Amanda's adventures of the brown muppets

In which a woman who has never seen Star Wars retells its story. 

The Battle for Endor: in stereo on New York radio circa 1985

A friend of mine wrote my a nice e-mail yesterday congratulating me on my book and shared this story about Ewoks: The Battle For Endor:

Your book brought back many fond memories of my own boyhood. I was born in 1976 and, like you, I was hooked on the Star Wars toys -- more so than the movies. There is an iconic family photograph of a young Tony opening a present to find the Millennium Falcon. I was the happiest kid in the world. 

...

Another memory that came rushing back was the hype surrounding the Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. It must have been promoted for a month before its premier. But the big news was the film’s audio track. Now Gib, as you no doubt recall, in 1985 TVs were simple things with none of the bells and whistles we have today. A typical TV’s “sound system” was a single small speaker. It certainly was on our little TV in [our] household. And, because of this technological limitation, audio tracks for TV shows and movies were broadcast in mono. But, because Battle for Endor was such a big deal, one of the New York top 40 radio stations suspended their programming and simulcast the film’s audio track so everyone in the New York, New Jersey area could watch the movie on their TV but listen to it IN STEREO! Unprecedented! This had never happened before and, as far as I know, never since.

Thanks Tony! Do any of you remember this?

Cracked.com's terrible Star Wars truth

The Terrible Truth 'Star Wars' Fans Can't Admit -- powered by Cracked.com

Ewok and Yoda terrariums starting at only $99

Etsy maker Tony Larson designs handmade, custom Star Wars terrariums. You can get Yoda on Dagobah set in a hanging moss zen garden, a deluxe fishbowl or even (as of December) a jar. Or if you're more of the Ewok terrarium type, try the 8" glass terrarium or the deluxe version featuring double the yub yub in an 8" glass terrarium with lid.

Allow 3-4 weeks for order fulfilment. Starting at only US$99.

Yoda in hanging moss zen garden, US$99

Deluxe Yoda fishbowl terrarium, US$118New Yoda jar (special order only), US$99Basic Ewok terrarium, US$124Deluxe Ewok terrarium with lid, US$200

Ah the joys of Etsy! 

Etsy: Tony Larson

Father Photoshops Ewoks into family photos

Some Star Wars dads just don't know where to draw the line. From Gizmodo:

I think I'm giving Anthony Herrera the dad of the year title. Why? Because when he brought his kids to Sequoia National Park he told them Ewoks lived there. Of course, his kids ended up being disappointed when they didn't see any Ewoks there. But don't worry! Herrera added Ewoks to the background of his family pictures. THEY WERE THERE THE WHOLE TIME!

It's kind of sweet, I guess. A bit weird, though.

Gizmodo: A dad Photoshopped Ewoks into his family pictures to convince his kids Ewoks were real