The Simpsons
From Christmas Specials Wiki
The Simpsons is an animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. It is a soft-satirical parody of the "Middle American" lifestyle epitomized by its title family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. The show is set in the fictional town of Springfield, and lampoons many aspects of the human condition, as well as American culture, society as a whole, and television itself.
The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989 with "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", a Christmas special. Since its debut, the show has aired over 400 episodes over 19 seasons and has featured several Christmas-themed episodes.
1989: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
After Marge spends the family's Christmas money on removing a tattoo that Bart got, and Homer's Christmas bonus is cancelled, Homer must find out a way to keep the Christmas spirit alive without shattering the hopes of his family. He takes a job as a department store Santa, but after deductions for suit rental and Christmas Club and such, receives a mere $13. A trip to the dog tracks is their last hope. Barney gets a tip on a dog but Homer sees one in the race, called "Santa's Little Helper." Seeing this a sign, Homer bets on the dog, but Santa's Little Helper comes in last, and gets the boot from his owner. The Simpsons take the dog, bring it home, and the family think it's the best present they have ever gotten for Christmas. The family sing 'Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer' to close the show.
1995: Marge Be Not Proud
In the second Christmas themed episode Bart steals a video game and is banned from the store ruining Christmas and disappointing Marge.
1997: Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
When Bart wakes early on Christmas morning to open his presents, he accidentally sets fire to the family's Christmas tree. Bart destroys the evidence, burying the melted tree and presents in the front yard. When the family sees a bare living room, Bart tells them he came down early and saw a burglar steal the tree and presents. The community is informed of the Simpsons bad luck and they get together, gathering fifteen thousand dollars for their loss. Homer purchases a car with the money which is soon-after destroyed. A guilt-stricken Bart admits there was no burglar and that he burnt the tree and presents. The town is outraged and the Simpsons are shunned by the townspeople. Failing to get money appearing on Jeopardy, the family return home to find the community looting their home. Robbing them of everything except a washcloth, the town has forgiven them for their lies.
1999: Grift of the Magi
A sinister toy company unveils the next fad to Springfield's Christmas shoppers. The toy is a huge success, because it is programmed to destroy other toys.
2000: Skinner's Sense of Snow
When a large storm snows in Springfield Elementary, the children are trapped inside for the holidays and soon rebel against Principal Skinner.
2001: She of Little Faith
Desperate for money, the First Church of Springfield decides to rent out its wallspace to local advertisers. Horrified at the living commercial the church has become, Lisa withdraws herself from the church and converts to Buddhism.
2003: Dude, Where's My Ranch?
At the beginning of the episode, the family goes Christmas caroling until they reach the Blue-Haired Lawyer's house. He tells the family that they cannot sing Christmas carols, unless they pay a royalty. In response, Homer tries to write lyrics for his own carol. This results in setting up the main plot of the episode itself, which has nothing to do with Christmas.
2003: 'Tis the 15th Season
Mr. Burns gives Homer an old John DiMaggio baseball card which he sells to Comic Book Guy for extra money. Homer spends it all on a useless talking clock and the family is left with no money for a Christmas tree. Homer watches a bunch of Christmas specials which tell him he's selfish and needs to give. He begins by giving the poor his clothes, buying Lenny a nice gift, offering Marge the last pork chop, and collecting money at church. When the town begins to like him he builds an ice skating rink in his backyward. Ned Flanders begins to get jealous of Homer usurping his position. Ned decides to buy a present for everyone in town. Lisa tells Homer people would be happier without presents at Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Homer steals the town's presents, but gets an angry reception in the morning. Before mobbing him he points out a star in the sky and he and Ned educate the town of the true meaning of Christmas.
2005: Simpsons Christmas Stories
In "The First D'oh-el" Homer leads a sermon and tells the story of the first Christmas, with Marge as Mary, Homer as Joseph, Lisa as the angel Gabriel, Mr. Burns as King Herod, and Bart as Jesus. In "I Saw Grampa Cussing Santa Claus" Grampa tells a World War II story in which he and Mr. Burns accidentally shoot down Santa Claus' sleigh while stranded on a desert island at Christmas. In "The Nutcracker... Sweet" the lives of the residents of Springfield are visited at Christmas and Homer rushes around to get Marge a last minute present, to the tune of songs from The Nutcracker.
2006: Kill Gil Vol. 1 & 2
At Christmas time, Marge opens up her home to the jobless Gil. But problems arise when Gil overstays his welcome and Marge can’t bring herself to kick Gil out of the house.
Video and DVD releases
The first Christmas episode, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was released on VHS by FOX Home Video in 1991. The VHS release was titled "The Simpsons Christmas Special."
A DVD entitled "Christmas with the Simpsons" was released on October 14, 2003 which contained five Christmas or winter themed episodes from various seasons - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", "Mr. Plow", "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace", "Grift of the Magi" and "She of Little Faith" . A second DVD, "The Simpsons Christmas 2", was released on November 2, 2004 and contained four more episodes - "Homer vs. Dignity", "Skinner's Sense of Snow", "Dude, Where's My Ranch?" and "'Tis The Fifteenth Season". "Marge Be Not Proud" was included on the "Bart Wars" DVD.
The episodes, including the premiere Christmas special, have been released on their respective season box set as well.
 Christmas with the Simpsons |
 The Simpsons Christmas 2 |
External links
- TheSimpsons.com Official Site
- The Simpsons at the Internet Movie Database
- The Simpsons at Wikipedia
- The Simpsons at TV.com
- The No Homers Club
- The Simpsons Wiki
