Comments
This was the episode that had to be made. After five years of working on the Star Wars Timeline Project, numerous message board debates on the subject, comments in several previous episodes, discussion on the SWT-G, a visualization mp3, and ever-present questions from fellow fans, it was time that the extensive study I’ve made into the "Canon Question" be put into one definitive, cohesive discussion on the topic. The result is an episode of ChronoRadio that dissects the issue of the Levels of Officiality, covering it from its earliest days through the present, illustrating and explaining the issue with examples, quotes, common sense, and a modicum of humor. During its circulation, this was (and could still be considered, for those who have the older files) the most detailed discussion of its kind, and it remains one of the episodes I have been most proud of, and the only episode, other than the fictional Serial Editions, to be fully scripted before recording.
The episode was originally written and recorded in August 2002, then released in October 2002. It has since been revised to include new information on LucasBooks policies, and is current as of April 2004. With the release of the new, altered DVD versions of the Classic Trilogy in September 2004, though, the new structure of Canon would have necessitated such a major re-recording of the episode that it was removed from circulation, so that the episode's terminology would not cause future confusion with the new realigning that has taken place.
The episode has since been replaced by an all-new, revised discussin on the topic, ChronoRadio: Special Edition III: The Canon Question Revisited, but you can still download the original version (and the revised edition) to complete your ChronoRadio library, if you so desire. Just keep in mind that this version is now out of date and should not be relied upon.
Download the Original Episode
Download the Revised Episode
Go to ChronoRadio: Special Edition III: The Canon Question Revisited (the updated discussion)