I thought long and hard about which special to review first. Should I begin with a classic holiday special? A rare jewel? Certainly not “It’s the Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown.” I chose a special that surprisingly still gets some air time, but little love. “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown” is a special from 1972, it aired the same year the second Peanuts feature was released (“Snoopy Come Home”) and came along approximately one year before the gang settled down to popcorn and jelly beans in “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” And in case you didn’t know, this special is available as a bonus (or B-side, if you will) on the “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” DVD.
Now, when I view the specials, I take a lot of things into account. First, my deep nerd-ish love of all things Peanuts. Second, that most of these offerings were made in (and if not, they definitely evoke the spirit of) “a simpler time.” There were over 40 primetime Peanuts specials and like anything that runs for decades (James Bond movies, “The Simpsons”) there are peaks and valleys, evolutions in style, and differences in current Snoopy alter-egos. I have favorites that stick out from each era, but I have to say I really love the style of the specials that were made in this time period. Something about the animation “flow” and a certain loose quality that tells me of the confidence the producers had. But enough high-fallutin’ jibber-jabber. Let’s get to the action!
Fade in: Sally is pissed off! Lucy gets a lot of notoriety for her crabbiness but Sally was no shrinking violet either. (Remember the fury of a woman who misses tricks-or-treats?) We soon learn the reason behind Sally’s firestorm of anger: her school locker. She can’t get the sucker open. Peanuts is known for its psychological insights and this is definitely one: a small, tiny, super insignificant detail of your day can seemingly ruin your life. And if you’re like Sally (or me) then you take this as a directive to ruin everyone else’s lives too. But, big brother Charlie Brown vows to make things right. If only we all had such big brothers.
Cut to: the next morning. Sally is still pissed, but resigned to go to school. But first the Brown children will settle in for a healthy breakfast. As Sally tells us in her own personal PSA: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is a known fact that all of our country’s presidents started each day with a rousing breakfast.” She just can’t figure out how they all met up every morning. Especially since our founding fathers had to be either zombies or vampires to meet up with Nixon every morning. (Notice how much we can see of the kids’ kitchen. When I was little I loved seeing all the stuff in their house. I was a bona fide Peanuts freak since birth so I always dreamed of going through their closets, peaking in their drawers just to see what kind of junk they had. With the shows from this time period I came as close as I’ll get.)
And this is another interesting note: we’re all accustomed to not seeing adults in the Peanuts world (with a few exceptions), but as Charlie Brown and Sally are eating cold cereal (a Charlie Brown specialty) it does strike me as a little odd that Mom and Dad aren’t at least squawking in the other room. But, nevermind that because in walks Snoopy, complete with sleeping cap. He is of course a magical dog and apparently quite the chef. (Remember we’re twelve months away from seeing his true culinary genius in the Thanksgiving special). He whips up one of those delicious looking cartoon breakfasts that always makes me want 12 pieces of French toast. Snoopy does his best Alice the maid impression as he makes the kids their lunches, Charlie Brown says something like “Good Grief,” “I can’t stand it,” or “why can’t I have a normal dog like everyone else?” and we’re off to school.
At school we learn Sally hates her locker because she can’t reach the lock. We understand, Sally. Once Sally is safely dropped off in Ms. Othmar’s class (the same teacher Linus had the hots for a few years later in the original Valentines special, by the way), Charlie Brown finds his pal Linus talking to his cronies about who should run for student body president. Linus (who is blanket-free in this outing) suggests Good Ol’ Charlie Brown. Really? I think Linus’ lack of blanket has at the very least caused some temporary insanity. But just as quickly as Chuck’s dreams of acceptance speeches and Nobel prizes begin they are squashed. Lucy took a poll and found out that no one under any circumstances would ever vote for Charlie Brown.
At this time in history, Snoopy was deep into his Joe Cool phase. He would often break into school and try to pick up chicks, it’s just what he did. The best repercussion of this phenomenon was that we got to hear the “Joe Cool Theme” which is always awesome. Snoopy of course took it too far, by actually sneaking into a class and trying to solve a math problem on the board. (34+7+3= paw print). Alas, not everyone is as gullible as Peppermint Patty and Joe Cool is unveiled as merely a capricious doggy, and tossed out onto the street.
But, back to the real story: the election! Sally has a bright idea, since her big bro’s political dreams were smashed like that glass they step on in Jewish weddings, she thinks her Sweet Babboo would make the ideal candidate. Lucy takes another poll (applying a little more pressure since she’s asking about her own flesh and blood this time) and its found out that 99% of the school has been waiting for Linus to run for office for, like, ever.
In the most pot-boiling political scene ever, Linus is nominated for student body president. Linus proves a wise choice as he unleashes his inner politician during his campaign speech. We learn he is pro-drinking fountains, pro sick pay, for longer recesses, and has a violent anti-homework stance. Luckily no one asks about abortion or gay marriage and we’re in the clear with Linus in the lead.
