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For generations, the Peanuts comic strips and TV specials have been a beloved cultural icon, a tradition that continued with the 2015 release of The Peanuts Movie. Yet, even lifelong fans might be unaware of fascinating details about these timeless characters and their brilliant creator, Charles Schulz.
10. Charles Schulz Despised the Name
While Peanuts has become a global phenomenon, appearing in comics, films, and merchandise, Charles Schulz, the mastermind behind it all, had a strong dislike for the name that defined his creation.
Originally, the comic strip was proposed to the United Features Syndicate as L’il Folks, but executives feared it might be confused with the competing comic L’il Abner or an older strip titled Little Folks. The name Peanuts was ultimately chosen by syndicate production manager Bill Anderson, likely inspired by the term “peanut gallery” from the popular Howdy Doody show.
From the very beginning, Schulz detested this change and spent his life advocating for alternative titles like Good Ol’ Charlie Brown. He famously criticized the name, calling it “ridiculous” and lacking “dignity.” However, his immense success with the strip and cartoons made it impossible to alter the name once it gained worldwide recognition.
9. CBS Despised The Christmas Special
For countless families, Peanuts cartoons like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Christmas have become beloved holiday traditions. Surprisingly, CBS, the network that aired the Christmas special, was far from pleased with it.
When CBS executives finally scrutinized the special, it was already completed, leaving little room for changes, as executive producer Lee Mendelson pointed out. They criticized elements like the heavy use of jazz music in a Christmas program and the film’s leisurely pace. Mendelson and his team expected it to be the last Charlie Brown special, but its overwhelming ratings and praise ensured the gang’s enduring legacy.
Interestingly, modern audiences often assume the explicitly Christian elements in the movie, such as Linus quoting the Bible and referencing Jesus as mankind’s savior, sparked controversy. However, CBS raised no objections. While Mendelson felt uneasy, Schulz remained unfazed. When informed that no animated character had ever quoted the Bible, Schulz famously responded, “If we don’t do it, who will?”
8. Woodstock Might Be a Cannibal
While Charlie Brown often evokes sympathy and Snoopy provides comic relief, one character stands out for a darker reason: Woodstock. Among Charles Schulz’s beloved cast, Woodstock is the only character who has ever been depicted as a cannibal.
Each year, fans of Peanuts are startled by a scene in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. In the finale, Woodstock, Snoopy’s avian companion, joins the feast and even battles Snoopy for the wishbone, emerging victorious. This bizarre moment of cartoon cannibalism made it to the screen due to editorial override. Although Lee Mendelson opposed the idea, his concerns were dismissed by the creative team.
Mendelson’s concerns were eventually addressed, albeit indirectly. When ABC acquired the rights to air the special, they removed several scenes to accommodate more commercials. This included cutting the cannibalistic sequence, skipping straight to Snoopy and Woodstock enjoying pumpkin pie.
7. This Charming Charlie
Pop culture phenomena like Peanuts often endure through creative reinterpretations by passionate fans. A prime example is the surreal webcomic Garfield Minus Garfield, which strips away the titular cat and his thought bubbles, revealing the underlying strangeness of the original comic.
A similar creative reimagining exists for Peanuts, but with a musical twist. The Tumblr comic This Charming Charlie takes original Peanuts panels and substitutes the dialogue with lyrics from The Smiths. The result is strikingly authentic, as The Smiths’ lyrics perfectly echo the characters’ voices. Lines like “To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy” and “Love is just a miserable lie” resonate deeply with Charlie Brown’s persona. Despite facing legal challenges, the site thrives, embodying the defiant spirit that has always been at the heart of Peanuts.
6. Schulz Created Religious Comics
While Charles Schulz is celebrated for his iconic Peanuts comics, many fans may not realize he also ventured into explicitly Christian-themed comics. These works, though less known, reflect Schulz’s deep religious convictions and creative versatility.
Titled Young Pillars, this comic strip depicted teenagers navigating various church-related scenarios. Unlike the familiar, round-faced characters of Peanuts, the teens in Young Pillars were drawn with slender figures. The single-panel format, rather than the traditional strip, allowed for quirky religious humor, such as a girl jokingly blaming the telephone as “Satan’s tool” because no boys had asked her out.
One of the most intriguing aspects is the inclusion of adult characters who strikingly resemble the beloved Peanuts kids, albeit aged and weary, now grappling with their own mischievous children.
