The Simpsons short - Very first episode - Good Night

"Good Night" is the first Simpsons short that appeared on The Tracey Ullman Show.[1] It originally aired April 19, 1987, during the third episode of The Tracey Ullman Show and was the first appearance of the Simpson family on television.

[@lachousalle31]

The animation is terrifying

[@marytankovich6636]

I know I'm scared of the Simpson's in 1987

[@philatio1744]

Derek Lasalle you mean the art style?

[@Jimmy_Hopkins15]

It really is

[@professorpenne9962]

still beats anything from the newer seasons of the simpson. show straight up sucks now.

[@darqv9358]

@@professorpenne9962 no it doesn't.

[@Stupranos]

Whenever the last Simpson episode happens I want this to be remade into the closing scene.

[@SuperBootsTheDog]

yes

[@AmandaGabr1elle]

Hah that would be awesome!

[@yeh.80]

Damn, guess we'll have to wait another 30 years for that day

[@Ihaveagasmask]

Like that will ever happen

[@DaMultiPurpose]

They have already said the last will tie in to the very first Christmas episode “Simpsons roasting on an open fire” that way the show can be in a loop just like futurama

[@markstein1276]

I imagine none of the voice actors had any idea they would still be doing this after 33 years!

[@mitchellchristie4753]

even homers voice dan

[@razkable]

it pains me to know we lost the voices of edna troy hutz dorris sherri and terri ooter and the character of maude…..while not essential besides edna, all of them played roles and were great for one scene or joke type scenarios...

[@CrownMe13]

Asmosis Jones how was Edna more essential than the rest?

[@markstein1276]

Yep

[@ingenide]

ikr

[@Juno_Kujo]

This feels like a fever dream.

[@triplebtw_]

Fr

[@jiveassturkey8849]

I was just about to comment this. It’s exactly like a fever dream.

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

life feels like a fever dream

[@user-er3mo5lv6j]

Exactly 😂

[@Th3SDj]

why does Marge sound like salad fingers?

[@The_beanmaster69]

No it is weird

[@MaycitheCanadiancat]

?

[@sandisaon7526]

Th3SDj ikr

[@giulianxhindi5276]

This is creepy af

[@Aqua.man045]

She doesn't. Salad fingers has a british accent

[@glitchyy4397]

This is so creepy to me. Not only is the animation creepy, but without any sort of music it's very eerie. Not only that but almost all of the video is just very quiet. And the characters' voices are so quiet in this.

[@HBKnowItAll]

Glitchyy and Marge's voice sounds like she ate salad fingers and almost choked on them.

[@rosesofdarkness]

It has that strange empty feeling in it too

[@sandwichgod692]

I know, right? This is super unsettling. Wanna see an even creepier pilot than this? Watch Jesus vs Frosty.

[@redrocketrider]

Turn the volume up you moron

[@sandwichgod692]

@@redrocketrider Shut up. Don't be that guy nobody likes.

[@clairangleman6341]

1:26 *transtated* Bart: "Dad, what were you saying dad? I didn't get the thing about the brain and the matter. Could you be more specific?" Lisa: "Mom, dad bedbugs, I'm scared. They're at the window, they're at-." Maggie squeals in a higher pitch several times during the garble.

[@afaca]

If u play it at 0.25 times speed it sounds like a wierd cat.

[@georgeshelton6281]

@@afaca These classic ancient 'Simpsons' episodes; still caused me to fantasize of Michael Keaton screeching out loud, "quit it you mangy oaf AAAH." I'm not kidding you about this.

[@pablorosario2537]

Mclaren P1 it sound like a cat getting ready to kill by a crazy human

[@tavvyprods1275]

I heard Lisa say “Mom, the bedbugs, those critters, they’re everywhere!”

[@KIMTUANVIETNAM]

Lisa is actually saying "MOM!!!! AAAHHH!! AHHHHHHH!! THEY'RE ON THE WINDOW!!!!!! AAHHH!!!!" Though I don't blame you if you think she did not say that, it kinda just sounds like something else.

[@paperchasindude6578]

Who knew that this would turn to one of the most innovative and culturally successful TV properties in the world.

[@ddtk85]

I did

[@FriendlyCroock]

Those are the tracey ullman shorts, not the sitcom. Those are pretty bad but interesting. The sitcom that started later in 1989 was a work of art and genius. It wasn't just comedy it had a bit of drama in the first seasons as well.

