If there is one holiday I always look forward to every year as a Star Wars fan, it's Life Day. Sorry May the Fourth, you're great if I want to go into credit card debt with all the new merchandise dropped that day. I adore Life Day. It's wonderful with the memes, the gifs of a hyper smiling Wookiee kid, and Luke Skywalker looking like a knock-off Ellen DeGeneres.
Because I unironically love The Star Wars Holiday Special.
I'm not ignoring the warts of the show by any means. The production is filled with blackface, actors almost dying on set, and Grandpa Wookiee looking at "adult content." The fantastic documentary and companion novel A Disturbance in the Force: How and Why the Star Wars Holiday Special Happened details every ugly step by people who love it and the franchise. The history of our fandom should be studied, even the worst parts. We cannot ignore the areas we don't like because if we do, we do not learn from them. There might not be blackface in Star Wars, as the onscreen content has improved. However, the negative side of fandom that holds onto that racism for series like The Acolyte is still a problem today. This evolution of how and why we are still here must continue to be called out and studied.
The historic additions are one of the reasons I adore The Holiday Special. It changed Star Wars canon from introducing Kashyyyk and the look of the planet, which would be used in the prequel trilogy. The concept of Life Day itself is a staple in Star Wars media, from mentions in The Mandalorian to an entire episode of Young Jedi Adventures. By far, the most important impact is the animated short "The Story of the Faithful Wookiee." While it did introduce Boba Fett, this short was the groundwork for Star Wars TV as we know it today. It's thanks to Nelvana, whose impact would continue to influence Star Wars for decades to come. More on that here and here.
I love this spectacular mess because the ideas behind the special hit two very specific wants of mine in Star Wars: The power of slice-of-life storytelling and showcasing artists fighting the Empire.
In a franchise where "Wars" is in the title, I am always craving more slice-of-life stories. What does an off day look like for these people? What are these characters doing when they're not fighting the Empire? Yes, Imperial soldiers come in The Holiday Special. However, a good chunk of the story is Chewbacca's family just existing and enjoying each other's presence. We see what they eat, what they watch, and their music. For example, Malla cooks a special meal for her family on Life Day. While it's a comedy bit, it informs the audience that despite a galactic war, Malla will work hard at this gesture against the backdrop of fear and misery to make her son smile today. A special meal on a holiday with loved ones doesn't stop the war but can provide hope and warmth to continue on. It says a lot about Malla's character. There is real power in slice-of-life storytelling.
The last reason is I always want more in-universe media in Star Wars. The musical acts, the animated short, and Gormaanda's cooking show are exactly what I want to see more of. Ackmena breaks into song to make her patrons leave before the Imperial curfew. We can see this happening because Imperial feeds are spying on her, which makes the musical number more chilling. We know from Star Wars Legends that Ackmena becomes a rebel who freed slaves. Our lively Gormaanda uses her culinary knowledge to help families eat on a budget through the war. These two artists use their skills to fight back, even if it's in a small way to help people make a meal.
Art is powerful, and the story of artists is even more so. I always want more tales about artists in this franchise. Star Wars Rebels hit on this a bit with characters like Sabine Wren and Alton Kastle and the news playing in the background of places like Old Jho's cantina. Jay uses music to best Jabba in Star Wars: Visions "Tatooine Rhapsody" in one of the best Jedi problem-solving moments in the franchise. Season 2's "The Spy Dancer" gave me everything I ever wanted by taking this idea further with the Joséphine Baker-inspired Loi'e, who uses her art to fight the Empire.
The possibility of storytelling of in-universe media is endless in Star Wars. How do news anchors adjust as the Republic changes to the Empire? What about actors who might be more progressive or outspoken? Do Imperial stormtroopers come onto their sets to ensure everything fits their laws? Does reality HoloNet shows flourish because scripted shows are under a new Imperial version of a Hays Code? Stories about alien artists would be fascinating, too, as the Empire was very anti-alien in its rule. What about authors, musicians, painters? Historians who wish to preserve this artwork, especially if it's from the Jedi Order or Republic planets that might not fit the Empire's views. All the Mandalorian artwork we see in the background of The Clone Wars is gone by the time The Mandalorian comes around as the Empire bombed it. The Holiday Special hit on some of these ideas, even if the execution is campy and full of 1970s cheesiness. The special showed the story of a handful of artists and why their story mattered.
I loved The Star Wars Holiday Special. Even these point aside, it brings me so much joy as something to laugh at with fellow fans. It's a delightful mess, and one of my favorite things to look forward to each year.