Christmas with The Simpsons (1989)

The Simpsons are always funny but they have been funnier than these selected episodes. Even so, these are memorable segments to enjoy if you don't plan to watch every season in its turn. This first of two "Christmas-themed" discs includes: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (Season 1, Episode 1: Bart's antics burn up the family's Christmas budget and Homer's stingy boss gives no bonuses so the Simpsons confer their own gift in a rejected racetrack dog named Santa's Little Helper), Mr. Plow (Season 4, Episode 9: Homer destroys his car, buys a snowplow for no good reason, then becomes the snow-removal magnate and TV pitchman Mr. Plow), Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (Season 9, Episode 10: Bart's antics cause the conflagration of the family's Christmas tree and presents -- and it's all downhill from there), Grift of the Magi (Season 11, Episode 9: A toy company takes over the grade school and uses the students in product-development focus groups for its pernicious Ferbie-like gizmo), and She of Little Faith (Season 13, Episode 6: Lisa decides the family's Protestant congregation is too concerned with money and chooses Buddhism). 3.5 stars.