The Simpsons shorts

{{short description|Special episode list for an animated series}} {{about|the 1980s shorts|the 2020s shorts|The Simpsons Disney+ shorts}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Simpsons'' shorts}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} [[File:Simpsons on Tracey Ullman.png|thumb|250px|right|[[Simpson family|The Simpson family]] as they appeared in the early shorts from ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]''. Their design gradually evolved towards those seen in the standalone show.]] '''''The Simpsons''''' '''shorts''' are a series of 48 animated short films that aired as a recurring segment on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] [[sketch comedy]] variety television series ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'' for three seasons, before the characters spun off into ''[[The Simpsons]]'', their own half-hour [[Prime time|prime-time]] show. They feature [[Homer Simpson|Homer]], [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], and a few secondary characters. The series was created by [[Matt Groening]], who designed the Simpson family and wrote many of the shorts. The shorts first aired on April 19, 1987, starting with "[[Good Night (The Simpsons)|Good Night]]". The final short to air was "TV Simpsons", originally airing on May 14, 1989. ''The Simpsons'' later debuted on December 17, 1989, as an independent series with the Christmas special "[[Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire]]".<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page1.shtml |title=Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire |access-date=2007-11-22 |last1=Martyn |first1=Warren |author-link1=Gary Russell |last2 = Wood |first2=Adrian |author-link2=Gareth Roberts (writer) |year=2000 |publisher=BBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111025304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season1/page1.shtml |archive-date=2012-11-11 }}</ref>

One marketing study found that only 14 percent of Americans were familiar with the shorts, compared to 85 percent in November 1990 who were familiar with the Simpsons family, 11 months after the full-length show began airing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-19-ca-419-story.html|title=Ullman Has a Cow Over 'Simpsons' : Lawsuit Alleges She Was Cut Out of Millions in Merchandising Profits|first1=Dennis|last1=McDougal|first2=Daniel|last2=Cerone|date=19 April 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20141010173439/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-19/entertainment/ca-419_1_tracey-ullman-show|archive-date=10 October 2014}}</ref>

A handful of these shorts were released theatrically in theaters, and only a few of these have been released on DVD. "Good Night" was included on ''The Simpsons'' [[List of The Simpsons home video releases|Season 1 DVD]]. Five of these shorts were later used in the [[Clip show|clip-show]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]" on the half-hour show, which was released on the [[List of The Simpsons home video releases|Season 7 DVD]]. These five shorts were "Good Night", which was featured in its entirety, and portions of "The Perfect Crime", "Space Patrol", "World War III", and "Bathtime".{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997|p=191}} In "[[You Kent Always Say What You Want]]", the short "Family Portrait" replaces the entire opening sequence in celebration of the 400th episode. ("Family Portrait" was previously released as a pre-feature short on the 1989 [[CBS/Fox Video|CBS-Fox]] VHS release of the film ''[[Working Girl]]''.) In June 2013, it was reported that [[FXX (TV channel)|FXX]] was trying to acquire the shorts for their ''Simpsons'' app, "Simpsons World".<ref name="Quartz">{{cite web |url=http://qz.com/238234/heres-how-the-new-simpsons-app-will-change-your-life/ |title=Here's how the new Simpsons app will change your life |access-date=2014-07-22 |author=Jason Lynch |year=2014 |publisher=Quartz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008124319/http://qz.com/238234/heres-how-the-new-simpsons-app-will-change-your-life/ |archive-date=2014-10-08 }}</ref>

The version of the Simpson family from the shorts was depicted as ghosts haunting [[the Simpsons house]] in the [[The Simpsons season 26|season twenty six]] episode "[[Treehouse of Horror XXV]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/10/simpsons-tracey-ullman-show-treehouse-of-horror/|title=A 'Simpsons' crossover with... 'The Simpsons'?|website=ew.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022095028/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/10/simpsons-tracey-ullman-show-treehouse-of-horror/|archive-date=2014-10-22}}</ref>

