Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
The Simpsons episode
Title card
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 1
Directed by	David Silverman
Written by	Mimi Pond
Production code	7G08[1]
Original air date	December 17, 1989 (1989-12-17)
Running time	23 minutes
Episode features
Commentary	Matt Groening James L. Brooks David Silverman
Episode chronology
← Previous "TV Simpsons" Next → "Bart the Genius"
The Simpsons season 1
List of episodes

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" (titled onscreen as "The Simpsons Christmas Special")^[2][1] is the series premiere of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on Fox in the United States on December 17, 1989.^[1] Introducing the Simpson family into half-hour television in this episode, Bart Simpson disobediently gets a tattoo without the permission of his parents. After Marge spends all the family's holiday budget on having it removed, Homer learns that his boss is not giving employees Christmas bonuses, and takes a job as a shopping mall Santa.

The Simpsons was originally intended to debut earlier in 1989 with "Some Enchanted Evening", but due to animation problems with that episode, the series debuted with this episode on December 17. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman, and was the only episode of the series to air during the 1980s. Promos for the next episode ("Bart the Genius") ran during commercial breaks for this episode.^[3]

"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was viewed by approximately 13.4 million people in its original airing, and was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990. Since its release on home video, the episode has received positive reviews from critics.