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Difference between revisions of "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"

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{{Quote|This could be the miracle that saves the Simpsons' Christmas. 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 going to happen to us!|[[Bart Simpson]]}}
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{{Episode
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|productionCode=7G08
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|name= Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
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|originalAirdate=December 17, 1989
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|image= Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire promo.png
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|number= 1
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|prodcode= 7G08
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|Written By=[[Mimi Pond]]
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|snumber=1
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|Directed By=[[David Silverman]]
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|airdate= December 17, [[1989]]
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|Episode Number=1
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|showrunner1= James L. Brooks
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|showrunner2= Matt Groening
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|showrunner3= Sam Simon
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|writer=[[Mimi Pond]]
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|director=[[David Silverman]]
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|DVD features=yes
 
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{{Quote
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|1 = "''This might be the miracle that saves the Simpsons' Christmas''"
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"'''Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'''", also known as "'''The Simpsons Christmas Special'''", is the first episode of [[Season 1]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]''. It is also the first independent episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', with the previous episodes, the [[Ullman Shorts]], having only been aired as part of the ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''. It originally aired on December 17, [[1989]]. The episode was written by [[Mimi Pond]] and directed by [[David Silverman]].
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|2 = [[Bart Simpson]]
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}}
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== Synopsis ==
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"'''Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire'''", also known as "'''The Simpsons Christmas Special'''", was the first full-length episode of [[The Simpsons]] and the first episode of [[Season 1]]. The [[Simpson family]] are introduced along with, [[Seymour Skinner]], [[Milhouse Van Houten]], [[Sherri and Terri]], [[Moe Szyslak]], [[Mr. Burns]], [[Barney Gumble]], [[Patty]] and [[Selma]], [[Ned]] and [[Todd Flanders]], [[Santa's Little Helper]], [[Snowball II]], [[Dewey Largo]], and [[Lewis]]. [[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.
+
{{Desc|It's a not-so-merry [[Christmas]] for [[Simpson family|the Simpsons]], when [[Mr. Burns]] decides to cut the Christmas bonuses, and [[Marge]] has to spend the family's Christmas savings to erase a tattoo [[Bart]] thought will make a great Christmas present. In order to hide the fact he didn't get the bonus, Homer takes a second job as a mall Santa.}}
−
==Synopsis==
+
 
−
Christmas is nearly ruined when Marge has to spend all of the family's gift money to remove Bart's tattoo. Homer becomes a department store Santa to raise more cash, but bets it all at the dog races on a hot tip from Barney. Homer and Bart save Christmas by adopting the losing greyhound, Santa's Little Helper.  
 
 
== Plot ==
 
== Plot ==
−
[[File:Santa school.jpg|thumb|right|Homer attending [[Santa School]]]]
+
The episode begins as [[Homer]] hastily drives Marge and [[Maggie]], in the family car, through snow covered streets. They're late for Bart and [[Lisa]]'s Christmas pageant at [[Springfield Elementary School|school]]. Once there, Homer and Marge stumble through a full audience to find their seats; everyone looks on stage at the pageant which already began. Homer and Marge sit down just in time to see [[Principal Skinner]] introduce the second grade. They do a presentation of different [[Santa Claus]]es from around the world, and Lisa steals the show as Tawanga, the Santa Claus of the South Seas. Cut to Skinner introducing the [[Fourth Grade]] singing a medley of Christmas carols. As they all sing "[[Jingle Bells]]", Bart can be heard singing much different words to the song, and he's quickly yanked from the performance. The pageant continues on, as a bored Homer wonders aloud, "How many grades does this school have?" Afterwards, at the [[742 Evergreen Terrace|Simpson home]], Marge writes a letter for the Simpson family Christmas cards, as Homer gets out Christmas decorations, and Bart and Lisa write their Christmas wish lists. In the letter, Marge describes how everyone's doing and, as she reads the letter in her head, the camera pans around to the different family members as she mentions their names. Bart and Lisa show Marge their wish lists; Marge is upset when Lisa once again asks for a pony for Christmas, and Bart asks for a tattoo. Just then Marge's sister, [[Patty]], calls; a grumbling Homer hands the phone to Marge, and the two sisters discuss their plans for getting together on Christmas Eve. Cut to Homer outside putting the finishing touches on the Christmas lights on the roof, as the kids watch from the sidewalk. After Homer falls from the roof, he calls out to Marge to plug the lights in. Only 5 lights light up and 1 burns out, and Homer admires his handy work, while the kids are less than impressed. [[Ned Flanders]] is also outside and, ready to plug in his lights for the first time, he calls out to Homer and tells him to check it out. As he plugs the lights in, his entire house lights up, including a talking Santa Claus on the roof. The lights illuminate everyone's face and, much to Homer's dismay, his kids are very impressed at Ned's display of lights.
−
[[Homer]], [[Marge]], and [[Maggie]] attend [[Bart]] and [[Lisa]]'s Christmas show at [[Springfield Elementary School]]. At home, Marge asks the children what they want for Christmas and Bart asks for a tattoo. When Marge, Bart, and Lisa go Christmas [[Springfield Mall|shopping]] the next day, Bart sneaks away and starts getting a tattoo at [[The Happy Sailor Tattoo Parlor]] reading "Mother". Discovering this, Marge interrupts the process at "Moth" and immediately takes him to a [[Dr. Zitsofsky Dermatology Clinic|laser removal clinic]] and spends the family's Christmas money getting Bart's tattoo removed. Meanwhile, at the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant]], Homer learns that he will not be getting a Christmas bonus.
+
 