==Development== When producer [[James L. Brooks]] was working on the television variety show ''[[The Tracey Ullman Show]]'', he decided that he wanted to include [[Interstitial program|short animated wraparounds]] before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonist [[Matt Groening]]'s ''[[Life in Hell]]'' comic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts, which Groening initially intended to present as his ''Life in Hell'' series.<ref name="americasfirstfamily">{{cite video |year=2000 |title=The Simpsons: America's First Family |medium=television documentary |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Groening later realized that animating ''Life in Hell'' would require the rescinding of [[publication right]]s for his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a [[dysfunctional family]] that became the Simpsons.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/><ref name=inter>{{cite interview |last=Groening |first=Matt |subject-link=Matt Groening |interviewer=David Bianculli |title=Fresh Air |work=[[NPR|National Public Radio]] |publisher=[[WHYY-FM|WHYY]] |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |location=Philadelphia |date=2003-02-14 |access-date=2007-08-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213045217/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1162008 |archive-date=2007-12-13 }}</ref> He named the characters after his own family members, substituting "Bart" for his own name.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> Bart was modeled after Groening's older brother, Mark, but given a different name which was chosen as an [[anagram]] of "brat".<ref name="mark">{{cite magazine |first=Alan |last=Paul |title=Life In Hell|url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-6/page/n53/mode/2up?view=theater|page=54 |magazine=Flux Magazine|issue=6|date=October 1995|issn=1074-5602}}</ref> The stories were written and storyboarded by Matt Groening.<ref name="silverman">{{cite web|author=Cagle, Daryl |url=http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |title=The David Silverman Interview |access-date=2006-12-29 |publisher=MSNBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207000647/http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/interviews/silverman.asp |archive-date=December 7, 2006 }}</ref> The family was extremely crudely drawn, because Groening had submitted basic sketches to the animators, assuming they would clean them up; instead, they just traced over his drawings. This is most evident in Season One (1987), where the characters appear much different than their FOX counterparts; by Season Three (1989), the characters grew to be more neatly drawn and complex.<ref name="americasfirstfamily"/> The animation was produced domestically at [[Klasky-Csupo]],<ref name="animation">{{cite magazine |first=Harvey |last=Deneroff |title=Matt Groening's Baby Turns 10 |magazine=Animation Magazine|volume= 14|issue=1 |date=January 2000 |pages=10, 12}}</ref> with [[Wesley Archer]], [[David Silverman (animator)|David Silverman]], and [[Bill Kopp]] being animators for the first season. After season one, it would be animated by Archer and Silverman thereafter.<ref name="silverman"/> Gyorgyi Peluce was the colorist and the person who decided to make the characters yellow.<ref name="silverman"/>

The actors who voiced the characters in the short later reprised their roles in ''The Simpsons'' series. [[Dan Castellaneta]] performed the voices of [[Homer Simpson]], [[Grampa Simpson]], and [[Krusty the Clown]].{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |p=178}} Homer's voice sounds significantly different and more grouchy in the shorts compared to most episodes of the half-hour show, as Castellaneta originally tried to impersonate [[Walter Matthau]]. Although he would retain this characteristic through the early episodes of the regular series, it was gradually dropped as Homer's personality evolved away from that of a stereotypical bitter sitcom father.<ref>{{cite news |author=Brownfield, Paul |title=He's Homer, but This Odyssey Is His Own|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-homer/134399459/|pages=D1: D3 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1999-07-06}} [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-castallaneta/134399575/ cont. on D3]</ref> The producers of the show were in need of someone to do voiceovers, so rather than hire actors, they asked Castellaneta (who had already done some voice work) and [[Julie Kavner]], both members of the Ullman Show cast, to do it.<ref name="The Age">{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html |title=D'oh, you're the voices |access-date=2007-08-18 |date=2003-02-27 |first=Luaine |last=Lee |publisher=[[The Age]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102224412/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064146568.html |archive-date=2012-11-02 }}</ref><ref name="FN">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/doh-the-voice-of-homer-is-deceivingly-deadpan |title=D'oh!: The Voice of Homer Is Deceivingly Deadpan |access-date=2007-07-29 |date=2007-08-18 |first=Lynn |last=Elber |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703090128/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C129665%2C00.html |archive-date=2013-07-03 }}</ref> The kids still needed voices, and [[Nancy Cartwright]], a journeyman voice actress, came in to audition. She recalled that "I was already doing voicework for eight different shows at the time and thought this would just be another job. They originally wanted me for Lisa's voice, but I thought, 'Nah, I don't want to be the boring middle child, I want to be a bratty 10-year old boy.' So as soon as I gave a demonstration, [Brooks and Groening] hired me on the spot." Some time later, [[Yeardley Smith]], a 22-year-old [[B-movie]] actress whose most notable accomplishment to date was featuring in the notorious 1986 [[Stephen King]] film ''[[Maximum Overdrive]]'', was brought in to do Lisa's voice.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |p=178}} The recording of the shorts was often primitive; according to Cartwright, the dialogue for the Ullman shorts was recorded on a portable tape deck in a makeshift studio, which consisted of the video engineer suite, above the bleachers on the Ullman show set.<ref name="book1">{{cite book |last=Cartwright |first=Nancy |author-link=Nancy Cartwright |title=My Life as a Ten Year Old Boy |year=2000 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=0-7475-4748-3 |pages=43–46}}</ref>

