Did you know that there are those who have the equivalent of a four-year degree in World History simply by watching the History Channel? It is true. I have often met such folks who online who have an incredible amount of knowledge only because they have watched all the History Channel programs which often repeat every so often.

But how can someone sit down and watch all these programs, as that is a huge time commitment indeed. Well I have, as I leave the Satellite TV on in the background while working on my computer. Now I can say that I watched every Discovery Channel, History Channel, Science, NOVA series, Wings, etc. and do believe that is an excellent basis for knowledge, more people should do that.

Now then it appears as schools are strapped for cash, movie projectors and other teaching tools that the home schooled child may indeed have an advantage as well, by simply being put in front of the TV set tuned to the Discovery Channel each day. Too simplistic you think? Well, often kids have the Television running in the background, why not tune it to something worthy; something like the Discovery Channel. Consider this in 2006.

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Starting with the very first episode (airing December 17, 1989), The Simpsons (Season 1) DVD is packed with some of the best episodes in the show’s history. All of these early episodes exhibit a bit of amateurish (by later Simpson standards) animation, seeing as how the popularity of the show had yet to land it the massive budgets of subsequent years. However, this does not take away from the show’s acerbic wit which is present and in full swing throughout all thirteen of the original episodes.

A few details do stand out. Homer’s voice is slightly different, and he isn’t as stupid as his character is later portrayed to be. But all the other Simpson family members are firmly established from the get-go. These initial episodes witness the appearance of such beloved supporting characters as Krusty the Clown, Ned Flanders, Itchy & Scratchy (although they’re just cartoons!), Monty Burns & sidekick Wayland Smithers, Patty & Selma, Martin Prince, Grandpa Simpson, Reverend Lovejoy, and a host of other highly regarded inhabitants of Springfield who have climbed their way into the hearts of America since the show’s debut.

As the longest running animated show in history, and the longest running prime-time show of any type, The Simpsons is an American treasure - a combination of humor, wit, and satire that examines not just the lives of its eccentric characters, but also the society, culture, and world in which we live. Fun for adults and children alike, The Simpsons is a cutting edge television comedy that, like Seinfeld, altered the television landscape in the 1990’s by dictating a new genre of TV fun that spawned network investment in new animated series such as King of the Hill, Futurama, and The Family Guy.

Like all new things which smash the paradigm of life, The Simpsons is unrivaled by its knockoffs, and the show doesn’t show signs of slowing down. If you haven’t yet visited Springfield, then I definitely recommend you pick up The Simpsons (Season 1) DVD to catch a glimpse for yourself. You have no idea what you’ve been missing…

The Simpsons DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere “Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire” in which Homer’s attempt to work a second job in order to buy the family a great Christmas ends in utter failure. Desperate, he and Bart drive to a local dog-racing track where they place everything they have on a dog named “Santa’s Little Helper”. The dog is an utter failure, but the Simpson Christmas is salvaged when the family receives a special gift… Other notable episodes include “Bart The Genius” in which Bart switches his I.Q. test with that of Martin Prince, the class brain. As a result, he ends up being placed in an advanced school where he’s overwhelmed by expectations. And “Krusty Gets Busted” in which Bart’s hero, Krusty the Clown, is videotaped robbing the Kwik-E-Mart, prompting everyone but Bart to turn against him…

Below is a list of episodes included on The Simpsons (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire) Air Date: 12-17-1989
Episode 2 (Bart The Genius) Air Date: 01-14-1990
Episode 3 (Homer’s Odyssey) Air Date: 01-21-1990
Episode 4 (There’s No Disgrace Like Home) Air Date: 01-28-1990
Episode 5 (Bart The General) Air Date: 02-04-1990
Episode 6 (Moaning Lisa) Air Date: 02-11-1990
Episode 7 (Call Of The Simpsons) Air Date: 02-18-1990
Episode 8 (The Telltale Head) Air Date: 02-25-1990
Episode 9 (Life On The Fast Lane) Air Date: 03-18-1990
Episode 10 (Homer’s Night Out) Air Date: 03-25-1990
Episode 11 (The Crepes Of Wrath) Air Date: 04-15-1990
Episode 12 (Krusty Gets Busted) Air Date: 04-29-1990
Episode 13 (Some Enchanted Evening) Air Date: 05-13-1990

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of The Simpsons (DVD).