Season 3, Episode 10
Air Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2015, 8:30/7:30c on ABC
Rating:
“Part of being good at family is knowing where you came from.” – Pops
Super Hanukkah
Envious about how neighbors Virginia (Jennifer Irwin) and the rest of the Kremp family go all out for Christmas, Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) tries to spice up the Goldberg household in a similar fashion. There’s only one problem; they’re Jewish. Realizing Hanukkah’s rich traditions are no match for the flair of Christmas, Beverly concocts “Super Hanukkah.”
Having attended both Catholic grade school and high school, I admit my knowledge of Hanukkah can be summed up by reciting the lyrics from Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song.” Christmas at the Staffa household was more in tune with the Goldbergs’ rather than the Kremps’ as far as the level of celebration went. We had a fake tree and the gifts were practical rather than entertaining. Needless to say, I found myself uncomfortably relating to Barry’s frustration over receiving underwear as a gift; at my house, it was socks.
Hanukkah socks hung with care.
Despite striking similarities to Christmas, Beverly is adamant that Super Hanukkah, with its decorated Hanukkah bush and the Hanukkah socks hung above the fireplace, is rich with cultural significance. Pops (George Segal) isn’t as convinced; in fact, he’s outraged.
With Pops often being the voice of reason, it’s hilarious to watch him mockingly embrace Beverly’s Super Hanukkah antics in an effort to point out how nonsensical they are. Making matters worse is Virginia’s sincere desire to learn more about Beverly’s holiday traditions. With all the crazy new Jewish festivities taking place in the Goldberg household, I kept waiting for Pop Pop (Judd Hirsch) to walk in the door only to turn around and walk out in disbelief.
Writer Lacey Friedman does a great job of not allowing the comical situations to get out of hand. While it’s easy to say it’s ok for The Goldbergs to poke fun at Hanukkah because show creator Adam Goldberg is Jewish, I never felt the show was putting down anyone’s faith. Having Beverly butt heads with Pops allows the show to have a debate with itself over the commercialization of the holidays. Beverly’s behavior isn’t disrespectful; it is driven by her desire for family unity during the holidays. Rather than making “A Christmas Story” a competition between the Kremp family and the Goldbergs to see who does their holiday better, this was the right approach to take.
One of the things that surprised me during “A Christmas Story” is the touching scene involving Lainey (AJ Michalka). I couldn’t help laughing when Adam (Sean Giambrone) confronts Lainey over how much of Barry’s (Troy Gentile) time she is consuming, particularly because Adam’s anger seems to have a dash of boyhood crush mixed in. “Look at you, acting all foxy and innocent.” I can’t remember a time when Lainey and Adam had a scene alone together and I am impressed by the maturity of the moment.
Two lovable morons.
Speaking of Adam and Barry, it’s nearly impossible to have an episode titled “A Christmas Story” and not have someone’s mouth end up on a metal pole. It’s funny that Murray (Jeff Garlin) delights in having raised two morons as both Adam and Barry find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. Despite knowing the scene was coming from a mile away, it is still entertaining to watch. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for Giambrone and Gentile not to laugh during filming.
It’s easy to call “A Christmas Story” a Hanukkah episode, but it’s more about traditions than Christmas or Hanukkah. Not just the longstanding customs handed down generation after generation, but the little things, like watching your favorite holiday movie with your brother year after year. It’s about being in the moment rather than trying to create moments.
Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “A Christmas Story.”
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All photos © 2015 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Greg Staffa
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