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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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It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 15, 2018

Good grief, happy holidays, everybody!

Episode 32, IT'S CHRISTMASTIME AGAIN, CHARLIE BROWN, was just too darn big for one podcaster, so I called in a partner. Paul Johnson, host of "Total Stickcast" and a new show, "The Happy News Podcast" drops by. Together, we woof, meow, moo, whatever (you'll get that after this episode) through this story as Christmas commercialism gets revenge on Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty searches for the Christmas sheep within, and - hark! - Sally hears...well, you'll see.

We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Christmas is Coming" and another in our ongoing "Random Strip of the Month" segment. If YOU would like to share your favorite strip, or even just pick one at random, just record your thoughts and email them to me at charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com 

Big thanks to Paul Johnson. Go listen to him on "The Total Stickcast" podcast!

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

Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find his music on Soundcloud here.

This is a holiday episode, so how about a holiday book? Like this one! IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. Order it wherever books are sold, like here.

Consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - notes, episodes, social media.

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

Here's a link to the Snopes article "Are you racist, Charlie Brown?"

Nov 15, 2018

This month, we've got author/illustrator Jason Yungbluth talking about his post-apocalyptic take on adult versions of the Peanuts gang in "Weapon Brown". We've also got September 1985 the fifteenth episode of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show", which isn't apocalyptic, but does feature Charlie Brown in a pelican costume. So there's that.

We've also got another "Random Strip of the Month" (make sure to send your submissions for this segment!)

And we review another "Peanuts by Schulz" episode titled "Security".

My thanks to Jason Yungbluth for giving us his time. 

Here's a link to Derrick Bang's article about Charlie Brown's baseball team we talked about in the show.

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

Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. You can find much of his music on Soundcloud here. 

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

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

Please consider supporting the show on our It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon page here.

It's the holiday season! Please check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults. Here's one place you can pick it up.  Wherever you purchase it, don't forget to leave  review!

Oct 15, 2018

The first one to catch that in the intro to this month's podcast I call this episode 29, when it is in fact episode 30, wins ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Oh, hey! I won! Oh, but I don't have a million dollars....

Anyway, we've got a pleasingly odd episode this month. From 1985, we dive into season two of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" with episode 14. I don't know what sort of medication Schulz, Melendez and Medelson were on when they came up with this episode, but pass some over here, guys.

After that, we've got a second installment in what I guess now constitutes a recurring series of Peanuts character studies, wherein I ramble on for a few minutes about a particular character and that character's place in the neighborhood. This month's victim is: PIG-PEN. 

We've also got a Random Strip of the Month and a review of another episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Let it Snow". 

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

Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and other music by Henry on Soundcloud.

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

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show. Old games and original short stories by me!

Support the show financially on the "It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown" page on Patreon here. 

Sep 15, 2018

Put on your leg warmers and lay out your flattened cardboard, refrigerator box to show off your sweet breakdancing moves. The 1980s are back!

This month, we're watching "IT'S FLASHBEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN" from 1984 and a 1983 episode of "THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW". In the former, we soar like and an eagle. In the latter, when we do the Pig-Pen hoedown, we really kick up some dust.

In between, we have another "Random Strip of the Month" and a review of the short "Peanuts by Schulz" episode titled "Good for Nothing". 

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

Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and Henry's other music on SoundCloud. 

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes, social media, etc.

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Classic games and an original short story every single week!

Please consider supporting the show financially. Keeping Snoopy in dog bones isn't cheap! Go to our Patreon page here. Thanks!

 

Aug 16, 2018

What do designer jeans, ducks, crosswalks and World War II soldiers have in common? 

They're all here in episode 28 of the podcast!

We've got Emmy nominated WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED, CHARLIE BROWN?, which originally aired May 30, 1983 and another CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW from November 26, 1983.

We've also got a Peanuts by Schulz called  "A Little Love" and another Random Strip of the Month.

Enjoy! 

Here's the link to Sean's Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Facebook photo album

That Funny or Die article about the "dirty kid" from Peanuts

Thanks, Henry Pope for the use of your "Linus & Lucy" remix. Go to Soundcloud for more of his music here.

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

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

Atari Bytes - come to this show to hear stories (usually funny, sometimes not) made up by me and inspired by classic video games. 

Go here to the It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon page to support the show financially if you are able. Thanks.

