Today’s strip shows what set PEANUTS apart. No comic prior would have done a ‘gag’ like this. Maybe an adventure strip that was about to take a tragic turn.
Taken by itself, this isn’t a funny joke at all. What sells it is our investment in the character; Schulz had that marvelous ability to make the characters seem real, and to make us care. He didn’t always need out and out jokes; he only needed to stay true to the characters and their relationships. Good ‘ol Charlie Brown- no matter how much today hurts, he’ll be in there pitching again
Look around you and see who has a “Charlie Brown Life”. Then think of something to make it better for them. No one wants to get rocks in their Trick-Or-Treat bag. See that they don’t.
I was just reading the Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 this morning. Some of them I have in my collection but a lot were new to me. One story arc had Rerun playing left field at Lucy’s insistence. When he was up to bat, he was so little that the pitcher couldn’t help walking him. (The famous midget at the bat in real life.) Rerun walked with the bases loaded and won the game for them. Then the league commissioner hauled Charlie Brown into headquarters and informed him that his team had to forfeit because of gambling. It turned out that Rerun had bet a nickel that their team would win. It further turned out that Snoopy took the bet………
The essential sadness of life and the joy we feel in living it anyway was always the driving energy behind this strip. CB doesn’t win the game, doesn’t kick the football, doesn’t fly a kite, doesn’t get the red-headed girl, and doesn’t get the admiration of his friends. He can’t even get candy at Halloween. He hurts and bleeds and always falls short of his own expectations, but somehow he keeps right on keeping on, his hope and his joy and his optimism constantly rekindling from that place deep down inside all of us that just can’t stop being alive. He is an ordinary boy leading an ordinary life and that is what makes him beautiful.
Thank you for linking the video anyway. It was thoughtful of you. I know I will watch it sometime and when I do, I’m sure I’ll like it!-I was so happy when Ruth told me that. I feel great that I’m doing something extra special for Linda’s family who live in Chicago, miles and miles away from me.-May I congratulate you for giving blood! I probably should have known because that’s the sort of generous thing you would do. I am sorry to hear you got liver enzymes that prevented you from donating further and that you had to go through test after test. It sounds to me like it was all worth it though because you found out you were in the clear for liver disease and that’s a massive relief. I really hope you won’t have any more problems in the future. -I’ve been cleared of all diseases and infections so each of my 8 donations have been safe to use. It says on my donation form that I am CMV negative so that means part of my blood goes to babies. -I really hope you do decide to donate blood again. It’s an amazing thing to do. You remember Number Six don’t you? He’s also a blood donor and he encouraged me to become a donor as well. I had wanted to do it since I was 14 or 15. He was just there to encourage me to go through with it. I’m glad he did.-I’m not sure if this is personal to you but what’s your blood group? Obviously you don’t have to say if you don’t want to. My blood group is O+ -I am so glad I didn’t offend you. I was just curious that’s all.-Your last paragraph was very well said! I couldn’t have put it better myself. If there were more people like you then the world wouldn’t be so messed up.-May your weekend will be filled with happiness and love. I always think about you!xxx
awww poor Charlie Brown I’d like to hug him he’s kinda like Ron Washington of my Texas Rangers who are in last place in the AL West though they did win tonight over the Oakland A’s
stcrowe almost 10 years ago
These strips seem so much truer to life now that I am middle-aged. As a kid, I never realized, or understood, how depressive Charlie Brown was.
Joseph Houk almost 10 years ago
No, that was an important game Brazil lost.
Spotted Owl almost 10 years ago
Maybe when Charlie gets older he will understand that true joy comes from playing the game, for the sake of the game itself.
The Fly Hunter almost 10 years ago
I’ll bet that Charlie Brown is a Cubs fan!
orinoco womble almost 10 years ago
Yes, if you read my post, I was addressing the animated spinoffs and specials, not the original strip.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator almost 10 years ago
Today’s strip shows what set PEANUTS apart. No comic prior would have done a ‘gag’ like this. Maybe an adventure strip that was about to take a tragic turn.
Taken by itself, this isn’t a funny joke at all. What sells it is our investment in the character; Schulz had that marvelous ability to make the characters seem real, and to make us care. He didn’t always need out and out jokes; he only needed to stay true to the characters and their relationships. Good ‘ol Charlie Brown- no matter how much today hurts, he’ll be in there pitching again
summerdog86 almost 10 years ago
Look around you and see who has a “Charlie Brown Life”. Then think of something to make it better for them. No one wants to get rocks in their Trick-Or-Treat bag. See that they don’t.
Godfreydaniel almost 10 years ago
I was just reading the Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 this morning. Some of them I have in my collection but a lot were new to me. One story arc had Rerun playing left field at Lucy’s insistence. When he was up to bat, he was so little that the pitcher couldn’t help walking him. (The famous midget at the bat in real life.) Rerun walked with the bases loaded and won the game for them. Then the league commissioner hauled Charlie Brown into headquarters and informed him that his team had to forfeit because of gambling. It turned out that Rerun had bet a nickel that their team would win. It further turned out that Snoopy took the bet………
Aaron Saltzer almost 10 years ago
Aww.
Train 1911 almost 10 years ago
that where the Phila manger went
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 10 years ago
Texas Ranger fans feel you Charlie Brown.
Number Three almost 10 years ago
“Cheer up, Charlie (Brown). Give me a smile, what happened to that smile I used to know?”
xxx
johngregor Premium Member almost 10 years ago
The essential sadness of life and the joy we feel in living it anyway was always the driving energy behind this strip. CB doesn’t win the game, doesn’t kick the football, doesn’t fly a kite, doesn’t get the red-headed girl, and doesn’t get the admiration of his friends. He can’t even get candy at Halloween. He hurts and bleeds and always falls short of his own expectations, but somehow he keeps right on keeping on, his hope and his joy and his optimism constantly rekindling from that place deep down inside all of us that just can’t stop being alive. He is an ordinary boy leading an ordinary life and that is what makes him beautiful.
Number Three almost 10 years ago
@Snoopy_Fan
Thank you for linking the video anyway. It was thoughtful of you. I know I will watch it sometime and when I do, I’m sure I’ll like it!-I was so happy when Ruth told me that. I feel great that I’m doing something extra special for Linda’s family who live in Chicago, miles and miles away from me.-May I congratulate you for giving blood! I probably should have known because that’s the sort of generous thing you would do. I am sorry to hear you got liver enzymes that prevented you from donating further and that you had to go through test after test. It sounds to me like it was all worth it though because you found out you were in the clear for liver disease and that’s a massive relief. I really hope you won’t have any more problems in the future. -I’ve been cleared of all diseases and infections so each of my 8 donations have been safe to use. It says on my donation form that I am CMV negative so that means part of my blood goes to babies. -I really hope you do decide to donate blood again. It’s an amazing thing to do. You remember Number Six don’t you? He’s also a blood donor and he encouraged me to become a donor as well. I had wanted to do it since I was 14 or 15. He was just there to encourage me to go through with it. I’m glad he did.-I’m not sure if this is personal to you but what’s your blood group? Obviously you don’t have to say if you don’t want to. My blood group is O+ -I am so glad I didn’t offend you. I was just curious that’s all.-Your last paragraph was very well said! I couldn’t have put it better myself. If there were more people like you then the world wouldn’t be so messed up.-May your weekend will be filled with happiness and love. I always think about you!xxx
AmyGrantfan51774 almost 10 years ago
awww poor Charlie Brown I’d like to hug him he’s kinda like Ron Washington of my Texas Rangers who are in last place in the AL West though they did win tonight over the Oakland A’s