This ’80s Puppet Chanukah Special Was Made by a ‘Simpsons’ Animator

Way back in 1989 there was a holiday TV special called “Chanukah at Bubbe’s” that not only provided a much-needed program for Jewish kids across the country, but also gave a career start to some familiar names.

Part of Bubbe’s Boarding House, the educational puppet program’s holiday show was 42 minutes long and, like a classic such as Sesame Street, contained music along with the puppet animals, puppet creatures, and puppet people.

In this particular installment, siblings Zack and Muffin and their friend Chester come to visit their grandmother for a Chanukah dinner and story, with hilarious results. Seriously, the writing is actually surprisingly entertaining, and the whole show is well done, thanks in part to a few future famous folks.

For instance, David Silverman, the show’s puppet designer, later became one of the early Simpsons animators and producers, and also directed several episodes, as well as the 2007 Simpsons Movie. Some folks even see a resemblance between some of Bubbe’s puppets and Simpsons characters.

Greg Ballora, one of the puppeteers, would eventually work on Team America, Men in Black II, and The Flintstones, in addition to other films. A peek at the rest of the crew reveals a few other names as well.

So if you’re looking for an educational or simply entertaining version of the Chanukah story with humor, singing, and puppetry, then brother, I’ve got just the show for you.

“Chanukah at Bubbe’s” is available on DVD and iTunes.

[via Fusion.net]