TIL the notorious Bruce Vilanch was actually one of the writers of the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special". 🤣
The authors of the show script were 70s variety show writers who weren't even science fiction fans - much less ever having seen Star Wars at all.
This explains so, so much.
Even better... during the production of the Star Wars Holiday Special, the Lucasfilm people didn't get along with the "variety show" writers they hired. Yet there they were.
#StarWars #starwarsholidayspecial #lucasfilm #adisturbanceintheforce
The blame for the Star Wars Holiday Special's usage of weirdly old talent like Bea Arthur & Art Carney came from Ken & Mitzie Welch, who weren't exactly innovative.
They were brought an young up & coming comedian named "Robin Williams" who was killing on the comedy circuit. Ken & Mitzie rejected him immediately saying they wanted only named talent.
Robin Williams starred in Mork & Mindy on ABC a month later & was a smash hit.
kurtsh