children's animation. It was named by founders Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith after a Canadian comic book superheroine created by Adrian Dingle in the 1940s...
known as "The Faithful Wookie". While the artistic style takes great liberties — R2-D2's body is rubbery, C-3PO actually blinks (with vertical eyelids) and Han's face is nearly unrecognizable — the animation is above average for television animation of the period and the music and sound effects are straight out of the film, along with the vocal talents of the main cast from the film. Not only does the cartoon introduce
Boba FettBoba Fett is a character in the Star Wars fictional universe. A bounty hunter hired by Darth Vader to track down the Millennium Falcon, he is the "next major villain" after Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
, but his jet pack and rope gun as well, which are not used again in the movies until
Return of the Jedi four and a half years later.
Hasbro has released a Boba Fett action figure, using the likeness from the animated cartoon, and titled "Boba Fett (Animated Debut)".
Also Funko is releasing a
Star Wars Holiday Special Boba Fett Bobblehead in a special Limited Edition as part of their new
Star Wars Bobblehead series. His coloring in the Star Wars Holiday Special was unique, and far from the way he eventually appeared on the big screen in
The Empire Strikes Back.
Other bits
The
Holiday Special also includes a circus-style
acrobaticsAcrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
routine that includes uneven bars and
jugglingJuggling is a skill involving moving objects for entertainment or sport . The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling, in which the juggler throws objects up to catch and toss up again. Jugglers often refer to the objects they juggle as props. The most common props are balls or...
. All the acts were loosely linked together with material which involves the
WookieeWookiees are a race of hirsute bipeds in the fictional Star Wars universe. The most notable Wookiee is Chewbacca, a companion to Han Solo.-Inspiration:...
s' preparation for Life Day, Han and Chewie's attempt to evade the Imperials and make it to Chewie's family, and the Imperial garrison's search for rebels.
Versions and availability today
The Star Wars Holiday Special was mostly forgotten after its only airing in 1978, until sometime in the early-to-mid-1990s when individuals came forward and offered original videotape recordings of the TV airing. These have since been duplicated and reduplicated so that most copies of the special available today are based on second to sixth generation VHS dubs. Some of these fan-made copies include the original commercials that aired during the show. One first generation VHS recording available on many BitTorrent websites was recorded from
Des Moines, IowaDes Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
's
KCCIKCCI is a television station that broadcasts on channel 8 in Des Moines, Iowa. It is affiliated with the CBS television network and serves most of central Iowa. Owned by Hearst Television, KCCI has studios in downtown Des Moines. The station's transmitter is located in Alleman, Iowa, about midway...
, which is of the highest currently known quality.
It soon became a cult classic among
Star Wars fans despite (or perhaps because of) its criticisms. While originally shared or sold as a
bootlegA bootleg recording is an audio and/or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist, or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
video at conventions or outlets such as
eBayeBay Inc. is an American Internet company that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide. A majority of the sales take place through a set-time auction format, but subsequent methods include...
,
file-sharingFile sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multi-media , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented in a variety of storage, transmission, and distribution models...
technologies have made the special more widely available to fans curious to see for themselves. Online video sites such as
YouTubeYouTube is a video sharing website on which users can upload and share videos. Three former PayPal employees created YouTube in February 2005. In November 2006, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google Inc. for $1.65 billion, and is now operated as a subsidiary of Google...
have also been known to host clips of the special, but to this day, the special has not officially been made available.
Animation cels sold in the mid-1990s came from the special's animated Boba Fett segment. Segments of that cartoon appear in the 2002
Attack of the ClonesStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of internal chronology....
web documentary "Bucket Head", and Boba Fett actor
Jeremy BullochJeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known as the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the Star Wars original trilogy. He has appeared in numerous British TV and film productions, including Doctor Who and Robin of Sherwood....
introduces the segment as coming from the
Holiday Special. In 2004, the official
Star Wars site confirmed that documentary filmmaker
Kevin BurnsKevin Burns is an American television and film producer, director, and screenwriter. His work can be seen on Fox, A&E, National Geographic Channel, E!, Animal Planet, AMC, Bravo, and The History Channel.-Early life:...
was allowed access to the original print for use in his
Empire of DreamsEmpire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is a documentary about the making of the original three classic Star Wars films: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope , Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi .The original cut of the documentary...
documentary. However, the segment using footage from the holiday special was ultimately left out of the final cut of
Empire of Dreams.
