‘Star Wars’ Spoof Sends Ben Folds, Liz Phair and ‘Weird Al’ to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
What’s better than Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes with their bulbous heads and giant bug eyes rockin’ out to our favorite 'Star Wars' jam in the Mos Eisley Cantina? Ben Folds in a vintage Imperial Stormtrooper uniform singing about accidentally shooting a teddy bear, that’s what.
Just as Luke left the sand-covered planet of Tatooine behind him in 'A New Hope,' Folds has left the suburbs for a new stage in a galaxy far, far away ... arriving in less than 12 parsecs, no less.
The latest CollegeHumor saga spoofs -- just in time for everyone's favorite nerd holiday, Star Wars Day, taking place this Sunday, May 4 (and May the Fourth be with us ... always) -- are set in the infamous intergalactic watering hole, the “hive of scum and villainy,” where the Modal Nodes hold auditions for a new band member.
Folds plays remorseful Stormtrooper BF-1138, downtrodden after gunning down a furry Ewok during the battle of Endor. Notorious for having terrible aim, we’re surprised he managed to shoot the little guy in the first place. When the song ends, Modal Nodes' band manager calls Folds a monster, to which he replies, "I know ... I know."
Joining Folds for tryouts are a hippie Liz Phair, who has to be escorted out by stormtroopers after chanting "1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your galactic war!" and “Weird Al” Yankovic, who was transformed for the video into an accordion-playing Twi’lek, complete with tentacle protruding from his trademark locks.
Yankovic is no stranger to 'Star Wars' spoofs. If you’ve been hiding out in a hut on Dagobah and are unfamiliar with his 1999 hit ‘The Saga Begins,’ check it out.
Other artists "auditioning" are Reggie Watts, Mark McGrath, Rick Springfield, Lisa Loeb, MC Chris, Chris Daughtry and Jordin Sparks (or, as she's known in this galaxy, Jor Din). You can watch extended bonus clips of some of the performances below (plus a hilarious one stuffed with references for 'Star Wars' fans).
A giant “sci-five” to all participating artists for letting their nerds show in such an epic way. And one thing’s for sure, we’ll be shouting out “Play the Ewok song!” the next time we hit up a Ben Folds show.