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It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

As a kid, it was a good Saturday afternoon if I had a bowl of Cheetos and a collection of Peanuts comic strips in front of me. Charlie Brown and the gang were friends to me. (I especially identified with Linus.) I really liked the week-long story arcs and the brilliant mix of humor, frustration and perseverance of these lil' folks. And, honestly, I'm a little sad Shermie never took off as a main character. Animated Peanuts was great too. The airing of a Peanuts TV special was a big event in my house. I was pretty young, but I remember seeing RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN in 1977 in a movie theater. I know I watched A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN over and over on cable. BON VOYAGE, CHARLIE BROWN (And Don't Come Back!) is a wonderful movie, animated or otherwise. And I don't think a year has gone by that I haven't watched the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas specials. I pretty much have the dialogue memorized, much to the chagrin of my wife and kids. To date, Charlie Brown and the gang have appeared in five feature films and dozens of TV specials, including the series "This is America, Charlie Brown" and "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show". And on this podcast, we're going to watch them all. We'll discover what we liked and what we didn't. What worked and what didn't. There are many layers to a Peanuts special. Even in two dimensions, these characters are fully fleshed-out humans - and one beagle - with all the fears, anxieties, joys and laughs we all experience. Let's explore those together.
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Now displaying: 2017
Dec 15, 2017

Should old acquaintance be forgot? 

No way! There's a party in Peanuts Town!

First up this month, from 2003, the Van Pelt's youngest sibling Rerun just wants a dog for Christmas in the appropriately titled I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN. Could Spike be the answer to his canine dreams? Maybe, IF Rerun can survive the rides on the back of Mom's bike and, in a frighteningly timely B-plot, allegations of harassment of a little girl with pigtails. Yes, really. Merry Christmas!

The second half of our double-header finds Charlie Brown ringing in the new year burdened with that albatross of a novel "War and Peace", which he is assigned to read and report on over winter break in HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARLIE BROWN from 1985 (though it actually first aired on January 1, 1986). Tolstoy! Musical Chair Death Matches! The Little Red-Haired Girl! Shots of root beer garnished with dog germs!

We've also got a review of a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "A Hard Winter" and we've also got another "Random Strip of the Month" submission!

So grab your top hat and tails from Snoopy and join the fun!

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud.

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

AB_Pod_Store - that's my store on Zazzle.com where you can "Greetings fellow blockheads" and other show merchandise - mugs, shirts, totes, and more.

Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.

It's the holiday season! If you're like me, you still sorta believe in Santa (come on, admit it), so I wrote a Santa Claus story for us adults. It's called IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. I hope you'll check it out. Here's one of the places you can do that.

Email your "Random Strip of the Month" submissions and other comments, thoughts and questions to charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com And hit us up on Twitter @itsapodcb, Facebook and Instagram

Nov 15, 2017

EPISODE 19 has it all! Dinner AND a show!

Dinner is courtesy of the 1973 holiday classic A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING. Peppermint Patty invites herself, Marcie and Franklin to Chuck's house for Thanksgiving, forcing Charlie Brown to face his crippling fear of buttering toast. Snoopy gets his butt handed to him by a lawn chair. Woodstock engages in flagrant bird cannibalism. Ah, holidays!

The "show" part of the episode comes courtesy of the "MUSIC AND HEROES OF AMERICA" installment of the THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN series from 1989. Schroeder wants to give a report about America's musical history. Lucy wants to give a report about America's historical figures. Can they work together? Plus, who knew Charlie Brown could wail on the harmonica like that?

The "Peanuts by Schulz" short we watched this month was "Beware of the Dog"

Remember to send my your "Random Strip of the Month" submissions!

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus and Lucy" remix. You can find that and more of his music on Soundcloud here.

It's a Podcast website

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!

Zazzle.com - There's some cool podcast merchandise - mugs, shirts, bags, blankets - in my store! AB_Pod_Store

Please consider supporting the show financially as you are able on my Patreon page here.

If you like my podcasting, maybe you'll like my writing! Please check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. Here's one of the many places you can get it.

Snoopy and Friends do Goodfellas

How Peanuts Used Peppermint Patty to Talk About Politics

Good Grief: The Attempted Murder at Peanuts Headquarters

Oct 15, 2017

The usual giddy joy at dropping a new episode of the podcast is dampened a bit this time with the news of the loss of Charles M. Schulz's home and Craig Schulz's home in the horrendous wildfires ravaging California. While the property (including much valuable Schulz memorabilia) was lost, thankfully, Jean Schulz was evacuated safely. Our hearts go out to the Schulzes and all of California. 

But the show goes on. And it's a good one.

Episode 18 features my conversation with Andrew Farago, curator of the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco and the author of the new book THE COMPLETE PEANUTS FAMILY ALBUM: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ'S CLASSIC CHARACTERS, which is out this month. 

