Airs tonight. Always a classic.

I'm a big fan of the old Peanuts cartoon strips. And I remember watching this special each year when I was a kid. The last time I saw it was about three or four years ago, but I had to shut it off about halfway through. It was just too depressing to take. I understand that Charlie Brown is supposed to be a loser, but all the kids are mean to him with such viciousness and hostility. It was rediculously cruel. Maybe I was just in an odd mood that night, but as I turned it off I was wondering why Charlie Brown wasn't committing suicide or bringing a gun to school to go on a shooting rampage. A glum evening indeed.

Some of us can empathize with ol' Charlie. Through all the trials and tribulations, he's the eternal optimist. Also, he never feels he has to lose his individuality to fit in with the crowd. Positive traits if you ask me.

I'm glad you have a more positive view on Charlie Brown in that Christmas special. I just can't see him as anything other than a doormat. A sacrificial lamb for all the worst that children have in them.

One thing I do like about the special, is that it's the only yearly Christmas cartoon I can think of that makes blantant reference to Jesus. I'm an atheist, but I respect that fact that the cartoon declares a position instead of being homogenized.

There are other cartoons that make reference to Jesus ("The Little Drummer Boy" was the story of the birth of Jesus), but you rarely see those aired anymore. I'm surprised some groups out there haven't demanded they remove the "Linus speech" from the cartoon...I mean, heaven forbid a cartoon about a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus actually mentions Jesus! The horror!

I agree. The whole purpose of the special was to get to the true meaning of Christmas so Linus' reading of the birth of Christ couldn't have been more appropriate. It couldn't be more appropriate in this generation of excess.

Have you ever heard "C. Brown" by Widespread Panic?

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shown round about them. And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For unto you in born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger". And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men."

Exactly! This is the point of this show! Linus stands up for Charlie Brown as a true friend and demonstrates the meaning behind the holiday season (in both word and action) - which is often lost though all the commericalism. If you ask me, the theme was far ahead of its time considering how much Christmas has more and more become about shopping since this program first aired.

BTW - How is this being padded out to an HOUR?!?

Whoopi Goldberg takes a special look into it? She had when Charles Schulz died.

A new Charlie Brown short? One I haven't seen before. Soundtrack is clearly in surround and the animation looks brand-spanking new.

Hmmmmmm... Charlie Brown or Horatio Hornblower? Choices choices but with the whoopster involved with this show I for one am leaning toward Hornblower.

No whoopster. Christmas tales. I haven't seen it yet. Done by Schulz himself.

Reminds me of a song I heard on Bob & Tom this morning about putting the Christ back in Christmas. The comedian(s) that did it changed the lyrics to some christmas tunes to add Jesus in them. Very funny.

He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see.
"Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"- The Coasters-1959

Next week a new Peanuts Christmas special. Should be interesting.

! I haven't thought about that song in ages! My parents used to have a scratchy old 45 of it that I played all the time when I was five. I thought it was a song about the comic strip Charlie Brown.

"Who walks in the classroom cool and slow
Who calls the English teacher, 'Daddio'?"

For some reason, this is a Christmas special that really gets under my skin. But hey I thought I'd give it another try last night as we decorated the tree. Well, lets just say I went a little nuts. I don't know what it is about the show but it gets me extremely angry. Does this happen to anyone else (sane or insane)?

That is odd. As mentioned, the kids can be pretty cruel, but, as South Park also tries to point out, kids can be pretty mean in real lift. It all works out in the end, so I don't see why it should upset you so bad.

I personally think this is one of those pieces of "cinema" that transcends it's medium and become's part of our culture. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have had a "Charlie Brown Christmas tree" in their life, and even called it that to other people.

It truly capture's the spirit of Christmas, and has become a holiday tradition.

What exactly bothers you?

What about it makes you angry?

Well, it makes ME angry that Charlie's Christmas tree only has about three branches when he buys it...then it has like six branches when he gets it to the school.

I found the ending very touching even after all these years...gues I'm a softie.

Biggest laugh came from Snoopy kissing Lucy...Snoopy's noises make me

A modified Lucille Ball sound - Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Anger, suicide, and depression. Who would have thought that this warm little animated classic could stir those sort of emotions?

I'm still trying to figure out what "Real In" is supposed to mean.