January 18, 2005
U-Decide
Okay, a friend of mine thought that the following new toy based on Darth Vader represented the absolute nadir of Lucasfilm licensing.
http://www.starwars.com/collecting/news/hasbro/news20050113.html
I, on the other hand, saw it and immediately wanted to run out and buy one.
U-Decide: Low point or irresistable kitsch?
PAD
(Update: I've added a picture of Darth Tater. Eeek. --GH)
Posted by Peter David at January 18, 2005 10:28 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingI thought that my wife (the lovely Tayna) was going to hyperventilate! To quote: "That's funny, I don't care who ya are."
I vote for irresist-I-ble kitsch.
Now, what kind of prize are you offering when the final results are in? ;-)
It's neither.
"Kitsch" is the unintentionally bad of taste, the accidental ironic.
This seems to me to fall into the clearly intentional camp, which would be, umm, "camp".
Me, I want an Artoober Detoober.
Dude! That's wicked awesome! When do they go on sale again? Definitely irresistable..
Ra!
I've looked at and wondered, 'Why has it taken them SOOOOOOOOOOO long to think up this when it should have been out there AGES ago?'
Yeah, I saw this on the net a couple days ago. I had to do a double take. I do like it though!
You have got to be kidding! This is a joke, right?
My vote: It is irresistable from a fan point of view. If I was Lucas, though, I would say it was a low point. If you are wanting your villain to be universally looked at with fear and awe, you don't make a cute, adorable version of the villain!
Jim in Iowa
Too cute! I'll have to go with "irresistable kitsch".
I think Lucas mind is no longer in mint condition!
BUT I WANT ONE!
That is tooooo funny! I expect my DH to snap one up a soon as it comes out...
Very nice! I wonder if the real Darth Vader would look as cute with wide white eyes?
A friend of mine sent me a picture of this... thing yesterday, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. I'm still not.
Guess I'm in the minority here when I say that this is just... wrong. Oh, so very, very wrong.
Lines you know you'll do with the product:
"No! You're not my Tuber!"
"Obi-Wan told me enough...you fried my tuber..."
"No Luke...I am your tater.."
Then you can watch Darth Tater julienne Luke.
I'm with Jim in saying it's both. Definitely an irresistable low point.
Fab! Chic! Devine! I want one!
At last somehting good to come out of "Star Wars!"
Irresistible kitsch. I'm now fighting the temptation to get one for my older nephew's birthday (he'll turn 4 on April 12).
Anyone who has a problem with this needs to lighten up. That thing is GOLD! GOLD, I tells ya!
I haven't bought any SW "Collectables" *coughcough*toys*coughcough* since TMP came out.
But, BY GOD, I'm going to get this!
fucking genius.
I've got to get one. Admittedly, I think the same internal voice that makes me want one is the same internal voice that tells me to slow down and stare, looking for severed heads, when I pass an accident on I-95, but I want one.
Let's see. Isn't Lucas's daughter in college now? That would explain this.
This is why "Star Wars" as cultural phenomena (and for some, a religious and philosophical touchstone) is dead. I'm almost afraid to ask if there is a "Princess Leia" Barbie and a "Luke Skywalker" Ken.
Here, Lucas was such a control freak, trying to make sure that the role playing games written in the SW Universe were checked by Lucasfilm LTD staff for "appropriateness," and now he's releasing this commercial product.
I want one too. I can have him locked in mortal combat with a Larry-Boy figure from Veggie Tales.
JSM
It doesn't talk! Bummer! No voice of Don Rickels. *sigh*
Is a Mrs. Potato as Amidala in the works too?
I like it. And I'm not even that big of a Star Wars fan.
I don't think that this means the phenomon of Star Wars is dead - I think it's proof about how much of a huge part of our culture it's become. How many people in the U.S. would fail to recognize that that's Mr. Potato Head dressed like Darth Vader?
The emperor: You will take the fleet to the far side of the forest moon.
Darth Tater: Yes my master.
The emperor: And don't concern yourself with Skywalker, I've packed your angry eyes!
Buy it now. Buy many of them. Give them as gifts.
I don't even like SW and I want one of these badly! This is a freakin' classic!
Chip
The fervor over this is why America is dying...
Do you want fries with that doom and gloom? ;-)
Jim in Iowa
Personally, I'm waiting for the crossover where Darth Tater slaughters the VeggieTales characters.
"If I was Lucas, though, I would say it was a low point."
After the first two prequels, I don't think there's anything that Lucas will call a low point.
--R.J.
"U-Decide: Low point or irresistable kitsch?"
Answer to both is yes!
Robert Jung:
"Star Wars Trilogy" built the coffin, and Eps 1 & 2 nailed it shut...
I saw a picture in yesterday's paper, and my first reaction was similar to Peter's: I want one, NOW!!