Because Halloween is upon us as well, we've also got a review of WHAT A NIGHTMARE, CHARLIE BROWN, a special from 1978 that turns out not to be so much spooky as, well....you'll have to listen to the show. 

And, as always, we've got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short. This one is called "A Pretty Picture". And we check out another Random Strip of the Month. (Don't forget to email me your audio Random Strip submissions! Send those to charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com)

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud. 

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and more.

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other podcast!

Pick up podcast shirts and mugs at my Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store

Please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Sep 20, 2017

So, hey, remember at the end of the September episode I said the rundown for the October episode was subject to change? Well, it changed. Andrew Farago - author, comics historian, curator of the Cartoon Art Museum - agreed to chat with me about his upcoming book THE COMPLETE PEANUTS FAMILY ALBUM: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ'S CLASSIC CHARACTERS. And I am thrilled to share that conversation with you in October. 

But, good grief! What does that mean for THE SCHEDULE! Hold on to your security blanket and everything will be okay. We've still got WHAT A NIGHTMARE, CHARLIE BROWN, the Peanuts by Schulz short "A Pretty Picture" and, of course the Random Strip of the Month (get your submissions in right away!) 

Don't feel bad for the next installment of THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN. It'll be here in November like the whipped cream on your pumpkin pie.

See you in October!

Sep 15, 2017

I demand absolute silence. I, the Great Podcastini, will now guess what number you are thinking of...

It's 17! As in episode 17 of the podcast! Now, pick a card! Do it! 

*Gazes magically at you while I wait*

Is this your card? The queen of hearts! I knew it was because the little heart is bent. I learned that trick from Marcie. (You'll understand that once you listen to the episode.) Until then, just bask in my powers over the dark arts.

In IT'S MAGIC, CHARLIE BROWN, which first aired 4/28/81, Snoopy pulls off the impossible as The Great Houndini and makes the already figuratively invisible Chuck literally disappear. In another installment of THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, first shown on 11/12/83,  love Peanuts-style is bursting out all over. Also, Charlie Brown loses his ball field, Linus loses the directions to his would-be girlfriend's house and Marcie loses her mind. 

Also, we've got a review of the "Peanuts by Schulz" short "The Call of the Wild". And there's another "Random of the Strip" submission!*

*If you'd like to send in an audio "random strip of the month", just record yourself talking about your favorite Peanuts strip or one you literally pick at random. If you can get it to me by the first week of the month, I can probably get it in that month's episode. If it's later, no worries, I'll hold it for next month.

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Thanks also to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. You can find that and more of his stuff on Soundcloud here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and much more here!

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!

Pick up show mugs and shirts at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store

You can support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Aug 15, 2017

In episode 16, we ride the rails in the 2/10/89 edu-tainment THIS IS AMERICA CHARLIE BROWN: BUILDING THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. Want to know the saga of one of American history's biggest construction projects, a story about literally uniting a post-Civil war country? Then hop aboard!

As the train pulls away from the station, we jump on to run away with Snoopy as he joins the circus in the 10/24/80 LIFE IS A CIRCUS, CHARLIE BROWN. Forbidden passion! The lure of fame! Popcorn wantonly mingling with cotton candy! It's all here!

This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short is "Going My Way".

AND our new feature, "Random Strip of the Month" continues!

Check out the St. Louis Cardinals Charlie Brown Bobblehead here.

That article about the history of Lucy pulling away the football.

What to know how to draw Charlie Brown? These guys will show you! Then send us your results!

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". 

Thanks also to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus and Lucy" remix. Find more of his stuff on Soundcloud here.

Atari Bytes - Hey, that's my other show! Here's a link to check it out.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - other episodes, show notes and more

Pick up "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs at Zazzle.com here.

Please support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Jul 15, 2017

This month in episode 15 of the podcast we wade into the Peanuts neighborhood kiddie pool to take on the burning question: If a Peanuts character says "Rats" alone in the woods, does it make a sound? Also, we explore the mysteries of why Peppermint Patty is sneaking out in the early morning hours, why is crime so rampant in Peanuts Town, and where did Marcie get an automatic duck plucker?

The episodes this month are: She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown, originally aired 2/25/80; episode 5 of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" from 10/22/83; and we check out another Peanuts by Schulz short, "Train Your Dog".

All this and so much more is waiting for you in the doghouse. Grab your supper dish and skate on over!

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and more of his music at Soundcloud here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and more

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Listen to it here!

Find show merchandise at my Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store here.

Please support the show financially at our Patreon page here.

Jun 15, 2017

MAKE THIS PODCAST "GREAT" AGAIN

The painstaking production and scrutinizing the schedule that went into developing this theme for this month's episode, #14 for those of you keeping score at home, is staggering. Both episodes have "great" in their titles. From 1979, we've got "You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown" and from 1989, "This is America: The Great Inventors". That's what you call synchronicity.*

*No, it's not.**

**It's just a random coincidence.***

***This is the last footnote.

This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short was "Sound and Sensibility".

