Every sci-fi franchise has something its fans seem to be ashamed of, whether it's the killer computer in "Superman III," the lava-lamp-loving Daleks in the "Dr. Who and the Daleks" or Uhura's fan dance in "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."
Star Wars is no exception, and we're not just talking about the Ewoks or Jar Jar Binks. This secret shame is all about a little TV event in the '70s called "The Star Wars Holiday Special." Most fans shudder when they recall sitting in front of the TV as kids watching the special full of awkward singing, Bea Arthur tending bar and Chewbacca's family going about their daily lives.
I personally love "The Star Wars Holiday Special," and from the looks of this fan-made mashup video trailer of "Star Wars: The Holiday Special Awakens," so does Vimeo user Nick Acosta.
The voice-over and music from the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer goes remarkably well with scenes from "The Star Wars Holiday Special," with Chewbacca's son Lumpy playing the role of Rey and Art Carney filling in for Finn.
The footage uses memorable moments from "The Star Wars Holiday Special," including well-placed cameos of Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, C-3PO and even Darth Vader.
Even Ackmena (played by Bea Arthur) mimics the Leia hug from the trailer to perfection. The few scenes of the Millennium Falcon in action during the TV special make this mashup trailer even more on point.
Who knew we could ever appreciate the dancing holograms and the final Life Day festivities so much?
"The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams, opens December 17 in the UK and Australia and December 18 in the US.