The Simpsons: Christmas Stories

As any true fan knows, The Simpsons' first episode wasn't the Christmas one where they got Santa's Little Helper. That was the first aired on Fox though, so many think of it as the first. Regardless, The Simpsons' Christmas episodes have a special place in many people's hearts, and are probably second only to their Halloween episodes. This year, they took a cue from the Treehouse of Horror, and broke the episode down into three smaller segments. Each a Christmas story to melt the heart-- or make you laugh. Your choice. On with the show!

The First (Annoyed Grunt) - El: This episode happened after Rev. Lovejoy couldn't make it to mass because of a "train accident". Ned stepped in, but knocked himself out with a papercut. Feeling the need for a hero, Homer took over mass and told his rendition of the first Christmas. Some of the characters seem a little "familiar", and it doesn't go quite how I remember it, but the feelings all the same. The best parts were when baby Jesus was using his "powers" like Jeanie.

I Saw Grampa Cussing Santa Claus: When Bart and Lisa caught Grampa setting a bear trap in the chimney, they were a little curious, but unfortunately Grampa answered their question. He told the story of when he was a young Navy pilot and was shot down over a deserted island with Mr. Burns. They survived for months, wondering if they'd be rescued, when on Christmas Eve, Mr. Burns shot down Santa. They helped him repair his sleigh, but before Santa could leave, Mr. Burns hijacked it and tried to abandon Santa and Grampa. Grampa grabbed a lone reindeer and chased after the sleigh, subduing Burns and returning the sleigh. Santa promised, once he was done delivering the toys, he'd swing back by and pick up the two castaways. He didn't. Back in the present, Santa had come to visit and explained to Grampa that he had just forgotten, but after reuniting him with his long-lost brother, Grampa forgave him.

The Nutcracker.... Sweet: The final vignette of the night was a montage of Springfield's Christmas celebrations set to The Nutcracker music, which, as Marge explained, is part of the public domain, so they didn't have to pay royalty fees. Some funny stuff in here. I liked seeing all the Jewish people going out to eat, and Willy dreaming of dreaming while he's passed out in the snow. The segment ended with Homer's frantic search for a gift for Marge. When he wearily brings himself home, he finds that her gift was actually a gift for him to give to her. Awwww.

All in all, a good episode. I wouldn't mind seeing The Simpsons do something like this every year, and have another holiday special tradition going. When we have The Simpsons' President's Day Blowout though, well, Matt Groening and company have gone a little too far...

Couch Gag of the Week:
A newspaper with the headline "Couch Gag Thrills Nation" comes spiraling out of the background.