The Star Wars Christmas Special Still Exists 316
rapturizer noted the critical news that "Fans of "Star Wars" have a chance to see a free screening of the notoriously bad 'Star Wars Holiday Special' next week in Minneapolis."
Nothing brings out the Christmas spirit like watching what may very well be the worst TV ever produced. Sadly however, I'm not sure that this is the worst *Star Wars* merch ever made.
Oh no (Score:4, Informative)
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http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=323909610753051544# [google.com]
With cheesy 1978 commercials and everything.
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This makes it a little more watchable. A Rifftrax for this particular Lake Video.
http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/star-wars-holiday-special [rifftrax.com]
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Ahhh the 70s - the lost decade where almost everything produced for TV was fueled by drug experimentation. Or sounded like disco. Or worse - had a little of both (Buck Rogers) so it could be twice as craptacular.
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I thought the crunch in the middle would be nice - a moment of respite from the torture.
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http://isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=star+wars+christmas [isohunt.com]
I've seen that show (Score:3, Insightful)
...and I have to say that if I went to free screening of it, I would demand a full refund.
My KIDS won't even watch it, and that's saying something.
Oblig. xkcd (Score:2, Informative)
http://xkcd.com/653/ [xkcd.com]
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Weird Al [flickr.com] should definitely demand one as well.
Link (Score:2)
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Didn't happen...next week? Only a time traveller would get their tenses mixed up like that, therefore:
RODRIGOANDRADE IS A LHC SABOTEUR FROM THE FUTURE! SIEZE HIM!!!
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From the pioneer press: [twincities.com]
Fans of "Star Wars" have a chance to see a free screening of the notoriously bad "Star Wars Holiday Special" next week in Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Film and TV Board is showing the 1978 television special as an official Toys for Tots event. It will be screened Dec. 16 at Bryant-Lake Bowl.
Film Board director of services Chris Grap is a fan of bad movies. Grap says he "couldn't believe" the "Star Wars Holiday Special" existed.
The plot involves Han Solo trying to get Chewbacca the Wookie back to his home planet to celebrate Life Day. The cast includes original "Star Wars" actors as well as Bea Arthur, Art Carney and Harvey Korman.
The screening is free, but people bringing a toy donation will get priority seating. Doors open at 9 p.m.
— Associated Press
is it really that bad? (Score:2)
Can it really be worse than Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor?
even as a little kid I felt they were lame and painful to watch.
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:5, Insightful)
When I tell people about it, I go on and on and on about how unbelievably bad it is. I insist that it's worse than the worst you can possibly think of and then some. I tell them that it's not one of those things that's so bad that it's good, it's so bad that it's just bad. Really, really, really, really, really bad. Horrible. And not in a way that's funny. It's just bad.
When people I've warned about it end up finally seeing it, they always tell me that my warnings didn't even come close to preparing them for just how bad it actually was.
I'd say that, even if you're a die-hard fan, SWHS is so bad that it's not even worth seeing. I personally can't bring myself to watch it a second time. It's just so freakin' bad.
Do yourself a favour. Stay away from it — far, far away.
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How does it compare with Manos: The Hands of Fate (without MST)?
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When I tell people about it, I go on and on and on about how unbelievably bad it is. I insist that it's worse than the worst you can possibly think of and then some. I tell them that it's not one of those things that's so bad that it's good, it's so bad that it's just bad. Really, really, really, really, really bad. Horrible. And not in a way that's funny. It's just bad.
When people I've warned about it end up finally seeing it, they always tell me that my warnings didn't even come close to preparing them for just how bad it actually was.
I'd say that, even if you're a die-hard fan, SWHS is so bad that it's not even worth seeing. I personally can't bring myself to watch it a second time. It's just so freakin' bad.
Do yourself a favour. Stay away from it — far, far away.
He speaks the truth...I was also told how bad it was, including "the first 10 minutes are nothing but grunting wookies", and I did not heed the warnings. I foolishly thought that it couldn't be nearly as bad as everybody says it is. But yes, it is. I would warn others not to watch it, but I know you won't listen. If you really want to see it that badly, it's up on youtube. The highlight of the entire thing is the commercials from 1978, they are an interesting contrast to commercials of today.
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:5, Funny)
If further reinforcement is needed, I loaned my VHS copy to a coworker. It literally drove him to drink - he was a teetotaler until he'd sat through the Holiday Special.
It is far, far worse than the Ewok movies.
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:4, Informative)
You made me curious. Now, I really have to see it!
I know. That's one of the problems with warning people. It piques their curiosity. Let me try one last time to save you, however. Just because I'm a good person.
You see, there are movies that are bad.
There are movies that are so bad, they're good.
There are movies that are so bad they go past good and are bad again.
