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.
Episodes
Much like Schroeder pulls great art from a little toy piano, 142 pulls a dandy episode from my meager talent. We've got This Month in Peanuts History, a look at an episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Even the Score", and we take a look at the greatest pianist since Rachmaninov as Schroeder gets his own Character Study. What's he like? Why is he like that? What's his role in the strip? Why piano and not the pan flute? So many que...
In episde 141, tragedy and deprivation abound. Spirits alight up Camp Springlake in "Camp Snoopy", S1, Ep 12, while the gang stalks Charlie Brown to take what's his. Wondering what in the world I'm talking about? Well, you'll just have to listen!
We've also got May's News & Feedback and a "Random Strip of the Month" courtesy of author Derrick Bang ("Vince Guaraldi at the Piano", among lots of other stuff).
In 140, we dig through the basement and drag the old timey console television upstairs so we can watch the 1973 Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Did Hallmark do a good job with this classic or are they a one trick pony - capable of cards for when you care enough to send the very best, but not TV for when you care enough to WATCH the very best?
We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" called "That...
139 is an overflowing Easter Beagle basket of goodness! We've got a Random Strip of the Month and this month's news and feedback. And then Peanuts historian and author of many Peanuts things including the recent second edition of "Vince Guaraldi at the Piano" stops by to chat about the man responsible for the iconic music of Peanuts we all love so much.
Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his song...
Sitting high above the Earth, dreaming of...suppertime?
At least we assume that's what Snoopy is doing. In 138, we check out "The Snoopy Show", season 1, episodes 3 and 4. We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" episode called "Leave Me in Peace", This Month in Peanuts History - April edition (I wanted to do, like, November or something, but my producer wouldn't let me), and much much more!
Episode 137 of "It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown" offers up hayrides, meatballs, and...cocktails?
You never quite know what you'll get on the pod...until I tell you. This episode has News & Feedback, a Random Strip of the Month and we take a gander at "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 11.
Enjoy!
Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" Remix.
Thanks to Nick Jones for the use of h...
Greetings, fellow blockheads! In 136 we've got Ford...and also Ford!
Yep, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the first animated Peanuts special, but did you know it wasn't the first animated Peanuts? We're taking a look at the 1950s and 60's animated Peanuts promos for "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" and for Ford cars...a company founded by a guy named Henry Ford. So. Much. Ford.
We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short titled "Come...
More regular than the Super Moon, it's another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. In 135, we've got news and feedback from in and around the Peanuts universe, Charles Schulz's granddaughter Dena Hodges shares a Random Strip of the Month, and we take a look at "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 10.
Transpose Theatricals production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
Having a bad hair day? Has panning for gold in the Klondike not, uh, panned out? Well, console yourself with another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN!
We've got This Month in Peanuts History. (That month would be February for you future types.) We also check out an episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Misunderstanding". Then we talk about the Apple TV+ "Camp Snoopy" season 1, episode 9.
You could give your loved one diamo...
In episode 133, we chat with Dena Hodges. Dena is Charles Schulz's oldest grandchild and daughter to Meredith. Her story of growing up in that family isn't quite what you would expect.
We've also got this month's news and feedback and a Random Strip of the Month.
How could you not listen to this, I ask you?????
2025! A brand new year! Same great podcast! (Your mileage may vary.) In 132, we've got This Month in Peanuts History (Spoiler: the month is January.), and a discussion of the "Peanuts by Schulz" episode "Go to School!" (The exclamation point makes it extra exciting!) Then we take a look at the new Schulz bio "Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz, Creator of Peanuts".
Is there a better way to start the year than hangin' with Peanut...
December isn't just a great month because the Great Pumpkin, er, Santa Claus, stops by, though it is. We also get another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. I mean, same as every month, but still pretty cool. Santa doesn't even do that.
This month we've got playwright Bert V. Royal talking about his play "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead". We also check out news and feedback from in and around the Peanuts uni...
It's December and in episode 130, we've got another holiday to worry about. Christmastime is upon us. But fear not! We've got "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to see us through. Sort of! I went and saw "A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage". And I have thoughts!
I also have thoughts about another episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Even-ing the Score". We also ponder This Month in Peanuts History. (Spoiler: the month is December....
Isn't pizza great? Well, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN 129 isn't pizza, but it's just as good - just without the crispy crust, delectable sauce and toppings to die for. BUT, we do have a "Random Strip of the Month", a discussion of "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 8. Oh! Also this month's feeback and news bits. I guess those are like audio pizza rolls.
I'm hungry now. And, hey, you can eat pizza while you listen! The best of two wo...
Unwind from the stress of the recent elections and the wind up to the holiday season with Peanuts! In episode 128, our old Peanuts friend Nat Gertler returns to tell us all about his new YouTube show "Comics Show & Tell With Nat Gertler". We've also got This Month in Peanuts History, and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "A Strong Personality". Join us! Won't you?
It's not quite all Hallow's Eve, so there's still plenty of time to check out episode 127. We've got a Random Strip of the Month, listener feedback and the latest news from in and around the Peanuts universe. Then, for a Halloween treat that rivals the finest chocolate, we dig into Lee Mendelson's 2006 book: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic".
No tricks in this episode, just treats. Give it ...
The calendar might say it's Fall, but there's still penty of campy fun to be had in episode 126. We've got "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 7, an episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Weird Little Brother" and This Month in Peanuts History.
If the podcast had a mascot, what would it be?
Thanks ...
Share a cookie with a friend as you enjoy our discussion of "Camp Snoopy", S1, episode 6. We've also got a Random Strip of the Month courtesy of author Glenn Fleishman and this month's News & Feedback.
Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "This Month in Peanuts History" theme.
Thanks to Nick Jones for t...
Episode 124 is full of spooks and canoeing and brownies. We've got "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 5. And we check out another episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" titled "Classic" and take a look back at This Month in Peanuts History.
Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix.
Episode 123 is so full of greatness, don't waste time reading these show notes (except the book order link)!
You're still reading....ok, fine. We've got listener feedback. News from in and around the Peanuts universe. A Random Strip of the Month. AND THEN we chat with author Glenn Fleishman about his upcoming book "How Comics Were Made: A Visual History from the Drawing Board to the Printed Page".
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