Tosche Station Radio #82: Ended, The Clone Wars Have

Posted on March 20, 2014 by admin

Kicking off the show, the hosts highlight what’s New on the Blog. In Memory of Aaron Allston: Nanci’s post, Brian’s post, and a podcast. Honor Among Thieves released: Go/No-go and Bria’s more in-depth review. Bria finished out the Hondo Caravan. Yes, she watched all of Season 5 in one week, and then forged ahead with the Bonus Content. Of note, she thought what happened to Barriss was crap. The Doctor is in! Congratulations to Emily on successfully defending her dissertation! Bria reviewed The Star Wars #6. Nanci discussed why The Sequel Trilogy needs a Skywalker. And finally, TeamWedge has come and gone. It was a valiant effort on the part of Wes Janson, but Wedge fell to that pesky astromech, R2-D2. Let’s throw our support to the original Rogue Leader, Luke Skywalker. He faces tough competition, but horrible pilot, Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first round.

In Fixer’s Flash, the hosts have found some time to geeky pursuits while putting together Ikea furniture. The Clone Wars was watched and consumed, but more on that later. Nanci’s been working on a new novel. Both the hosts are getting set for MegaCon.

Deak’s Dirt starts with news that Kevin Hearne’s Luke novel is set for release on January 13. Check out Leland Chee’s Twitter for information about The Clone Wars chronological order. There’s ACTUAL Episode VII news! Confirmed! It will take place 30 years post-RotJ; will feature some familiar faces and a trio of new leads. Artoo is still the only confirmed character. What is going on with EU characters marching in the Star Wars Weekend motorcade? Nanci’s post, Brian’s post. Finally, Mark Hamill is going to be at Star Wars Weekends!

This week in Bigg’s Bull#*$&, Lupita N’yongo is rumored to be close to signing on for Episode VII. Other actors are in consideration as well (surprise surprise).

It’s The Clone Wars bonus content on Camie’s Concerns this week. The hosts recap the final episodes and bid a final farewell to the show.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of Majestic Giraffe Productions. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

This podcast has been brought to you in part by Her Universe and Audible.com.

MARK HAMILL IS GOING TO BE AT STAR WARS WEEKENDS

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Nanci

MARK HAMILL IS GOING TO BE AT STAR WARS WEEKENDS! OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!!!

THIS IS HIS FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE EVENT. HE WILL BE ATTENDING THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 6-8, 2014. HE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE STAR WARS CELEBRITY MOTORCADE AND THE STARS OF THE SAGA TALK SHOW.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

(Note: Brian and I had this conversation prior to me writing this blog post:

Brian: Would you like to blog this? 😉

Me: I don’t know if you’d really want that?

Brian: Oh yes. Yes I would 😉

Me: Okay. You asked for it.

I’m really sorry, you guys.)

Report: Disney Prohibits EU Characters from Star Wars Weekend Motorcade

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Nanci

A fan dressed as Baron Fel marches in the 2013 Star Wars Weekends motorcade.

Update: It appears it’s the 501st acting on their own rather than Disney calling for this. Brian has written an open letter to the 501st in response.

One of the most popular events at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is the Celebrity Motorcade that travels down Hollywood Boulevard to the stage hear the Sorcerer’s Hat. Fans line the streets to watch Disney characters, celebrity guests, and costumed fans from the 501st and the Rebel Legion. One of my favorite things about the motorcade is picking out all the Expanded Universe characters and yelling out their names to give them love. Popular EU appearances have been Mara Jade, Baron Fel, Starkiller (both versions), Revan, Darth Nihilus, Juno Eclipse…the list goes on.

According to a post on the Disboards, Disney is getting more strict this year when it comes to fan costumes, and is outright prohibiting certain Expanded Universe characters, including Mara Jade, from participating in the motorcade.

Darth Nihilus intimidates spectators.

This isn’t surprising, considering Disney has already retired the Hyperspace Hoopla, a popular dance-off type event with Star Wars characters, some speculate in order to “be more serious” about their characters in anticipation of new films being released. Why allow characters like Mara Jade to participate in the motorcade if they’re rendered non-canon by the Sequel Trilogy? It makes sense.

