Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire Poster

The Simpsons (TV series 1989– )

Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (#1.1)

TV_G  30 min  -  Animation | Comedy
8.2
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 8.2/10 from 2,297 users  
Reviews: 17 user

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

Writers:

Mimi Pond, Matt Groening (creator), and 3 more credits »

Stars:

Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner and Nancy Cartwright

Original Air Date:

17 December 1989
 Loading Watchlist 
View Watchlist »
 New List
2 photos | 5 videos | full cast and crew »

Watch now

Amazon Instant Video »
Buy it from Amazon »

Quick Links:

On TV Tonight

  Thu. Feb. 2   Time Zone:
 
IMDbTV » | See full listings » 
Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of title
MY Top 20 Christmas Specials
a list of 27 titles by larsson-879-705964 created 1 month ago
 
image of title
Best TV episodes of all time
a list of 262 titles by oudekerk-181-79560 created 3 months ago
 
image of title
The 25 best Christmas movies
a list of 25 titles by snoopybrown007 created 1 month ago
 
See all 18 related lists »

Connect with IMDb

1 of 503 Episodes | Next Episode »

Related Videos

The Simpsons: Season 1: Episode 1 -- Homer works as Santa Claus until Bart pulls his beard off at the mall. The Simpsons: Season 1: Episode 1 -- Homer attends job training to prepare for his part-time job working as Santa Claus. The Simpsons: Season 1: Episode 1 -- At the elementary school show, Lisa performs as a fire dancer in "Santas of Many Lands" and Bart gets reprimanded for singing "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells..."
See all 5 »
Edit

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Dan Castellaneta ...
Homer Simpson / Barney Gumble / Elf Moldy / Grampa Simpson (voice)
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 Jo Ann Harris ...
Girl (voice)
Pamela Hayden ...
Santa Clause Girl / Todd Flanders / Santa Clause Woman / Milhouse van Houten / Son (voice)
Full cast and crew »
Edit

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  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Tattoo | Dog | Tattoo Parlor | Mall Santa  | See more »

Taglines:

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

Genres:

Animation | Comedy

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(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:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

This special was not originally intended to be the series' opening episode. Production problems, particularly with the first produced episode, "Some Enchanted Evening", saw the show delayed from its planned October debut until late December, thus dictating that this Christmas-themed episode, the eighth one produced, was the first to be broadcast. ("One Enchanted Evening" was eventually broadcast as the last episode in the first season). See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Marge reveals the Christmas money from her hair, her necklace changes from red to white. See more »

Quotes

Homer: I don't wanna leave until our dog finishes.
[they wait five minutes]
Homer: Ah forget it, let's go.
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the credits, the Simpsons sing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". See more »

Connections

References "Smurfs" (1981) See more »

Soundtracks

"O Little Town of Bethlehem"
(uncredited)
Music by Lewis H. Redner
Lyrics by Phillips Brooks See more »