45 Years Ago Today: A Little Christmas Special Aired That Nobody Thought Would Work - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-09-2010, 12:33 AM

Charles Schulz, known by his friends and family as Sparky, drew his 'Peanuts' comic strip every single day beginning in October of 1950. Once television became popular, kids wrote to Sparky begging him to put Snoopy and the 'Peanuts' kids on TV. For 10 years Sparky wrote back, saying, "Never," his strip would never be on TV. Then Sparky noticed his five children enjoyed watching kids' programs and he became intrigued with the idea that maybe, just maybe, he could tell an interesting, televised story about his 'Peanuts' kids.

Lee Mendelson, a local producer, told Sparky he had sold a Christmas show that could be animated by Bill Melendez. Sparky took his time, trying to decide whether they could pull off a good TV special. Finally, he said yes, he would do the show, but only if they let him have things his own way.

Sparky wanted the show to represent the true meaning of Christmas as he saw it. He didn't want a raucous laugh track like other shows used. He insisted they would employ real child actors, not merely adults who sounded like kids. And the last thing he wanted was to use traditional Christmas music. Mendelson and Melendez tried not to fight with Sparky over any of these choices. The producers agreed to all Sparky's wishes at first, hoping he wouldn't walk away from the idea.

Gradually, Sparky was willing to consider using Vince Guaraldi's jazz music written especially for the show. It was called 'Linus and Lucy,' and the sophisticated style made a tremendous difference in how warmly the audience responded to the program.

Meanwhile, Sparky wrote a simple script in which Charlie Brown searches for the meaning of Christmas and finds it when Linus stands up and recites the story of the Christ child's birth, using the Gospel of St. Luke to stress "peace and good will toward men."

On Thursday, Dec. 9, 1965, more than 15 million American households watched the first 'Peanuts' television special. It was said that the audience broke out in gooseflesh as Linus walked in silence to the center stage, dragging his blanket. "Lights, please," he called out, his gentle voice beginning to recite the gospel's tidings. Linus spoke for a whole minute. His stirring rendition of the Nativity scene is, in a word, unforgettable.

Linus completes his explanation by saying quietly, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Then all the children help Charlie Brown decorate his skinny little fir tree, which is almost falling to the ground. Suddenly, the frail tree rises magically to stand tall.

The following day, CBS executives were relieved. They had worried about the religious content of the show and expected angry phone calls and letters from the public. Instead, they discovered, "all heaven broke loose." People said they were touched by the simple story and loved the original music. Newspaper critics wrote positive reviews. They found the quiet animation perfect for Sparky's characters and declared the program a classic after that very first showing.

With such success, CBS asked Sparky to create four more television programs. CBS president Frank Stanton said Sparky was a "pure cartoonist" and it was time that he brought his talent to the television screen as well as the daily newspaper. Soon there would be 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,' 'Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown,' 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,' and many more TV specials.

The special eventually received a George Foster Peabody Award and an Emmy. When Sparky appeared to receive the Emmy, he said, "Charlie Brown is not used to winning, so we thank you."

http://www.popeater.com/2010/12/07/c...own-christmas/

Marvo301 · 12-09-2010, 12:53 AM

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a year younger then I am. (I made my debut in 1964) I was enthralled the first time I saw it and it still pulls on my heartstrings every time I see it. This special truly is a classic. Christmas isn't really Christmas without watching this special. It's a yearly tradition for me. Thank-you Sparky for sticking to your guns about the content of this special and for giving us a Christmas classic!

comedyfreak · 12-09-2010, 01:53 AM

Yes indeed, all his specials are tradition. I'm older than the show, lol. I made my debut in Nov of '62. I'm touched every year I watch the special, it wouldn't be Christmas without the show.

TV Knowledge Fan · 12-09-2010, 04:50 AM

...the special had an influential sponsor behind it: Coca-Cola. THEY had more faith in what eventually aired on December 9, 1965 than the network initially did, and continued to be the primary sponsor of the "Peanuts" specials through the early '70s.

Just to give you an idea of what was on network TV that night, this is what the schedules were (all times Eastern):

CBS
7:30 A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS [pre-empting "THE MUNSTERS"]
8:00 GILLIGAN'S ISLAND {"Don't Bug the Mosquitos"}
8:30 MY THREE SONS {"The Hong Kong Story"}
9:00 THE CBS THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIES

NBC
7:30 DANIEL BOONE {"The First Beau"}
8:30 LAREDO {"The Land Grabbers"}
9:30 MONA McCLUSKEY {"Mail Against Female"}
10:00 THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW [Louis Armstrong, The Andrews Sisters, Carol Lawrence, Rich Little, guests]