−
When Homer returns home and hears about the loss of the Christmas money, he decides not to tell Marge his own bad news. Instead, he does the shopping himself, buying cheap presents from a [[Circus of Values|variety]] store which sells nothing over $5. At [[Moe's Tavern]], Homer meets [[Barney]] dressed in a Santa outfit. On Barney's advice, he secretly takes a job as a mall Santa. Bart discovers this secret after he rips off Homer's fake beard on a dare by his friend [[Milhouse]], but agrees not to tell the rest of the family.
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At breakfast the next morning, Marge tells the kids to grab their money so they can go Christmas shopping at the [[Springfield Mall|mall]]. As the excited kids run off to get their money, Homer asks Marge where she is keeping the Christmas savings. She makes him turn around, and she pulls a big jar of money out of her hair. Homer's impressed at the amount of money they have for Christmas this year. Later at the mall, as Marge, Lisa and Maggie look at gifts together, Bart's by himself, and comes across a [[The Happy Sailor Tattoo Parlor|tattoo parlor]]. In the window, he sees a tattoo of a heart with the word "mother" written across it. He daydreams Marge will have a positive reaction to his getting a tattoo, so he runs inside the parlor, lies to the [[Mervin Monroe|tattoo artist]] about his age, and hops into the chair. Meanwhile, at the [[Springfield Nuclear Power Plant|nuclear power plant]], Mr. Burns announces over the loud speaker there won't be any Christmas bonuses this year for unskilled workers; this includes Homer. Homer sighs as he remembers they still have the big jar full of money for Christmas presents. Back at the mall, Marge hears Bart's yells of pain inside the tattoo parlor, and she quickly runs inside to see Bart with the heart tattoo halfway finished on his arm. She quickly pulls him out of the chair and takes him to a [[Dr. Zitsofsky Dermatology Clinic|tattoo removal clinic]]. The tattoo removal's expensive and requires a full cash payment up front. Marge has to use all of the Christmas money for Bart's tattoo removal, but she sighs when she remembers they can use still Homer's Christmas bonus instead. Back at home, Marge tells Homer what happened and Homer freaks out. She tells him to calm down, and they will just have to stretch his Christmas bonus a little further this year. Homer fakes relief when Marge mentions his bonus, tells everyone this will be the best Christmas ever, and steps outside for a walk. Once outside, he looks up at his poorly decorated house and at Flanders' masterpiece. A depressed Homer hangs his head in despair.
−
Homer receives his paycheck and is dismayed to see that after deductions it is only for $13. Barney, who has received a check for the same amount, suggests betting it at the [[Springfield Downs|dog track]]. With encouragement from Bart, Homer agrees to gamble the paycheck and takes Bart with him to the track. Although Barney recommended they bet on a dog named [[Whirlwind]], Homer decides to bet on a last-second entrant named [[Santa's Little Helper]], believing it to be a sign. Santa's Little Helper, however, comes in dead last and his [[Santa's Little Helper's Original Owner|owner]] abandons him. The dog follows Homer and Bart, who eventually decide to keep him. When they return [[742 Evergreen Terrace|home]], Homer plans to tell the family about his misfortune, but they think he brought the dog as a gift and everyone has a merry Christmas.
+
 
