Over the years, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) has become well-known for its memorable Hanukkah sketches that celebrate Jewish culture. Notable moments from the show’s history include Gilda Radner lighting a menorah in 1977, Adam Sandler performing “The Chanukah Song” on Weekend Update in 1994, and Robert Smigel’s “Christmastime for the Jews” in 2005.
Recently, Jewish comedian and former SNL cast member Sarah Sherman shared with Seth Meyers on “Late Night” details about a Hanukkah sketch that didn’t make it to air. Sherman revealed a striking prop, the “Anora” Menorah, which was designed for this unproduced sketch. This unique menorah, crafted in the shape of a red bikini-clad character named Anora—originally played by Mikey Madison in the film of the same name—was described as a majestic hanukkiah, approximately a foot-and-a-half long and designed to hold full-size taper candles rather than the smaller ones typically used for Hanukkah.
Sherman explained that the idea for the sketch began with SNL writer Jake Nordwind’s suggestion of the opening line, “Hey, do you guys like my ‘Anora’ Menorah?” Despite this intriguing start, the audience at the dress rehearsal reportedly reacted poorly, with Sherman humorously noting that only “one pervert” found it funny. Unfortunately, the sketch was cut after the rehearsal, leaving Sherman feeling disappointed about the lost opportunity.
While discussing the fate of the “Anora” Menorah, Sherman remained optimistic, stating that she hopes to keep this one-of-a-kind prop in her SNL office. Although viewers didn’t get to enjoy the sketch, the creation of the Menorah highlights the playful and creative spirit of SNL, providing a glimpse into the comedic process behind the scenes.
In summary, while not all sketches make it to air, the creativity behind them—like the “Anora” Menorah—reflects the unique contributions SNL has made to the celebration of Hanukkah and Jewish culture in popular media. The enduring excitement of SNL’s sketches ensures that fans will continue to look forward to innovative comedic expressions in future seasons.