The Star Wars Holiday Special has a surprisingly enduring legacy in the Star Wars franchise, with even Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith referencing it. The Star Wars Holiday Special premiered in 1978 and its variety show-style antics have led viewers to deride it as one of the franchise’s low points or enjoy it as a “so bad, it’s good” cult classic.

Yet the infamous Holiday Special is, for better or worse, a canonical part of the original Star Wars Legends continuity and is repeatedly referenced in properties belonging to both of the Star Wars franchise’s main timelines. Set between the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, The Star Wars Holiday Special saw the debut of Kashyyyk (and the onscreen debut of Boba Fett).

The Holiday Special’s plot largely centers on Chewbacca’s family members awaiting his and Han Solo’s return home to celebrate the Wookiee holiday of Life Day. The bizarre Holiday Special was first referenced in the 91st issue of Marvel’s classic Star Wars comics, confirming its canonicity, yet this would be far from the last time it would be acknowledged.

George Lucas’ Holiday Special Riffed On Kashyyyk From The Movies

Kashyyyk would make its first cinematic appearance in Revenge of the Sith, depicting the Clone Wars-era Battle of Kashyyyk. Revenge of the Sith intentionally keeps the general look of Kashyyyk consistent with its Holiday Special debut, making the planet’s terrain and foliage resemble its original depiction. Wookiee treetop structures in Revenge of the Sith also vaguely resemble Chewbacca’s home.

Moreover, the distinctive voice of Chewbacca’s father, Attichitcuk (“Itchy”) is reused in Revenge of the Sith. Tarfful – a friend of Chewbacca and Jedi Grandmaster Yoda – uses archival Wookiee dialogue from The Holiday Special that was originally used for Itchy. Star Wars canon would continue to reference The Holiday Special in projects like Skeleton Crew, maintaining its legacy, despite it being exclusive to the now-bygone Legends continuity.

The Holiday Special Continues To Define Kashyyyk

Elements of The Holiday Special are still referenced in more recent Star Wars materials, from The Mandalorian to Claudia Gray’s Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark. Similar to Revenge of the Sith, the pilot for Star Wars Rebels notably uses the Wookiee dialogue from Chewbacca and Malla’s son, Lumpawaroo (Lumpy), for an enslaved Wookiee youngling on Kessel. Skeleton Crew would even reuse the holographic circus performance Lumpy viewed as a children’s entertainment program on At Attin.