Frankly, I can't wait for the Luke Frywalker toy!
"Join me, Son, and we'll rule the galaxy and Father and Spud"!!
Hooper
Um...that's "rule the galaxy AS Father and Spud", y'know!
Hooper
Low point is still the bar of Jar-Jar Binks glycerine soap with a misshapen plastic Jar-Jar head embedded in the center. "Hey kids!
Who wants to take a bath with Jar-Jar?"
Yes, I still have one. No, you can't have it.
""U-Decide: Low point or irresistable kitsch?""
Oh, like the two have ever been mutually exclusive...
Needless to say, I'll be getting one of these.
Personally, I'm waiting for the crossover where Darth Tater slaughters the VeggieTales characters.
No, he'd try, but he would eventually be brought back to the good side by his illegitimate son, Junior Skywalker (and his friends Larry Solo, Bob Calrissimato, Obi-Pa Kenogrape, Princess Laura, and Percy-Threepio).
Yes, I have a three-year-old daughter. Why do you ask? :-)
And I'm firmly in the camp (and I do mean camp) of those who need to find Darth Tater!
"If you are wanting your villain to be universally looked at with fear and awe, you don't make a cute, adorable version of the villain!"
You mean like this?
(I freely admit that my fiancé and I are searching toy stores high and low for these Playskool figures. I feel sorry for the the preschoolers that really want them, only to find that the store shelves are empty. Mostly because the 20-30 year-olds are buying them up instead.)
Lower than the STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL?
Yup, irresistable kitsch. Need to go get one.
I'm with Malvito on this one, Once they did the Holiday Special that pretty much did it.
So now we know just exactly how he goes over to the Dark Side- The toy company made him turn evil. I knew it!
I gotta get me one!
I saw it. I want it. I e-mailed links to all of my friends. :)
Strictly speaking, Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker isn't a villain now...he's a tragic hero/protagonist...
Or so I rationalize as I order this...
When Palpatine gets turned into a Potatohead, THAT'S when we should get worried....
After the first two prequels, I don't think there's anything that Lucas will call a low point.
Ok, you have me there. Your point is indisputable. If you are going to sell out, might as well go all of the way.
Jim in Iowa
Y'know, after everything else, I hardly consider this a sellout. At $7.99, it doesn't appear to be a price-gouge over the standard MrPH.
And, DAMN, it's cute.
I'd have liked it to include young Anakin pieces(scowl, curly locks), and dying Anakin (eyes with dark circles, harmonica), then it would be a worthwhile collectible (sarcasm)
Now a Jar Jar Potato Head, that would be selling out.
Being a huge fan of the wacky and insane (Farscape is my all-time favorite tv series), i love this! Darth Tater! hehehehe.
DF2506
" Thinks a Tater Crichton would be cool. Or a Scropious Tater! Ya, that would be cool! "
Absolutely irrestible. I first heard about this months ago, and I can't wait for it to hit stores.
lwk
I freely admit that my fiancé and I are searching toy stores high and low for these Playskool figures. I feel sorry for the the preschoolers that really want them, only to find that the store shelves are empty. Mostly because the 20-30 year-olds are buying them up instead.
If you've got a Target in your area, try there. In our area, they usually have a decent stock of the Galactic Heroes line. In fact, just days before Christmas, we found the Boba Fett/Dengar pack in abundance (which is already going for about 30 bucks on the secondary market).
I've just been instructed to clarify that the Boba/Dengar Galactic Heroes pack was purchased for our 3-year-old. Even though he hasn't gotten to Empire yet. Seeing it at MSRP of $5 instead of the high after-market prices, we just couldn't pass it up.
(Not that I wouldn't have gotten it for myself if he weren't around. )
What's under his mask? The soured and juiced out skin of a spud gone bad? That'd be complete.
A friend of mine offered the following suggestion...
There should be a whole line:
Scalloped Skywalker
Spuds Solo
(... or maybe Twice Baked Solo -- if the rumors about Harrison are to be believed)
Princess Leia Ore-ida
Grand Mashed Tarkin
Obi-Wan Gnocchi
Jabba the Chip
Latke Calrissian
C-3Pierogi
Boba Fry
AWWWWW!
Who's a cute lil Sith Lord?
Who's a cute lil Sith Lord?
-- Ken from Chicago
P.S. Is Nadir the sister city to Bete Noir?
"Who's a cute lil Sith Lord?
Who's a cute lil Sith Lord"
P: Ken, don't taunt the Sith Lord.
K: Why, can he hurt me?
P: No, it's just...tacky.
PAD
This is no worse than the Jedi Force Darth Vader with oversized gloves, oversized boots, and a raised "eyebrow" of all things. And yes, I have one, but probably won't be getting Darth Tater (never been a big Mr. Potato Head guy).
