History Film / TheStarWarsHolidaySpecial

->'''Maxim magazine:''' Any plans for a Special Edition of the ''Holiday Special''?\\

The basic idea linking the segments together is that Chewie is trying to get home for the big Wookiee holiday, [[YouMeanXmas Life Day]]. During the course of the film, we get updates from the ''Millennium Falcon'' as Han and Chewie race for "Kazook" space. The catch is that they may not make it in time, as they're being pursued by agents of the Empire, who are also searching the planet for Rebel agents; several Imperial officers and stormtroopers show up at "Kazook" to search Chewie's house.

The first 10-15 minutes is conducted almost entirely in Shyriiwook (the Wookiees' language), with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, who is under [[UncannyValleyMakeup layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

The basic idea linking the segments together is that Chewie is trying to get home for the big Wookiee holiday, [[YouMeanXmas Life Day]]. During the course of the film, we get updates from the ''Millennium Falcon'' as Han and Chewie race for "Kazook" space. The catch is that they may not make it in time, as they're being pursued by agents of the Empire, who are also searching the planet for Rebel agents. [[ANaziByAnyOtherName A couple of agents]] show up to search Chewie's house.

* Lumpy watches a cartoon, ''The Faithful Wookiee''. (Despite Lucas' best efforts to disregard the ''Holiday Special''[='s=] existence, this segment is among the bonus features on the ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'' Blu-ray boxset and ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Ultimate Collector's Edition UHD set, and was eventually released on Creator/DisneyPlus.)

* CharacterAsHimself: Though the opening cast call names Chewbacca and C-3PO's actors, R2-D2 is credited as playing himself. Kenny Baker wasn't credited for the simple reason that he wasn't involved -- since R2-D2 wasn't scripted to move beyond basic movements, no actor was needed.

* Lumpy watches a cartoon involving the Rebels' adventures. (Despite Lucas' best efforts to disregard the ''Holiday Special''[='s=] existence, this segment is among the bonus features on the ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'' Blu-ray boxset and ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Ultimate Collector's Edition UHD set, and was eventually released on Creator/DisneyPlus.)

''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' is a two-hour ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' TV special that was broadcast on Creator/{{CBS}} on November 17, 1978.

* Lumpy watches a cartoon introducing Boba Fett. (Despite Lucas' best efforts to disregard the ''Holiday Special''[='s=] existence, this segment is among the bonus features on the ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'' Blu-ray boxset and ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Ultimate Collector's Edition UHD set, and was eventually released on Creator/DisneyPlus.)

* Lumpy watches a cartoon. (Despite Lucas' best efforts to disregard the ''Holiday Special''[='s=] existence, this segment is among the bonus features on the ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'' Blu-ray boxset and ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Ultimate Collector's Edition UHD set, and was eventually released on Creator/DisneyPlus.)

''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' is a two-hour ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' TV "special" that was broadcast on Creator/{{CBS}} on November 17, 1978.

[[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Finding copies on a legal basis is downright impossible]], as Creator/GeorgeLucas (who is openly [[CreatorBacklash ashamed]] of the special) will ensure it won't get a home media release as long as he lives, though he apparently looks the other way when it shows up on certain video sites.

[[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Finding copies on a legal basis is downright impossible]], as Creator/GeorgeLucas will ensure it won't get a home media release as long as he lives, though he apparently looks the other way when it shows up on certain video sites.

For the rest of the running time, there’s various segments:

The first 10-15 minutes is conducted almost entirely in Shyriiwook, with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, who is under [[UncannyValleyMakeup layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

Then in 2020, Disney took it one step further by announcing a new Holiday Special... in animated form. That special, ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOStarWarsHolidaySpecial'', set after the events of the Sequel Trilogy and featuring a ''much'' more coherent (and explicitly non-canon) plot involving Rey time-traveling throughout the events of the movies, would premiere on Disney+ on November 17 of that year -- the 42nd Anniversary of the original special.

[[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Finding copies on a legal basis is downright impossible]], as Lucas will ensure it won't get a home media release as long as he lives... Though he apparently looks the other way when it shows up on certain video sites.

The main storyline, set in 0 ABY (shortly after the original ''Franchise/StarWars'' film, ''Film/ANewHope''), takes place on the Wookiee home planet of "Kazook" [[note]](the planet's name is Kashyyyk, which had been established before the special aired)[[/note]]. While Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker all return, the special introduces three members of Chewie's family: his father Itchy, his wife Malla, and his son Lumpy (played by Creator/PattyMaloney).

