December 27, 2019

Lee Mendelson, producer of over 50 Peanuts television specials and movies, passes away

Lee Mendelson, the producer of over 50 Charlie Brown animated specials and four theatrical Peanuts movies, passed away on Christmas Day, 2019 at age 86.

The first of these specials was, of course, 1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is now a cultural icon and still airs to this day in prime time every year (as do several of the other Peanuts shows).

Read more about his life and career in this article from Variety.

Back in the late 1990's, Mr. Mendelson graciously agreed to a cold-call phone interview - and then an in-person meeting - with some fellow he'd never heard of who ran a website about the Peanuts television shows (that he'd also never heard of). He and his colleagues happily answered numerous follow-up questions with detailed information. It was all very much appreciated - to say nothing of the many laughs and much pleasure that his many television projects (together with Bill Melendez and Charles Schulz) brought to me in my childhood and beyond.

My condolences to his family and the staff at Lee Mendelson Productions.

December 3, 2019

A Charlie Brown Christmas airs Dec 5 & 17, 2019 (and other Peanuts holiday special broadcast times)

ABC will broadcast the full, unedited A Charlie Brown Christmas, accompanied by Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales, from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on Thursday, December 5, 2019, and then again on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, also from 8-9 PM.

Later in the month, I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown will air from 7-8 PM (Eastern/Pacific) - note earlier time - on Sunday, December 22, 2019, also on ABC.

Finally, ABC will show Happy New Year, Charlie Brown and She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 8-9 PM (Eastern/Pacific).