The ABC Television Network will celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (rebroadcast; OAD on ABC: 12/6/01), created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). The hour will also include "Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa" (rebroadcast; OAD on ABC 12/7/10), the seven-minute animated short featuring the voice of Betty White as Mrs. Claus.
In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.
On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Who would have guessed the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. PEANUTS animated specials have become a seasonal tradition and thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder's piano are images to which everyone can relate. Such phrases as "Security Blanket" and "Good Grief" have become a part of the global vernacular.
Lee Mendelson and
Bill Melendez's association with Charles Schulz stretches back to 1965 with "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which debuted on CBS in 1965 with Mendelson as executive producer and
Bill Melendez as animator and director. The three men continued their long-term association until Schulz's death, working together on 50 PEANUTS network specials and four feature films. The network specials won five Emmys, two Peabodys and 18 other Emmy nominations.
The cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" includes
Peter Robbins (Charlie Brown), Christopher Shea as (Linus), Tracy Stratford (Lucy), Chris Doran (Schroeder) and Sally Dryer (Violet). "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was executive-produced by
Lee Mendelson and created and written by
Charles M. Schulz.
Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.
Iconix Brand Group in a joint venture with
Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates has formed PEANUTS Worldwide, a new home to the global PEANUTS property. The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the
Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S®, BONGO®, BADGLEY MISCHKA®, JOE BOXER®, RAMPAGE®, MUDD®, LONDON FOG®, MOSSIMO®, OCEAN PACIFIC®, DANSKIN®, ROCA WEAR®, CANNON®, ROYAL VELVET®, FIELDCREST®, CHARISMA®, STARTER® and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY®, ECKO®, MARC ECKO®, ZOO YORK®, MATERIAL GIRL™ and PEANUTS® brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and ?manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
"Prep & Landing: Operation: Secret Santa" was written and directed by Stevie Wermers-Skelton & Kevin Deters, produced by Dorothy McKim, and executive-produced by
John Lasseter. This "Prep & Landing" "stocking stuffer" short film follows the comic adventures of Santa's stealthiest elves, Lanny and Wayne. With Christmas only a few short days away, Mrs. Claus, voiced by
Betty White, and Magee, voiced by
Sarah Chalke, enlist Wayne, voiced by Dave Foley, and Lanny, voiced by
Derek Richardson, on a secret mission to retrieve a mysterious item hidden deep within
Santa Claus' office! Can the intrepid duo acquire the target in time, or will they be discovered by the Big Guy, voiced by
Morgan Sheppard, and doomed to placement on the Naughty List? The seven-minute animated short is the second installment from the Emmy Award®-winning franchise "Prep & Landing."
Walt Disney Animation Studios brings imagination to life through a wide variety of animated films, building upon an unsurpassed legacy for humorous and heartfelt storytelling, unforgettable characters, incredible artistry and cutting-edge innovation. The WDAS crew is filled with diverse talents from all around the globe, and their dedication and passion for telling great stories through the art of animation, and using the latest technological advances, has led to the creation of some of the industry's most successful and exciting entertainment.
This program will be broadcast in HD with 5.1 audio. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will have Spanish audio via SAP. This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.
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