SNL’s David S. Pumpkins to get animated Halloween Special with Tom Hanks

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Saturday Night Live sure has had its fair share of spin-off projects as they've created a welath of quirky characters throughout the variety show's historic run. Today, it's been announced that David S. Pumpkins – the offbeat Tom Hanks character that became all the internet rage last year – is returning to NBC for a Halloween-themed animated half-hour special. An in-the-flesh Hanks will introduce the half-hour event, in addition to voicing the animated character.

Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT, THE DAVID S. PUMPKINS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL will be based on the hugely popular “Haunted Elevator” sketch from the SNL episode that first hit the airwaves on Oct. 22, 2016. The sketch featured an enthusiastic Hanks as mystery man in a pumpkin-covered suit who enjoyed nothing more than to get his groove on. Named David S. Pumpkins, the freakish character appeared on an elevator with two skeleton-dressed dancers played by Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan. Voicing additional characters for the special will be GAME OF THRONES star Peter Dinklage and sketch creators Day, Moynihan and SNL writer Streeter Seidell.

When talking about the special, President of Business Operations and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment and Universal Television's George Cheeks was quoted as saying, "It’s scary how quickly the original SNL sketch caught on, and we’re thrilled that Tom Hanks is back to keep the fun going."

Set in a small suburban town on All Hallows’ Eve, the special centers on David Pumpkins and his skeleton sidekicks who show a young boy and his sister the true meaning of Halloween, answering none of their questions along the way.

THE DAVID S. PUMPKINS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL will debut on Saturday, Oct. 28. at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.