 +
[[File:Santa School.png|thumb|left|Homer in [[Santa School]].]]
 +
 
 +
That night in bed, Marge senses something's amiss with Homer, and she asks what's wrong. Homer almost tells her the truth about his Christmas bonus, but quickly backpedals and instead offers to do the Christmas shopping so she doesn't have to. Marge agrees, seems satisfied there's nothing wrong, and they both go to bed. The next day, Homer does some Christmas shopping alone at a cheap thrift store. He purchases pantyhose for Marge, pads of paper for Bart, and a squeaky chew toy for Maggie. On his way out the door with his bag of presents, Homer accidentally crashes into Ned who has an armful of fancily wrapped packages. All of the presents are spilled onto the ground, and, as Homer picks the few he purchased and sees how many Ned bought, he becomes sad and depressed and heads over to [[Moe's Tavern]]. At Moe's, Homer drinks a beer alone, when a cheerful [[Barney]] walks in wearing a Santa Claus suit. Barney explains he's in a good mood because he has extra money from working a part-time job acting as Santa Claus at the mall. Homer suddenly has an idea. Cut to the personnel office in the mall, as Homer fills out an application and is interviewed to be a mall Santa. After reviewing Homer's application, and interviewing him, the personnel director welcomes Homer aboard and sends him to mall [[Santa School|Santa training]]. A montage of Homer enduring Santa training ensues.
 +
 
 +
Homer finally makes it home late at night, and a worried Marge wants to know where he was. Homer ignores her and heads upstairs, but Marge tells him her sisters are here, and he needs to visit with them. As Homer talks with Patty and [[Selma]], they comment on the fact the Simpsons don't have a Christmas tree up yet. Homer tells them he was just on his way to get one, and he angrily hurries out the door. In the car, Homer drives past several expensive Christmas tree lots, finally stops at a private tree farm, and uses a chain saw to steal a nice Christmas tree for the family. Back at home, Homer stands up the tree, and everyone's impressed except Patty and Selma. On Christmas Eve at the mall, Homer works as Santa Claus, while children wait in line to sit on his lap. From a distance, Bart and [[Milhouse]] watch the kids line up to sit on Santa's lap, and they comment on how they can't believe these kids are falling for the fake Santa bit. Milhouse dares Bart to yank off Santa's beard, and Bart agrees. Bart jumps in line and finally gets his turn on Santa's lap. Not knowing Santa's really Homer, Bart yanks off his beard. Bart's shocked at what he uncovered, and an angry Homer escorts Bart inside Santa's workshop to speak with him in private. Homer explains the situation to Bart, who understands and feels bad for yanking off Homer's beard. At the end of Homer's shift, Bart goes with Homer as he picks up his check. Homer's surprised to learn he only made 13 dollars. When he questions the cashier, she explains the majority of his check went to pay for the Santa suit, social security, etc. While a depressed Homer sits down to figure out what to do with 13 dollars, an excited Barney tells Homer he's going to the [[Springfield Downs|dog track]] to place a bet with his 13 dollars. He invites Homer to come along with him. Homer's reluctant but Bart convinces him to go, citing this may be their only chance to save the Simpson family Christmas.
  
−
During the ending credits, the family sings "[[wikipedia:Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer|Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer]]", but Bart adds rude lyrics, so Homer strangles him.
+
Back at the Simpson home, everyone, including Patty, Selma and [[Grampa Simpson]], wait for Homer and Bart to come home. Cut to the dog track, where Barney gives Homer a tip on a dog named [[Whirlwind]]. After seeing what Whirlwind looks like, Homer's reluctant to bet on him. Just then an announcement plays over the P.A. system, announcing a dog named [[Santa's Little Helper]] will be replacing another dog in the fourth race. Homer senses the announcement's an omen, and decides to bet on him even though Bart recommends not to. Despite the fact the odds are 99 to 1, Homer puts down all 13 dollars on Santa's Little Helper. Meanwhile at home, Patty and Selma talk bad about Homer, while everyone else still waits for him and Bart. Back at the track, Homer and Bart anxiously await the running of the fourth race. As the race begins, Homer and Bart cheer on Santa's Little Helper, but Whirlwind, Barney's pick, is out to an early lead with Santa's Little Helper bringing up the rear. Homer and Bart quickly realize their chances at winning any money are dashed, because Santa's Little Helper doesn't even finish the race. Cut to Homer and Bart in the parking lot of the dog track, looking for discarded betting slips hoping to find someone threw away a winner. Barney drives by in a convertible with a woman in the passenger seat, and gloats to Bart and Homer about his pick for the race: Whirlwind. A dejected Bart and Homer head back to their car, when, off in the distance, they see a racing dog owner yelling and chasing Santa's Little Helper for losing once again. Santa's Little Helper jumps up into Homer's arms. Bart asks Homer if they can keep the dog. Homer, reluctant at first, quickly warms up to the dog and decides to take him home. Cut back to the Simpson home, where everyone still awaits Bart and Homer's return. Suddenly, a sad looking Homer enters and starts to confess to everyone about the fact he didn't receive his Christmas bonus, and apologizes for the lack of presents; when Bart bursts in, along with a barking Santa's Little Helper. Everyone falls in love with the dog, and Homer realizes in the end, he did a good job providing gifts at Christmas.
  
