The Simpsons First Season on DVD

Many newer fans, and even some older ones, of The Simpsons don’t own the complete first season DVD. True, when it comes to some of the very first episodes, there’s a significant change in both quality of animation and the overall ambience of the show from how it later evolved. For instance, some people will probably be shocked at the sight of Homer Simpson being the responsible parent in the episode There’s No Disgrace Like Home.

And few viewers aren’t completely taken aback by the sight of an African-American Smithers. In addition, during the first season the focus of the show was definitely slanted toward Bart Simpson and contained only brief glimpses of the social criticism and satirical underpinnings that separate the wheat of the Simpsons from the chaff of wannabes that followed in its wake, from Fish Police to American Dad.

Included on the first season Simpsons DVD is the Christmas special that marked the transformation of the yellow family from starring characters in shorts on the Tracy Ullman Show to icons of television comedy and saviors of the fledgling Fox Network. The Simpsons Christmas Special has come to belong appreciated in the same vein as A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Like all the Simpsons boxed set DVD collections, each episode features commentary from creator Matt Groening, along with various writers, animators and producers. The episodes from the first season in actuality present a little mini-preview of what the Simpsons would come to perfect over the next few years.

For instance, for fans of flat-out slapstick, few episodes contain as many belly laughs as the one in which the Simpsons going on an ill-fated camping expedition. The Simpsons forays into satire are hinted at in the episode Bart the General, and their genius for parody comes to the fore in The Tell-Tale Head.

Homer’s Night Out and Life in the Fast Lane both contain elements of the more adult-oriented issues regarding parenting and child raising and marriage that would mark many of the show’s most brilliant later episodes.

Season one is also notable for introducing a very popular recurring character-one who is rumored to make an appearance in the upcoming movie-Sideshow Bob. The Crepes of Wrath was at one time ranked in a TV Guide poll of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time.

Yes, it’s true that first season of The Simpsons often looks crudely animated when compared to the magnificent artistry of recent seasons, and yes the characters were still being defined, but that’s true of all TV shows. Well, the second part anyway. And besides, where else are you also going to get a priceless ABC news report from the first year the show aired that examines one of the most serious issues facing schools at the time: Kids wearing Bart Simpsons T-shirts!

This extra is almost worth the price of the DVD by itself. Of course, it’s silly in retrospect. Just like it’s going to look mightily silly in retrospect that the US Congress wanted to pass amendments against flag-burning and gay marriages. To enjoy this special feature, which is actually an Easter Egg, do this: At disc three’s main menu, select “Extra Features”. Go to the second page “Next” and highlight “‘Some Enchanted Evening’ Script.” Press left to highlight Bart’s T-shirt.

Other special features on the first season DVD of the Simpsons includes outtakes, a BBC special on the show, some sketches, and scripts from three episodes.