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The Simpsons: Season 1, Episode 1Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (17 Dec. 1989) 8.2
Christmas seems doomed for the Simpson family when Homer receives no Christmas Bonus. Homer becomes a mall Santa Claus, hoping to make money and bring Marge, Bart, Lisa, and baby Maggie, a happy holiday. Director:David Silverman |
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Cast
| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Dan Castellaneta | ... | ||
| Julie Kavner | ... | ||
| Nancy Cartwright | ... |
Bart Simpson /
Ralph Wiggum /
SNPP employee /
Radio singing voice /
Boy /
Lewis /
Cashier /
Elf Bubbles
(voice)
|
|
| Yeardley Smith | ... |
Lisa Simpson
(voice)
|
|
| Hank Azaria | ... |
Moe Szyslak
(voice)
|
|
| Harry Shearer | ... |
Mr. Burns /
Principal Seymour Skinner /
Mr. Largo /
Ned Flanders /
Tattoo Guy /
Waylon Smithers /
Dr. Zitofsky /
Loudspeaker Announcer in Shop /
Santa Clause Manager /
Santa Class Teacher /
Announcer /
Clerk
(voice)
|
|
| Jo Ann Harris | ... |
Girl
(voice)
|
|
| Pamela Hayden | ... |
Santa Clause Girl /
Todd Flanders /
Santa Clause Woman /
Milhouse Van Houten /
Son
(voice)
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
During Christmas at the Simpsons, Bart asks for a tattoo. Marge takes them to the mall to buy presents. Bart sees a tattoo parlor and lies about his age to get a "Mother" tattoo. Marge catches Bart while the tattoo parlor is working on it. Marge runs in and drags Bart out. She spends all the Christmas money on removing Bart's tattoo, and Mr. Burns doesn't give out bonuses. Homer then gets a job at the mall as Santa Claus. Bart goes to the mall and pulls off Homer's beard. Homer is then left without a job, and only gets paid $13.00. Will Christmas get any better for the Simpsons? Written by TnMovieFan2@aol.com
Taglines:
Twas the Week Before Christmas and Fate Played a Joke. No Tree and No Presents, Homer was Broke!Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 December 1989 (USA) See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
20th Century Fox Television, Gracie Films, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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Homer: It is?
Marge: Yes, something to share our love. And to frighten prowlers.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
This episode is on the "Christmas with the Simpsons" DVD as well as on the Season 1 DVD set. See more »Goofs
Lewis changes from black to yellow when Milhouse dares Bart to pull Santa's beard off. See more »Quotes
Marge: This is the best gift of all, Homer.Homer: It is?
Marge: Yes, something to share our love. And to frighten prowlers.
See more »
The most interesting thing for any contemporary Simpsons fans to notice in this first episode is how much everything has changed over the years.
The early Simpsons shows were created on a much smaller budget, necessitating a smaller, less experienced, and in some ways, less skilled team. As a result, the animation style here is much rougher. There are far fewer people doing voices. The voice work isn't nearly as smooth as it would become. The personalities of the characters hadn't settled into norms. There aren't as many layers of jokes zipping frantically by.
The feel, overall, isn't that removed from, say, a Beavis and Butthead episode. Not that that's a bad thing. I happen to love Beavis and Butthead, too. It's just a much rougher style than we've come to expect from The Simpsons.
Aside from all of that, though, this is a charming Christmas episode, almost a Simpsons version of A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Like that famous work, an elementary school pageant is featured prominently, there are problems procuring a Christmas tree, and the "true meaning of Christmas", aside from commercialism, is explored, although here it is done so unwillingly, and there are no religious-tinged speeches to accompany the proceedings--The Simpsons is known for its irreverence, after all. But at its heart, while humorously introducing us to the main characters, this really is a sweet Christmas story and worth watching for that purpose, which is what I plan to save future viewings for.