A Hanukkah TV Countdown: 10 Memorable Moments

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 6 — Aired 11/16/2002 — Pictured: (center) Adam Sandler during “The Chanukah Song” skit on November 16, 2002 (Photo by Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

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Ho! Ho! Ho! And a Happy Hanukkah — which, in a sea of Christmas cheer, is often foreshadowed, overshadowed, or squeezed into a blink-and-you-miss-it pop-culture moment. Still, past and present, a small yet spirited lineup of TV shows, specials, and movies has worked to keep the eight-day menorah glowing on screen. And what better place to begin than Adam Sandler’s now-classic “Hanukkah Song” in these 10 memorable moments on television celebrating the Jewish holiday.

1. Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song” (Saturday Night Live, 1994)
The former Saturday Night Live mainstay debuted the song during SNL’s “Weekend Update.” Listing Jewish celebrities such as Paul Newman, Goldie Hawn, David Lee Roth, and the Three Stooges, the performance struck a chord and quickly became a cultural phenomenon.

2. Rugrats Hanukkah Special (Nickelodeon, 1996)
Another groundbreaking moment came with Rugrats. The animated installment was one of the first Hanukkah specials ever produced for a children’s television series, introducing the holiday to young viewers at a time when such representation was rare.

3. Ross Geller’s Holiday Armadillo (Friends, 1996)
A pop-culture milestone arrived on Friends when Ross (David Schwimmer) donned the now-iconic Holiday Armadillo to teach his young son Ben about Hanukkah. Airing during the show’s second season in 1996, “The One with the Holiday Armadillo” remains a pivotal episode on the hit sitcom.

4. “Chrismukkah” (The O.C., 2003)
The O.C. introduced a more modern twist with “Chrismukkah,” the fictional celebration blending Christmas and Hanukkah. While the show used the holiday as a humorous plot device, it also reflected the realities of interfaith families while giving both holidays equal screen time.

5. Hope Lights the Menorah for Michael (Thirtysomething, 1987)
At a time when interfaith marriages were not all that common on television, relationship-themed thirtysomething featured Michael (Ken Olin) and Hope (Mel Harris) arguing about whether their child’s first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. The end result was both, as we witness Hope lighting their menorah on the first night of the Jewish holiday.

6. A Curb Your Enthusiasm Hanukkah
Throughout the HBO comedy, Larry David’s misadventures frequently intersect with Jewish holidays, particularly Hanukkah. Remember, for example, when Larry struggled with the timing of the menorah lighting and the gift-giving? It was never a dull moment!

7. Beverly’s “Super Hanukkah” on The Goldbergs (2015)
Tired of the Christmas hype, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) tries to invent a “Super Hanukkah” celebration, leading her father Pops to dress up as “Hanu-Claus” to remind her of their traditions.

8. “The Hanukkah Story” on The Nanny (1998)
That “flashy girl” from Flushing, Fran Fine (Fran Drescher), celebrated her first Hanukkah with the Sheffields when the family’s car stays warm and safe long enough for them to return home, allowing the family to celebrate together.

9. “Arthur’s Perfect Christmas” on Arthur (2000)
It was a holiday trifecta in this one-hour edition of the PBS animated kids-themed series as Arthur and his friends created the “perfect” holiday season. The special features Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, showcasing diverse ways to celebrate.

10. “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah” (Hallmark Channel, 2021)
Known for its annual barrage of heartwarming Christmas movies, Hallmark Channel belatedly stepped into the Hanukkah with movie “Eight Gifts of Hanukkah,” its first flick entirely focused on the holiday. The “spiel” (translation: narrative): Optometrist Sara Levin (Inbar Lavi) receives eight meaningful gifts from a secret admirer each night, leading her to discover her true love (Jake Epstein) might be closer than she thinks.

The moral of this countdown: In a media landscape still dominated by Christmas jingles and mistletoe, Hanukkah’s on-screen presence remains modest — but meaningful. And a happy and festive Hanukkah for all who celebrate it!

Wishing you eight nights of light, laughter, and joy.