LAMB CHOP'S SPECIAL CHANUKAH (TV)
Summary
In this special, puppeteer Shari Lewis, Lamb Chop, and others celebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. Lewis opens the show by singing, "Something to Celebrate," a song about Chanukah's arrival, before running into Pat Morita. Lewis teaches Morita about special Chanukah foods such as "latkes" -- potato pancakes -- before inviting him to her Chanukah dinner. Next, Lewis runs into Alan Thicke, teaching him about the importance of Chanukah candles before inviting him to dinner as well. Then, Lewis runs into Lloyd Bochner, teaching him about dreidels -- Chanukah tops -- before inviting him to dinner, too. Also sharing the dinner are, of course, Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy. Lewis teaches her young animals about the meaning of Chanukah, and how some kids get presents while others get "gelt" -- small coins or chocolate facsimiles. She also explains the different pronunciations and spellings for the word "Chanukah." Then, Lewis shows Lamb Chop how to make latkes, detailing why it's her favorite part of the holiday. Lewis and Lamb Chop sing "Potato Latkes." Then, Hush Puppy appears, trying to determine how many latkes need to be made for the dinner. Afterward, Charlie Horse plays with the superhero computer game Lewis got him for Chanukah. Charlie Horse also reveals to Hush Puppy a secret superhero design contest where the winner will get $100. Later, Charlie Horse unveils his first superhero creation -- Super Ninja -- upsetting Lewis when he wrecks the house with his ninja kicks. Next, Lewis explains to Lamb Chop the importance of the Chanukah menorah, the significance of the shammash -- ninth candle -- to the holiday, and the "miracle of the oil." Meanwhile, Thicke struggles to make it to Lewis's house. Next, Charlie Horse unveils his second super hero creation -- Super Brain -- an arrogant, snazzily top-hatted head without a body. Finally, Charlie Horse unveils his third super hero -- Weapons Man (Thicke) -- upsetting Lewis yet again with his potential for household destruction. Lewis implores Charlie Horse to quit creating superheroes as the Chanukah guests are soon to arrive. Charlie Horse sings "What Am I Gonna Do?" as he still needs to decide which superhero he will submit to the contest. Then, Morita and Bochner arrive for dinner right in time for the Chanukah play. Lewis and her animals handle the roles of Judah Maccabee (Hush Puppy), his wife (Lamb Chop), wicked King Antiochus (Charlie Horse), and Mattathias Maccabee (Lewis) in musically telling the story of the Greeks, the Syrians, the Temple in Jerusalem, and how Chanukah came to be. They sing "The Two Miracles of Hanukkah." Then, Lewis leads everyone in the prayers said before lighting the menorah. Finally, Charlie Horse realizes who his superhero creation should be -- Judah Maccabee, who combines strength, brains, and courage. Afterward, everyone sits down for the feast. Winning the superhero contest, Charlie Horse spends his $100 prize money on presents for all. The program ends with Lewis, her puppets, Morita, and Bochner singing "Eight Nights of Chanukah" -- just as Thicke finally arrives.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: December 11, 1995 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:55:37
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:74666
- GENRE: Children's
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Shari Lewis); Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1995
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jon Slan … Executive Producer
- Bernard Rothman … Executive Producer
- Richard Borchner … Co-Executive Producer
- Harve Levine … Producer
- Shawn Williamson … Associate Producer
- Bill Davis … Director
- Saul Turteltaub … Writer
- Stormy Sacks … Music by
- Rob Battan … Lyricist
- Shari Lewis … Host, Voice
- Pat Morita … Cast, Super Ninja
- Alan Thicke … Cast, Weapons Man
- Lloyd Bochner … Cast, Super Brain