The final vignette sees the entire town of Springfield contributing to parody of various excerpts from The Nutcracker, as Marge notes that the songs are in the public domain and anyone can use the music. After trading a rare baseball card to Comic Book Guy, the Simpson family have plenty of money to go shopping for Christmas presents, only for Homer to blow most of their funds on a "personalized talking astrolabe," as the family calls him out for being selfish. Marge's relationship with Bart is strained when he is caught shoplifting before Christmas. This season 11 episode (the 7th, if you were wondering) is what many (MANY) deem to be the... Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire: Second place. Consumerism is the running theme of this Simpsons episode, and even the usually levelheaded Marge gets in on the action by opening up a bed and breakfast for t… After spending all his money on an expensive gift for himself, and the family thinking he should be less of an egoist, Homer decides to change his ways. Let it snow in Springfield, and enjoy the best The Simpsons Christmas episodes. Vote up the best Simpsons Christmas specials, and see where they rank among the funniest Simpsons episodes of all time. To put it more precisely, it's not addressing boilerplate, generalized themes about family or togetherness. Bart and Lisa are struggling as parents to connect with their children. (Though, one joke about the origins of a Christmas Tree being a number of dead soldiers getting impaled on a massive structure will surely cause a chuckle.) WandaVision TV Commercials: What Do They Mean. The Simpsons is known for its epic Halloween episodes, but there are Christmas episodes of The Simpsons that are also some of the most memorable ones. With the Simpson family inadvertently being responsible for Gil Gunderson getting fired as a mall Santa, they offer him a place to stay, only for him to wear out his welcome. Bart ultimately returns to the Try n' Save to have his portrait taken, which he gives to Marge to make up for ruining their family photo. It's also worth noting that this episode features Comic Book Guy referencing the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special (though it's titled "Cosmic Wars Holiday Special"), which adds an extra level of excitement for all of the series' nerdy viewers. Best Christmas TV of 2020 – From Netflix and Disney+, to the BBC and ITV. By Patrick Cavanaugh Not only the best holiday episode of The Simpsons, "Marge Be Not Proud" is arguably one of the series' best, solidifying it as the go-to installment to define the series' seasonal accomplishments. With tourists being treated to holiday traditions, as is the viewer, delivering the Simpson-ized version of these traditions, even though Marge can't help but note, "All eggnog is terrible." As with all Lisa-focused episodes, by giving her the brunt of the narrative weight, it also means all of the other characters can pop in with absurd experiences to compensate for the humor missing from her journey. This is a rare example of the entire family being the focus of the episode and where all of them get to deliver great jokes. in hopes of making up their lost funds, only for Trebek to threaten her to pay back the show after ending with a negative balance. The first story sees the Simpson family recreating the birth of Christ, with Marge representing Mary, Homer representing Joseph, and Bart representing Jesus, giving their "hilarious" take on the Biblical tale. Add in a tender ending that puts you in the Christmas mood, and “I Won’t Be Home” works as one of the better post-movie Christmas episodes of the show. Strangely, it's also the concept that most works in its favor, as fans will likely view it as "Treehouse of Horror: Christmas Edition," and while the Katy Perry cameo surely dates the event to the peak of her popularity, seeing puppet versions of this character is exciting enough to keep our attention for a few minutes. The only thing Bart wants for Christmas is the video game Bonestorm, with his desperation seeing him shoplifting the game. Gil is one of those newer side characters who’s best in small,... 10 | “The Fight Before Christmas” (2010 – Season 22). 11 Simpsons Christmas Episodes, Ranked from Worst to Best 11 | “Kill Gill, Volumes 1 and 2” (2006 – Season 18). Even though he genuinely makes an effort to be home on Christmas Eve, Homer accidentally stays out late drinking, with Marge kicking him out of the house. This combination of initial absurdity, only to then get a subsequent and more outlandish punchline, highlights some of the best of the series' humor. What is your favorite Christmas episode from The Simpsons? List RulesOnly episodes set during Christmas or featuring the holiday season. 