“If I had the time and a hammer, I would smash every copy of the Holiday Special.”
-George Lucas (This quote seems to be an urban legend, but you get the idea.)
A long time ago, in this very galaxy, the American people, still hyped from watching Star Wars: A New Hope, and eagerly awaiting The Empire Strikes Back, settled in to watch The Star Wars Holiday Special. It is remarkable that what they witnessed didn’t sink the entire franchise right then and there as it has notoriously become known as one of the worst television programs of all time. So terrible, in fact, that for years it was only available to watch on bootleg, burned DVDs sold on eBay, though now you can watch it in its entirety on YouTube. If you are inclined to watch it, be forewarned that the first ten minutes consist of what appears to be a Wookiee sitcom featuring Chewbacca’s wife Mala, their son Lumpy, and Grandpa Itchy. While one senses some tension between the three, it’s hard to say why since it’s all roar-whined in what is presumably Shyriiwook and there are no subtitles. There is a Boba Fett cartoon, a Mos Eisley Cantina musical number featuring Bea Arthur, a random performance by Jefferson Starship, multiple performances by Harvey Korman, and other abysmal segments. If you’re only interested in what it is they’re actually celebrating, you can witness the spectacle of Wookiee Life Day in both the special and A Disturbance in the Force.
A Disturbance in the Force is a documentary about the making of the show and is almost as fun to watch as the special itself. It provides much needed context and explains how such an abomination was made; it might help to go into it knowing it was a 70s style variety show, produced and edited by variety show producers, with little input from George Lucas or information about Star Wars itself.
Everyone interviewed has a place in their heart for this special and it’s discussed candidly, but always with a certain reverence and fondness. There is some consensus that it’s time for George Lucas to stop hating this special so much and take a sort of pride in its existence. After all, it takes a lot of work to create something people are still scratching their heads about nearly fifty years later.
