HAPPY WOOKIEE LIFE DAY!

For almost anyone that knows me, you also know that I LOVE STAR WARS! I have always really enjoyed the fact that the one DARK SPOT in the Star Wars Universe happened to occur on my eighth birthday. You see, it was on November 17, 1978 that the world was subjected to the one and only showing of the Star Wars Holiday Special. 

The special centers around Han and Chewbacca trying to return to the Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk for the celebration of Life Day. It is during this special that we learn that Chewie has a wife and a child. Which is still a little strange to think about. 

I recall or at least I think I recall being pretty excited about the special airing. You have to remember that in 1978 one could not even watch Star Wars on their VCR. When I think back on that fateful day in 1978, I am not sure that I stayed awake for more than the first 30 minutes or so. In retrospect, that was probably for the best because over time, the Star Wars Holiday Special has become one of the most panned things ever created in the name of Star Wars. 

For example, take a look at the SPECIAL GUEST STARS in the photo above. One really has to question what the pitch to executives must have looked like. Sure, let's have Be a Arthur play a gruff bartender at the Mos Eisley Cantina who bursts into song and argues with Greedo. There are so many things wrong with this idea that it makes the inclusion of Jar Jar Binks in Episode I seem like a really brilliant idea.

For many years, I wondered what actually happened in this special. Primarily because it was during this special that the world saw the introduction of Boba Fett. For those of you wanting to see this important introduction, this is a great place to start. 

There are so many things that are wrong with the Star Wars Holiday Special that it is no wonder that it has never been officially released on video. However, we live in a time where you can find almost anything on the Internet. It was a few years ago, that I finally watched the entire special. It was at times fascinating, and a many others down right painful. I am thankful that I have seen it, but I am not sure that there are parts that I can ever erase from my memory. I invite you to view it below, but in the words of Obi-Wan, "We must be cautious." Proceed at your own risk. You cannot UNSEE this. Also, note that the video quality is pretty poor. 

Whether you choose to view it or not, I hope you all have a HAPPY WOOKIEE LIFE DAY!