The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

Jar Jar Binks became one of the most polarizing figures in cinematic history when he made his debut in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 1999. He was even named "the most annoying movie character of all time" by Complex Magazine. After the release, Ahmed Best, the man who played Jar Jar, was hit with the full force of the backlash — and it nearly destroyed him. The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks is a six-part journey through the early internet to understand how one of the first-ever online hate campaigns began, and to right what we got so wrong about Jar Jar the first time around. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Introducing: The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

May 4, 2023 • 2 mins

As the man behind one of the most divisive characters in cinematic history steps forward to tell his side of the story, host Dylan Marron goes back to reckon with the online hatred Jar Jar inspired, and what we can learn from it today. Coming June 28th from the TED Audio Collective.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark as Played

Episode 1: The Internet’s First Main Character?

June 28, 2023 • 31 mins

It’s 1999, and sixteen years after its original release, a new Star Wars is finally coming. Fans have been camping out in front of theaters across the country just to be the first to see it. The beloved intergalactic saga is set to debut a slew of brand new characters, one of whom is a revolutionary CGI creation named Jar Jar Binks. Whispers begin to spread about big changes coming to the galaxy far, far away – and not everyone’s h...

Mark as Played

Episode 2: Becoming Jar Jar

July 5, 2023 • 35 mins

Meet the real man behind the iconic role. Before fan forums, prequels, and motion capture catsuits, Ahmed Best was just a young Star Wars superfan growing up in the South Bronx. But after traveling to his top-secret audition at the Skywalker Ranch, Ahmed's life changed forever. Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Mark as Played

Episode 3: A Web of Hate

July 12, 2023 • 35 mins

The reviews for The Phantom Menace are in. And they’re… not great. Unfortunately, that’s just the beginning. Taking on a life of its own, the anti-Jar Jar backlash bounces from the acid pen of film critics, to the pixelated grain of early websites, to the black-and-white pages of traditional media, and heads straight for Ahmed. Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Mark as Played

Episode 4: The Hardest Part

July 19, 2023 • 37 mins

While Ahmed faces Jar Jar hate websites and death threats, an even more thorny and challenging set of criticisms hits close to home, pushing Ahmed to a breaking point. Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark as Played

Episode 5: The Most Loving Story

July 26, 2023 • 33 mins

In the wake of the anti-Jar Jar backlash, Ahmed begins to rebuild his life. In the meantime, we try to make sense of internet hate by talking to one of the original Jar Jar haters: the person who created The Jar Jar Hate Page. Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark as Played

Episode 6: Redemption

August 2, 2023 • 35 mins

Two decades after The Phantom Menace premiered, the world is finally reconsidering how it treated Ahmed Best and the character he brought to life. But back in our galaxy, are we doomed to stay on the dark side of internet culture? Or is it not too late to redeem ourselves and stop making the same online mistakes over and over again? Transcripts for The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks are available at go.ted.com/jarjar

Mark as Played

The Moth Podcast: Star Wars

May 6, 2024 • 39 mins

This is an episode of The Moth, another podcast we think you'll enjoy. On this episode of The Moth Podcast, we visit a galaxy far far away, with three stories all about the impact of Star Wars. Plus, a discussion about why Star Wars has resonated for more than 50 years. Hosts: Brandon Grant-Walker and Edgar Ruiz, Jr. Storytellers: Dame Wilburn confuses a man in a costume for the real Darth Vader. Shannan Paul’s mother teaches her t...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders

Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders takes you back to 1983, when two teenagers were found murdered, execution-style, on a quiet Texas hill. What followed was decades of rumors, false leads, and a case that law enforcement could never seem to close. Now, veteran investigative journalist M. William Phelps reopens the file — uncovering new witnesses, hidden evidence, and a shocking web of deaths that may all be connected. Over nine gripping episodes, Paper Ghosts: The Texas Teen Murders unravels a story 42 years in the making… and asks the question: who’s really been hiding the truth?

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies!

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Advertise With Us

The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Introducing: The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Episode 1: The Internet’s First Main Character?

Episode 2: Becoming Jar Jar

Episode 3: A Web of Hate

Episode 4: The Hardest Part

Episode 5: The Most Loving Story

Episode 6: Redemption

The Moth Podcast: Star Wars

Popular Podcasts

Introducing: The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks

Episode 1: The Internet’s First Main Character?