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".
Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!
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
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.
Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show!
Please consider supporting the show financially as you are able on my Patreon page here.
Snoopy and Friends do Goodfellas
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.
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!
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.
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.
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".
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.
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
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".
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown patreon page - if you can help support the show...thanks!
The Exemplary Narcissism of Snoopy
CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE...HAPPINESS AND CHEER!
Well, here it is. Episode 8 has dropped faster than Santa coming down your chimney.
For many, it's not Christmas until "A Charlie Brown Christmas" appears on their screens. Here at the podcast, we feel the same. We do a deep dive into the 1965 classic that almost didn't happen. Is the special more of a spectacle like a great, big, shiny aluminum Christmas tree, or is it more of an unassuming little twig of a tree that, with a little love, becomes a full, proud, symbol of the season?
The Peanuts shorts airing on Cartoon Network that we watched and reviewed this month were "Out of Order" and "Always Right".
Here's where you can find those 1960's Life Magazine photos of Schulz. At the time of recording, I overlooked the fact that this isn't actually a new offering. They were published a couple years ago. Sorry about that. Still fun to look at, though.
Coca-Cola ad restored to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" clip I
Coca-Cola ad restored to "A Charlie Brown Christmas" clip II
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.
The It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon page
Check out Bill's novel - it makes a great gift - IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME
November! America is busy gorging itself on turkey gravy while celebrating/mourning the recent U.S. elections (you might have heard about that) and, of course, giving thanks for all that we have, even if that's a little harder these days.
This month, we're watching YOU'RE NOT ELECTED, CHARLIE BROWN from 1972 and THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN: THE MAYFLOWER VOYAGERS from 1988.
Grab another slice of pumpkin pie and give us a listen, won't you?
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
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Patreon page
Bill's novel - In the St. Nick of Time - an Amazon link, but you can pick it up wherever you like.
This month, we have a spooktacular treat for your trick-or-pod bag!
Our focus is the 1966 classic IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN and an episode of the 1983 series THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW. It's the Great Pumpkin's 50th anniversary. Good grief! Get yourself to the most sincere pumpkin patch you can find (take your pod-player with you, of course).
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 and Lucy" remix. Look for him on Soundcloud.
This month's Peanuts short was "School Chums". Find more on Cartoon Network.
It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes
The It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon page
Find a corn maze near you! And other cool Peanuts stuff at peanuts.com
You might say HOME is the unifying theme, if you're inclined to look for one, in this month's Peanuts episodes. In IT'S A MYSTERY, CHARLIE BROWN, Woodstock has lost his home - someone stole his nest! - and in THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN: THE NASA SPACE STATION, the Peanuts gang is at home in the far-flung future of the mid-1990s aboard the brand new International Space Station, looking down upon Earth, home to us all. See how that all ties together?
Also this month, we take a look at "Brothers & Sisters" one of the Peanuts shorts produced in 2014 and currently running on Cartoon Network. We also talk about the unaired 1963 Charles Schulz documentary "A Boy Named Charlie Brown".
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. You can find it on Soundcloud.
This month, we take a look at the 1971 Peanuts special "Play It Again, Charlie Brown" and another episode of the 1983 TV series "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show".
Beethoven in a spray can, blue security blankets that are actually GREEN(???), Schroeder living in a house with blood-red interior and being totally cool with it. What in the WORLD is going on with these episodes? Join us and we'll see if we can figure it all out.
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.
This month, the podcast is all about teachable moments. In IT WAS A SHORT SUMMER, CHARLIE BROWN, Charlie Brown and the other boys dominate the girls at summer camp, because of course "boys are stronger" - well, they try anyway. In episode 2 of the short-run series THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN, "The Birth of the Constitution", Linus is our guide into the 1787 convention where the agreement that became the US Constitution was cobbled together. Also, Charlie Brown invents all the sports.
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.
This month on the podcast, we go back to 1968 to talk about the 1968 prime-time special HE'S YOUR DOG, CHARLIE BROWN. This one is either a romp about a very naughty dog or a dark POW drama. You make the call.
After that, we look at the first episode of THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, a Saturday-morning series from 1983. This one is...well, it's a also a thing that happened on TV.
Go to our Patreon page to help support the show.
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for the creative commons license to his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Midnight".
Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus and Lucy" remix.
Here's a link to my OTHER podcast, Atari Bytes.
Email the show at charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com
NEXT MONTH: IT WAS A SHORT SUMMER, CHARLIE BROWN and "The Birth of the Constitution", an episode of the series THIS IS AMERICA, CHARLIE BROWN.
Welcome to episode one of a new, monthly podcast which really just amounts to an excuse for me to rewatch dozens of classic Peanuts specials and films. This month, we discuss "Charlie Brown's All-Stars", which was the 1966 follow-up to the instant classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Does it honor it's predecessor? Then, we watch episode 3 of the 1988 series "This is America, Charlie Brown" and learn things. In a cartoon! Madness!
My thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" Remix. You can find that and more of his music here.
Thanks also to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for Creative Commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".
Can't wait a whole month to hear my voice again? Check out my weekly podcast Atari Bytes.
One of my great childhood joys was the Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown and the gang were friends to me. I especially identified with Linus.
A great Saturday afternoon for me would be spent with a bowl of Cheetos and a collection of Peanuts strips. I especially liked the week-long story arcs and the brilliant mix of humor, frustration and perseverance of these lil' folks - though I am 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. And I know I watched A Boy Named Charlie Brown over and over on cable. 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, ten motion comics available on iTunes, eight episodes of "This is America, Charlie Brown" and eighteen episodes of the "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show", and some forty-five TV specials.
And, on this podcast, we're going to watch them all.
Every episode, usually about once per month, I'll talk about one or two specials or a feature film. What I like about it; what I didn't. What worked for me and what didn't. There are many layers to a Peanuts special. Even in two dimensions, these animated characters are fully fleshed-out humans - and a beagle - with all the fears, anxieties, joys and laughs we all experience. Let's explore those together.
And remember: Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.