The Simpsons (TV Series) Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (1997) User Reviews

Funny Episode Great To See Again & Again

[Christmas-Reviewer · 8/10 · 26 June 2019]

Review Date 6/26/2019

I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.

The laughs are high here and the story is pure "Simpsons". In this episode Bart burns down the family Christmas tree but that sets of a chain of events that you don't see coming.

Must See

One Of My Favorite Simpsons Episodes

[Camelot_2000 · 7/10 · 10 November 2020]

This particular episode, judging from the other reviews I've read on here, hasn't had the best reception. Sure, some call it a bleak and "sad" Christmas special, but it emphasizes on what The Simpsons are all about - a cartoon family who are always plagued with bad problems and mishaps, no matter how brutal and idiotic it can tend to be.

I've watched this particular episode off and on throughout the past several years and even have it on DVD and every time, like usual, I'm entertained. Bart, the ultimate brat, ruins the Yuletide festivities for the family by waking up earlier than the others to unwrap his presents, but an accident causes a fire to burn the tree and presents down to a round shaped blob. Bart covers up all the evidence and, in a moment of quick thinking, claims to the family that a burglar with hooks for hands and a dollar sign on his shirt, stole everything.

The story ultimately makes the news on TV and, in the true spirit of Christmas, the townsfolk of Springfield all sympathize and lavish the family with $15, 000 dollars in cash. They use their new found wealth to buy a car, but the drive didn't last long. It slid on an icy lake and mysteriously exploded after crashing through the ice into the freezing waters below. Christmas was ruined again.

Bart's accident eventually becomes exposed and the heartfelt and generous feelings from the town turn into downright hostility and death threats towards the family. Marge tries to find a solution by competing on the Jeopardy game show, but that heightened the debt even further, especially when Alex Trebek and his "judges" demanded payback for her -$5,200 loss.

The Simpsons may have had a lot of really awful things happening to them, but this dilemma is somewhat tame compared to what they've been through in other episodes. As usual, they get through it and then go through a further comedy of errors in subsequent shows.

It's unbelievable that this show lasted for 30 years which is proof that the entertainment of The Simpsons has never worn off. "The Simpsons Movie" in 2007 was even a box office smash. The legacy of this program will always go on though it's not for all tastes. This is indeed one of my favorite Christmas specials of all time, considering it went against the usual tiring formula of "learning to be happy and finding the true meaning of Christmas" in those other Yuletide TV shows. I highly recommend this zany depiction of the Holiday Season. It's in the true spirit of The Simpsons and their constant calamities.

Just a Bit Too Much

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 16 August 2022]

Bart's selfish actions destroy their Christmas. When people believe that the Simpsons were robbed, they do an It's a Wonderful Life thing. Homer takes the money, buys a used car and drives it into a lake. When Bart's indiscretions are discovered, they become a pariah to the community and they want their money back. It's so dark.

We are family (through thick and thin)

[safenoe · 8/10 · 20 January 2023]

Some Simpsons fans may beg to differ, but for me the Golden Era of The Simpsons is the first 10 years, and Miracle on Evergreen Terrace falls within that era for sure. It's a twist on all the Christmas stories and it ain't a Miracle on 34th Street that's for sure.

The quips come thick and fast, and the line from Alex Trebek's security guard, "She ain't getting the home version" was hilarious and reminded me why Miracle on Evergreen Terrace is part of the Golden Era of The Simpsons.

At the end of the day, it's family that what counts through thick and thin, and ultimately that's what The Simpsons is about no matter what era.

Might be the best episode ever !

[nicofreezer · 10/10 · 29 March 2022]

An Incredible Simpsons episode, you will laugh every single minute. " Miracle on evergreen Terrace" ( the tittle make no sence with the events in the ep) Feel a lot like an old Simpsons episode, feels like Season 1, old Scholl, every joke are Funny as hell.

