“Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is a strange watch today. When many of us were growing up, “The Simpsons” was seen by many as the most vile, disgusting garbage ever to pollute the airwaves. The yellow menace was corrupting kids, Bart Simpson! On January 27, 1992, President George H.W. Bush famously gave a speech urging Americans to be less like the Simpsons and more like the Waltons. “Roseanne” and “Married… With Children” received similar criticism. but “The Simpsons” being animated amplified the outrage. Though animation as a medium can be used to tell any story for any demographic, cartoons were (and still are, unfortunately) seen as feeble entertainment designed solely to pacify children. “The Simpsons” was a bizarre mutant of a show, featuring swearing, adult themes, and a rebellious attitude. Worst of all, it was compelling enough to ensnare weak-minded fools into its web of evil. Traditional values were being attacked, and “The Simpsons” led the charge.
The show debuted on December 17, 1989, just barely making it to the 1990s. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” was indeed the first episode of the series to air, and it was labelled “The Simpsons Christmas Special” on the title card. I said it was a strange watch in my opening, and it was. But what makes it strange is both what it is and what it isn’t. Does it hold up? Remarkably well. Is it funny? Most definitely. However, what strikes me most about “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is just how darn sweet it is. Now, it still has a subversive edge, especially for its time. Sweats are said to challenge societal norms are challenged. It’s just that this special has a real, honest-to-goodness heart. The show loves these misshapen yellow weirdos. Everyone involved in the production saw their humanity, so they are very much human. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is strange because it’s NOT the radical, innocent-corrupter we were warned against. It’s also strange because it happens to be one of the loveliest Christmas specials I’ve ever seen.
Most Christmas specials of the time were about filling in for Santa Claus or ripping off “A Christmas Carol.” “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” stands out because of how unexpectedly grounded it is. Homer Simpson (for the two of you who are unaware of this series, he’s the patriarch of the Simpsons clan) doesn’t receive his Christmas bonus at work, which dampens the family’s plans for the season. To rectify the situation, he’s forced to moonlight as a mall Santa to buy all the nice things his family wants for Christmas. No one except Homer and, eventually, Bart (the son) is aware of this problem, so they decide to keep this information hidden to avoid ruining Christmas for everyone else. Unfortunately, the Santa gig results in a paltry paycheck. A desperate Homer bets his meager earnings on a racing dog named Santa’s Little Helper… and loses. Santa’s Little Helper’s owner abandons the dog, then Homer and Bart take him home. When Homer tries to explain the truth to the rest of the Simpsons, they spot the dog and instantly fall in love with him. Christmas comes for the Simpsons family, even without a holiday bonus.
That’s it. That’s the entire plot. No flying reindeer or dastardly villain to stop. Even future “Simpsons” Christmas outings would involve elements such as killer robots and whodunnits. Save for a sub-plot in which 10-year-old Bart gets a tattoo and has it removed Frankenstein-style, there’s not much here that couldn’t happen in real life. Of all the Christmas specials I watch annually, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” feels the most like my Christmases. I’ve always loved this time of the year, but it doesn’t always work out the way it ought to. People get stressed, things go wrong, and sometimes it can be a real mess. But when the stars align, and everything is as it should be, few experiences are as magical as a Christmas with the ones you love. You want that feeling for yourself and your family. It’s one of those things you always strive for, even if you don’t always succeed. Homer understands that.
Christmas specials are treacly and sentimental, though I love them dearly. No matter how old and cynical I get, there’s still a part of me that wants to believe in the miracles those specials promise. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” mocks the heck out of them. Throughout “…Open Fire,” Bart compares their situation to various TV holiday specials. When there’s no extraordinary miracle for them, Bart remarks, “I can’t believe it, but it looks as though television has betrayed me.” This was the first time I remember seeing a holiday special acknowledge other ones, and it kinda blew my 9-year-old mind. On the surface, this appears to be a refutation. But they do get their miracle. It comes in the form of an unexpected family member. In a way that feels earned and true to their smart-aleck nature, “The Simpsons” fulfills the promise of all these Christmas specials.
All of this works because The Simpsons are written as real people. To paraphrase Lisa (the daughter), they have the same frailties as all human beings. Homer would eventually become comedy’s perfect joke machine, but his devotion to his loved ones keeps him from being just a clown. When he steals a Christmas tree and lies about the holiday bonus, we forgive him because we understand his frustration at not being able to give his family the Christmas he believes they deserve. Every indignity Homer suffers or every misdeed he commits in this episode, is motivated by genuine love. Despite his moments of anger and constant bumbling, we stand by Homer because he is relatable. He is us.
Homer may be the star here, but what I said applies to every Simpson. Bart’s mischief (stuff like singing Christmas carols with twisted lyrics) feels close to how a real 10-year-old would act. Lisa’s precociousness is balanced by her childish enthusiasm for silly things like “The Happy Little Elves.” Marge (the mom) displays an undying patience even when her family drives her batty. These personas were originally established in the animated shorts from “The Tracey Ullman Show,” the sketch comedy show that introduced them. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” proved they could carry an entire series and had the emotional weight needed to support a project of this nature.
Most people know that “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” was the first episode aired. What you may not know is that it was not the first one produced. Heck, it wasn’t even the second episode produced; it was the eighth. Initially, the pilot was meant to be “Some Enchanted Evening,” the one about the Babysitter Bandit. Due to major animation issues so severe that I may have to cover them in another article, that episode was moved down to the season finale. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” took its place. It’s hard to believe that this was never intended to be the first episode. During a segment near the beginning, Marge literally introduces the family. More than “Some Enchanted Evening,” it establishes the series’ foundation with its blend of subversion and sincerity. In a way, this feels like the show’s own Christmas miracle.
I suppose I can see how the squarest of squares back in 1989 could have seen the scandal here. Gambling, drunks, and mild swearing are all present. Looking beyond those risqué elements, there is a warm-hearted quality to how family matters more than material goods. The Simpsons would undergo many changes over their 36(!) years on the air, but the essence that makes them great is captured in “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” The Simpsons are among the funniest characters ever created; that they sincerely love each other places them among the greatest as well. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” is a cherished tradition in my household. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from Homer, my other favorite fat guy.
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