Office Ladies – "A Look Back on the Star Wars Holiday Special"

Podcast: Office Ladies
Hosts: Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey
Episode Date: December 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive rerun, Jenna and Angela revisit their lively, hilarious breakdown of the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special—a pop culture oddity often remembered for its strange tone, awkward pacing, and surprising celebrity cameos. The Office alumni and best friends serve up a mix of behind-the-scenes trivia, genuine confusion, snappy recaps, and culinary experiments as they try Life Day recipes inspired by the special itself.

Episode Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

1. Why the Star Wars Holiday Special?

• The episode was suggested by their own Cassie Jerkins and echoed by many listeners who wanted a breakdown of this "strangest thing in the Star Wars universe."
• Both hosts had never seen the special before. Jenna only watched Star Wars for the first time the previous year!
• Guest Ainsley Bubaco (their associate producer) gave an outline for the show, noting the "what the hell is this?" factor.
• [05:04] Angela: "Holy crap sticks. Where do we begin?"

2. Context & Fast Facts: Setting the Stage

• The special aired on CBS in November 1978, between "Star Wars" (1977) and "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980).
• Intended as a way to keep fans engaged and, not-so-secretly, to sell more toys.
• [07:14] Angela: "He [Lucas] has been quoted many times saying that he got talked into this."
• 1978 basics:
  • Bestselling album: Saturday Night Fever soundtrack (Bee Gees)
  • Hottest toys: Star Wars figures (especially Boba Fett), Hungry Hungry Hippos, pogo sticks
• [10:11] Angela on the rare Boba Fett figure: "One of only two still in existence... sold for $525,000!"

3. Production and Cast: Reluctance & Disarray

• The production was marked by chaos: two directors, little creative oversight from George Lucas (who provided only a "Wookiee Bible").
• The original cast—Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Peter Mayhew—had to be coaxed to participate.
• Mark Hamill participated because of his lucrative merchandise deal; Harrison Ford was especially reluctant.
• [14:44] Angela: "But Mark Hamill. Good for you, buddy."
• Near-complete disownment by the cast and Lucas:
  • Harrison Ford jokes on Conan O'Brien, "It doesn't exist."
  • Carrie Fisher only agreed if she could sing, and kept a copy to play at parties to clear out guests.
• Critical reception: Overwhelmingly negative.
  • "The worst two hours of television ever." (David Hofstede) [16:26]
  • George Lucas: “If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy... and smash it.” [18:02]

4. Plot Recap & Comedic Observations

The Setup:

• Chewbacca and Han Solo rush home for "Life Day" (a Wookiee analogue to Christmas/Thanksgiving).
• Chewie's family includes wife Mala, son Lumpy, and father Itchy.
• [29:11] Angela: "Itchy has a severe underbite and no teeth. No teeth."
• Most of the opening features only Wookiee grunts—no subtitles or English.

Technology & Home Life:

• Observations about the Wookiee family’s surprisingly advanced home—multiple screens, holographic entertainment.
• Lumpy, the son, watches a Cirque du Soleil-esque hologram tape.
• Chewbacca’s family speaks only Wookiee. Quote from Bruce Vilanch (writer):
  • "You've chosen to build a story around characters who don't speak." [31:41]

Comedy & Variety:

• Multiple variety show segments feel bizarre and random.
• Mala watches a cooking show parody with Harvey Korman as "Gormanda."
• [43:15] Harvey Korman (as Gormanda): "Stir, whip, stir, whip, whip, whip, stir..."
• Chewbacca’s father Itchy experiences a confusingly adult virtual reality segment starring Diahann Carroll.
• [60:29] Diahann Carroll: "I find you adorable... I am your fantasy. I am your experience. I am your pleasure."

Guest Stars & Musical Numbers:

• Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew all appear, looking uncomfortable.
• Art Carney plays kindly shopkeeper Sean Dan, distracting Imperial officers with gadgets and double-speak.
• Jefferson Starship (formerly Jefferson Airplane) performs "Light the Sky on Fire"—discussion devolves as Jenna and Angela riff on band names:
  • "Jefferson Kite," "Jefferson Hot Air Balloon," "Jefferson Boeing"... [68:11], [68:20]
• Harvey Korman appears as several comic relief characters: a clumsy robot instructor and a lovesick cantina patron.
• Cantina scene with Bea Arthur (pre-Golden Girls)—widely praised as the high point.
  • [77:18] Bea Arthur: "What’ll it be?... Now we’ll do it my way. What’ll it be?"
  • Arthur sings the oddly moving “Goodnight, But Not Goodbye.”

