If you grew up in Generation X, you probably watched every Charlie Brown holiday special. We were told they were “fun,” but watching a bald kid get bullied by his friends doesn’t exactly scream entertainment. Honestly, the whole franchise feels pretty bleak. If you haven’t read the famous “F* You, Charlie Brown” rant, consider yourself lucky. The rest of us are a bit scarred.
This year marks the 52nd anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” That’s right—52! This special is now old enough to complain about kids and their avocado toast. You think you know this special. You’ve seen it countless times. Peppermint Patty yells at Charlie Brown for serving toast and popcorn like he’s a sad diner cook. But here are some things you might not know.
First, no adults appear on screen, which is classic Peanuts. However, this was the first special to feature an adult voice—Vince Guaraldi, the genius behind the Peanuts music, singing “Little Birdie.” So, the only adult in the Peanuts world is a guy singing about a bird. Symbolism? Maybe. Depression? Definitely.
Lucy only appears in the opening scene, likely because she knew this special was a downer. In real life, the actors who voiced Lucy and Charlie Brown are still friends. They went to high school together and are Facebook friends, unlike their characters who face constant disappointment.
There’s even a spin-off inspired by Linus’ Thanksgiving speech called “The Mayflower Voyagers.” And yes, Woodstock eats turkey. One producer was shocked, but Charles Schulz said to keep it. This is Peanuts, where we embrace the darkness.
