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{{Infobox Simpsons episode {{Infobox Simpsons episode
| image = Simpsons7G08.webp
| episode_name = Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
| caption = Title card
| image = ]
| episode_no = 1 | season = 1
| prod_code = 7G08 | episode = 1
| airdate = ], ] | director = ]
| writer = ] | writer = ]
| production = 7G08{{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=25}}
| director = ]
| season = 1 | airdate = {{Start date|1989|12|17}}
| length = 23 minutes
| commentary = ]<br />]<br />]
| blackboard = <!-- Please do not add the blackboard quote, as it hasn't been shown in this episode. -->
| couch_gag = <!-- Please do not add the couch gag, as it hasn't been shown in this episode. -->
| prev = ]
| next = ]
}} }}
"'''Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'''" (titled onscreen as "'''''The Simpsons'' Christmas Special'''") (originally produced as the eighth episode){{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=25}}<ref name="bbc" /> is the ] of the American animated television series '']''. A Christmas special, the show had a very long delayed release. It first aired on ] in the United States on December 17, 1989.{{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=25}} Introducing the ] into half-hour television in this episode, ] disobediently gets a tattoo without the permission of his parents. After ] spends all the family's holiday budget on ], ] learns that ] is not giving employees Christmas bonuses, and takes a job as a ] in order to pay for his children's Christmas presents.


''The Simpsons'' was originally intended to debut earlier in 1989 with "]", but due to animation problems with that episode, the series debuted with this episode on December 17. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was written by ] and directed by ], and was the only episode of the series to air during the 1980s. Promos for the next episode ("]") ran during commercial breaks for this episode.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bond |first=Christian |title=15 Facts About the First Episode of The Simpsons |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60531/17-facts-about-first-episode-simpsons |website=MentalFloss |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=December 17, 2017}}</ref>
"'''Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'''", also known as "'''The Simpsons Christmas Special'''", was the first half-hour length episode of '']'' to air, though it was the eighth episode produced in ].


"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was viewed by approximately 13.4 million people in its original airing, and was nominated for two ]s in 1990. Since its release on home video, the episode has received positive reviews from critics.
The series was originally planned to premiere in the fall of ], but due to major problems with the animation of "]", which aired as the season finale in May ], the series instead began on ], ] with this episode.


==Plot==
The episode deals with the ]'s efforts to celebrate ] on a constricted budget.
After attending the ] ], the ] prepare for the holiday season. ] and ] write letters to Santa; Lisa asks for a ] — which ] tries to tactfully discourage by claiming that there would not be enough room for one on Santa's sleigh — and Bart wants a ], which Marge and ] forbid him from getting. The next day, Marge takes the kids Christmas shopping at the mall. Bart sneaks away to get a tattoo that reads "Mother" on his arm, thinking that Marge will like it. Before the artist can finish the tattoo, Marge finds Bart and drags him to the ] to ]. She is forced to spend the family's entire holiday budget on the procedure, believing that Homer's ] will cover gift expenses.


At the ], ] cancels this year's employee Christmas bonus. When he learns Marge spent the family's holiday money on tattoo removal, Homer ] as a shopping ] at the suggestion of his friend ]. While at the mall on ], Bart removes Santa's beard, exposing Homer's secret. Bart apologizes for the prank and praises his father for moonlighting to give the family Christmas presents. After Homer's Santa gig pays far less than expected due to deductions for training and uniform, he and Bart receive a ] tip from Barney.
This episode was released on ] by ] in ]. The ] release was titled "The Simpsons ]", the episode's on-screen title.


At Springfield Downs, Homer bets all his money on a last-minute entry named ], a 99–1 long shot. The ] unfortunately finishes last. As Homer and Bart leave the track, they see the dog's owner yell and abandon him for losing the race. Bart pleads with Homer to keep the dog as a pet. They return home, where Homer's confession to not getting his Christmas bonus is interrupted when Bart introduces Santa's Little Helper to the others. The family is overjoyed by this gesture, and celebrates by singing "]".
==Synopsis==
{{spoiler}}


==Development==
As the episode begins, ], ], and ] attend a Christmas pageant at Springfield Elementary. There, they see ] and her class doing a production on Santa's from different lands. She is proforming strange cultural dance and ] being yanked off stage by ] for singing fake lyrics to "]." Later on, Marge asks the kids for their Christmas lists and discovers that Lisa wants a pony and that Bart is asking for a tattoo. She angrily forbids him from getting one, but the next day, Bart sneaks away from Marge at the mall and gets a "mother" tattoo without her permission.