The shorts were featured on the first three seasons of ''The Tracey Ullman Show''. During the abbreviated (13-episode) first season, ''Simpsons'' shorts were seen irregularly, with several first season episodes instead featuring a completely different series of cartoon shorts called ''[[Dr. N!Godatu]]''. However, the shorts quickly became the most popular segments on the show, leading to The Simpsons being featured in every episode of the second and third season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tracey Ullman's Dislike Of The Simpsons Nearly Led It To An Early Grave |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni63833120/ |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> By the fourth and last season of ''The Tracey Ullman Show'', the first season of the half-hour ''Simpsons'' show was on the air. In the two first seasons the shorts were divided into three or four parts,{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=14–15}} but in the third season they were played as a single story.{{sfn|Richmond & Coffman|1997 |pp=14–15}} After the spinoff's premiere, [[Tracey Ullman]] later filed a lawsuit, claiming that her show was the source of ''The Simpsons''' success and therefore should receive a share of the show's profit.<ref name="ullman">{{cite news|url=http://ew.com/article/1992/10/23/tracey-ullman-sues-fox/|title=Eat my shorts!|last=Spotnitz|first=Frank|date=1992-10-23|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|page=8(1)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205060618/http://ew.com/article/1992/10/23/tracey-ullman-sues-fox/|archive-date=2017-02-05|url-status=live}}</ref> Eventually the courts ruled in favor of the network.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |title=Ullman loses 'Simpsons' suit |agency=Associated Press |via=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 24, 2011 |date=October 21, 1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012110513/http://variety.com/1992/biz/news/ullman-loses-simpsons-suit-101001/ |archive-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Shorts== {{see also|List of The Tracey Ullman Show episodes|List of The Simpsons episodes}} ===Season 1 (1987)=== {{Episode table|background=#FADA00|overall=6|title=30|aux3=25|aux3T={{abbr|''The Tracey Ullman Show'' episode|The episode of The Tracey Ullman Show in which the short originally debuted}}|overallR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=20}}|titleR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=20}}|airdate=18|airdateR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=20}}|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=1 |Title=[[Good Night (The Simpsons)|Good Night]] |AltTitle= |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|4|19}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] says goodnight to [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], making him ponder the nature of the mind. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] says goodnight to [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], giving her a fear of bedbugs. Marge then sings "[[Rock-a-bye Baby]]" to [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], giving her a nightmare about it. All three of the kids end up crowding Homer and Marge's bed. This short was featured on a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]". Maggie's scene of this short was also featured at the beginning of "[[Looking for Mr. Goodbart]]". |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 3 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=2 |Title=Watching Television |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|5|3}} |ShortSummary= [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] constantly fight while watching TV. They eventually find something they agree on: stopping [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] from changing the channel. The entire family eventually end up watching TV together on the couch. |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 5 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=3 |Title=Bart Jumps |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|5|10}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] has [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] attempt to jump off a table and into his arms. Each time Bart jumps, Homer is distracted and fails to catch him. |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 6 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=4 |Title=Babysitting Maggie |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|5|31}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] puts [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] in charge of babysitting [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]; however, they end up ignoring her. |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 8 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=5 |Title=The Pacifier |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|6|21}} |ShortSummary= [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] take [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]'s pacifier away to stop her from sucking on it, but Maggie refuses to kick the habit. Bart and Lisa eventually learn if they cannot get Maggie to quit sucking on pacifiers, it is better to join in. |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 10 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=6 |Title=Burp Contest |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|6|28}} |ShortSummary= [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] compete in a contest, while [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] watches, to see who can make the most disgusting burp. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] objects several times, but to no avail. [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] doesn't help either and merely joins in. |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 11 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=7 |Title=Eating Dinner |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|7|12}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] makes dinner and the family sits down for the meal. She insists that everyone should have table manners, but the family's crude eating habits are hard to stop. |LineColor=FADA00 |Aux3 = Season 1, Episode 12 }}}}