5. Schulz Nearly Lost Control of His Own Comic
Schulz’s pride was a defining trait, both a strength and a weakness. He took immense pride in his comic strip, to the point where he refused to let anyone else contribute, even for inking or lettering. Despite this, veteran superhero artist Al Plastino once created unpublished strips, fully drawn, inked, and lettered by him. So, what led to this unusual situation?
The story varies depending on who tells it. Some say it was about money, with Schulz demanding a larger share of the profits from his creation. United Features Syndicate, his publisher, worried he might walk away. As a precaution, they hired Plastino as a backup. However, Schulz secured his demands during negotiations, ensuring Plastino never took over.
Another version of the story, told by Plastino himself, claims that the syndicate hired him as a backup while Schulz underwent heart surgery, in case Schulz couldn’t continue the strip. Regardless of which account is accurate, one fact is undeniable: Schulz was furious upon discovering the Plastino contingency and ordered the strips destroyed.
4. Charlie Brown and Snoopy Were Born From Schulz’s Personal Struggles
Creators often draw from their own lives to shape their characters. While fans might assume Schulz infused Snoopy and Charlie Brown with his happier moments, the truth is darker. Elements of his personal struggles, including adultery and marital dissatisfaction, found their way into the beloved comic strips.
Schulz's extramarital relationship with Tracey Claudius, an office employee, marked the beginning of a passionate affair. He was utterly smitten, frequently sending her notes, flowers, and presents, and even commemorating the anniversary of their relationship's start. This affair disrupted his two-decade-long marriage to his first wife. Schulz penned over 44 love letters to Claudius and often phoned her—until his wife discovered the affair and put an end to it.
Interestingly, Schulz channeled some of his personal frustrations into his comic strip. In a 1970s strip, Charlie Brown stops Snoopy from visiting a cherished 'girl beagle.' Snoopy tries to follow the rules by calling her instead, prompting Charlie Brown to shout, 'And stop making those long-distance phone calls!'
3. The Peanuts Composer Was Found Naked By The Cops
Vince Guaraldi, the composer behind the original Peanuts specials, is a revered figure among fans. He scored 17 Peanuts specials, including the beloved Christmas special. However, one infamous incident in his life stands out for all the wrong reasons.
One evening, while composing 'The Great Pumpkin Waltz,' Guaraldi took a shower and heard an unusual noise. Investigating the sound, he accidentally locked himself out of his house—completely naked. In a scene straight out of a sitcom, the police found him trying to break back into his own home, adding an embarrassing twist to the composer's legendary career.
Even while standing naked in front of the police, Guaraldi didn’t lose his wit. When asked to identify himself, he quipped, 'Don’t shoot... I’m the Great Pumpkin!'
2. The Anti-Commercialization Message Of A Charlie Brown Christmas Was Brought To Life By Coca-Cola
Many regard A Charlie Brown Christmas as a timeless classic due to its endearing characters, heartwarming story, and its strong anti-commercialization message rooted in religious themes. Ironically, the special was sponsored by Coca-Cola, which initially included noticeable product placements that were later removed from subsequent broadcasts.
Coca-Cola specifically commissioned Lee Mendelson to create a Christmas special. The company financed the project, resulting in some clumsy product integrations, such as Linus bumping into a Coke sign and an announcer interrupting 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' to wish viewers a 'Merry Christmas from your local Coca-Cola bottler!'
This wasn’t uncommon for the era, which also featured the Flintstones endorsing Winston cigarettes. Fortunately, the obvious Coca-Cola references were later removed to align the special with its anti-commercialization theme, ensuring viewers could focus on the true spirit of Christmas without soda distractions.
1. The Comic Strip Is Based On Depression And Disappointment
For decades, the Peanuts comics have brought joy to families, who laugh at the misadventures of characters like Charlie Brown. Yet, the humor of the strip is deeply rooted in themes of depression and disappointment.
Schulz, who openly struggled with depression, channeled his experiences into Charlie Brown’s character, often exaggerating them for comedic effect. This led to iconic lines such as, 'On Tuesdays, I worry about personality problems. Thursday is my day for worrying about the world getting blown up.' Schulz believed that the melancholy of his characters and their perpetual misfortunes—unrequited loves, lost baseball games, poor test scores, the absent Great Pumpkin, and the ever-pulled football—were key to the strip’s success.
Many fans wrote to Schulz, questioning why Charlie Brown never achieved victory or happiness. Schulz responded, 'There is nothing funny about the person who gets to kick the football.'