===Origin of ''The Simpsons''===
She bursts in when it is only halfway completed, and drags him to a tattoo removal clinic where she spends the family's Christmas shopping money on the surgery. Meanwhile, at the power plant, Homer learns that he will not be getting a Christmas bonus this year. When he returns home to learn that the shopping money is gone, he realizes that Christmas is ruined. Not able to break the bad news to Marge, he asks if he can do the shopping instead. He goes to a dollar store and buys ridiculous presents for the family, like a six-pack of panty hose for Marge, a pad of paper for Bart and a squeak toy for dogs for Maggie. (He forgets to get a gift for ], and in a book adaption, he buys breath mints for himself.) However, when he leaves the store and bumps into ] carrying massive boxes full of gifts for his family, Homer realizes that his effort is not good enough.
{{Main|History of The Simpsons|The Simpsons shorts}}
] |alt=A man in glasses and a plaid shirt sits in front of a microphone.]]


''The Simpsons'' creator ] conceived of the idea for the Simpsons in the lobby of ]' office. Brooks, the producer of the sketch comedy program '']'', wanted to use a series of animated shorts as bumpers between sketches. He had asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts, which Groening initially intended to present as his '']'' series. However, when Groening realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require the rescinding of ]s for his life's work, he chose another approach and formulated his version of a ].<ref name=inter>{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=David Bianculli |title=Fresh Air |work=] |publisher=] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |location=Philadelphia |date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=November 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213045217/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
At ], Homer drinks his sorrows away and sucks on a candy cane offered by ] when he sees ] walk in dressed in a ] outfit. Desperate, he takes Barney's advice and gets a part-time job as a mall Santa. Ashamed, he tries to hide this from his family, but his cover is blown when Bart rips off his beard on a dare made by ]. Things get even worse when he receives his check from the mall and discovers that it only amounts to $13. Coincidently, Barney also gets $13 and plans to use his money to bet on a ].


The ] first appeared as ] in '']'' on April 19, 1987.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |p=14}} Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial short episodes.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video |people=BBC |date=2000 |title='The Simpsons': America's First Family (6-minute edit for the season 1 DVD) |type=DVD |location=UK |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In 1989, a team of production companies adapted ''The Simpsons'' into a half-hour series for the ]. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |title=3rd Degree: Harry Shearer |access-date=September 1, 2006 |first=Dean|last=Kuipers|date=April 15, 2004 |publisher=City Beat |location=Los Angeles, California|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308105912/http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=568&IssueNum=32 |archive-date=March 8, 2008}}</ref> Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" they were watching.<ref name="toonterrific">{{cite magazine |first=Ken |last=Tucker |author-link=Ken Tucker|title=Toon Terrific |magazine=] |date=March 12, 1993 |page=48(3)}}</ref> The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with this episode.
With encouragement from Bart in the form of a speech inspired by television Christmas miracles, Homer resorts to gambling at the dog track and he sets off with Bart on a hot tip from Barney to bet on a dog named Whirlwind, but when he hears of a late entry named ], he takes it as an omen and puts his money on that dog instead. The odds on the dog are 99-1, but to his dismay, Santa's Little Helper comes in dead last, and Bart realises that not everything ends with a miracle. However, as Homer and Bart leave the track, they see Santa's Little Helper's owner giving him the boot.


===Production===
The dog follows Bart and Homer, and they decide to keep him as a pet. They return home, and just as Homer is about to tell his family that Christmas is cancelled, they assume that he has brought the dog home as a present.
] directed the episode.]]
{{endspoiler}}


