The Simpsons' first season originally aired between December 17, 1989The year 1989 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1989.For the American TV schedule, see: 1989-90 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
and May 13, 1990The year 1990 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1990.For the American TV schedule, see: 1990-91 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
, beginning with the Christmas special "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", also known as "The Simpsons Christmas Special", is the first full-length episode of The Simpsons to air despite originally being the eighth episode produced for season one. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 17, 1989...
". The show runnerShow runner is a term used in the Canadian and United States television industry referring to the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a television series. The term is also occasionally applied to people in the television industries of other countries...
s for the first production season were Matt GroeningMatthew Abram "Matt" Groening is an American cartoonist, screenwriter and producer. He is the creator of the comic strip Life in Hell and the television series The Simpsons and Futurama....
, James L. BrooksJames L. Brooks is an American director, producer and screenwriter. Growing up in North Bergen, New Jersey, Brooks endured a fractured family life and passed the time by reading and writing. After dropping out of New York University he got a job as an usher at CBS, going on to write for the CBS...
, and Sam SimonSam Simon is an American television producer and writer, most notable as one of the original developers of The Simpsons, along with Matt Groening and James L. Brooks...
.
The series was originally set to debut in the fall of 1989 with the episode "Some Enchanted Evening", which was meant to introduce the main characters. However, during the first screening of the episode, the producers discovered that the animation was so appalling that 70% of the episode needed to be redone. The producers considered aborting the series if
the next episode"Bart the Genius" is the second episode of The Simpsons
' first season, which originally aired on the Fox network on January 14, 1990. It was the first episode written by Jon Vitti and the first directed by David Silverman. It was also the first ever episode to use the signature...
turned out as bad, but it only suffered from easily fixable problems. The producers convinced Fox to move the debut to December 17, and aired "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" as the first episode of the series.
The first season won one Emmy Award, and received four additional nominations. Although television shows are limited to one episode a category, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was considered a separate special, and nominated alongside fellow episode "
Life on the Fast Lane"Life on the Fast Lane", also known as "Jacques To Be Wild", is the ninth episode of The Simpsons first season, which originally aired on March 18, 1990. It was written by John Swartzwelder and directed by David Silverman. Albert Brooks guest starred as Jacques, with him being credited as "A. Brooks"...
" for Outstanding Animated Program; "Life on the Fast Lane" won the award. "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was also nominated for "Outstanding Editing in a Miniseries or Special", while "The Call of the Simpsons" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special". The main theme song, composed by
Danny ElfmanDaniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American musician, best known for composing music for television and movies, and leading the rock band Oingo Boingo as singer/songwriter from 1976 until its breakup in 1995. He is a frequent collaborator with long-time friend Tim Burton, and has scored all but...
, was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music".
The DVD boxset was released on September 25, 2001 in Region 1 and September 24, 2001 in both Region 2 and Region 4.
List of episodes
| # |
| | Directed by |
|---|
| |Original airdate |
|---|
| 20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation , also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox, is one of the six major American film studios...
in the United States and Canada in September 2001, eleven years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including deleted sceneDeleted scene is a commonly-used term in the entertainment industry, especially the film and television industry, which usually refers specifically to scenes removed from or replaced by another scene in the final "cut", or version, of a film...
s, Animatics, and commentaries for every episode. The set became the top selling television show on DVD by selling 1.9 million units, holding the record until October 2004 when it was passed by the first season of Chappelle's ShowChappelle's Show was an American comedy television series created by comedian Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show as well as starring in various skits. Chappelle, Brennan and Michele Armour were the show's executive producers. The series premiered on January 22, 2003 on...
.
| The Complete First Season |
| Set Details |
Special Features |
- 13 episodes
- 3-disc set
- 1.33:1 aspect ratio
- Languages:
- English (Dolby Digital
Dolby Digital is the marketing name for a series of data/audio compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories.- Versions :Dolby Digital includes several similar technologies, which include Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby...
5.1, with subtitles)
- French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
- Spanish (subtitles only)
|
Optional commentaries for all 13 episodes
Original scripts for "Bart the Genius"Bart the Genius" is the second episode of The Simpsons ' first season, which originally aired on the Fox network on January 14, 1990. It was the first episode written by Jon Vitti and the first directed by David Silverman. It was also the first ever episode to use the signature...
", "Bart the General"Bart the General" is the fifth full length episode of The Simpsons ' first season, which premiered on the Fox network on February 4, 1990. The episode deals with Bart's troubles with the bully, Nelson Muntz. Bart chooses to go to war with Nelson uniting the neighborhood kids...
", "Moaning Lisa"Moaning Lisa" is the sixth episode of The Simpsons ' first season, and originally aired February 11, 1990. The episode was written by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, and was directed by Wes Archer. Ron Taylor guest stars in the episode as Bleeding Gums Murphy. The episode deals with Lisa's...
" and "Some Enchanted Evening"Some Enchanted Evening" is the thirteenth and final episode of The Simpsons ' first season and originally aired on the Fox network on May 13, 1990. Although it was the first episode produced, it aired as the season finale due to significant animation problems. The episode features...
"
Unaired version of "Some Enchanted Evening"Some Enchanted Evening" is the thirteenth and final episode of The Simpsons ' first season and originally aired on the Fox network on May 13, 1990. Although it was the first episode produced, it aired as the season finale due to significant animation problems. The episode features...
" with Optional Commentary
Albert BrooksAlbert Brooks is an American actor, writer, comedian and director. He received an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for his role in Broadcast News...
outtakes
BBC Special: America's First Family
ABC NewsABC News is a division of American television network ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company. Its current president is David Westin.-Current programs:* America This Morning* Good Morning America* Good Morning America Weekend Edition...
: Bart T-shirt Controversy
Tracy Ullman Show short: Good Night"Good Night" is the first Simpsons short that appeared on The Tracey Ullman Show. It originally aired April 19, 1987, during the third episode of The Tracey Ullman Show and was the first appearance of the Simpson family on television. After three seasons on Tracey Ullman, the shorts would be...
"
Foreign Language Clips
Early Sketches
Stills and magazine covers |
| Release Dates |
Region 1DVD region codes are a DRM technique designed to allow motion picture studios to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and, price; according to the region...
|
Region 2DVD region codes are a DRM technique designed to allow motion picture studios to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and, price; according to the region...
|
Region 4DVD region codes are a DRM technique designed to allow motion picture studios to control aspects of a release, including content, release date, and, price; according to the region...
|
| September 25, 2001 |
September 24, 2001 |
September 24, 2001 |
External links
- Season 1 at The Simpsons.com
- Season 1 at the BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation, usually referred to by its abbreviation as the "BBC", is the longest established and largest broadcaster in the world...
- Season 1 at TV.com
TV.com is a website owned by CBS Interactive. The service was launched on June 1, 2005 and replaced the popular TV Tome website.- Format :...
|
|---|