Can ESPN2’s Star Wars Halloween Special turn out worse than the hated Holiday Special?

By Rick Marshall Published October 30, 2014

disney announces star wars halloween special espn2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In Star Wars lore, there are few projects as universally ridiculed as the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, an ill-conceived mess of a themed television feature that even the prequel trilogy’s apologists concede was a low point in the franchise’s history. Almost 40 years later, the Star Wars Halloween Special is coming to television, and it’s premiering in a very unexpected place: ESPN2.

The half-hour show will air Thursday, October 30, on the Disney-owned network and will reportedly feature the cast of ESPN2’s SportsNation in an adventure involving live-action franchise characters Han Solo, Boba Fett, Yoda, Darth Vader, R2D2, Chewbacca, and C-3PO, as well as characters from Disney XD’s animated series Star Wars Rebels. The Hollywood Reporter debuted a teaser for the Star Wars Halloween Special in which host Michelle Beadle goes full Jedi when co-hosts Max Kellerman and Marcellus Wiley are taken captive by Darth Vader and the Empire.

Recommended Videos

The teaser also features an appearance by NBA great Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who’s apparently a Jedi Master in addition to being one of the greatest professional basketball players of all time — which actually explains a lot.

According to THR’s preview, the special will involve a redesign of the SportsNation set to make it look like the interior of the Millennium Falcon, and will offer a sneak peek at an upcoming episode of Star Wars Rebels.

Disney’s Star Wars Halloween Special airs tonight (October 30) at 7:30pm ET on ESPN2 and will re-air on Halloween (October 31) at 3pm. You can watch the teaser for the episode below:

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering local and national news, arts and entertainment, and…

Entertainment

NFL Week 17 games today: schedule, channels, live streams for December 29

Justin Jefferson of the Vikings runs onto the field.

The NFL is spoiling fans in Week 17. Things kicked off on Christmas Day with a doubleheader on Netflix, the streamer's first foray into NFL games. After Thursday Night Football, the NFL followed it up with a special tripleheader on Saturday. Throw in Sunday's slate and Monday Night Football, and the NFL dominated nearly every day this week.

Nine NFL games will be played in Week 17 on December 29. The battle for the NFC North gets interesting in the late-afternoon window when the Packers face the Vikings. Stream NFL games during the regular season by signing up NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Below, check out the NFL Week 17 schedule, with times, channels, and streaming information.
Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants start time, channel, and live stream
https://twitter.com/Colts/status/1872733165728743871

Entertainment

7 best Nicholas Hoult movies, ranked

Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in "Superman."

Nicholas Hoult's acting career has reached new heights as of late. Following his lead roles in the 2024 thriller The Order and the acclaimed horror movie Nosferatu, this prominent Hollywood actor has just given audiences a taste of his version of the iconic villain Lex Luthor in director James Gunn's highly-anticipated film Superman.

At this rate, Hoult's star power should shine even brighter as more audiences give him and his acting skills the recognition they deserve. Thus, fans should watch these seven movies, as they rank as the best movies in Nicholas Hoult's filmography.
7. Warm Bodies (2013)

Entertainment

This is the one 2024 TV show I absolutely loved. Here’s why you should watch it

Robert and Yasmin hold hands and walk in Indsutry.

Creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay wanted to start season 3 of HBO's Industry on a lavish yacht in the Mediterranean. The duo would use the boat as a storytelling vessel for flashbacks featuring Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and her father. Charles (Adam Levy). The scenes would showcase their tumultuous relationship plagued by Charles' affinity for sex, drugs, and power. How did the creators convince HBO to let them film the debauchery on the boat? They wrote an email to HBO titled "Coke and Boats." If that doesn't scream enticing television, what does?

Cocaine and boats elicit attention, but Industry is so much more than a salacious headline. Industry began as a drama about five graduates fighting for permanent jobs at an esteemed London investment bank, Pierpoint & Co. Think of season 1 as if the cast of Skins and Euphoria tried working in finance. It's sex, drugs, and drama on the trading floor.