"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" is the first episode of ''The Simpsons'', and the ] was nervous about the show because they were unsure if it could sustain the audience's attention for the duration of the episode.<ref name="Groening"/> They proposed doing three seven-minute shorts per episode and four specials until the audience adjusted,<ref name="Groening"/> but in the end, the producers gambled by asking Fox for 13 full-length episodes.<ref name="Brooks">{{cite video |people=Brooks, James L. |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> The series was originally planned to premiere earlier in the fall of 1989 with the episode "]", but due to major problems with the animation of that episode, the series began on December 17 with this episode. "Some Enchanted Evening" instead aired as the season finale.<ref name="Groening2">{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", being the first to air, lacked the ] which was later added in the second episode, "]", when Groening realized that a longer opening sequence resulted in less animation.<ref name="Groening"/> Because "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was the eighth episode produced, but the first one aired, it has more refined animation than the episodes following it, such as "Bart the Genius" and "]". Additionally, the characters' personalities are more developed.<ref name="Groening"/>
==Trivia==
*The Springfield Elementary School Christmas show receives 3½ stars in a recent review, advertised in front of the building.
*Marge pulls her car into parking area "ZZ" at the Springfield Mall.
*Next door to the tattoo parlor is Dr. Zitsofsky Dermatology Clinic. A sign in the window reads, "Tattoos removed by laser."
*The little boy in the play at the beginning appears to be ], but his voice is completely different.
* The second grade class, Lisa's class, presents "Santas of Many Lands". In Germany, Santa gives the parents of bad children whipping rods for Christmas. Lisa's costume as a tribal Santa shows that she is only wearing a very thin grass skirt on her lower half, looking very unusual. (The commentary on the DVD release explains that she is actually wearing a ].)
*There are 28 children in Bart's 4th Grade class on stage during the Christmas concert.
*Marge hides the Christmas jar in her hair.
*] does not give Christmas bonuses to "semi-skilled workers" that year.
*Moe has black hair and Barney has blonde hair in the first episode.
*Dogs in the race against Santa's Little Helper:
**Quadruped
**Whirlwind
**Fido
**Dog O' War
**Chew My Shoe
*If Santa's Little Helper had won, Homer would receive $1287 (99 x $13) for the win, plus his original $13 back.
*In ], this aired on Christmas, while ] became the first episode.
*This episode is also known by its on-screen title, ''The Simpsons Christmas Special''.


The "Santas of Many Lands" portion of the Christmas pageant is based on Groening's experience in the second grade when he did a report on ]. Groening also used that reference in his comic strip '']'' when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told that it is too bad his grandmother was from ] because Christmas ] there. Also, Groening claims that this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of "]" that has become a well-known children's playground song.<ref name="Groening"/> During Lisa's performance at the Christmas pageant, she appears to be naked from the waist down. According to David Silverman, this was an animation error and she was intended to be wearing a body stocking, but the Korean animators never colored it in.<ref name="Silverman"/>
==Cultural References==
* '']'': A similar storyline, in which ] does not get his Christmas bonus and puts off telling his family the news, was used in the classic sitcom's 1971 Christmas episode, "Christmas Day at the Bunkers."
* '']'' also has a similar storyline, where Clark doesn't get a Christmas bonus and has to hide it from his entire family visiting for Christmas.
* "]": The episode title is taken from the lyrics of this classic Christmas song, written by ] and ].
* Christmas specials/movies: Bart references various yuletide specials - '']'', '']'', and '']'' - when he insists that a Christmas miracle will happen, despite the family's heretofore misfortune.
* ]s: The Circus of Values store where the Simpsons shop is Springfield's deep-discount store, a la ] and ], which were becoming popular during the mid- to late-1980s.
* ] and ]: Homer mentions the names of the actress and the former ] when trying to name the reindeer.
* "]": Bart adds alternative lyrics to the melody of "Jingle Bells." While singing the song Bart mentions ], ], the ], and the ].
* '']'': The Christmas movie is homaged in the scene where Bart visits with "Santa" (Homer) and - just like the boy who is rude to Santa in the movie - makes the disrespectful remark, "I'm Bart Simpson; who the hell are you?" (because he suspects Homer is not the real Santa).
*Bart and Barney sing "We're in the Money" while entering the dog track. The song was written by ] and ] for '']''.
* "Dog-o-War" is a pun on the name of champion race horse ], and also a likely reference to the famous line "Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war!" from ]'s play '']''.
* '']'' is mentioned as having a scene portrayed at the Christmas Pageant. ] is mentioned as well.
* "]": The song is given new lyrics by both Bart and Lisa (as well as Homer in a solo). Bart refers to ] and ], while Lisa mentions ]s.
* ]: ] is strapped down to a metal desk and has a high powered laser going towards him, like what happens to Bart.


