<P> The Simpsons first season was the Fox network's first TV series to rank among a season's top 30 highest - rated shows . It won one Emmy Award, and received four additional nominations . Although television shows are limited to one episode a category, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was considered a separate special, and nominated alongside fellow episode "Life on the Fast Lane" for Outstanding Animated Program; "Life on the Fast Lane" won the award . "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was also nominated for "Outstanding Editing in a Miniseries or Special", while "The Call of the Simpsons" was nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or a Special". The main theme song, composed by Danny Elfman, was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music". </P> <P> On Metacritic, a site which uses a weighted mean score, the season scored a 79 / 100 from six critics, translating to "generally favorable reviews ." However, the show was controversial from its beginning . The rebellious lead character at the time, Bart, frequently received no punishment for his misbehavior, which led some parents to characterize him as a poor role model for children . Several US public schools even banned The Simpsons merchandise and t - shirts, such as one featuring Bart and the caption "Underachiever (' And proud of it, man!')". Despite the ban, The Simpsons merchandise sold well and generated US $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" </Td> <Td> David Silverman </Td> <Td> Mimi Pond </Td> <Td> December 17, 1989 (1989 - 12 - 17) </Td> <Td> 7G08 </Td> <Td> 26.7 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> While Christmas shopping, Bart sneaks off and gets a tattoo . Marge soon discovers this and uses the family's Christmas savings to get it removed . Meanwhile, Homer discovers that he will not be getting a Christmas bonus from Mr. Burns and thus the family has no money to buy Christmas presents . He decides to keep their financial troubles a secret and gets a job as a department store Santa, but later discovers that the job does not pay enough . Desperate for a miracle, Homer and Bart go to the dog racing track on Christmas Eve in hopes of earning some money . He bets it all on a long shot named Santa's Little Helper, who loses . Angry that he lost, Santa's Little Helper's owner disowns him and Homer lets Bart keep him . Later on, Homer attempts to come clean to everyone, but Bart exclaims that they have a dog and everyone happily welcomes the newest member of the Simpson family . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Bart the Genius" </Td> <Td> David Silverman </Td> <Td> Jon Vitti </Td> <Td> January 14, 1990 (1990 - 01 - 14) </Td> <Td> 7G02 </Td> <Td> 24.5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> Bart has trouble on an intelligence test and sneakily switches tests with Martin Prince, the class genius . After the results are tabulated, the school psychiatrist labels Bart a genius and sends him to the Enriched Learning Center for Gifted Children . Homer starts treating Bart with respect, but Bart immediately feels out of place among his new classmates and is alienated from his old peers . He confesses that he cheated on the test and is subsequently sent back to Springfield Elementary School . </P> Note: First episode to feature Edna Krabappel </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Homer's Odyssey" </Td> <Td> Wesley Archer </Td> <Td> Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky </Td> <Td> January 21, 1990 (1990 - 01 - 21) </Td> <Td> 7G03 </Td> <Td> 27.5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Bart's class visits the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and Homer, anxious to look like he is working, accidentally crashes his cart into a radioactive pipe, causing him to be fired . Depressed and unable to find a new job, he decides to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge . His family discover his plan and try to stop him, but in the process they are almost run over by a truck . Discovering his new purpose, Homer embarks on a safety crusade and eventually decides to go after the Nuclear Plant and holds protest rallies . To end Homer's furor, Mr. Burns offers him a job as safety inspector, with increased salary, which Homer accepts . Guest star: Sam McMurray </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "There's No Disgrace Like Home" </Td> <Td> Gregg Vanzo & Kent Butterworth </Td> <Td> Al Jean & Mike Reiss </Td> <Td> January 28, 1990 (1990 - 01 - 28) </Td> <Td> 7G04 </Td> <Td> 20.2 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Homer takes his family to the company picnic at Mr. Burns's manor . Marge, Bart and Lisa embarrass Homer and he notices that Mr. Burns seems to favour a family who love and respect one another . Convinced that both he and his family are pathetic, he takes everyone to Dr. Marvin Monroe's family therapy center . When standard methods prove useless in civilizing the family, Monroe resorts to shock therapy and wire the Simpsons to electrodes . Soon the Simpsons start shocking one another and cause Springfield to lose power . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 5 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Bart the General" </Td> <Td> David Silverman </Td> <Td> John Swartzwelder </Td> <Td> February 4, 1990 (1990 - 02 - 04) </Td> <Td> 7G05 </Td> <Td> 27.1 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Bart runs afoul of Nelson Muntz, the school bully, who begins attacking Bart every day after school . Homer suggests fighting back, which does not work . Desperate for a solution, Bart visits Grampa for advice . Grampa takes Bart to meet Herman, who suggests that Bart rally all of the school children and declare war on Nelson . Bart and his army attack Nelson and successfully manage to convince him to give up his bullying ways . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 6 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "Moaning Lisa" </Td> <Td> Wesley Archer </Td> <Td> Al Jean & Mike Reiss </Td> <Td> February 11, 1990 (1990 - 02 - 11) </Td> <Td> 7G06 </Td> <Td> 27.4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Lisa becomes depressed, which begins to affect her performance in school . Neither Marge nor Homer are able to make Lisa happier . One night, she hears distant Jazz music and sneaks out of her room to follow it . She meets Bleeding Gums Murphy, who teaches her how to express her music through the saxophone . When Marge drops Lisa off at school the next day, she suggests that Lisa smile no matter how she feels . However, Marge sees that Lisa is being denied her creativity and realizes that that's what is disappointing her . Marge tells Lisa to just be herself, and the entire family go to see Murphy perform at a local Jazz club . Guest star: Ron Taylor . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 7 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "The Call of the Simpsons" </Td> <Td> Wesley Archer </Td> <Td> John Swartzwelder </Td> <Td> February 18, 1990 (1990 - 02 - 18) </Td> <Td> 7G09 </Td> <Td> 27.6 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Homer becomes envious of Flanders' new RV and goes to "Bob's RV Round - up" to buy one of his own . Settling on a dilapidated camper, he takes the family camping and in the process destroys the RV . Leaving Lisa and Marge behind, Bart and Homer try to find their way back to civilization, but have little luck . Later on, Homer is mistaken for Bigfoot and captured . Marge, Bart and Lisa are saved and Homer is released, although scientists say that they cannot determine which species he belongs to . Guest star: Albert Brooks . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 8 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "The Telltale Head" </Td> <Td> Rich Moore </Td> <Td> Al Jean, Mike Reiss, Sam Simon & Matt Groening </Td> <Td> February 25, 1990 (1990 - 02 - 25) </Td> <Td> 7G07 </Td> <Td> 28 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> Bart becomes friends with Jimbo, Dolph, and Kearney, a group of local troublemakers . Trying to impress them, Bart decides to cut off and steal the head of the statue of Jebediah Springfield . The next day, the entire town grieves for the vandalized statue and Bart discovers that his new friends want to attack the vandal . Feeling remorse, Bart confesses to his family and Homer and Bart take the head back to the statue after passing through the furious people . </P> Notes: First episode to feature Krusty, Sideshow Bob, Apu and Reverend Lovejoy . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 9 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "Life on the Fast Lane" </Td> <Td> David Silverman </Td> <Td> John Swartzwelder </Td> <Td> March 18, 1990 (1990 - 03 - 18) </Td> <Td> 7G11 </Td> <Td> 33.5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Having forgotten about Marge's birthday, Homer rushes to the Springfield mall and impulsively buys her a bowling ball . Marge is not impressed with the gift and after discovering that he intends to use it, she decides to spite him by going bowling herself . While at the alley, she meets Jacques, a charming French bowling instructor, who offers her lessons . Jacques begins to fall for Marge and invites her to his apartment . Although she agrees, Marge undergoes a moral dilemma . In the end, Marge visits Homer at the nuclear plant . Guest star: Albert Brooks . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 10 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "Homer's Night Out" </Td> <Td> Rich Moore </Td> <Td> Jon Vitti </Td> <Td> March 25, 1990 (1990 - 03 - 25) </Td> <Td> 7G10 </Td> <Td> 30.3 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Bart purchases a mini spy camera and manages to take a picture of Homer dancing next to stripper named Princess Kashmir at a co-worker's strip club party . He gives copies of the picture to his friends, and eventually the picture starts to circulate around until eventually Marge sees it . She kicks Homer out of the house, but the next day explains that she is not upset about him dancing next to a woman, but rather that Bart saw it . She demands that he take Bart and go apologize to Princess Kashmir . Homer agrees and says that he is ready to start respecting women . Guest star: Sam McMurray . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 11 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "The Crepes of Wrath" </Td> <Td> Wesley Archer & Milton Gray </Td> <Td> George Meyer, Sam Simon, John Swartzwelder & Jon Vitti </Td> <Td> April 15, 1990 (1990 - 04 - 15) </Td> <Td> 7G13 </Td> <Td> 31.2 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> Principal Skinner finally becomes fed up with Bart's pranks and proposes that Bart be sent to France as part of the student exchange program . The family agrees and Bart is sent to the "beautiful" Château Maison, which is actually a dilapidated farmhouse on a neglected vineyard . Bart is treated like a slave by two unscrupulous winemakers, César and Ugolin, who eventually feed him wine tainted with antifreeze . Meanwhile, an Albanian boy named Adil starts to live with the Simpsons who, unbeknownst to Homer, is a spy sent by his country to obtain nuclear blueprints . Back in France, Bart learns French and reports the winemakers' crimes to the authorities . </P> Note: First episode to feature Agnes Skinner . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 12 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "Krusty Gets Busted" </Td> <Td> Brad Bird </Td> <Td> Jay Kogen & Wallace Wolodarsky </Td> <Td> April 29, 1990 (1990 - 04 - 29) </Td> <Td> 7G12 </Td> <Td> 30.4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> <P> While buying ice cream at the Kwik - E-Mart, Homer witnesses a robbery perpetrated by a man believed to be Krusty the Clown, host of "Krusty the Clown Show", Bart's favorite program . Krusty is sent to jail and his show is taken over by his assistant, Sideshow Bob . Bart is certain that Krusty is innocent, and gathers evidence to support his claim, which he takes to "Krusty's bestest friend", Sideshow Bob . Bart realizes that the robbery was actually committed by Bob, who was trying to frame Krusty . Bob is arrested and Krusty thanks Bart for saving him . Guest star: Kelsey Grammer . </P> Note: First episode to feature Kent Brockman . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 13 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "Some Enchanted Evening" </Td> <Td> David Silverman & Kent Butterworth </Td> <Td> Matt Groening & Sam Simon </Td> <Td> May 13, 1990 (1990 - 05 - 13) </Td> <Td> 7G01 </Td> <Td> 27.1 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> Marge, feeling unappreciated by Homer, makes a call to a radio therapist, which Homer overhears at work . Homer, wanting to make it up to Marge, decides to take her to dinner at a fancy restaurant and hires a babysitter to take care of Bart and Lisa . They are sent Ms. Botz, who Bart and Lisa soon discover is actually a burglar nicknamed "The Babysitter Bandit". They are captured by Ms. Botz and tied up but eventually are freed by Maggie . Bart and Lisa capture Ms. Botz and call the police . Meanwhile, Marge and Homer return home and find Ms. Botz is tied up . Homer, unaware of her true identity, frees her and Ms. Botz makes a clean getaway just moments before the police arrive . Guest stars: June Foray, Christopher Collins, Penny Marshall and Paul Willson . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> U.S. viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr>

What year did the first episode of the simpsons air