The fact this episode is only rated 7.6/10 and got a lot of Bad reviews is a mystery i will never understand This episode should be recognise as an all time great and with a 9.5/10 rating , its even better than an episode like " Homer enemy"

Ho-ho-hum

[Mr-Fusion · 6/10 · 11 September 2017]

I'm not gonna lie, I was somewhat disappointed in this middling Christmas offering. Bart learns a valuable lesson, the town turns on the Simpsons and the holiday itself hangs in the balance. Even Alex Trebek shows up in an inexplicable cameo. But it doesn't hang together well (at all) and comes off rather haphazardly.

To its credit, I like the final message; that when the chips are down, family still have themselves. And it's got one really good gag, with Homer stepping in to show Lisa how to properly strangle her brother:

Lisa: "Why, you little-!" Homer: "Lisa, no! Your hands are too weak!"

But as a holiday episode, it feels like the laughs and the sentiment should be stronger.

6/10

Miracle on Evergreen Terrace

[MrFilmAndTelevisionShow · 8/10 · 30 January 2022]

It feels very season one-esque, it was very good don't get me wrong but it wasn't the greatest ever Christmas episode ever, I enjoyed it for sure though I think it was missing a slight something.

Appreciating the Dark and Positive Elements of a Classic "Simpsons" Episode

[santifersan · 8/10 · 2 September 2023]

People who undervalue this episode must be the same ones who undervalue the first two seasons of the series, which had a dark dimension, not just humor, and that's why they are my favorites.

This episode probably irritates children more since dark plots affect them more, but even for them, it's a very good episode.

In this episode, we are presented with the human being in a realistic way, a creature that loves to join the mob when an injustice has stirred up the emotion of anger, which is what humans love most about themselves, their anger and contempt. In my opinion, the story is very well constructed, and it has some very good jokes too. And yes, my friends, this is the golden age of the series. They even paid attention to the detail of what causes the snow covering the buried Christmas tree to melt.

If you don't agree with what I've written, try having the guts to watch the horrible Christmas episodes made in recent years, then you'll see what a truly bad episode is. Because, in my opinion, an outstanding work is one that teaches both the darkest human emotions and the most positive ones, and this episode shows that.

And, of course, it has a very touching ending that culminates with the playback of a beautiful 1949 hidden gem called "Santa's On His Way".

This Christmas Turkey Will Give You Food Poisoning.

[zacpetch · 1/10 · 4 January 2015]

So we come to the Christmas episode of season nine and, much like the whole of season nine and beyond, it's an extremely mixed bag. There are a few decent jokes in there -- Marge's negative $52000 turn on Jeopardy and Bart's toilet dream being the best examples -- but the whole thing just falls flat more often than not.

The episode sees Bart accidentally destroy the family's Christmas tree and their presents with it. He proceeds to lie to them about how these things were stolen by a burglar and so all of Springfield raises $15000 to make it up to them. Then the truth comes out and the townspeople demand their money back, which is impossible, so they loot the house stealing everything - pets included - to repay the debt.

The Simpsons are then left with just one rag between them. This is the ending to the episode and it basically reduces all the supporting cast we know and love to nothing more than selfish, unlikeable Grinches (literally, since they steal presents at Christmas). This is one of the most sickening acts on this or any TV show, but it's meant to be a happy ending (??????) because they still have each other. Happy Christmas?!?

I am shocked and appalled by this episode's ending so much so that it's the only episode from the classic years (Seasons 1-10) that I'd advise skipping. The ending is only made worse on repeat viewing by the knowledge that everything you see builds up to it.

Also we get some more development en route to full-on Jerkass Homer in this episode when he chokes Bart because Lisa's not strong enough and when he "shops" at Try-N- Save at the beginning. Truly a sickening episode in all manners of speaking. AVOID!!!

Review of miracle on evergreen terrace

[schneidertonyr · 2/10 · 22 September 2017]

Out of all of the season 9 episodes, this is probably the weakest. I ended up being bored and frustrated at the same time. It can also get confusing at times, like when the relationship with the family and the town goes from on again to off again to on again to off again. It just lead to an absolute mess, and the message of 'enjoy the things you have' is so cheesy and over done. Over all this episode contains one of the three worst things about season 9 , which is boaringness, frustration, and disgustingness. I tackled boaringness here, and I will be discussing the other two when I go into the other two episodes on my hit list, so for now I give this episode a 2/10.

