Snoopy Presents: To Mom (And Dad), With Love

 

AIRDATE: 5/6/2022

Damn Apple, slow down! (Except don't, I can't get enough!)

STORY

Everyone's hyped for Mother's Day--except Peppermint Patty. She doesn't have a mom; in fact, she's never known what it's like to have a mom. So while the rest of the neighborhood races for the perfect present, she sulks and sneers. It's up to best friend Marcie to reassure and remind Patty that family is what you make it. 

MUSIC

Matches the myriad of moods with all the tinkles and toots associated with classic 'Nuts.

ANIMATION

Perhaps in keeping with the heavier subject matter, the shadows are more prevalent. Unprecedented in this universe, but not too distracting.

VOICES

Is this the best collection of Peanuts voice actors since the classic '60s run? I'd say so.

THE YUMMIES

Nothing breaks my heart like sad Peppermint Patty. Nothing warms my heart like happy Peppermint Patty.

The Snoopy and Woodstock slapstick side story is a by-now standard, but the shenanigans feel super-fresh. Terry McGurrin's Snoopy is more vocal and more physical than Bill Melendez's, which makes all the difference. 

Bitch-ass Thibault isn't in this special, because even his own mother hates him. 

THE YUCKIES

 

"Some kids have two moms."

That one line, spoken by Marcie, sent certain conservative Christians toward the ceiling. Accusations of Apple selling Charles Schulz's sweet li'l folks out to PC culture were rare, but there. I love to break it to those folks, but Charles Schulz based the character of Peppermint Patty on his cousin Patricia and his dear friend Billie Jean King, both of whom were gay. I love to break it to these folks, but openly lesbian cartoonist Paige Braddock trained under Schulz and was named Creative Director at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates in 1999. I love to break it to these folks, but Charles Schulz opposed prayer in schools. I love to break it to these folks, but Charles Schulz referred to himself as a "secular humanist" later in life and also stated, "The best theology is no theology."

Mind, the offending line is not expanded upon. Marcie simply states, "Some kids have two moms." And that's that. That's what upset people. Just one mention of the irrefutable fact that not everyone has the same idea of "family." 

Some adults have no hearts. 

 

9/10. That's three Peanuts specials in less than twelve months, each excellent, the latest the best. To say I'm amazed is selling it short.

Snoopy Presents: It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown

 

AIRDATE: 4/15/2022

Apple keeps the specials coming fast and furious! Just four months after Auld Lang Syne, here comes It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown Part II.

STORY

Charlie Brown is determined to outshine Peppermint Patty's squad on the baseball diamond, but his sister Sally is keener on protecting the dandelion sprouting from the pitcher's mound. A figurative tug o' war ensues, and the winner is...everybody! No, this isn't some "participation trophy" schtuff, it's the realization that through mutual respect, compromise and concerted effort, even the youngest among us can make a positive impact on the planet. 

MUSIC

In addition to Jeff Morrow's "NM VG," Small Things features a Sally-led original, named after the special and written by "piano punk" Ben Folds. Simple, catchy, and flows nicely over

ANIMATION

some lush 60s/70s-influenced animation, peaking with monochromatic character design against saturated backgrounds. 

VOICES

Every major kid stays the same, save for Charlie Brown, now voiced by Tyler Nathan. He's a bit smoother than his predecessor, but still quintessential Chuck. Hattie Kratgen's Sally is meant to be the star, and she is, sweet without coming off saccharine, kind without going on naive. 

Although we never hear from them, much love for the following appearances: 3, 4, Roy, Harold Angel, Naomi, Lila, Milo, Maynard, and--for the first time ever--Cormac and "Badcall" Benny.

LOTUS POWER

"The challenges to be faced in sports work marvelously as a caricature of the challenges that we face in the more serious aspects of our lives. And when Charlie Brown has tried to analyze his own difficulties in life, he has always been able to express them best in sports terms"--Charles Schulz, 1984

Beautify the ball field, blame the blockhead. Second straight special with a touching brother-sister moment near the conclusion.

ZULU'S PETALS

Bitch-ass Thibault. No one wants you here, Thibault. 

