Brooksfilms / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)Only a few more sleeps until Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Are you ready?!
While we have been tirelessly counting the days until Episode VII's release, we've done all the usual things to prep for a new series installment of a film franchise we love.
Rewatching the rest of the series, reading fan blogs, avoiding spoilers (even though we're so curious.) After the marathon binge-watch ends (you can only see Episodes I through III so many times, right?), there are a few other things you may want to consider watching.
The Stars Wars series is iconic, ingrained in and inspiring so many of the TV shows and films that have followed it.
These are some of our favorite pop culture nods to the series.
When Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) tries to get out of jury duty on 30 Rock by claiming to be Princess Leia. "I don't really think it's fair for me to be on a jury, because I'm a hologram."
Mel Brooks' 1987 movie Spaceballs is a perfect parody, from the Dark Helmet villain to the mystical power of "The Schwartz."
Rachel agrees to dress up as Princess Leia (in the gold bikini, of course) to indulge Ross' secret sex fantasy on Friends. What an obliging GF.
Laugh It Up, Fuzzball: The Family Guy Trilogy includes three special episodes following the original trilogy. Family Guy is no stranger to sci-fi/fantasy parodies, and let's face it, Brian Griffin makes one heck of a Chewbacca.
George Michael (Michael Cera) gets caught on video in a solo lightsaber battle on Arrested Development, just like the "Star Wars Kid" who went viral in 2002.
Eric becomes totally obsessed with Star Wars on That '70s Show after he sees A New Hope. This includes attempting jedi mind tricks, quizzing his dad on action figures, and we get to see Kelso play Chewy.
The Simpsons is another TV show that's no stranger to dropping tons of Star Wars references. Mark Hamill's guest starring role is a memorable one, where the star who originated the role of Luke Skywalker in the series appears in a production of Guys and Dolls and performs the parody song "Luke, Be a Jedi."
Family Guy isn't alone, Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken has also released several Star Wars parody episodes. Finally, we know how a "yo momma" fight between Luke and The Emperor would play out.
On How I Met Your Mother, Ted, Marshall, and Barney sit down for a "trilogy time" tradition, where they rewatch the original Star Wars trilogy and predict where they'll be in three years. They basically plan their lives around around these watch parties. There's also the HIMYM episode where Ted finds out his new fiancée Stella hasn't seen A New Hope, which prompts Marshall's passionate reaction...
South Park touches on the disappointment of what happens when studios mess up masterpieces when they go to see a "re-re-re-release" of The Empire Strikes Back. They take their grievances all the way up to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
Gilmore Girls goes in on Revenge of the Sith when Lorelai and Luke get into it over a battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin. While Luke rants about the minutiae of fight advantages among jedi, Lorelai reminds him that George Lucas basically owns San Francisco and can do whatever he wants in his movies. Fair point.
A naughty big screen homage to Star Wars? Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks' characters in Zack and Miri Make a Porno decide to make a porn parody of Star Wars. It's called Star Whores, naturally.
Speaking of Star Wars, watch the video below to hear why Harrison Ford thinks the long-running franchise is so successful.