DVDizzy Forum

http://abc.go.com/specials/cbrown_christmas.html

The ABC Television Network will celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT). The hour will also include a series of Christmas-themed animated stories entitled "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales," based on Schulz's work, in which each of the beloved PEANUTS characters - Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Sally - star in his or her own charming animated vignette.

PEANUTS focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

The cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" includes Peter Robbins ("Charlie Brown"), Christopher Shea as ("Linus"), Tracy Stratford ("Lucy"), Chris Doran ("Schroeder") and Sally Dryer ("Violet").

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.

Ehhh... I have the VHS. I'll watch it there.

By the way, it's so stupid to show Christmas movies in November. It just is.

I have the DVD (and previously the VHS cassette), but there's just something about watching these specials on a broadcast that doesn't quite compare. Maybe it's the commercials, maybe it's the sense of nostalgia I get when I think back to pouring over the TV Guide with my parents and circling all the nights that we'd have to be in front of CBS or ABC in order to catch our yearly viewing. Only having access to something once a year made it that much more special.

After we got a VCR and taped them for repeat viewings, I still enjoyed watching them as they were broadcast...no skipping through commercials for me!

Regardless, I'll be in front of the tube tonight...most likely unboxing all the decorations from the basement!

I can't wait! The highlight of Christmas television =]

The first and certainly one of the best Panuts TV specials. I love them all, but this one is just so special and lovely. Poor little tree.

By the way... Does anyone remember if TV used to show this many Christmas specials...in November?? Back in the 80's and early 90's, for instance?

They are doing it now because it is sweeps ... and the networks want high ratings ...

The Charlie Brown special scored 13.57 million viewers ... that's double the amount that Cavemen and Carpoolers bring to ABC ...

Rowlf_The_Dog wrote:They are doing it now because it is sweeps ... and the networks want high ratings ...

Is Sweeps always in November?

And, that's just sleazy. It totally cheapens the spirit of the season and the heart-felt meaning contained in these classic Christmas specials. But, hey, just as long as it makes a few dumbos we never see a bunch of bags more cash... Why not?

Lazario wrote:

Rowlf_The_Dog wrote:They are doing it now because it is sweeps ... and the networks want high ratings ...

Is Sweeps always in November?

Sweeps are every February, May and November.

Lazario wrote:And, that's just sleazy. It totally cheapens the spirit of the season and the heart-felt meaning contained in these classic Christmas specials. But, hey, just as long as it makes a few dumbos we never see a bunch of bags more cash... Why not?

Don't worry, there are plenty of specials airing on the networks in December. CBS has Rudolph and Frosty, ABC has Santa Claus is Coming to Town, the re-airing of Shrek the Halls, among others.

Yeah- but The Grinch and Charlie Brown were still better than most of those other Christmas specials. Except Frosty, of course.

Was just watching... Did it ever seem to anyone else like, after telling him "get rid of that stupid blanket," that Lucy just gave him another blanket?

Surreal.

I just now finished watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. I only got to see about half of it, though.