One of the reasons I like some of the SE versions is that one of my first Star Wars related books was The Art of Star Wars, complete with the 3 Biggs scenes and the Jabba scene. I was ecstatic to have them edited back into the film. In the days before video, that script and The Story of Star Wars lp where how I revisited the story. So outside the 10 times I saw the 77 film in the theaters, Jabba was part of my experience until I finally got a VCR and bought the films - so for a good 10 years. I guess that is why I am somewhat nostalgic for the 97 SE Jabba - as fake as he is.

But to be honest, that same nostalgia really gives me 2 canons. First there is the original trilogy (films and novelizations), then the Han Solo trilogy by Brian Daley, and Splinter of the Mind’s eye - nothing more at all. Then there is the larger canon I posted a few days ago. When I’m feeling nostalgic, it has to be this one.