Unpacking Peanuts
Three lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Each week, Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Plus special guests and bonuses. Unpacking Peanuts is a fan podcast unaffiliated with Peanuts Worldwide.
Episodes
Acting! With Patrick McDonnell
World-renowned creator of Mutts, Patrick McDonnell, returns to the show to discuss the subtleties and eccentricities of Schulz’s use of body language, gesture and acting.
All of Patrick's books are available at Mutts.com.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Mi
Mean Girls 3 - Now 33% Meaner
The gang expands their scope, and looks at mean girls throughout the Peanuts run, including Lucy, Frieda, and Good ol’ Molly Volley.
Aaron Forringer's story: https://shorturl.at/sbsOh
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz S
Mean Girls 2 - How Much is Mean and How Much is Just Life?
Our exploration into the sassiest, snarkiest, twosome in all of Peanuts: Patty (original recipe) and Violet continues. These two may be mean, but they are also hilarious. But are they worse on their own, or together?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael
Mean Girls 1 - Patty and Violet: Conformity Police
Michael curates a delightfully mean collection of some early Peanuts strips featuring two of Peanuts strongest (and meanest) personalities: the original Patty, and good ol’ Violet Grey.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Paul Hebert's article: A World Where Rage Was Funny and Insecurity Was Loveable: Pean
Cartoonists’ Salute to Schulz!
Just five short months after Charles Schulz’s passing, the top cartoonists in the field dedicated a day of their own strips to remembering Sparky. The gang looks at Peanuts tribute strips by Jim Davis (Garfield) Aaron McGruder (Boondocks) Cathy Guisewite (Cathy) and more.
See the Go Comics article:
https://www.gocomics.com/profile/OfficialGoComics/collections/44986
Transcript available at Unpacki
With Neil Cohn - Author of Speaking In Pictures
We talk with Neil Cohn, an Eisner-nominated cognitive scientist who looks at how our brains perceive comics. His latest book, Speaking in Pictures, challenges the conventional understandings of how pictures communicate, how people learn to draw, and the nature of language itself. And Peanuts was fundamental to his ground-breaking research.
https://www.visuallanguagelab.com/
@neilcohn.bsky.social
Charles M. Schulz and the Seven Deadly Sins of Cartooning
In 1980 Legendary Captain Marvel artist C.C. Beck created his personal list of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Comics Creators.” In this episode the gang discuss Beck’s manifesto and see if and how it applies to Schulz's work.
Shout out to TwoMorrows.com and AlterEgo for this article: https://www.twomorrows.com/alterego/articles/06sins.html
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael
You Don’t Look 250, Snoopy
The gang celebrates the USA’s birthday by looking at one of the latest iterations of Snoopy’s alter egos…The Revolutionary War patriot.
UP Recommends:
The American Revolution by Ken Burns
Super Context Podcast: An autopsy of media
Gunsmoke on the radio
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books a
Sidekicks and Second Bananas Episode 4 - Shermy: Just A Guy Standing There
The straight man of all straight men gets an episode all to himself. Will the gang finally crack the code on this beloved figure of Peanuts past?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Su
Sidekicks and Second Bananas Episode 3 - Roy: A Good Temporary Friend
Finally, it’s come to this: The Roy episode. Roy befriends both Charlie Brown and Linus at camp. And if that’s not exciting enough, old people talk about how neat telephones were. But maybe his main raison d'être is to introduce the world to the swinging-est character ever - Peppermint Patty.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at Unpac
Sidekicks and Second Bananas Episode 2: She's Eudorable!
Sally’s pal Eudora finally gets a turn in the spotlight, as the gang revisits her debut sequence from 1978 and finds a fun and unique character who still feels modern.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produce
Feel a Little Freedom: Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts
We start our look at the bit players in Peanuts in this new season of “Sidekicks and Second Bananas.” In this episode Bill, Olivier, Harriet, Conrad, and Woodstock get to shake their tail feathers in the spotlight.
