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There are various the explanation why folks suppose The Simpsons is among the greatest exhibits of all time. Amongst different issues, this animated traditional mastered the vacation particular—from its debut to its long-running “Treehouse of Horror” collection (technically referred to as “The Simpsons Halloween Particular” collection).
There are solely so many extensively celebrated holidays to select from, however The Simpsons has been in a position to mine increasingly more materials from the identical locations. The ten most profitable specials reveal that, as they’re in a position to evoke the vacation spirit (whichever one it could be) whereas subverting expectations as solely The Simpsons can. Additionally they are inclined to seize the humor, battle, and compassion that come up from compulsory cultural traditions.
Launch Date December 17, 1989
Seasons 36
10 ‘Whacking Day’
Season 4, Episode 20
“Whacking Day” is not primarily based on an actual vacation, but it surely’s actual sufficient in Springfield. Each Could tenth, residents collect snakes into the middle of city and “whack them to snake heaven.” It was invented in 1924 as an excuse to beat up the Irish, however everybody on the town thinks it dates again to Jebediah Springfield himself. It is a ridiculous vacation that makes enjoyable of equally absurd native traditions that small cities rejoice throughout the nation. Watching former President Nixon fail to beat a reptile on reside tv is so satisfying.
There is a snake within the Kwik-E-Mart, the police go into particular coaching, a kids’s choir assembles, and Homer turns his yard right into a parking zone for Whacking Day. Even Barry White exhibits up, however he would not approve. Fellow dissenters Bart and Lisa get him to sing for them because the occasion goes on. It is good music for a righteous trigger, and this eccentric season 4 episode goes on to have one of many funniest endings within the present’s historical past—when Principal Skinner immediately realizes he forgot one thing.
9 ‘Holidays of Future Handed’
Season 23, Episode 9
“Holidays of Future Handed” is a novel episode. It largely takes place sooner or later, but it surely additionally consists of each Thanksgiving and Christmas. This episode could be very intelligent for one of many (a lot) later seasons; its use of Christmas playing cards to indicate the passage of time is among the largest highlights. Thirty years sooner or later, Bart and Lisa have youngsters of their very own, Maggie’s pregnant, they usually all attempt to make it dwelling for the vacations. Amusing particulars embrace Maggie’s ironic profession as a rock singer, Ralph’s alarming variety of clones, and Homer’s new passion to kick his alcoholism.
Air journey hilariously is not what it was, making Maggie’s journey to Springfield fairly wild. In the meantime, Lisa’s daughter Zia is so hooked on know-how that her storyline capabilities as a wonderful (and scary) analogy to our present obsession with screens. Bart and Lisa each wrestle with parenting, which results in some heartfelt moments. This episode proves how, even into its 20s, the Simpsons may nonetheless compellingly show household dysfunction.
8 ‘Marge Be Not Proud’
Season 7, Episode 11
In among the finest Simpsons Christmas specials, Bart tries to steal a online game from the Strive-N-Save as a result of his mother and father will not get it for him on the present worth. This revelation upsets Marge so badly that she wonders if she infants him an excessive amount of, prompting her to go away Bart alone for as soon as. It’s kind of curious that shoplifting (of all issues) is what lastly causes Marge to have such an enormous response, however Lisa’s comparability is humorous sufficient to maintain the narrative going: Marge’s coronary heart is like the lavatory rug; it absorbs every part that touches it.
Milhouse calling his mom to kick Bart out is a superb recurring bit. Satirically, Bart is so determined for motherly affection that he winds up asking if he can watch her put together Christmas playing cards. It is an endearing scene in a very heartwarming episode, however “Marge Be Not Proud” would not sacrifice any humor alongside the way in which both. Bart’s discolored snowman is a priceless vacation failure, and Lee Carvallo’s Placing Problem serves as an amusing distinction to Bone Storm. The top credit even present simply how unattainable this golf travesty is to play.
7 ‘I Love Lisa’
Season 4, Episode 15
In traditional Simpsons trend, “Monster Mash” performs on the radio to rejoice Valentine’s Day. Homer forgot concerning the vacation, after all, however impressively guesses proper underneath strain. Within the meantime, there are sufficient reasonable hearts to make this qualify as a borderline Halloween particular, to not point out Principal Skinner’s reminiscence of a Valentine’s Day in Da Nang of 1969 (nice Apocalypse Now reference). However “I Love Lisa” is generally about how Lisa provides Ralph a Valentine’s Day card out of pity. Ralph naively thinks it is real.
After agreeing to go to a reside Krusty the Clown present, Lisa is compelled to cease being so well mannered and fully humiliates Ralph on nationwide tv. Refreshingly, this Valentine’s Day episode is about acceptance of rejection and the positivity in shifting on with out resentment. It additionally does a superb job of creating Ralph extra than simply the absurdly clueless child behind the classroom. His efficiency as George Washington within the college play helps this beforehand ignored little one lastly discover some reward.
6 ‘Treehouse of Horror IV’
Season 5, Episode 5
“The Simpsons Halloween Particular IV” has some intelligent tombstones to start out issues off, together with one with “Elvis” in huge letters and “Settle for It” in smaller font beneath. Bart exhibits the viewers some cool and creepy work earlier than Homer desperately sells his soul for a donut. Easy idea, nice execution. The time he spends within the Ironic Punishment Division is gold, and the trial is plenty of enjoyable.
