Though some people believe that George Lucas should distance himself from the less than stellar Star Wars Prequel trilogy, the one thing George likes to act like he never had a hand in was the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. It was a nightmarish collision of the goofiest parts of the Star Wars universe and all the worst that 70's TV entertainment had to offer. The story is simple enough, Chewbacca and Han Solo are racing to Chewie's home planet of Kashyyk so that he can celebrate the Wookie holiday of Lifeday with his family.
Unfortunately the entire special is a nightmarish mix of bad ideas,bad comedy, bad 70's pop music, and ridiculous collection of variety show camp that could only come from a galaxy far far away...circa 1978. Watching the entire show from beginning to end is an exercise in endurance, as your Star Wars fandom will be tested by entire conversations that occur in the Wookie language with no subtitles or any indication as to what the Wookie characters are saying. If that isn't bad enough( and believe me it is) You will cringe and laugh uncomfortably at Mark Hamill in too much eye make up, Harrison Ford painfully playing along with what he seems to know is a disaster in the making, and Carrie Fisher obviously drugged up, drunk, or both...
Luckily for all of us, StarWarsFan1975 over at YouTube has constructed a very entertaining retrospective that serves as a documentary of sorts. This short film includes some hilarious new stories about the doomed program, celebrity interviews and even a candid look back by Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford. All of this is followed by a series of 1978 promos for the CBS show and even a collection of the "good part" of the show. Believe me if you are completely unfamiliar with the Star Wars Holiday Special, this is the best way to be introduced to it. Then entire one hour train wreck is condensed into 15 digestible minutes. Is it really that bad? Yes, but if you must see it... This is the way to get started. If this doesn't satisfy your curiosity, then perhaps the Force will be with you as delve into this 70's oddity in it's entirety. You can find the entire show on YouTube.
The only actual bright spot in the show is the 9 minute plus cartoon that is shown about half way through the show. The cartoon is a self contained adventure featuring Luke,Leia,Han,Chewbacca,R2-D2, and C3PO all voiced by the original actors. The cartoon has important historical significance as it is the first time the public ever saw a character that would soon become one of the most beloved in the Star Wars universe, Boba Fett.
-Admiral Duke
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