Long-time YouTuber Jenny Nicholson, who specializes in fandom culture, weird parts of the internet, and theme parks, is going viral for her spectacular and scathing review of the now-defunct Star Wars Hotel, officially known by Disney as Star Wars name: Galactic Starcruiser.
Nicholson paid more than $6,000 for a two-night hotel stay for her and her sister, hoping for luxurious surroundings and a meticulous live-action role-playing experience for Star nerds Wars.
While praising the actors’ quirky performances and endless buffet, the video details a long list of flaws: from tiny rooms with almost no space for luggage, to a pole that blocked spectators from watching the musical dinner show.
If you haven’t managed to watch the essay yet – or if you’re still working your way through the four hour and five minute video – you can catch up below:
This project is just one of many from Nicholson, who frequently delves into the strangest corners of pop culture. I’ve watched several of his videos over the years, and if you’ve now joined his legions of fans, I’d like to share some of the best ones for you to check out.
The cinematic universe of Church Play
Not only is this my favorite Jenny Nicholson essay, but it’s also one of my highest rated videos.
This is an analysis of thirteen of the Easter musical performances produced by Church of the Rock, an evangelical house of worship in Canada. Instead of just putting on a traditional service, the pastor and members put on an incredibly elaborate play, themed after a well-known movie and/or franchise, mixed with pop songs.
These pieces incorporate religious references throughout and include elements of the traditional Easter story. For example, in 2009, they presented “Pirates of the Galilean,” starring “Captain Jack Savior” as the main character.
This show uses an impressive replica of the Black Pearl ship on a turntable, complete with working cannons. During the story, Jack is crucified by Barbossa and tied to the ship’s mast. When he triumphantly rises from the dead, the actors sing, “What shall we do with a resurrected savior?” »
Watch out for repeated appearances by the pastor and terrible impressions of famous people.
THE Vampire Diaries video
Warning: You don’t have to be a fan of the CW’s 2010 hit The Vampire Diaries to enjoy this video. In fact, it’s probably even better if it doesn’t.
Nicholson delves into the series’ puzzling history, from the debate over how vampire blood works on both humans and creatures, to the direction of Elena’s evil arc during which she shows up at a party making scathing remarks while Icona Pop’s hit I Don’t Care blares. background.
She also includes a notable section on the lazy writing of Bonnie’s character, which includes a love interest who is (sort of) her own brother. If you’ve ever watched another CW hit like Supernatural or a series in the Arrowverse, you’ll recognize the cheesy editing style and crazy plot details.
With twelve million views, it’s Nicholson’s most popular video, and it’s easy to see why.
An Unnecessarily Thorough Roast of Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
You may have heard of the musical Dear Evan Hansen, but few people know how unbalanced the movie’s plot is. Luckily, Jenny is here to help.
Nicholson tears up the film adaptation of the show, released in 2021. It starred Ben Platt, a 27-year-old who unsuccessfully attempts to cosplay as a high school character.
Evan should be the protagonist you root for, but as Jenny details, his lies are malicious and a poor excuse for his loneliness. I won’t spoil how bad they are, but trust me…they are bad.
Nicholson frequently dresses up for his analysis, and this one is one of my favorites, incorporating a messy wig, dark eye bags, and an ill-fitting striped polo shirt – not to mention the broken arm, of course.
There is a problem with Hallmark’s YouTube channel
If you’re short on time and can’t commit to an hours-long Jenny Nicholson video, then this twenty-minute Hallmark YouTube analysis is perfect.
I didn’t even know Hallmark had social media like this, but Nicholson delves into the hilarious story of everyone involved, including the rivalry between presenters Nicole and Lauren.
These videos are meant to teach viewers simple home hacks, but they are completely useless. For example, in a cocktail recommendation video, one of the examples involves a mystery punch made in advance (with no recipe detailed in the video), with just a little dry ice added.
Nicholson separates these cheap and unintentionally funny videos, and rightly so.
Evermore: the theme park that didn’t exist
If you were intrigued by the theme park aspect of the Star Wars Hotel…I mean…Galactic Starcruiser, then you should definitely check out Nicholson’s experiment with Evermore in Utah, which also went bankrupt.
In theory, Evermore sounded like every fantasy fan’s dream. This theme park was supposed to take inspiration from Renaissance fairs, Lord of the Rings, steampunk and D&D, and offer a fully immersive experience with actors, animatronics and rides.
If you thought the Disney experience was a failure, you ain’t seen nothing yet. This park is half open, with virtually no food options and no alcohol license. The scenarios and quests were a complete mess, with the performers seeming as confused as the guests.
It closed permanently in April 2024, so this video is one of the few remaining reminders of its existence. As always, Jenny looks at the park’s failures and isn’t afraid to call out those who should be held accountable.
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