 
== Production ==
 
== Production ==
−
[[File:BarneyGumble-Blond.jpg|left|thumb|Barney as a blond]]
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[[File:Barney Blonde - Simpsons Roasting.png|thumb|Barney as a blond]]
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Fox was very nervous about the show because they were unsure that they could sustain the audience's attention for the duration of the episode. In the end, they gambled by asking FOX for 13 full-length episodes. The series was originally planned to premiere in the fall of [[1989]], but due to major problems with the animation of "[[Some Enchanted Evening]]" (the first Simpsons episode produced), the series instead began on December 17, 1989 with this episode. "Some Enchanted Evening" instead aired as the season finale.
+
{{See also|Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire/Music}}
 +
 
 +
Fox was very nervous about the show because they were unsure they could sustain the audience's attention for the duration of the episode. In the end, they gambled by asking FOX for 13 full-length episodes. The series was originally planned to premiere in the fall of [[1989]], but due to major problems with the animation of "[[Some Enchanted Evening]]" (the first Simpsons episode produced), the series instead began on December 17, 1989 with this episode. "Some Enchanted Evening" instead aired as the season finale.
 +
 
 +
The episode, being the first to air, lacked the now famous opening sequence later added in the second episode when Groening thought of the idea of a longer opening sequence resulting in less animation.
  
−
The episode, being the first to air, lacked the now famous opening sequence which was later added in the second episode when Groening thought of the idea of a longer opening sequence resulting in less animation.
+
The "Santas of many lands" portion of the Christmas pageant is based on Matt Groening's experience in the second grade when he did a report on Christmas in Russia. Groening also used that reference in his strip "Life in Hell" when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told it is too bad his grandmother is from Russia, because Christmas is against the law there. Also, Matt Groening claims this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of Jingle Bells.
  
−
The "santas of many lands" portion of the Christmas pageant is based on Matt Groening's experience in the second grade when he did a report on Christmas in Russia. Groening also used that reference in his strip "Life in Hell" when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told that it is too bad his grandmother is from Russia, because Christmas is against the law there. Also, Matt Groening claims that this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of Jingle Bells.
+
[[David Silverman]] directed this episode, although [[Rich Moore]] storyboarded it and designed Flanders. Several of the scenes were laid out by [[Eric Stefani]], brother of {{W|Gwen Stefani}}. In this episode, Barney had yellow 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.
  
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[[David Silverman]] directed this episode, although [[Rich Moore]] storyboarded it and designed Flanders. Several of the scenes were laid out by [[Eric Stefani]], brother of [[wikipedia:Gwen Stefani|Gwen Stefani]]. In this episode, Barney had yellow 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.
+
The original premise of this episode was that Homer was worried that Marge was going to get drunk at a party and get him in trouble at the office.<ref>[http://simpsoncrazy.com/news/hollywood-reporter-simpsons-500-episode-cover Simpsoncrazy.com - Hollywood Reporter Simpsons 500 Episode Cover]</ref>
  
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Matt Groening was going to do a 30 minute special based on the Tracey Ullman shorts; that probably evolved in this episode. This was revealed in the book '[[Planet Simpson]]'.
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<gallery>
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File:7G08 Script.jpg
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File:7G08 1st draft.png|First draft<ref>[https://twitter.com/AlJean/status/1363415967456501760 Al Jean's Twitter - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire first draft"]</ref>
 +
File:7G08 Script page.png
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== Release ==
 
== Release ==
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This episode was released on VHS by [[FOX|FOX Home Video]] in 1991. The VHS release was titled "The Simpsons Christmas Special". It was later released on VHS and DVD in [[Christmas with the Simpsons]] in 2001, and then eventually released in 2001 in the Season One boxset.
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This episode was released on VHS by [[FOX|FOX Home Video]] in 1991. The VHS release was titled "The Simpsons Christmas Special". It was later released on VHS and DVD in ''Christmas with the Simpsons'' in 2001, and then eventually released in 2001 in the season One boxset.
  