There are movies that are so bad they go past good and bad again, and are amazingly awesome (ex. Toxic Avenger).
Then there are movies that are so unbelievably bad they go past bad, good, bad again, and amazingly awesome, landing ultimately on so horrid that no one, no matter how curious, should ever see them.
Now, if you took all of the movies in that last category and ranked them from "best" (for lack of a better word) to worst, SWHS but be dead last.
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:5, Insightful)
You have no idea. People who say this is the worst TV ever made are NOT exaggerating.
You can't deliberately make something this bad. I don't think you can even accidentally do it again. This is a once in a civilization mass failure that transcends ordinary failure and sets a new standard.
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You have no idea. People who say this is the worst TV ever made are NOT exaggerating
That's a bold statement. Remember this [imdb.com]?
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Re:is it really that bad? (Score:5, Funny)
You mean what the term “EPIC FAIL” was invented for, before it was used for every dumb shit? ^^
No wait, I have a new term for a failure of *biblical* proportions:
BIBLIC FAIL! — When something is as bad as *half the world* falling for a fantasy story book, believing it is real, and adjusting their whole lives to it for thousands of years! ^^
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Well, you tell me... How bad is Bea Arthur singing and dancing with Roadian Bounty Hunters?
I remember the Ewok movies and, yes, they were horrible (like having the Ewok language as english but backwards). This is a variety special, though, featuring Bea Arthur, Art Carney, and Jefferson Starship.
On the bright side, it also has the cartoon introduction of Boba Fett, but that's the only redeeming quality.
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Well, you tell me... How bad is Bea Arthur singing and dancing with Roadian Bounty Hunters?
Unfortunately, Bea Arthur's Mos Eisley musical number is one of the better parts. :(
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:4, Funny)
OK, go find a copy of Shatner's "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", and listen to it 20 times in a row.
It's *that* bad.
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However, I have no desire to venture past the couple of youtube clips for the Star Wars Christmas Special.
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Watch it, and just wait until you get to Bea Arthur's song. Yes, you read that right.
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Can it really be worse than Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor?
No, it's not that bad. Those were trying to be serious and lacked in almost every department.
The Star Wars Holiday Special was meant to be a holiday song & dance special, set with Star Wars characters. The plot is reasonable for kids and the acts are amusing. There's even the introduction of Boba Fett, with more characterization of the character than in either ESB or ROJ. There is imagination portrayed
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You are a cruel, cruel man, Bill McGonicle, misusing your low user ID to spread that sort of deception.
Re:is it really that bad? (Score:5, Informative)
That show is touched by darkness, Ambassador.
I see it as a blemish that grew over time.
I could warn you, of course, but you would not listen.
I could kill you, but someone else would watch it in your place.
So, I do the only thing I can. I go.
Oh, if it was a review you wanted? A word or two, about the special itself?
Well, take this, for what little it will profit you.
As I look at you, I see a great hand reaching out of the darkness, trying to blot out the moviescreen.
The hand is your hand.
And I hear sounds--the sounds of billions of people calling your name, telling you "NO!! DON'T LOOK!! CLOSE YOUR EYES!!!"
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OMG, yes. Yes it really is worse. I mean, I was able to sit through Ewoks: Battle for Endor all the way through. I couldn't finish watching the Christmas special. I would liken it to being digested in the sarlacc pit (pre-special edition) for thousands of years.
"Battle for Endor" - you mean the second half of "Return of the Jedi"?
Why is this on the front page?! (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why is this on the front page?! (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Why is this on the front page?! (Score:5, Funny)
Closer to the exit?
Link (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Link (Score:5, Informative)
For those of you awaking in your tauntaun right now on Hoth (aka Minneapolis), here's the link [twincities.com].
Indeed, from your link:
Film Board director of services Chris Grap is a fan of bad movies. Grap says he "couldn't believe" the "Star Wars Holiday Special" existed. The plot involves Han Solo trying to get Chewbacca the Wookie back to his home planet to celebrate Life Day. The cast includes original "Star Wars" actors as well as Bea Arthur, Art Carney and Harvey Korman.
Keep in mind that this is the birthplace of MST3K [wikipedia.org] and a great time in Minneapolis is a case of beer and one really bad movie with your friends. Slightly offtopic but five episodes of MST3K are on Hulu now [slashdot.org].
tauntaun (Score:3, Funny)
For those of you awaking in your tauntaun right now
As a matter of fact, I was [thinkgeek.com].
This version isn't true to the original (Score:2, Funny)
Santa shot first!
There's a science to it (Score:5, Informative)
Copy on DVD (Score:2)
Awesome (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Awesome (Score:4, Funny)
Don't forget when Conan O'brien confronts Harrison Ford with a clip! http://www.videosift.com/video/Conan-asks-Harrison-Ford-about-the-Star-Wars-Holiday-Special [videosift.com]
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2:45. The singing... I can feel brain cells dying.
