Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) - 🤯📼First Time Film Club📼🤯 - First Time Watching/Reaction & Review 

So, fun fact: Matthew wasn't the one who made us watch this "movie", it was me. Lol It was suggested while I was streaming on Twitch and later that day I brought it up to Matthew. His response was a dead eyed stare and in a pleading voice he just said, "oh no... you don't know what you're asking..." And that just made me want to watch it all the more! Needless to say, I was a fool. He tried to warn me, he tried to tell me I was a sweet summer child, but I didn't listen... I DIDN'T LISTEN!!! LOL!!! 😭☠🤣

I came to share your pain. No one should face this alone. "Good luck. We're all counting on you."

George Lucas on a talk show once was quoted as saying "If I had the money then that I do now I would have paid a group of people to hunt down every copy of this movie and burn them." Also, Harrison Ford was on Conan O'brian's talk show and they engaged with the usual talk show chit-chat until Conan mentioned "The Star War's Holiday Special" and I think Harrison Ford said something like "I'm glad they don't play it anymore" or "I don't think anyone has a copy" and Conan slightly smiled and replied, " Oh We Do" and at that moment a look of real fear came over Harrison's face, I know he's a great actor but I don't think you could fake that. He ended up play-strangling Conan but it was clear there was a small piece of reality behind it.

I remember that at the time this aired, I was so desperate for more Star Wars that I forced myself to like it. Imagine the amount of sheer will power it took to do that!

I saw this abomination when it premiered, and was traumatized for a couple of weeks. I ran across it on RU-vid a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I'd watch it again, just for old time's sake. It was still too soon. 😱

You know what? What's great about this "movie made for television" is the fact that this was broadcast through radio frequency. Now that signal is traveling through space since 1978. More then 43 years that signal has been traveling in space. Now, that something that George Lucas won't be able to get rid of.

Emily: Cocaine is a hell of a drug. Actual review of the special from 1978, written by Nathan Rabin: I'm not convinced the special wasn't ultimately written and directed by a sentient bag of cocaine.

Childhood traumas: 40s had WW2 50s had Korean War 60s had Vietnam 70s had made for TV specials

I'm sorry to hear you woke up at 5:00 a.m. to edit this. As a loyal viewer of yours, I thank you for your sacrifice. Happy life day!

I taped this off of the original TV broadcast with commercials. I still have the VHS but no machine to play it on. Remember the "Look for the Union Label" song?

Emily's reaction to Itchy putting on the VR porn made me laugh so hard that my cat got worried something was wrong with me and gave me a couple concerned meows.

This is what happens when George Lucas gives his "big book of Wookie lore" to Bruce Valanch and a bunch of other 70s Variety Show writers and says "I'm sure you can figure it out".

To quote Rifftrax: "Wow. That is the strangest thing I've ever seen. And I've seen Mulholland Drive backwards! And underwater!"

It wasn’t the fall that killed him,it was the sudden stop at the end.

"It's just a classic tale of a Dad trying to get home to his family for a holiday." More a classic tale of a family waiting for Dad to get home.

I remembered seeing this as a kid, but as I grew up I thought I had dreamed this up. It wasn't until the 90s where I found a guy in NYC selling a bootleg VHS copy of this that I watched it again. I liked this as a 6 year old, but it was incredibly hard to watch as an adult. I commend you both for willingly sitting through this.

For the record, this actually falls under the genre of "variety show", not just musical.

The fact that they got some Hollywood legends to do this is the real power of the force

There's an interview on RU-vid with Bruce Vilanche who was one of the comedy writers on the Oscars for years and worked on this special. He explains the reason behind every crazy decision ultimately came down to trying to figure out how to to do the sketches and musical numbers that were part of every corny TV variety show that were made in the 70s but still fit within the universe that Lucas had created. They were not interested in doing a continuation of the original movie.

The question that keeps me up at night: Why does Grandpa Itchy, a Wookie, imagine a Human as his dream woman?

Lucas tried to erase this special from existence, but as we know its still here unfortunately. lol

Watched 20 minutes of this dreck when I was 9 in 1978, and then went to my room, pouted, and played with my toys instead. Wasn't disappointed that much in life again until The Phantom Menace premiere.

I loved this "special" so much that my wife had to get this for me a few years ago. It holds a special place on the shelf.

