When it comes to longevity in television, few exhibits can compete with The Simpsons. The sequence not too long ago celebrated its thirty first 12 months on the air, throughout which era there have been a staggering 694 episodes. For comparability, most exhibits battle to make it previous fifty.
Over the course of its 32 seasons, there have been loads of Christmas themed episodes, with the latest airing simply final week. Pleasant because it was although, it wasn’t fairly as much as the identical requirements of among the Christmas specials of yesteryear, a few of which rank amongst the best tv vacation specials of all time.
10 Simpsons Christmas Tales (S17E09)
Simpsons Christmas Tales is without doubt one of the sequence’ quite a few anthology episodes, however the first one to ever be Christmas themed. It is comprised of three fascinating and contrasting tales which might be linked collectively effectively by the episode’s overarching narrative.
By way of these tales, the episode tells the story of the very first Christmas, how Santa betrayed Grandpa and the way Marge helped Homer to purchase her the right present. The latter is maybe just a little distasteful because of the repeated use of Moe’s melancholy as a supply of low cost laughs, however, apart from that, it is a pretty stable episode.
9 ‘Tis The Fifteenth Season (S15E07)
The fifteenth season’s Christmas particular borrows so much from literature, with each How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Dickens’ A Christmas Carol taking part in a component within the episode’s narrative. The latter helps Homer to appreciate how egocentric he has been while the previous comes as a misguided try to make amends.
There’s so much to love about this episode, from the popular culture references which might be littered all through it to Homer’s silly plan to assist the folks of Springfield to deal with the true that means of Christmas. There’s additionally Moleman’s flare being mistaken for a Christmas star and Ned’s jealousy after dropping his title of the city’s nicest man, each of which slot in properly with out feeling too compelled.
8 She of Little Religion (S13E06)
After Homer and Bart’s home made rocket destroys the church, Reverend Lovejoy is compelled to safe outdoors funding from advertisers with a view to cowl the restore prices. Horrified by what the church turns into, Lisa begins to query her religion in Christianity and begins to discover various religions. A lot to the dismay of her household, she ultimately settles on Buddhism.
Marge and Lovejoy’s makes an attempt to woo Lisa again to the church with Christmas presents could find yourself being in useless, however they encourage viewers to consider a toddler’s proper to spiritual freedom. Conversely, Lisa’s is a journey of self discovery and demonstrates actual private development and knowledge that’s effectively past her years.
7 Grift Of The Magi (S11E09)
Bart’s tomfoolery results in him breaking his coccyx and briefly requiring a wheelchair with a view to get round. That is dangerous information for Springfield Elementary, which has some severe accessibility points which Fats Tony and his cronies are more than pleased to use. Their shoddy workmanship leaves the varsity with crippling debt and it finally ends up being bought to a toy firm that makes use of the scholars to design the following massive Christmas toy.
Though Bart is initially enamored by Funzo, he quickly realizes that they are designed to destroy different toys and so groups up with Lisa to place a cease to them. Their campaign to cease the harmful dolls is stuffed with laughs and is supplemented by a incredible visitor look from Gary Coleman. He could have been a number of prawns in need of a galaxy, however his efficiency and supply was spot on.
6 The Approach of The Canine (S31E22)
Because of a wide range of causes, this episode first aired in March moderately than December, however it’s nonetheless very a lot a Christmas themed episode. In actual fact, it’s an outdated Santa hat that finally ends up placing the occasions of the episode into movement. Santa’s Little Helper freaks out upon seeing it and finally ends up biting Marge which results in the household enlisting the assistance of a famend canine psychologist to get to the basis of the issue.
It is by far the season’s finest episode and is ready to evoke some pretty sturdy feelings because of its great writing. Viewers will not be solely handled to an emotional reunion between Santa’s Little Helper and his mom, however also get to learn a bit more about his tragic past in the process.
5 Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (S09E10)
Bart’s impatience results in him ruining Christmas for your entire household. Fairly than confess although, he as a substitute tells his household that they have been robbed which ends up in the folks of Springfield all pitching in to present them the perfect Christmas. When the townspeople discover out the reality, nonetheless, they demand their a refund and the Simpsons develop into social pariahs.
Alex Trebek makes a visitor look as a part of Marge’s ill-fated plan to win the cash wanted to repay their associates and neighbors. Finally although, the cities folks determine that they can not keep mad on the Simpsons and so determine to assist themselves to their possessions in lieu of compensation. Regardless of being left with nothing however an outdated washcloth, the Simpsons finish the episode comfortable simply to have one another.
4 Skinner’s Sense Of Snow (S12E08)
When a blizzard hits Springfield, Skinner refuses to shut Springfield Elementary that means that Bart and Lisa must go to high school. The snow continues to fall and, along with their classmates, they quickly discover themselves trapped inside the varsity. Skinner finally ends up tied up in a dodgeball bag and it is left to Homer and Ned to save lots of everyone. God assist all of them!
The children’ revolt is undoubtedly the spotlight of the episode and has shades of the traditional Lord of the Flies parody episode Das Bus from Season 9. It isn’t fairly as surreal neither is it wherever close to as dramatic, however the state of affairs nonetheless lends itself to plenty of humorous moments. Homer and Ned’s rescue try can be amusing and performs off their pre-existing dynamic to nice impact.
3 Holidays Of Future Handed (S23E09)
This is not the primary time that The Simpsons has given viewers a glimpse into the future neither is it prone to be the final. It’s, nonetheless, one of many higher examples of the present doing so and has loads of fascinating and effectively thought out moments for viewers to get pleasure from.
The episode begins with Bart and Lisa complaining about having to pose for the household’s annual Christmas photograph earlier than whisking viewers 30 years into the longer term. Right here, they’re given a glimpse of how the household seems via each flashbacks and actual time occasions. Lisa is proven to be bisexual and married to Millhouse, Bart is a divorced father of two and Maggie is a well-known musician and is anticipating her first little one. Even Abe, who had been cryogenically frozen, makes an look in this enjoyable and engrossing episode.
2 Simpsons Roasting On An Open Hearth (S01E01)
When the very first episode of The Simpsons first aired again in December of 1989, only a few might have predicted how profitable the present would go on to develop into. It might actually be argued that its high quality has declined over time, however its longevity is extremely spectacular nonetheless. It began with a Christmas particular that served as the right approach to introduce the Simpson household to the world.
It is an motion packed episode that sees Homer having to take a second job as a mall Santa after Mr. Burns cancels Christmas bonuses on the plant. Worse nonetheless. Bart decides to get a tattoo forcing Marge to blow their financial savings on getting it eliminated. Homer and Bart finally discover themselves penniless on the Springfield canine observe, however the pair do not go away empty-handed. That they nonetheless have Santa’s Little Helper greater than three a long time later actually does go to point out that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.
1 Marge Be Not Proud (S07E11)
The attract of an ultra violent video game proves an excessive amount of for Bart and, following just a little little bit of peer stress, he finally ends up shoplifting a duplicate from the native Strive-N-Save. Though he is in a position to cover the reply telephone recording left for his mother and father by the shop’s chief safety guard, his faux disguises aren’t sufficient to trick Don Brodka when the Simpsons later return to the shop to get their Christmas {photograph} taken.
What follows is a troublesome lesson for Bart who appears genuinely remorseful for what he has performed. In the long run, he finds a approach to restore his relationship with his parents and even will get a brand new online game for Christmas. Fairly than Bonestorm although, he finally ends up with a duplicate of the god-awful golf-sim Lee Carvallo’s Placing Problem. The frustration shortly passes nonetheless, as he’s simply grateful to have regained his mom’s love and belief.
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