[@sal2975]

I knew

[@rubenrasted1459]

Only matt groening The master of seeing the future

[@Dayeeet]

Correcttin the best tv show

[@birdgod5584]

Homer looks older in this

[@donovanf4546]

And less fat lol

[@pivotalpoo6746]

He was already old

[@lanakaneti9524]

this was the last season

[@mickduncan3564]

hes aged well

[@talkyoshtz9107]

Plasic surgery dawg

[@Antnj81]

1987 Homer teaches Bart nihilism. 2021 Homer is dumber than a shoe. *PROGRESS*

[@MaherandIbrahimsAvengers]

He's evolving Just backwards

[@Idkkk713]

@@ProjectNB like life itself

[@fyfyi6053]

This isn't The Simpsons This is from the Tracey Ullman Simpsons shorts. This is what inspired the sitcom. The first episode of The Simpsons is different and is more similar with the sitcom that we know and love.

[@boniibobo8189]

@@MaherandIbrahimsAvengers devolution

[@thiagodeandrade7081]

To be fair, I think he went for the matter/mind joke more than anything else.

[@livAhoms]

0:19 now that’s terrifying

[@lapislazuli2259]

I went to 0.19 and homer laughs and bart says thanks dad

[@alexbeard7620]

@@lapislazuli2259 yh his face when he laughd

[@SamuelBlack84]

HEYBARTYOUWANTTOSEEMYNEWCHAINSAWANDHOCKEYMASK??!!

[@andytheawesome7592]

Homer’s voice is so different it’s barely recognizable, and then that laugh, the same iconic one he still uses today, just comes out of nowhere.

[@Pommmyyy]

ÆheHæheHe

[@atomix1876]

This has some potential to become one of the greatest TV shows of all time

[@Syndiate__]

If only a smaller network would make it into a show

[@VexNovaYT]

I could see this show go on for 30+ seasons.

[@EdalgmWasTaken]

Maybe it will even have a movie!

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

yes, and go for 30+ seasons and have a film

[@not_nightshade]

0:23 WTF?!

[@VirantRoss]

cuppy time 826 yea his Eyeball I was wondering WTF IS THAT!?? 🤔

[@GabePie]

Cuppy time YES OMG ITS CREEPY AS F..,,

[@spidersmokingacig_1168]

😂😂

[@CertifiedBoykisser2]

HES SANS

[@christopheresparza3223]

😅😅😅

[@RandomThumbVids]

This is how the last episode should end

[@AmandaGabr1elle]

Honestly I agree :’)

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

i saw another comment like this

[@xulnad]

The world would be dead before that could ever happen

[@garnarax9579]

Maggie falling is the most eerie thing I’ve ever seen

[@tinychu4306]

“Well goodnight son” These 3 tiny words made 35 years of laughter in many households.

[@laylover7621]

This is kinda funny but at the same time feels like a creepypasta.

[@reliqfn45]

“We may be the best parents ever” Homer strangles bart

[@guest19901990]

At least he was sympathetic in this short than in the later episodes.

[@reliqfn45]

@@guest19901990 yeah true the s1 treehouse of horror is scary as it’s the worst thing I’ve watched and the first episode is scary as

[@salg23]

34 years after and still airing, unbelievable. Best show ever 👏🏻

[@bigchungus14hvh12]

family guy > simpsons

[@cesarzpontu8886]

@@bigchungus14hvh12 nah

[@CamOrSomething]

35 years now

[@pika62221]

not a show then, a skit, that's why their shows always have 3 parts

[@buildblok_music]

@@bigchungus14hvh12 its me homer and I disapprove

[@skape924]

This old version of the Simpsons is so soulful.

[@Endersmemer]

Soulless*

[@Jocelyn_Jade]

@@Endersmemer No, that’s now.

[@pngsunny7458]

0:19 frame is just terrifying

[@NrdGamr-mq7gs]

They seemed to be they were on drugs alternatively switching to the frames to alter the image. That was scary cuz animation was obviously not advanced at time so it looked horrible. But then it was improving over time in the 90's and now.

[@Tony_M392]

I was 7 years old when this aired on Tracy Ulman. Makes me shed a tear to rewatch it.

[@pika62221]

I was 10, and remember when FOX itself debuted! FOX barely existed when Tracey Ullman's show began.

[@number1pingufan468]

0:49 that tree floats for some frames

[@riotbreaker3506]

I've really grown to appreciate this short after reading An Uncensored, Unauthorized History by John Ortved, so much work and planning, all culminating in such humble beginnings. A perfect storm of good ideas and experimentation, credit to Gyorgyi Peluce for making the Simpsons yellow, Deborah Groening for selling two drawings that changed the world, and Klasky-Csupo for animating, each episode was scripted, animated, voiced, and colored within a week, every week, it's truly something special to watch after knowing all that.