 
== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
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The episode was nominated for two [[wikipedia:Emmy Award|Emmy Awards]] in 1990: "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour)" and "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special." Because "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" is considered to be a separate special, ''The Simpsons'' was nominated twice in the Animated Program category; the episode would lose to fellow ''The Simpsons'' episode "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]".
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"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was nominated for a {{W|Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program}} in the {{W|42nd Primetime Emmy Awards}}. However, it lost to "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]".<ref name="Emmy42Anim">[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1990/outstanding-short-format-animated-program Television Academy - "42nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners - Outstanding Animated Program"]</ref> It was also nominated for an award in "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special", but lost to ''{{W|Caroline?}}''<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1990/outstanding-single-camera-picture-editing-for-a-miniseries-or-a-movie Television Academy - "42nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners - Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special"]</ref>
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== International airdates ==
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{{Table|sortable=yes|
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{{TH|Country}}
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{{TH|Airdate}}
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{{TH|Channel}}
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{{TBT|Czech Republic}}
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{{TB|January 8, 1993<ref>[https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seznam_d%C3%ADl%C5%AF_seri%C3%A1lu_Simpsonovi#Prvn%C3%AD_%C5%99ada_(1989%E2%80%931990) Wikipedia (Czech Republic) - "Seznam dílů seriálu Simpsonovi První řada"]</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|}}
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{{TBT|Estonia}}
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{{TB|September 5, 1997}}
 +
{{TB|}}
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{{TBT|Finland}}
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{{TB|October 14, 1991}}
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{{TB|Kolmoskanava}}
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{{TBT|France}}
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{{TB|December 22, 1990}}
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{{TB|Canal+}}
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{{TBT|Germany}}
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{{TB|December 6, 1991}}
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{{TB|ZDF}}
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{{TBT|Hungary}}
 +
{{TB|September 23, 1998}}
 +
{{TB|TV3}}
 +
{{TBT|Italy}}
 +
{{TB|December 24, 1991<ref>[http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Un_Natale_da_cani Wikipedia (Italy) - "Un Natale da cani"]</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|Canale 5}}
 +
{{TBT|Poland}}
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{{TB|October 25, 1994<ref>[http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpsons_Roasting_on_an_Open_Fire Wikipedia (Poland) - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]</ref>}}
 +
{{TB|TVP 1}}
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{{TBT|United Kingdom}}
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{{TB|September 2, 1990}}
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{{TB|[[Sky1]]}}
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{{TBT|Canada}}
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{{TB|November 1, 1990}}
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{{TB|Global}}
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{{TBT|Spain}}
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{{TB|January 20, 1991}}
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{{TB|TVE}}
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}}
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== In other languages ==
 +
{{LanguageBox
 +
|fr=yes
 +
|frName=Noël mortel
 +
|frTrans=Deadly Christmas
 +
|qu=yes
 +
|quName=Homer au nez rouge
 +
|quTrans=Homer red nose
 +
|de=yes
 +
|deName=Es weihnachtet schwer
 +
|deTrans=Christmas is Hard
 +
|es=yes
 +
|esName=Sin blanca Navidad
 +
|esTrans=No white Christmas
 +
|la=yes
 +
|laName=Especial de Navidad de los Simpson
 +
|laTrans=The Simpsons Christmas Special
 +
|it=yes
 +
|itName=Un Natale da cani
 +
|itTrans=A dogs' Christmas
 +
|br=yes
 +
|brName=O prêmio de Natal
 +
|brTrans=The Christmas Prize
 +
|hu=yes
 +
|huName=Simpsonék karácsonya
 +
|huTrans=The Simpsons' Christmas
 +
|uk=yes
 +
|ukName=Сімпсони: Різдвяна серія
 +
|ukTrans=The Simpsons: Christmas episode
 +
|jp=yes
 +
|jpName=シンプソン家のクリスマス
 +
|jpTrans=The Simpsons' Christmas
 +
|cz=yes
 +
|czName=Vánoce u Simpsonových
 +
|czTrans=The Simpsons' Christmas
 +
}}
  
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== External Links ==
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== References ==
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*[http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/0101.htm "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"] at The Simpsons.com
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{{Reflist}}
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*{{snpp capsule|7G08|episode=Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire}}
 
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*{{imdb episode|id=tt0348034|episode=Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire}}
 
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*[http://www.tv.com/the-simpsons/the-simpsons-christmas-special-the-simpsons-roasting-on-an-open-fire/episode/1286/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;0 "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"] at [http://www.tv.com TV.com] 
 
  
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{{Images|Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire}}
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{{Specials}}
 
{{Season 1}}
 
{{Season 1}}
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[[sv:Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]
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[[Category:1989]]
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[[Category:Homer episodes]]
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[[Category:Bart episodes]]
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[[Category:Christmas episodes]]
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[[Category:Specials]]
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[[Category:Season premieres]]
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[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award nominated episodes]]
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[[Category:Episodes written by one time writers]]
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[[Category:Episodes directed by David Silverman]]
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[[Category:Santa's Little Helper episodes]]
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[[de:Es weihnachtet schwer]]
 
[[de:Es weihnachtet schwer]]
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[[es:Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire: The Simpson's Christmas Special]]
 
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[[it:Un Natale da cani]]
 
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[[pt:O prêmio de Natal]]
 
