How? How Is This David S. Pumpkins Animated Special a Real Thing?

The star of last year’s inexplicable breakout hit “Haunted Elevator” Saturday Night Live sketch, David S. Pumpkins, is getting a half-hour animated special. No, I cannot explain why.

Well, I guess I can, because that popularity is certainly the root of it. Deadline reports that the character, along with his two skeleton buddies, will return (Saturday, Oct. 28. at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT), as will Tom Hanks, who played the character in the original sketch. They described the special like this:

“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.”

Hanks will appear on-camera at the beginning of the half-hour special, as well as voice the character during the animated segment. Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan, who wore the skeleton costumes in the original, will also voice characters, along with Peter Dinklage, which is kind of cool because Dinklage is pre—how are we still just talking about this like it’s a normal thing?

I don’t understand. I’ve seen the sketch. I enjoy Halloween. I’m just fundamentally missing some component as to why this caught on the way it did. Maybe everyone just loves Tom Hanks that much? (Fair.) Maybe we all just really needed something warm, cozy, and silly to cling to during the nightmare that was October 2016? I have no idea! I feel like Ben Wyatt trying to understand Li’l Sebastian in Parks and Rec.

I’m not anti David S. Pumpkins; I just don’t understand at all. The confusion amid so many other people gleefully enjoying the whole thing is maddening. Someone please help me.

(via Deadline, featured image: NBC)

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Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

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