Charlie Brown and Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving Specials on ABC, Nov. 23

[Pavan]

"A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING"

ABC Television Network will celebrate the start of the holiday season with the classic half-hour animated Thanksgiving-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (7:00-7:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network (Rebroadcast. ABC OAD: 11/16/01)

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 1958 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

In the 1973 special, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," Charlie Brown wants to do something special for the gang. However the dinner he arranges is a disaster when the caterers, Snoopy and Woodstock, prepare toast and popcorn as the main dish. Humiliated, it will take all of Marcie's persuasive powers to salvage the holiday for Charlie Brown.

The cast includes Todd Barbee as Charlie Brown, Robin Kohn as Lucy, Stephen Shea as Linus, Hilary Momberger as Sally, Kip DeFaria as Peppermint Patty, Jimm Ahrens as Marcie and Robin Reed as Franklin.

The specials were executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director and Vince Guraldi is the music composer.

This program carries a TV-G parental guideline



"A WINNIE THE POOH THANKSGIVING"

"A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving" returns the world's most beloved bear and his friends to ABC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (7:30-8:00 p.m., ET). The special follows Pooh and the gang's antics on a wild search for the ingredients to a perfect Thanksgiving feast. When the search goes awry, Pooh and his pals frantically assemble a hysterically untraditional holiday dinner -- and ultimately learn that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have, not what you think you should have.

"A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving" was directed by Jun Falkenstein and written by Carter Crocker, and features a collection of delightful songs by Michael and Patty Silversher, including the enchanting tune, "Our Thanksgiving Day."

The original special also features a newly created opening segment that seamlessly takes the viewer from live action footage within a child's bedroom to the CG imaging of a Winnie the Pooh storybook and, finally, into the program's animation.

"A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving" was animated solely at Walt Disney Animation Australia.

The special features the vocal talents of Paul Winchell as the voice of Tigger, a role he originated for Disney in the 1960s. Jim Cummings portrays Winnie the Pooh, with John Fiedler as Piglet, Peter Cullen as Eeyore, Michael Gough as Gopher, Ken Sansom as Rabbit, Andre Stojka as Owl and Brady Bluhm voicing Christopher Robin. David Warner serves as narrator.

"A Winnie the Pooh Thanksgiving" is a production of Walt Disney Television Animation. Jun Falkenstein directed the special. Sharon Morrill is executive vice president, Walt Disney Television Animation. (CLOSED-CAPTIONED) (Broadcast in stereo where available)

This special carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

[musicradio77]

Darn, I missed these two specials because I was taping "Oklahoma!" (Great Performances version) off of PBS since I was watching Albany's WMHT.

[dandelion wine]

After having watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, I'm now getting into the spirit of things this year. That cold front helped, too!