Happy 50th Anniversary, Charlie Brown! You get a New Christmas Special on ABC!

via press release from ABC:

ABC ANNOUNCES KRISTEN BELL WILL HOST

“IT’S YOUR 50th CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN”

SPECIAL, AIRING NOVEMBER 30

 

Image via: fulldesktopbackgrounds.com

 

This December Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Emmy- Winning Special,

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved PEANUTS animated tale, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Kristen Bell will host a special holiday retrospective, “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 (9:00--10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. The anniversary special will celebrate 50 years of the iconic classic that has brought joy and a television watching tradition at the holidays for generations of fans. With an unforgettable night featuring spectacular live performances of Vince Guaraldi’s classics from acclaimed musical guests, the special will also feature Hollywood notables reminiscing about their most treasured “A Charlie Brown Christmas” moments.

In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

The cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” includes Peter Robbins (“Charlie Brown”), Christopher Shea (“Linus”), Tracy Stratford (“Lucy”), Chris Doran (“Schroeder”) and Sally Dryer (“Violet”).

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.

On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Who would have guessed the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Now celebrating its 65th anniversary, Peanuts reaches fans through thousands of consumer products around the world, over 50 television specials, on all social media channels, and a daily comic strip available in all formats from traditional to digital. A highly anticipated PEANUTS movie from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios is also on the horizon for this fall.

About Peanuts Worldwide:
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.

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My Thoughts...

This is Terrific! Yay! ABC is no Blockhead! This will certainly be a ratings success and I can't wait to see it! But, please don't change anything to the original - we love it - as is! You can't mess with perfection.

Charlie Brown, of course, holds a very special place in so many of our hearts and the Christmas special, is without a doubt, the one show that touches us deeply with it's profound, yet simple message of the true meaning of Christmas, as only Linus could deliver so sweetly, quoting directly from Luke 2 in the Bible.

While many of us have loved and watched the Charlie Brown Christmas Special since we were children, we still treasure, now as adults, these beloved characters: Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroder, Snoopy, and so on... who come each year, at Christmas, and other Special Holidays... into our home. I'm grateful that ABC continues to air all of these specials on their network and we will continue to watch and share these special stories with our families!

I know many of you will join me in looking forward to seeing the special: “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 (9:00--10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC!