The Simpsons - "'Tis the Fifteenth Season" (December 14, 2003) - Part 1

"'Tis the Fifteenth Season" (December 14, 2003)

The Simpsons

Writer: Michael Price

Director: Steven Dean Moore

We wrap up our little Simpsons fest with the seventh episode of season 15, "'Tis the Fifteenth Season," which I think contains their best invasion into the "A Christmas Carol" world!

The basic  storyline of the episode is that Homer is behaving in usual selfish manner at Christmastime, but sees the light by the end.

But what makes him see the light? That's what interests us!

While Homer is banished to the couch, he starts watching some Christmas specials on TV. The one that caught his attention is "Mr. McGrew's Christmas Carol," which is naturally a takeoff on blog favorite "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol" and it is spot on!

Here are some screen shots:

The level of detail  makes me think it's an affectionate parody.

Just for wackiness, they play up the near-sightedness:

Homer is so moved by the special that he vows to change his ways.

The next morning he tells the family about the show in a manner that indicates he has absolutely never heard of "A Christmas Carol" before!

Next: Bart and Lisa set Homer straight!

Simpsons Comics #52 (2000) - Part 2

The "A Springfield Christmas Carol" from 2000's "Simpsons Comics" #52 is another quick, wacky take on Charles Dickens's venerable story.

I think this is the closest the Simpsons franchise has ever come to a straight-up parody of the story, but it quickly goes off the rails!

I like how the framing story goes back to "The Front," which was the 19th episode of the fourth season of the TV series back in 1993. That was seven years before this comic book story and the series at the time was already in its twelfth season and that was 20 years ago! Kind of mind-boggling!

That memorable episode had Grampa Simpson taking credit for an "Itchy & Scratchy" cartoon that was actually written by Bart and Lisa.

Rather than Marley's Ghost, C. Montgomery Scrooge is visited by Homer's little pal Ozmodiar, the Great Gazoo homage(?) first seen in episode 24 from the eighth season, "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase" from 1997.

And Ozmodiar squares off against Smilin' Joe Fission, who first appeared way back in "Homer's Odyssey," the third episode of Season One! I see him as a take-off on the Reddy Kilowatts of the world.

The back cover of the comic book features a spot-on take-off of the ubiquitous Evel Kneivel toy ads from the 1970s featuring Lance Murdock from "Bart the Daredevil" (Season 2, Episode 8):

Lots of fun for Simpsons fans!

Next up: The best Simpsons/Scrooge mash-up!

Simpsons Comics #52 (2000) - Part 1

"A Springfield Christmas Carol"
Simpsons Comics #52 (2000)
Bongo Comics
Script: Paul Dini
Art: Phil Ortiz
Surrogate Scrooge: C. Montgomery Burns

Next we take a look at another Simpsonized take on "A Christmas Carol" with 2000's "A Springfield Christmas Carol" from issue number 52 of "Simpsons Comics."

Take a look:

Fun!

Collectibles Corner: Mr. Burns' Scrooge (Gemmy 2003)

While in the midst of our Simpsons Scrooge-athon, we take a look at this interesting collectible: "Mr. Burns's Scrooge, a singing figurine/ornament from 2003:

I don't remember this when it was first released, but they pop up every now and again. I'll get my mitts in one someday if I see it at he right price. I'd settle for that $19.99!

I admit, though, that the jaunt streetlight pose gives me a Sinatra vibe:

Here's a video (not by me) that shows him in action:

As Mr. Burns himself would say: "Excellent..."

More Simpsons!

As mentioned previously, the "Mr. Burns" character from "The Simpsons" TV series is very Scroogey. And the series has been on for 30-plus years and has had many Christmas episodes. What this all means is that there are lots of references to "A Christmas Carol" sprinkled throughout the series!

In fact, the very first episode of the series in December 1989 was a Christmas episode - "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" - and Bart namedrops Tiny Tim!

Here are a few others:

Season 11, Episode 9 - "Grift of the Magi":

At the end of the episode, Mr. Burns brings a basket of money to the Simpsons'' Christmas dinner after being visited y three ghosts the night before!

Season 17, Episode 9 - "Simpsons Christmas Stories":

During the "Nutcracker Sweet" segment, a Scroogey Mr. Burns meets the Ghost of Christmas Past, which he quickly eliminates with the aid of a dust buster!

Season 22, Episode 8 - "The Flight Before Christmas":

Mr. Burns is Scrooge and Smithers is Marley's Ghost during the opening montage!

Season 23, Episode 9 - "Holidays of Future Passed":

A quick "Bah Humbug" from Mr. Burns on a billboard during the opening.