Mentioned in the Mailbox:
Health Capsules by Dr. Michael A. Petti and cartoonist Jud Hurd
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2022/06/02/health-capsules-1961-2022/
Transcript ava
I’m Just Pretending It Never Happened! The Weirdest Peanuts Strips Ever
The gang takes a cockeyed look at the Peanuts strips that make you go “hmmm.” From Charlie Brown sharpening himself to the beauty of a girl named Truffles, it doesn’t get weirder than this.
Strips we discuss and the original episode names:
Truffles - March 31 & April 1, 1975 - 1975 Part 1
Spike and Woodstock on the Moon - October 6, 1995 - 1995 Part 1
Pencil Sharpener - January 25, 1990 - 1990
The Family Van Pelt Episode 6 - All in the Valley of Death Rode Rerun Van Pelt
Re-Run arrives and struggles to assimilate into the family for the next twenty years. Lucy is still a grouch. Sally still loves Linus. And speaking of consistency, which Peanuts characters changed the least? The gang investigates.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Go
Sittin' In the Mailbox #2
It’s a fun-sized mailbag bonus episode! Listeners ask us probing questions like whose is the adorable voice behind our introduction, and tell us stuff we never knew like there is a plush version of Snoopy as Mister T. Plus more great business suggestions for Sony.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpack
The Family Van Pelt Episode 5 - A Really Squiggly Line Around the Word Sigh
Linus is doing the St. Francis shtick, but that doesn’t stop him from playing a mean shortstop. The gang discusses Schulz’s ability to layer contradictory elements to create some of the richest characters in comics.
Here's a link to our episode about the football strips:
https://tinyurl.com/footballstrips
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are av
It’s An Anniversary Show, Charlie Brown!
The gang celebrates four years of podcasting about Beagles and Blockheads by looking at a totally random group of Peanuts strips, and even a few non-Peanuts strips too! Here's to many more years of joy discussing Charles Schulz's masterpiece.
Random Non-Peanuts Strips are posted in the Obscurities section of the website.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s
The Family Van Pelt Episode 4 - Old People Who Happen To Like You
Lucy torments Linus with a call to their blanket-hating grandma. She explains that to be a good brother he has to work at it, and he succeeds with a bowl of ice cream. A new segment is revealed, “Hangin’ Out at the Thinkin’ Wall.” This week the guys discuss Snoopy before resuming the season-long look at the Van Pelt Family.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Har
The Family Van Pelt Episode 3 - The Goofy Dynamics Between Siblings or Why Linus’s Head is Dented
Linus’s original struggle for security is with Lucy… and was it her blanket originally?! Plus Linus learns the difference between tv and reality in language he can understand.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
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The Family Van Pelt Episode 2 - Big Kids Drive Me Crazy
Linus is bringing out Lucy’s inner Lucy, yet somehow his head remains undented. In this episode, the Van Pelt kids’ personalities are slowly coming into focus… No wonder Linus needs that blanket!
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Jimmy’s, Michael’s, and Harold’s books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchhol
The Family Van Pelt Episode 1 - Schulz Tackles a Baby!
It’s a new season on Unpacking Peanuts, as the gang begins a long look at everyone’s favorite venerable grade schoolers: Linus, Lucy, and Rerun Van Pelt. In this first episode, we review the earliest episodes featuring two of Charles Schulz' beloved characters, and the seeds of greatness have already been sown.
Harold interviewed by Ted Koppel: https://youtu.be/DwsY4agO2qs?si=4Gf05kzociyR2cuI
Tra
With Patrick McDonnell, Creator of MUTTS
The Legendary cartoonist of MUTTS, the comic strip Charles Schulz once said was “the last great strip of the 20th Century,” stops by to talk about Charles Schulz, the craft of cartooning, comics history and more in this fun conversation. Don’t miss it!
For more about Patrick visit MUTTS.com
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Ha
Unpacking Peanuts Fun-Sized - Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and welcome to all our new listeners! Here is a little intro to the show along with a look at one of our favorite strips of all time - July 11, 1954.