Somehow through the chain of command, Snoopy is put in charge of campaign posters. He and Woodstock ably demonstrate why animals should never do this sort of work. (Maybe that’s what went wrong for John Kerry).
After dealing with Campaign-Postergate, Lucy puts Linus on a radio show (with an unknown broadcast range). The radio show is of the call-in variety and a little known fact is: this portion of the program was the inspiration for the long-running sitcom “Frasier.” All the callers to the radio show are insane, which gives an air of realism that balances out the Snoopy breakfast making scene earlier.
It’s finally time for the last of the campaign speeches. Linus reveals his inner Julius Caesar as he intones “Friends, schoolmates, teachers, countrymen . . .” and goes on to proclaim that his administration will bring down the false idols in high places, and release the grade-schoolers from their spiritual Babylon. We also finally get a glimpse into the psyche of Linus’ opponent Russell Anderson. We see that he is just some kid. Nothing big or special, just a kid who, in his speech “promises to do the best I can.” This makes me want to simultaneously cry and vote Anderson.
So in Linus’ last speech, he figures he has everything so wrapped up he comes out of that most secret of closets: the big orange Great Pumpkin one. This is met with many a’slap to the forehead by his campaign team. The scandal wreaks such havoc that it puts him neck and neck with Russell Anderson in the polls. At this point I’m so taken with Anderson’s meek demeanor and candor I’m hoping he squeaks out a win.
And when it comes election time, if I didn’t believe in the honesty and over-all trustworthiness of the Peanuts gang I’d swear they threw the vote (is it common practice for one party’s campaign team to work every job during the election?) But I guess its all on the up and up, since at the last minute even Russell Anderson pledges allegiance to Linus. In an 84 to 83 vote we now have President Van Pelt.
Of course when the time comes for Linus to live up to his campaign and tell off the principal, things don’t go as planned. Linus is the one who gets “educated!” The important lesson is taught to all the children out there that politicians are all just puppets to some greater master who pulls the strings.
And so, we are back where we began. Sally is pissed! Only this time it’s not her locker, but her Sweet Babboo that has stepped on her landmine. “They’re all the same! Promises, promises! You elect them and they weasel out of their promises!” You have to hand it Ms. Brown, she’s out there lifting the wool off the kids’ eyes about the untold evils of all those Washington fat-cats. And that message is at least as timeless as the true meaning of Christmas.
I’m trying to come up with a way to rate the specials that are reviewed. You know “3 of out of 4 Snoopy doghouses” or something. I guess until I come up with something better that’s good enough. And this special gets: (you guessed it)
Now, when I view the specials, I take a lot of things into account. First, my deep nerd-ish love of all things Peanuts. Second, that most of these offerings were made in (and if not, they definitely evoke the spirit of) “a simpler time.” There were over 40 primetime Peanuts specials and like anything that runs for decades (James Bond movies, “The Simpsons”) there are peaks and valleys, evolutions in style, and differences in current Snoopy alter-egos. I have favorites that stick out from each era, but I have to say I really love the style of the specials that were made in this time period. Something about the animation “flow” and a certain loose quality that tells me of the confidence the producers had. But enough high-fallutin’ jibber-jabber. Let’s get to the action!
Fade in: Sally is pissed off! Lucy gets a lot of notoriety for her crabbiness but Sally was no shrinking violet either. (Remember the fury of a woman who misses tricks-or-treats?) We soon learn the reason behind Sally’s firestorm of anger: her school locker. She can’t get the sucker open. Peanuts is known for its psychological insights and this is definitely one: a small, tiny, super insignificant detail of your day can seemingly ruin your life. And if you’re like Sally (or me) then you take this as a directive to ruin everyone else’s lives too. But, big brother Charlie Brown vows to make things right. If only we all had such big brothers.
Cut to: the next morning. Sally is still pissed, but resigned to go to school. But first the Brown children will settle in for a healthy breakfast. As Sally tells us in her own personal PSA: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is a known fact that all of our country’s presidents started each day with a rousing breakfast.” She just can’t figure out how they all met up every morning. Especially since our founding fathers had to be either zombies or vampires to meet up with Nixon every morning. (Notice how much we can see of the kids’ kitchen. When I was little I loved seeing all the stuff in their house. I was a bona fide Peanuts freak since birth so I always dreamed of going through their closets, peaking in their drawers just to see what kind of junk they had. With the shows from this time period I came as close as I’ll get.)
And this is another interesting note: we’re all accustomed to not seeing adults in the Peanuts world (with a few exceptions), but as Charlie Brown and Sally are eating cold cereal (a Charlie Brown specialty) it does strike me as a little odd that Mom and Dad aren’t at least squawking in the other room. But, nevermind that because in walks Snoopy, complete with sleeping cap. He is of course a magical dog and apparently quite the chef. (Remember we’re twelve months away from seeing his true culinary genius in the Thanksgiving special). He whips up one of those delicious looking cartoon breakfasts that always makes me want 12 pieces of French toast. Snoopy does his best Alice the maid impression as he makes the kids their lunches, Charlie Brown says something like “Good Grief,” “I can’t stand it,” or “why can’t I have a normal dog like everyone else?” and we’re off to school.
