It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown

After a little production hiccup in May, we're back! And 153 is doubly good to make up for it! We've got: this month in Peanuts history; a Random Strip of the Month; news from in and around the Peanuts universe; we take a look at another episode of "Snoopy in Space"; and then we take a deep dive into one of the most important, but little discussed, characters in all of Peanuts - the four seasons!...

Charles Schulz inspired countless cartoonists. But who inspired him? One was Percy Crosby who drew the comic "Skippy" which in its day was as popular as "Peanuts" would be decades later. In episode 152, we take a look at Skippy and the tumultuous life of Percy Crosby.  Chocolate and peanut butter might be two great tastes that taste great together, but Crosby and the Skippy peanut butter brand...n...

Trees. Majestic sentinels towering over us, gazing wisely down at us from high above. Waiting to steal our stuff. Okay. Not all our stuff. Just Charlie Brown's stuff. And just one particular tree. The kite-eating tree. And all it really wants is a kite. Charlie Brown's kite. Even in a strip where a dog flies a plane, the kite eating tree is pretty surreal. Especially when it grins.  So, in episode...

It's February, the month when valentines torture the gang in Peanuts Town. In episode 150, we spend a little time looking at loves won (that part doesn't take long) and lost (that takes a lot longer; get comfortable).  Plus, we have This Month in Peanuts History, news, and a Random Strip of the Month. Grab a box of chocolates (no coconut, of course!) and enjoy! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetec...

2026! A new year is upon us. What better way to start a new year than with a classic old comic. This month, we take a closer look at Violet, she of the mudpie; a proto-Lucy. Is she really as soulless as I've made her out to be? We also take a look at another episode of "Snoopy in Space", a "Random Strip of the Month", this month in Peanuts history, and this month in news and feedback. Here's to 12...

The holiday season is a big deal in the Peanuts universe. Sure, there's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and that's great, BUT did you know that in the 1960s, Charles Schulz drew not one but TWO original Christmas stories - "Charlie Brown's Christmas Stocking" and "The Christmas Story" which appeared in the December 1963 "Good Housekeeping Magazine" and December 1968 "Woman's Day Magazine" respectively...

November 10 is Veterans Day, so in 147 we spend some time getting to know Pulitzer Prize winning WWII cartoonist, and close personal friend of the WWI Flying Ace, Bill Mauldin. We also have a Random Strip of the Month, take a look at episode two of "Snoopy in Space" and go over the latest news in and around the Peanuts universe. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of...

In 146, we're celebrating the 75th anniversary of our favorite comic strip. Author Mark Evanier is here to talk about...Garfield? Well, yes, but also his new book "The Essential Peanuts by Schulz: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time".  But that's not all! We've also got this month's news and feedback, This Month in Peanuts History, a Random Strip of the Month, and we take a look at "Snoopy in Spa...

And you thought summer was over... Well, Cloverhill Ranch is still open! For now! But, oh no! This is the last summer and then the camp closes for good! Charlie Brown and company in the new special on Apple TV+ "Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical" are so devastated, they have to sing about it. And they do. A lot.  We break it all down in episode 145. We also look at This Month in Peanuts History, a...

Everybody's favorite beagle is front and center in 144. And I don't mean my dog Beans. It's Snoopy! (You knew that.) Author Andrew Farago returns to the podcast to tell us about channeling his inner beagle in his new book "Snoopy: The Story of My Life - The Myth, The Legend, The Beagle!" For just any podcast, that would be more than enough. But not us! We've also got a Random Strip of the Month, a...

In IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN 143, the sun is setting on Camp Springlake. Summer has ended in "Camp Snoopy", S1, ep 13, and the campers are heading home (for now). We're here to say goodbye. We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" episode titled "Sally", a Random Strip of the Month, This Month in Peanuts History, and your feedback. Plus all sorts of news from in and around the Peanuts universe. Go...

Much like Schroeder pulls great art from a little toy piano, 142 pulls a dandy episode from my meager talent. We've got This Month in Peanuts History, a look at an episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Even the Score", and we take a look at the greatest pianist since Rachmaninov as Schroeder gets his own Character Study. What's he like? Why is he like that? What's his role in the strip? Why piano...