Season 25, Episode 8 - "White Christmas Blues":

A way more inspired billboard during the opening! Mr. Teeny as Tiny Tim? Brilliant!

And Scrooge meets a grisly end at the hands of "Frosty the Hit Man" in the video game of the same title!

And a wacky video! Adam Sandler tells us these three celebrate Hanukkah, however!

Season 28, Episode 10 - "The Nightmare after Krustmas":

A terrific couch gag! Scrooge-Burns unleashes the Christmas hounds!

Lots of fun! And you can watch all of these episodes on Disney Plus!

There's one other episode that fits our theme, but it deserves its own post!

The Simpsons Winter Wingding #6 (2011) - Part 2

So, "Grampa's Christmas Origins: Christmas Cards" from 2011 comic book "The Simpsons Winter Winding" #6 is only two pages long, but I have plenty to say about it!

Homer Simpson's boss at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, one C. Montgomery Burns, is so Scroogey already that he easily slips into the "Burnseneezer Scrooge" part.

I also think it's fun that they have Sideshow Bob as Bob Cratchit, since he's already named Bob. Interesting that he's not called "Sideshow Bob Cratchit," though!

The framing story with Bart and Lisa attempting to mail Christmas cards has a major gaffe: Bart says his scarf trick "from watching old Christmas cartoons on TV" (as seen at the top of the page).

But... Linus does that trick with his blanket while mailing a letter to the Great Pumpkin! Oh, Bart...

Still, some wacky Simpsons fun!

Next: Ample amounts of more Simpsons homages!

The Simpsons Winter Wingding #6 (2011) - Part 1

"Grampa's Christmas Origins: Christmas Cards"
The Simpsons Winter Wingding #6 (2011)
Bongo Comics
Script: Eric Rogers
Art: John Costanza
Surrogate Scrooge: C. Montgomery Burns

We now check out another wacky comic book take on "A Christmas Carol," this one from the 2011 edition of "The Simpsons Winter Wingding."

It's a "Grampa's Christmas Origins story, this time dealing with Christmas Cards.

Take a look:

Funny stuff!

Bonus Archie!

I had mentioned that I don't think Archie Comics ever had a version of "A Christmas Carol" with ghosts or pretend ghosts and all. But the story (and Scrooge's catch-phrase) is well-known in the Archieverse, as evidenced by these stray panels from various Christmas stories:

Fun stuff!

Archie Giant Series Magazine No. 478 - "Archie's Christmas Love-in" (January 1979) - Part 3

A few words about "The Christmas Caper" from "Archie's Christmas Love-in," the Archie Giant for Christmas of 1978...

I think Archie's Scroogey boss, Uriah Scourge, is a hoot! Dressing in a "seedy" manner to score free dinner from the mission is so awesomely miserly! Even Ebenezer Scrooge presumably pays for his melancholy dinner at the melancholy tavern!

And Scrooge wouldn't deduct losses from a robbery from Bob Cratchit's pay if he had nothing to do with it!

The story moves pretty quickly like most Archie stories, so Scourge's reformation is fast. No time for the gang to pretend to be ghosts and haunt him into submission. I don't think that Archie ever had a story like that.

OK, so now we move on to what's in this comic book that's fascinating to me - the ads!

Keeping in mind that this the end of 1978 and Archie comics were aimed at, say, tween and teen girls, they're a crazy bunch!

First we get the obligatory Charles Atlas ad:

I don't know how many zillion times I've seen this. Who's reading "Archie" that would possibly be interested? What comic book was "Mac" reading?

What's next? Posters:

OK, wait a minute! One combo is Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith. Fine, "Charlie's Angels" and all. But... who would want both Suzanne Somers and Grizzly Adams? Who would want Grizzly Adams at all? And I'm afraid to know what the "bonus posters" were!

Next, t-shirts:

An interesting selection, very 1978!

And here's a house ad for more Archie Christmas Specials:

So many Archie comics!

And of course, we have to have the Columbia Record Club:

Not a bad deal, if you remembered to send back the little card every month! Don't pull a Beaver Cleaver!

And on the back cover is an awesome ad for Hostess Fruit Pies starring Archieverse favorite Josie:

All in all, a fun blast from the past!

Archie Giant Series Magazine No. 478 - "Archie's Christmas Love-in" (January 1979) - Part 2

Back to "The Christmas Caper," the lead story from 1978's "Archie's Christmas Love-in."

So, what will happen with Scrooge surrogate Uriah Scourge and his put-upon employee Bob, ur Archie?

Let's see:

Good fun!