The Simpsons: The Complete First Season

 

 

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I was one of those fans who watched The Simpsons from the very start; back in those days, even at college, all we had were rabbit ears to pick up the less than clear local Fox station - some folks back then, in 1989, still did not even have a local Fox station. Things have changed a whole lot since the thirteen-episode first season of this classic comedy, but in many ways The Simpsons has not. As I write this, the show's still going strong and building upon the work done all those years ago. While there was a bit of experimentation back in the early days, the characters emerged fully formed from the very first show. It's quite a treat to be able to watch these first thirteen episodes in order again and to reflect back upon the controversy and instant impact this animated show immediately made on popular culture.

I was amazed at how vibrant and familiar these first shows seemed; it seems like only yesterday that I was introduced to Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and all the denizens of Springfield. Every episode here is a classic. Watching There's No Disgrace Like Home, the third episode, I was unexpectedly taken back to the very beginning of Simpsons mania as I watched the Simpsons repeatedly administer shocks to themselves to the consternation of family therapist Marvin Monroe. And who could forget the terrible ordeal Bart endured at the hands of two French cretins (or little Adil Hoxha, foreign exchange student from Albania - a legend in the lore of Simpsons trivia) in The Crepes of Wrath. In terms of pure hilarity, look no farther than Homer's Night Out, in which Homer becomes the swingingest swinger in town and elicits a plea for help in the ladies' department from none other than Mr. Skinner himself. The first memorable guest performers also lended their special magic to the show early on: Penny Marshall as the baby-sitting bandit in Some Enchanted Evening, Kelsey Grammer as Sideshow Bob in Krusty Gets Busted, and Albert Brooks as the RV salesman in Call of the Simpsons and Jacque, Marge's French admirer and bowling instructor in Life On the Fast Lane. I could write a paragraph about every single episode, as each one is a classic.

The commentary for each episode is fabulous, as a whole gaggle of the geniuses who brought the show to life come together to laugh at the best bits, talk about the show's genesis and evolution during this experimental first season, and provide fans with all kinds of trivia and juicy tidbits about the whole Simpsons phenomenon. You can clearly see the show develop with each passing episode, particularly in terms of the level of detail in the animation and, to some degree, the voices. With the help of the commentaries, you get a whole new perspective on Homer and the gang. One can't help but be impressed by the way each character was developed early on, the chemistry that quickly emerged between all the characters, and the way in which serious issues were explored in such a comedic manner. Gosh, you had Marge and Homer's marriage on the rocks in a couple of episodes, Bart's deportation to France for his excessive shenanigans at school, the capture of Bart and Lisa by a wanted criminal, the framing and imprisonment of Krusty, the problem of illiteracy, etc. This show really had it all, right from the very start.

I don't know why I waited so long to add The Simpsons Season One to my DVD collection, but I can't wait to get all of the seasons on DVD. After 15+ years, it's easy to take this show for granted, but this Season One DVD with all of its extras has reawakened my old passion for this incredible television show. Speaking of extras, you get a look here at the first animated version of the show, and it's just as horrible as Matt Groening and the other Simpsons bigwigs said it was. You have to see it to believe it. After seeing that, you realize more than ever how lucky we are to have The Simpsons in our lives.

This is a must buy for sure. The episodes may look badly animated, and they may not be as funny as the newer episodes, but I still laughed and laughed as the Simpsons crawled their way to fame. The Simpsons is the funniest tv show out there along side Family Guy. As for the episodes in this collection
well I can't complain. They are a very good start. There is only one episode in this season I didn't like and that was Moaning Lisa. I'll rate each episode out of 10.

Simpsons Roating On An Open Fire....7/10

Bart The Genius....7/10

Homers Odyssey....6/10

There's No Disgrace Like Home....8/10

Bart The General....8/10

Moaning Lisa....5/10 (The only episode I didn't really care for)

Call Of The Simpsons....8/10

The Telltale Head....7/10

Life On The Fast Lane....7/10

Homer's Night Out....6/10

The Crepes Of Wrath....9/10 (My favorite episode of the season)

Krusty Gets Busted....8/10

Some Enchanted Evening....7/10

So, I really recommend this set because you get to see the Simpsons back when they first came out. And soon we should have all the 15 seasons on dvd.

I'm not trying to make The Simpsons sound like a bad show or anything because it's one of my favourites, but the first season they were still working out a lot of the kinks, finding their identity. The episodes are "fine" which is the reason for the 3-star rating, but not the great ones that they started doing once season 2 started.

This set is strictly for completists (like myself), although the comments by Matt Groening on the inside of the cover should be worth an extra half-star.

It's good, but ALL the other seasons are better.

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2.0 out of 5 stars No Quebec French traduction it's a bad thing!
No Quebec French traduction it's a bad thing! They lost a lot of people in Quebec for this first box released They should re release with the adjustement made!
thanks

Published on Aug 27 2009 by Eric Berard

5.0 out of 5 stars Question
Does anyone know if the French track is the one from Quebec?
Thanks for the info!

Published on Oct 6 2007 by Capucine

4.0 out of 5 stars Where it all started..
The simpson back in the late 80s started as comic strips then they began on the tracey ulman show then they got their own show. Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 30 2006 by Tommy Morais

5.0 out of 5 stars It's finally here.
The beginning of a great series. If you love the Simpsons, this has to be added to your DVD collection.

Published on Dec 23 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Defining picture and sound!
The 5.1 Dolby Digital track is one of the best on any DVD, with pounding LFEs (check out the cherry-bomb-flushed-down-the-toilet from The Crepes of Wrath) and some excellent, but... Lisez davantage

Published on April 1 2005 by Nathan Redmond

5.0 out of 5 stars The beginning of an institution!
...Mental institution, that is! The Simpsons have been gradually getting funnier and better every season and this is where it all started. Lisez davantage

Published on Jan 2 2005 by Disco Stu

2.0 out of 5 stars Doublage en français
À noter que la traduction française n'est pas celle du Québec, mais celle de la France. Pensez-y deux fois avant d'acheter. Lisez davantage

Published on Aug 12 2004 by Jasmin Gosselin

1.0 out of 5 stars sucks
all the old episodes aren't as funny sorry. I'd only buy this if i were a simpsons geek.

Published on July 15 2004 by kennyzombie

3.0 out of 5 stars Simpsontastic Stuff
The DVD makes superb use of a season brilliant in places and average in others:The First Season.Most episodes individually have a great storyline and plot... Lisez davantage

Published on July 13 2004 by Stephen Franklin

5.0 out of 5 stars THATS MY HUSBAND LOCAL LADY MARRIES BIGFOOT
The Simpsons rock!

And the funniest and most enjoyable and most cherished episode is on here-when Homer becomes Bigfoot-that is so funny-especially when Marge says thats her... Lisez davantage

Published on July 6 2004 by bekki rosie kalk

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