- Casali
Meh. It's no Star Wars Lego...Now THAT I was all over when it first came out...
If you've got a Target in your area, try there. In our area, they usually have a decent stock of the Galactic Heroes line. In fact, just days before Christmas, we found the Boba Fett/Dengar pack in abundance (which is already going for about 30 bucks on the secondary market).
30 bucks?!?! Wow. Guess I need to get back to the Target that had 6 of them. I bought the last Han/Leia set we saw there. We've already been to K-mart (which had Chewie/C-3PO) and Toys R Us (all they had were the bounty hunters, and no Boba Fett). Fiancé says we're investing for our children's future toy collection. :)
I too, was addicted to Star Wars Lego. But this is just too kitchy to pass up. I'll be getting one.
P: Ken, don't taunt the Sith Lord.
K: Why, can he hurt me?
P: No, it's just...tacky.
I'm more than a little frightened that this is the exact sequence I thought of right after reading Ken's post, before I even got to yours.
As for Darth Tater ... man, tough call. We might have to go for it -- but it's just so, so evil...
TWL
30 bucks?!?! Wow. Guess I need to get back to the Target that had 6 of them.
Yep. Get thee back to Target. Of the Ep II line, the only ones we've seen in the store are Anakin/Amidala. Whenever we find the Yoda/Clonetrooper, we're gonna have to buy two. My wife finds the Yoda just too darned adorable. (She's got one of the animated Clone Wars Yodas for her desk at work.)
She always jokes that the kiddo will have to fight me for the Star Wars toys, but if they ever put out any Galactic Heroes Ewoks...she'll be the first one runnin' him over to get to 'em. ;-)
I would say a definite low point. The next thing you know, there will be light saber women's "back massagers"
My two year old daughter would love one :)
And I think it is very cute. I might get one if I can find it and it is not too expensive.
She always jokes that the kiddo will have to fight me for the Star Wars toys, but if they ever put out any Galactic Heroes Ewoks...she'll be the first one runnin' him over to get to 'em. ;-)
Oh, but they did. Before Hasbro named it the "Galactic Heroes" line, they released 5 different Star Wars playsets under the Playskool name in 2001-2002. Somehow, I missed all of them. The kiddie Ewok was in the "Fast Through the Forest" set. Also check out "Arena Adventure" (with mini Mace Windu!), "Duel with Darth Maul," and "The Stompin' Wampa" (awww. mini Taun-Taun!). Link is here; just try not to buy them all out before I get a chance to buy some. *grin*
If you ever see more than one of the Yoda/Clonetrooper set, let me know. I have yet to see any of the Ep II sets in our area, and my fiancé would love to have a mini Yoda.
Completely off topic, but where the **** is Fallen Angel in April?
The next thing you know, there will be light saber women's "back massagers"
Well, there already is a Mr. Potato Head massager:
http://www.oshealtd.com/potato.htm
Vader-voice: "I find this...caricature...disturbing...and yet amusing at the same time. And I am at a loss to explain why...."
I can't find any thing cute that keeps spare body parts in it's ass.
A whole new meaning to "the dark side." So wrong...
Definite Kitsch!! OY!!!
Am I the only person dreading the release of Star Wars Episode III?
This toy is absolutely hysterical. Anyone who gets in a tizzy over something as innoculous and funny and downright cute needs to take a few breaths and remember that a sense of humour is the greatest thing about being human.
LUKE: You know, you had BETTER not be my father.
So what does everyone think of the new Fantastic Four trailer (just put up at apple.com today)?
My girlfriend showed this to me the other day. Our immediate reaction was "We've got to get one of these!" only to find out they won't be out for a few months yet. Definitely must have kitch.
It’s cute, but I doubt I’d get one. Kinda wish I still had some of my Star Wars toys from my childhood, however. Specifically, the Death Star space station and the radio-controlled R2-D2. I’ve no idea where I’d _put_ them, however.
Oh, well.
Oh, on a slightly Vader-related note, PAD, in your most recent BID column you mentioned how the comparisons between the Star Wars Trilogy and what Joseph Campbell had to say about the journey of the Hero, et al. was probably a retroactive, “I meant to do that.” If I recall correctly, and I’d have to review my DVDs of “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth” to confirm, I believe it was _Campbell_ who first contacted Lucas and said, essentially, “hey, did you know “Star Wars” has these mythological elements?”
Of course, I guess it wouldn’t preclude Lucas from retroactively saying he’d always intended to touch on some of those themes.
Oh, and in regards to another recent BID column, it’s _Shaun_ Cassidy. Just FYI.
