Yeah, you read right -- we're actually giving a shout-out to the sadly misguided "Star Wars Holiday Special". Why? Because as fans of all things Star Wars, we think every aspect of that faraway galaxy is worthy of some love, even if that means tough love. And with the "Holiday Special" turning 30 this week, we thought it deserved a bit of charitable coverage, seeing as how its older, smarter, more successful brother -- A New Hope -- was given its own three-continent 30th anniversary Celebration convention and all.
For those who have never seen the "Star Wars Holiday Special", it was a two-hour variety show that many feel suffered from over-extended scenes, kitschy dialog, and cheesy special effects. Airing just once on the night of November 17, 1978, it definitely had a few wince-worthy moments -- Wookiee grandpa "Itchy" fawning over the seductive crooning of singer Diahann Carol; a sappy Han Solo getting all mushy over Chewbacca's wife and kid; and the chef d'oeuvre -- Princess Leia singing "The Life Day Song" to the strains of the Star Wars theme.
But there's something to love about the "Star Wars Holiday Special", too. First, there's the nostalgia factor for Star Wars old-schoolers -- we 30-somethings who grew up on a steady diet of '70s TV can't help but get a little sentimental for this low-calorie version of Star Wars, made at a time when television programming was much more conservative than it is today. It was also the only dose of new Star Wars we'd had in over a year, ever since "The Making of Star Wars" documentary had aired the previous September. There was a really nifty cartoon segment in the middle of the show, too, which reunited the original movie cast as voice actors and introduced Boba Fett for the first time to the masses. To most, this short segment remains the show's only redeeming virtue.
So, brace yourselves for a full week of "Star Wars Holiday Special" coverage -- yes, the whole week -- in which we'll be debuting some rare video footage (no, not the Special itself), revealing some surviving props, exposing a few collectibles, and serving up rare interviews courtesy of the world's number one "Holiday Special" aficionado. So, buckle in -- this could get a little rough.
Here's a sneak peek of "Holiday Special" coverage this week:
- Extended interviews with many of the cast and crew of "The Star Wars Holiday Special", reprinted and updated by "Holiday Special" aficionado Ross Plesset (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)!
- Collecting the "Holiday Special"
- "Holiday Special" animation animatics video
- How to Draw: Chewbacca and his Family
- The props of "The Star Wars Holiday Special": What has survived?
- Interview with "Holiday Special" fansite administrator SKot Kirkwood
And don't forget, StarWarsShop is currently giving away 11 different exclusive "Star Wars Holiday Special" Topps trading cards, one free with every order!
