When The Simpsons first aired, it showed promise but was quite different from the show we know today. Now, with over 800 episodes and a movie, it’s officially the longest-running scripted primetime TV show in American history.
I’ve been watching The Simpsons for years, and it’s amazing how much it’s evolved! Most fans, myself included, agree that the show was at its absolute best from around season 3 to season 11 – that’s what we call the Golden Age. But honestly, I’ve been really impressed lately. The Thanksgiving episode they did recently was genuinely fantastic, and it feels like the show is having a bit of a comeback. It’s great to see!
Though seasons 33 through 36 aren’t as good as the show’s classic years, they’re generally better than many episodes from seasons 12 to 31. However, people often overlook the very first seasons of The Simpsons, which were unique and sometimes quite strange.
The Simpsons’ Humor Used To Be Far Darker
It’s rare for a comedy series to begin with a holiday episode, but The Simpsons did just that. The very first episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” centers around Homer trying – and failing – to earn extra money for Christmas gifts. The story is surprisingly somber, and the show doesn’t try to hide that.
Okay, so this episode kicks off with Bart making a predictably impulsive decision – a tattoo! Naturally, Marge isn’t thrilled, and suddenly the family’s Christmas money is earmarked for tattoo removal. But things get even tighter when Homer finds out Mr. Burns is being a total Scrooge and canceling the employee bonuses. Desperate to still make Christmas magical for the kids, Homer takes a job as a mall Santa. It’s a classic setup: Bart messes up, and Homer tries to fix it, all with the usual hilarious results. It’s a heartwarming and funny episode that really captures the spirit of the holidays, even with all the chaos.
In this holiday episode, Homer gambles his small paycheck on a long-shot horse, but as The Simpsons often shows a more cynical side, he loses. While disappointed, the family does get a happy surprise – a new dog joins them for Christmas!
Homer Is Nowhere Near As Likable As He Became
As the plot suggests, the very first Simpsons episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” is surprisingly somber when compared to later episodes. Beyond that, viewers revisiting the pilot will also notice Homer is quite different – he’s much more serious and less of the playful, comedic character he becomes known as.
Many classic Simpsons episodes focus on Homer’s problems at work, but he’s mostly remembered as a funny, somewhat clueless character. He used to be angrier and more troubled – especially in the very first episode – but later seasons, starting around season 3, showed a much sillier and more lighthearted side of him, which is what most fans know today.
Homer consistently struggles throughout the series, but he becomes less burdened by his shortcomings as a father, husband, and provider as the show goes on. A big part of why he remains so likable is his easygoing attitude – he doesn’t get too upset about his mistakes, especially in the later seasons.
The Simpsons Focused On Real-Life Struggles Much More
TM and Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved./courtesy Everett Collection
Homer’s unusually sentimental behavior in this episode likely stems from the seriousness of the plot. Unlike the more comedic storylines from the show’s early seasons, the first episode centers on a genuinely touching and relatable issue: the family’s struggles with money. This financial hardship is the main focus of the story.
Some of the best episodes from seasons 5 and 6 of The Simpsons feature surprisingly outlandish plots. For example, Homer uncovers a secret society, Bart discovers a comet heading for Springfield, and the family battles deadly robots at Itchy & Scratchy Land. What’s remarkable is that these aren’t from the show’s annual Halloween specials – they’re regular episodes meant to be somewhat realistic.
The Simpsons Was Always Built To Stand Out
The pilot episode takes a much more grounded and honestly heartbreaking approach. The family’s difficulty affording Christmas gifts, and Homer’s sincere but unsuccessful attempts to provide for them, are genuinely sad – something rarely seen in later seasons of The Simpsons. Even with this heavier tone, the episode still hints at the show it would become in the future.
I always loved how The Simpsons could occasionally pull at your heartstrings – moments like when Bleeding Gums Murphy passed away, or when Mona Simpson reappeared, were so touching. But those episodes felt rare. What really struck me about the very first episode, though, was how honestly it dealt with difficult, everyday problems. Even with any imperfections, it was clear from the start that this show was destined for greatness. The Simpsons just felt… special, and completely ready to become a phenomenon.
The very first episode of the show already featured all the core characters – the Simpson family, as well as familiar faces like Mr. Burns, Smithers, Barney, and Moe. It’s remarkable how fully formed everything was so early in the series, and that’s a big reason why The Simpsons quickly became so popular and distinctive.
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2025-12-02 21:50