Sample some of our early interviews in It's A Clip Show Charlie Brown - https://shorturl.at/kOX0f.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music
Understanding Snoopy Episode 5 - When Woodstock Is Happy, I'm Happy
Everyone’s favorite abstract bird doodle takes center stage for this episode-long look at Snoopy’s relationship with his “friend of friends” Woodstock.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.
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Understanding Snoopy Episode 4 - As You See Him, You Will Draw Him
The gang takes on the epic task of discussing Snoopy’s many visual changes and go on a few cartooning-related side quests as well… discussing Leonard Starr, Stan Drake, Hal Foster, Harold Gray and more.
Link to Snoopy image:
https://peanuts.fandom.com/wiki/Snoopy?file=Image_2022-06-02_120907435.png
Link to Scott McCloud's pyramid:
https://www.scottmccloud.com/4-inventions/triangle/index.html
Preor
With Mark Evanier - Co-Author of The Essential Peanuts
Comics legend Mark Evanier stops by to discuss his work on the amazing new book The Essential Peanuts. We discuss Mark’s life in comics including his relationships with icons like Jack Kirby, Jim Davis, and of course, Charles Schulz.
Mark's Blog https://www.newsfromme.com/
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, an
Understanding Snoopy Episode 3 - It’s Kind of Magical
The gang takes a closer look at Michael’s favorite era of Snoopy. Fourth wall breaks, funny punchlines, and a healthy dollop of Beagle violence are all discussed. Then we answer the question…. Who is the GOAT-- Linus or Snoopy?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumn
With Paige Braddock, Creative Director Emeritus for the Schulz Studio
We are thrilled to welcome Paige Braddock, the Creative Director Emeritus for the Schulz Studio. Hired by Charles Schulz himself as Creative Director in 1999, Paige is also the talented cartoonist behind Jane’s World, Peanut, Butter, & Crackers, and more.
Paige recommends the book Love Letters to Jane's World as a place to start. https://janesworld.us/janes-world/
Her current work, Peanut B
Sittiin’ in the Mailbox #1
The gang answers your emails in this special fun-sized bonus episode!
Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown!
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, Michael, Harold, and Jimmy each pick their top ten Peanuts strips of all time! Who picks what? Will one character dominate? One Decade? Listen to find out what is the toppermost of the poppermost in Peanuts five decade run of brilliance.
You Tube interview Jimmy mentions:
https://youtu.be/s_vmm4JW61U?si=lNs3Cqh-aQTz9D6F
Our original discussion of Be
Preview: Jimmy Gownley’s Dumb Ideas
Please enjoy this special full-length preview of Jimmy’s new podcast. It is available on Substack or wherever you listen to podcasts.
http://gvillecomics.substack.com
Understanding Snoopy: Episode 2 - A Few Lines Expressing Joy
Our season-long look at the world famous beagle continues. This week we discuss Snoopy’s metamorphosis from cute puppy to banana nose anarchist to doghouse philosopher. Along the way, we discuss evolving art styles, Ninja High School, and Jeff Smith’s Bone.
The Buzzfeed quiz we talk about: https://www.buzzfeed.com/appletv/this-quiz-will-determine-which-peanuts-character-you-are
Transcript availab
Unpacking Peanuts - Fun Size
Here's a short teaser for Unpacking Peanuts, the show where 3 lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Plus special guests and bonuses.
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Bu
Understanding Snoopy: Episode 1 - Super Minimalist Snoopy
We’re back! And we kick off our new era with a season-long examination of the greatest comics character ever, and everyone’s favorite flying ace/grocery store clerk, Snoopy! In this episode we examine Snoopy’s origins as an unassuming little puppy, in an unassuming little comic strip.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold B
With Nat Gertler, Eisner-Winning Author and Comics Historian
Eisner-winning author and comics historian Nat Gertler is here to talk about his long association with Peanuts, preserving obscure Schulz art and comics, and why these characters still resonate within culture. Nat is the author of Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects as well as The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel.