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[[Category:Episodes]]
 
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[[Category:Season 1]]
 
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[[Category:Christmas]]
 
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[[Category:Episodes]]
 
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[[Category:Season 1]]
 

Latest revision as of 11:58, September 20, 2024

Season 1 Episode
← Short 48 "TV Simpsons"
001
"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
"Bart the Genius" 002 →
"This could be the miracle that saves the Simpsons' Christmas. 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 going to happen to us!"
―Bart Simpson
"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire promo.png
Episode Information
Episode number: 1
Season number: S1 E1
Production code: 7G08
Original airdate: December 17, 1989
Showrunners: James L. Brooks
Matt Groening
Sam Simon
Written by: Mimi Pond
Directed by: David Silverman
DVD features


"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", also known as "The Simpsons Christmas Special", is the first episode of Season 1 of The Simpsons. It is also the first independent episode of The Simpsons, with the previous episodes, the Ullman Shorts, having only been aired as part of the The Tracey Ullman Show. It originally aired on December 17, 1989. The episode was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman.

Synopsis[edit]

"It's a not-so-merry Christmas for the Simpsons, when Mr. Burns decides to cut the Christmas bonuses, and Marge has to spend the family's Christmas savings to erase a tattoo Bart thought will make a great Christmas present. In order to hide the fact he didn't get the bonus, Homer takes a second job as a mall Santa."


Plot[edit]

The episode begins as Homer hastily drives Marge and Maggie, in the family car, through snow covered streets. They're late for Bart and Lisa's Christmas pageant at school. Once there, Homer and Marge stumble through a full audience to find their seats; everyone looks on stage at the pageant which already began. Homer and Marge sit down just in time to see Principal Skinner introduce the second grade. They do a presentation of different Santa Clauses from around the world, and Lisa steals the show as Tawanga, the Santa Claus of the South Seas. Cut to Skinner introducing the Fourth Grade singing a medley of Christmas carols. As they all sing "Jingle Bells", Bart can be heard singing much different words to the song, and he's quickly yanked from the performance. The pageant continues on, as a bored Homer wonders aloud, "How many grades does this school have?" Afterwards, at the Simpson home, Marge writes a letter for the Simpson family Christmas cards, as Homer gets out Christmas decorations, and Bart and Lisa write their Christmas wish lists. In the letter, Marge describes how everyone's doing and, as she reads the letter in her head, the camera pans around to the different family members as she mentions their names. Bart and Lisa show Marge their wish lists; Marge is upset when Lisa once again asks for a pony for Christmas, and Bart asks for a tattoo. Just then Marge's sister, Patty, calls; a grumbling Homer hands the phone to Marge, and the two sisters discuss their plans for getting together on Christmas Eve. Cut to Homer outside putting the finishing touches on the Christmas lights on the roof, as the kids watch from the sidewalk. After Homer falls from the roof, he calls out to Marge to plug the lights in. Only 5 lights light up and 1 burns out, and Homer admires his handy work, while the kids are less than impressed. Ned Flanders is also outside and, ready to plug in his lights for the first time, he calls out to Homer and tells him to check it out. As he plugs the lights in, his entire house lights up, including a talking Santa Claus on the roof. The lights illuminate everyone's face and, much to Homer's dismay, his kids are very impressed at Ned's display of lights.

At breakfast the next morning, Marge tells the kids to grab their money so they can go Christmas shopping at the mall. As the excited kids run off to get their money, Homer asks Marge where she is keeping the Christmas savings. She makes him turn around, and she pulls a big jar of money out of her hair. Homer's impressed at the amount of money they have for Christmas this year. Later at the mall, as Marge, Lisa and Maggie look at gifts together, Bart's by himself, and comes across a tattoo parlor. In the window, he sees a tattoo of a heart with the word "mother" written across it. He daydreams Marge will have a positive reaction to his getting a tattoo, so he runs inside the parlor, lies to the tattoo artist about his age, and hops into the chair. Meanwhile, at the nuclear power plant, Mr. Burns announces over the loud speaker there won't be any Christmas bonuses this year for unskilled workers; this includes Homer. Homer sighs as he remembers they still have the big jar full of money for Christmas presents. Back at the mall, Marge hears Bart's yells of pain inside the tattoo parlor, and she quickly runs inside to see Bart with the heart tattoo halfway finished on his arm. She quickly pulls him out of the chair and takes him to a tattoo removal clinic. The tattoo removal's expensive and requires a full cash payment up front. Marge has to use all of the Christmas money for Bart's tattoo removal, but she sighs when she remembers they can use still Homer's Christmas bonus instead. Back at home, Marge tells Homer what happened and Homer freaks out. She tells him to calm down, and they will just have to stretch his Christmas bonus a little further this year. Homer fakes relief when Marge mentions his bonus, tells everyone this will be the best Christmas ever, and steps outside for a walk. Once outside, he looks up at his poorly decorated house and at Flanders' masterpiece. A depressed Homer hangs his head in despair.