] wrote the episode,<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page1.shtml|title=Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire|website=BBC.co.uk|access-date=2007-03-02|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111025304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page1.shtml|archive-date=November 11, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> the only one she wrote for the series,<ref>{{cite news|last=Loughrey|first=Clarisse|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-simpsons-female-writers-room-kept-out-woman-gender-sexism-mimi-pond-a7897641.html|title=The Simpsons: Writer of first episode says she was kept out of the writer's room for being a woman|work=The Independent|date=August 17, 2017|access-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817165034/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-simpsons-female-writers-room-kept-out-woman-gender-sexism-mimi-pond-a7897641.html|archive-date=August 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> while staff writer ] came up with the title,<ref>{{cite web |last=Shea |first=Cam |title=The Simpsons: Gunning for 60 Seasons |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/21/the-simpsons-gunning-for-60-seasons |work=] |access-date=November 23, 2021 |date=November 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122124102/http://tv.ign.com/articles/121/1213014p1.html |archive-date=November 22, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> which alludes to "]", also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire".<ref name=bbc/> David Silverman directed this episode,<ref name=bbc/> while ] storyboarded it and designed ]. Several of the scenes were laid out by ], brother of ], the lead singer of the rock band ].<ref name="Silverman">{{cite video |people=Silverman, David |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> In this episode, ] has blond hair, which was the same color as his skin, but that was later dropped because of the belief that only the Simpson family should have such hair.<ref name="Groening">{{cite video |people=Groening, Matt |date=2001 |title=The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" |medium=DVD |publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] & ], ], ], ], and ] all make their first appearances in this episode.<ref name=bbc/> ] is mentioned for the first time, and ] can be heard over the speaker at the power plant, but he is not seen.<ref name=bbc/>
==Goofs==
*While Homer and Marge are in closeup, the background behind them is upside down, as Bart's portrait and the lamp on the ceiling shows.
*Debatable goof: When the photo of the kid sitting on Homer/Santas lap is taken merry is spelt merrie. However, this could likely be intentional, with it being a 'cartoony' spelling. (Also bear in mind the 'Merrie Melodies' cartoons, to which it could even be a slight nod).
*One of Bart's friends turns from black to white during a scene.


==Reception==
{{wikiquote|The_Simpsons/Season_1#Simpsons_Roasting_On_An_Open_Fire_.5B01.01.5D|Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire}}
In its original American broadcast, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" finished in thirtieth place in the weekly ratings for the week of December 11–17, 1989, with a ] of 14.5, and was viewed in approximately 13.4 million homes. It was the second-highest-rated show on ] up to that point.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fox gets early gift of ratings – CBS cancels 'Snoops' |date=December 20, 1989 |page=10E |newspaper=] |author=Jicha, Tom}}</ref>


Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. ]'s Robert Canning in a 2008 review of the episode noted, "though not the funniest of episodes, it certainly was groundbreaking. With this episode, ''The Simpsons'' had its premise down, and it certainly had its edge."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/02/the-simpsons-flashback-simpsons-roasting-on-an-open-fire-review |title=The Simpsons Flashback: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" Review |access-date=November 23, 2021 |date=June 2, 2008 |website=] |first=Robert|last=Canning |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606070755/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/878/878255p1.html |archive-date=June 6, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book ''I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide'', said of the episode: "pretty standard early fare, with the series not quite hitting its stride". They went on to say, "the realism of the first season is much apparent, with only the laser used to remove Bart's tattoo hinting at what the series will become."<ref name="bbc"/>