Find out more about Nat at:
Wrap-up Season 12 - No One Shook Hands and Said Good Game
We wrap up the Great Peanuts Re-Read and reflect back on the fun and challenges of reading all 17,897 Peanuts comic strips. Then we discuss the death of Charles Schulz, the continued impact of Peanuts, and what’s up next. Plus: Rory goes to college.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced an
2000 - Charles Schulz… How Can We Ever Forget Him?
We complete the Great Peanuts Re-read, and bid a tearful farewell to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Lucy. But wait, there will be more! Listen to find out what’s next for Unpacking Peanuts. Plus: How could it ever get better than this?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by
1999 Part 4 - Rerun Would Never Pull the Ball Away
The last full year of Peanuts comes to an end, and it’s a long series of goodbyes… to characters, settings, and famous routines; including the last ever football strip. And it’s a classic. Plus: What do you think of the coloring?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumn
1999 Part 3 - A Very Public Farewell
Schulz announces his retirement from cartooning which gives the remaining strips an elegiac quality that’s hard to miss. Meanwhile, we say goodbye to Andy and Olaf, but Rerun continues with aplomb as he marches towards his destiny as an underground cartoonist. Plus: We should buy banjos.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harol
1999 Part 2 - Snoopy, Woodstock, and the Times That Try Men’s Souls
We inch ever closer to the end of Peanuts, and so we savor each strip (and farewell) even more! Rerun continues to shine, Woodstock appears even smaller and more fragile, and Patriot Snoopy faces the frigid Valley Forge winter…in August. Plus: We agree to differ.
(Michael's Red Hand story appears in 1988 Part 1 at 27:07).
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1999 Part 1 - I Am Not A Puppy Dog!
Snoopy will not suffer fools. The gang visits an exhibit featuring Monet and McDonnell. Even the Little Red Haired Girl’s mom shows up. Meanwhile, the guys theorize with wild abandon about the coloring of Peanuts in the late 90’s. Plus: The Passive Voice is a pretty good band name.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold
1998 Part 3 - Tell Me What I'm Doing Here! That’s All I Ask!
Rerun gets to the existential heart of Peanuts as he continues to shine in these late Peanuts strips. Meanwhile the guys talk about how audiences and critics relate to artists with decades long careers. Plus: You try to warn them that the world has gone mad, but no one will listen.
East Coast Collectors Weekend - https://eastcoastcollectors.com/
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpack
1998 Part 2 - Foxtrotting With The Little Red-haired Girl
Schulz comes as close as he ever will to depicting Charlie Brown’s one true love, and it goes great…for Snoopy anyway. Elsewhere, Woodstock does the Moses bit and parts a birdbath, and Rerun gets a compliment! Plus: Tango Tango, Charles!
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by
1998 Part 1 - Are We Not Beagles? We Are Peanuts!
The daily comics have turned full color, and so the guys get into the nitty gritty of comic strip coloring and wonder if the entire form has de-volved over time. Then they ponder mysteries like “What IS Rerun’s real name anyway?” And we hear from readers answering the question “What is Peanuts?” Plus: Dodging questions from curious outsiders.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking
1997 Part 3 - Just Out of Curiosity, What Did You Have For Breakfast?
Rerun hides under the bed again. Lucy and Charlie Brown go on a date. Michael causes the gang to have an existential crisis and the very concept of the podcast is shaken to the core! Woodstock leads Olaf and Andy to the edge of the earth. And Zipatone ties the room together. Plus: Al Pacino!
