Unpacking Peanuts

Beagles, Bummers, and the Bicentennial It’s a year of surreal surprises, and sad sequences as we say goodbye to Sally’s sentient school. But there’s always pleasure to be pulled from Peanuts… and even more in perusing its panels with one's pals. Plus: Dark Nights with Charles Schulz Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold...

It’s a red letter day in the strip, as Snoopy’s brother Spike makes his first appearance.  But it’s not all new stuff, as Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally, and Lucy all make strong appearances. Schulz is engaging with the culture, and the culture is pretty weird, which makes for some fun times in the funnies. Plus: The theology of St. Paul and Minneapolis Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Un...

Snoopy gets enlisted as Peppermint Patty’s watchdog  but gets foiled by a waterbed. Linus falls in love with someone named Truffles but can’t find her house, and Lucy gets what she wants simply by being Lucy. Plus: Harold goes to the Reubens! Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sum...

Everyone loves Snoopy. But which Snoopy is your favorite Snoopy? Does the Flying Ace send your heart soaring? Or is the vulture your fearsome fave? Well this week, we are hanging out with them and more as we do a special episode devoted to our beloved ex-head beagle’s many guises. Plus: the Skook. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Co...

The guys look at a selection of lonely heart strips that get to the lonely heart of the strip. Because, if there is one constant in the Peanuts strip, it’s unrequited love. From Sally and Linus to Lucy and Schroeder, all the way to Marcie and “Chuck.” Plus: Marnie Marquardt. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchhol...

Our special focus season continues as the guys take a look at some of the best comedic duos in Peanuts. From Linus and Lucy, to Snoopy and Woodstock we read and discuss some of the greatest character comedy ever done in a comic strip. Plus: Simon and Garfunkel. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced an...

It’s the launch of a special season where we look at some of the themes that made Peanuts a success.  And since fall is here, we are hitting the books! The guys look at a sampling of strips featuring Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally and more. And maybe tell a few horror stories of their own. Plus: Who cares about tomorrow? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimm...

This week, we chat with acclaimed cartoonist Ivan Brunetti. Ivan’s work has been seen in the New Yorker and he is currently writing children’s comics for TOON Books including the upcoming Shapes and Shapes. His brilliant nonfiction book Cartooning: Philosophy and Practice won a 2012 Eisner Award, and today he hops in the Time Machine with us to revisit the first week of Peanuts strips. Plus: Rain....

It’s a fond look back at the early 70’s, as the guys talk about the highlights of the decade so far. Then they take an in-depth look at PEANUTS JUBILEE, a fantastic book published at the halfway mark of Schulz’s run. Plus: Rubylith and the Zipatones. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by...

Sally is talking to buildings. Woodstock’s got a bike. Lucy has some pitching advice, and someone called Loretta is selling Girl Scout cookies. Plus: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla...

Peppermint Patty drops out of society to beep ol’ Snoop on the nose. Can Marcie bring her back to reality? Also…what IS reality in Peanuts? Elsewhere, Sally really doesn’t want to watch someone throw up, and Snoopy lets it all hang out as he gives streaking a try. Plus: Wing It On Home! Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Ha...

This week we take a long look at the famous “Mister Sack” storyline; a sequence of strips from 1973 that Schulz picked as his personal favorite. Charlie Brown wears a paper bag on his head to hide the weird baseball looking rash he has developed. The results of this turn his life upside down. Plus: What! Me Worry? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Go...

Is Linus a genius, or… not? Thibault the bully is back, but Marcie is having none of it! Miss Othmar is back too, with no fanfare at all. Is it because Schulz is now reckoning with the success of the animation? Plus: Big Little Books Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Musi...

Charlie Brown almost gets honored but then doesn’t. Peppermint Patty takes on the notion of Truth itself, and Snoopy achieves the Alpha State. Meanwhile, in the real world, it’s wedding bells for Charles Schulz! Plus: Who are the Beaker People? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz S...

In this special edition of Unpacking Peanuts, the guys take a close look at three of Schulz’s classic 1972 stories… Snoopy Versus The Cat Next Door, Thompson Is In Trouble, and The Six Bunny Wunnies Freak Out. Plus: Fear and Loathing in Hennepin County Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited...

Charlie Brown is the talk of the girl’s camp as Peppermint Patty meets the legendary Little Red Haired Girl, and Linus makes a bold move. Back at home Charlie Brown tries his hand at football, and Snoopy almost pens an epic. Plus: Woodstock takes the win. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edit...

Schulz’s life is in upheaval and that is mirrored in the strip. Linus is thrown out of the house, Lucy is thrown off the baseball team, and even Snoopy and Woodstock are breaking up. Elsewhere, it’s Peppermint Patty versus the dress code, and Sally versus a coat hanger sculpture. Plus: Hey hey they’re the Monkees! Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Go...

Snoopy’s got a new persona, and it’s one for the ages. But is Charlie Brown an incompetent or just wishy washy? In the other neighborhood, Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown go to a fair which ends in a romantic disaster. Meanwhile, in our world, Schulz plays the hits. Plus: Wait… why am I telling you about Sister Ruth? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Ji...

Doomed romance is in the air as  Snoopy falls in love with his favorite author, and Peppermint Patty writes a “Dear Chuck” letter. Elsewhere, we discuss Schulz’s personal life imploding and give our standard, insightful commentary on Peanuts, cartooning, and how to avoid the draft. Plus: Linus is MIA!   Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Mich...

It’s an extra-special day at the studio—Mark Crilley is here! We had a great discussion with the author of the Miki Falls, Akiko and Brody’s Ghost book series, as well as amazing how-to-draw books and YouTube videos that have been enjoyed by millions. Don’t miss this one!  Plus: Vegas, baby! You can find Mark on social media here: https://www.youtube.com/@markcrilley https://www.facebook.com/markc...

At the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, there’s a riot goin’ on! But amid the chaos, Snoopy finds romance, and Woodstock gets his name. It’s an action-packed year for Linus, Lucy, and “Chuck” too, so get ready to do a little heavy reading tonight! Plus: Love Balloon would be a great band name. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harol...

It's a brand new decade, and things are getting weird. Is Snoopy the Head Beagle, or just a funny looking kid with a big nose? Well this year, he’s both, which Jimmy loves but makes Michael’s head hurt! Elsewhere, Peppermint Patty is being hassled about the school dress code, and Charlie Brown fears he is the goat… but it’s ok, ‘cuz we know he’s really the GOAT! Plus: Wacky Packages and Hockey Car...

It’s a very special day at Unpacking Peanuts, as the guys welcome comedian, actor, writer, and creator of the legendary Mystery Science Theater 3000… Joel Hodgson!  We discuss Joel’s career, his early desire to be a cartoonist, his and Schulz’s shared Minnesota roots, and then dive into Joel’s favorite Peanuts strips.  MST3K can be seen on gizmoplex.com Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com...

We say so long to the Swinging 60’s, and set the stage for the Sunny 70’s as Jimmy, Michael and Harold look back on what is probably the greatest decade of work by any cartoonist ever.  Then, special guests Marcia Hepps and Gay Merwin join Liz and the guys to talk about one of the first-ever amateur productions of You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and tell of composer Clark Gesner’s rave review. Pl...

Lucy’s year continues, and apparently even God is a fan! But all is not rosy, cuz the Little Red Haired Girl is moving away! Will Charlie Brown finally say hello? Will Sally survive school? And how did Lucy get Babe Ruth’s glove? Don’t ask. Plus: A perfect day for banana fish… or just a pretty good day for goop? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gown...