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".

Thanks to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud. Right here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes

Atari Bytes - Hey, that's my other show!

Support the show financially at the It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon page

Check out "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs at my Zazzle.com store

May 15, 2017

Good grief! Another month has gone by already?

We've got a first for the podcast on this lucky episode 13...a guest! Nat Gertler is a respected author (The Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip; The Snoopy Treasures), publisher and Peanuts historian. And he was nice enough to give a bit of his time, wit and wisdom to the podcast. Thanks, Nat!

This month, we also watch and discuss two of the 2008 Warner Premiere Motion Comics, animations of 1964 Peanuts strips. The episodes we watched this month were "Crabby Little Girl" and "Mother's Day".

And we watch two more of the 2014 Normaal Productions Peanuts by Schulz shorts, "Crazy Mutt" and "Good Dog".

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his other music on Soundcloud.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and episodes

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!

Did you know you can get your own "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs? You can! Go here - AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com!

Please consider supporting the show financially at our Patreon Page!

Fivecentsplease.org

Jeanne Schulz's blog

Apr 15, 2017

It's all about the eggs, y'all!

In the 1974 special IT'S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN, the gang is obsessed with the looming specter of Easter and living in existential fear they won't be buried alive in an avalanche of eggs. Everyone, that is, except Linus who takes a break from obsessing about the Great Pumpkin to obsess about a thing called "the Easter Beagle". (And Sally calls him on it.) Meanwhile, Marcie, apparently an Easter neophyte, cluelessly lays waste to scores of defenseless eggs.

And as if THAT wasn't enough, we've also got our fourth episode of THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, which aired originally on 10/1/83. All the familiar tropes are hit: Sally's crazy school reports; Charlie Brown kicking the football; Lucy is bossy and Linus suffers under her regime; Schroeder hates Lucy, but she doesn't care; Charlie Brown can't kick the football; Charlie Brown's baseball team is awful. Nothing really new here, but, hey, it's Peanuts! We had fun anyway, and even found a few really nice bits.

Our "Peanuts by Schulz" short this month is "My Blanket!"

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".

My thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. You can find that and more of his stuff here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes, episodes and links.

My other show, Atari Bytes. A weekly Atari game show, where we don't just review the games, but also try to figure out the story going on WITHIN the game. If we don't know it, we make it up!

Please consider support the show financially on our Patreon page, which is right here.

You can also get cool "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" t-shirts, mugs and more at our Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store.

Mar 15, 2017

A B-O-Y N-A-M-E-D C-H-A-R-L-I-E B-R-U-H-N

Darn it! I just lost the National Spelling Bee! AUGHHHHHHHH!

Well, at least I can empathize with Charlie Brown's trials and tribulations in his first big screen outing, A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN, a box office hit in 1969. Charlie Brown has a shot at shedding his "failure face" when he wins the school spelling bee and heads off to the - gasp! - National Spelling Bee!

In the B plot, Linus is separated from his trusty blanket. It's not pretty.

So, are the kids in the Peanuts gang ready for their silver screen close-ups? Let's grab some popcorn, roll film and find out!

This month's Peanuts by Schulz review was "A Day With Snoopy".

Here's a link to the Comics Beat article about the Chinese Peanuts building blocks.

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find more of his stuff at Soundcloud.

Atari Bytes show notes

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

Get "Greetings Fellow Blockheads" mugs and shirts, as well as other stuff at my Zazzle.com store!

If you can, consider financially supporting the show at our Patreon page.

 

 

Feb 15, 2017

Ah, love...life's sweetest reward. It's an open smile, on a friendly shore...

Wait. That's "The Love Boat".

Maybe we'll cover the Peanuts/Love Boat crossover in another episode (we wish). For now, we're right here in Peanuts Town where love pretty much always goes unrequited, especially for Charlie Brown. And this month's episodes don't disappoint.

So pull up a heart-shaped box of candy and join us for 1967's "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" and, from 2002, "A Charlie Brown Valentine".

This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short was: "Come On, Snoopy!"

My thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and episodes

Atari Bytes

Good grief! Now you can get cool "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" mugs and shirt! It's true! Go here and check 'em out, along with other cool (Atari) related things!

The "It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown" Patreon page - where you can help support the show financially.

 

Jan 15, 2017

This month, the podcast is all about muddy messes - both on the motocross track and in the hallowed halls of the presidency.

With the American presidential inauguration looming as this episode drops, we check out another installment of "This is America, Charlie Brown" from 1989 called "The Smithsonian and the Presidency". And we also look at "You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown" because motocross is the sport that's sweeping the nation...in 1975. Apparently.

This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short is "Winter Wonderland".

Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".

Thanks also to Henry Pope for use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Go check out his stuff on soundcloud.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

Atari Bytes

The It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown patreon page - if you can help support the show...thanks!

The Exemplary Narcissism of Snoopy

 

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