 

Jul 15, 2018

Episode 27 is shall we say...adventurous?

Not all of us get to experience this month's Comic-Con adventure, so we have to make our own adventure, which is not a problem with the 1983 "IT'S AN ADVENTURE, CHARLIE BROWN" and, also from 1983, another episode of "THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW". Marcie is a football star! Kite-eating trees! Running from the law! Angelic messages! And Charlie Brown's head in a sack!

If that's not adventure, I don't know what is!

This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short was "Not My Day".

Don't forget to send me you "Random Strip of the Month" audio submissions!

Here's  link to the fan-made "How Did You Happen to Get Snoopy, Charlie Brown?"

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

Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy remix. Check that out, as well as his other music on Soundcloud here.

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

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Please do wander over there.

Please consider helping offset some of the production costs of a podcasts by donating on the It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown page on Patreon. You can do that thing here. Thanks!

Jun 15, 2018

This is a month of fond and not so fond farewells. In IS THIS GOODBYE, CHARLIE BROWN? from 1983, Mr. VanPelt has been transferred so Linus and Lucy have to move away! Will Charlie Brown get over the loss of his best friend? What will become of Linus's blanket? Will Charlie Brown follow through on the promise Peppermint Patty made for him to take her out to forget about his loss? Or will he leave her on the porch?

In episode ten of THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, also from 1983, in a not-so-fond farewell, Lucy kicks Linus out of the house! Lucy herself is kicked off the baseball team! Peppermint Patty's dad is out of town and she shacks up in Charlie Brown's guest shack. Snoopy doesn't want to lose the "neighborhood dog of the year" contest. 

Plus, I give a report about my visit to the traveling "Snoopy & the Red Baron" exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois. It's leaving Elmurst June 17 and going to other points unknown. More farewells!

The Peanuts by Schulz short this month was "Off Key". Nobody goes anywhere in that one, I don't think.

Don't forget to send in your "Random Strip of the Month" submissions!

Here's that Peanuts Gang Singing 2112 by Rush link I promised.

The Peanuts Gang Gangnam style.

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

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

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, social media and so much more on the website here.

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Part game review, part story creation, all fun fun fun!

AB_Pod_Store - this is the store on Zazzle.com where you can get "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts, mugs and much more. 

Here's a link to the It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown page on Patreon - go here to support the show financially. 

May 18, 2018

Have you ever packed a suitcase for a trip?

Don't worry. I'm going somewhere with this.

If you have packed a suitcase, you know sometimes you have too many sweaters and Snoopy print underwear to stuff in there.

Episode 25, it turns out, was kind of like that. There was just TOO MUCH SHOW to stuff in there. Thus, this bonus episode was born.

The Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois is the FIRST IN THE NATION to host the Charles M. Schulz traveling exhibit "Snoopy and the Red Baron". In this centennial year since the end of WWI, the exhibit is a celebration of Snoopy's alter ego, the World War I Flying Ace, as well as a history lesson about the war. And it's going on RIGHT NOW. You should go see it! I'm going to!

So, I got a chance to talk to David Oberg, executive director of the Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois about the museum and the exhibit. Snoopy's Sopwith Camel zooms away from Elmhurst on June 17 so I decided not to hold onto this conversation for episode 26, but instead put it out for you right now. Enjoy!

Thanks again to Dave Oberg for taking some to talk to me about the museum and the Snoopy & The Red Baron exhibit.

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

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, social media, episodes and more.

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

Check out our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com for "Greeting, Fellow Blockheads" mugs and more!

If you're able, consider supporting the show financially on our show's Patreon page

 

 

May 15, 2018

Episode 25 of the podcast is a celebration! No, really, it's in the title.

We're watching A CHARLIE BROWN CELEBRATION from 1982. I'll bet Lucy hates that concept. Is the party that is this HOUR LONG episode worth show up for? 

The undercard for this month's episode is a new segment on the podcast. I do a deep dive into the origins and history of Snoopy's alter-ego The World Famous Author, which, of all his personas, is the one most near-and-dear to my heart. 

Of course, we also have a new "Random Strip of the Month" and check out another "Peanuts by Schulz" short. This one is called "Man's Best Friend". 

Whether it's bright and sunny or a Dark and Stormy Night, I hope you enjoy this month's episode!

Here's the link to the Father's Day 5K Race for the Charles M. Schulz Museum fundraiser.

