It's A Podcast, Charlie Brown

This month in episode 40, the Peanuts kids are headed off to camp! RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN from 1977 is the third big screen outing for the Peanuts and they set sail on troubled waters. Raft races! Bullies! Dangerous waterfalls! Sweet motorcycles! Bears that knock first! You're gonna need Velcro (brand fastener) on your popcorn bag, otherwise the tension is gonna make you drop your snack all over the place. We've also got another Random Strip of the Month and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short episode called "Snoopy the Superstar". Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Find links to episodes, show notes and social media for IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and my other show, ATARI BYTES at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Check out the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com for "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs. Please consider supporting the podcast financially on our Patreon Page here. Check out in print or ebook my short s

In the 1980s, Charles Schulz and his son Monte Schulz set out to create the "Citizen Kane" of Peanuts specials. The result was 1988's IT'S THE GIRL IN THE RED TRUCK, CHARLIE BROWN.  In this special, scripted by the two Schulzes, we find animated cartoon Spike wandering around live-action Needles, California - ala "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" - where he meets up with Jenny, played by Schulz daughter Jill Schulz. There's lots of driving around in the titular red truck, falling aluminum cans and...gunfire?  "Citizen Kane"? Well, you can decide for yourself.  We've also got Peanuts news, another "Random Strip of the Month" and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "No Strings Attached". So finish your popcorn, strap on your roller skates (you'll understand after the episode) and boogie on over to episode 39! Thanks to Henry Pope for his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out that and other Pope music on Soundcloud here. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight"

Playwright Jack McManus returns to the podcast this month to discuss one of his favorite Peanuts specials: "Why, Charlie Brown, Why?" from 1990. This first TV special of the 90's arose out of Schulz's desire to honestly talk to kids about cancer. One of the Peanuts kids is diagnosed with leukemia and we follow the others as they process this information. It's a heavy episode. Does it manage to both entertain and inform?  Unfortunately, there were some audio issues that makes Jack hard to hear for a lot of the discussion. Don't give up, though, it's good stuff if you just bump up the volume a little. My apologies. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Base Walker". Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes, social media, etc. Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up It's Podcast, Charlie Brown mugs and shirts and what n

It's time to start the music! It's time to light the lights! It's time to get things started on the....oh, wait. That's the Muppet Show. Anyway, we're talking about the 1988 animated version of SNOOPY THE MUSICAL on the podcast this month. So, to be clear: there was a comic strip called "Peanuts" (you may have heard of it) that became a stage show called SNOOPY THE MUSICAL, which, in turn, was turned into an animated TV special. Got it?  All right, the usher will now show you to your seats as the show is about to start. Please make sure your phones are turned off...NO! Wait! Don't do that! You won't be able to hear the show! Also this month: Random Strip of the Month and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Feeling Insecure". "It's Tennis, Charlie Brown" article from Longreads Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Kickstarter for the "The History of Peanuts on Parade" book Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus &

On episode 36, it's the return of author/illustrator Jason Yungbluth! Several months ago, Jason appeared on the show and offhandedly commented that his "favorite" Peanuts special is the 1976 "IT'S ARBOR DAY, CHARLIE BROWN". So...I invited him back to the show to defend that dubious position. That'll teach him to express an opinion! We also have a Random Strip of the Month and a review of a "Peanuts by Schulz" short episode called "Fly". Plus, the usual mixed bag of Peanuts news and musings. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and more of his music on Soundcloud here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes and what not Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Zazzle.com - get shirts and mugs here Patreon.com - support the show financially here Pick up your copy of my new collection of short stories MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OL

Greetings, fellow blockheads! IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN Episode 35 is here! Just so you're not confused, I messed with the schedule this month and not just because this episode is dropping a day late. We've still got a random strip of the month. We've still got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short (this one is called "Reach for the Stars"). We even still have episode 17 (the penultimate one!) of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show". BUT, we're shelving the planned "A Good Man, Charlie Brown" discussion until a later date. I had the unexpected good fortune of booking an interview with playwright Jack McManus about his new musical "Sparky", which debuted earlier this year in New York. The play presents significant points in Schulz's life and sounds very cool. I think you'll agree the scheduling change was well worth it.  Even we blockheads get it right once in a while. Go here to donate to William Johnson's "Peanuts on Parade: A Tribute to Charles Schulz" book Kickstarter. Listeners who kick in $50 or more get an

This month, episode 34 is booting one through the ol' uprights with not one but TWO football themed episodes.  First up is IT'S YOUR FIRST KISS, CHARLIE BROWN from 1977. Charlie Brown's kicking prowess is all that stands between victory and defeat in the big Homecoming game. (Never mind that this is usually a high school thing. Peppermint Patty has a game to win!) Will the Little-Red-Haired-Girl-turned-Homecoming-Queen have Chuck banished from the royal realm? How much power do Homecoming queens actually have? Next, we check out YOU'RE IN THE SUPERBOWL, CHARLIE BROWN. Except he's not. This 1994 tie-in with that year's Superbowl finds World Famous Coach Snoopy trying to lead his team of birds to Animal Football League glory while Linus and Charlie Brown vie for the affections of New Girl in Town Melodie Melodie even as they get ready for the "punt pass kick" contest where they could win a new bike..also, a Superbowl ticket. Just one though.  Does that Superbowl one sound fun? Want to buy a copy to watch? You c

