Milhouse Van Houten’s TV Debut Wasn’t Even in an Episode of ‘The Simpsons’

Thrillho may have Bonestorm, but Bart has a Butterfinger.

Ever since his introduction to the series proper, Milhouse Van Houten has been the kind of sidekick to Bart who is so meek and nebbish-y that he’s almost asking for the abuse that he so frequently receives. Famously, the blue-haired, bespectacled schlimazel boasts President Richard Nixon’s middle name for a moniker because “Milhouse” was the most “unfortunate name Matt Groening could think of for a kid." And, fittingly, Milhouse’s misfortune started before he even appeared in a single episode of The Simpsons. In fact, it goes back to a time before The Simpsons even had entire episodes, back when what would become the most popular adult animated comedy of all time was just a series of segments on The Tracey Ullman Show.

In 1988, Milhouse made his TV debut in a Butterfinger commercial as he sat across from Bart in what we can assume to be the Springfield Elementary cafeteria and watched with envy as his “best friend” boasted about the food groups represented in his lunch. Bart closes the commercial by telling Milhouse of his Butterfinger-less diet, “Looks like you might die of malnutrition, dude.” 

I guess kids can’t survive on spaghetti meals alone.

In addition to being the only character in Simpsons history (thus far) to make their TV debut during a candy bar commercial, Milhouse also holds the rare distinction of being one of only two characters in the Simpsons canon who made their first appearance on TV before the premiere of the standalone series on December 17, 1989, but who aren’t the core five members of the Simpsons family. The only non-Simpson featured in the Tracey Ullman Show shorts is Krusty the Klown, who we all know was, at one point, supposed to be a sleepwalking Homer's alter-ego, like a proto-Tyler Durden.

Along with a great many Springfieldians, Milhouse made his first non-commercial appearance in the series premiere, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire.” The inaugural episode also marked the introductions of Seymour Skinner, Ralph Wiggum, Sherri and Terri, Moe Szyslak, Mr. Burns, Barney Gumble, Patty and Selma, Grampa Simpson and Ned Flanders — but none of those characters got to sell candy before their big entrance.

When you consider the historical importance of this commercial spot and the rarefied air that he briefly breathed, it’s fair to say that, in 1988, everything came up Milhouse.