===Season 2 (1987–88)=== {{Episode table|background=#FADA00|overall=6|title=30|aux3=25|aux3T={{abbr|''The Tracey Ullman Show'' episode|The episode of The Tracey Ullman Show in which the short originally debuted}}|overallR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|pp=20{{endash}}21}}|titleR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|pp=20{{endash}}21}}|airdate=18|airdateR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|pp=20{{endash}}21}}|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=8 |Title=Making Faces |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|9|20}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] warns [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] that if they make scary faces, their faces will freeze in place forever. The kids ignore her until Marge gives them a scare with a mirror, pretending that their faces have actually frozen. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 1 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=9 |Title=The Funeral |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|10|4}} |ShortSummary= The family attends the funeral of Uncle Hubert. [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] proves to be disruptive and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] swears to never take the kids to another funeral, much to their dismay. This is the first segment to feature characters not part of the Simpson family and the only one to feature Uncle Hubert, who has never appeared in the show or in the shorts since. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 2 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=10 |Title=Maggie's Brain |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|10|11}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] wonder what is inside [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]'s mind when looking at her in her crib. Her imagination is her as a giant, and she is tickling baby-sized versions of Bart and Lisa. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 3 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=11 |Title=Football |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|10|18}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] promises the kids chocolate milkshakes if [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] can catch one of his long football passes. However, there are many obstacles to overcome, like falling down a cliff, but Bart finally manages to catch the football, albeit with his mouth. To celebrate, Homer keeps his word, and they get their treat, but Bart is unable to eat it because of the football still being lodged in his mouth. When Homer threatens to take it away, Lisa helps Bart consume it. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 4 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=12 |Title=House of Cards |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|10|25}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] tries to make a house of cards, but [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] make noises that cause the house to fall every time. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 5 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=13 |Title=Bart and Dad Eat Dinner |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|11|1}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] takes the girls out to watch a ballet, leaving [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] in charge of dinner. [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] cannot stomach it when he is forced to eat a mix of fish nuggets and pork-a-roni. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 6 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=14 |Title=Space Patrol |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|11|8}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] play a game of "Space Patrol" while [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] are out. Lisa plays a superhero with Maggie as her sidekick, while Bart puts a jug on his head with the pretense of it being the helmet of an alien warlord. However, his head gets stuck in the jug and Lisa "frees" Bart using a croquet mallet. Clips from this short were featured on a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]". |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 7 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=15 |Title=Bart's Haircut |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|11|15}} |ShortSummary= When [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s hair grows too long, [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] demand him to get it cut. The barber ends up shaving Bart's entire head by accident, and he attempts to disguise his scalp using glue, his old hair, and eventually a paper bag, but all fail. Eventually, Bart is ordered by Homer to come downstairs. The family promises not to laugh if he shows them the haircut, but fail to keep their vow when they see how Bart looks. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 8 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=16 |Title=World War III |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|11|22}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] wakes up the family in the middle of the night claiming that [[World War III]] has started to test their readiness for a [[nuclear war]]. The terrified family manages to escape to a [[fallout shelter]] in the basement in 18 seconds, but Homer says that this is too slow. After two more drills, the increasingly exhausted family members trick Homer into racing into the bunker alone and lock him inside. [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] asks [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] if this is a good thing to do; she ignores the question and says they'll let him out in sunrise. Clips from this short were featured on a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]". |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 9 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=17 |Title=The Perfect Crime |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|12|12}} |ShortSummary= When [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] makes a batch of [[chocolate chip cookies]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] becomes obsessed with pulling off "the perfect crime" and stealing them all. His various attempts are foiled by the heat of the cookies and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]], but eventually, all of the treats vanish from the tray. Maggie takes Homer and Marge along a trail of cookie crumbs that leads to Bart's bedroom, where he is lying with a bloated abdomen and complaining that the "perfect crime" is impossible. Clips from this short were featured on a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]". |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 10 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=18 |Title=Scary Stories |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1987|12|19}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] tells [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] a series of stories in the dark, only to believe they're coming true. All three children scream as Homer and Marge enter, to their confusion. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 11 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=19 |Title=Grandpa and the Kids |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|1|10}} |ShortSummary= [[Grampa Simpson|Grampa]] tells the kids stories from his heyday. When the kids stop listening to him, he feigns his death to recapture their attention. *First appearance of Grampa Simpson. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 12 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=20 |Title=Gone Fishin' |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|1|24}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] go on a fishing trip. Homer asks Bart for a baloney sandwich, but Bart forgot the baloney. He puts the [[Fishing bait|bait]] on the sandwich instead. When they get the boat in the water, they hit rapids and later fall down a waterfall. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 13 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=21 |Title=Skateboarding |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|2|7}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] teaches his sisters how to skateboard, but is outdone every time he tries to show off. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 14 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=22 |Title=The Pagans |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|2|14}} |ShortSummary= When the family is on their way to church, the kids declares themselves [[Paganism|pagans]]. After the car breaks down, the kids start acting like pagans, much to [[Homer Simpson|Homer]]'s anger. After the children take off their outfits and wear leaves, Homer, in a fit of blind rage, chases them inside a church, where they are hidden from his sight. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 15 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=23 |Title=The Closet |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|2|21}} |ShortSummary= When [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] hears [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] calling him, he fears that his father will make him do chores. He hides in a closet, only to accidentally lock himself in. After a failed attempt to get Maggie to help him, Bart breaks down the door and decides to do his chores, only to discover a note explaining that the whole family has left to get chocolate milkshakes. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 16 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=24 |Title=The Aquarium |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|2|28}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] takes [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] to the aquarium. Bart finds a way to get into the shark tank and swims with a [[shark]]. When Homer finds out, he is angry, prompting Bart to stay in the tank since he feels it's safer than dealing with him. Two parts of this short were featured at the beginning of a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode, "[[Lisa Gets the Blues]]". |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 17 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=25 |Title=Family Portrait |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|3|6}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] has trouble taking a normal family portrait. Every time they are close to a good picture, the family sabotages the shot. This short replaced the [[The Simpsons opening sequence|opening sequence]] in a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[You Kent Always Say What You Want]]".