 

Bless the earth, and the earth shall bless you back. Girl power is world power. Feel-good and funny, It's The Small Things, Charlie Brown is a marvelous antidote to doom-scrolling.  

8/10

Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne

 

AIRDATE: 12/10/2021

The first Peanuts special for Apple TV+ (and first in over ten years) revisits the poignant point where one year gives way to the next year. 

STORY

You can't have celebration without anticipation. Lucy can't wait for her beloved grandma to arrive, Snoopy can't wait for his siblings to pop by, and Charlie Brown can't wait for success, no matter how small. Wrenches in the wash are no surprise, but Lucy's reaction to her particular setback is new territory for these shows. The young girl personalizes her grandmother's absence, and takes it as a rejection. Intent on proving her worthiness, she plans a New Year's Eve party that (thanks in no small part to pompousness and pushiness on part of the host) promptly sours. 

MUSIC

Apple's been using Jeff Morrow for its Peanuts output (including Snoopy In Space and The Snoopy Show) and his work is evocative of Vince Guaraldi. When someone does music for Peanuts, it need not be anything but "evocative of Vince Guaraldi."

ANIMATION

More than the music, more than the voices, nothing can ruin a cartoon like shoddy animation. The look of these new specials is different not only from the ones that came before, they're different from the aforementioned Apple programs. Clearly, these shows are meant to occupy a unique space in the updated Peanuts animated universe. Snoopy In Space is educational, The Snoopy Show is madcap-cute, but the 40-minute programs contain every element that, taken together, explain the phenomenon of a blockhead and his buddies better than any well-meaning tribute. 

The new look is absolutely incredible. Classic character design against richly-textured backgrounds, lucid lights and sensible shadows, it's updated and downright gorgeous.

VOICES

The list of voiced characters is, pardon me, nuts. The new creative team is so hot on inclusivity, Auld Lang Syne marks the animated debuts of Tapioca Pudding (comic strip lifespan of three months), Jose Peterson (thirty months) and Maynard (eight strips over nine days). The party is a great excuse; you'll also see Shermy, Floyd, 5, Violet, Patty, and most gloriously, bitch-ass Thibault. There is no character I love to hate more than bitch-ass Thibault. 

The proud tradition of kids voicing kids continues, successfully. Etienne Kellici nails Chuck's thriving melancholy, and Wyatt White reaches down deep for his inner insecure intellectual. Lexi Perri's Peppermint Patty is suitably rough 'n' tumble, and Holly Gorski's Marcie the perfect circumspect sidekick. 

The show belongs to Lucy, however, and it is Isabella Leo who shines truest of all. Vulnerability, crabbiness, sorrow, rage...much is asked, and she delivers. 

(About Terry McGurrin's Snoopy I can say he has taken the beagle to another level. More vocal than ever and more lovable than ever? It's true!)

LOSE WEIGHT, GAIN FRIENDS

A little self-reflection is a big deal for Lucy. Charlie Brown and Linus do enough introspection for the entire neighborhood, so the littlest fussbudget's inward turn is highly unexpected...and deeply affecting. "If my own grandma doesn't love me, how can I be sure if anyone loves me?" I would've cried, if Sertraline weren't staring over my shoulder the whole time.

The band's back together! Cuter than pie, sillier than picarones, okay okay I'll overlook taking the jug away from Olaf and replacing it with a tuba. 

LOSE FRIENDS, GAIN WEIGHT

 Lucy looks so wrong with the blanket, but Linus looks right as spring rain in the role of Raghnall Doyle.

Third time "Charlie Brown" does not appear after the title. Not the last time. 

Love For Auld Lang Syne as I do, it doesn't quite stick the landing. Kinda how It's A Wonderful Life rings hollow because everybody just lets Uncle Billy hang around and sing instead of dragging him out into the front yard and beating him stupider, I think the dialogue leans a little too far into the rows of silk. So, 8 out of 10. 

 

Anxiety reigned in the fandom after news in late 2020 that Apple had acquired the rights to produce original Peanuts content. Despair bloomed with the announcement It's A Charlie Brown Christmas would appear exclusively on Apple TV. Eventual compromise proved even technological monoliths will listen to their subjects. It is worth noting that the Schulz family is directly involved in these shows, and thus far, the legacy is in fine shape.