In a DVD review of the first season, David B. Grelck gave the episode a rating of 3½/5 and commented: "Surprisingly, this early episode has a lot of the zest of the later shows, despite fairly odd-looking art and a very ] voice for Homer, still has some laughs."<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202012353/http://www.wdbgproductions.com/cinerama/reviews/simpsonsseason1.htm |url=http://www.wdbgproductions.com/cinerama/reviews/simpsonsseason1.htm |title=The Complete First Season |access-date=September 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 2, 2009 |date=September 25, 2001 |first=David B.|last=Grelck |publisher=WDBGProductions}}</ref> Colin Jacobson at ''DVD Movie Guide'' said in a review that the episode "is good but not great early Simpsons" and further commented: "For many years I thought of 'Roasting' as a terrible episode, but it's not. While I don't feel it's anything special, it remains a fairly entertaining show that has a few entertaining moments."<ref name="dvdmg">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonone.shtml |title=The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (1990) |access-date=August 29, 2008 |first=Colin |last=Jacobson |website=DVD Movie Guide |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821134725/http://dvdmg.com/simpsonsseasonone.shtml |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The episode was nominated for two ]s in 1990: "]" and "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special". Because "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was considered a separate special, ''The Simpsons'' was nominated twice in the Animated Program category. This episode lost to fellow ''The Simpsons'' episode "]".<ref name="Emmy"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215195726/http://www.emmys.org/awards/awardsearch.php |date=February 15, 2009 }} ''emmys.org''. Retrieved on March 2, 2007</ref>
==External Links==

In 2009, IGN named the episode number{{nbsp}}4 on its "Top 10 Holiday Specials" list, writing "With the off-beat sense of humor that we have learned to love from ''The Simpsons'' and a story showing the value of family on the Christmas holiday, we can't help but watch this great special every year."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/12/21/igns-top-10-holiday-specials |title=IGN's Top 10 Holiday Specials |access-date=November 23, 2021 |date=December 21, 2009 |website=] |page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226065538/http://tv.ign.com/articles/752/752042p2.html |archive-date=December 26, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Al Jean, the current showrunner, selected the episode as one of five essential episodes in the show's history in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ayers|first1=Mike|title=5 Things: Essential Simpsons Episodes|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-263B-1752|access-date=November 23, 2021|work=]|date=August 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614053456/http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2014/08/20/5-things-essential-simpsons-episodes/|archive-date=June 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Jean acknowledged "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" as an episode many consider to be a favorite.<ref name="AV">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/al-jean-knows-which-simpsons-episodes-you-think-are-the-1842850866|title=Interview: Al Jean knows which Simpsons episodes you think are the best—and worst|work=] |access-date=November 23, 2021 |first=Danette|last=Chavez|date=April 15, 2020}}</ref>

In a retrospective review in '']'' in 2010, Nathan Rabin called the episode "both naughty and nice", adding that its pace was slower than later episodes and resembled family sitcoms, but "the humor, heart and subversion that would make ''The Simpsons'' such a towering achievement were evident from the very beginning."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |date=June 6, 2010 |title=The Simpsons (Classic): "The Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-simpsons-classic-the-simpsons-roasting-on-an-op-1798165163 |website=]}}</ref>

==Home media==
The special was the subject of the series' first home video release, ''The Simpsons Christmas Special'', released on ] in 1991.<ref name="amazon">{{cite AV media |title=The Simpsons Christmas Special (1989) |publisher=Amazon.com |asin=6302208645}}</ref> The episode was also included in ''The Simpsons – Christmas'' (later retitled ''Christmas with The Simpsons''), a DVD compilation of the series' Christmas episodes, produced in 2003.<ref name="amazon1">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AGWRT |title=The Simpsons – Christmas (1989) |website=Amazon |date=October 14, 2003 |access-date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> The episode was also included on ''The Simpsons'' season one DVD set, which was released on September 25, 2001. Groening, Brooks, and Silverman participated in the DVD's ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-1st-Season/311 |title=The Simpsons – The Complete 1st Season |publisher=] |access-date=April 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525130128/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Simpsons-Complete-1st-Season/311 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}</ref>

Coinciding with the broadcast's 35th anniversary on December 17, 2024, ] released the complete episode onto ], preceded by an introductory segment with director Silverman alongside showrunner ] promoting the new Simpsons Christmas special "]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ3kc0zDkNo|title= The Simpsons: Roasting on an Open Fire |author=Disney+|work=YouTube|date=December 17, 2024|accessdate=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Schneider2024">{{cite web | last=Schneider | first=Michael | title=Inside ‘The Simpsons’ Touching Disney+ Christmas Episode: Homer Regains Some Maturity, While Prof. Frink Restores Ned Flanders’ Belief in God | website=Variety | date=2024-12-24 | url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-simpsons-christmas-special-disney-plus-homer-flanders-frink-god-1236258647/ | access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|The Simpsons}}
*"]", a ] episode in which Santa's Little Helper's previous owner from the racecourse takes him back.
*"]", a ] episode that investigates Santa's Little Helper's background and flashes back to this episode.