* First appearance of the running gag in which Homer clutches Bart, saying "Why you little..." |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 18 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=26 |Title=Bart's Hiccups |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|3|13}} |ShortSummary= [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] try to cure [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s [[hiccups]] using some rather unorthodox methods. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 19 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=27 |Title=The Money Jar |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|3|20}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] warns the kids that they shouldn't steal from the money jar. [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]]'s consciences appear to prevent them from taking the jar's contents, but [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s conscience encourages him to help himself to the cash. However, the money jar only contains a dollar, prompting Bart to remark "You can't even trust your own mother." |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 20 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=28 |Title=The Art Museum |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|5|3}} |ShortSummary= The Simpsons go to an art museum. [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] stares at a nude painting and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] plays with an ancient vase. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] realizes that the kids are too young to appreciate fine arts. However, Bart decides to become a collector by stealing an art piece. This action embarrasses [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and almost results in him crashing the car.

* First time Bart says "''[[¡Ay, caramba!]]''" and "Don't have a cow, man." |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 21 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=29 |Title=Zoo Story |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|5|10}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] takes [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] and the kids on an outing to the zoo. While there, he points out how stupid a family of chimpanzees look and fails to realize that the chimps look identical to his own brood. Homer then teases the monkeys by tricking them with peanuts, only to have them throw feces in his face. On the ride home, as Homer angrily begins to complain about the chimpanzees, he is suddenly hit by something. The family then discovers that [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] has switched places with his chimpanzee lookalike, while he is fed bananas by the others. |Aux3 = Season 2, Episode 22 |LineColor=FADA00 }}}}

