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Difference between revisions of "Season 1"

Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
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|next = [[Season 2|2]]
 
|next = [[Season 2|2]]
 
|boxset =  [[The Complete First Season]]
 
|boxset =  [[The Complete First Season]]
}}{{Under Construction}}'''''The Simpsons' ''first season''' began on 17th December 1989 with the first episode of the series, "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" and ended on 13th May 1990 with "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]". Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon were the show runners of the season.
+
}}{{Under Construction}}'''''The Simpsons' ''first season''' began on 17th December 1989 with the first episode of the series, "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]," and ended on 13th May 1990 with "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]." Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon were the show runners of the season.
  
It was originally intended that the season finale, "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]", would be the first episode of the season as well as the series which would have aired at Autumn of 1989. However, after a poorly received workprint of the episode, 70% of its animation had to be redone, delaying it to months throughout the season until finally being aired at the end of the season on 13th May 1990. Subsequent episodes in production such as "[[Bart the Genius]]" had minor problems that were easy to fix and were suitable for airing. As "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" was being overhauled, the producers considered to air the Christmas special, "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]", on 17th December 1989 which had to be aired in the Christmas holidays of 1989 nonetheless.
+
The original plan was to begin the season and the series in the Autumn of 1989 with "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]." However, the workprint of the episode was of such poor quality that 70% of its animation had to be redone, delaying it for months throughout the season until it ended up being aired as the saeson finale on 13th May 1990. Subsequent episodes such as "[[Bart the Genius]]" had minor problems in production that were easy to fix and were suitable for airing. As "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" was being overhauled, the producers decided to air the Christmas special, "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]," on 17th December 1989. The timing was very fortunate, as the episode would have had to be aired in the Christmas holidays of 1989 regardless of any other issues.
  
The season had four nominations and won one of them. It won Outstanding Animated Program from "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]", which the episode was tied with "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]". "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" was nominated for "Outstanding Editing in a Miniseries or Special", "[[The Call of the Simpsons]]" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special" and "The Simpsons Theme", composed by Danny Elfman, was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music".
+
The season won one Emmy award and had four other nominations. "[[Life on the Fast Lane]]" won "Outstanding Animated Program," for which "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" was also a nominee. "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]" was nominated for "Outstanding Editing in a Miniseries or Special"; "[[The Call of the Simpsons]]" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special"; and "The Simpsons Theme," composed by Danny Elfman, was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music."
  
All of the 13 episodes of Season 1, including extras such as the "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" workprint, were released on DVD on 25th September 2001 in Region 1 and 24th September 2001 in Region 2 and 4. This is the First of the Complete Seasons of The Simpsons released in boxsets for home media.
+
All 13 episodes of Season 1, including extras such as the "[[Some Enchanted Evening (The Simpsons)|Some Enchanted Evening]]" workprint, were released on DVD on 25th September 2001 in Region 1 and 24th September 2001 in Regions 2 and 4. This is the First of the Complete Seasons of ''The Simpsons'' released in boxsets for home media.
  
 
== Episodes ==
 
== Episodes ==
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|-
 
|-
 
| colspan="6"|
 
| colspan="6"|
The Simpsons have a difficult Christmas,primarily due to lack of money as all of the savings, which was intended for shopping, had to be spent to pay for an expensive tattoo removal for Bart and no bonus for Homer in work. They try to ensure a good holiday within their financial pressure whilst Homer tries to earn money in such ways such as being Santa Claus.
+
Christmas is coming, and it's going to be a difficult one due to the family's financial woes: Homer's expected Christmas bonus at work doesn't come through, and the family is forced to spend money previously set aside for shopping on an expensive tattoo removal procedure for Bart. Homer tries to earn money by other means such as being a department store Santa Claus, and the family does their best to have a good holiday in spite of the circumstances. The episode introduces Santa's Little Helper as the family dog.
 
|-
 
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| style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); "|7G02
 
| style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); "|7G02
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|Bart is considered to be intelligent by a high test score despite that he switched his name to Martin Prince's test and vice versa i.e. being Martin's score. Bart is then enrolled the Enriched Learning Center for Gifted Children, a school that is beyond his intelligence capabilities and is closer to Homer, all while not confessing what he had done in the exam.
+
| colspan="6"|
 +
When the school has an intelligence test, Bart is considered to be a genius when he switches his name and Martin Prince's on the test's answer sheets. Bart is then enrolled in the Enriched Learning Center for Gifted Children, a school which quickly proves to be beyond his capabilities. The experience actually brings Bart and Homer closer together, until Bart confesses to the switch.
 
|-
 
|-
 
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|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|Homer is promptly fired after an accidental incident when he was distracted by greeting Bart and his class on their field trip to the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. A depressed and unemployed considers suicide until becoming a safety crusader after noting dangerous areas of Springfield.
+
| colspan="6"|Homer is fired after he causes an accident due to being distracted by greeting Bart and his class on their field trip to the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Depressed and unemployed,  Homer considers suicide until he notes the dangers around town and becomes a safety crusader.  When Homer targets the nuclear power plant, Mr. Burns re-hires him and promotes him to safety inspector.
 