Related media tie-ins
- In 1980, Meco
Meco is an American record producer and musician, as well as the name of a band or production team based around him...
produced a similarly-themed Christmas album entitled Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas AlbumChristmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album is a record album produced in 1980 by RSO Records. It features recordings of Star Wars-themed Christmas songs and stories about a droid factory where the robots make toys year-round for "S...
.
- In 1979, one year after the special's broadcast, Lucasfilm published Star Wars: The Wookiee Storybook, a children's storybook which reunited characters from the special.
- Prior to the special's airing, the Kenner toy company considered creating a toy line based on the special. While the project was cancelled due to the unpopularity of the special, several prototype versions of the figures are known to have been created. Those depict the Chewbacca family and seem to be simply modifications of Kenner's officially released Chewbacca figure.
- A press kit was released prior to the special to promote its airing.
- Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship is an American rock band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Although its origins are complex, it is generally regarded as a spinoff from Jefferson Airplane and evolved from a 1970 science fiction-themed concept album by then-Airplane member Paul Kantner entitled Blows...
proclaimed on their single "Light The Sky On Fire" (included as a separate disc with the album Jefferson Starship Gold) that it was "as seen and heard on the CBS Star Wars Holiday Special." It was released before the show aired.
- The Star Wars based MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of computer role-playing games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
, Star Wars GalaxiesStar Wars Galaxies is a Star Wars themed MMORPG for Microsoft Windows developed by Sony Online Entertainment and published by LucasArts.-History:...
, has several items and in-game storylines relating loosely to Wookiee Life Day.
- In a special preview promoting a Star Wars Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-Head Writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root...
special, George LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, director and chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd. He is best known for being the creator of the epic sci-fi franchise Star Wars and joint creator of the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
is driven to a therapist's chair over his hatred of the special. The scene was voiced by Lucas himself.
- The Holiday Special has been riffed on Mike Nelson's RiffTrax
RiffTrax are downloadable audio commentaries featuring comedian Michael J. Nelson heckling films in the style of Mystery Science Theater 3000, a TV show in which Nelson was the head writer, and later the host. The RiffTrax are sold online and delivered by digital download...
.
Canonicity of the special
- See also: Star Wars continuity and canonicity
The Star Wars Holiday Special is technically in the
Star Wars canonA canon, in terms of a fictional universe, is a body of material that is considered to be "genuine" or "official", that can be directly referenced as, or as if it were, material produced by the original author or creator of a series...
, which means that the events depicted are part of the greater continuity that includes the other films, novels, comic books, video games, etc. Generally, it falls in the
C-CanonThe Star Wars canon consists of the six Star Wars feature films, along with all officially licensed, non-contradicting spin-off works to the six films. As once defined by Lucas Licensing:- History :...
in the overall
Star Wars continuity.
According to Leland Chee, the keeper of
The Holocron, an internal
Star Wars continuity database at Lucasfilm (which contains at least 28 individual entries relating to elements of the holiday special), most elements from the holiday special are definitely considered canon. However, there are specific rules as to what is what. First off, any element from the holiday special that is referenced in another work is considered C-Canon (such as Life Day, Chewbacca's family, etc.). Any element from the holiday special that is
not referenced in other works is considered S-Canon, which means that it is canon, and that it "happened," but its canonicity is not set in stone. The only element from the holiday special where the canonicity is disputed is its claim that Chief Bast survived the destruction of the first
Death StarThe Death Star is a fictional moon-sized space station and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. In the films, the first Death Star is featured in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and a second Death Star is under construction in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
from
A New HopeStar Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released simply as Star Wars, is an American 1977 space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It was the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films continue the story, while a prequel trilogy contributes...
. However this officer isn't necessarily Chief Bast, and might just be a lookalike played by the same actor.
Later appearances
Since
The Star Wars Holiday Special was broadcast, it has received an extreme amount of criticism and enmity by both fans and official sources. Despite the relative unpopularity of the elements of the special, those at Lucasfilm responsible for licensing have kept the special in continuity, due to their canon policies. In many cases, they have expanded on elements from the special in several different media, including novels, comic books, video games, children's books, and even in a
Star Wars-themed cookbook.
