The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Director: Steve Binder
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher

Synopsis:
Han Solo tries to deliver Chewbacca to his family on Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day while Imperial troops are cracking down.

Impressions:
You know we have something special when it embarrasses the man who gave us Jar-Jar Binks. Where to begin? For those who didn't live through it, the 70's were quite the decade. The worst ideas in that era's television crystallize in this... thing. The idea to make a variety show with a Star Wars coat of paint should've been tossed in the bin the moment it was proposed. You get a string of sketches with a frame story involving Chewie's family back on Kashyyyk. Our poor original cast members are in poor shape with Mark Hamill dolled up like a girl, Harrison Ford looking miserably bored, and Carrie Fisher high as a kite. You see some talented comedians like Art Carney and Harvey Korman being terribly unfunny, but what can you expect them to do with the script they're given? Sets and costuming (except for stuff that was made for the movie) look as cheap as you'd expect for a production like this. The sketches are nonsensical at best. Some people cite the animated sequence that features the debut of Boba Fett as the high point, but the poor writing and even worse animation didn't do much for me. Now, Bea Arthur's song, that's where the magic is. ^o^ (Carrie Fisher's song... not so much... -_-; )

I'd say "Burn it," as this really is horrendous, but this thing is so deranged that I find great comedic value in subjecting other people to it. As a curiosity, sure, give it a shot, but don't watch it alone. That's a miserable thing to do to yourself. Also, try finding a copy with the original commercials so you can feel like you're right back there in '78.

Rating:
Avoid It