Top 10 Star Wars-Themed TV Episodes
It's one of the most popular movie franchises ever and one of the most parodied. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com counts down our picks for the top 10 "Star Wars"-themed TV episodes. For this list, we're looking at TV episodes that reference, spoof, or pay homage to the George Lucas' epic space opera. Popular TV shows have been referencing this pop culture phenomenon for decades as it is highly recognizable and iconic.
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Top 10 Star Wars-Themed TV Episodes
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It’s one of the most popular movie franchises ever and one of the most parodied. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 “Star Wars”-themed TV episodes. For this list, we’re looking at TV episodes that reference, spoof, or pay homage to the George Lucas’ epic space opera.
#10: “My Two Dads” “Scrubs” (2001-10)
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Two key themes throughout “Star Wars” are the struggle between good and evil and the bonds between fathers and sons, mentors and mentees. The same thing can be said about “Scrubs,” with Dr. Cox acting as a rebel soldier and Dr. Kelso taking the place of an imperial officer. Stuck in the middle of their conflict in this season one episode is young J.D., who must choose between the light side and the dark side. The young doctor finally makes his choice in one of his many over-the-top fantasies, although Dr. Cox does show him that doing the right thing also means making sacrifices.
#9: “Star Warners” “Pinky and the Brain” (1995-98)
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A spinoff of “Animaniacs,” this series spent four seasons parodying movies and pop culture just like its parent series. And, in the show’s final episode, they brought out the big guns – or blasters, as the case may be. In just 22 minutes, “Star Warners” satirizes the entire “Star Wars” trilogy. Along the way, the Warners, Goodfeathers, Slappy Squirrel, and other familiar faces lampoon all the characters we know and love. Of course, Pinky and the Brain are also there as 3-PinkEO and Brain2-Me2 in a plot take over not only the world, but also the whole galaxy.
#8: “Please Homer, Don’t Hammer ‘Em” “The Simpsons” (1989-)
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At some point, every schoolboy has likely pictured himself as Luke Skywalker and his principal as Darth Vader. In one storyline of this “Simpsons” episode, it appears that Bart has finally – in season 18 – gained control over Principal Skinner when he learns of his enemy’s peanut allergy. Skinner strikes back, however, upon learning Bart has an equally deadly aversion to shrimp. Set to John Williams’ epic musical score, the student and teacher clash in a lightsaber-styled duel. And the result for both is every bit as tragic as Anakin Skywalker’s fate – well, maybe not quite.
#7: “Love-Bheits” “The Venture Bros.” (2003-)
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Team Venture comes close to winning best group costume with Dean in Princess Leia’s gold bikini, Dr. Venture in a Jedi cloak, and Brock in a hairy Chewbacca getup, but Hank has to go and screw it up by dressing as the Batman. This becomes the least of their problems, however, when Baron Ünderbheit kidnaps Dean and plans to make him his bride. Thus, the Ventures partner up with a group of underground rebels to save the princess while cleverly making fun of pedophilia, Hitler, and, of course, “Star Wars.”
#6: “The Stars of Star Wars” “The Muppet Show” (1976-81)
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The same year Frank Oz voiced Yoda in “The Empire Strikes Back,” Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO hosted this episode of “The Muppet Show.” Completely dazed by the strange planet they’ve landed on, the stars of “Star Wars” commandeer the Swinetrek to rescue Chewbacca. The episode also features Gonzo the Great as Dearth Nadir, Miss Piggy as Princess Leia, C-3P0 tap-dancing, and Luke performing alongside his cousin, Mark Hamill. Even over 30-years after it aired, this bizarre crossover is still awesome and hilarious to watch – and not nearly as uncomfortable as the “Star Wars Holiday Special.”
#5: “A New Hope” “That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)
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Kids today can only imagine what it was like to see “Star Wars” when it first came out. In this season one episode of “That ‘70s Show,” Eric and his band of rebels experience the phenomenon in the theater. All the guys are immediately obsessed, even if the film doesn’t have any space jugs. The “Star Wars” theme further ties into the story as Eric worries Donna will turn to the dark side and dump him for a guy with scoliosis he beat up in elementary school. Costumed dreams ensue.
#4: “Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars” “Phineas and Ferb” (2007-)
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When Disney acquired the rights to “Star Wars,” the creators of “Phineas and Ferb” jumped at the opportunity to parody “A New Hope.” And, they delivered one of the most unique “Star Wars” sendups ever, making Phineas and Ferb Luke Skywalker’s neighbors and telling the classic story from their perspective. It’s one great laugh after another with Perry the Platypus as a rebel spy, Candace as a stormtrooper trying to bust rebels, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz as the Sith Lord who gave the Death Star a fatal design flaw. Ah, if only this were canon.
#3: “For a Few Paintballs More” “Community” (2009-)
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No show satirizes movies, television, and pretty much anything better than “Community.” In “For a Few Paintballs More,” Dan Harmon finally paid tribute to “Star Wars,” as well as the spaghetti westerns that inspired the epic space opera. With Abed channeling Han Solo and an ice cream mascot assuming the Darth Vader role, it’s an all-out paintball war to save Greendale from the wrath of the rival City College. Brilliantly directed by Joe Russo, ingeniously written by Hilary Winston, and wonderfully acted by the whole cast, this cinematic episode is the very definition of epic comedy.
#2: “Robot Chicken: Star Wars” “Robot Chicken” (2005-)
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The early seasons of “Robot Chicken” referenced “Star Wars” so many times that a whole episode dedicated to the franchise was inevitable. Seth Green and crew explore many scenarios one would never think of, like how did the Emperor react when Darth Vader told him the Death Star exploded? Both compiling previous “Star Wars” shorts and offering several new ones, this Emmy-nominated special is “Robot Chicken” at its best, with just the right blend of smart and lowbrow humor. And, in true “Star Wars” fashion, the episode even inspired a trilogy. Before we light speed over to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - “A Quack in the Quarks” “Tiny Toon Adventures” (1990-95) - “Star Koopa” “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!” (1989) - “Falling Stars” “Rugrats” (1991-2004) - “Operation: C.A.K.E.D. - F.I.V.E.” “Codename: Kids Next Door” (2002-08)
#1: “Blue Harvest” “Family Guy” (1999-2003; 2005-)
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Not since “Spaceballs” has there been a more detailed, well thought-out, and loving take on “Star Wars” than this masterful episode of “Family Guy.” Packed wall-to-wall – or galaxy-to-galaxy – with jokes, the season six premiere “Blue Harvest” couldn’t be more perfectly cast, with Stewie as Darth Vader, Herbert as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Meg as the garbage monster. Sure, “Robot Chicken” might have done this first, but “Family Guy” did it even better. Throw in the equally hilarious follow-up episodes “Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” and “It’s a Trap!,” and you have a trilogy that will have any fuzzball laughing it up. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite “Star Wars”-themed TV episode? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