Several of the characters in
The Star Wars Holiday Special appear in other
Star Wars works. Chewbacca's family are featured in various stories, including:
- "The Kashyyyk Depths" (1979) was a newspaper comic strip by Russ Manning
Russell Manning was an American comic book artist who created the series Magnus, Robot Fighter and illustrated such newspaper comic strips as Tarzan and Star Wars...
which featured another venture by Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewie to Kashyyyk for Life Day. It was reprinted in a collective book entitled Classic Star Wars #4: The Early Adventures.
- The Wookiee Storybook (1979) features Chewbacca's family in a situation very similar of that to the holiday special. Except in the book, Lumpy, wishing to be brave like his father, goes to the lower levels of Kashyyyk to get a type of fruit in preparation for the return of Chewbacca for Life Day. Trouble arises when Lumpy doesn't return, and Chewbacca must rescue his son.
- "Wookiee World" (1985) was issue #91 of the Marvel comics Star Wars run. It featured Chewie's family in another adventure on Kashyyyk.
- Tyrant's Test (1996) was the third and final book of Michael P. Kube-McDowell's "Black Fleet Crisis" trilogy. It featured Lumpy and his rites of passage into Lumpawaroo.
- Rebel Dawn (1997) was the third book in A.C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy. It dealt with Solo's younger years, and his early relation with Chewbacca and his family. Malla and Chewie's marriage is shown in the third book.
- The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookiee Cookiees and Other Galactic Recipes (1998) gives an official recipe for "Wookiee cookiees," a different name for "Wookiee-ookiees" from the special.
- Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
Agents of Chaos: Hero's Trial is the first novel in a two-part story by James Luceno...
(2000) was a novel in The New Jedi OrderThe New Jedi Order is a series of 19 science fiction novels, published from 1999 to 2003, set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The series revolves around the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the galaxy 21-26 years after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi...
series, in which Malla and Itchy make appearances.
- Chewbacca (2000) was a four-issue comic book series by Darko Mecan, which featured Itchy and Malla recalling stories of Chewbacca's history.
- Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds is a real-time strategy computer game set in the Star Wars universe.Players have a choice of factions and campaigns. The factions in the original game include the Wookiees, Royal Naboo, the Trade Federation, the Empire, the Rebels, and the Gungans...
(2001) was a LucasArts game which explored the past of Chewbacca's father, Itchy. As seen in the game, Itchy was a great warrior in his younger days, who fought many battles.
- The Unifying Force
The Unifying Force is the twenty-first and final installment of the New Jedi Order series of books in the fictional Star Wars Expanded Universe written by James Luceno....
(2003) was the final book of the New Jedi OrderThe New Jedi Order is a series of 19 science fiction novels, published from 1999 to 2003, set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The series revolves around the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of the galaxy 21-26 years after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi...
series. It features Chewbacca's son Lumpy, along with Lowbacca, who hold a pivotal role of taking up Chewbacca's life debt to Han.
- Star Wars: Galaxies (2003) was a popular MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of computer role-playing games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
game that allowed the player to visit and explore Kashyyyk. While there, the player can explore the customs of Life Day, as there are several Wookiees dressed in red robes, as in the special. Lumpy's stuffed bantha from the special can also be seen in the game. The official site for Star Wars: Galaxies even has a webpage dedicated to explaining these features in the game, and the customs of Life Day.
- A Forest Apart (2003) was an e-book by Troy Denning
Troy Denning is a fantasy and science fiction author of the New York Times bestselling novel Waterdeep , which he wrote with Scott Ciencin under the pseudonym Richard Awlinson. Other notable works are Dragonwall, Pages of Pain and The Parched Sea...
, also released in print as a supplement to his book Tatooine Ghost. A Forest Apart focuses on the exploits of Lumpy, after Malla allows him to go to CoruscantCoruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared on screen in Return of the Jedi: The Special Edition , but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire. An ecumenopolis, it was renamed Imperial Center during the reign of the Galactic Empire and Yuuzhan'tar...
with Chewbacca.
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology. It completes the entire Star Wars story.The film takes place three years after...