But it’s still incredibly disappointing, both to fans who made the costumes and fans like me who really enjoy seeing EU characters represented and get some love. In previous parades, I’ve heard the hosts call out Mara Jade and explain that she was the Emperor’s Hand and later Luke Skywalker’s wife. I’ve also heard them do this with characters like Revan and Starkiller. (One of my favorite moments was seeing a young boy freak out and yell, “There’s no way that was Darth Revan!”)

I’ve always been realistic when it comes to the future of the EU and the characters I love, but I didn’t expect Disney to kick ’em out of the parade. I guess I’ll have to get my fill of EU characters at conventions.

Edit: I’ve learned from 501st members that while certain EU characters like Revan and Starkiller are still allowed to march in the parade, the majority have been prohibited, including post-RotJ characters. And standards for Jawas (must be under 5 feet) and Jedi robes (must be standard colors) have been clamped down.

Even Admiral Daala was represented in the motorcade.

Star Wars Weekends gets another weekend, James Arnold Taylor returns to host

Posted on February 21, 2014 by admin

Star Wars Weekends fans, rejoice! The ever-popular Star Wars event that takes place every May-June at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is back and is now boasted a fifth weekend. Additionally, James Arnold Taylor is back as the celebrity host.

As the Rebel Alliance continues its fight for freedom and democracy in the Star Wars galaxy, the phantom puppetmaster himself, Darth Sidious (aka Emperor Palpatine), has issued a new galactic decree about Star Wars Weekends 2014 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

While some of his blue-hued holographic transmission was garbled, the Emperor has ordered his Galactic Empire to create a demonstration of force and power that can be seen high above Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends 2014. This has caused much talk in the galaxy that a gala fireworks show featuringStar Wars music will be presented each evening this year.

When consulted, several protocol droids further translated the Emperor’s message. These translations reinforced the conclusions that there will be a new evening experience for Star Wars Weekends guests on Hollywood Blvd. in the Walt Disney World Resort theme park.

However, that’s not the end of this story.

When the Rebel Alliance secretly learned of the Emperor’s plans from a hidden message decoded from an astromech droid, they decided to extend the galactic gala one more weekend in 2014.

In order to convince more guests to join the Rebellion, a 5th weekend is now being added to Star WarsWeekends 2014. The new event dates are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16-June 15, 2014. The theme for this year’s event is, appropriately, “Join the Rebellion.”

Disney also released a promotional poster for this year’s event.

It probably goes without saying that both Nanci and I will be in attendance.

Survey Takers at Star Wars Weekends

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Nanci

For four weeks in May and June, the denizens of the galaxy far, far away invade Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Star Wars Weekends. Special events include autograph sessions with celebrity guests, photo ops with Star Wars characters, shows in the Premiere Theatre, the Jedi Training Academy, and the Hyperspace Hoopla. One of the highlights is the Legends of the Force motorcade, aka the parade, featuring Star Wars/Disney characters, members from the 501st and Rebel Legions, and celebrity guests.

Yesterday while waiting for the parade, a cast member approached me, asking if I’d mind answering a few questions about Star Wars and Disney. I don’t think this lady realized how big of a jackpot she’d hit with me, or maybe my Her Universe Rogue Squadron hoodie gave it away. I said, “OF COURSE I WOULD.”

Questions included:

1. Was I aware that it was currently Star Wars Weekends? Considering I was waiting for the parade and wearing a Star Wars shirt, the answer was obvious. Yes.

2. Did I attend Hollywood Studios specifically for Star Wars Weekends? Uh, duh, why else would I be there ? (Here’s a helpful hint: if you don’t want to attend Star Wars Weekends, don’t bother going to Hollywood Studios those days, because it’s mobbed and you will have a terrible time.)

3. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being lowest and 10 being highest, rate your knowledge of the Star Wars universe, including films, TV shows, books, and video games. I said 10.

