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Posted on 12/09/2025 2:12:37 PM PST by Ciaphas Cain
December 9, 1965, marked a quiet revolution in American holiday television — the day A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS. Based on the beloved Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, the half-hour animated special introduced to millions a different kind of Christmas story: small in scale, emotionally honest, tender, and subversively thoughtful.
At the time, few expected much. The special was produced on a modest budget, completed in just six months, and featured child actors rather than seasoned voice talents — a bold choice for 1965 television. Executives worried: no laugh track, understated pacing, a jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi Trio, and a storyline that questioned the commercialization of Christmas.
Then it aired. Nearly 45 million viewers tuned in, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” instantly upended expectations. The melancholic center of the story — the perpetually insecure boy who asked aloud, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” — resonated in a way few cartoons ever had, and the jazzy, atmospheric score became indelibly linked to the holiday season.
Beyond the broadcast’s success, the special struck a deeper chord. It reminded audiences that Christmas could — perhaps should — be more than tinsel, consumerism, and forced cheer. Through humble animation, simple drawings, and a childlike sincerity, it offered a poignant reflection on loneliness, hope, and the meaning of goodwill.
In the decades since its debut, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has become a bedrock of holiday tradition. It earned prestigious honors — including an Emmy and a Peabody Award — and its soundtrack sold in the millions.
(Excerpt) Read more at amac.us ...
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Happy anniversary Charlie Brown!
One of my favorites.
The Vince Guaraldi Trio created one of the best Christmas soundtracks ever. Beautiful from start to finish.
How soon before the liberal mania gets this cancelled because it hurts their feelings?
And thus spawned millions of pets named ‘Snoopy’...
And that was one reason for the touching scene of Linus quoting the Jesus birth story from the Bible. For those couple of minutes of screen time there was no production time needed for the creativity or script writing to hash out what had to be said. It was already written in Luke 2. Simple, yet everyone I know talks like it's their favorite part.
Apollo 10’s Lunar Module (LM) was nicknamed “Snoopy” (after the Peanuts character) for its “snooping around” the Moon’s surface during the May 1969 dress rehearsal for the lunar landing, while the Command Module was named “Charlie Brown”.
Even back in 1947, with Miracle on 34th Street, they were talking about the over commercialization of Christmas. Its not a recent thing.
The best part is when Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about.
I have always liked it too. I find it interesting that they haven’t been able to strip out the biblical references for modern audiences...you can be sure they want to, but can’t figure out how to do it without getting blowback!
I heard that even back in the ‘60’s when this cartoon was produced artist Charles Schultz had to fight network executives, who were hesitant about including Linus’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, fearing it was too slow, too religious and might alienate viewers.
Schultz believed it was essential to the special message about the true meaning of Christmas. Schultz stood firm and asked the producers; “If we don’t do it, who will?”
Did you notice? Linus subtly drops his blanket to the ground when reciting the line “Fear not!”.
Oh they wanted to even back when it was made. Schultz had to fight them hard over it.
If you’re in the area of Santa Rosa, California, definitely swing by the Charles Schultz museum.
I never noticed that! It made me smile to consider it...:)
Anyone remember when the first year BO was in office, he gave a national address on the night when A Charlie Brown Christmas was being aired, causing everyone to miss it?
” Its not a recent thing.”
Yet people continue to pursue the commercial holiday.
Often even their church.
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