Homer in Santa School.

That night in bed, Marge senses something's amiss with Homer, and she asks what's wrong. Homer almost tells her the truth about his Christmas bonus, but quickly backpedals and instead offers to do the Christmas shopping so she doesn't have to. Marge agrees, seems satisfied there's nothing wrong, and they both go to bed. The next day, Homer does some Christmas shopping alone at a cheap thrift store. He purchases pantyhose for Marge, pads of paper for Bart, and a squeaky chew toy for Maggie. On his way out the door with his bag of presents, Homer accidentally crashes into Ned who has an armful of fancily wrapped packages. All of the presents are spilled onto the ground, and, as Homer picks the few he purchased and sees how many Ned bought, he becomes sad and depressed and heads over to Moe's Tavern. At Moe's, Homer drinks a beer alone, when a cheerful Barney walks in wearing a Santa Claus suit. Barney explains he's in a good mood because he has extra money from working a part-time job acting as Santa Claus at the mall. Homer suddenly has an idea. Cut to the personnel office in the mall, as Homer fills out an application and is interviewed to be a mall Santa. After reviewing Homer's application, and interviewing him, the personnel director welcomes Homer aboard and sends him to mall Santa training. A montage of Homer enduring Santa training ensues.

Homer finally makes it home late at night, and a worried Marge wants to know where he was. Homer ignores her and heads upstairs, but Marge tells him her sisters are here, and he needs to visit with them. As Homer talks with Patty and Selma, they comment on the fact the Simpsons don't have a Christmas tree up yet. Homer tells them he was just on his way to get one, and he angrily hurries out the door. In the car, Homer drives past several expensive Christmas tree lots, finally stops at a private tree farm, and uses a chain saw to steal a nice Christmas tree for the family. Back at home, Homer stands up the tree, and everyone's impressed except Patty and Selma. On Christmas Eve at the mall, Homer works as Santa Claus, while children wait in line to sit on his lap. From a distance, Bart and Milhouse watch the kids line up to sit on Santa's lap, and they comment on how they can't believe these kids are falling for the fake Santa bit. Milhouse dares Bart to yank off Santa's beard, and Bart agrees. Bart jumps in line and finally gets his turn on Santa's lap. Not knowing Santa's really Homer, Bart yanks off his beard. Bart's shocked at what he uncovered, and an angry Homer escorts Bart inside Santa's workshop to speak with him in private. Homer explains the situation to Bart, who understands and feels bad for yanking off Homer's beard. At the end of Homer's shift, Bart goes with Homer as he picks up his check. Homer's surprised to learn he only made 13 dollars. When he questions the cashier, she explains the majority of his check went to pay for the Santa suit, social security, etc. While a depressed Homer sits down to figure out what to do with 13 dollars, an excited Barney tells Homer he's going to the dog track to place a bet with his 13 dollars. He invites Homer to come along with him. Homer's reluctant but Bart convinces him to go, citing this may be their only chance to save the Simpson family Christmas.

Back at the Simpson home, everyone, including Patty, Selma and Grampa Simpson, wait for Homer and Bart to come home. Cut to the dog track, where Barney gives Homer a tip on a dog named Whirlwind. After seeing what Whirlwind looks like, Homer's reluctant to bet on him. Just then an announcement plays over the P.A. system, announcing a dog named Santa's Little Helper will be replacing another dog in the fourth race. Homer senses the announcement's an omen, and decides to bet on him even though Bart recommends not to. Despite the fact the odds are 99 to 1, Homer puts down all 13 dollars on Santa's Little Helper. Meanwhile at home, Patty and Selma talk bad about Homer, while everyone else still waits for him and Bart. Back at the track, Homer and Bart anxiously await the running of the fourth race. As the race begins, Homer and Bart cheer on Santa's Little Helper, but Whirlwind, Barney's pick, is out to an early lead with Santa's Little Helper bringing up the rear. Homer and Bart quickly realize their chances at winning any money are dashed, because Santa's Little Helper doesn't even finish the race. Cut to Homer and Bart in the parking lot of the dog track, looking for discarded betting slips hoping to find someone threw away a winner. Barney drives by in a convertible with a woman in the passenger seat, and gloats to Bart and Homer about his pick for the race: Whirlwind. A dejected Bart and Homer head back to their car, when, off in the distance, they see a racing dog owner yelling and chasing Santa's Little Helper for losing once again. Santa's Little Helper jumps up into Homer's arms. Bart asks Homer if they can keep the dog. Homer, reluctant at first, quickly warms up to the dog and decides to take him home. Cut back to the Simpson home, where everyone still awaits Bart and Homer's return. Suddenly, a sad looking Homer enters and starts to confess to everyone about the fact he didn't receive his Christmas bonus, and apologizes for the lack of presents; when Bart bursts in, along with a barking Santa's Little Helper. Everyone falls in love with the dog, and Homer realizes in the end, he did a good job providing gifts at Christmas.