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, H
1997 Part 2 - Everyone Needs A Break Now and Then
Charles Schulz announces he will be taking his first five week sabbatical after Jeannie says he’s “getting jumpy.” Then he gets a big thrill from a call by one of his artistic heroes. In the strip, Rerun is in kindergarten and the stress is slowly destroying him! Plus: The Little Pig Haired Girl?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Coh
1997 Part 1 - Every Child Should Be Issued a Dog and a Banjo
After years of hearing Sally’s philosophies, Charlie Brown comes up with one of his own. Rerun and Snoopy have a lot of fun together, even if they don’t know what they’re doing. And the gang takes on perhaps the weirdest Peanuts strip of them all… or maybe it’s just an ad. Plus: Crybaby Boobie, we hardly knew ye.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gow
1996 Part 3 - Automatic for the Beagles
The gang furthers their discussion about what Peanuts is and how it works, and then talks about the difference tools make in the life of an artist. In the strip, Rerun continues to show new aspects of his personality, Lucy isn’t slipping at all, and we bid a fond farewell to one of the oldest Peanuts cast members. Plus: Mutts
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1996 Part 2 - Angel Food Cake With 7-Minute Frosting and a Side of Attempted Murder
Harold takes us on a deep dive into the back issues of Editor and Publisher to tell a dark tale of real life drama that touched the Schulz universe. But it’s not all gloom and doom. Harriet is back and she brought baked goods! Plus: The One Note Samba
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced
1996 Part 1- The Strange Death of Tapioca Pudding
In this episode, the guys have a long discussion about what makes Peanuts work, and how Schulz’s presence is felt in the strip. Can that be the key to understanding Peanuts? Or is it possible we’re overthinking this? Meanwhile, Rerun provides some of the strip’s best moments. Charlie Brown is still up all night. And Spike is still fighting in the trenches. Plus: Charlie Brown has a thing for redhe
1995 Part 3 - The Outer Space Adventures of Woodstock and Spike
Woodstock goes to the moon and it makes Michael’s head hurt. Cheating is rampant at Peppermint Patty’s school, but no one seems to mind. And Schulz predicts the world of print on demand. Plus: An all time record on the anger/happiness index.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited
1995 Part 2 - Woodstock is Emotionally Bankrupt!
Woodstock is at his wit’s end, and all his pal Snoopy can do is muse on Fitzgerald. Rerun shows us more facets of his ever expanding personality. Meanwhile Linus’s struggle for security rages on. Plus: Some Enchanted Evening
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. M
1995 Part 1 - At Long Last, Charlie Brown is the Hero
When a kid from another neighborhood takes advantage of the guileless Rerun, Charlie Brown steps up to defend him. Elsewhere, Sally is still Sally, Lucy still loves Schroeder, and Schulz fights through his tremor. Plus: Al Capp
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumne
Special Episode: Slide, Charlie Brown! Slide!
Hey, batta batta! It’s baseball time again, and the gang discusses one of Michael’s favorite Peanuts sequences and Jimmy fails to find Harold a favorite team. Join us as we explore the story that inspired the rarely seen “Charlie Brown’s All Stars!” Plus: Here’s a question…Why?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz
With Lynn Johnston, Creator of For Better or For Worse
The world famous cartoonist of For Better or For Worse drops by to reminisce about her friendship with Charles Schulz, her career as a top syndicated cartoonist, and the time she walked a mile in Sparky’s shoes! It was an honor to have Ms. Johnston on the show, and we are thrilled to share this wide ranging conversation with you all! Plus: I’ll see you in the Louvre
Read For Better of For Worse at
With Judy "Snoopy" Sladky
Judy Sladky, champion ice dancer and the person hand-picked by Charles Schulz to portray Snoopy, skates into the Unpacking Peanuts studio. Judy shares stories from her decades of performing as her canine alter ego, and gives us a glimpse into her friendship with Charles Schulz. Plus: Cute Strike Zones
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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With Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Author of Good Grief
We welcome the author of the Charles Schulz biography Good Grief, Rheta Grimsley Johnson, to the show. Rheta discusses working on the book, discovering the real Little Red-Haired Girl, and watching Schulz create the strip. Then, the gang analyses Rheta’s favorite Peanuts strips. Plus: She tells the harrowing story of the attempted kidnapping of Jeannie Schulz!