ABC
7:30 SHINDIG! {"Shindig Goes To London", part 2- featuring performances filmed at the 'Richmond-On-Thames Jazz Festival' by The Who, The Yardbirds and Manfred Mann}
8:00 THE DONNA REED SHOW {"Slipped Disc"}
8:30 O.K. CRACKERBY! {"Crackerby and the Cuckoo Game"}
9:00 BEWITCHED {"My Boss, the Teddy Bear"}
9:30 PEYTON PLACE [Lola Albright's first appearance as "Constance Carson", temporarily replacing Dorothy Malone]
10:00 THE LONG HOT SUMMER {"...Nor Hell A Fury"}

[according to A.C. Nielsen, over half of all U.S. TV sets were tuned to CBS' 7:30 special that night]

And of all those individual programs scheduled that evening, ONLY ONE is still remembered to this day...and it isn't "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", or "BEWITCHED"!

catlover79 · 12-09-2010, 10:34 AM

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a classic and always will be. BIG props to Mr. Schultz & co. who bucked the networks and others who were against the religious overtones!!!

old grouch · 12-09-2010, 02:27 PM

Let's all break out the Coke and the Dolly Madison Zingers and watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'!!!

Rezny@gmail.com · 12-09-2010, 07:35 PM

I made my debut in 1957,and yes,the show,a Charlie Brown Christmas is indeed a timeless classic TV show.CBS worried for nothing.And it wouldn't be Christmas without this show.

80sTrivia · 12-09-2010, 08:48 PM

It simply wouldn't be Christmas without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas each year...

Retro4Life · 12-09-2010, 09:33 PM

Timeless and beautiful, this classic will never be replicated or "rebooted". It's in it's own universe in terms of quiet understatement and holiday local color. And the message is absolutely perfect; this is a show not only about the meaning of Christmas but a great primer on what is to be TRULY valued in life.

I agree with everyone; it wouldn't be Christmas without the Charlie Brown special. And 45 years later, I still dig that funky Christmas music that Shroeder pounds out!

It's making me tear up just thinking about it!

MrCleveland · 12-10-2010, 01:08 AM

This is a Special that'll NEVER get old, and neither its beginning logo....

catlover79 · 12-10-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

It simply wouldn't be Christmas without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas each year...

AMEN!!!!

old grouch · 12-10-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

This is a Special that'll NEVER get old, and neither its beginning logo....

That and the old NBC Peacock are my favorites.

catlover79 · 12-10-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

This is a Special that'll NEVER get old, and neither its beginning logo....

AKA · 12-10-2010, 07:51 PM

This has always been my favorite Christmas special. I hope the powers that be can find it in their hearts to release the original, uncut version someday (with Coke sponsorship spots).

Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack ain't too shabby, either!

Marvo301 · 12-10-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

This has always been my favorite Christmas special. I hope the powers that be can find it in their hearts to release the original, uncut version someday (with Coke sponsorship spots).

Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack ain't too shabby, either!

I own this soundtrack! I don't know whose idea it was to combine Vince Guaraldi's jazz music with Charles Schultz's Peanuts characters but what an inspired choice!

12-09-2010, 12:33 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	45 Years Ago Today: A Little Christmas Special Aired That Nobody Thought Would Work Charles Schulz, known by his friends and family as Sparky, drew his 'Peanuts' comic strip every single day beginning in October of 1950. Once television became popular, kids wrote to Sparky begging him to put Snoopy and the 'Peanuts' kids on TV. For 10 years Sparky wrote back, saying, "Never," his strip would never be on TV. Then Sparky noticed his five children enjoyed watching kids' programs and he became intrigued with the idea that maybe, just maybe, he could tell an interesting, televised story about his 'Peanuts' kids. Lee Mendelson, a local producer, told Sparky he had sold a Christmas show that could be animated by Bill Melendez. Sparky took his time, trying to decide whether they could pull off a good TV special. Finally, he said yes, he would do the show, but only if they let him have things his own way. Sparky wanted the show to represent the true meaning of Christmas as he saw it. He didn't want a raucous laugh track like other shows used. He insisted they would employ real child actors, not merely adults who sounded like kids. And the last thing he wanted was to use traditional Christmas music. Mendelson and Melendez tried not to fight with Sparky over any of these choices. The producers agreed to all Sparky's wishes at first, hoping he wouldn't walk away from the idea. Gradually, Sparky was willing to consider using Vince Guaraldi's jazz music written especially for the show. It was called 'Linus and Lucy,' and the sophisticated style made a tremendous difference in how warmly the audience responded to the program. Meanwhile, Sparky wrote a simple script in which Charlie Brown searches for the meaning of Christmas and finds it when Linus stands up and recites the story of the Christ child's birth, using the Gospel of St. Luke to stress "peace and good will toward men." On Thursday, Dec. 9, 1965, more than 15 million American households watched the first 'Peanuts' television special. It was said that the audience broke out in gooseflesh as Linus walked in silence to the center stage, dragging his blanket. "Lights, please," he called out, his gentle voice beginning to recite the gospel's tidings. Linus spoke for a whole minute. His stirring rendition of the Nativity scene is, in a word, unforgettable. Linus completes his explanation by saying quietly, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Then all the children help Charlie Brown decorate his skinny little fir tree, which is almost falling to the ground. Suddenly, the frail tree rises magically to stand tall. The following day, CBS executives were relieved. They had worried about the religious content of the show and expected angry phone calls and letters from the public. Instead, they discovered, "all heaven broke loose." People said they were touched by the simple story and loved the original music. Newspaper critics wrote positive reviews. They found the quiet animation perfect for Sparky's characters and declared the program a classic after that very first showing. With such success, CBS asked Sparky to create four more television programs. CBS president Frank Stanton said Sparky was a "pure cartoonist" and it was time that he brought his talent to the television screen as well as the daily newspaper. Soon there would be 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,' 'Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown,' 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,' and many more TV specials. The special eventually received a George Foster Peabody Award and an Emmy. When Sparky appeared to receive the Emmy, he said, "Charlie Brown is not used to winning, so we thank you." http://www.popeater.com/2010/12/07/c...own-christmas/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-09-2010, 12:53 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a year younger then I am. (I made my debut in 1964) I was enthralled the first time I saw it and it still pulls on my heartstrings every time I see it. This special truly is a classic. Christmas isn't really Christmas without watching this special. It's a yearly tradition for me. Thank-you Sparky for sticking to your guns about the content of this special and for giving us a Christmas classic!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin Last edited by Marvo301; 12-09-2010 at 01:57 AM.

