Joey Lawrence starred in a similar role in Die Schein-Hochzeit (2009) where he pretended to be the Melissa Joan Hart fiancee and ended to fall in love with her.
The lighting of the menorah scene features a mirror-universe Joey Lawrence with an alternate haircut and shirt.
In 2012 Hanukkah was from the 8th of December - 17th of December so there wouldn't have been any conflicting plans.