Film references have always been a de rigueur in-joke for The Simpsonsand its nerdish team of film-buff writers, with Star Wars proving a popular target. The most memorable send-ups come from Season Ten episode "Mayored to the Mob", guest-starring Mark Hamill. As a dinner-theatre altercation between mobster Fat Tony and Springfield's unscrupulous Mayor Quimby unfolds, Hamill pleads with Homer: "Use the forks!".
South Park
Doling out a duel blow to Star Wars and the OJ Simpson trial, Messrs. Parker and Stone concocted the "Chewbacca defense" for a second series episode. It proved so popular that the phrase is creeping into the lexicon as a byword for the use of red herrings as a misdirection tactic.
The Inbetweeners
Beyond animated capers, there are innumerable passing allusions toStar Wars on the small screen. Will's misguided impression of Yoda in the second series of The Inbetweeners has become one of the most quotable among tweens.
Film
Toy Story 2 (1999)
The similarities between Darth Vader and Toy Story baddie Emperor Zurg aren't exactly shrouded in innuendo, but never are they made more explicit than in the opening scene from Toy Story 2 – complete with Star Wars sound effects.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Keanu Reeves (Ted) and Alex Winter (Bill) goofing around in suits of armour. What happens next? A, like, totally bodacious sword exchange[at 6:10]: "Hey, Bill, I'm Darth Ted." "Yeah, well I'm Luke Bill. And you're not my father." Excellent!
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
As valets take off in the Ferrari "borrowed" from Bueller's friend Cameron's father, the Star Wars theme provides a suitably overstated accompaniment. Proof that John Williams' peerless score had become so instantly recognisable it could now be used for comic timing as well as epic action moments.
Fan Sites
Such is the cultish devotion to the Star Wars brand, there are hundreds upon hundreds of well-maintained fan sites, covering every last minutiae of the fictional universe. Some choice favourites include Star Wars Resort ("wouldn't it be cool if there were a Star Wars theme park?"), andThe Mos Eisley Football League ("the fantasy football league for Star Wars fans"). As far as killer names go, however, "Wookieepedia" brooks no comparison.
Jedi Religion
Borne out of a 2001 census ruse in which citizens were urged to record their religion as "Jedi" – some 390,127 of whom did in England and Wales – the Jedi religion has since grown in earnest. However, despite an international network of "Jediism" websites and regularly held Jedi seminars incorporating aspects of Christianity, Bhuddism and Taoism, no-one seems entirely sure whether it's all an elaborate hoax. This year's census results could be an eye-opener.
Language
Eminently quotable lines abound across the Star Wars series, making it unsurprising that a handful of one-liners have been gradually absorbed into the English language; notably May the force be with you/ Use the force ("Good luck", "Try your best"). Labour politician Harry Cohen even chose to pun on this phrase during a defence debate in parliament on 4 May 1995: "May the fourth be with you," he said. Whether then Secretary for Defense Malcolm Rifkind saw the funny side is anyone's guess.
South Park
Doling out a duel blow to Star Wars and the OJ Simpson trial, Messrs. Parker and Stone concocted the "Chewbacca defense" for a second series episode. It proved so popular that the phrase is creeping into the lexicon as a byword for the use of red herrings as a misdirection tactic.
The Inbetweeners
Beyond animated capers, there are innumerable passing allusions toStar Wars on the small screen. Will's misguided impression of Yoda in the second series of The Inbetweeners has become one of the most quotable among tweens.
Film
Toy Story 2 (1999)
The similarities between Darth Vader and Toy Story baddie Emperor Zurg aren't exactly shrouded in innuendo, but never are they made more explicit than in the opening scene from Toy Story 2 – complete with Star Wars sound effects.
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
Keanu Reeves (Ted) and Alex Winter (Bill) goofing around in suits of armour. What happens next? A, like, totally bodacious sword exchange[at 6:10]: "Hey, Bill, I'm Darth Ted." "Yeah, well I'm Luke Bill. And you're not my father." Excellent!
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
As valets take off in the Ferrari "borrowed" from Bueller's friend Cameron's father, the Star Wars theme provides a suitably overstated accompaniment. Proof that John Williams' peerless score had become so instantly recognisable it could now be used for comic timing as well as epic action moments.
Fan Sites
Such is the cultish devotion to the Star Wars brand, there are hundreds upon hundreds of well-maintained fan sites, covering every last minutiae of the fictional universe. Some choice favourites include Star Wars Resort ("wouldn't it be cool if there were a Star Wars theme park?"), andThe Mos Eisley Football League ("the fantasy football league for Star Wars fans"). As far as killer names go, however, "Wookieepedia" brooks no comparison.
Jedi Religion
Borne out of a 2001 census ruse in which citizens were urged to record their religion as "Jedi" – some 390,127 of whom did in England and Wales – the Jedi religion has since grown in earnest. However, despite an international network of "Jediism" websites and regularly held Jedi seminars incorporating aspects of Christianity, Bhuddism and Taoism, no-one seems entirely sure whether it's all an elaborate hoax. This year's census results could be an eye-opener.
Language
Eminently quotable lines abound across the Star Wars series, making it unsurprising that a handful of one-liners have been gradually absorbed into the English language; notably May the force be with you/ Use the force ("Good luck", "Try your best"). Labour politician Harry Cohen even chose to pun on this phrase during a defence debate in parliament on 4 May 1995: "May the fourth be with you," he said. Whether then Secretary for Defense Malcolm Rifkind saw the funny side is anyone's guess.
