It's that time of year again — Life Day is here! We're giving thanks to Lucasfilm and CBS for blessing us with the wonderful Star Wars Holiday Special.

This episode, we're celebrating in true Life Day fashion — by diving into the Holiday Special and exploring how it connects to the larger Star Wars universe in our own creative and humorous way. How did Mermeia influence the Clone Wars? How did Ackmena go from Naboo handmaiden to Halcyon bartender and end up working at the Cantina?

Joining us is fellow Holiday Special enthusiast Tom Spina from Regal Robot, who brings behind-the-scenes insight and expertise to the iconic Cantina sequence. If you think you know these creatures, hang onto your gloved hooves and repainted masks!

And for a Holiday Special update: starting November 17th, Chewbacca at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland will be donning his Life Day red robe! If you want that perfect photo with the red-robed Wookiee, don't wait — it's only available for a limited time! We'll go over all the details, plus food and merchandise, in the episode.

So grab your glowing orbs, gather your clan, and join us for a joyful celebration of the weirdest, most wonderful piece of Star Wars history ever made.

Show Links

• The Richard Pryor Show - Star Wars Bar (1977)
• New Regal Robot Indiana Jones Collectibles

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The Creature From the Black Lagoon trilogy just celebrated its 70th Anniversary, so what better time to dive into this influential classic horror series than Halloween? Our guest, Gary Gerani—Topps trading cards editor and co-writer of Pumpkinhead—joins us to share his memories of seeing The Creature from the Black Lagoon for the first time, his insights into the enduring appeal of the Gill Man, and why this Universal monster continues to captivate audiences seven decades later.

We kick things off with an overview of the Universal Horror legacy, then explore each film in the Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy, complete with fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories. And here's a teaser: do you know which future A-list actor and director got his start in the sequel Revenge of the Creature? Go ahead—make his day and tune in to find out!

To pick up Gary Gerani's Card King Chronicle books, visit: 👉Fantastic Press Store

For more classic horror, check out our Frankenstein episode 488.

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In this episode, we're diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #56: "Coffin in the Clouds" — and we've been saving this one for the Halloween season for more than one reason. Originally released on November 24, 1981, Coffin in the Clouds follows Lando Calrissian as he returns to a mysteriously deserted Cloud City after the events of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Joining us for this eerie adventure is Star Wars artist and our good friend Jason W. Christman, who helps us unpack the story, art, and legacy of this issue. Issue 56: Coffin in the Clouds

• Release date: November 24th, 1981
• Written by David Michelinie, Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson
• Artwork: Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer
• Coloring by Glynis Wein
• Cover Art Walt Simonson

Synopsis:

Lando Calrissian returns to Cloud City only to find that it has been completely abandoned. He soon discovers Imperial bombtroopers arriving to disarm a series of bombs left behind by disgruntled Ugnaught workers.

Lobot who was critically damaged by the Ugnaughts has been reprogrammed to destroy anyone who enters the city including Lando Calrissian. With the help of Imperial Captain Treece, they have to disarm the bombs and THE LOBOT!

Happy 69th Birthday to our forever princess, Carrie Fisher, born on this day, October 21, 1956. Today we're celebrating her incredible legacy by sharing our favorite films and books that showcase her wit, talent, and unforgettable spirit.

We take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

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We've been looking forward to experiencing Universal Orlando's brand-new Epic Universe: Dark Universe for well over a year, and finally we made it! Walking through the fog into Darkmoor Village felt like stepping inside a classic monster movie. We rode Curse of the Werewolf and were blown away by Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. There's a reason all the vloggers keep praising this attraction. We also share our thoughts on food, merchandise, characters, and atmosphere. Meeting the NEW Bride and Frankenstein in person was the perfect ending to an unforgettable visit.

Next, we joined our friend Tati Perez for a wet and wild time at Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, where ten haunted mazes awaited us—and nonstop Florida rain. But hey - it's a story! We each share our Top 3 horror mazes. Five Nights at Freddy's topped our list with its creepy animatronics, while others impressed with their artistic environments. Between mazes, we wandered through eerie "Scare Zones" like The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, where trick-or-treaters slowly turned into feral cats under glowing jack-o'-lanterns. What's not to love about spooky season!!

