My obsession with the Star Wars Holiday Special began back in 1997 when I bought a VHS copy from a vendor at the monthly L.A. comic convention. When I got home and watched the madness play out before me I was at once horrified, mystified and had a new mission…to share this abomination with as many people as possible. Siblings, relatives you only see at holiday gatherings, friends that should know better…no one was safe. It wasn’t until 2007 when I saw the potential to use this thing to not only satisfy people’s morbid curiosity but do some good as well. The 1st screening was held on Saturday, December 1st, 2007 in  the IFP classroom. 12 people showed up during a snowstorm and had an absolute blast. There is power in numbers! I knew then we needed a bigger venue so more people could join the jamboree. On November 19th, 2008, 2 days after the 30th anniversary of the original airdate we sold out Bryant Lake Bowl and had to turn a few folks away. Here I found myself in some sort of David Lynchian world as all of a sudden as I was now telling people, “Sorry, you can’t come watch Chewbacca’s dad enjoy some soft core VR with me.”

This year I underestimated you. Never. Again.

On Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 more than 225 people descended upon Bryant Lake Bowl for the MFTVB’s 3rd annual Toys For Tots Screening of the Star Wars Holiday Special. What the hell were they thinking?

First, thanks to all you nutters out there for braving the cold and slogging through two sold out screenings of this wookiee laden drivel. There were a couple of sour grapes in the bunch, sure, but the patience and generosity of those who made it out was overwhelming. In a year showing record low donations for Toys For Tots we were able to make a big difference for a lot of kids. The Marines from Toys For Tots weren’t even prepared for the haul you brought in. Thank you. Also to the lady that chucked a Russian loaf at me, in a night showcasing people’s willingness to give to those less fortunate than themselves you threw cellophane wrapped black bread at me. That was a first, thank you very much and what the hell?

The show was scheduled for doors at 9P and a start time of 9:30P. Well, since the first show was sold out shortly after 8P that bird didn’t fly. BLB was an absolute madhouse with costumed characters, toy donators, bread throwers and generally curious members of the public all wanting to see, despite my very vocal warnings, the best/worst thing to ever air on television. We were able to start the show early and add a second, which was sold out right about 9:30P.

Man, what a great night! This year we had a special intro from Transylvania Television, hand silk screened “Treebacca” posters by Clint Lugert of THEY Design, a written apology from SWHS credited writer Pat Proft and members of the Rebel Legion meeting and greeting folks. The first show was fantastic but screening numero dos was loopy beyond compare. People quoting Chef Gormaanda’s dialog, a sing along with Bea Arthur and Carrie Fisher? Friends, your voices have been heard and next year already promises to be bigger and better.

In the meantime you can check out the intro to the SWHS from TVTV below and purchase your very own limited “Treebacca” from here.

Thanks to Paul Clark and Sophie Scheller for being the only 3-time veterans of this event, Bryant Lake Bowl, Transylvania TV, Pat Proft, The Rebel Legion, Clint Lugert of THEY Design, my coworkers at the MFTVB, friends who got sucked into being helper elves and everyone that made this such an epic event. Next year, the saga continues…

Happy Life Day, everyone!

Tags: Bea Arthur, Bryant Lake Bowl, Pat Proft, star wars, Star Wars Holiday Special, The Rebel Legion, They design, Toys For Tots, Toys For Tots Event Minneapolis, Transylvania Television

This post was written by Chris Grap, Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 5:06 pm and is filed under Diversionary Tactics, Events, Headlines, Musings, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.