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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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It was all about spiting Christians.
I was looking for something like that, LOL......Good find.
I remember watching that first showing. We had only got our first TV (an enormous 19” color set) a few months before, and all of us kids liked Peanuts and read it every day, so we had to watch the show. Don’t know how many times I’ve seen it since.
As a child I looked forward to this special every year. And I still enjoy it as an adult (along with The Grinch).
As they always tell us…..if you don’t like what you’re seeing/hearing change the channel. It’s that easy. But we all know different what their goal is.
I remember as a kid going through the TV Guide and noting on which days the various Christmas Specials would be aired.
The album is most certainly listenable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtrgRejwG0&list=RDPZtrgRejwG0&start_radio=1
Rudolph is / was another favorite. Yukon Cornelius.
I couldn’t watch the part in Frosty The Snowman when he melted, that was so traumatic.
Good grief, Charlie Brown!
This program, which aired on network TV, ended with the real, Christian Christmas message!
Let’s see a NEW production do the same!
Frosty the Snowman was on the other evening on NBC and sure enough when the kids were thinking up a name for the snowman and the funny talking kid says “Christopher Columbus”, NBC purposely cut it out and you heard nothing...they did it a year ago (first time it was on NBC) and i watched specifically to see if they would do it again and they did...They (NBC) are replaying Frosty tonight at 8PM- i’m sure they’ll do it again...
One of the great scenes of all-time, though its from “It’s the Great Pumpkin”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq0h7dV2NyQ
LOL! Heartbreaking….
“It’s not such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little MAGA.”
I’ve never seen it. I have a strict no-animation policy.
I absolutely despise laugh tracks. There should be a special palace in hell for everyone involved.
The goodheartedness of it is so endearing.
I understand that the producers did not want to put in Linus’s speech quoting Scripture, but Charles Schultz insisted it stay in.
That cartoon would not be what it was without that.
When I was growing up, we watched that EVERY year.
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