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.