Though I have no evidence to support this, something in my gut says that most "Robot Chicken" fans are "Star Wars" buffs. So it stands to reason that they will love this weekend's episode, "Robot Chicken: Star Wars" (10 p.m. Sunday), airing as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block.
Cartoon Network
Darth Vader officiates a "Yo momma!" contest between Emperor Palpatine, left, and Luke Skywalker, right.
Though "Robot Chicken" can be hit-or-miss, this "Star Wars" special scores a direct hit, gently mocking and lovingly spoofing its target. Creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich clearly know the "Star Wars" universe backwards and forwards and they're able to use that knowledge to devastatingly funny effect. Getting the blessing of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, who also voices an action figure version of himself, only makes their success that much sweeter. Other "Star Wars" actors lending their pipes to this production include Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Ahmed Best (Jar-Jar Binks).
As always, the stop-motion animated "Robot Chicken" is a hyperactive mad dash from one skit to the next, including a scene of the Emperor getting a call from Darth Vader about the destruction of the first Death Star.
"What the hell is an Aluminum Falcon?" he asks, before taunting, "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought my Dark Lord of the Sith could protect a small thermal exhaust port that's only two meters wide!"
Perhaps the most ingenious sketch explains the backstory of Ponda Baba (yes, I had to look up the name), the character in the cantina in the original "Star Wars" who loses an arm to a lightsaber. I won't spoil it, but it's darkly comic and quite clever.
Cartoon Network
"Robot Chicken" becomes Robot Vader.
For political wonks, there's also a sketch with President George W. Bush using the force to suit his own needs, including getting wife Laura to agree to a threesome.
"Get me Condi!" he asks an aid by phone after using his Jedi mind trick on Laura.
"Robot Chicken" even features a "Yo momma!" throw-down between Luke Skywalker and the Emperor.
This episode is a must for "Star Wars" fans of every stripe. Kudos to "Star Wars" geeks Green and Seinrich for an entertaining trip to a slightly cracked version of that galaxy far, far away.
First Published: June 13, 2007, 5:45 p.m.