EMILY this tells me that as far as Santa is concerned you have been a "Bad Girl" this year, consider this "Special" as your lump of coal.

"Peepaw, yer in the living room!" Probably one of the funniest things I've ever heard her say.

BTW. Disney+ did actually bring back life to Life Day with “The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special”. Very worth watching.

Only reason I watch any reaction is the watch people laugh. The blazing saddles was priceless

I'm with Matt on the Star Wars prequels and sequels.

Chewy = Chewbacca Malla = Mallatobuck Ichi = Attichitcuk Lumpy = Lumpawaroo (also known as Waroo; originally Lumpawarrump) (in Legends, previously extended Universe, we add the following others) Kalla = Kallabow (Chewie's sister, Ichi's daughter) Raccor = Mahraccor (Kalla's husband) Lowie = Lowbacca (Malla's son, Jedi-in-Training with Han & Leia's twins Jacen & Jaina) Sirra = Sirrakuk (Malla's daughter, Lowie's younger sister) Raaba = Raabakyysh (Lowie's girlfriend/potential future mate, Sirra's BFF)

"Its bad on so many fronts" best sums it up.

I randomly stopped the video at 8:45 to refresh my drink. It stayed there for several minutes. I couldn't stop laughing.

Keep in mind, in the late 70's when this was made, television variety shows were all the rage on American TV. Thus, the 'beloved' SW Holiday Special!

Ah yes. A Holiday Special so bad that it has never re-aired after over 40 years. Everyone from Harrison Ford to George Lucas was personally ashamed to be a part of this special.

8:38 Emily's reaction here is great.

looks like she liked it. She just doesn't want to express how she really feels

Before I start, pause the video at around 5:14 for a true reflection of two people; one of whom is watching this for the first time and the other knowing the other is watching this for the first time. :D I understand why TV execs thought this was a good idea, in theory. What baffles me is why thought thought it could be made by people who had no idea what Star Wars actually was. It's like it was made by people who hadn't even seen the film and just treated this with an standard "sci-fi vibe", perhaps getting their inspirations from Lost in Space and the like. Also, even before Star Wars was a hit, Lucas had most things locked down. He's a savvy bloke. How did he let this slide? Mala's design isn't too bad. Kind of looks like the original Chewbacca action figure. So, it gets a pass. The rest, though?

For those who watched this “special” when it first aired how much longer afterwards did the whole variety show craze last, one year, two years, or was this one of the last variety shows? If it was one the last (if not the last), at least we can say it killed the variety show craze, LOL To be fair I don’t blame Lucas, after all aside from the stipulations he gave namely it being centered on Chewie’s family, he was pretty much hands off. He was too busy making Empire Strikes Back at the time and couldn’t be there to watch over the whole production. At most he would’ve supervised the Boba Fett animation. No, I blame the writers who thought it was a good idea to write and produce a tv special higher than the highest peaks of Everest.

I actually own a copy on VHS, complete with commercial from the US broadcast. The only redeeming part of my copy is that I have a trailer for Revenge of The Jedi on the tape. The Holiday Special is the single most disturbing entry in the whole SW universe. Chewbacca’s dad having a wank!! Carrie Fisher singing. Mark Hamill’s post car crash swollen face / fake tan. Redubbed / Repurposed footage from A New Hope. Not even the first appearance of Boba Fett saved it 😂

The 70's was a Hell of a decade, even for a kid!

The Room is a masterpiece against this. This movie is more like a Holiday Pain , but your reactions guys are awesome . :D

"Pepa! You are in the living room!" Was my biggest laugh this review

Imagine being a 5 year old boy, that was in love with Star Wars, and had been waiting in the greatest anticipation of this special, and then we get this steamy pile of excrement. I almost didn’t go see Episode V in theaters after this.

At that time Star Wars was the greatest thing ever. I was so excited about this show. I was used to crap television in the 70's, but this was something else. At the time I tried so hard to find something to like about this show. So weird and disturbing. Like a fever dream.

I heard about the special three years ago and looked it up on RU-vid because I had to see it. Harvey Korman is brilliant, but even he couldn't save this special. The 1970s had a lot of cheesy variety specials. Those that know that is what are they are doing can work? As someone mentioned, the Paul Lynde Halloween Special from 1976 is classic 1970s variety special.