More like Failure On Evergreen Terrace

[kaimoney · 1/10 · 12 October 2020]

Why does this exist? The whole point of this episode is to force you to be sad. Literally they want you to be sad. It's not meaningful. This episode is just mean spirited.

Bart accidentally sets the Christmas tree on fire and buries it to hide it so he can lie saying they were robbed. So the whole town of Springfield gives them lots of money, even having two orphans give them their only dollar that so happened to be their vitamin money. Yeah they are desperately trying to make you sad instead of having a purpose to be sad.

Then the Simpsons buy a new car which gets destroyed almost immediately, which is pointless. If it didn't happen in the episode, everything would've been the same. Eventually Bart tells what really happened saying he burnt the tree by accident, and instead of everyone forgiving him, Lisa and Homer start strangling him. Really? Why would you do that? That's not interesting to watch, that's just mean.

Then everyone finds the tree buried and are mad at the Simpsons turning against them. Then we just watch a montage of people being mad at them and it goes on for a long time. Then everyone apologizes for their behavior, only for Marge to see that everyone just starts taking everything in their house, even their pets. Why?! Haven't they suffered enough yet?!

But the only thing they have is a cloth. And this episode says it's ok that you're broke, you have each other. I mean isn't that what Christmas is all about? Heh heh... No. Just, no. I really can't believe The Simpsons would do this. I have never seen any other season 9 episode be this cruel. This episode sucks. Just stick to the older Christmas specials than this piece of crap.

More like "Sickening on everhating awfulness"

[Filvies144 · 1/10 · 20 October 2015]

This episode is just sick! In this episode, Bart is up early and destroys the Christmas tree/gifts and hides the evidence under snow! He lies to his family, saying that it was a robber, and the whole town pays the Simpsons money that they don't need in support. They blow the dough by getting a car. When the town sees the flat Christmas tree/toys, the town gets angry and refuses to include them till they pay them back a total of $15,000! Marge goes on Jepordy to try to win, only to gain none. The town eventually steals all the Simpsons stuff till they're left with a wash cloth!

See how bad this is?! It's mean spirited and hate full just like Bart mangled bannner! Like lets take the ending. Was that charming, sweet, and funny? NOT ONE BIT!!!!! Bart was a huge liar up until the third act. This mean spirited atrocity also has a 7.4/10 while the actually HEART WARMING Cars (which was still 50 times better than this despite a bit lacking of Pixar. I still liked it and thought it was kind of sweet.) has a 7.2/10!!!!!! Its also higher than Million dollar arm, which was inspiring and really emotional and full of drama got a 7.1!!!!!! What the heck!!?? I wish this awful episode that shouldn't exist had a 1.9/10 like Disaster movie! I want to break most of the Springfield jerks after seeing this because they were never this cruel or uncomfortable to watch even when they weren't very god people before. I would rather see any mediocre newer episode than this truly sick pile of junk-fest that is completely overrated. It is also a DISGRACE to other Christmas specials that are actually heartwarming.

This horrid episode should never air again! It has bad characters, mean spirited writing, and beyond. Watch the Charlie brown and Grinch Christmas special which are actually great instead of this abomination. I don't recommend this to young or old. In fact, I don't even recommend this to Simpsons fans for how bad it is!!! It is truly awful, sickening, hateful, and one of the few Simpsons episodes I give a 1/10. AVOID IT!!!!! Rant over.

One of the worst...

[pitabox987 · 1/10 · 2 May 2020]

The Simpsons has many great episodes, and many that are absolutely pathetic!

Of the Christmas special episodes, this one holds the crown for absolute worst!

I occasionally might accidentally watch this episode, it sort of starts out good, but the behaviour of the townspeople towards the Simpson family, stealing all the Simpson's possessions to repay money they gave them is pathetic! Considering Christmas is a time of charity and kindness; the Simpsons writers have just created an episode that completely mocks the values of the holiday!

If it was possible to give a rating of "0 stars" this episode would easily earn it!

