Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

It's interesting to look back at the Simpsons first episode, one that was not necessarily meant to be the series opener and see how it still succeeds. Expanding on the original shorts, the episode does a good enough job by giving each family member a proper introduction. Of course most the episode is dedicated to Homer and Bart, but it demonstrates early on the that despite how dense Homer might be, he is still a loving father who goes out of his way to ensure his family has the best holiday possible. It really is the strength of these early Simpsons episodes in that while they may not be as funny as those from the later golden age, they still have a heart and sincerity to them that makes them special.

I remember hearing about this special back in the third grade, "The Simpsons was the best cartoon, and you just had to see it!" Unfortunately, we didn't get Fox in my little Idaho town. Finally, when we did get Fox, I started my weekly ritual of visiting the Simpsons every Thursday and then on Sundays.

This is a solid Christmas special. It's a more heartfelt episode compared to the episodes produced today. Homer wasn't nearly as much of a buffoon as he is today, and this episode isn't as hysterical as future episodes, but what it may lack in some comedy, it makes up in story and character development. While Bart was quite the troublemaker, he still cared deeply for his father and his family. Plus, the family singing of Rudolph played in the credits was great!

This was our first meeting with the Simpsons, and it would continue to be a great relationship.

The first full length episode of The Simpsons is much stronger than most give it credit for. In fact Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire is early Simpsons in a nutshell, fairly light on laughs but with strong characterisation.

If starting the series unexpectedly early with a Christmas special wasn't enough for the staff to cope with they also had an unusual balancing act to contend with. How to introduce the central characters to first time viewers without making the episode too jarring for fans of the shorts.

The writers manage this task well, Bart and Lisa are effectively introduced through the school's Christmas pageant and the Christmas letter narrated by Marge offers more insight into the family.

Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire does have its funny moments as well. 'And Bart ... well we love Bart' is wonderfully delivered and Homer is hilariously proud of himself when covering up for knowing Bart's name by saying 'little partner'.

But the real strength of this first full episode and in fact the early run of the show is the way in which it pits itself against the status quo. When I first watched this episode on the Greatest Hits VHS as a kid in the north west of England I had no idea there was a traditional American family sitcom for The Simpsons to rally against. Looking back now it's clear to see The Simpsons were not holding back in presenting themselves as essential alternative viewing. Bart maybe lays it on a bit thick at the race track when constantly hammering home the point that a miracle always saves a family at Christmas but viewers at the time would've been left in little doubt that as the 80s was drawing to a close there was a new kid in town.

"Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire" is one of the sweetest and greatest Simpsons episodes of all time, and this was the very first episode.

Even though the animation might be a little crude, but that's the fun of it! I actually thought the animation from "The Simpsons" back from Season 1 to Season 4 was actually really good.

This was the episode that we first fell in love with The Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. It also marked for characters like Mr. Burns, Grandpa Abe, Patty & Selma, and of course, Santa's Little Helper.

Overall, this is a sweet, beautiful, and heartwarming Christmas episode that's great to watch around Christmas time.

The most interesting thing for any contemporary Simpsons fans to notice in this first episode is how much everything has changed over the years.

The early Simpsons shows were created on a much smaller budget, necessitating a smaller, less experienced, and in some ways, less skilled team. As a result, the animation style here is much rougher. There are far fewer people doing voices. The voice work isn't nearly as smooth as it would become. The personalities of the characters hadn't settled into norms. There aren't as many layers of jokes zipping frantically by.

The feel, overall, isn't that removed from, say, a Beavis and Butthead episode. Not that that's a bad thing. I happen to love Beavis and Butthead, too. It's just a much rougher style than we've come to expect from The Simpsons.

Aside from all of that, though, this is a charming Christmas episode, almost a Simpsons version of A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Like that famous work, an elementary school pageant is featured prominently, there are problems procuring a Christmas tree, and the "true meaning of Christmas", aside from commercialism, is explored, although here it is done so unwillingly, and there are no religious-tinged speeches to accompany the proceedings--The Simpsons is known for its irreverence, after all. But at its heart, while humorously introducing us to the main characters, this really is a sweet Christmas story and worth watching for that purpose, which is what I plan to save future viewings for.