"The Simpsons" Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989)

Director:

David Silverman

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator)
James L. Brooks (developer) ...

TV Series:

"The Simpsons" (1989)

Original Air Date:

17 December 1989 (Season 1, Episode 1)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy

Tagline:

Twas the Week Before Christmas and Fate Played a Joke. No Tree and No Presents, Homer was Broke!

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Tattoo | Dog | Tattoo Parlor | Christmas Bonus

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Barney Gumble / Elf Moldy / Grampa Simpson (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson / Patty Bouvier / Selma Bouvier (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Ralph Wiggum / SNPP employee / Radio singing voice / Boy / Lewis / Cashier / Elf Bubbles (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Principal Seymour Skinner / Mr. Largo / Ned Flanders / Tattoo Guy / Waylon Smithers / Dr. Zitofsky / Loudspeaker voice in shop / Santa Clause Manager / Santa Class Teacher / Announcer / Clerk (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Moe Szyslak (voice)
Jo Ann Harris	...	Girl (voice)
Pamela Hayden	...	Santa Clause Girl / Todd Flanders / Santa Clause Woman / Milhouse van Houten / Son (voice)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Canada:G | UK:U | USA:TV-G

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

DVD commentary revealed that the creators got letters of praise for heightening the awareness of the abandonment of racing dogs even though they didn't know it was a real problem when they created the episode.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Bart and Homer return with Santa's Little Helper, a single frame of Maggie sliding off Marge's lap was misplaced.

Quotes:

Homer: [answering the phone] Hello?
Patty: Is Marge there?
Homer: Who is this?
Patty: Marge, please?
Homer: This is her sister, isn't it?
Patty: May I please speak to Marge?
Homer: Whom shall I ask is calling?
Patty: Marge, please.

Movie Connections:

References Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Soundtrack:

Santa Baby

The One that Started It All

I remember hearing about this special back in the third grade, "The Simpsons was the best cartoon, and you just had to see it!" Unfortunately, we didn't get Fox in my little Idaho town. Finally, when we did get Fox, I started my weekly ritual of visiting the Simpsons every Thursday and then on Sundays.

This is a solid Christmas special. It's a more heartfelt episode compared to the episodes produced today. Homer wasn't nearly as much of a buffoon as he is today, and this episode isn't as hysterical as future episodes, but what it may lack in some comedy, it makes up in story and character development. While Bart was quite the troublemaker, he still cared deeply for his father and his family. Plus, the family singing of Rudolph played in the credits was great!

This was our first meeting with the Simpsons, and it would continue to be a great relationship.