[@ChestersonJack]

Oh, I’ve always loved this short, but I’d love to read up more on it! That book sounds great!

[@SophRockz]

This always scared me as a kid 😭 it's just eerie for some reason. Especially Marge's voice, and the old animation style.

[@AdamRobert]

33 years of the most iconic family in existence!

[@BubbleBlue]

I'm never looking at the simpsons characters the same way again

[@cche16]

this is extremely creepy. the voices, the animation, everything.

[@artmeatj6620]

Bart coming out with the deep questions

[@Xighor]

The Earlier Seasons were so creepy but way better humour and writing 😭

[@GummitMan]

Maggie pacifire sounds are really satisfying for some reason.

[@TheAdventuresOfJimiJaden]

People are saying this is terrifying, to me it’s actually very sweet. I wouldn’t actually mind seeing The Simpsons like this, and the animation is well done. This kinda reminds me of Berenstein Bears but with humans.

[@mcgannahanskyjellyfetti1663]

I LOVE that laugh! 0:19

[@WigWagProduction]

H E H E H E!

[@kathrinehoward3600]

So, I’m the only person who finds Marge’s voice soothing?

[@user-pi9ru3ii3s]

Yes

[@TheInkPitOx]

It's the exact same as today.

[@skatersgrotto6415]

Yes

[@ChestersonJack]

I also like it, and I find it funny another person said “yes” (you are the only one) even after another commenter agreed with you

[@supersicksiblings3718]

Aren’t you from the Tudor era? You should be in the grave by now

[@BrozdoVSN]

1:26 you can hear Bart say "dad what were you saying about i didn't get the thing about the brain or the matter could you be more specific"

[@RaccoonTheeStar]

Ha nice thanks for telling!

[@robloxeditzx2012]

“What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind.” -Homer Simpson from 1987

[@frankiegee6135]

This type of animation was done on purpose. That was the creator Matt Groening’s style. Once he went mainstream he changed it for the masses so they could understand it.

[@Horsley-Green]

It was not, Matt expected his drawings to get cleaned up but they wernet

[@nadegedjangone3913]

What were we supposed to understand?

[@razkable]

right because klaspy csupo and akom didn't do most of the work..smdh learn your history the only things drawn at the fox lot by the staff of the simpsons was the background layouts and basic stand still designs..all the animation and coloring was done by those other two studios...

[@icecreamhero2375]

No thats not quite true. Matt Greoning admits that he can barely draw. He designed them in 15 minutes because he didn't want to sell the rights to life and hell. He expected the animators to clean up the drawings but they used them the way they were. Over time the designs were cleaned up. Making them yellow was someone else's idea. They can't be flesh-colored because Bart Lisa and Maggie would look creepy but if they are yellow what you get for the skin you get for the hair. Also, you immediately know what show you are watching when you see the skin color.

[@zoconnor]

I distinctly remember watching this short and thinking it was really good! I didn't like the rest of the TA material but loved the animated shorts. I got my Dad to watch then as well. Funny how they ended up morphing into such an incredibly iconic show.

[@frostgamez9368]

I didn’t know of the Simpsons when it first aired in the UK, then one day my friend introduced me to it as he watched it and I now have every season available on dvd and have watched them too many times to count. If I’m ill or can’t find anything good on tv I’ll put the Simpsons on. It’s insane to think how popular this show was and still is

[@beanash4967]

Best thing is simpsons is on every night at 6 and now even my kids watch it every night

[@537monster]

I never realized how terrifying “rock-a-bye baby” was until seeing this.

[@rociogamino6891]

Maggie's first words in this video are so cute 😍

[@ViceStudios02]

Man there's a lot of comments finding this creepy but I never took it that way though I could see how

[@ChestersonJack]

Same

[@midnalazuli793]

I'd be scared to sleep too if my mom sounded like that.

[@arctic_shadow578]

Lol

[@naotholomi]

1987 Simpsons characters cannot hurt me... 1987 Simpsons characters cannot hurt me... 1987 Simpsons characters cannot hurt me... 😖

[@bigwalrus2706]

can't sleep, 1987 Simpsons will eat me....

[@torytakken5177]

01:39 who turned off the light if their all in the bed?

