Premiered December 17, 1989.
"If TV has taught me anything, it's that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas.
It happened to Tiny Tim, it happened to Charlie Brown, it happened to the Smurfs and it's gonna happen to us!"
-Bart Simpson
It's Christmas time in Springfield and the Simpson family is gearing up for the holiday season.
Homer (Dan Castellaneta) is anticipating a Christmas bonus from his job at the nuclear power plant. His hopes are dashed when his boss Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) announces that there will be no bonus this year for "semiskilled" workers. Homer is upset, but comforted by the fact that Marge has a stash of Christmas funds.
Unfortunately, Bart gets a tattoo at the Springfield Mall. The tattoo-removal operation is successful, but it wipes out all of the Marge's Christmas money.
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| I like how the tattoo parlor is decorated for Christmas. Doesn't the proprietor look a bit like "Comic Book Guy?" |
When his Santa "salary" amounts to only $13.00, he takes the advice of his friend Barney (Castellaneta) and decides to gamble his paltry wages at the dog track. Homer bets on a longshot named Santa's Little Helper. Will Santa's Little Helper win the race and save Christmas for the Simpsons?
J.A. Morris says:
The Simpsons is one of the greatest TV series of all time. “The Simpsons Christmas” special is considered the first episode of the series. After revisiting this special 30 years after it premiered, I can tell it was excellent from the beginning.
It tells a very relatable story. Lots of people have Christmas experiences that are similar to Homer’s problems. Either you don’t have enough money to get that special gift, or stores run out of the item your loved one wants. It seems like the end of the world.
However, when all hope is lost (SPOILER ALERT), Santa’s Little Helper jumps into Homer’s arms and Homer brings home the greatest gift, as Marge says “something to share our love and frighten prowlers.”
“The Simpsons Christmas Special” features the perfect combination of humor and holiday sentiment and it's just as great today as it was when it first aired.
J.A. Morris' rating:
4 candy canes!
RigbyMel says:
I remember watching and enjoying "The Simpsons Christmas Special" when it first aired back in 1989. As the oldest of four children, I related strongly to the sibling rivalry between Bart and Lisa.
I also loved its skewering of some of the more saccharine elements of holiday entertainment coupled with the portrayal of a family that has lots of problems but genuinely loves and cares for each other. The Simpsons have been around for so long now, that I don't know if current audiences necessarily appreciate how revolutionary and subversive the show was back in the late 1980s/early 1990s.
The special successfully satirizes and pays tribute to the typical Christmas special, a feat that is not always easy to pull off. Bart cynically tells Lisa that "there's only one guy who brings us presents", but also cites Tiny Tim and Charlie Brown while invoking Christmas miracles and it doesn't feel inconsistent or out of left field because of the clever writing.
Since this is the first "official" episode of the (now) long running series, there's some evidence of the show attempting to find its way - for example Homer sounds a bit more like Walter Matthau than his current incarnation does. But the wonderful snark and joy of the show is already present.
We are introduced to a lot of characters including The Simpson family themselves, Mr. Burns, Barney (with yellow hair!), Patty & Selma, Flanders, and of course, Santa's Little Helper.
I find that this special holds up extremely well after 30 years and tend to watch it at least once every holiday season. Highly recommended.
RigbyMel's rating:
4 candy canes!
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