“Eight Crazy Nights,” a celebration of Hanukkah-themed episodes, continues.
Night No. 3: December 4, 1996, when Nickelodeon showed the “Chanukah” episode of “Rugrats.”
The children’s animated series, which became one of cable television’s biggest hits when it debuted in 1991, chronicled the adventures of a group of babies and toddlers with overactive imaginations.
In “Chanukah,” the children – including Jewish cousins Tommy and Anjelica Pickles – lead a fight to save their Grandpa Boris from the dreaded “Meany of Hanukkah.”
The gang also imagine they are in ancient Egypt, where they assume the role of the “Macababies,” fighting to free their people.
“Chanukah” debuted at 8 p.m. and was seen in more than 3 million homes, making it the third highest-rated program on basic cable the week it aired; only two NFL football games on ESPN drew a bigger audience.
“Chanukah” also outdrew the WB’s lineup the night it debuted, and almost beat UPN’s “Star Trek: Voyager.”
See for yourself: “Chanukah” is part of the “Rugrats Holiday Celebration” DVD and can be downloaded from iTunes. “Eight Crazy Nights” will continue December 14.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Wednesday, December 4, 1996:
8: “Grace Under Fire” (ABC), “Story of Santa Claus” (CBS), “Billboard Music Awards” (Fox), “Wings” (NBC), “The Sentinel” (UPN), “Sister, Sister” (WB)
8:30: “Townies” (ABC), “NewsRadio”* (NBC), “Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher” (WB)
9: “The Drew Carey Show” (ABC), “A Child is Missing” (CBS), “NewsRadio” (NBC), “Star Trek: Voyager” (UPN), “The Wayans Bros.” (WB)
9:30: “Ellen” (ABC), “The Jamie Foxx Show” (WB)
10: “PrimeTime Live” (ABC), “Dateline NBC”
The Record
For the week of December 1, 1996:
Top novel: “Silen Honor” by Danielle Steel
Top song: “No Diggity” by BlackStreet
Top movie: “101 Dalmations”
Top TV show: “Seinfeld” (NBC)
In the news: Hawaii moved closer to recognizing same-sex marriage
Captions: Scenes from the “Chanukah” episode of “Rugrats.”


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