2. (Picture: Fox) The Simpsons has been on the air for so many years now, it's no surprise they've had countless Christmas episodes. Additionally, the absurdist nature of the series and the ways in which it can span days, weeks, or months at a time mean that a handful of episodes feature scenes involving Christmas, though these sequences take up so little screen time that they don't feel like genuine "holiday episodes." Bobby, It's Cold Outside. In “White Christmas Blues” Springfield has just come out of a summer with a brutal heatwave, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the cooler winter months. The series has often gone into the future, with this journey offering more opportunities to make gags about how the future could unfold. Being titled "Simpsons Christmas Special" marks an accurate reflection of the actual content, as it largely features expected tropes and send-ups you'd see in similar made-for-TV specials, but a Simpsons Christmas Special is still much funnier than more traditional holiday events. Maggie's dream delivers a somewhat live-action experience, as the Simpson family appears as puppets going on vacation for the holidays, with Moe arriving as the housesitter, who invites his girlfriend Katy Perry over to join him. The Simpsons' Christmas episodes . However, the holiday nature of the episode feels more like an afterthought than an integral piece of the story. The Simpsons: Every Christmas Episode Ever, Ranked, Everything Coming to Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu & Amazon Prime Video in January 2021, WandaVision Creator Considered Filming All Episodes in Front of a Live Studio Audience, WandaVision: Here's What Viggo Mortensen Could Look Like As Magneto, Teyonah Parris Studied Captain Marvel’s Young Monica Rambeau Actor For Her Role in WandaVision, WandaVision’s Teyonah Parris Doesn’t Know Which Superhero Monica Rambeau Might Be in Captain Marvel 2, Dionne Warwick Shares Johnny Bravo Meme That Perfectly Explains 2020, Marvel Studios Developed Hawkeye as a Solo Movie Before It Was a Disney+ Series. While other episodes earlier in this list were chastised for how little they related to the holiday, "She of Little Faith" is an exception to this idea, as it proves a major character evolution for Lisa. While most year-long TV series typically produce an annual holiday episode, The Simpsons tends to be much choosier when it comes to Christmas content. So Prince Albert is determined to make it Victoria's best Christmas ever and goes about ... Every episode of The West Wing is actually a Christmas episode … Marge Be Not Proud. Gone Boy. This was last year’s … Mr. Burns' trajectory of living in poverty inspiring his quest for wealth and ultimate change of heart manages to both mirror Ebenezer Scrooge and The Grinch's backstories, to the point that it's almost a genuine parody of those stories. The Fight Before Christmas: Like “Simpsons Christmas Stories,” this episode has multiple short stories, this time four, compiled into one episode. The opening minutes of this episode have enough hilarious moments to cement itself as one of the best holiday-themed episodes the series has to offer, from Krusty struggling to pronounce the name of a Brazillian singer to Bart demanding of parents, "Buy me Bonestorm or go to Hell!" Which The Simpsons Christmas Specials Are Best For The Season? While the entire cast of characters gets to deliver hilarious lines, Homer ends up becoming a true standout, thanks to Dan Castellaneta's subtle performance. An investigation reveals that Mr. Burns is behind the thefts, as he recalls how he was denied Christmas presents by his parents as a child. As the Simpsons gather for a holiday photo, the annual photos begin to flip and we jump decades into the future, where Bart is a deadbeat dad, Lisa fails to connect with her daughter, and Maggie is about to go into labor. These events might not come as often as Halloween episodes, but they are delivered with enough frequency to amass more than a dozen entries over the years. With so many holiday specials throughout time using snowy landscapes and wintery imagery to set the stage, pivoting to celebrate the holidays in Florida will likely excite those who live in warmer climates. While we see that the familiar interpersonal dynamics continue into the future, we also witness how Homer appears to be a wonderful grandfather, despite not always being the best father, with the entire extended family earning a new appreciation for one another as they come together for a new family photo. Ultimate ranking of The Simpsons Christmas episodes Top spot: Marge Be Not Proud. The first (and best) Christmas-themed episode of The Office. While Marge has to spend all the family's Christmas money on getting Bart's tattoo removed, Homer gets a job as Santa. Mocking Elf on the Shelf might feel like cliched territory now, but The Simpsons' take on it is arguably the most effective send-up of the growing tradition. In hopes of wooing her back to Christianity, the episode culminates with a Christmas celebration, with Richard Gere elucidating Lisa on the idea that, with Buddhism being about love and acceptance, she is encouraged to participate in the traditions of other religions to support her family. After Marge makes a Black Friday sacrifice to help Gil get a toy instead of buying the TV the family wants, Homer, Bart, and Lisa all decide to treat her to a vacation, with the group heading down to Florida for the holidays. With Lisa disgusted by the commercialization of religion, she abandons the church, ultimately embracing Buddhist teachings. The 10 best ever The Simpsons Christmas specials 1. Ironically, the top-ranking Simpsons holiday episode isn't really about Christmas. Copyright 2020 ComicBook.com. With all that out of the way, scroll down to see how we think The Simpsons' Christmas episodes stack up! Grampa's recollection of his time on an island with Santa, alongside Mr. Burns, is a far cry from the joys of their time together as part of the Flying Hellfish, resulting in another underwhelming experience. Other than those well-versed in the Bible, there's little to laugh at in the opening story, as a Simpson-ized retelling of the Bible is already enough of a parody, that the weak attempts to add more jokes to the concept fall flat. Here's a … Next, Grampa Simpson tells Bart and Lisa about the time he was stranded on an island during World War II and accidentally shot down Santa Claus. 