The Holiday Special (Commentary: Version 2] | (Not A Podcast Episode)
Dec 24, 2023
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The hosts provide a commentary on the Star Wars Holiday Special, discussing its creation, variety segments, and nostalgic memories. They also explore the animated short, commercials, cinematography, and behind-the-scenes of the Cantina scene. The budget constraints, tape quality, and Star Wars merchandise are also analyzed.
The Star Wars Holiday Special was created to bridge the gap between the release of Star Wars movies and keep the brand in people's minds.
The holiday special includes awkward and unconventional scenes that have become infamous, such as a virtual reality-like experience for Chewbacca's grandpa and a musical number performed by a famous drag act.
The Star Wars Holiday Special faced production issues and setbacks, including budget constraints and inexperienced editors, leading to pacing and editing problems in the final product.
Deep dives
The Holiday Special Promotes Variety Entertainment
The Star Wars Holiday Special is a variety show that features a mix of musical performances, comedy sketches, and other acts. It follows the format of traditional variety shows from the late 1940s to the 1980s, which showcased a variety of performers and acts. The holiday special includes appearances by famous actors and musicians from the time, although the performances and sketches do not always fit within the Star Wars universe. The special was created to bridge the gap between the release of Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, aiming to keep the Star Wars brand in people's minds until the next movie came out.
Awkward and Unconventional Scenes
The holiday special includes several awkward and unconventional scenes that have become infamous. These scenes include a virtual reality-like experience for Chewbacca's grandpa, a musical number performed by a famous drag act, and an extended soap opera-style drama set in the cantina. There are also bizarre moments such as characters drinking and dancing awkwardly, and a memorable scene where a member of the Empire watches a holographic performance. These scenes do not always contribute directly to the main story, but rather serve as stand-alone acts and vignettes.
Production Flaws and Controversy Surrounding the Special
The Star Wars Holiday Special faced numerous production issues and setbacks. The costumes and sets were made on a much smaller budget compared to the original Star Wars film, leading to functional problems for the actors wearing the Wookiee suits, such as overheating and oxygen depletion. The special also suffered from a lack of experienced editors, as those initially involved with Lucasfilm left the project, leaving inexperienced individuals in charge. These factors contributed to the overall pacing and editing issues in the final product. Despite its flaws, the holiday special has gained a cult following over the years, becoming a notorious part of Star Wars history.
Summary of Main Idea 1
The podcast episode discusses the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. The hosts share their reactions and observations while watching the special. They comment on various aspects, such as the awkward interactions between characters, the low-budget production, and the notable musical performances. Despite acknowledging the flaws and lack of quality, they find entertainment value in the nostalgic factor and the animated segment that introduced the character of Boba Fett.
Summary of Main Idea 2
The hosts mention the notoriety of the Star Wars Holiday Special, which has been widely criticized over the years. They give insights into the behind-the-scenes details, such as the circumstances surrounding the production, the budget constraints, and the involvement of George Lucas. Despite the overwhelmingly negative reception, they discuss the appeal of watching the special due to the inherent humor and the opportunity to experience the nostalgia of 1970s commercials and cultural references.
Merry Christmas ya filthy Nerf herder's! The last time we released a Holiday Special Commentary it was December 29th 2021 - two years ago! It's not that we want to bore you, and this episode of our podcast should be skipped entirely if you don't want to watch along with us. But we realize perhaps some of you want to crack jokes or watch the worst piece of television history with company.. cause let's be honest, watching this alone would SUCK. Grab some egg nog, a brew, some of those Christmas cookies and join us for the most wonderous, most confusing, most aweful episode of Star Wars television.
WATCH THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL HERE!
(START AT 00:13 SECONDS IN)