4. On a scale of 1 to 10, how big a Star Wars fan would you rate yourself? Again, I said 10.

5. A short (very easy) quiz to gauge my knowledge of Star Wars. I got 4 out of 4.

6. If I could visit any place in the Star Wars universe, where would I go? After thinking for a bit, I answered Corellia. Why? “Because it’s Han Solo’s home planet and it’s awesome.” The survey taker seemed satisfied with my answer.

After the survey, she said that nothing is in the works yet, but Disney will be putting together other research events in the future, and would I be interested? Heck yes! I gave her my name and e-mail address and am ready to tell them “I want more Star Wars at Disney!” Hell, I told her exactly that before she walked off.

I’ve been to Star Wars Weekends nearly every weekend during the past three years, and I don’t ever remember it being as busy as it’s been this year. Star Tours, which normally has 10 or 20 minute lines, had a 90 minute line at one point today. It seems that Disney is paying attention, and wants to please Star Wars fans when it comes to the inevitable expansion in Hollywood Studios. As a shameless theme park enthusiast and Star Wars fan, I can’t wait.

Full Guest List for Star Wars Weekends

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Nanci

With less than two weeks to go, it’s finally out – the full guest list for Star Wars Weekends! Along with hosts James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein, the celebrities appearing are as follows:

MAY 17-19

Ray Park (Darth Maul)
Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clones – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

MAY 24-26
Ray Park (Darth Maul )
Warwick Davis (Wicket)
Jim Cummings (voice of Hondo Ohnaka – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

MAY 31 – JUNE 2
Warwick Davis ( Wicket)
Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar – Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi)
Sam Witwer (Voice of Darth Maul – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

JUNE 7-9
Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)
Tom Kane (Voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Dee Bradley Baker confirmed for Star Wars Weekends

Posted on April 25, 2013 by admin

The Clone Wars and Avatar: TLA voice actor Dee Bradley Baker confirmed he’s going to be at the first round of Star Wars Weekends this year.

“@taharris121079: @deebradleybaker will you be at Star Wars weekends this year?” Yes! May 17-19th this year.

— Dee Bradley Baker (@deebradleybaker) April 25, 2013

Also in attendance? Myself and Nanci. If you’re going to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 17 or 18, be sure to flag us down!

Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor Back for Star Wars Weekends, Dates Announced

Posted on January 2, 2013 by admin

Going to be in the greater Orlando area sometime from May 17 through June 9? You might want to head down to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the 2013 installment of Star Wars Weekends. If you can make it, you’ll be treated to Clone Wars voice talent Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor returning as hosts for the event. From the official blog:

While details are still being planned, we’re excited to announce that James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein are returning as celebrity hosts for the annual special event. James, the voice behind many of the most famous animated characters in film, television and commercials, is known to Star Wars fans as the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi on the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series. Ashley, who started her show business career as a parade dancer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is the voice of Anakin’s ambitious Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, on Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

James is the Official Celebrity Host of Star Wars Weekends 2013, and Ashley is Celebrity Host of “Behind the Force,” a live show that takes fans behind-the-scenes in the Star Wars universe.

Though we are far less interesting than Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor, you might also be able to catch Nanci or myself there. We’ll both be present for the first weekend and Nanci will be there for a few other days.

http://youtu.be/DIJHQ6KsKnE

Dear Nanci-

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Emily

Please go to the Droid Factory the next time you go to Hollywood Studios and then mail one to me. One with Mickey Mouse ears.

Seriously, though, how did I not know about this? I just have this vision of a shelf full of little astromech droids going up against my friend’s shelf full of Daleks. Hmm. Dalek versus R2-D2. Who wins?

Personally, I’m thinking R2. He’s sneaky.

First Star Wars Weekend Schedule Hits

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

For those of you fortunate to be in the Orlando area for Star Wars Weekends at Disneyland’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll be happy to know that schedule for the first weekend has been posted.

For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to be in the Orlando area, we’ll be able to keep tabs on what’s going on thanks to Nanci. Who is fortunate enough to attend.

I’m not jealous. Really. I’m not.