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family |others= Created by Matt Groening; edited by Ray Richmond and Antonia Coffman |edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn=978-0-06-095252-5|ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}} |title-link=The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family }}
*{{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |title=Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 |title-link=Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 |date=2010-10-28 |publisher=] |isbn=9780061711282 |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |edition=1st |editor2-last=Gimple |editor2-first=Scott M. |editor2-link=Scott M. Gimple |editor-last3=McCann |editor-first3=Jessie L. |editor-last4=Seghers |editor-first4=Christine |editor-last5=Bates |editor-first5=James W.}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
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Latest revision as of 22:15, 28 December 2024

1st episode of the 1st season of The Simpsons
"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
The Simpsons episode
Title card
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byDavid Silverman
Written byMimi Pond
Production code7G08
Original air dateDecember 17, 1989 (1989-12-17)
Running time23 minutes
Episode features
CommentaryMatt Groening
James L. Brooks
David Silverman
Episode chronology
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"TV Simpsons" 		Next →
"Bart the Genius"
The Simpsons season 1
List of episodes

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (titled onscreen as "The Simpsons Christmas Special") (originally produced as the eighth episode) is the series premiere of the American animated television series The Simpsons. A Christmas special, the show had a very long delayed release. It first aired on Fox in the United States on December 17, 1989. Introducing the Simpson family into half-hour television in this episode, Bart Simpson disobediently gets a tattoo without the permission of his parents. After Marge spends all the family's holiday budget on having it removed, Homer learns that his boss is not giving employees Christmas bonuses, and takes a job as a shopping mall Santa in order to pay for his children's Christmas presents.

The Simpsons was originally intended to debut earlier in 1989 with "Some Enchanted Evening", but due to animation problems with that episode, the series debuted with this episode on December 17. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman, and was the only episode of the series to air during the 1980s. Promos for the next episode ("Bart the Genius") ran during commercial breaks for this episode.

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was viewed by approximately 13.4 million people in its original airing, and was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990. Since its release on home video, the episode has received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

After attending the Springfield Elementary School Christmas pageant, the Simpsons prepare for the holiday season. Bart and Lisa write letters to Santa; Lisa asks for a pony — which Marge tries to tactfully discourage by claiming that there would not be enough room for one on Santa's sleigh — and Bart wants a tattoo, which Marge and Homer forbid him from getting. The next day, Marge takes the kids Christmas shopping at the mall. Bart sneaks away to get a tattoo that reads "Mother" on his arm, thinking that Marge will like it. Before the artist can finish the tattoo, Marge finds Bart and drags him to the dermatologist to have it removed. She is forced to spend the family's entire holiday budget on the procedure, believing that Homer's Christmas bonus will cover gift expenses.

At the power plant, Mr. Burns cancels this year's employee Christmas bonus. When he learns Marge spent the family's holiday money on tattoo removal, Homer moonlights as a shopping mall Santa at the suggestion of his friend Barney Gumble. While at the mall on Christmas Eve, Bart removes Santa's beard, exposing Homer's secret. Bart apologizes for the prank and praises his father for moonlighting to give the family Christmas presents. After Homer's Santa gig pays far less than expected due to deductions for training and uniform, he and Bart receive a greyhound racing tip from Barney.

At Springfield Downs, Homer bets all his money on a last-minute entry named Santa's Little Helper, a 99–1 long shot. The greyhound unfortunately finishes last. As Homer and Bart leave the track, they see the dog's owner yell and abandon him for losing the race. Bart pleads with Homer to keep the dog as a pet. They return home, where Homer's confession to not getting his Christmas bonus is interrupted when Bart introduces Santa's Little Helper to the others. The family is overjoyed by this gesture, and celebrates by singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

Development

Origin of The Simpsons

Main articles: History of The Simpsons and The Simpsons shorts
A man in glasses and a plaid shirt sits in front of a microphone.
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening conceived of the idea for the Simpsons in the lobby of James L. Brooks' office. Brooks, the producer of the sketch comedy program The Tracey Ullman Show, wanted to use a series of animated shorts as bumpers between sketches. He had asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts, which Groening initially intended to present as his Life in Hell series. However, when Groening realized that animating Life in Hell would require the rescinding of publication rights for his life's work, he chose another approach and formulated his version of a dysfunctional family.

