Why does ABC keep showing "A Charlie Brown Christmas" With Scenes Edited Out?

[Ohio8]

Originally Posted by Pavan

Unedited version is December 15.

Thanks for telling us. I'll record it on my DVR. Right now I have the edited version that they played recently.

[Steve M.]

ABC is going to do this again in 2012, I just know it.

[catlover79]

I noticed that, too. Thank goodness I have the special unedited on DVD. Boo hiss to ABC.

[Steve M.]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I noticed that, too. Thank goodness I have the special unedited on DVD. Boo hiss to ABC.

You got that right.

[BigManMike]

And ABC is ruining it again with that stupid Prep and Landing this year. A Charlie Brown Christmas will air November 28 and December 20, and both showings have Prep and Landing with it. This just aggravates me. I guess I will be watching my BluRays and DVDs instead.

[Pavan]

That Prep & Landing airing in the hour is just a seven minute short. Charlie Brown Christmas will air UNEDITED.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Brad

ABC's edited version of A Charlie Brown Christmas is a joke. I hope they lose the rights and another network picks it up.

There's no good reason why they can't air the uncut Peanuts and Grinch specials in a half-hour slot. Greed is what's keeping them from doing it. God forbid they lose a few minutes of commercials a year.

Yeah! Don't mess with our classic Christmas specials---Charlie Brown, The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus (Coming To Town), if you're not able to air them in their entirety, don't bother with them at all!!!!!

[AKA]

Originally Posted by Pavan

That Prep & Landing airing in the hour is just a seven minute short. Charlie Brown Christmas will air UNEDITED.

ABC will not be showing it unedited. A Charlie Brown Christmas hasn't been seen in its truly whole form since its third CBS airing (1967). There are Coca-Cola sponsor spots throughout the special that were cut out starting with the 1968 airing that haven't been seen since. That's why there are abrupt scene endings, noticeable music "jumps" and why the audio fades out awkwardly early during the end credits. I've been hoping for these scenes to be restored or at least replicated for years.

[Pavan]

Originally Posted by Brad

ABC will not be showing it unedited. A Charlie Brown Christmas hasn't been seen in its truly whole form since its third CBS airing (1967). There are Coca-Cola sponsor spots throughout the special that were cut out starting with the 1968 airing that haven't been seen since. That's why there are abrupt scene endings, noticeable music "jumps" and why the audio fades out awkwardly early during the end credits. I've been hoping for these scenes to be restored or at least replicated for years.

Those are not on the DVD either. What these guys mean are referring to is the edited half-hour version that ABC airs once a year, along with one airing that is in a one-hour time-period (usually paired with Charlie Brown Christmas Tales to fill up time). This year they are not airing the half-hour version at all and will air the one-hour time period version both times, which is the same content as the DVD.

[AKA]

Right, I understand that. I'm aware that ABC has been airing the special twice the past few years, and that the one in the 30-minute slot was hacked to ribbons by the network, while the one in the one-hour slot is the DVD/Blu-ray version.

It's just that the anal-retentive nerd in me thinks something that has several cuts shouldn't be referred to as "unedited." I know that ABC, themselves, has been guilty of using the term in reference to this cut of the show, which adds insult to injury in regards to the fact that no attempts have been made to restore the original cut.

[Pavan]

You're never going to see it on TV like that anywhere (it's not even like that on DVD). That is the best you'll get. Last year you were calling it uncut.

[1960'sTVfan]

I recorded Charlie Brown Christmas from ABC a few years ago, it runs 25 minutes not including commercials, so as far as I'm concerned it's complete.

Back in 1994, I recorded Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer from CBS, this is the version that has the song "Fame And Fortune" instead of the reprise of "We're A Couple Of Misfits." I much prefer the Fame And Fortune version. CBS airing however, does delete a couple things. Part of the song "We Are Santa's Elves" is deleted from CBS airing, also the scene where Yukon Cornelius discovers the peppermint mine is deleted from CBS airing. I believe the full version of Rudolph runs about 48 minutes, the CBS airing I have from 1994 runs 46 minutes.

[three 14]

I HAVE THE VERY FIRST AIRING OF RUDOLPH WITH COMERCALS FROM 1964
AND THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ALSO

[1960'sTVfan]

The original 1964 airing of Rudolph would be cool to see for the commercials. But if I recall, the original airing does not resolve the fate of the misfit toys on the island. The following year in 1965 is when a new scene was included showing the toys being rescued.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

The original 1964 airing of Rudolph would be cool to see for the commercials. But if I recall, the original airing does not resolve the fate of the misfit toys on the island. The following year in 1965 is when a new scene was included showing the toys being rescued.

That's interesting, I never knew that a scene was added! I remember the old Norelco shaver commercials, with some of the elves. Would love to see those again!