It’s the stuff of legend. Just months after the first Star Wars film became an unexpected box office smash and created a universe to which countless people – young and old – longed to escape, the first spin-off hit TV screens.
It was 1978 and the Star Wars universe, not yet fully formed, was used as the basis for a nonsensical TV variety show. The standalone production had the blessing of George Lucas at the time, though these days he is actively involved in a campaign to wipe its existence from the face of the Earth – which is a tough ask now that were living in the digital era.
The following video provides a fascinating insight into two things. Firstly, it describes how the infamous Star Wars Christmas Special came about, who was involved and what it was all about. Then, the video highlights why it is that this production was allowed to exist (temporarily) in the immature canon of the time, and how the Star Wars universe has both extended and contracted in the years since. It’s well worth a look, even if you know about the Christmas Special. For those who haven’t yet seen any footage from the first Star Wars spin-off, you’re in for a horrid treat.