The second phase, “Terror at 5 1/2 Ft,” parodies among the finest Twilight Zone episodes from the unique collection. Bart attracts a lot consideration on the varsity bus that nobody notices Martin’s hilarious shirt. Then there’s the half the place Mr. Burns performs Dracula, who invitations the Simpsons to his nation home within the spooky land of Pennsylvania. It has a enjoyable slide it is best to by no means use, and Homer will get to “fulfill the American Dream” of killing his boss. Put every part collectively, and also you get one of many strongest episodes in season 5 by a mile.
5 ‘Treehouse of Horror V’
Season 6, Episode 6
“The Simpsons Halloween Particular V” brings the Treehouse of Horror intro again to its roots; Marge walks by way of the curtains and warns the viewer how scary the episode is. In truth, it is so scary that Congress recommends the viewer watch 200 Miles to Oregon from 1947 as a substitute (which does not actually exist). This enjoyable nuance results in among the finest Halloween segments in Simpsons historical past: “The Shinning” rips off The Shining in a approach that captures the temper of Stanley Kubrick’s traditional. Briefly, Homer has no beer and no cable. Sufficient mentioned.
“Time and Punishment” sends Homer again in time by way of a very dangerous toaster. His makes an attempt to get dwelling show extra sophisticated and amusingly exasperating than anticipated. “Nightmare Cafeteria” turns Principal Skinner and all of the academics into cannibals, they usually collectively do a horrible job of protecting this a secret. The bit the place Groundskeeper Willy proves completely inept at saving folks by no means will get outdated, serving to this go down as among the finest Treehouse of Horror episodes.
4 ‘Treehouse of Horror II’
Season 3, Episode 7
Identical to the yr earlier than, Marge emerges from the curtains in a chilly open to warn the viewers. This time, although, she acknowledges that no one listened to her final yr. Thus “The Simpsons Halloween Particular II” already provides to the formulation. After the youngsters and Homer return from trick-or-treating and wolf down a ton of sweet, they every have a nightmare. First, Homer buys an clearly cursed monkey’s paw that grants needs. The outcomes aren’t supreme.
The following phase is a parody of among the finest Twilight Zone episodes of all time: “It is a Good Life.” In fact it is Bart who performs the sociopathic child who has complete management over Springfield by making everybody suppose joyful ideas. If they do not, he’ll flip them into some terrible monstrosity. 346 consecutive hours of Krusty? Say no extra. Then Mr. Burns places Homer’s mind in a robotic’s physique, which is not the greatest combo.
3 ‘Simpsons Roasting on an Open Hearth’
Season 1, Episode 1
Technically titled “The Simpsons Christmas Particular” within the opening credit, The Simpsons’ debut is the one one to air throughout the Nineteen Eighties (and is the one episode written by Mimi Pond). Not a nasty solution to finish the last decade, because the present was humorous from the beginning. The hatred between sure members of the family throughout the holidays is completely captured in a single passive-aggressive telephone name the place Patty refuses to inform Homer who she is.
Oddly sufficient, the primary Simpsons episode did not even characteristic the enduring intro. When it comes to plot, Bart will get a tattoo on the mall and the Christmas cash has to go to its elimination. With out a vacation bonus, Homer turns into a mall Santa for $13 measly {dollars} and illegally chops down somebody’s tree to place in the lounge. It seems that is additionally the story of how Santa’s Little Helper joined the household, offering a healthful ending to an episode that might rightfully earn two Emmy nominations.
2 ‘Treehouse of Horror’
Season 2, Episode 3
The Treehouse of Horror mythology all began with Marge, who walks by way of the stage curtains and tells mother and father to tuck their youngsters into mattress early as a substitute of sending offended letters. The primary “Simpsons Halloween Particular” was the magnificent delivery of a practice that continues to at the present time (with various success). Bart and Lisa commerce spooky tales within the Simpsons’ treehouse whereas Homer watches, they usually’re all top-tier. First, there’s the haunted home that might moderately destroy itself than reside with the Simpsons.
Then there’s the epic introduction of Kang and Kodos. That Homer requires two beams for the spaceship to raise him is only one of many delectable particulars, together with how the always drooling aliens have Pong, nice culinary prowess, and maybe the dustiest cookbook within the galaxy. This traditional particular proceeds to finish with a enjoyable rendition of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” learn by none aside from James Earl Jones. Sharply directed in a approach that mixes comedy and macabre, the primary Treehouse of Horror remains to be arguably one of the best 34 years later.
1 ‘Bart vs. Thanksgiving’
Season 2, Episode 7
Certainly one of Bart’s greatest episodes, “Bart vs. Thanksgiving” sends up virtually every part about Thanksgiving. A parade commentator talks nonsense whereas soccer commentators make mild of a vacation damage. Patty and Selma deliver a couple of of their very own dishes to the Simpson gathering, to allow them to have a substitute for Marge’s dry turkey (preach!). Nonetheless, the largest laughs most likely come from Marge’s mom. She has laryngitis, and it hurts to speak; but she nonetheless endures the ache to rasp, “You by no means do something proper.”
The strongest Simpsons Thanksgiving particular sees Bart principally spoil every part. Then his mother and father ship him to his room and go on to have a comically dangerous pre-banquet prayer. So many of those jokes are spot on, and Bart’s try to search out his personal Thanksgiving dinner on the mistaken aspect of the tracks brings journey and perspective to the household battle. Essentially the most emotional scene is when Lisa will get Bart to apologize, exhibiting {that a} dysfunctional fancy dinner is nothing in comparison with a kind-spirited feast of leftovers.
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