At school we learn Sally hates her locker because she can’t reach the lock. We understand, Sally. Once Sally is safely dropped off in Ms. Othmar’s class (the same teacher Linus had the hots for a few years later in the original Valentines special, by the way), Charlie Brown finds his pal Linus talking to his cronies about who should run for student body president. Linus (who is blanket-free in this outing) suggests Good Ol’ Charlie Brown. Really? I think Linus’ lack of blanket has at the very least caused some temporary insanity. But just as quickly as Chuck’s dreams of acceptance speeches and Nobel prizes begin they are squashed. Lucy took a poll and found out that no one under any circumstances would ever vote for Charlie Brown.
At this time in history, Snoopy was deep into his Joe Cool phase. He would often break into school and try to pick up chicks, it’s just what he did. The best repercussion of this phenomenon was that we got to hear the “Joe Cool Theme” which is always awesome. Snoopy of course took it too far, by actually sneaking into a class and trying to solve a math problem on the board. (34+7+3= paw print). Alas, not everyone is as gullible as Peppermint Patty and Joe Cool is unveiled as merely a capricious doggy, and tossed out onto the street.
But, back to the real story: the election! Sally has a bright idea, since her big bro’s political dreams were smashed like that glass they step on in Jewish weddings, she thinks her Sweet Babboo would make the ideal candidate. Lucy takes another poll (applying a little more pressure since she’s asking about her own flesh and blood this time) and its found out that 99% of the school has been waiting for Linus to run for office for, like, ever.
In the most pot-boiling political scene ever, Linus is nominated for student body president. Linus proves a wise choice as he unleashes his inner politician during his campaign speech. We learn he is pro-drinking fountains, pro sick pay, for longer recesses, and has a violent anti-homework stance. Luckily no one asks about abortion or gay marriage and we’re in the clear with Linus in the lead.
Somehow through the chain of command, Snoopy is put in charge of campaign posters. He and Woodstock ably demonstrate why animals should never do this sort of work. (Maybe that’s what went wrong for John Kerry).
After dealing with Campaign-Postergate, Lucy puts Linus on a radio show (with an unknown broadcast range). The radio show is of the call-in variety and a little known fact is: this portion of the program was the inspiration for the long-running sitcom “Frasier.” All the callers to the radio show are insane, which gives an air of realism that balances out the Snoopy breakfast making scene earlier.
It’s finally time for the last of the campaign speeches. Linus reveals his inner Julius Caesar as he intones “Friends, schoolmates, teachers, countrymen . . .” and goes on to proclaim that his administration will bring down the false idols in high places, and release the grade-schoolers from their spiritual Babylon. We also finally get a glimpse into the psyche of Linus’ opponent Russell Anderson. We see that he is just some kid. Nothing big or special, just a kid who, in his speech “promises to do the best I can.” This makes me want to simultaneously cry and vote Anderson.
So in Linus’ last speech, he figures he has everything so wrapped up he comes out of that most secret of closets: the big orange Great Pumpkin one. This is met with many a’slap to the forehead by his campaign team. The scandal wreaks such havoc that it puts him neck and neck with Russell Anderson in the polls. At this point I’m so taken with Anderson’s meek demeanor and candor I’m hoping he squeaks out a win.
This special also answers the eternal question: Whatever happened to Violet? According to the picture above, she is a cub reporter for the Washington Post.
And when it comes election time, if I didn’t believe in the honesty and over-all trustworthiness of the Peanuts gang I’d swear they threw the vote (is it common practice for one party’s campaign team to work every job during the election?) But I guess its all on the up and up, since at the last minute even Russell Anderson pledges allegiance to Linus. In an 84 to 83 vote we now have President Van Pelt.
Of course when the time comes for Linus to live up to his campaign and tell off the principal, things don’t go as planned. Linus is the one who gets “educated!” The important lesson is taught to all the children out there that politicians are all just puppets to some greater master who pulls the strings.
And so, we are back where we began. Sally is pissed! Only this time it’s not her locker, but her Sweet Babboo that has stepped on her landmine. “They’re all the same! Promises, promises! You elect them and they weasel out of their promises!” You have to hand it Ms. Brown, she’s out there lifting the wool off the kids’ eyes about the untold evils of all those Washington fat-cats. And that message is at least as timeless as the true meaning of Christmas.
I’m trying to come up with a way to rate the specials that are reviewed. You know “3 of out of 4 Snoopy doghouses” or something. I guess until I come up with something better that’s good enough. And this special gets: (you guessed it)
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