[@WokeX111]

@@ssslamahhh lol

[@afaca]

Wtf

[@romanticopoeta7532]

Hey Siri

[@afaca]

@@romanticopoeta7532 but none of them said hey siri.

[@arandomweeb3387]

I mean the animation was creepy enough you would expect a guess LOL

[@averageenjoyer1690]

Of course they removed Graggle from this short. They’re trying to hide him, but us who were young during this time remember seeing him in here.

[@guest19901990]

0:19 His laugh sounds like Homer in future. Despite being Dan Castellaneta's first time ever voicing Homer.

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

diddy kong

[@guest19901990]

@@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot correct. I'm diddy kong's profile

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

@@guest19901990 no im Diddy kong

[@Diddy_Kongs_Left_Foot]

@@guest19901990 diddy kongs also canonically irish

[@Kja211]

It's hard to imagine how different they looked back then

[@davidbermudez7704]

When Bart’s eyes were going crazy and one of them turned red I laughed out loud in my childhood and still do to this day 😂 😂 😂

[@georgiamae1045]

I find this really creepy and weird Marge ' s voice sounded funny

[@iamwatchingyou-youhavebigg59]

Georgia Mae Ikr

[@user-zc2zb5pi4w]

It's Tracey Ullman!

[@thomassmiththekingbee]

Creepy= good, also it's just a drawing. Creepy stuff is cool because you get scared which is great for me! So cool!

[@damonika09]

@@user-zc2zb5pi4w It’s not Tracey! Who got this idea that Marge in this short was Tracey?! It’s still Julie Kavner! 🤦🏾‍♀️😂

[@jeromelancashire3278]

0:04 That's a very complex question, Bart?

[@daisy_chain3432]

Marge and Homer are wearing their normal clothes to bed 😂

[@SpectrumAssociates]

Over the jatter at 1:26, I heard, "Dad, remember what you said I didn't get the mind or matters or more specific."

[@jckmarsh]

Rare Sox same!

[@youraunt]

Rare Sox whot?

[@TastyNuggett]

Lol

[@VirantRoss]

RareSox haha yea I heard that too!

[@Jason-uc1yx]

*Their in the window"

[@plushieuploads5747]

It is 2020. I was 9 years old when this came out... and now I’m 42 and the simpsons are still on.

[@arturocarillo1695]

I remember watching the Simpson as a little kid and they showed this In one episodes and I was scared af lol

[@soren3238]

The 138th episode spectacular? Oh yeah. One minute it was Troy McClure then the next minute, this horror.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

This is a lot more disturbing than the last 2 Hellraiser films..!

[@dionjaywoollaston1349]

incredible to see how my favorite show started, such humble beginnings

[@ClearYourMindTravel]

When the Simpsons were scarier versions of themselves.

[@michalswag]

some people say this is creepy but to me, someone who never grew up with the simpsons, theres something oddly comforting about this. the crickets the compressed voice lines, the squiggly animation... something about this reminds me of my childhood, in a way i cant exactly put down.

[@lucyhannah1227]

who knew that the first ever simpsons scene would be so deep

[@liveandletdie22]

Thirty Five years and the Simpsons is going strong.

[@mobgamer6346]

Marges voice is so creepy, she’s so quiet and gravely.

[@zythegoat2411]

Marges voice sounds like a horror movie character

[@jimheron4660]

Natsu!!

[@teagsmid3707]

Troy: They haven't changed a bit, have they? As the weeks went on, so did the cartoons.

[@Danlovar]

This short has been in my mind so long, more even than the next episodes.

[@gummychicken1113]

I Like it when marge says " good night lisa!"

[@ethybubs]

It seems like Bart & Lisa swapped personalities

[@sakurashy8492]

You know the last episode titled Good Morning would make for the perfect series finale title as a bookend to the short that started it all.

[@gofkurself]

The rockabye baby song is funny as hell. I never imagined it like that. Now I wonder how many kids actually get scared of that song.

[@vitspolo3485]

why the hell is this so creepy

[@rociogamino6891]

Because of the animation

[@David-gj9qr]

0:52 yeah I never actually thought about what the lyrics of the song meant. Ironic how this is meant to be sung to help a baby fall asleep but if the baby could actually understand the lyrics they would be too terrified from the song to sleep

[@caroldefender4144]

Der Struwwelpeter, anyone?

[@mmminteresting2440]

It's more natural at 1.25 speed

[@jbsMUWcreations2089]

Agreed

[@flyingpeanut1031]

So trur

[@amandafaltash645]

The animation is so creepy then today's version but any way cool vid and you just got a new sub

[@paperchasindude6578]

Ikr

[@ebbicia]

it was made years ago. people back then thought this was amazing; it was amazing and still is

[@adolfdrippler243]

@@ebbicia Hell no the art style was hideous.