The Simpson family first appeared as shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987. Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial short episodes. In 1989, a team of production companies adapted The Simpsons into a half-hour series for the Fox Broadcasting Company. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content. Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" they were watching. The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with this episode.

Production

David Silverman directed the episode.

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" is the first episode of The Simpsons, and the Fox network was nervous about the show because they were unsure if it could sustain the audience's attention for the duration of the episode. They proposed doing three seven-minute shorts per episode and four specials until the audience adjusted, but in the end, the producers gambled by asking Fox for 13 full-length episodes. The series was originally planned to premiere earlier in the fall of 1989 with the episode "Some Enchanted Evening", but due to major problems with the animation of that episode, the series began on December 17 with this episode. "Some Enchanted Evening" instead aired as the season finale. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", being the first to air, lacked the opening sequence which was later added in the second episode, "Bart the Genius", when Groening realized that a longer opening sequence resulted in less animation. Because "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was the eighth episode produced, but the first one aired, it has more refined animation than the episodes following it, such as "Bart the Genius" and "Homer's Odyssey". Additionally, the characters' personalities are more developed.

The "Santas of Many Lands" portion of the Christmas pageant is based on Groening's experience in the second grade when he did a report on Christmas in Russia. Groening also used that reference in his comic strip Life in Hell when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told that it is too bad his grandmother was from Russia because Christmas was against the law there. Also, Groening claims that this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of "Jingle Bells" that has become a well-known children's playground song. During Lisa's performance at the Christmas pageant, she appears to be naked from the waist down. According to David Silverman, this was an animation error and she was intended to be wearing a body stocking, but the Korean animators never colored it in.

Mimi Pond wrote the episode, the only one she wrote for the series, while staff writer Al Jean came up with the title, which alludes to "The Christmas Song", also known as "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire". David Silverman directed this episode, while Rich Moore storyboarded it and designed Ned Flanders. Several of the scenes were laid out by Eric Stefani, brother of Gwen Stefani, the lead singer of the rock band No Doubt. In this episode, Barney Gumble has blond hair, which was the same color as his skin, but that was later dropped because of the belief that only the Simpson family should have such hair. Seymour Skinner, Milhouse Van Houten, Ralph Wiggum, Sherri & Terri, Moe Szyslak, Mr. Burns, Barney Gumble, Patty & Selma, Grampa Simpson, Ned & Todd Flanders, Santa's Little Helper, Snowball II, Dewey Largo, and Lewis all make their first appearances in this episode. Snowball I is mentioned for the first time, and Waylon Smithers can be heard over the speaker at the power plant, but he is not seen.

Reception

In its original American broadcast, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" finished in thirtieth place in the weekly ratings for the week of December 11–17, 1989, with a Nielsen rating of 14.5, and was viewed in approximately 13.4 million homes. It was the second-highest-rated show on Fox up to that point.

Since airing, the episode has received mostly positive reviews from television critics. IGN's Robert Canning in a 2008 review of the episode noted, "though not the funniest of episodes, it certainly was groundbreaking. With this episode, The Simpsons had its premise down, and it certainly had its edge." Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, said of the episode: "pretty standard early fare, with the series not quite hitting its stride". They went on to say, "the realism of the first season is much apparent, with only the laser used to remove Bart's tattoo hinting at what the series will become."

In a DVD review of the first season, David B. Grelck gave the episode a rating of 3½/5 and commented: "Surprisingly, this early episode has a lot of the zest of the later shows, despite fairly odd-looking art and a very Walter Matthau voice for Homer, still has some laughs." Colin Jacobson at DVD Movie Guide said in a review that the episode "is good but not great early Simpsons" and further commented: "For many years I thought of 'Roasting' as a terrible episode, but it's not. While I don't feel it's anything special, it remains a fairly entertaining show that has a few entertaining moments."

The episode was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990: "Outstanding Animated Program" and "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special". Because "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was considered a separate special, The Simpsons was nominated twice in the Animated Program category. This episode lost to fellow The Simpsons episode "Life on the Fast Lane".