The Peanuts Global Artist Collective

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

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

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

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

Find "Greetings Fellow Blockheads" shirts at more at our store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Patreon - You can support the podcast financially here.

Apr 15, 2018

For episode 24 of the podcast, it would be cool if I had a clever tie in to twenty-four hours in a day. But I don't.

What I do have is my conversation with Stephen Lind, author of the 2015 book A Charlie Brown Religion, which is much more than a mere Schulz biography. Lind does a deep dive into Schulz's faith and outlook on the world. You need to read this. (After you listen to the conversation, of course.) 

We also take a look at episode 9 of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" from October 29, 1983, in which lots of people are cruel to other people and some of them get punched for it. Including a tree. 

We also hear another "Random Strip of the Month" and a review of a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Telling Stories".

Here's a link to the Tom Lehrer "New Math" bit we talked about.

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

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

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - notes, social media and more.

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

"Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and more at my Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store.

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

Mar 16, 2018

So...yeah, this month's episode is a wee bit late. Sorry 'bout that. I had a hard time getting into the podcast studio to finish the editing on the episode, what with all these NO DOGS ALLOWED signs around. I guess that's what I get for wearing my Snoopy costume as every day wear.

But episode 23 is finally here. We're talking about the Peanuts gang's second theatrical outing, SNOOPY COME HOME from 1972. Snoopy's feeling unwanted at home and around town (NO DOGS ALLOWED!). Will the return of a mysterious figure from Snoopy's past lure him away?

We also have a "Peanuts by Schulz" review. This month's short is called "Woodstock". (Woot woot! We love Woodstock!)

We'll also enjoy another "Random Strip of the Month". (You, too, can send me a "random strip" audio to play on the show. Please do!)

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 this and more of his music on Soundcloud here.

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

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show. Find out the story WITHIN classic Atari games here, every single week.

Pick up "Greetings Fellow Blockheads" stuff at our Zazzle.com store, AB_Pod_Store here.

If you can, support the show financially on our Patreon page here.

Feb 15, 2018

This month on episode 22, we put Peppermint Patty, who has barely had time to rest since winning musical chairs last month in "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown", through her paces. First, we explore which came first: the peppermint patty candy or the character. Then, in NO TIME FOR LOVE, CHARLIE BROWN (which first aired 3/11/73), a field trip to the art museum puts her feelings for ol' Chuck on display. (See what I did there?)

Next, we have an episode from THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, which originally aired 12/10/83, in which Charlie Brown's rage at the kite-eating tree and Peppermint Patty's jealousy at her campmate, the little red-haired girl, prove to be the undoing of both of them.

We also watch a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Too Cold" and we have another "Random Strip of the Month". 

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 the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out more of his music on Soundcloud here.

Which came first, Peppermint Patty the candy or the character?

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

Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show

AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com for "greetings, fellow blockheads" stuff

Patreon.com - you can support the show financially here

 

Jan 15, 2018

This month, episode 21 of the podcast is unofficially the month of the VanPelts. In 1981's "Someday You'll Find Her, Charlie Brown", Linus is in his familiar role as the best, but ultimately clueless as everyone is in Peanuts Town, friend to Charlie Brown. The two boys stalk, er, search for the beautiful girl our man Chuck fell in love with after seeing her briefly during a "honey shot" on TV in the crowd at a football game. Will they find her? Will she fall in love in return? Will she prosecute? Tune in to find out!

Next, the three VanPelt siblings - Linus, Lucy and Rerun - feature prominently throughout the seventh episode of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show", which originally aired 9/24/83. Even the VanPelt family matriarch makes an appearance. No Mr. VanPelt though. Maybe he and Mr. Brown went bowling or something.

We also have a fine "Random Strip of the Month" from listener Josh, a special audio report from listener William, and a review of the "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Word of Mouth".

Good grief! This show is jam-packed!

Don't forget to find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or by emailing charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com Send us your turkey cards, drawings, and, of course, audio "Random Strip of the Month" submissions!

Here's the Schulz drawing of Batman

The "Stranger Things"/"A Charlie Brown Christmas" mashup

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 here.

It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes, social media...

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

Find "Greetings Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs at our (Atari Bytes) store on Zazzle.com here.

If you're able, please consider supporting the show financially on our Patreon page here, to help offset some of the production costs. Thanks!

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