Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", titled onscreen as "The Simpsons Christmas Special", is the series premiere and first episode of the American animated television series The Simpsons. The television special, "The Simpsons Christmas Special" originally aired on December 17, 1989. Commercials for the next episode ("Bart the Genius") ran during breaks for this episode.
Introducing the family into half-hour television in this episode, Bart Simpson disobediently gets a tattoo against the permission of his parents. His mother, Marge Simpson, spends all the family's holiday budget having it removed. When the father, Homer Simpson, learns his boss is not giving employees Christmas bonuses, he takes a job as a shopping mall Santa, but fails to earn enough money for presents. After losing all his Santa earnings at a dog-racing track on Christmas Eve, Homer lets Bart keep Santa's Little Helper when the dog finishes last and is abandoned by its owner.
The episode was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990 and has received positive reviews from television critics. It was viewed by approximately 13.4 million people in its original airing.
The Simpsons was originally intended to debut earlier in 1989 with "Some Enchanted Evening", but due to animation problems with that episode, the show debuted with this episode on December 17.
Category:TV Specials