Chewbacca does look like a big pile of chewing tobacco. The fish-looking race of Admiral Akbar are called the "Calamari." The trade federation aliens are called "Nemoidians," which I'm guessing is in reference to Leonard Nimoy. There are other plays on Earth words in the Star Wars universe. I think "Chewbacca" being similar to "chewing tobacco" gives an insight into Lucas' creative process if anything.
Chewie throwing the first pitch at a baseball game as a subliminal ploy by the tobacco industry. I admit I love the idea. I wish it were true, that there were some evidence, any evidence at all. Or I guess these things are done with only a wink and a nod, a backroom handshake deal, no paper trail.
Has R2D2 ever thrown out a first pitch in a baseball game? They could put one of those batting practice pitching machines in him. That would be pretty cool.
lupercal wrote:So even though chewing tobacco has been prohibited from major and minor league games and interviews since 1983, teen consumption has risen steadily. How do you think that happened?
Must be the Wookie. It's the only scenario that makes sense.
Both his words and manner of speech seemed at first totally unfamiliar to me, and yet somehow they stirred memories - as an actor might be stirred by the forgotten lines of some role he had played far away and long ago.