The Baffling End:

• Chewbacca and Han return, defeat a stormtrooper, and the family reunites—but without much affection:
  • [83:01] Jenna: "They come together like they're gonna kiss – but they just sort of breathe in each other's faces."
• Life Day “celebration” features all the cast in red robes, gold orbs, and a moral speech.
• Carrie Fisher sings a song set to the Star Wars theme.
  • [89:25] Carrie Fisher: “This holiday is yours. But we all share with you the hope that this day brings us closer to freedom and to harmony and to peace…”

5. Food Experiment: Life Day Recipes

• Jenna and Angela try out recipes from the "Star Wars Life Day Cookbook":
  • Bantha Surprise (actually beef stew—well received)
  • Joe Blastow Punch (rainbow sherbet, cranberry and pineapple juice, 7 Up—much less well received)
• Jenna sings made-up Life Day lyrics; Angela attempts Wookiee with a Chewbacca mask.
  • [47:11] Angela in Chewbacca mask: “I looked up the language Wookiees speak because I wanted to greet you.”

6. Critical Reception – Then and Now

• IMDb rating: 2.2/10. "Generous," says Jenna.
• Jenna and Angela’s final rating:
  • Bea Arthur gets a star, Harvey Korman gets a star, half a star for the “I hate fish” stormtrooper [91:19].
• None of the Office Ladies have become Star Wars superfans as a result, but enjoyed the collective absurdity of the watch.

7. Funniest & Most Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• [06:25] Angela: “What is this? I don’t know.”
• [15:18] Harrison Ford insists the special "doesn't exist" and strangles Conan O'Brien as a joke.
• [21:34] Angela dons a Chewbacca mask and tries to speak "Shyriiwook."
• [43:15] Harvey Korman's "Stir, whip, stir, whip..." cooking sequence.
• [60:29] Diahann Carroll: "I'll tell you a secret. I find you adorable..."
• [77:18] Bea Arthur’s bar scene: “Now we’ll do it my way. What’ll it be?”
• [83:01] Jenna: "They come together like they're gonna kiss—but they just sort of breathe in each other’s faces."

Notable Quotes (with Speaker Attribution & Timestamps)

• Angela [05:04]: "Holy crap sticks. Where do we begin?"
• Jenna [16:26]: “'The worst two hours of television ever.' That’s from what Were They Thinking? The Hundred Dumbest Events in Television History.”
• Angela [18:02]: "George Lucas is famously quoted... 'If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it.'"
• Jenna [27:36]: "It opens in a somewhat promising way... You have no idea what lies ahead at this point."
• Angela [31:41]: "He [George Lucas] had what a director needs to have, which is this insane belief in their personal vision."
• Jenna [47:11]: "Joe Blasto Jo blasto Blasto Mooly raw o ta pan wyette..."
• Angela [83:01]: "They come together like they're gonna kiss, but they don’t."
• Angela [89:25]: “This holiday is yours. But we all share with you the hope that this day brings us closer to freedom and to harmony and to peace.”
• Jenna [91:43]: "Well, I never considered myself a fan.... No, it did not turn me into a Star Wars fan."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–02:22 – Ads & Intro (skipped)
• 02:22–05:04 – Listeners' mailbag explained; why this episode
• 05:04–09:33 – History & context: What is the Holiday Special?
• 09:33–13:38 – Toys, 1978 trivia, Lucas’ reluctance
• 13:38–14:44 – Cast reluctance; residuals & merchandise
• 15:41–18:25 – Reception, critical reviews, Lucas’ disavowal
• 19:02–22:30 – Listener (Lee) memory; opening banter
• 27:20–30:32 – Plot begins: Chewie's family at home
• 34:04–36:01 – Calling Luke Skywalker; male-centric dialogue
• 39:28–40:38 – Imperial officer gadget shop scene: “I hate fish.”
• 43:15–44:06 – "Stir, whip, stir, whip" – cooking show
• 47:11–47:58 – Life Day music & punch experiment
• 53:22–54:57 – Recipe reviews: stew good, punch gross
• 56:52–58:04 – Constant Empire announcements & interruptions
• 68:11–69:26 – Jefferson Starship name game riff
• 77:18–79:03 – Bea Arthur's cantina scene
• 83:01–84:02 – The Chewbacca/Mala (non-)kiss
• 89:25–90:36 – Princess Leia’s Life Day speech and song
• 91:43–92:18 – Star Wars fandom aftermath, final ratings

Tone & Style

The episode is packed with zingers, gentle snark, and warm best-friend energy. While both hosts are genuinely bewildered by the special's choices, they retain a spirit of fun, curiosity, and (mostly) affection—even when rating it just “two and a half stars.” There’s plenty of nostalgia, camaraderie, gentle mockery of bad dialogue and awkward moments, as well as celebrations of the impressive guest stars snagged for the production.

Conclusion

This episode is a rollicking, detailed ride through the weird legacy of the Star Wars Holiday Special. Jenna and Angela’s mix of genuine confusion, behind-the-scenes trivia, and comedic riffing makes for an engaging listen—whether you’re a Star Wars fan, a lover of so-bad-it’s-good TV, or just missing your Office fix. The segment is peppered with pop culture references, honest reactions, and the delightful chaos of two best friends experiencing something bizarre together.

For more exclusive breakdowns, behind-the-scenes stories, and potential culinary misadventures, tune in to future episodes!