12-09-2010, 01:53 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	Yes indeed, all his specials are tradition. I'm older than the show, lol. I made my debut in Nov of '62. I'm touched every year I watch the special, it wouldn't be Christmas without the show.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

12-09-2010, 04:50 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	It also helped that... ...the special had an influential sponsor behind it: Coca-Cola. THEY had more faith in what eventually aired on December 9, 1965 than the network initially did, and continued to be the primary sponsor of the "Peanuts" specials through the early '70s. Just to give you an idea of what was on network TV that night, this is what the schedules were (all times Eastern): CBS 7:30 A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS [pre-empting "THE MUNSTERS"] 8:00 GILLIGAN'S ISLAND {"Don't Bug the Mosquitos"} 8:30 MY THREE SONS {"The Hong Kong Story"} 9:00 THE CBS THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIES NBC 7:30 DANIEL BOONE {"The First Beau"} 8:30 LAREDO {"The Land Grabbers"} 9:30 MONA McCLUSKEY {"Mail Against Female"} 10:00 THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW [Louis Armstrong, The Andrews Sisters, Carol Lawrence, Rich Little, guests] ABC 7:30 SHINDIG! {"Shindig Goes To London", part 2- featuring performances filmed at the 'Richmond-On-Thames Jazz Festival' by The Who, The Yardbirds and Manfred Mann} 8:00 THE DONNA REED SHOW {"Slipped Disc"} 8:30 O.K. CRACKERBY! {"Crackerby and the Cuckoo Game"} 9:00 BEWITCHED {"My Boss, the Teddy Bear"} 9:30 PEYTON PLACE [Lola Albright's first appearance as "Constance Carson", temporarily replacing Dorothy Malone] 10:00 THE LONG HOT SUMMER {"...Nor Hell A Fury"} [according to A.C. Nielsen, over half of all U.S. TV sets were tuned to CBS' 7:30 special that night] And of all those individual programs scheduled that evening, ONLY ONE is still remembered to this day...and it isn't "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", or "BEWITCHED"!

12-09-2010, 10:34 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a classic and always will be. BIG props to Mr. Schultz & co. who bucked the networks and others who were against the religious overtones!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-09-2010, 02:27 PM	#6
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	Let's all break out the Coke and the Dolly Madison Zingers and watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'!!!

12-09-2010, 07:35 PM	#7
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	I made my debut in 1957,and yes,the show,a Charlie Brown Christmas is indeed a timeless classic TV show.CBS worried for nothing.And it wouldn't be Christmas without this show.

12-09-2010, 08:48 PM	#8
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	It simply wouldn't be Christmas without watching A Charlie Brown Christmas each year...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

12-09-2010, 09:33 PM	#9
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Timeless and beautiful, this classic will never be replicated or "rebooted". It's in it's own universe in terms of quiet understatement and holiday local color. And the message is absolutely perfect; this is a show not only about the meaning of Christmas but a great primer on what is to be TRULY valued in life. I agree with everyone; it wouldn't be Christmas without the Charlie Brown special. And 45 years later, I still dig that funky Christmas music that Shroeder pounds out! It's making me tear up just thinking about it!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

12-10-2010, 01:08 AM	#10
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,226	This is a Special that'll NEVER get old, and neither its beginning logo....
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

12-10-2010, 07:51 PM	#14
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	This has always been my favorite Christmas special. I hope the powers that be can find it in their hearts to release the original, uncut version someday (with Coke sponsorship spots). Vince Guaraldi Trio's soundtrack ain't too shabby, either!