I first saw it when I was 12 seeing Star Wars on TV I was ecstatic.Then when I saw it as an adult I was like wtf did i just watch

8:38 That growl... every time I can't stop laughing and crying

Matthew's Reaction to Emily's Reaction to the Wookie VR moment is just priceless. 🤣🤣

10:36 to 10:46 The best dead silence in reactor history! I was sitting here by myself applauding! Thank you guys. You made my day, and it's Christmas!!

I have never seen this masterpiece of horror. Oi! Now I know. A Very Merry Christmas and much kudos, respect and sympathy to you for taking one for the team and actually watching this. In 1978, we only had one TV and there was no way my mom was watching Star Wars, thus my 13 year old psyche was spared the scarring. Yep, Mom knows best!

I dont you have to worry about disney calling copyrights on this. Lucas doesn't want to talk about this show. This is where I became a fan of Boba Fett. I still remember being 8 when this came out being so excited Star Wars was on TV, well a Star Wars related show being on. Funny how the first episode of the Mandalorian mentioned life day.

You know what saves this? The period commercials! If you ever do get crazy enough to seek this out, be SURE to get the version with the 1978 TV commercials sprinkled throughout. They are, BY FAR, the most fun part of watching this piece of dreck.

No wonder it only aired once... OMFG... had no idea that even existed. You're right, I can't UNSEE that, and I can't get one nano second of the life energy it took to watch that back... Thank You.

Matthew absolute despair at the wookie porn was priceless.

I saw this in around 1985 on Swedish television when i was seven. This was my first Star Wars experience and it led me to not be interested in Star Wars or watch the movies until 1993. Also it led to people thinking i was weird when i described scenes from the special.

Once you see it you can't unsee it. 😳

I kind of hoped Matt was going to call his drink Sith Sauce lol

Best part of this was Matthew's library story @20:40. The special is not an example of "So bad It's good."...

I'm going to come back in about 20 minutes so I have the option to skip bits just incase lol . Merry christmassss

We loved this one as kids back in '78, especially the surprise appearance of Boba Fett whom we knew was forthcoming in Empire, but having viewed those scenes during thus reaction, no...I couldn't do it again as an adult. Childhood nostalgia, squashed! 😛

Oh my. I am commenting prior to this... experience I'm about to watch you have. I know you'll be strong. May the force be with you.

" PEPAW ! YOU'RE IN THE LIVING ROOM " I almost fell outta my chair 🤣. Merry belated christmas folks , and my best for a happy new year . 😃

Happy Life Day, you two!!! Oh, and Merry Christmas! This reaction was so wonderful. The schadenfreude of watching this was so much fun!!! Imagine being all of six years old, a 'Star Wars' fiend whose first cinematic experience in the movie theater was 'Star Wars' in 1977 at the tender age of five, and then watching this! Now, when people ask me when and where I got to be as weird as I am this is just one thing I can point to....and it is a DOOZY!!! 9:23 - Matthew's drink is damn near gone! LOL!!! (Dude...I sympathize!!!) 9:36 - "Itchy got a Wookie-rection!" (tears rolling down my face, having trouble breathing, laughing) 11:19 - Emily's drink is gone...all I can think, "What took you so long, girl? Were you nursing it?!" Refill!!! You'll need it! I'm sure if I had watched you stream this, I'd be like Chandler from 'Friends'..."Too many jokes!!! Must be funny!!!" I play the MMO "Star Wars-The Old Republic' and during Christmas, for a couple of weeks is the 'Life Day Event', where your characters go to certain planets, throw snowballs at NPCs and other players' toons and hug Wookies...all inspired by this..."piece of work" that Lucas signed off on, and then turned around and tried to destroy every single copy of. I love 'Life Day' in my game...it's fun! This...uhhhhh, not so much!!! Oh, well...I only recently discovered your channel and I have fallen in love with it! So, Emily and Matthew...Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, thanks for all you have done so far and cheers to more great reactions in 2022!

I watched this when I was 9, it was... Different? It put me to sleep for most of the run, I woke up for Boba Fett, then went back to sleep.

Emily: "I'm excited to experience this!" Me doing evil Yoda voice: "You won't be.... you won't be..."

I'm 54 and saw this live when i was 7. I still see counselor once a month i was horrified by it

Thank you for the White Elephant gift...

*hears Itchy's full name* Deeeeep Angry exhale. That really is the only reasonable reaction

George Lucas: Spends 40 years denying the existence of this special. The Mandalorian: “Let’s canonize this thing!”