(2005) was a film which, in addition to introducing Kashyyyk to the big screen, involved Itchy. According to the Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-sections by Dr. Curtis Saxton, and according to the film's visual dictionary, Itchy was involved in the Battle of Kashyyyk as a gunner aboard an Oevvaor jet catamaran in the defense of Kachirho during the Battle of Kashyyyk. It is unknown at this point whether he actually can be physically seen in the film, but several jet catamarans are shown. The cross-sections book also references the use of a Wookiee mind evaporator for training which was introduced in the Star Wars Holiday Special.
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Incredible Cross-sections - The Definitive Guide to Spaceships and Vehicles (2005) (see above)
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith-Visual Dictionary (2005) (see above)
- Star Wars: Complete Locations (2005) Mentions that while Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids are in the cantina in A New Hope, Ackmena is in a nearby room negotiating for a raise in her pay.
Chef Gormaanda later was featured in an
issue of Lucasfilm's HoloNet News. She explained a new recipe, and it was explained that she had won a cooking award. The issue was HoloNet News Volume 531 #50 13:4:4, under "Life" section.
Chief Bast went on to appear in the
Star Wars Customizable Card GameStar Wars: Customizable Card Game is a customizable card game based on the Star Wars fictional universe. It was created by Decipher, Inc., which also produced the Star Trek Customizable Card Game and The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game.-History and Overview:Star Wars CCG was first released in...
, in which Bast's early life was briefly elaborated on. His card hints that he escaped and survived the destruction of the first
Death StarThe Death Star is a fictional moon-sized space station and superweapon appearing in the Star Wars movies and expanded universe. In the films, the first Death Star is featured in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and a second Death Star is under construction in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the...
, as seen in the holiday special. The card can be viewed
here.
Boba Fett returns in
The Empire Strikes BackStar Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
,
Return of the JediStar Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi is a 1983 space opera film directed by Richard Marquand and written by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan. It is the third film released in the Star Wars saga, and the sixth and final in terms of internal chronology...
, and in many Expanded Universe books, comics, and video games (not to mention numerous official and unofficial
fan-made filmsA fan film is a film or video inspired by a film, television program, comic book or a similar source, created by fans rather than by the source's copyright holders or creators. Fan filmmakers have traditionally been amateurs, but some of the more notable films have actually been produced by...
). His past is explored in
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the ClonesStar Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 space opera film directed by George Lucas and written by Lucas and Jonathan Hales. It is the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga and the second in terms of internal chronology....
.
The Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk is featured in various novels, comic books, and video games, including
Revenge of the SithStar Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology. It completes the entire Star Wars story.The film takes place three years after...
, the cartoon micro-series known as
Star Wars: Clone Wars, and video games such as
Star Wars: BattlefrontStar Wars: Battlefront is a first- and third-person video game based around battles in the Star Wars film series. It was developed by Pandemic Studios and LucasArts and released on September 20, 2004 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Macintosh and Microsoft Windows, the same day as the release of the Star...
,
Star Wars: Republic CommandoStar Wars: Republic Commando is a first-person shooter Star Wars video game, released in the US on March 1, 2005. It was developed and published by LucasArts for the Microsoft Windows and Xbox platforms. The game uses Epic Games' Unreal Engine...
,
Star Wars: The Clone Wars,
Star Wars: The Force UnleashedStar Wars: The Force Unleashed is a multimedia project developed by LucasArts along with Dark Horse Comics, Lego, Hasbro, and Del Rey Books. It consists of a video game released in September 2008, a tie-in novel, action figures, a comic book, a reference book, a role-playing game supplement, and a...
,
Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds, and
Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a role-playing game developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts. It was released for the Xbox on July 15, 2003, for Microsoft Windows on November 19, 2003, and on September 7, 2004 for Mac OS X. The Xbox version is playable on Xbox 360 with its...
. An entire city from the planet was even elaborated on in
Timothy ZahnTimothy Zahn is a writer of science fiction short stories and novels. His novella Cascade Point won the 1984 Hugo award. He is known for three Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, called the Thrawn Trilogy, which takes place after Return of the Jedi...
's popular 1991 novel
Heir to the EmpireHeir to the Empire is the first book in a trilogy of novels known as The Thrawn Trilogy, all written by Timothy Zahn.-Description:The book is set five years after the events of Return of the Jedi...
, which was the first in his
Thrawn trilogy.
External links