Rheta's books are available at the U
Wrap Up Season 10: Snoopy and Woodstock, and Calvin and Hobbes
In the wrap up of our latest season, the guys talk about the many changes to Schulz’s work throughout this period, reflect on the reality of artists aging, and then take a good long look at the differences and similarities between the work of Charles Schulz and Bill Watterson. Plus: Dick Van Dyke
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1994 Part 4 - Good Ol’ Down in the Dirt Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Comics
Olaf and Andy are becoming their own unique comedy team. The falling leaf makes its poetic return, and Charlie Brown is possibly hypnotized by Lucy’s trickery. Plus: A Half Inch Blanket of Outing Flannel
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen
1994 Part 3 - Far and Away One of the Great Tries of All Time
The photocopier makes it’s exciting first appearance in Peanuts! The guys get deep into the discussion of how different readers perceive the art of comics. Michael has a great idea for a Peanuts spinoff strip, and Jimmy gives a complete listing of all the towns in Pennsylvania. Plus: Dick Ayers and Joe Kubert
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley
1994 Part 2 - Nude Beagle Descending a Staircase
44 years into his career and Schulz is still breaking new creative ground as a cartoonist. The gang discusses some of the formal innovations Schulz has made, react to a bunch of great strips, and then answer a Sopwith camel’s worth of listener mail. Plus: Kato Kaelin
Graphic Novels recommended:
Michael: Finder by Carla Speed McNeil
Harold: The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley
Liz: Fun Home - A F
1994 Part 1 - The Smaller the King the More the Talk
Lucy diversifies her revenue streams. Lydia needs some love letters. Woodstock gets violent. Snoopy goes to the hospital. And Jimmy turns 22. Plus: Spike, and Andy, and Olaf, and Krypto.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voic
1993 Part 3 - I Never Knew Life Could Be So Beautiful
Schulz is revisiting some old scenarios and branching out in new directions. Linus’s snowmen are back, Marcie is desperately attempting to understand football, and the guys touch up John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Plus: Sweet Smug Snoopy
In this episode Michael praises The River at Night by Kevin Huizenga.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael
1993 Part 2 - Who Reassures the Reassurer?
A classic of the nineties is discussed, and we learn Schroeder is still the most highbrow catcher going. Roy Hobbs’ Great Granddaughter is revealed because… sure, why not? But know this, Sally is not going to camp. Plus: Streaks of Glory
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by
1993 Part 1 - Nobody Told Me Life Was Going To Be This Hard
Sally has to butter her toast with chunky butter. Snoopy is attending school with Charlie Brown, and even the local mailbox is rejecting Chuck now. Also, Michael shares the story of the first ever comic book price guide. Plus: Cheesy teeth
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited b
Special Episode: A Charlie Brown Christmas! - From the Vault
As much a part of the holidays as Rudolph and mistletoe, the legendary first Peanuts special has lived in the hearts of millions since its debut in 1965. In this special episode Jimmy, Harold, and Michael examine the strips that were adapted for the show, discuss the story behind the production, and relay their own experiences with viewing… or not viewing… the classic program. Plus: More graphics
Special Episode: It's Christmastime Again Charlie Brown
The gang takes a look at the strips and sequences that inspired the second Peanuts Christmas Special. Strips from the 70’s to the early nineties are covered making this a great overview of the second half of the Peanuts comic. Plus: George quits the band.
Many thanks to tarvinneeko mainitakaan on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@tarvinneekomainitakaan
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.co
1992 Part 3 - We Live in Interesting Times, Marcie
Cormac makes his well coiffed debut appearance and brings a bit of 90’s swagger to the strip. But will he be foiled by the Good Ol’ Flying Ace? Also, we learn that Loni Anderson played Blondie, and the strip was pretty good too. Plus: Hippi, Modi, and Go Go!
