The Simpsons Season One Collector's Editon DVD Box Set

The Simpsons Season One Collector's Editon DVD Box Set

$39.98"If the animation seems particularly glitch-filled, just remember this: We didn't know what the hell we were doing back then." So explains Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, in a message included in the DVD box set of the animated series. "Back then" refers to 1989, when The Simpsons first premiered, becoming one of the most influential landmarks on the pop cultural landscape. The animation of these early shows are less lustrous by current standards, and the voice of Homer in particular off-kilter, but Simpsons aficionados will surely appreciate comparing these early shows with the present and seeing how this icon of American television has evolved over the years. Some unexpected pleasures in the collection include reviewing when certain characters made their first appearance -- Marge's cranky, chain-smoking sisters Patty and Selma are introduced in "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," as are the Flanders, the Simpson's squeaky-clean neighbors; Montgomery Burns and Smithers first appear in "Homer's Odyssey," which also features a small cameo by Blinky, the three-eyed fish who eventually appears in one of the show's most uproarious social commentaries on corporate pollution. Just for laughs -- and for interesting insider information -- listen to the quirky commentary by Groening and each show's writers and director, who reveal self-effacing bons mots on their creative approach to each show. The Simpsons box set includes the first 13 episodes on a three-disc set, available from Fox Home Entertainment.