This month on the podcast, all of the Peanuts secrets are revealed... Okay, not really. But we do have a conversation with Benjamin Clark, curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. Benjamin gives us some insight into the daily life of a curator, how exhibits are put together, and a LOT of exciting things coming up in coming years. I even asked him, as the keeper of all things Peanuts, what is REALLY inside Snoopy's doghouse. Want to know the answer? Tune in to this episode! We've also got one of the few remaining "Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" episodes (#16 to be specific). In this one, the Peanuts gang boldly goes where no Peanut has gone before. At least it felt that way. We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" episode called "Nice Doggy" and another "Random Strip of the Month". Chew your cookies loud as you want (It'll make sense after you listen) and tune in! Thanks! Here's a link to Luke Epplin's article, "Selling Out the Newspaper Comic Strip". Thanks to Kev

Good grief, happy holidays, everybody! Episode 32, IT'S CHRISTMASTIME AGAIN, CHARLIE BROWN, was just too darn big for one podcaster, so I called in a partner. Paul Johnson, host of "Total Stickcast" and a new show, "The Happy News Podcast" drops by. Together, we woof, meow, moo, whatever (you'll get that after this episode) through this story as Christmas commercialism gets revenge on Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty searches for the Christmas sheep within, and - hark! - Sally hears...well, you'll see. We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Christmas is Coming" and another in our ongoing "Random Strip of the Month" segment. If YOU would like to share your favorite strip, or even just pick one at random, just record your thoughts and email them to me at charliebrownpodcast@gmail.com  Big thanks to Paul Johnson. Go listen to him on "The Total Stickcast" podcast! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incomptech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pop

This month, we've got author/illustrator Jason Yungbluth talking about his post-apocalyptic take on adult versions of the Peanuts gang in "Weapon Brown". We've also got September 1985 the fifteenth episode of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show", which isn't apocalyptic, but does feature Charlie Brown in a pelican costume. So there's that. We've also got another "Random Strip of the Month" (make sure to send your submissions for this segment!) And we review another "Peanuts by Schulz" episode titled "Security". My thanks to Jason Yungbluth for giving us his time.  Here's a link to Derrick Bang's article about Charlie Brown's baseball team we talked about in the show. Thanks also to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. You can find much of his music on Soundcloud here.  It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - episodes, show notes, social media and more Atari Bytes - Hey! That's

The first one to catch that in the intro to this month's podcast I call this episode 29, when it is in fact episode 30, wins ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Oh, hey! I won! Oh, but I don't have a million dollars.... Anyway, we've got a pleasingly odd episode this month. From 1985, we dive into season two of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" with episode 14. I don't know what sort of medication Schulz, Melendez and Medelson were on when they came up with this episode, but pass some over here, guys. After that, we've got a second installment in what I guess now constitutes a recurring series of Peanuts character studies, wherein I ramble on for a few minutes about a particular character and that character's place in the neighborhood. This month's victim is: PIG-PEN.  We've also got a Random Strip of the Month and a review of another episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Let it Snow".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Thanks to Hen

Put on your leg warmers and lay out your flattened cardboard, refrigerator box to show off your sweet breakdancing moves. The 1980s are back! This month, we're watching "IT'S FLASHBEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN" from 1984 and a 1983 episode of "THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW". In the former, we soar like and an eagle. In the latter, when we do the Pig-Pen hoedown, we really kick up some dust. In between, we have another "Random Strip of the Month" and a review of the short "Peanuts by Schulz" episode titled "Good for Nothing".  Thanks for Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and Henry's other music on SoundCloud.  It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes, social media, etc. Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Classic games and an original short story every single week! Please consider supporting the show financially. Keeping Snoopy in dog bones isn

What do designer jeans, ducks, crosswalks and World War II soldiers have in common?  They're all here in episode 28 of the podcast! We've got Emmy nominated WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED, CHARLIE BROWN?, which originally aired May 30, 1983 and another CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW from November 26, 1983. We've also got a Peanuts by Schulz called  "A Little Love" and another Random Strip of the Month. Enjoy!  Here's the link to Sean's Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Facebook photo album That Funny or Die article about the "dirty kid" from Peanuts Thanks, Henry Pope for the use of your "Linus & Lucy" remix. Go to Soundcloud for more of his music here. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and more Atari Bytes - come to this show to hear stories (usually funny, sometimes not) made up by me and inspired by classic video games.  Go here to the It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown Patreon

Episode 27 is shall we say...adventurous? Not all of us get to experience this month's Comic-Con adventure, so we have to make our own adventure, which is not a problem with the 1983 "IT'S AN ADVENTURE, CHARLIE BROWN" and, also from 1983, another episode of "THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW". Marcie is a football star! Kite-eating trees! Running from the law! Angelic messages! And Charlie Brown's head in a sack! If that's not adventure, I don't know what is! This month's "Peanuts by Schulz" short was "Not My Day". Don't forget to send me you "Random Strip of the Month" audio submissions! Here's  link to the fan-made "How Did You Happen to Get Snoopy, Charlie Brown?" Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy remix. Check that out, as well as his other music on Soundcloud here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes and more. Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other

This is a month of fond and not so fond farewells. In IS THIS GOODBYE, CHARLIE BROWN? from 1983, Mr. VanPelt has been transferred so Linus and Lucy have to move away! Will Charlie Brown get over the loss of his best friend? What will become of Linus's blanket? Will Charlie Brown follow through on the promise Peppermint Patty made for him to take her out to forget about his loss? Or will he leave her on the porch? In episode ten of THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, also from 1983, in a not-so-fond farewell, Lucy kicks Linus out of the house! Lucy herself is kicked off the baseball team! Peppermint Patty's dad is out of town and she shacks up in Charlie Brown's guest shack. Snoopy doesn't want to lose the "neighborhood dog of the year" contest.  Plus, I give a report about my visit to the traveling "Snoopy & the Red Baron" exhibit at the Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois. It's leaving Elmurst June 17 and going to other points unknown. More farewells! The Peanuts by Schulz short this month was

Have you ever packed a suitcase for a trip? Don't worry. I'm going somewhere with this. If you have packed a suitcase, you know sometimes you have too many sweaters and Snoopy print underwear to stuff in there. Episode 25, it turns out, was kind of like that. There was just TOO MUCH SHOW to stuff in there. Thus, this bonus episode was born. The Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois is the FIRST IN THE NATION to host the Charles M. Schulz traveling exhibit "Snoopy and the Red Baron". In this centennial year since the end of WWI, the exhibit is a celebration of Snoopy's alter ego, the World War I Flying Ace, as well as a history lesson about the war. And it's going on RIGHT NOW. You should go see it! I'm going to! So, I got a chance to talk to David Oberg, executive director of the Elmhurst History Museum in Elmhurst, Illinois about the museum and the exhibit. Snoopy's Sopwith Camel zooms away from Elmhurst on June 17 so I decided not to hold onto this conversation for episode 26, but instead put it out

Episode 25 of the podcast is a celebration! No, really, it's in the title. We're watching A CHARLIE BROWN CELEBRATION from 1982. I'll bet Lucy hates that concept. Is the party that is this HOUR LONG episode worth show up for?  The undercard for this month's episode is a new segment on the podcast. I do a deep dive into the origins and history of Snoopy's alter-ego The World Famous Author, which, of all his personas, is the one most near-and-dear to my heart.  Of course, we also have a new "Random Strip of the Month" and check out another "Peanuts by Schulz" short. This one is called "Man's Best Friend".  Whether it's bright and sunny or a Dark and Stormy Night, I hope you enjoy this month's episode! Here's the link to the Father's Day 5K Race for the Charles M. Schulz Museum fundraiser. The Peanuts Global Artist Collective Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. F

For episode 24 of the podcast, it would be cool if I had a clever tie in to twenty-four hours in a day. But I don't. What I do have is my conversation with Stephen Lind, author of the 2015 book A Charlie Brown Religion, which is much more than a mere Schulz biography. Lind does a deep dive into Schulz's faith and outlook on the world. You need to read this. (After you listen to the conversation, of course.)  We also take a look at episode 9 of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show" from October 29, 1983, in which lots of people are cruel to other people and some of them get punched for it. Including a tree.  We also hear another "Random Strip of the Month" and a review of a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Telling Stories". Here's a link to the Tom Lehrer "New Math" bit we talked about. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud here

So...yeah, this month's episode is a wee bit late. Sorry 'bout that. I had a hard time getting into the podcast studio to finish the editing on the episode, what with all these NO DOGS ALLOWED signs around. I guess that's what I get for wearing my Snoopy costume as every day wear. But episode 23 is finally here. We're talking about the Peanuts gang's second theatrical outing, SNOOPY COME HOME from 1972. Snoopy's feeling unwanted at home and around town (NO DOGS ALLOWED!). Will the return of a mysterious figure from Snoopy's past lure him away? We also have a "Peanuts by Schulz" review. This month's short is called "Woodstock". (Woot woot! We love Woodstock!) We'll also enjoy another "Random Strip of the Month". (You, too, can send me a "random strip" audio to play on the show. Please do!) Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks also to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find this and more of his music

This month on episode 22, we put Peppermint Patty, who has barely had time to rest since winning musical chairs last month in "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown", through her paces. First, we explore which came first: the peppermint patty candy or the character. Then, in NO TIME FOR LOVE, CHARLIE BROWN (which first aired 3/11/73), a field trip to the art museum puts her feelings for ol' Chuck on display. (See what I did there?) Next, we have an episode from THE CHARLIE BROWN & SNOOPY SHOW, which originally aired 12/10/83, in which Charlie Brown's rage at the kite-eating tree and Peppermint Patty's jealousy at her campmate, the little red-haired girl, prove to be the undoing of both of them. We also watch a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "Too Cold" and we have another "Random Strip of the Month".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Bass Walker" and "Mining by Moonlight".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out more of his musi