===Season 3 (1988–89)=== {{Episode table|background=#FADA00|overall=6|title=30|aux3=25|aux3T={{abbr|''The Tracey Ullman Show'' episode|The episode of The Tracey Ullman Show in which the short originally debuted}}|overallR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=21}}|titleR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=21}}|airdate=18|airdateR={{Sfn|Groening|2010|p=21}}|episodes= {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=30 |Title=Shut Up Simpsons |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|11|6}} |ShortSummary= [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] squeaks her toy, which causes a chain reaction of anger in the family; [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] attacks Maggie for making noise, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] attacks Lisa for shoving a baby, [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] attacks Bart for hitting a girl, and [[Grampa Simpson|Grampa]] attacks Homer for hitting a kid. Bart then encourages the family to make up, only to sabotage his deed by insulting Homer. Lisa and Maggie discover they're more like [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] than Homer, especially when they see Homer, Bart, and Grampa locked in a strangle match with each other. *One of a few Simpsons shorts released theatrically in 1989. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 1 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=31 |Title=The Shell Game |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|11|13}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] tries to hide one of the cookies he stole from the jar by distracting his parents with the [[shell game]]. Although his plan seems to succeed, [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] has hidden the cookie in her mouth and subsequently eats it. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 2 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=32 |Title=The Bart Simpson Show |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|11|20}} |ShortSummary= The kids are watching TV and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] tells them to stop watching ''[[The Itchy & Scratchy Show]]'' because it's "too violent". Unable to watch cartoons, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] puts on his own show, which eventually angers Homer even more because Bart removed the TV's components to appear ''on screen''. To respond, Homer decides to choke Bart, but this backfires, as Bart proceeds to also choke Homer. *First appearance of Itchy and Scratchy. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 3 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=33 |Title=Punching Bag |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|11|27}} |ShortSummary= [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] and [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] force the kids into their toy room and tell them to "play nice." [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] takes out his anger on a punching bag; [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] then takes a turn and adds motivation by drawing Homer's face on the bag. Homer, trying to nap, rudely commands Marge to make the kids stop; when the noise suddenly gets louder, he discovers Marge punching the bag. Homer attempts to break and punch the bag, only to be hit in the face and knocked out. *First time Homer says "[[D'oh!]]" |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 4 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=34 |Title=Simpson Xmas |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1988|12|18}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] tells a story of Christmas with the Simpson family in the style of ''[[The Night Before Christmas]]''. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 5 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=35 |Title=The Krusty the Clown Show |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|1|15}} |ShortSummary= The kids get to see [[Krusty the Clown]]'s show live for the first time. [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] believes Krusty is an impostor and exposes it on television, much to his parents' dismay. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 7 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=36 |Title=Bart the Hero |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|1|29}} |ShortSummary= When [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] is sent outside to run by [[Homer Simpson|Homer]]'s orders to get into shape, he gets rewarded for unintentionally stopping a burglar from robbing a candy store, to Homer and Lisa's delight, but he wants the reward to be bars, much to their dismay. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 8 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=37 |Title=Bart's Little Fantasy |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|2|5}} |ShortSummary= After the kids are ordered to clean their room by [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] forces his sisters to do all the work while he tells a story about a parallel world where large kids are the bosses of their small parents, who are made to do chores. However, Bart is caught red-handed by Marge and Homer makes him mow the lawn for his lack of involvement and as punishment. [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] ends Bart's story with her and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] living happily, while Bart watches them from outside in dismay struggling to mow the lawn. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 9 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=38 |Title=Scary Movie |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|2|12}} |ShortSummary= [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] go to the movies to see "The Return of the Happy Little Elves", but Bart convinces the girls to see "Revenge of the Space Mutants" instead. However, Bart ends up being scared by it because one of the space mutants looks like himself. As he screams, Lisa and Maggie try to comfort him. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 10 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=39 |Title=Home Hypnotism |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|2|19}} |ShortSummary= When [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] sees [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]], [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], and [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] going crazy and bouncing off the walls, he and [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] try using hypnotism to tame the kids. They pretend to become mindless zombies, and Homer and Marge vow to never hypnotize them again; that is until Bart hits his father in the stomach with a toy ball. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 11 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=40 |Title=Shoplifting |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|2|26}} |ShortSummary= [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], hungry for chocolate bars, steals some from the supermarket, despite [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]]'s "warnings". He is quickly caught by security, but when the guard leaves the room to talk to his boss, he eats the candy and claims the cops have "no proof." However, he is caught red-handed thanks to the guard looking at the mirror and his face covered in chocolate. [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] reprimands him for his behavior on the ride back to the house. However, he is nonchalant and rude, angering Homer, pointing out that his parents are still driving him home, after she tries to tell him about the saying "crime hurts the criminal". Homer, finally losing his temper, forces Bart out of the car and drives away along with Lisa, Marge, and Maggie, leaving him to walk home. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 12 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=41 |Title=Echo Canyon |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|3|12}} |ShortSummary= The family drives to Echo Canyon and take turns making echoes. However, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] is very disruptive, almost crushing the car with a boulder, and leads [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] to chase after him. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 13 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=42 |Title=Bathtime |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|3|19}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] makes [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] take his "Sunday Night Bath", but he ends up flooding the bathroom due to the water being too cold and him forgetting to turn the hot water off,to Homer's fury. To respond, Homer chases Bart all over the house. This short was later featured on a later [[The Simpsons|Simpsons]] episode "[[The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular]]" in Season Seven. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 14 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=43 |Title=Bart's Nightmare |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|3|26}} |ShortSummary= The family discovers that someone has eaten every last cookie in the cookie jar except one. The culprit turns out to be [[Bart Simpson|Bart]], who regrets gorging on the snack, especially when he has a nightmare in which he is only an inch tall and nearly crushed by giant cookies in the kitchen. [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]] awakens Bart, who is relieved that his experience was only a dream, but he is scared of Homer offering one to him. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 15 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=44 |Title=Bart of the Jungle |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|4|16}} |ShortSummary= The kids swing from the trees using [[Homer Simpson|Homer]]'s neckties, and Homer, who is angered by this, ends up being caught in their trap. They refuse to let him go, and he is heard screaming at night as they watch TV. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 17 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=45 |Title=Family Therapy |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|4|23}} |ShortSummary= [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] takes the family to a psychologist because he claims they cannot laugh anymore. The psychologist tries to remain calm, but the disruptions caused by the Simpsons eventually drive him over the edge, and he kicks them out of his office. This turns out to be the cure the family needed, and they laugh all the way home. * This episode is an early demo of the Season 1 episode "[[There's No Disgrace Like Home]]". |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 18 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=46 |Title=Maggie In Peril: Chapter One |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|4|30}} |ShortSummary= After [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] accidentally kicks her ball on [[Bart Simpson|Bart]]'s face, he angrily kicks it out of sight and she takes off to retrieve it. She ends up being caught on a branch and the story is to be continued. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 19 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=47 |Title=Maggie In Peril: The Thrilling Conclusion |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|5|7}} |ShortSummary= Sequel to "Maggie In Peril", [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] floats in the air hanging on to balloons and lands safely back in her playpen, to the family's relief. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 20 |LineColor=FADA00 }} {{Episode list |EpisodeNumber=48 |Title=TV Simpsons |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1989|5|14}} |ShortSummary= While [[Homer Simpson|Homer]] is watching a bowling match after stopping the kids from watching The Itchy & Scratchy Show, [[Bart Simpson|Bart]] flies a kite outside with [[Maggie Simpson|Maggie]] and [[Lisa Simpson|Lisa]]. The wind suddenly blows and the kite gets stuck on the TV antenna, which messes up the reception to Homer's anger. Homer gets a ladder, climbs on the roof and he struggles to get the kite out of the antenna. He eventually becomes furious and shreds the kite into pieces, causing him to lose his balance and fall off the roof, while Lisa and Bart laugh at seeing The Itchy and Scratchy Show, unaware of what just happened. |Aux3 = Season 3, Episode 21 |LineColor=FADA00 }}}}