There are 4 other "lands" or "portals' at Epic Universe, but to keep to our Halloween theme, we focued on Dark Universe in this episode. To hear more about our entire trip, including our Skywalking Meet-up, Ministry of Magic attraction, and How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Burke, watch our Livestream dated 10/13.

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43 years ago - Del Rey published The Jedi Master's Quizbook by 11-year-old Rusty Miller (now Matthew).

• Contained 425 questions and answers about Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back; original manuscript had 631 questions.
• Rusty was inspired by a Tolkien trivia book and created one for Star Wars, which had not been done before.
• George Lucas personally supported the project after initial hesitation from Lucasfilm.

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

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We're joined by legendary author Barbara Hambly, whom we met at Legacy Expo: A Star Wars Expanded Universe convention in Burbank (Sept 13–14). After seeing her on a panel hosted by Star Warsologies' Melissa Miller, we couldn't resist inviting her on—what was meant to be a quick chat turned into a full conversation.

Barbara shares stories from writing Children of the Jedi, Planet of Twilight, and her beloved short stories in Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina and Tales from Jabba's Palace—and even answers fan-favorite questions about Luke Skywalker's love life.

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9/28/2023 - 2 years ago

The Galactic Starcruiser takes its last voyage. The Star Wars-themed hotel experience closes after opening March 1, 2022 and we were very sad.

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

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We're thrilled to welcome author (and good friend) Thomas Riddle to the podcast as he shares insights from his inspiring new book, Imagineering Education: A Guide to Creating the Most Magical Schools on Earth.

What happens when teachers borrow imagineering principles—immersive storytelling, worldbuilding, and design—and bring them into the classroom? Could this be the key to unlocking deeper engagement and curiosity in students? Thomas makes a compelling case that this approach is tantalizingly possible.

Blending lessons from both classroom practice and immersive design, Imagineering Education offers educators a practical framework for transforming schools into places of wonder, creativity, and authentic connection. In our conversation, we explore not only the powerful ideas in his book, but also our own public school experiences and the state of education in the U.S. today. It's a fascinating discussion you won't want to miss.

Check out Imagineering Education: A Guide to Creating the Most Magical Schools on Earth here: Amazon link.

We're recording today from Long Beach, CA, on September 22, 2025—a date that's sure to be remembered in Star Wars history. Why? Because it marks the debut of the second trailer for The Mandalorian & Grogu (yes, the second one—not the first!).

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

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Just when we thought we found all the actors who've played Darth Vader, another emerges. Tom Bewley was the first actor to portray the Dark Lord of the Sith on screen after Return of the Jedi. He appeared in the Frank Oz-directed 1985 film, The Indian in the Cupboard.

In his very first podcast interview, Tom opens up with never-before-heard stories from behind the mask. He shares what it was like stepping into Vader's boots for The Indian in the Cupboard, his duel with the Energizer Bunny in a now-legendary commercial, memories from the Star Wars 10th Anniversary convention preshow with George Lucas, and plenty more surprises.

48 years ago... ABC aired The Making of Star Wars as Told by C-3PO and R2-D2, an hour-long special hosted by R2-D2 and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO. Coming in the same month as Donny & Marie, Richard Pryor, and Saturday morning Star Wars previews, the special stood out by placing R2 and 3PO in a futuristic Star Wars setting to share behind-the-scenes stories. It was a clever move—fans didn't have to wait for The Empire Strikes Back to get "new" Star Wars, all thanks to Charlie Lippincott's promotional vision.

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

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Have you, like us, been eagerly awaiting the Star Wars Marvel comics issue that introduces the telepathic, energy-eating Hoojibs?Join us and our special guests in a breakdown of Marvel's 1981 comic Star Wars #55: "Plif!" — one of the most beloved issues from the original Marvel Star Wars run. You can also listen and read along in 1983's read-along record Planet of the Hoojibs Read Along Storybook.

Recorded live from Rebel Scum Con, this special presentation features special guests Anna Graves (voice of Duchess Satine Kryze in The Clone Wars) and Jeff Caffrey (VCN Network), who bring the story to life with dramatic flair.

Don't worry if you don't have the comic — the vibrant art by Walt Simonson and Tom Palmer will be projected for all to enjoy.