|-
 
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| style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); "|7G04
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|Homer decides to improve his family's behaviour, seeing their dysfunctionality and impoliteness as well as unfavourable comparisons to other families after a picnic from Mr.Burns manor.
+
| colspan="6"|
 +
The Simpson family attends the company picnic at the Burns manor. After seeing the other families at the picnic, Homer notices his own family's shortcomings and dysfunctions and decides to improve everyone's behavior. The episode introduces Springfield police officers Eddie and Lou, as well as Dr. Marvin Monroe, and marks the first series appearance of Itchy and Scratchy.
 
|-
 
|-
 
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|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|Bart is constantly bullied by Nelson Muntz, under unfortunate circumstances leading to this, and is desperate to find various methods to stop this.
+
| colspan="6"|
 +
Lisa is bullied at school by Nelson Muntz (introduced in this episode) and Bart stands up for her, only to find himself the target of constant bullying by Nelson and his two Weasels. With Grampa's help, Bart then organizes many other kids at school into an army to fight back against Nelson. Herman the military antiques dealer makes his first appearance.
 
|-
 
|-
 
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|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|Lisa is being continually unhappy, which begins to decline her performance in school. Homer and Marge cannot make her happier. She meets a musician who also plays the saxophone named Bleeding Gums Murphy, with plays jazz music to express her depression.
+
| colspan="6"|
 +
Lisa is contunually unhappy, and it begins to affect her performance at school. Nothing that Marge and Homer try seems to help. Lisa then meets jazz musician and fellow saxophone player Bleeding Gums Murphy, who helps Lisa to express her depression by playing the blues on her sax. They write a blues number together, and the family visits a jazz club to hear Bleeding Gums sing and play it.
 
|-
 
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|-
 
|-
| colspan="6"|The Simpsons go camping with their dilapidated RV, although problems arouse when the RV eventually gets destroyed by falling into an abyss, being unable to exit out of the woods and Homer and Bart as well as Maggie are split from Marge and Lisa.
+
| colspan="6"|The Simpsons go camping in their delapidated RV, and problems arise when the RV is destroyed by falling off a cliff. The family are separated in the woods, where Maggie is cared for by bears and Homer (who has lost his clothes and is wearing a heavy coating of mud instead) is mistaken for a hideous Bigfoot-like monster. Homer is captured and taken to a lab, and not allowed to return home until the scientists are convinced that he really is a human being.
 
|-
 
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| style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); "|8 - 8

Revision as of 09:54, June 27, 2010

The Simpsons (Season 1)
Simpsons s1.png
Season Information
Original run: December 17, 1989 – May 13, 1990
No. of episodes: 13
Previous season: Ullman shorts
Next season: 2
DVD boxset: The Complete First Season
Construction.png This page is under construction.

Please improve the article, or discuss improvements on the talk page.

The Simpsons' first season began on 17th December 1989 with the first episode of the series, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," and ended on 13th May 1990 with "Some Enchanted Evening." Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Sam Simon were the show runners of the season.

The original plan was to begin the season and the series in the Autumn of 1989 with "Some Enchanted Evening." However, the workprint of the episode was of such poor quality that 70% of its animation had to be redone, delaying it for months throughout the season until it ended up being aired as the saeson finale on 13th May 1990. Subsequent episodes such as "Bart the Genius" had minor problems in production that were easy to fix and were suitable for airing. As "Some Enchanted Evening" was being overhauled, the producers decided to air the Christmas special, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," on 17th December 1989. The timing was very fortunate, as the episode would have had to be aired in the Christmas holidays of 1989 regardless of any other issues.

The season won one Emmy award and had four other nominations. "Life on the Fast Lane" won "Outstanding Animated Program," for which "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was also a nominee. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was nominated for "Outstanding Editing in a Miniseries or Special"; "The Call of the Simpsons" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special"; and "The Simpsons Theme," composed by Danny Elfman, was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music."

All 13 episodes of Season 1, including extras such as the "Some Enchanted Evening" workprint, were released on DVD on 25th September 2001 in Region 1 and 24th September 2001 in Regions 2 and 4. This is the First of the Complete Seasons of The Simpsons released in boxsets for home media.

Episodes

# Original title (top)
Alternate title (bottom)
Original airdate Directed by Written by Prod. code
Summary
1 - 1

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"

"The Simpsons Christmas Special"

December 17, 1989 David Silverman Mimi Pond 7G08

Christmas is coming, and it's going to be a difficult one due to the family's financial woes: Homer's expected Christmas bonus at work doesn't come through, and the family is forced to spend money previously set aside for shopping on an expensive tattoo removal procedure for Bart. Homer tries to earn money by other means such as being a department store Santa Claus, and the family does their best to have a good holiday in spite of the circumstances. The episode introduces Santa's Little Helper as the family dog.

2 - 2 "Bart the Genius" January 14,1990 David Silverman Jon Vitti 7G02

When the school has an intelligence test, Bart is considered to be a genius when he switches his name and Martin Prince's on the test's answer sheets. Bart is then enrolled in the Enriched Learning Center for Gifted Children, a school which quickly proves to be beyond his capabilities. The experience actually brings Bart and Homer closer together, until Bart confesses to the switch.

