Summary
- The Star Wars Holiday Special is a notorious Christmas blunder that was widely panned and only aired once on TV
- Despite its negative reception, the special had some redeeming qualities, such as introducing Boba Fett in a cartoon segment
- Fans have started to embrace the Holiday Special, leading to some recent acknowledgements and references in newer Star Wars media
- GM’s sponsorship of the special, similar to its handling of the EV1, reflects a tendency to distance itself from failures instead of learning from them
- Instead of burying mistakes, companies should embrace the lessons learned from them and strive to do better in the future.
Article
In 1978, the Star Wars Holiday Special aired on TV as a musical and comedy variety show with guest appearances by Star Wars main characters. However, it was widely panned for being too goofy and different from the original film. George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, was also disappointed with the special and it was only aired once on TV. Over the years, Lucasfilm and others involved with Star Wars ignored the existence of the Holiday Special, leading to it becoming more of a cult classic and a joke in media. Despite never being officially released, bootlegs of the special have circulated online, allowing more people to see its unique brand of cringe.
One of the few redeeming aspects of the Star Wars Holiday Special was a cartoon segment that introduced the character Boba Fett to the Star Wars universe. Disney has since acknowledged this segment by including it in DVDs and on Disney+, independent of the Holiday Special. Additionally, some easter eggs referencing the Holiday Special have appeared in recent Star Wars media, showing a growing appreciation for its quirky elements among fans. Despite its reputation as a flop, there is now a desire among fans for more Holiday Special content and references, indicating a shift in perception over time.
The Star Wars Holiday Special serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of trying to capitalize on success without maintaining the integrity of the original content. The association of General Motors (GM) with the Holiday Special, as a sponsor, parallels the company’s mishandling of the EV1 electric car in the 1990s. GM’s decision to crush most copies of the EV1 and resist EV development ultimately hindered its potential as an industry leader. Similarly, GM, like Lucasfilm and Disney, chose to distance itself from its failed endeavors rather than learn from them.
It is important for companies and individuals to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes rather than bury them in embarrassment. As the electric vehicle industry continues to evolve, lessons from past failures, such as Nissan’s lack of liquid cooling for EVs and Electrify America’s hardware issues, should be embraced to drive progress and innovation. By recognizing and addressing missteps, companies can position themselves as leaders in the ongoing cleantech revolution. Just as Star Wars fans have come to appreciate the unique aspects of the Holiday Special, companies can leverage past failures as valuable learning experiences to guide future success.
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