Certainly, the idea that the six movies as a whole show the fall and eventual redemption of Anakin Skywalker is a bit of a retcon. Especially since Lucas has said in at least one interview (Starlog Magazine about two years ago) that the “episode IV” notice at the beginning of “Star Wars” was meant only to emulate the idea that you’re coming in at the middle of a weekly Saturday matinee, and seeing that week’s installment. He expected it to be just the one film. Then, when “Star Wars” became a hit, Lucas decided to take the additional material he’d written and/or outlined, and use those as the basis for the sequel films, “Empire” and “Jedi.”
Rick
P.S. Speaking of low point and/or irresistible kitsch, I once had, and can still remember _every word_ of the novelty songs, “What Can You Get a Wookie For Christmas (if he already owns a comb)?” and “R2-D2, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Rick Keating: Certainly, the idea that the six movies as a whole show the fall and eventual redemption of Anakin Skywalker is a bit of a retcon. Especially since Lucas has said in at least one interview (Starlog Magazine about two years ago) that the “episode IV” notice at the beginning of “Star Wars” was meant only to emulate the idea that you’re coming in at the middle of a weekly Saturday matinee, and seeing that week’s installment. He expected it to be just the one film. Then, when “Star Wars” became a hit, Lucas decided to take the additional material he’d written and/or outlined, and use those as the basis for the sequel films, “Empire” and “Jedi.”
Luigi Novi: Oddly, enough, I've heard/read him give another story elsewhere, in which he explained that he conceived it as three stories (trilogies), and simply picked the one he felt was the strongest, which was the middle one (Eps IV-VI).
Oh, but they did. Before Hasbro named it the "Galactic Heroes" line, they released 5 different Star Wars playsets under the Playskool name in 2001-2002. Somehow, I missed all of them. The kiddie Ewok was in the "Fast Through the Forest" set. Also check out "Arena Adventure" (with mini Mace Windu!), "Duel with Darth Maul," and "The Stompin' Wampa" (awww. mini Taun-Taun!). Link is here; just try not to buy them all out before I get a chance to buy some. *grin*
Forgot about the Ewok set in the old Playskool mix. I remember seeing all of them at one time or another, we just never got around to buying them. rassinfrassinmuttergrumblegripe
It's a deal on the Yoda/Clonetrooper, as long as you'll keep an eye out for an extra one, too. :-)
Greatest...Potato...Ever!!!
And Luigi..thanks for the FF link...I kept looking for it yesturday and had forgotten today!
It looks awesome!
1Well, for my money, it certainly is irresistable. And as for the Jim in Iowa's comment regarding turning a villain that is supposed to be feared into a cute and cuddly toy, it's not a first. The same thing has been hapening in the form of the various cute and cuddly plush Cthulhu dolls for years now. And if Lovecraft is not rolling is grave over that, I think Lucas can deal with it.
"Who's a cute lil Sith Lord?
Who's a cute lil Sith Lord"
P: Ken, don't taunt the Sith Lord.
K: Why, can he hurt me?
P: No, it's just...tacky.
PAD"
But Peter! Baby Darth is just sooo key-yute!
Got your face mask!
Got your face mask!
Got your-URK!
Okayokayokay.
GASP!
-- Ken from Chicago (who realizes size matters not)
The emperor: You will take the fleet to the far side of the forest moon.
Darth Tater: Yes my master.
The emperor: And don't concern yourself with Skywalker, I've packed your angry eyes!
hehehehehehe
I am so gonna get me one of these when it comes out.
Especially since Lucas has said in at least one interview (Starlog Magazine about two years ago) that the “episode IV” notice at the beginning of “Star Wars” was meant only to emulate the idea that you’re coming in at the middle of a weekly Saturday matinee, and seeing that week’s installment.
An interesting claim, but it fails in one regard: the original release of what we now know as "Episode IV: A New Hope" did not include the words "Episode IV: A New Hope" at the beginning. That was added for the first rerelease, by which time Star Wars was a huge hit and work had already begun towards The Empire Strikes Back.
Love the Darth Vader Mr. Potato Head it is a must have for any true Star Wars fan.
Regards:
Warren S. Jones III
I love this and want one desperately, but it's hard to look at it without hearing the sarcastic voice of Comic Book Guy:
"Excuse me...you are leaning on my limited edition Darth Vader Mister Potato Head...do not touch my Darth Tater."
Well, no offense to Star Wars fans, but it's no more kitchy than the films themselves. And, is actually kind of cute. Part of the paradox of the Star Wars phenomenon is the fact that the spin off stuff is better done than the movies themselves (this includes, of course, the well done PAD novels).
Bring on the kitsch!
The emperor: And don't concern yourself with Skywalker, I've packed your angry eyes!
Snicker.
I just have to add in the latest tater news...(being the proud owner of spud and darth)...
The cast is as follows:
Darth Tater
Spud Trooper
Artoo-Potatoo
Princess Tater
Luke Frywalker
-- Courtesy of Hasbro.com
woo hoo! Now you can have a WHOLE shelf of these beauties.