In 2009, IGN named the episode number 4 on its "Top 10 Holiday Specials" list, writing "With the off-beat sense of humor that we have learned to love from The Simpsons and a story showing the value of family on the Christmas holiday, we can't help but watch this great special every year." Al Jean, the current showrunner, selected the episode as one of five essential episodes in the show's history in 2014. In 2020, Jean acknowledged "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" as an episode many consider to be a favorite.

In a retrospective review in The A.V. Club in 2010, Nathan Rabin called the episode "both naughty and nice", adding that its pace was slower than later episodes and resembled family sitcoms, but "the humor, heart and subversion that would make The Simpsons such a towering achievement were evident from the very beginning."

Home media

The special was the subject of the series' first home video release, The Simpsons Christmas Special, released on VHS in 1991. The episode was also included in The Simpsons – Christmas (later retitled Christmas with The Simpsons), a DVD compilation of the series' Christmas episodes, produced in 2003. The episode was also included on The Simpsons season one DVD set, which was released on September 25, 2001. Groening, Brooks, and Silverman participated in the DVD's audio commentary.

Coinciding with the broadcast's 35th anniversary on December 17, 2024, Disney+ released the complete episode onto YouTube, preceded by an introductory segment with director Silverman alongside showrunner Matt Selman promoting the new Simpsons Christmas special "O C'mon All Ye Faithful".

See also

References

  1. ^ Groening 2010, p. 25.
  2. ^ "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire". BBC.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2007.
  3. Bond, Christian (December 17, 2017). "15 Facts About the First Episode of The Simpsons". MentalFloss. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  4. Groening, Matt (February 14, 2003). "Fresh Air". National Public Radio (Interview). Interviewed by David Bianculli. Philadelphia: WHYY. Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  5. Richmond & Coffman 1997, p. 14.
  6. BBC (2000). 'The Simpsons': America's First Family (6-minute edit for the season 1 DVD) (DVD). UK: 20th Century Fox.
  7. Kuipers, Dean (April 15, 2004). "3rd Degree: Harry Shearer". Los Angeles, California: City Beat. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2006.
  8. Tucker, Ken (March 12, 1993). "Toon Terrific". Entertainment Weekly. p. 48(3).
  9. ^ Groening, Matt (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  10. Brooks, James L. (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  11. Groening, Matt (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  12. ^ Silverman, David (2001). The Simpsons season 1 DVD commentary for the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (DVD). 20th Century Fox.
  13. Loughrey, Clarisse (August 17, 2017). "The Simpsons: Writer of first episode says she was kept out of the writer's room for being a woman". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 17, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  14. Shea, Cam (November 20, 2011). "The Simpsons: Gunning for 60 Seasons". IGN. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  15. Jicha, Tom (December 20, 1989). "Fox gets early gift of ratings – CBS cancels 'Snoops'". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. p. 10E.
  16. Canning, Robert (June 2, 2008). "The Simpsons Flashback: "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  17. Grelck, David B. (September 25, 2001). "The Complete First Season". WDBGProductions. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  18. Jacobson, Colin. "The Simpsons: The Complete First Season (1990)". DVD Movie Guide. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
  19. Emmy Awards official site Archived February 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine emmys.org. Retrieved on March 2, 2007
  20. "IGN's Top 10 Holiday Specials". IGN. December 21, 2009. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  21. Ayers, Mike (August 20, 2014). "5 Things: Essential Simpsons Episodes". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  22. Chavez, Danette (April 15, 2020). "Interview: Al Jean knows which Simpsons episodes you think are the best—and worst". The A.V. Club. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  23. Rabin, Nathan (June 6, 2010). "The Simpsons (Classic): "The Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"". The A.V. Club.
  24. The Simpsons Christmas Special (1989). Amazon.com. ASIN 6302208645.
  25. "The Simpsons – Christmas (1989)". Amazon. October 14, 2003. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  26. "The Simpsons – The Complete 1st Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  27. Disney+ (December 17, 2024). "The Simpsons: Roasting on an Open Fire". YouTube. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  28. Schneider, Michael (December 24, 2024). "Inside 'The Simpsons' Touching Disney+ Christmas Episode: Homer Regains Some Maturity, While Prof. Frink Restores Ned Flanders' Belief in God". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2024.

Bibliography

External links

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