Star Wars Holiday Special: Did Lucas Ever Really Care?



Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009

by
http://www.howannoyingisit.com

It's been 32 years since the original Star Wars made the world's jaw drop, and the rest is history. Almost. There was one chapter in the George Lucas' universe which was very nearly expunged from the record. Thankfully, the internet has let us all remember The Star Wars Holiday Special.

The Holiday Special aired on national television just eighteen months after the original film hit theaters. It was so bad that according to legend, George Lucas demanded that every copy be destroyed. His intimidation tactics were so effective that today, 31 years and $8 trillion later, most people have still never heard of it. But thanks to the magic of streaming video, the world can remember this horrendous mistake.

If you haven't seen the Holiday Special, you're not alone. Millions have tried to watch it all the way through, but there is no evidence that anyone has ever made it and survived. You can try to watch it at How Annoying Is It? but most people just sample it, read the synopsis, and shake their head in full denial. What was he thinking?

The Star Wars Holiday Special was a variety show hiding inside a story about Chewbaca's family and their observance of"Life Day." Life Day is like Christmas for Wookies. There are presents, carols, and everybody has to wear a Snuggy. The holiday is so exciting that Chewbaca and Han Solo are desperately trying to make it home to Chewy's dad Itchy, his son Lumpy, and his wife Malla in time for the ceremony. Seriously.

There is no use explaining the rest of the plot, because there is none to speak of. The director stuffs a wide assortment of foolishness into the story, including musical numbers by 70's celebrities Bea Arthur, Jefferson Starship, and a space stripper. There's also a cartoon and s circus act. Skywalker makes an ugly appearance, caked with stage makeup. Vader's scene is just a short recut from the movie, probably because James Earl Jones insisted on keeping his dignity. Carrie Fisher did not. During the big finale, Princess Leah sings the big musical number, a Life Day Carol, roughly to the tune of John Williams' famous theme music.

After revising the Holiday Special over Christmas, I am forced to re-evaluate my thoughts on George Lucas. Like most of my generation, I grew up with his original three Star Wars masterpieces, but was appalled by the recent prequel trilogy. The scripts were awful, and the acting was laughable, and don't get me started on Jar Jar Binx. Add to that the recent Clone Wars madness, and millions of purists like me ask in frustration "Why did Lucas sell out? Doesn't he care anymore?"

But the Star Wars Holiday Special should force all of us to rethink the premise of the question: "Did he ever care?" Or is he just a money making machine who used to be a creative kid?

You decide.

Jason Hague is a teacher, writer, world traveler, and father of four. He holds a Bachelor's from Ecclesia College in Arkansas, and enjoys writing on everything from Old Testament history to the Dallas Cowboys to Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Jason is the founder and head writer for HowAnnoyingIsIt.com, a website that reviews kids movies and tv shows for parents who want to keep their sanity, and iCareForElders.com.

He lives with his wife and kids in Oregon.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Keira Benson
 2 years 44 days ago.
8 fans.
LOL, Id not heard of this monstrosity before I caught a tribute to George Lucas on youtube... Carcrash TV! :)
» left by Jason Hague 2 years 42 days ago.
3 fans. Follow Jason Hague on twitter!
Car Crash TV it was! A very dark day in the history of American Television.
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