What a horrendous christmas episode

[arielsiere · 5/10 · 10 June 2022]

In this episode Bart was opening a gift down the christmas tree when he opens it he sees a firetruck then Bart plays with it but suddenly the christmas tree was melting down and the presents were gone. Bart was acting so careless and he claims that a thief stole the christmas presents then Homer starts crying, Bart was lying. And the entire family are treated like punching bags and butt monkeys.

What is this? It's even more mean-spirited than Lisa Goes Gaga. This is a miracle alright. The miracle of a horrible Christmas episode in Season 9.

[adampkalb · 1/10 · 16 June 2018]

Lisa Goes Gaga is considered to be the peak of The Simpsons selling out because it just wants to joke about Lady Gaga wearing funny outfits and ruins Lisa's character because Lisa can't say what's good about her until she yells at Lady Gaga for showing off. However, there are many reasons that I found this episode to actually be worse than that. There were a few moments in Lisa Goes Gaga that made me laugh, and it still came to a good conclusion.

Now, unlike Postcards From the Wedge and Love is a Many Strangled Thing, Bart isn't so awful because he actually feels guilty about accidentally burning down the Christmas tree, but that doesn't make this episode good. It's bad because of how bad everyone else is. Not just Homer, but all of the Simpsons choke Bart for ruining their Christmas. While it was wrong of The Simpsons to scam Springfield and blow it on a car, the rest of Springfield could have handled it better by not going from helping the Simpsons to being horrible to them, and be understanding of the fact that while they were not robbed, The Simpsons still needed their help to fix Christmas. (This gets to a horrible extreme in The Boys of Bummer, but that managed to fix things by the ending.) Bart caused the problem with the Christmas tree and Homer and Marge lied to Kent Brockman about the burglar, but Lisa gets punished like the rest of them even though she did nothing. The ending tries and fails to be heartwarming because the Simpsons being glad that they still have each other on Christmas doesn't excuse the rest of Springfield for robbing them. It's just not funny that Bart in Miracle on Evergreen Terrace, Timmy in It's a Wishful Life, and Twilight in A Canterlot Wedding have to be punished for feeling guilty about screwing up when they meant well. It's just really sad and cruel.

Worst Simpsons Christmas Episode Ever

[e_daneva · 5/10 · 26 December 2023]

Miracle on Evergreen Terrace is a kinda bad episode. I have watched all the Simpsons Christmas episodes, and there was 3 bad, 3 okay, 3 good, and 11 really good. This episode falls in the bad category. This episode has just a feel that something missing. I don't really know what is missing it is just something important. This is really just soo bad compared to the amazing underrated " Marge Be Not Proud. " This episode is just missing lots of heart and is just soo not heartfelt. This isn't the worst Simpsons episode ever, but it would never come close to being the best. This was a very disappointing Christmas episode. In all, I give this a 4.9 out of 10.

Why

[o-51351-61632 · 4/10 · 26 August 2021]

Why do they make episodes like this? Why make us miserable for no reason?

Miracle on Evergreen Terrace?! Misleading title! Rephrase it total Ho-Ho-Horrible Disaster!!!

[MarkLynnIreland1294 · 1/10 · 16 January 2022]

Out of the Simpson family, Bart (at his worst with carelessness and incompetence) is the one who lied about the phony burglary after covering up the wreckage he did, yet the rest of the Simpsons treated like punching bags/pariahs for "scamming" money from the Springfield townspeople. Even when Bart felt guilty and confessed, it was too late at the time. Strangely, when Kent Brockman asked whether rest of family knew of the truth, why didn't just mention they just found out last minute Bart confessed?

For once, laughed at Lisa stealing Homer's line "Why you little...?!" and strangled her brother before Homer takes over "Lisa, no! Your hands are too weak!" Also when Homer posing as a cashier to steal presents the shoppers bought was also funny. Whole Marge on Jeopardy game show failing to win adequate $15000 (with Alex Trebek guest stars) was unnecessary - she obviously still is a big loser/failure.

Unless this is non-canon episode, I don't see how the Simpsons managed to get their possessions back after townspeople took them to repay the debt.