15) "Kill Gil, Volumes I & II" - Season 18, Episode 9. Only episodes set during Christmas or featuring the holiday season. The only real bit that works is Homer's rivalry with the "Grumple," a Grinch-like character he accosted at the ice rink that refuses to let their rivalry subside. It's rare to get an episode about Homer actively trying to be a good person, without also being given the unintended consequences of those efforts, which often involve him causing more harm than good, with longtime fans surely appreciating his genuine attempts to improve as a person. Mr. Burns ultimately realizes the errors of his ways, as he heads back out into Springfield to give the town back their presents. Marge's dream features Martha Stewart showing up to construct the perfect Christmas decorations, but they're at the cost of connecting with her family on such an important day. We’re well into the second week of Blogmas, and Christmas is so close! ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town, not a creature was stirring – not even Krusty the Clown. What's your favorite holiday episode of The Simpsons? Directors: Rob Oliver, Mike B. Anderson | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith Votes: 1,619 Luckily, with the final vignette taking a number of ancillary Springfield residents and giving them a mere line or two as part of the Nutcracker does bring some delightful moments, especially the entire montage of Moe trying (and failing) to kill himself to the tune of "Dance of the Flutes." Technically, it's the series' first episode following their shorts in The Tracey Ullman Show, though it is billed on-screen as "The Simpsons Christmas Special," with "Bart the Genius" being billed as its actual series premiere. Your bumper guide. At their best, The Simpsons' holiday episodes hit just as hard with their heart as they do with their humor and, at their worst, are thinly veiled attempts at cashing in on the holiday excitement by wrapping a subpar episode in holiday packaging. By Laura Jane Turner. Let us know in the comments below or contact Patrick Cavanaugh directly on Twitter to talk all things horror and Star Wars! Homer's status as a good husband might regularly be called into question by his actions, but it's clear how much he cherishes Marge, making the emotional impact of this episode and how Moe is ultimately responsible for Homer's delinquency on his journey home causing genuine emotional reactions in viewers. Gift of the Magi. For example, Gary Coleman voices himself as a security guard at Kid First Industries, with later episodes often settling for the mere inclusion of a celebrity voice hoping of eliciting laughter. Understandably, comparing the first episode of the series to subsequent holiday episodes when the series was a much more fully formed concept feels a bit unfair, but even its debut installment stands above a number of subsequent storylines. After Homer learns he won't be getting a Christmas bonus, he is forced to take a second job as a mall Santa, though Bart gets a tattoo honoring his mother, requiring the family to blow their savings on its removal. Following Bart accidentally breaking his "butt bone," Springfield Elementary has to enlist the mob to pay for the building of ramps for his wheelchair, which bankrupts the school and forces them to be privatized. Add to that is a direct parody of The Grinch, alongside other Simpson-ized holiday specials, making for quite the enjoyable experience. While in some ways … Michael forces everyone in the office to partake in a yankee swap after he's unhappy with his secret santa gift. December 17, 2018 November 6, 2019. Likely due to the success they found with the "Treehouse of Horror" concept, The Simpsons would go on to replicate the structure of an episode featuring multiple outlandish tales that would be more difficult to pull off in a traditional capacity, with "Simpson Christmas Stories" being a weaker execution of the formula. Holidays of Future Passed – Season 23, episode 9 IMDb rating: 8.2 Many of the best Simpsons episodes come from experiences in the writers’... 3. After staying with the family for nearly a year, Gil is kicked out and heads to Scottsdale, Arizona to become a realtor. The greatest Christmas TV sitcom episodes that are perfect to watch on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon during the holiday season, from The Office, Black-ish, Arrested Development, Friends, and more. If you've never laughed at Homer's incompetence and marveled at how well meaning he can be in one episode, are … Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (Season 1, Episode 1). Simpsons Christmas Stories is one of the series' numerous anthology episodes, but the first one to ever be Christmas themed. Following the subsequent news coverage, the rest of the town donates money to the family, which they use to buy a car. Lisa's dream sees her imagining herself living in the 1940s with Marge being a soldier in World War II, as the rest of the family struggles without her. A number of Springfield residents are having their holiday packages stolen from their porches, with many people suspecting Sideshow Bob to be the culprit. From