3 - 3 "Homer's Odyssey" January 21,1990 Wes Archer Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky 7G03
Homer is fired after he causes an accident due to being distracted by greeting Bart and his class on their field trip to the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. Depressed and unemployed, Homer considers suicide until he notes the dangers around town and becomes a safety crusader. When Homer targets the nuclear power plant, Mr. Burns re-hires him and promotes him to safety inspector.
4 - 4 "There's No Disgrace Like Home" January 28,1990 Gregg Vanzo &
Kent Butterworth
Al Jean & Mike Reiss 7G04

The Simpson family attends the company picnic at the Burns manor. After seeing the other families at the picnic, Homer notices his own family's shortcomings and dysfunctions and decides to improve everyone's behavior. The episode introduces Springfield police officers Eddie and Lou, as well as Dr. Marvin Monroe, and marks the first series appearance of Itchy and Scratchy.

5 - 5 "Bart the General" February 4, 1990 David Silverman John Swartzwelder 7G05

Lisa is bullied at school by Nelson Muntz (introduced in this episode) and Bart stands up for her, only to find himself the target of constant bullying by Nelson and his two Weasels. With Grampa's help, Bart then organizes many other kids at school into an army to fight back against Nelson. Herman the military antiques dealer makes his first appearance.

6 - 6 "Moaning Lisa" February 11, 1990 Wes Archer Al Jean & Mike Reiss 7G06

Lisa is contunually unhappy, and it begins to affect her performance at school. Nothing that Marge and Homer try seems to help. Lisa then meets jazz musician and fellow saxophone player Bleeding Gums Murphy, who helps Lisa to express her depression by playing the blues on her sax. They write a blues number together, and the family visits a jazz club to hear Bleeding Gums sing and play it.

7 - 7 "The Call of the Simpsons" February 18, 1990 Wes Archer John Swartzwelder 7G09
The Simpsons go camping in their delapidated RV, and problems arise when the RV is destroyed by falling off a cliff. The family are separated in the woods, where Maggie is cared for by bears and Homer (who has lost his clothes and is wearing a heavy coating of mud instead) is mistaken for a hideous Bigfoot-like monster. Homer is captured and taken to a lab, and not allowed to return home until the scientists are convinced that he really is a human being.
8 - 8 "The Telltale Head" February 25, 1990 Rich Moore Al Jean, Mike Reiss,

Sam Simon & Matt Groening

7G07
Bart decapitates the head of the Jebediah Springfield statue, thinking that this will impress a gang he is trying to befriend, Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney as they had said so. He becomes worried while carrying the hidden head as the beheaded statue gains public attention.
9 - 9 "Life on the Fast Lane" March 18,1990 David Silverman John Swartzwelder 7G11
Marge is unhappy with her birthday present from Homer i.e. a bowling ball as she had never bowled and the ball is best suited to Homer with his name on it and holes his size. She is trained by a French bowling instructor named Jacques, with whom he has fallen for Marge.
10 - 10 "Homer's Night Out" March 25,1990 Rich Moore Jon Vitti 7G10
Bart takes a picture of Homer dancing with Princess Kashmir, a belly dancer. The photo is then copied all over Springfield, which Marge is furious at Homer as soon as she sees it, thinking of the photo being an affair. She kicks him out of the house, which he attempts to apologize to her as well as convince that women are not just sex objects like the photo.
11 - 11 "The Crepes of Wrath" April 15,1990 Wesley Archer &
Milton Gray
George Meyer, Sam Simon,
John Swartzwelder & Jon Vitti
7G13
After a series of pranks succeded with a recent incident with a cherry bomb, Principal Skinner decides that Bart would be sent to France at a student exchange program. The family including Bart agree and
12 - 12 "Krusty Gets Busted" April 29, 1990 Brad Bird Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky 7G12
Krusty the Clown is arrested as a suspect who robbed the Kwik-E-Mart looked like him. Aware that he is innocent, Bart attempts to find evidence to prove Krusty's innocence and the impersonator responsible for the crime.
13 - 13 "Some Enchanted Evening" May 13, 1990 David Silverman &
Kent Butterworth
Matt Groening & Sam Simon 7G01
Homer and Marge go out for dinner one night while having Bart, Lisa and Maggie responsible by a babysitter called Ms. Botz. Unbeknownst to the family, Botz is known as a wanted bandit for babysitting and which she is covering her identity while Homer and Marge spends their time fairly.

DVD release

Season 1 was released on DVD by 20th Century Fox in Region 2 and 4 on 24th September 2001 and 25th September in Region 1. While primarily consisting of the original 13 episodes, the DVD release features bonus material including deleted scenes, Animatics, and commentaries for every episode. The set became the highest selling television program on DVD, selling 1.9 million units, until October 2004 when it was passed by the first season of Chappelle's Show, superseding the record.

The Complete First Season Boxset
Set Details Special Features
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3
25th September 2001 24th September 2001 24th September 2001


The Simpsons (Seasons)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Season 1 | 1989 - 1990 | 13 episodes | 7Gxx
Previous - N/A Next - Season 2