Join Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on "Stuff You Should Know" as they delve into the perplexing world of "The Star Wars Holiday Special," a production that has bewildered audiences and Star Wars fans since it first aired. This episode untangles the web of baffling segments and performances that mark this notorious TV event. From an extended scene in Wookiee language without subtitles to Harvey Korman's off-the-wall portrayals, they dissect the bizarre elements that led to the show’s infamy. The podcast also shines a light on the peculiar animated segment that introduced the character Boba Fett, unveiling a coherent narrative within the chaos of musical interludes and variety show shenanigans.
The special's legacy carries not just a polarized audience reaction but also some controversial moments, such as Carrie Fisher’s questionable singing performance, which Clark and Bryant speculate on, albeit with a touch of humor. They navigate the tumult of opinions, from those who ridicule it as a catastrophic misstep in television history to George Lucas's ambiguous disdain for the special. Referencing Lucas's reluctant consideration of re-releasing the special and Fisher's personal use of the tape to empty out parties, the podcast captures the surreal and polarizing place the Star Wars Holiday Special holds in the galaxy of pop culture.
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The Star Wars Holiday Special stands out for its peculiar format that puzzled audiences, incorporating a range of unorthodox segments that deviate from standard narratives. On Chewbacca's home planet, viewers are subjected to an extended, uninterpretable Wookiee dialogue, leaving fans bewildered by the absence of subtitles or context. Korman's portrayal of a Julia Child-inspired chef in a cooking segment adds to the confusion, while also assuming the role of a bar patron with an unconventional drinking method. However, amidst the chaos, an animated segment introduces the fan-favorite Boba Fett in a coherent and noteworthy plot. Additional musical performances by Jefferson Starship, Bea Arthur, and Carrie Fisher attempt to meet variety show expectations but are interspersed with bizarre elements. Critiques like Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant label the special as a catastrophic television event—an undeniable "train wreck" that integrated the beloved Star Wars universe into a clunky variety format, resulting in a monumental on-screen disaster.
During the Star Wars Holiday Special, Carrie Fisher's performance has raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Josh Clark points out that Fisher's demeanor, particularly while singing, suggests she may have been under the influence of drugs. This theory is not unique to Clark but is echoed by other observers who have commented on Fisher's unusual performance in the special's closing scene.
The response to The Star Wars Holiday Special has been deeply polarizing, eliciting reactions from deep-seated contempt to comedic ridicule, with George Lucas's reaction being particularly noteworthy. Despite misconstrued comments about Lucas wanting to destroy all copies of the special, the creator's actual response remains more nuanced. He has rarely spoken directly about it, but hints at disapproval, even admitting that it was a poor choice to let the television network use the Star Wars characters. Lucas's fleeting consideration of releasing the special on a video cassette in 1987 and potentially including it in a DVD set in 2007 indicate fluctuating stances over time. Meanwhile, Carrie Fisher, who requested a copy of the special, humorously planned to use it as an unconventional means to clear out party guests, symbolizing the special's infamy within the franchise's legacy.
1-Page Summary
The Star Wars Holiday Special is considered a notorious piece of television history, marked by its surreal variety show format and a series of unorthodox segments that bewildered audiences and fans alike.
The producers, despite George Lucas's criticized idea, set the show on Chewbacca's home planet and included a segment featuring 10 solid minutes of Wookiee dialogue without subtitles, leaving the interaction largely incomprehensible. Even the writers, from Shields and Yarnell, familiar with performing without words, couldn't make the Wookiee concept work. For instance, a part where Lumpy the Wookiee seems to say "I love you" became a notable moment of barely comprehensible dialogue.
Harvey Korman was featured in multiple roles, one of which includes a Julia Child-like TV chef in a cooking segment where Chewbacca's wife attempts to make bantha stew. Besides the cheffing role, Korman also portrayed a bar patron who drinks through a hole in the top of his head.
One segment that resonates well with viewers is the animated cartoon that features Lumpy watching a device that introduces the character Boba Fett to the Star Wars universe, marking his first appearance. The cartoon is noted for its quality and coherent plot, aligning with the Star Wars narrative and showcasing Boba Fett's opportunistic and traitorous nature. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant acknowledge this part of the special as the high point.
The special featured Jefferson Starship performing "Light the Sky on Fire" as a hologram distraction during the Imperials' search of the Wookiee's home. Bea Arthur performed a song as well, playing the cantina owner signaling last call. Even Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia delivered a Life Day song to the tune of the Star Wars theme. These segments were sprinkle ...
The bizarre variety show format
Josh Clark addresses a noticeable aspect of Carrie Fisher's performance in the ending scene of a special, discussing how Princess Leia, played by Fisher, appears to be under the influence of drugs. Clark specifically points to the moments where Fisher is singing as particularly indicative ...
Carrie Fisher appearing to be on drugs
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The Star Wars Holiday Special has garnered a polarizing response since its airing, with reactions ranging from disdain to outright derision, particularly from Star Wars creator George Lucas.
Josh Clark refers to the special as one of the worst things to happen within the Star Wars galaxy, highlighting the depth of its negative reception. Chuck Bryant suggests that this adverse reaction could be partly attributed to the special's connection to the Star Wars franchise and the lofty expectations that inherently come with it.
While looking into George Lucas's response to the special, it becomes clear that there is much hearsay but few on-the-record comments from Lucas. Chuck Bryant addresses a widespread but false quote attributed to Lucas expressing a desire to destroy every copy of the special with a sledgehammer. Josh Clark confirms Lucas never actually said this, though they speculate Lucas likely disliked the special. They note that Lucas expressed his disdain for the Holiday Special when he appeared on Robot Chicken.
Though no direct comments from Lucas are provided in the transcript chunk, it is well-known that critics and Star Wars fans at large have expressed their dislike for the special, and George Lucas does not seem to be an exception. Over the years, when asked, Lucas has tended to avoid the topic. However, in a 2005 remark, he admitted that the special "really didn't have much to do with us," though he conceded that it was not the smartest decision to let the TV network utilize the characters.
Interestingly, in a ...
Polarizing response, especially from George Lucas
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