his objections to helping Bart with his "zipper" problem to confirming Bart won't get eggnog, "In fact, no nog, period," to his monologue about the Police Academy movies, the actor confirms Homer as a defining figure in the history of comedy with every single syllable. Tech News || There’s no shortage of Christmas specials out there to choose from - even Lego Star Wars has jumped on board! to Milhouse's shock and awe at entering his name into Bonestorm as "Thrillhouse," only for audiences to see he could only fit "Thrillho," the jokes comes fast and heavy, rarely going more than 30 seconds without making us laugh. Lists about Matt Groening's animated sitcom about an average family from Springfield, airing since 1989. Skinner's Sense of Snow. Homer explores a lonely Springfield, spotlighting the sights, sounds, and fellow residents who are also alone on the important date, only for Marge to ultimately realize Homer's folly wasn't his own. Thirty years in the future the Simpsons get together for Christmas. Marge and the rest of the family turn their home into a bed and breakfast, delivering guests a variety of holiday experiences. Vowing to become the nicest guy in town, Homer embarks on a genuinely charitable crusade, only for his efforts to go too far as he steals the town's presents in hopes of teaching them to be less materialistic. It is comprised of three fascinating and contrasting tales which might be linked collectively effectively by the episode’s overarching narrative. The Simpsons: Every Christmas Episode Ever, Ranked. 5. It might not be the most profound episode of The Simpsons in terms of plot or message, but it’s a very entertaining one and a great start to your Christmas viewing schedule. The first sequence focuses on Bart's dream in which he is treated to a Polar Express-esque journey, with Otto escorting him to the North Pole, hitting all the major beats of that book to essentially serve as a straight-up parody of the kids' book. A Springfield Summer Christmas for Christmas. I wanted to do the classic Blogmas thing and bring you a list of my favourite Christmas movies, but while making it I realised that I actually haven’t seen many Christmas movies It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so we counted down the top Christmas-themed TV episodes of all time. Lisa and Bart make the perfect foils for one another, as Lisa typically drives the story forward as Bart chimes in with his unhelpful assistance, while this structure also allows Homer and other Springfield residents to completely fly off the handle, as they do in this episode. When the town suddenly becomes a hot tourist destination, people flock in and everyone starts seeing dollar signs. The Simpsons started, as far as the family you know and love is concerned, as a Christmas special. Holidays of Future Passed. While Moe is often shown as being a depressed person in the series, his regular attempts to commit suicide on the holidays become a staple of The Simpsons shocking audiences by finding ways to make punchlines with the most macabre of subjects. All items (23) (Photo: FOX) With the Simpson family inadvertently being responsible for Gil Gunderson getting ... 14) "Simpson Christmas Stories" - Season 17, Episode 9. Simpson Christmas (Tracy Ullman show The Simpsons Short) Simpson’s roasting on an open fire (Season 1 episode 1) Marge be not proud (Season 7 episode 11) Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (Season 9 episode 10) “‘Tis the Fifteenth Season” Image credit: Frinkiac The new owners of the school are secretly collecting data from the students to create the world's best toy, "Funzo," leaving Bart and Lisa to expose the company for their true intentions. You'd also be hard-pressed to see any other Christmas episode of any series that finds a way to organically incorporate an astrolabe, which earns this installment a few more bonus points. Bart and Skinner’s interactions are great, as are Flanders and Homer’s; both caught on a quest to rescue the kids. All rights reserved. As such, we’re about to get in the holiday mood, Disney+ style. The Simpsons Christmas Episodes and Seasons, In Order! 20th Century Fox. But The Simpsons Christmas Christmas only comes into play in the final act, but with the genuine display of themes of love and acceptance, it marks a significant tonal shift for the satirical series, with Lisa identifying as Buddhist throughout the rest of the series following the events of this episode. His measly paycheck falls short of his expectations, as he decides to wager his earnings on a dog race. From there, the jokes might slightly slow down, but the emotional arc of Bart escalating his typical mischief into petty theft and how this signals a transition from being a kid into being a pre-teen will surely resonate with audiences, as many of us can remember a time where, no matter how old we were, we wished that our parents would provide us the same support as they did when we were 10. They don't come with labels similar to "Treehouse of Horrors," but they are memorable for casual and dedicated fans alike. Due to a model rocket malfunction, the Springfield church sees serious damage, ultimately enlisting the sponsorship of corporations to make repairs. Due to global warming, the entire country will be devoid of snow on Christmas, with a unique alignment of climate conditions and city-specific pollution colliding and resulting Springfield being the only place with snow, bringing in a surge of tourists. The first episode of the series was actually a Christmas special. The heart, the satire, the absurdity, the one-liners: It all feels special in the way that the best episodes of The Simpsons feel like something beyond just a great episode of television. Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire. The real highlight of the episode is the horrifying experience of Maggie being watched by the Gnome in the Home, as it never stops watching her and seems to scurry around her room when she's not looking. The various selections of holiday tunes that are added into the episode also inject some added seasonal spirit. - December 9, 2020 09:56 pm EST. The Simpsons have pumped out many a Christmas episode – but what is the best? Add to this episode largely being holiday-themed in aesthetics more than in authenticity is that Gil plays a major role and, despite being highly entertaining in small bursts and with depressing non-sequiturs, centering a whole episode around a D-list resident of Springfield doesn't really stand out. People throughout Springfield open their hearts—and wallets—after Bart accidentally burns the family's Christmas presents and claims they were stolen by a burglar, but when the truth is alas revealed, the Simpsons find themselves pariahs. After he gets busted by security, Marge expresses how she's not so much angry with him so much as she is disappointed, with the episode seeing him being omitted from typical family events as Marge feels he's "too old." Even though he isn't attempting to murder anyone, fans will surely appreciate Sideshow Bob getting involved in the holiday hijinks, while even giving him somewhat of a happy ending. When Bart wakes up early on Christmas morning, he unwraps his toys but unfortunately burns down the Christmas tree and hides it in the front yard, blaming everything on a burglar. Adding to the strength of the ensemble humor and plenty of holiday cheer, the episode ends with a relatively touching moment in which, despite having every reason to be angry at Bart, they all playfully argue over a washcloth, reminding us of the importance of family, even in the face of loss. For the purpose of this exercise, a Christmas episode will be one in which the plot revolves around the holiday. In the wake of Trebek's passing earlier this year, it serves as another spotlight of his sense of humor. Simpsons Christmas Tales is without doubt one of the sequence’ quite a few anthology episodes, however the first one to ever be Christmas themed. The family is forced to spend all of their savings to get Bart's new tattoo removed, and with no money Christmas, Homer is forced to become a store Santa. This installment marks an important, and somewhat confusing, entry into the annals of The Simpsons. Best Simpsons Christmas Episodes – Blogmas 2018 Day 17. So gather round children, and with joy in our heart, let’s rate the festive adventures of Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart. Krusty struggles to connect with his daughter during the holidays, as he's Jewish and she's Christian, with the clown joining the local church so that the pair can celebrate holiday traditions together. Whether they're arguing about how to best maneuver out of a skid when their new car hits ice or how they immediately know what to do when walking past the Flanders' home and pretend to have cross country skis by sliding across the sidewalk, each character supports one another to enable the best delivery of hilarious jokes. Admittedly, much of what happens in Florida is devoid of any holiday-specific humor, but the strength of the opening scenes in which Marge waits in line for Black Friday are strong enough to make this episode stand out from other installments as a whole. The Way of the Dog. If you’re looking to watch some holiday appropriate Simpsons episodes in this, the season of nog, you can’t go wrong with our top five. Let it snow in Springfield, and enjoy the best The Simpsons Christmas episodes. Between the family visiting a "Krusty's Kristmas on Ice" and the inciting incident being directly connected to Christmas, the overall experience largely feels like a Gil-focused episode that just so happened to align with the holidays, as opposed to one that required the holiday setting. Before even diving into the meat of the narrative, another highlight is the series' extended Christmas-themed opening, whereas previous installments featured much more brief twists on the famous couch-gag sequence. When audiences think of the ways in which The Simpsons honors the holidays, fans likely immediately jump to the fact that the animated series delivers viewers a Halloween-themed adventure every year with its "Treehouse of Horror" series, though there are plenty of Christmas-themed exploits for the first family in animation that stick with viewers. As he threatens to burn all the presents, he realizes he may have gone too far and returns the presents to the town. After the melting snow uncovers what really happened, the town breaks into the Simpson home seeking retribution, leaving the family to bicker over the only thing left in the house, a raggedy washcloth. how many episodes in mcleod's daughters season 1. In this regard, episodes like "Skinner's Sense of Snow" and "The Burns and The Bees" briefly touch upon holiday festivities, but it's a stretch to include them alongside much more Christmas-centric adventures.

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