StarWarsHolidaySpecial.com (Score:4, Informative)
StarWarsHolidaySpecial.com [starwarsho...pecial.com]
Fan site about the special...worth checking out for more details on the subject.
I quite liked it actually. (Score:2)
Just kidding. It stinks to high heaven. Still better than anything starring Adam Sandler though.
Kiss Movie (Score:3, Interesting)
Worse than the Kiss movie?
Obligatory Wikipedia link (Score:4, Informative)
The Star Wars Holiday Special [wikipedia.org]
Klingon Christmas Carol (Score:4, Informative)
For those of us in the Twin Cities who are more interested in something less... atrociously awful, there's the Klingon Christmas Carol being performed right now at Mixed Blood!
http://www.cbtheatre.org/KCC2009/KCC2009.htm [cbtheatre.org]
Who's laughing now? (Score:5, Funny)
Great (Score:3, Funny)
Of course it still exists (Score:2)
It has been on bootleg video since the day after it aired. It was somewhat hard to track down in the days before the Interwebs, but it's very easily found these days.
The real question here, which we can't get answered because there is no link, is what kind of screening are they holding? Something from the master tapes, or a DVD-R bootleg hooked to a digital projector?
It's like, how much more bad could this be? (Score:3, Funny)
George Lucas on the Holiday Special (Score:5, Funny)
Excerpt from Interview:
MAXIM: "Any plans for a Special Edition of the Holiday Special?"
George Lucas: [hangs head] "Right. That's one of those things that happened, and I just have to live with it."
Hehe.
Star Wars Canon (Score:4, Funny)
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There are six legitimate installments of Star Wars canon. A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Caravan of Courage, The Battle for Endor, and The Star Wars Christmas Special.
You forgot the Timothy Zahn novels.
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The bad story trifecta... (Score:5, Informative)
Although I guess if the point is to emphasize just how bad the Star Wars Holiday Special really was, then that may have helped slightly. Though if it is so bad you aren't willing to give a summary that is worth squat, then why even put it on the front page?
That's inhuman! (Score:2)
Couldn't they just be covered with honey and tied to an ant hill? Or forced to watch the Uwe Boll Film Festival with their eyes propped open while listening to loud Beethoven music? Why make them watch the Star Wars Holiday Special?
Admiral Akbar sez: (Score:4, Funny)
It's a trap!
Saw it Live! (Score:4, Interesting)
I saw this "live" when first broadcast. I was 6. I had the Star Wars movie soundtrack on LP record which I listened to many, many times, because we had no way of watching the actual movie unless it was playing at a theater.
So the TV show was just a dose of that universe for me at that age, like throwing a puppy a bone. So of course I liked it - I just wanted to see those characters, regardless of what they were doing.
But here's the odd part. Where I was so young when I saw that, and only saw it once, I would have these vague memories about watching Star Wars on TV. I knew that couldn't be, because Star Wars was never on TV, and because there were specific scenes I remembered that weren't even from the movie. Fairly recently (like in the last 5 years or so) I saw a reference to that special (probably here on Slashdot) and then it all fell in place.
And yes, it really sucked bad. Like a bad blend of taking fictional characters and pulling them into a contemporary environment (1978). It totally destroyed the illusion that so many movie exist to create. Like watching R2D2's top removed and see some little guy lifted out.
This show was so bad... (Score:2)
This show was so bad that it is what you warn kids about so they will grow up to have sensible careers like toe surgeons and test subjects for clinical trials instead of film makers and TV producers.
Pretty sure I read somewhere (Score:2)
There is definitely something worse from Star Wars (Score:3, Funny)
And I’m not even sure it’s what’s depicted in this image here: ^^
http://pictureisunrelated.com/2009/09/15/if-i-have-to-live-with-this-image-so-do-you/ [pictureisunrelated.com]
(As it says: If I have to live with this image, so do you. ;)
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Notoriously bad*? Did Lucas do something like clean up the picture then add characters into the original to change the plot of certain scenes, thus ruining the original?
* I am not a SW "fan", and have not seen this "special", only that Weird Al Yankovic knows of it in the video "White and Nerdy".
Re:Obviously the template (Score:5, Insightful)
It would be nice if Lucas released a Special Edition of Episode I that had Jar-Jar Binks excised. Or if that's not possible, redub his voice so he sounds normal instead of racist.
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There is a fan edit which is very well done and does exactly what you are asking for http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_Edit [wikipedia.org]
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I agree. Racist? How is that possibly racist?
Re:Obviously the template (Score:4, Insightful)
Woosh? Gungans (particularly their Ebonics) showed George Lucas racist sentiments toward uneducated black Americans.
I've never heard of this before. Who came up with that bullshit interpretation?
What's next? Because Yoda doesn't speak with correct grammar he's somehow racist too?
Give me a break.
Re:Obviously the template (Score:5, Insightful)
The flying master of Anakin (don't remember his name now) a "troyariam" or something like this, was criticized because racism against jews. (for his nose, and that he always wanted money).
I think racism in this case ir like p0rn, it is in the eye of the observer.
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An Oyveyian.
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No I'm not joking. I honestly do not see the racial connection with Jar Jar.
And the fact that I don't see racism everywhere is no reason to try and insult me.
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And the fact that I don't see racism everywhere is no reason to try and insult me."
I agree. I mean, no, I didn't car for JJ either, but, I never saw anything racist about him either. I think some people just go outta their way trying to see racism in everything, and with everyone trying to not see color, I think trying to find it in everything hinders that cause.
It's a creole (Score:2)
Or if that's not possible, redub his voice so he sounds normal instead of racist.
The language of the Gungans is mutually intelligible with Galactic Basic but different in ways much like the ways that various English-based creoles [wikipedia.org] like Tok Pisin differ from English. What's so dishonorable about that?
Not mutually intelligible (Score:2)
Who says English-based creoles are mutually intelligible with English? Jamaican patois sure as hell isn't. Neither is Cocoy, spoken on Dominica by descendants of migrants from Antigua.
Re:Obviously the template (Score:5, Insightful)
Notoriously bad?
I actually kind of liked the Star Wars Holiday Special with the, what was it? The Festival of Life? And the Wookie family. I thought it was pretty neat, personally. I don't know why everyone is so down on it.
Especially in contrast to the new movies.
Not really the new Star Wars movies. Like, Twilight. That had to be, by a wide margin, the worst film I have ever seen. That anyone has ever seen. Acting, directing, writing. All of it was excruciatingly bad. I really don't know why people are so down on this holiday special thing when there are much worse films out there.
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Most sane people that aren't teenaged girls didn't expect much from Twilight, and it wasn't an established movie series.
Star Wars, however, was an established canon that was well-loved, and the holiday special was awful. It was a disappointment.
That's all it is really.
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Notoriously bad?
I actually kind of liked the Star Wars Holiday Special with the, what was it? The Festival of Life? And the Wookie family. I thought it was pretty neat, personally. I don't know why everyone is so down on it.....
You have not seen it have you.
I had the misfortune of watching this during a "bad films theme night" at the cinema.
Its Wookie grunting for Half the show and a little kid Wookie that you want to strangle.
Jefferson Airplane play some songs.
Han Solo and Chewee make an appearance and last but not least Luke Skywalker shows up.
The Luke Skywalker appearance is the most interesting part as his face is caked in makeup - think Geisha and then double it.
Mark Hamill was recovering from a car crash which led to him
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I 3 Slashdot (Score:3, Funny)
I love Slashdot. Where else can the cultural merits of the Star Wars Holiday Special be compared to transcendental truth and the entire hope of a species?
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Metropolis was a silent film, there are no "subtitles".
So, at what point did you realize this show wasn't so bad?
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Luke, be a Jedi toniiiiiight, just be a Jedi toniiiiiight.....
(I know it's not from the SWHS, but I'm sure people on /. will know it)
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Not really the new Star Wars movies. Like, Twilight.
I'm afraid it's all to do with the Geek Girl...
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/moviebob/6797-Twilight-of-the-She-Geeks [escapistmagazine.com]
Really really really bad (Score:4, Funny)
I've seen it. It's bad. Really bad. I think this is what drove Carrie Fisher to do drugs. She was in it, and she had to say the lines, and the lines were bad even by Lucas standards, and I cringed with every word. It was torture by proxy; what Jabba did to Leia was nothing compared to what Lucas did to Fisher in that special...
Re:Obviously the template (Score:5, Funny)
for the notoriously bad prequels
Don't worry, Lucas fixed it up this time. All of the blasters and light-sabers have been replaced by walkie-talkies and Santa shoots first.
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The only way Lucas could fix this is by digitally replacing it with Raiders of the Lost Ark.
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For anyone still scratching their heads... here [wikipedia.org]...
For anyone else, congrats on "getting it"
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More [wikipedia.org] on "the frizzies"
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You can't jeer, you can't make comments - you're too busy laughing. It's that bad.
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You can't jeer, you can't make comments - you're too busy laughing. It's that bad.
No, the laughter is false, just intended to cover the noise of the weeping. It's that bad.
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Speaking of MST3k...
http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/star-wars-holiday-special [rifftrax.com]
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I saw it the first time and loved it. (Very young kid).