==See also== * [[List of The Tracey Ullman Show episodes|List of ''The Tracey Ullman Show'' episodes]] * [[List of The Simpsons episodes|List of ''The Simpsons'' episodes]] * "[[Treehouse of Horror XXV]]"

==References== {{refbegin}} ;General * {{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |editor2-first=Antonia |editor2-last=Coffman |title=The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family |edition=1st |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=[[HarperPerennial]] |lccn=98141857 |ol=433519M |oclc=37796735 |isbn=978-0-06-095252-5 |ref={{harvid|Richmond & Coffman|1997}}|title-link=The Simpsons episode guides#The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family }} * {{cite book |last=Groening |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Groening |title=Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 |title-link=Simpsons World: The Ultimate Episode Guide: Seasons 1–20 |date=2010-10-28 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=9780061711282 |editor1-last=Richmond |editor1-first=Ray |editor1-link=Ray Richmond |edition=1st |editor2-last=Gimple |editor2-first=Scott M. |editor2-link=Scott M. Gimple |editor-last3=McCann |editor-first3=Jessie L. |editor-last4=Seghers |editor-first4=Christine |editor-last5=Bates |editor-first5=James W.}} ;Specific {{refend}} {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *{{IMDb title|12294152}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpsons Shorts}} [[Category:The Simpsons|Shorts]] [[Category:American comedy sketches]] [[Category:1987 introductions]] [[Category:The Tracey Ullman Show]] [[Category:Television series by Klasky Csupo]] [[Category:1987 in American television]] [[Category:1988 in American television]] [[Category:1989 in American television]]