Production[edit]

Barney as a blond
See also: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire/Music.

Fox was very nervous about the show because they were unsure they could sustain the audience's attention for the duration of the episode. In the end, they gambled by asking FOX for 13 full-length episodes. The series was originally planned to premiere in the fall of 1989, but due to major problems with the animation of "Some Enchanted Evening" (the first Simpsons episode produced), the series instead began on December 17, 1989 with this episode. "Some Enchanted Evening" instead aired as the season finale.

The episode, being the first to air, lacked the now famous opening sequence later added in the second episode when Groening thought of the idea of a longer opening sequence resulting in less animation.

The "Santas of many lands" portion of the Christmas pageant is based on Matt Groening's experience in the second grade when he did a report on Christmas in Russia. Groening also used that reference in his strip "Life in Hell" when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told it is too bad his grandmother is from Russia, because Christmas is against the law there. Also, Matt Groening claims this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of Jingle Bells.

David Silverman directed this episode, although Rich Moore storyboarded it and designed Flanders. Several of the scenes were laid out by Eric Stefani, brother of Gwen Stefani. In this episode, Barney had yellow 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.

The original premise of this episode was that Homer was worried that Marge was going to get drunk at a party and get him in trouble at the office.[1]

  • 7G08 Script.jpg

  • First draft[2]

  • 7G08 Script page.png

Release[edit]

This episode was released on VHS by FOX Home Video in 1991. The VHS release was titled "The Simpsons Christmas Special". It was later released on VHS and DVD in Christmas with the Simpsons in 2001, and then eventually released in 2001 in the season One boxset.

Reception[edit]

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards. However, it lost to "Life on the Fast Lane".[3] It was also nominated for an award in "Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special", but lost to Caroline?[4]

International airdates[edit]

Country Airdate Channel
Czech Republic January 8, 1993[5]
Estonia September 5, 1997
Finland October 14, 1991 Kolmoskanava
France December 22, 1990 Canal+
Germany December 6, 1991 ZDF
Hungary September 23, 1998 TV3
Italy December 24, 1991[6] Canale 5
Poland October 25, 1994[7] TVP 1
United Kingdom September 2, 1990 Sky1
Canada November 1, 1990 Global
Spain January 20, 1991 TVE

In other languages[edit]

Language Name Translation
Germany.png Deutsch "Es weihnachtet schwer" Christmas is Hard
Spain flag.png Español "Sin blanca Navidad" No white Christmas
Hispanic America.gif Español "Especial de Navidad de los Simpson" The Simpsons Christmas Special
France.png Français "Noël mortel" Deadly Christmas
Flag of Quebec.svg.png Français "Homer au nez rouge" Homer red nose
Italy Flag.png Italiano "Un Natale da cani" A dogs' Christmas
Brasil Flag.png Português "O prêmio de Natal" The Christmas Prize
Hungary flag.png Magyar "Simpsonék karácsonya" The Simpsons' Christmas
Ukraine flag.png Українська "Сімпсони: Різдвяна серія" The Simpsons: Christmas episode
Flag of Japan.png 日本語 "シンプソン家のクリスマス" The Simpsons' Christmas

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Simpsoncrazy.com - Hollywood Reporter Simpsons 500 Episode Cover
  2. ↑ Al Jean's Twitter - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire first draft"
  3. ↑ Television Academy - "42nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners - Outstanding Animated Program"
  4. ↑ Television Academy - "42nd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners - Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or Special"
  5. ↑ Wikipedia (Czech Republic) - "Seznam dílů seriálu Simpsonovi První řada"
  6. ↑ Wikipedia (Italy) - "Un Natale da cani"
  7. ↑ Wikipedia (Poland) - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire


The Saga of Carl - title screen.png Wikisimpsons has a collection of images related to Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.
Season 1 Episodes
Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire • Bart the Genius • Homer's Odyssey • There's No Disgrace Like Home • Bart the General • Moaning Lisa • The Call of the Simpsons • The Telltale Head • Life on the Fast Lane • Homer's Night Out • The Crepes of Wrath • Krusty Gets Busted • Some Enchanted Evening
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