The first 10-15 minutes is conducted almost entirely in Shyriiwook, with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, played by Creator/MarkHamill [[UncannyValleyMakeup under layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

The basic idea linking the segments together is that Chewie is trying to get home for the big Wookiee holiday, [[YouMeanXmas Life Day]]. During the course of the film, we get updates from the ''Millennium Falcon'' as Creator/HarrisonFord and Creator/PeterMayhew race for "Kazook" space. The catch is that they may not make it in time, as they're being pursued by agents of the Empire, who are also searching the planet for Rebel agents. [[ANaziByAnyOtherName A couple of agents]] show up to search Chewie's house.

* TheSeventies: A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... the denizens are dressing in pure 1970s fashion.

The main storyline, set in 0 ABY (shortly after the original ''Franchise/StarWars'' film, ''Film/ANewHope''), takes place on the Wookiee home planet of "Kazook" [[note]](the planet's name is Kashyyyk, which had been established before the special aired)[[/note]]. Besides cameos from Han, Chewbacca, Leia, and Luke that appear to have been wrung out of the actors at gunpoint, the special introduces three members of Chewie's family: his father Itchy, his wife Malla, and his son Lumpy (played by Creator/PattyMaloney).

The first 10-15 minutes is conducted almost entirely in Shyriiwook, with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, played by Creator/MarkHamill [[UncannyValleyMakeup under layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

The first 10-15 minutes is conducted ''entirely'' with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, played by Creator/MarkHamill [[UncannyValleyMakeup under layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

* Ackmena (played by Creator/BeaArthur) performs a musical segment from the Mos Eisley Cantina as the Empire imposes a curfew on Kashyyyk, looking for Han and Chewy.

The animated segment, which officially introduces BountyHunter Boba Fett -- and thus served as a mini-preview for ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' -- was likewise considered canon (it was animated by world-respected Creator/{{Nelvana}} Studios, who went on to handle the later spinoff shows ''WesternAnimation/{{Droids}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Ewoks}}''). The special is also notable for being one of the first efforts by young makeup artist Creator/StanWinston, who later skyrocketed to fame by creating ''Film/TheTerminator'' and the dinosaurs of ''Franchise/JurassicPark''.

''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' is a two-hour ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'' TV "special" that was broadcast on Creator/{{CBS}} on November 17, 1978. Hugely anticipated, it was so poorly received that it has never been re-aired. Creator/{{Lucasfilm}} has spent the next four decades doing their best to [[BuryYourArt pretend it never happened]].

Want to know more about the rich planetary culture of these proud creatures, starting with why they're mostly named after embarrassing incidents at the frat house? Too bad, they all speak only [[TheUnintelligible Shyriiwook]]. You know, the whining, moaning, growling and barking that only Han could understand in the movies? The first 10-15 minutes is conducted ''entirely'' in those, with ''no subtitles'' whatsoever. The first actual English we hear after a while comes from a brief transmission from Luke Skywalker, played by Creator/MarkHamill [[UncannyValleyMakeup under layers of foundation]].[[note]]The makeup was actually to cover up scars on Hamill's face that he had incurred from a recent car accident.[[/note]]

The basic idea linking the segments together is that Chewie is trying to get home for the big Wookiee holiday, [[YouMeanXmas Life Day]]. During the course of the film, we get updates from the ''Millennium Falcon'' as a seriously-bored Creator/HarrisonFord and Creator/PeterMayhew race for "Kazook" space. The catch is that they may not make it in time, as they're being pursued by agents of the Empire, who are also searching the planet for Rebel agents. [[ANaziByAnyOtherName A couple of agents]] show up to search Chewie's house, leading to about 10 whole seconds of actual suspense. And a random act of violence against a stuffed animal.

For the rest of the running time, we're given insight into the proud rich Wookiee tradition of watching 1970s-style Earth TV -- despite the fact that this is all going on a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away:

* Lumpy watches a cartoon, which is actually not too bad. (Despite Lucas' best efforts to disregard the ''Holiday Special''[='s=] existence, this segment is among the bonus features on the ''Star Wars: The Complete Saga'' Blu-ray boxset and ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' Ultimate Collector's Edition UHD set, and was eventually released on Creator/DisneyPlus.)
* Lumpy watches the instruction disc for assembling a transmitter. Every step, from start to finish, is read by a robot-impersonating Creator/HarveyKorman. Not a ''robot impersonating Harvey Korman'', mind you, which might have turned out better.

