Unpacking Peanuts

Schulz is bringing back some classics and balancing them with wild new directions. Lucy is at her crabby best. Linus is toting the blanket again. And Snoopy learns a harsh truth about his owners! Plus: Where is Capistrano? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michae...

It’s that time of year again and the guys are revisiting the best Valentine's Day strips from the late 60s through the 70s. From Snoopy’s avalanche of love notes to Lucy’s eternal quest for Schroeder’ attention, we cover it all.  Plus: Schrödinger’s Mailbox   During this episode we mention previous shows: -Happy Valentine's Day You Blockhead from Feb 14, 2023 -With Todd Webb from August 23, 2022 -...

Gary Groth is here! The Fantagraphics founder, and editor and publisher of the Complete Peanuts, tells us of his evolving relationship with Schulz’s work, how he prepared to interview Sparky, and how the epic project of reprinting Peanuts in its entirety was accomplished. Plus: Love! And!! Rockets!!! Fantagraphics.com Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimm...

The whole gang goes to a new camp that’s predicting the end of days, and Michael, Harold, and Jimmy are there for it. Elsewhere, the Beagle Scouts rumble, and even Woodstock “gets into it!” Plus: If pigs are so smart, why are they pigs? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. M...

We get back into the strips and a new decade of Peanuts after considering the whole concept of decades and our strange practice of breaking down culture and pop culture into 10-year chunks. PLUS: Talking fairway bushes! 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 C...

The fabulous curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum returns for a fun conversation about what’s coming up at the museum, the success of Peanuts across the world, and the joy of sharing a Pig-Pen hot chocolate at The Warm Puppy Cafe. PLUS: Stuffed Faron  Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edite...

We are thrilled to have as our special guest, Jeannie Schulz! Joining her is Schulz Museum Curator Benjamin Clark. Mrs. Schulz shares with us memories of her husband including the origin of “Sweet Babboo,” and we read some strips that Jeannie says give insight into Schulz’s personal sense of humor. PLUS: I was “just” the co-pilot. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is c...

We arrive at the end of another decade and give our final thoughts on a sweet, surreal, hilarious run of comics. Then we check the mailbox and have a long talk about art and whatnot. Plus: Iron-Man is put on blast. 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....

As much a part of the holidays as Rudolph and mistletoe, the legendary first Peanuts special has lived in the hearts of millions since its debut in 1965. In this special episode Jimmy, Harold, and Michael examine the strips that were adapted for the show, discuss the story behind the production, and relay their own experiences with viewing… or not viewing… the classic program. Plus: More graphics...

Cut the cake and fire up the hi-fi! The gang is talking music and reviewing some classic strips as we celebrate the birth of Schroeder’s hero, and Lucy’s bane, Good Ol’ Ludwig Van B.. Plus: Color Me Badd?! 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. Addition...

The guys have a deep discussion about one of the most famous storylines in Peanuts history. Is it a peak or does the strip turn too dark? Either way, it's a fascinating run of comics as Schulz closes off the 70’s as powerful an artist as he’s ever been. Plus:  Quiet. I’m thinking. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold B...

Charles Schulz has his Band on the Run moment… and if you understand that, then you’ve listened to too many episodes of this podcast. The guys love this year of the strip and contemplate Schulz coming to terms with aging and competition from talented youngsters. Plus: They don’t make pen nibs like they used to. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownl...

The enduring friendship of Woodstock and Snoopy is warming hearts and sharing the spotlight with classics like Lucy and Schroeder at the piano. Elsewhere, the guys discuss Manga, imagination, and Michael Golden’s ‘Nam comic. Plus: Schrucy? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner...

Schulz is honing his knuckleball and settling in for the end of the seventies, while Snoopy the Scoutmaster is heading for the edges of civilization itself.  Elsewhere, Sally is in need of a protector or at least a new ruler. Plus: D and D. Harold mentions MST3K.com Michael mentions the 99% Invisible podcast about Luddites https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/blood-in-the-machine/ Transcript ava...

The gang ponders characters with weird foreheads, characters without mouths, and the unspeakable horror of  “Henry.” Meanwhile, back in Peanuts: Linus mansplains, Woodstock can’t shave, and Spike is a player. Plus: No more logo in the top left corner!   Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited...

The seventies are skywalking and it’s a time of beginnings and endings, as our old pal Shermy comes to bat for the last time and the greatest term of endearment in pop culture ever is exclaimed by Sally for the first time.  Plus: Woodstock was in ‘Nam? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited...

Marcie is the object of some unwanted affection, Woodstock gets a makeover, Jimmy explains Pennsylvania sales tax, and Peppermint Patty becomes an ace student…at obedience school. Plus: Joni James 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 voiceo...

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....