If they'd shown this to Leia instead of using that torture droid she'd have told them exactly where the rebel base was.

I was 10 when this aired, and I was so excited because it was about the Star Wars universe. Afterwards I was scratching my head wondering what I just watched?

The Mandalorian made Life Day canon. :) And the Boba Fett Gun. I remember when it came out. I wanted to watch it so much. I think my parents got through 5 minutes and said nope, and changed channels. I was upset. But clearly my parents saved me. Though I did get to flip back and got to watch the animated short and after that they changed channels again. :) That animation short did get added to Disney+. Even that is a little weird with the 'pudding' ocean and how they animated Han's face. I think the special is a true Star Wars fan right of passage. :P

I think I saw this when it originally aired and the only thing I remembered was Bea Arthur’s song

Good one guys, growing up in the 70s and watching Star Wars, I was glued to the TV watching the holiday special, thanking, what the hell is this,,,,,,,,,,,,, Happy life day.

A friend and his wife got me the Star Wars Christmas Album years ago. Nobody knew how bad it would be, with such hits as 'What Do You Get A Wookie For Christmas, When He Already Has A Comb?' She still apologizes for it.

Hey man this baby is cannon! Happy Life Day to all my organic sentient brethren!

Ah yes. I forgot they called the music that. In a guide I remember it saying the "Famous jizz band on Tatooine" and was like "Wait what?!?"

I have no idea how they got Art Carney to be a part of this disaster... Still, the parts where he is in it, or the cast and crew of Star Wars like Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher (high as a kite) and Mark Hamill, are great. Those four minutes cannot save the rest of this disaster

I don't think I should be rewarding this kind of behavior but it's the holidays. Have a like, a comment and enjoy your evening Emily. Matthew and Pippin.

Yeah, thanks for the piping hot Naboo Steamer! 😆

Harvey Korman and Bea Arthur should have won an Oscar, Emmy, and a SAG award for actually performing in this "show"...

This aired Friday, November 17, 1978, the week before Thanksgiving, and is in fact a Thanksgiving film. Today people think of it as a Christmas film but it was never intended to be.

Don't tell me being a RU-vid reactor isn't hard work if you managed to get through this in one sitting.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays! Wish you and your family well wishes! Hope 2022 is a better year! Stay safe!

Oh the pain. The actual pain. It will always break my brain that this atrocity exists.

Merry Christmas Emily & Matthew & This Special Was An Abomination On All Levels

Carrie Fisher, in return for some voice work she did for Lucasfilm, demanded a copy of this, and she would play it at the end of parties when she wanted people to leave lol

7:13 Allspice leads to grate, grate leads to seasoning. 27:04 Lumpy's sister Humpa Rawrump, was left on the cutting room floor.

The reaction to Itchy's space porn was so funny.

🤣 Welcome to the party pal! 🤣

Let's make a Star Wars Holiday Special..... but first let's do this giant pile of drugs.

Making Whoopie With Wookiee: A VR Experience

That was Bea Arthur as the bar tender. Harvey Korman (Blazing Saddles) was the guy who waggled his tongue. This is madness

1st time seeing it, glad I avoided it all these years and now never have to see it again. Surprised they actually convinced Harvey Korman and Bea Arthur to do this.

Watching the Star Wars Holiday Special is what is must feel like the end up in the the belly of the Sarlacc, a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.

I am absolutely convinced that this movie is why Harrison Ford wanted Han Solo killed off.

Thank you for such a treat for Christmas. I love seeing people's souls slowly leave their bodies when they watch this for the first time. I owned this on DVD for years and loved torturing unsuspecting friends with it. Happy Life Day ya'll!

I remember these types of variety shows. I don't think they expected anyone to sit down and watch everything, they were just something you had on in the background for a few hours, hence the extreme padding and long run times.

I grew up w/ Art Carney aka Norton from The Honeymooners reruns. Merry Xmas to you both & thanks for this awesome channel ❤️

See, they were screwing fans over way back then too. lol Also: "Wookie for love in all the wrong places, Wookie for love..."

Perhaps next Christmas? If you haven't already seen it, you guys should check out the live action version of Terry Pratchett's HogFather. While it can never be as good as the book, I promise it is genuinely enjoyable and hogswatch will never be as painful as life day.