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The debut episode of the world\u2019s longest-running animated sitcom - 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire' - aired in the U.S. on 17th December, 1989; attracting the Fox network\u2019s highest ever Sunday night ratings.\nIt was an instant sensation, with many contemporary critics remarking that the \u2018dysfunctionality\u2019 of The Simpsons was in-keeping with other 90s hits Roseanne and Married\u2026 With Children, while conservative voices including George H W Bush criticised what they saw as its celebration of underachievement.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly discover how it came to be that a Christmas special should introduce the series; explain why Tracey Ullman filed a lawsuit about it; and reveal how many colours are in the show\u2019s distinctive paint palette\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Honoring \u2018Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\u2019\u2019 (Vulture, 2018): https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/honoring-simpsons-roasting-on-an-open-fire.html\n\u2022 \u2018Did Tracey Ullman Get Rich Off \u2018The Simpsons\u2019?\u2019 (Mental Floss, 2017): https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/94628/did-tracey-ullman-get-rich-simpsons\n\u2022 \u2018Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\u2019 (Fox, 1989): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIfLqO3SSBs\nThere's three minutes more bonus material, about how Bart Simpson's campaign for Butterfinger candy swung the production deal! \nTo hear it - and extra material every single week - visit\xa0Patreon.com/Retrospectors* or click 'subscribe' in Apple Podcasts, and support the show!\n*top two tiers only\nWe'll be back on Monday! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2021.\xa0\n#80s #TV #Funny #US\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices