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Opinion: People thought ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ would fail. Sincerity powered its success

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Opinion: People thought 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' would fail. Sincerity powered its success

As a film enthusiast and history buff who grew up watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” every holiday season, I can’t help but marvel at the story behind this timeless special. Born in the 80s, I never truly understood the struggle it faced to make it onto our television screens, yet its impact has been so profound that it feels like it’s always been there.

It’s tough to envision the holiday season without “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” For countless generations, the 1965 broadcast has taken on the feel of a cherished holiday tradition.

However, it’s fascinating to know that this highly anticipated TV special almost didn’t air due to CBS executives having doubts. They found the 25-minute program to be too leisurely, too somber, and unlike the lively shows they believed audiences preferred. A cartoon featuring a melancholic child seeking psychological counseling without a laugh track, simplistic animation, and a Bible quotation appeared doomed for failure.

In an unexpected turn of events, the TV special “Peanuts” transformed from a beloved comic strip into a far-reaching media dynasty. This wasn’t due to its flashiness or adherence to conventions, but rather because it was genuine and heartfelt.

Television

50 years ago, once they had completed creating “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the producers took a moment to admire their accomplishment.

As a business expert with knowledge about the “Peanuts” series, I find “A Charlie Brown Christmas” remarkably significant historically. In today’s context, it would be surprising for a modest comic strip character expressing profound thoughts to become a television show. The production of this special was rather unexpected. In an unusual turn of events, producer Lee Mendelson received a call from the advertising agency McCann-Erickson; Coca-Cola wanted to finance an animated holiday special.

Earlier, Mendelson’s proposal for a “Peanuts” documentary wasn’t accepted by the agency. However, this time around, he confidently communicated to McCann-Erickson that the characters were ideally suited for their project.

Mendelson phoned comic strip artist Charles “Sparky” Schulz to share the news that he had successfully sold “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. They were given a tight timeline of only a few months to script, animate, and broadcast the special.

Schulz, Mendelson, and animator Bill Melendez hurriedly assembled a narrative with the intention of bypassing the flashy commercial aspects of holidays and instead focusing on something more profound. The cartoonist aimed to convey a story that delved beneath the surface.

Music

Critic’s Notebook: Vince Guaraldi’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ score is a gift

As Snoopy competes in a Christmas lights competition and Lucy proclaims herself as the “Christmas queen” among their playmates, a disheartened Charlie Brown embarks on a quest to discover the essence of Christmas. He finds himself wandering towards a popular aluminum tree lot, yet he’s captivated by one real tree – a small, shabby-looking one that mirrors the spirit of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Fir Tree.

Those key storylines might excite the network, yet some decisions Schulz took have been sparking debates among viewers.

The show would use real children’s voices instead of adult actors’, giving the characters an authentic, simple charm. And Schulz refused to add a laugh track, a standard in animated TV at the time. He wanted the sincerity of the story to stand on its own, without artificial prompts for laughter.

Simultaneously, Mendelson invited jazz artist Vince Guaraldi to create the show’s music. This music stood out from what is usually found in animation, combining complex maturity with the unspoiled simplicity of childhood.

What stood out most to the executives was Schulz’s persistent push to incorporate a key aspect of the Christmas tale, namely the Nativity story, into what appears to be the most crucial moment of the special.

When Charlie Brown happily comes back to his companions bearing a skinny little Christmas tree, the group teases him about his selection. “I suppose I haven’t truly understood the essence of Christmas,” he laments.

With a calm yet assured demeanor, Linus invites him, “Allow me to explain the true essence of Christmas.” As he requests, “Could someone please turn on the lights?”, he strolls quietly towards the stage’s center.

In quiet solitude, Linus narrates the tale from Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2, about an angel addressing frightened shepherds: “Do not fear,” the angel said, “for I bring you news of immense joy that will reach everyone. Today, in the city of David, a savior has been born—he is the Messiah, the Lord.

He finishes by repeating the phrase from the “distinguished company” who were accompanied by celestial beings: “Glory to God above, and peace on earth, goodwill towards all men.” Charlie Brown then takes his comforting blanket and exits backstage. The rest of the group eventually realizes that Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree isn’t so terrible, it just requires some affection.

When Schulz presented this concept to Mendelson and Melendez, they showed some reservation. For a large portion of American history, Protestant Christianity was the predominant faith, but since World War II, there’s been an increasing awareness of accommodating Catholic and Jewish Americans. With uncertainty about how to adapt to these changing cultural standards, many mainstream entertainment firms in the 1960s generally steered clear of religious themes.

As a movie buff putting myself in the shoes of the CBS executives, I can say that when we laid our eyes on the script’s religious undertones reminiscent of the Bible, it gave us quite the chill. However, time was of the essence and reworking the entire dramatic storyline wasn’t feasible. Pulling the project altogether wasn’t an option either, considering the sponsors’ ads had already been aired.

Thankfully for the “Peanuts” series, when it was broadcast on December 9, 1965, it became an immediate hit. Roughly half of American homes watched it, and the program received both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Schulz had struck a chord with something audiences were yearning for: an authentic, emotional resonance that transcended commercialism.

For nearly six decades, the special has consistently drawn massive audiences, with millions continuing to watch since its initial broadcast.

When I was researching my spiritual biography of Schulz, one of my favorite finds was a 1965 letter from a Florida viewer, Betty Knorr. She praised the show for stressing “the true meaning of the Christmas season” at a time when “the mention of God in general [is] being hush hushed.”

The magic of Schulz’s work, though, is that it resonates across demographics and ideologies. Some fans find comfort in the show’s gentle message of faith, while others embrace it in a purely secular way.

Schulz’s artwork and subtle wit serve as inviting introductions to profound ideas – whether psychological, sociocultural, or spiritual in nature. Alternatively put, “Peanuts” comics could just as easily provide comforting, joyful amusement.

Today, both the “Peanuts” franchise and the Christmas market are flourishing. Initially, commercial pressures nearly halted Schulz’s special, but eventually, these same factors facilitated its airing. The outcome has left an enduring symbol of innocence, optimism, and faith.

Stephen Lind serves as an associate professor, specializing in clinical business communication, at the USC’s Marshall School of Business. He is also the author of “A Charlie Brown Religion.” This piece was collaboratively created with The Conversation.

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2024-12-13 14:35

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