* And if you happen to have a version with the original ads intact, enjoy a visit into a lost world of union-made underwear, calling long-distance after 8 PM to save money, fake-wood-paneled Mercury station wagons, and "Emily" as a stereotypical old-lady name instead of a stereotypical millennial one. And remember, "Tobor" is "robot" spelled backwards!

It all ends with Han and Chewie making it home and defeating the Stormtroopers. Afterwards, the Wookiees [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext all don cult robes and hold glowing orbs as they walk into space and end up at the Tree of Life, where Princess Leia sings a song]] and it's obvious that Creator/CarrieFisher (who was high on cocaine when filming this) and Harrison Ford (who was likely sober) couldn't give a fuck about any of this.

The animated segment, which officially introduces BountyHunter Boba Fett -- and thus served as a mini-preview for ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' -- was at least decent, and was likewise considered canon (it was animated by world-respected Creator/{{Nelvana}} Studios, who went on to handle the later spinoff shows ''WesternAnimation/{{Droids}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Ewoks}}''). This fact alone has stayed the hand of many a would-be tape burner. The music is likewise okay, being influenced by Music/JohnWilliams. The special is also notable for being one of the first efforts by young makeup artist Creator/StanWinston, who later skyrocketed to fame by creating ''Film/TheTerminator'' and the dinosaurs of ''Franchise/JurassicPark''.

[[KeepCirculatingTheTapes Finding copies on a legal basis is downright impossible]], as Lucas will ensure it won't get a home media release as long as he lives... Though he apparently looks the other way when it shows up on certain video sites. The special is regularly brought up each December on Website/{{WrestleCrap}}, reviewed by a fellow Troper [[http://madnessmonster.wordpress.com/2009/06/28/star-wars-holiday-review/ here]]. Watch at your own risk [[http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/index.php?m=xxswhsxx here.]] Got the [=RiffTrax=] treatment in 2007, with the team working off a taped airing in 1978 with the commercials intact. The [=RiffTrax=] version can be viewed free on Website/YouTube [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyykN8e_WXw here]], though without the Boba Fett cartoon and Jefferson Starship song, both due to licensing rights.

To the shock of many, Life Day was brought into the post-Creator/{{Disney}} buyout ''Star Wars'' canon via a brief mention in the first episode of ''Series/TheMandalorian'' in November 2019. The animated segment "The Story of the Faithful Wookiee" received an official release as an EasterEgg on ''The Complete Saga'' Blu-Rays, and was also made available on Creator/DisneyPlus in April 2021. In December 2022, the Star Wars Website/YouTube channel released a Life Day themed AMSR video as part of a series.

For the most part, though, [[BileFascination it's legendary for its badness]] -- you won't find any devoted ''Star Wars'' fanboys defending this one. Even the ''director'', Steve Binder (best known for ''Film/TAMIShow'' and Music/ElvisPresley's '''68 Comeback Special'') won't defend it. Carrie Fisher even openly held a copy that she used simply as a tool to scare off [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave house guests who had overstayed their welcome]]. The entire vast, complex ''Star Wars'' mythos is reduced to a typical 1970s variety show: rock-bottom production values, groan-worthy "humor", and then-hot celebrities. ''Literature/WhatWereTheyThinkingThe100DumbestEventsInTelevisionHistory'' lists this special as the all-time #1 worst moment, and it's become something of a ''de facto'' benchmark for how bad a made-for-TV movie can become. Besides everything else, it's pretty disturbing seeing Itchy going gaga over Carroll in what's clearly supposed to be a kiddie funfest.

And although not exactly related, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ21QVLBsAo commercials]] that aired during the special (and preserved on some bootlegs) are also [[{{Narm}} absolutely hilarious in an unintentional way]].

If you care to, the best way to watch ''The Star Wars Holiday Special'' is with several [[Franchise/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters]] or your local planetary equivalent. If you'd first like to have an idea of what you're getting into in relative comfort, I-Mockery has a three-page synopsis with accompanying animated [=GIFs=] of scenes [[http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/starwars-holiday/ here]]. Watching it with the ''Podcast/{{RiffTrax}}'' [[http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/star-wars-holiday-special commentary]] helps ease the pain as well. It was also reviewed by WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4uYLgDG_ow as seen here]]) as well as WebVideo/ChrisStuckmann ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryOhDO8ZU-0 here]]), and also discussed in length by WebVideo/RedLetterMedia ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW4m0oYK0WQ here]]), by WebVideo/TheCinemaSnob ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgJO59eu6lQ here]]), by WebVideo/JonTron ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyykN8e_WXw here]]) and WebVideo/MusicalHell did an MST track on the Ohio broadcast and its commercials as a 50k subscriber special [[http://www.musicalhell.com/2022/12/mhtv-50k-subscriber-special-star-wars.html here]]. If you're fluent in French, you can also watch the WebVideo/JoueurDuGrenier's review [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWP4SfxJ4Gg here]].

* OverlyLongGag:
** "Stir, whip, stir, whip, whip, whip, stir! Stir, whip, stir, whip..."
*** "BEAT!"
*** "Having fun, having fun", she reminds us.

* PokeThePoodle: Apparently, when it's not busy waging wars or blowing up entire planets, the ''evil'' Empire uses its time to shut down bars and break children's toys.

For the most part, though, it's legendary for its badness -- you won't find any devoted ''Star Wars'' fanboys defending this one. Even the ''director'', Steve Binder (best known for ''Film/TAMIShow'' and Music/ElvisPresley's '''68 Comeback Special'') won't defend it. Carrie Fisher even openly held a copy that she used simply as a tool to scare off [[TheThingThatWouldNotLeave house guests who had overstayed their welcome]]. The entire vast, complex ''Star Wars'' mythos is reduced to a typical 1970s variety show: rock-bottom production values, groan-worthy "humor", and then-hot celebrities. ''Literature/WhatWereTheyThinkingThe100DumbestEventsInTelevisionHistory'' lists this special as the all-time #1 worst moment, and it's become something of a ''de facto'' benchmark for how bad a made-for-TV movie can become. Besides everything else, it's pretty disturbing seeing Itchy going gaga over Carroll in what's clearly supposed to be a kiddie funfest.

* Itchy [[ADateWithRosiePalms gets off on]] what can only be described as a VR porn disc starring Creator/DiahannCarroll. Provided to him by Saun Dann, a trader played by Creator/ArtCarney!

* {{Gonk}}: Chewie's dad Itchy is just ''weird-looking'', even by the standards of this special. In contrast to every other Wookiee seen before or since, he has a prominent underbite, an extra-wide (and [[PerpetualFrowner omnipresent]]) frown, and a snub-nosed pug-like face that makes him look more like an excessively-hairy toad than a regular Wookiee. [[FromBadToWorse It gets even more unpleasant]] when he [[ADateWithRosiePalms starts masturbating to VR porn]] in the middle of the living room.

* InterspeciesRomance: Krelman's interest in Ackmena, Itchy's "[[ADateWithRosiePalms interest]]" in Mermeia, and one brief moment where Luke unintentionally appears to be flirting with Malla as he tries to get her to smile.

* MarsNeedsWomen: There's a ''very, very, '''very''''' disturbing sequence where Itchy watches what is essentially a holographic softcore porn tape featuring Diahann Carroll (while his daughter-in-law and grandson are in the room). And if his grotesque gyrating jaw is any indication, [[ADateWithRosiePalms he's actively enjoying it]]. ''BrainBleach!''

%%* DullSurprise: During Leia's song in the final segment, there is a very brief dissolve to Ford's face, when he may not have been aware that he was on-camera. Ford is staring at nothing in particular, with an expression is a mix of boredom, embarrassment and exhaustion on his face. It's quite clearly the precise moment where he stopped even ''pretending'' to care about the special.

** During Leia's Life Day song, there is a brief dissolve to Han, who is staring deeply into space with an expression that suggests Harrison Ford was deeply bored and didn't know he was on camera.

* DullSurprise: During Leia's song in the final segment, there is a very brief dissolve to Ford's face, when he may not have been aware that he was on-camera. His expression is a mix of bored-to-tears, embarrassed and defeated. It's quite clearly the precise pinpointed moment where he stopped even ''pretending'' to care about the special... not that he was exactly displaying a passionate performance earlier, but here he seems to just give up entirely.

* ThousandYardStare: Exhibited by a post-accident Hamill, during the scene where Luke communicates with Malla over the TV screens. While he blinks several times, the way he gazes directly into the camera, wearing heavy makeup to cover his surgery scars, gives him the illusion of being a stoned model.