Protons and Fleurons: Twenty-Two Elements of Fiction by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is available at https://thornbushpress.com/product/protons-an
1992 Part 2 - Linus, in a Light Jacket, Patting Birds on the Head
Lucy is the laughingstock of the neighborhood because Linus is patting birds on the head again. And that’s not the only throwback, because Violet makes another brief return, as does the Davy Crockett cap. On the other hand, Schulz is experimenting with Zipatone and it’s giving Peanuts a little of that good ol’ 90’s grunge. Plus: Puffer Jacket Snoopy
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Un
1992 Part 1 - Have You Ever Written A Love Note, Linus?
Snoopy is stuck at the Van Pelt’s. Lydia is still torturing Linus, and Charles Schulz is doing some artwork unlike anything he has created thus far: Plus: paddle balls.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark
1991 Part 3 - Sally Is As Radical As They Come
Schulz is getting pretty radical too… at least when it comes to new art techniques and comic strip approaches. Meanwhile, Lydia is still delivering the goods with classic punchlines, Charlie Brown reaches new levels of wishy-washy maturity, and Snoopy’s cookies achieve co-starring status. Plus: The Great Pumpkin is a she.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1991 Part 2 - Gatsby Had a Mansion in Jericho
Sally is teaching Sunday school and runs into a student as obstinate as she is. Linus is still fighting the struggle for security against Snoopy. And meanwhile, in our world, the guys ponder how Schulz sees himself at this point in his life and career, and marvel at the variety of approaches he takes to the strip. Plus: Useless knowledge
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1991 Part 1 - Maybe You Should Have Bought a Golden Retriever, Charles!
Snoopy is drinking all of Marcie’s root beer, but maybe President Wilson can straighten him out. Meanwhile, Schulz takes some major new stylistic swings this year, and the guys debate not only their effects, but also how he did it! Plus: Babbooette?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by
Special Episode: The Great Pumpkin - From the Vault
This episode was originally released on October 15, 2022.
Spooky Season is upon us, and Harold, Michael, and Jimmy are taking a special episode long look at the Great Pumpkin, both in the strip and the animated special. They highlight the themes and origins of the idea and how it’s become a lasting part of pop culture. Then they go strip by strip through all the gags that made it into the classic
1990 Part 3 - If You Don’t Want to be Perfect, You’ve Come to the Right Place
Marcie is struggling with the pressure of being perfect, but there’s a place for everyone at the Brown house. Later, listener mail sparks a discussion on the humanity in the art of Bill Mauldin, and Charlie Brown’s new love life causes him to struggle financially! Plus: It’s Superman!
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Listener Sarah Wilson sent us a link to the Up Front strips she foun
1990 Part 2 - The Ballad of Brownie Charles and Peggy Jean
Charlie Brown has a girlfriend! The arrival of Peggy Jean is turning things around for Good Ol’ Charlie Brown… but that’s no reason for him to be making obscene phone calls! Elsewhere in the strip, Sally asks the immortal question “Why would anyone want to say good night to the moon?” Plus: Anything is a map.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownl
1990 Part 1 - Home Again Finnegan
Charlie Brown’s family shares a tradition with Jimmy’s, but neither is gud at speling. A pencil sharpener inspires a run of the weirdest Peanuts strips of all time. Elsewhere, Sally contemplates the appropriateness of grandmas criticizing grandchildren, and at long last Snowsnakes are officially debunked. Plus: The dog is the lowest.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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Season 9 Wrap-up - 1985-1989
The gang talks about all of the “new” Peanuts characters. How have they changed since they were introduced? Which ones have become icons and who has faded into inky newsprint afterthoughts? Then we take a trip to the mail box for some reader reactions and a lead on a fab pizza place. Plus: Which Peanuts character would you buy the rights to?
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
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1989 Part 3 - It’s Cute. It’s Sweet. It’s Funny.
Is it a case of mistaken identity, or is Snoopy an identity thief? Also, can Snoopy talk now?! Elsewhere in the strip, it’s a year of single panel tableaus, and whistling snowmen. And of course the 80’s couldn’t end without one last trip to the mall. Plus: Approachable Hats
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz
1989 Part 2 - Two Old Friends Sharing a Sandwich
Snoopy is off on an adventure with the foreign legion. Marcie is making Peppermint Patty jealous, Sally is writing more essays. And the guys can’t decide what word to emphasize in a word balloon. Plus: Well matched siblings
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Micha
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