[@adolfdrippler243]

@@cruzjunior05 What? I couldn't quite understand what you were saying but what does being a millennial have to do with the art style?

[@adolfdrippler243]

@@cruzjunior05 oh I couldn't tell lol

[@6SamChat9]

Homer kept his original laughter

[@surfo2994]

Marge’s voice is terrifying

[@joharrison6014]

Thats freeking funny.xD Catchy and simple. Thats the key formula!

[@check_about_right_fucking_now]

0:23 Why is bart's eyeball red??

[@craigbrotherton7770]

Most likely, the animators were trying to emote confusion with a pair of eyeballs (the alternative would be to have his eyes spin)

[@check_about_right_fucking_now]

@@craigbrotherton7770 ok. seems like mabye both the eyes were supposed to be red

[@craigbrotherton7770]

Probably. When they started making the actual show, they had to reanimate episodes, because they were full of errors@@check_about_right_fucking_now

[@bigdank166]

Drugs

[@check_about_right_fucking_now]

@@bigdank166 lol

[@yumad6824]

Dollar Tree: We're selling FREE DVD's from The Simpsons! Person: OO! I wonder what episode it's gonna be. Episode:

[@MichaelJohn-dw6dl]

Amazing How this become a sitcom instead horror franchise

[@arandomguy6606]

Homer's first words: Well, good night son. Marge's first words: Good night Lisa. Bart's first words: Um, dad. Lisa's first words: Good night mom. Maggie's first words: Good night.

[@-DRIP]

Imagine if their last official episode ended with those words from the same characters.

[@minecraftgamer99999]

They should recreate this then the next day it should start like simpsons roasting on an open fire for the last episode

[@Isurvivedheftonworld]

Well. I figured this was real on the 138th episode of the simpsons.

[@bluebloxydude]

yep, the simpsons are born.

[@frankrothwellsflatcaparmy7027]

00:26 when marge says sweet dreams I feel scared and everything she says. Also what she says to Maggy

[@rebecca5521]

SamTheNiceCat_OAFC same..!

[@lightningjake0883]

Saaaame

[@danielgallegoo]

Es granny

[@sarahlovee4229]

Thanks for having this...I've seen every Simpsons ever except the Tracy Ullman ones

[@Deguy851]

Bart’s voice=same Lisa=same Maggie=what- Homer=different I’d say Marge=OMG WHY IS THIS ON WHAT THE -

[@leylaahmed774]

Maggie spoke

[@H0N3Y_D3W]

This is where it all began.

[@Machielovic]

nice to see where it all started, the animation of Maggie's cradle falling made me chuckle.

[@Strive1324L]

I remember watching these when they first came out. It was interesting watching a comedy show, then these would pop up at least a couple times during the show. It was different, and very successful. Maybe they should try that again today, but...who knows.

[@Ihaveagasmask]

Marge sounds like she wants them to sleep to suffocate them

[@its_bentley17]

When Marge said "Don't let the bedbugs bite", that kinda creeped me out!

[@engineerbot]

They said they were going to slowly transition back to this animation on their last episode. It actually kinda made me tear up when they said that because I thought of The Simpson’s ending. Oh well.

[@dimaisatree]

If Simpson’s didn’t exist until 2020 and this episode aired, the show would fail miserably

[@icecreamhero2375]

I don't know its still pretty funny. The designs could be more cleaned up like they are now. ANd without the Simpsons we wouldn't have adult cartoons. It was one of the first.

[@cordyceps7531]

Yes it would sadly

[@dyms3846]

Marge: *dOnT lEt tHe bEd bUgS bItE* Lisa: *Bed bugs?*

[@Omy4kris]

E TOKEN

[@dyms3846]

@@Omy4kris I M BROKEN

[@Chrisjbennett89]

I remember when I was a kid I thought bed bugs where fictional boy I wish they were. I had them before absolute nightmare

[@JamesPlaysGames95]

Those calm words by homer followed by a sudden loud laugh

[@Hazgoblin]

This will never take off

[@johnylitalo4163]

This one's my favorite.

[@jonmcintyre1144]

“Well Good night, son.” -Homer’s First Line

[@brandongaming1049]

Happy Anniversary!

[@CamOrSomething]

bart 35 years ago: bart confused about the mind bart now: AYE CARUMBA