Lightspeed to hilarity . . . Premiering Nov. 17 on Disney+, “The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” will bring Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron back together to celebrate the galaxy’s most cheerful and magical holiday, Life Day. Many will remember the celebration that was first introduced in the infamous 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special” on CBS.
Set after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” the special continues the partnership between Lucasfilm and LEGO of making playful, tongue-in-cheek animated versions of “Star Wars” stories using LEGO figures and blocks.
The 45-minute special will follow Rey as she sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. Her cross-timeline investigation of the Force launches them across the history of the Skywalker Saga and coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other characters. The special will also feature Poe, Rose, and Chewbacca as they prepare for Life Day festivities on Chewbacca’s home planet of Kashyyyk.
“The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” is a production of Atomic Cartoons, the LEGO Group, and Lucasfilm. It is directed by Ken Cunningham and written by David Shayne, who is also co-executive producer. James Waugh, Josh Rimes, Jason Cosler, Jacqui Lopez, Jill Wilfert, and Keith Malone are executive producers.
A Long Time Ago On A Network Far, Far Away…..
What is clear is the “The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” is playing off the notorious 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special” that aired on CBS on the same date, Nov. 17.
Back in 1978, the original “Star Wars Holiday Special” was the first film to be spun-off onto television. It included the original Star Wars cast and featured (gulp) Bea Arthur singing in the cantina and Princess Leia belting out a musical number in a comically awkward scene. The film took place between the events of the original “Star Wars” and “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” which was later released theatrically in 1980.
After it’s original telecast, the special was roasted by critics and Star Wars fans alike. The reaction was so bad that it became a cult classic among fans. It has never officially aired again after 1978; however, it has been viewed and distributed via bootleg copies and social media outlets made from its original telecast. TV Guide ranked it at number 11 on their “25 Most Hilarious Holiday TV Moments,” mentioning that it was “unintentionally hilarious.”
Science fiction writer and author of ‘The Jedi Academy Trilogy’ of books Kevin J. Anderson once stated George Lucas’ disdain for the TV special. “Well, I know that George Lucas doesn’t like it at all—when I was working on The Illustrated Star Wars Universe, he told me that he would be happy if every copy could be tracked down and burned…”
In addition to the original cast, the special includes appearances from Art Carney, Diahann Carroll, Jefferson Starship and Harvey Korman . . . if you can imagine that. It also introduces Boba Fett in an animated short, the character who appears in later films and TV spin-offs.
Prepare to cringe:
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Let’s Hear From You
Star Wars fan or not, there’s a certain joy from the trainwreck that was the original Star Wars Christmas Special. We are eagerly awaiting the LEGO version, what about you?!
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