In episde 141, tragedy and deprivation abound. Spirits alight up Camp Springlake in "Camp Snoopy", S1, Ep 12, while the gang stalks Charlie Brown to take what's his. Wondering what in the world I'm talking about? Well, you'll just have to listen! We've also got May's News & Feedback and a "Random Strip of the Month" courtesy of author Derrick Bang ("Vince Guaraldi at the Piano", among lots of othe...

In 140, we dig through the basement and drag the old timey console television upstairs so we can watch the 1973 Hallmark Hall of Fame production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Did Hallmark do a good job with this classic or are they a one trick pony - capable of cards for when you care enough to send the very best, but not TV for when you care enough to WATCH the very best?  We've also got...

139 is an overflowing Easter Beagle basket of goodness! We've got a Random Strip of the Month and this month's news and feedback. And then Peanuts historian and author of many Peanuts things including the recent second edition of "Vince Guaraldi at the Piano" stops by to chat about the man responsible for the iconic music of Peanuts we all love so much.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com f...

Sitting high above the Earth, dreaming of...suppertime? At least we assume that's what Snoopy is doing. In 138, we check out "The Snoopy Show", season 1, episodes 3 and 4. We've also got a "Peanuts by Schulz" episode called "Leave Me in Peace", This Month in Peanuts History - April edition (I wanted to do, like, November or something, but my producer wouldn't let me), and much much more! Thanks to...

Episode 137 of "It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown" offers up hayrides, meatballs, and...cocktails?  You never quite know what you'll get on the pod...until I tell you. This episode has News & Feedback, a Random Strip of the Month and we take a gander at "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 11.  Enjoy! patreon.com carnivalofgleecreations.com Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" Remix.  Th...

Greetings, fellow blockheads! In 136 we've got Ford...and also Ford! Yep, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the first animated Peanuts special, but did you know it wasn't the first animated Peanuts? We're taking a look at the 1950s and 60's animated Peanuts promos for "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show" and for Ford cars...a company founded by a guy named Henry Ford. So. Much. Ford. We've also got a "Pe...

More regular than the Super Moon, it's another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. In 135, we've got news and feedback from in and around the Peanuts universe, Charles Schulz's granddaughter Dena Hodges shares a Random Strip of the Month, and we take a look at "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 10. Transpose Theatricals production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Patreon Thanks to Kevin M...

Having a bad hair day? Has panning for gold in the Klondike not, uh, panned out? Well, console yourself with another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN! We've got This Month in Peanuts History. (That month would be February for you future types.) We also check out an episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Misunderstanding". Then we talk about the Apple TV+ "Camp Snoopy" season 1, episode 9....

In episode 133, we chat with Dena Hodges. Dena is Charles Schulz's oldest grandchild and daughter to Meredith. Her story of growing up in that family isn't quite what you would expect.  We've also got this month's news and feedback and a Random Strip of the Month.  How could you not listen to this, I ask you????? T hanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his his songs...

2025! A brand new year! Same great podcast! (Your mileage may vary.) In 132, we've got This Month in Peanuts History (Spoiler: the month is January.), and a discussion of the "Peanuts by Schulz" episode "Go to School!" (The exclamation point makes it extra exciting!) Then we take a look at the new Schulz bio "Manga Biographies: Charles M. Schulz, Creator of Peanuts".  Is there a better way to star...

December isn't just a great month because the Great Pumpkin, er, Santa Claus, stops by, though it is. We also get another episode of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. I mean, same as every month, but still pretty cool. Santa doesn't even do that. This month we've got playwright Bert V. Royal talking about his play "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead". We also check out news and feedback...

It's December and in episode 130, we've got another holiday to worry about. Christmastime is upon us. But fear not! We've got "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to see us through. Sort of! I went and saw "A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage". And I have thoughts! I also have thoughts about another episode of "Peanuts by Schulz" called "Even-ing the Score". We also ponder This Month in Peanuts Histor...

Isn't pizza great? Well, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN 129 isn't pizza, but it's just as good - just without the crispy crust, delectable sauce and toppings to die for. BUT, we do have a "Random Strip of the Month", a discussion of "Camp Snoopy", season 1, episode 8. Oh! Also this month's feeback and news bits. I guess those are like audio pizza rolls. I'm hungry now. And, hey, you can eat pizza w...