Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

Template:Infobox The Simpsons season one

"'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire'", also known as "'The Simpsons Christmas Special'" was the first episode of the half-hour length Simpsons series to air, though it was the eighth episode produced in season one. The series was originally planned to premier in the fall of 1989, but due to major problems with the animation of "Some Enchanted Evening", it instead began mid-season 1990 with this episode.

The title refers to Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire written by Mel Tormé and originally recorded by Nat King Cole in 1945.

The episode deals with the Simpson family's efforts to celebrate Christmas on a constricted budget.

Contents

1 Episode details 2 Synopsis 3 Memorable Quotes 4 Trivia 5 Goofs 6 References

Episode details

Production Number: 7G08
Original Air Date: December 17, 1989
Writer: Mimi Pond
Director: David Silverman

Synopsis

In this episode, Bart and Lisa request what they want for Christmas; Lisa asks for a pony whilst Bart asks for a tattoo. They are taken to the shopping mall to buy presents, but Bart goes into a tattoo shop to get a tattoo. Marge has to spend all the Christmas money on removing the incomplete tattoo that Bart has.

As a result of Homer not getting a Christmas bonus, he secretly gets a job as a Santa Claus at the Mall to get more money. At the end of his job as Santa he only gets 13 dollars.

Barney gives Homer a "tip" on the dog track. Whilst there Homer bets on another dog thinking it's a sign, because it was called "Santa's Little Helper"; the dog finishes last. As a result its owner kicks it out. Bart urges Homer to keep the dog, and Homer eventually agrees. When Bart and Homer get home to tell them that there will be no Christmas, Santa's Little Helper suddenly jumps up behind them and Lisa and Marge think that it is the present and are ecstatically happy about it.

Memorable Quotes

• Homer (trying to name Santa's reindeer): "Dasher, Dancer... Prancer... Nixon, Comet, Cupid... Donna Dixon."
• Rod Flanders (being helpful after Homer dropped the dog toy he got for Maggie): "Mr. Simpson, you dropped your pork chop." [Squeak-Squeak]
• Bart sings: "Jingle bells, Batman smells. Robin laid an egg. The Batmobile broke its wheel and the Joker got aw... (smack) EY!"
• Bart: (to Homer in a Santa suit) "I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?"

Trivia

• All the workers were eating donuts...even the one wearing a radiation suit.
• The `O' in `MOE' was a Christmas wreath.
• During the shot of the house during the Christmas carol, all the lights have burnt out except for one, meekly blinking atop the Simpsons' roof.
• Dogs in the fourth race: Whirlwind, Quadruped, Dog-o-War (A pun on the champion racehorse `Man-o-War'), Fido, Santa's Little Helper
• Homer neglected to buy a Christmas gift for Lisa at the Circus of Values.
• "Hochiashi" isn't the real Japanese Santa Claus.

Goofs

• When Bart and Homer return with Santas Little Helper, a single frame of Maggie sliding off Marge's lap was misplaced.
• The view of the snow covered house didn't have the treehouse behind it.
• Lewis changes from black to white when Milhouse dares Bart.

References

Donna Dixon: Homer mentions Donna Dixon, when he tries to remember the name of all the reindeers.

Richard Nixon: Homer mentions Richard Nixon, when he tries to remember the name of all the reindeers.

Miracle on 34th Street: Bart says: “My name is Bart Simpson who the hell are you?” (Because he doesn’t believe it’s really Santa Claus.

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Bart says: “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!”

The Smurfs Christmas Special: Bart says: “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!”

A Christmas Carol: Bart says: ““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!”

All in the Family: This storyline has been used in "All in the Family".

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire: The episode title is taken from Mel Torme’s Christmas song.

Jingle Bells: Bart adds alternative lyrics to the melody of Jingle Bells.fr:Noël mortel