Happy 40th Anniversary to Ewoks and Droids! Both animated series premiered on September 7, 1985, as The Ewoks and Droids Adventure Hour on ABC-TV. We've even had executive producer Miki Herman on the show to dive into their creation — including that unforgettable Ewoks theme by Taj Mahal!

🖖 And a special shoutout to Star Trek, celebrating 59 years since the debut of the original series (September 8, 1966)!

• Release Date: October 20, 1981
• Writer: David Michelinie
• Art: Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer
• Cover: Walt Simonson
• Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Princess Leia leads a Rebel survey team to the forest planet Arbra, hoping to establish a new base after evacuating Hoth. There, they meet the Hoojibs—small, telepathic creatures who feed on electricity and accidentally drain the Rebels' power. Their leader, Plif, reveals they've been displaced by a monstrous creature called the Slivilith. To reclaim the cave and power crystals, the Rebels and Hoojibs must join forces.

We take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

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In Part 4 of our Rebel Scum Con experience, we go behind the scenes with MORE talented artists who gave life to a few of our favorite Star Wars characters.

We sat down with Toby Philpott, one of the puppeteers behind the massive Jabba the Hutt. From controlling Jabba's grotesque expressions to (maybe?) licking Princess Leia, his stories from the set are not only fascinating but filled with tips and tricks for any aspiring puppeteers out there.

Next up, Femi Taylor, who played the ill-fated (but always fabulous) Oola, shares her experience on the set of RETURN OF THE JEDI. She dives into what it was like returning to the role years later and how the character still connects with fans today..

And if that wasn't cool enough, Howie Weed gives us a detailed look at his time inside the suit of the terrifying Wampa, and shares his experience with George Lucas directing! Howie even drops a hint or two about the Wampa's survival odds after that little run-in with Luke Skywalker.

Each guest was incredibly generous with their time and insights, offering a mix of behind-the-scenes stories, performance techniques, and even a dash of "what if" when it comes to the fate of their characters. We couldn't get enough.

Each interview is also available separately on our YouTube channel—subscribe here.

Rebel Scum Con, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to and 526 for more interviews.

11 years ago... Star Wars: A New Dawn, written by John Jackson Miller with a foreword by Dave Filoni, was released by Del Rey. Serving as a prequel to Star Wars Rebels, it holds the distinction of being the very first novel in the official new Star Wars canon.

We celebrated the book's 10th anniversary back in episode 481—well worth a listen if you missed it!

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

Find out how you can become a part of the Skywalking Force and unlock bonus content.

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The Rebel Scum Con fun continues! In this episode, we're serving up double Wedge and a dash of Watto for your Star Wars enjoyment.

First up, we're honored to be joined by Denis Lawson, the legendary actor who portrayed Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy and returned in The Rise of Skywalker. He shares stories from set and reflects on Mark Hamill's hug in the galaxy far, far away.

But wait—there's more Wedge to go around! We're also joined by David Ankrum, the voice of Wedge in A New Hope, who helped bring the iconic pilot to life. And did you know Wedge makes a subtle appearance in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story? We'll reveal exactly where to hear him.

And it wouldn't be a proper celebration without a visit from one of the galaxy's most unforgettable hustlers—Watto himself! Andy Secombe, who voiced the junk dealer in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, stops by for a spirited game of Chance. And no surprise, there's a bit of funny business going on. Sorry, Watto!

Rebel Scum Con, held August 8-10, 2025 is a fan-run event which means the organizers knew exactly what we wanted! Throughout the next month we are sharing ALL that content, so look up episode 525 to and 526 for more interviews.

48 years ago today... Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca graced the cover of Rolling Stone—Star Wars had officially gone mainstream.

Inside, the feature article "The Force Behind George Lucas" gave fans a behind-the-scenes look. For the first time, Lucas dropped a bombshell: Darth Vader once lost a duel with Ben Kenobi and was knocked into a volcanic pit. (Sound familiar, prequel fans?)

And in another first, Lucas revealed the voice behind the Dark Lord himself—James Earl Jones.

A legendary moment in Star Wars history, captured in print!

Here's our Skywalking episode all about it.

Small World Vacations is an official sponsor of Skywalking Through Neverland. Contact them for a no obligation price quote at www.smallworldvacations.com. Tell them Skywalking Through Neverland sent you.

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