The Simpsons (TV Series) Grift of the Magi (1999) User Reviews

A dystopian world where corperations take control of schools

[celiawatsonanime · 7/10 · 20 January 2022]

Just as shady as the Fat Tony mob funding before hand.

It wasn't very funny but really enjoyed the story.

This episode felt weird and kind of nice to me.

Makes see how Christmas is a just a money grab for companies

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 27 June 2019]

Review Date 6/27/2019

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.

"Grift of the Magi", which satirizes the commercialization of Christmas, was written by Tom Martin and directed by Matthew Nastuk. The episode features several guest appearances; Tim Robbins as Jim Hope, Gary Coleman as himself, Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony, and Clarence Clemons as a narrator that tells the viewers at the end of the episode how the story ends.

Easily the best episode of this awful season. It's surprisingly great

[killbill500 · 7/10 · 18 November 2007]

Okay, so we've all established that Season 11 is undoubtedly the worst season in the show's run. But this episode is an exception.

It's just overall a good episode, which really stands out from the rest of Season 11. It's exciting, fun, surprisingly funny, and even clever at times, which is something the rest of Season 11 (with the exception of, "Treehouse of Horror X") and most of Season 10 and 12 have failed to do.

If you've seen stinkers like, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge" and "Saddlesore Galactica" and have pretty much given up on this awful season, then just watch this episode because you really are bound to enjoy it. Well, I don't know that, but I do know that I liked it.

Much better than Miracle on Evergreen Terrace

[MarkLynnIreland1294 · 6/10 · 15 December 2022]

This is one of the interesting Christmas episodes of The Simpsons well written by Tom Martin and directed by Matthew Nastuk.

It is much well-liked compared to the previous Christmas episode "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" and unlike that one, this certainly ends unambiguously well for the main characters. The couch gag with the fire pole and Homer getting stuck and flailing helplessly is one of my favourites.

This episode had some laughs - totally laughed when Funzo broke Lisa's doll in half and threw it into the fireplace. It had some moments which were ridiculous Skinner telling Bart, without sympathy, to stop fooling around when he fell over in a wheelchair.

Grift of the Magi

[MrFilmAndTelevisionShow · 8/10 · 31 January 2022]

The toy company idea was very clever and well executed. It's one of my favourite episodes of this season, not the best but pretty good nonetheless. There were plenty of good jokes the kids distracting people with carols while Homer stole all the Funzos is a classic moment in Simpsons history.

Gary Coleman steals the episode

[safenoe · 10/10 · 8 May 2023]

Having grown up on Diff'rent Strokes, I laughed out loud and then some with Gary Coleman's guest appearance in Grift of the Magi, the 1999 Christmas episode of The Simpsons. Anyway, I would easily say that Gary Coleman's guest appearance was by far one of the best, ranking alongside Mel Gibson's unforgettable one when he teamed up with Homer to make some incredibly unforgettable edits to his movie.

This episode spoke volumes about the corporatization of Christmas and also of education, with the furry toys running amok against Malibu Stacy and Krusty the Klown which was quite hilarious for sure.

And now, a word from my god, our sponsor...

[Mark_Shine · 9/10 · 19 August 2023]

Iconic episode that once again reflects the lack of scruples of a society based on economic benefit and, in turn, the tireless search for neutrality on the part of its inhabitants. The spirit of Christmas reflected objectively, giving credit to both sides of the coin and giving way on the one hand to reflection and on the other to the well-deserved fun of the Christmas holidays. The Simpsons do not lean to the left, and fully recognize the shortcomings of public education, especially in less affluent neighborhoods, while warning of the logical end of any private initiative. This is one of the episodes that invites us to discuss it after watching it, as if we were sitting up all night with Gary Coleman, only to conclude that the commercialization of Christmas is at best a mix blessing.

A Really Good Holiday Special

[e_daneva · 8/10 · 23 December 2023]

Grift of the Magi was an amazing episode. This is my 7th favorite Simpsons Christmas special that I have watched. Season 9 was when the Simpson started to slightly decline, while Season 10-Season 12 was a complete decline from Season 9 for me. Grift of the Magi was in the middle of the decline from 10-12. This episode was better than when I first viewed it. It was actually pretty funny and it had an interesting plot. That Robin Williams joke at the beginning is just pure genius, and this episode shows jokes like that along the way. There are a lot of Simpsons Christmas specials, too many of them ( that's why I'm happy that there's no Christmas special this year ), but this is a great special. This goes in my top 10 Christmas specials ever. In all, I give this a 7.9 out of 10.

Worst Simpson Holiday Episode, Average Overall(SPOILERS)

[I_Am_The_Taylrus · 5/10 · 10 December 2006]

SPOILERS

I'm commenting on Holiday titles. I know I'm repeating myself but I'm just saying it. Anyway, as you know, season eleven of the Simpsons was the worst season with sloppy writing. This, however, is definitely one of the best that season. As you can see, one of the best that season is still very average. Still, this episode has Gary Coleman in it, which is an bonus.

A toy company takes control over Springfield Elementary after Principal Skinner couldn't pay for the new ramps made out of bread the Springfield Mafia gave to him. The new teachers ask the children what the perfect toy would be. Lisa is punished for doing math and finds that the adults had been spying on them and had taking notes about what the children had said what would be the perfect toy. Then she is attacked by a robot thing. Nobody believes her and then she finds out that the robot that attacked is a toy called Funzo that could do everything the children said. Lisa is giving a free Funzo when she tries to complain. She then finds out that Funzo is a toy killer. She, Bart, and Homer steal all of the Funzos under Christmas trees. They burn them but are caught by Gary Coleman. Instead of being arrested they invite Gary Coleman over for Christmas dinner.

Overall, this is a very average Simpson episode. Although it is one of the best episodes in season ten and eleven it is still very average. This is by far the worst Simpson Holiday episode, but since it is the Holidays I'll give it a five. This doesn't mean you shouldn't watch it. The best time to watch this episode is when you have nothing better to do. But still, if you want a good Holiday episode watch Marge Be Not Proud or Simpsons Roasting On An Open Fire.

5/10

A festive dud

[studioAT · 3/10 · 22 July 2017]

'The Simpsons' tend to do holiday themed episodes well, so it was a surprise to me that this one was a bit underwhelming.

It starts slowly, and despite getting better as it goes along, lacks any really big laughs or moments.

I've been largely impressed with the 11th series of the show so far, but this is not one of the better episodes.