THE HOLIDAY time brings with it the onset of festive movies and traditions, one of the most popular being TV movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Since its debut in 1965, the film has been broadcasted on television each year.
When does the 2021 Charlie Brown Christmas special air?
On Sunday, December 19, 2021, at 7.30pm ET, A Charlie Brown Christmas will play on PBS and PBS KIDS.
For those without cable, the film is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
From 1965 until the year 2000, A Charlie Brown Christmas aired exclusively on CBS.
ABC held the rights to the movie from 2001 until 2019, with the 50th anniversary of the broadcast landing in 2015.
The 50th anniversary special fit into a two-hour time slot and was hosted by Kristen Bell, along with musical performances from Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit, and the All-American Boys Chorus.
In October of 2020, Apple TV+ acquired exclusive rights to the Peanuts franchise, but cut a deal with PBS to allow the Christmas special to air on cable television.
What is A Charlie Brown Christmas about?
Premiering on December 9, 1965, a Charlie Brown Christmas tells the story of the “true meaning of Christmas.”
It starts off with a depressed Charlie Brown, who can’t seem to enjoy himself despite the holiday season. His friend Lucy suggests he direct the town’s Christmas plays, to which he agrees.
Charlie remains discouraged as everyone around him seems to be focused on the commercialization of Christmas and the presents they are to receive that year.
After visiting the Christmas tree lot, Charlie picks the only real tree there: a small sapling with hardly any branches.
He is immediately made fun of by his peers for his choice in tree, to which he asks if anyone knows what Christmas is supposed to be about.
His peers realize their wrongdoing and help Charlie to decorate the tree, all of them singing Christmas carols together by the end of the film.
When the movie first premiered, the network initially thought the music and casting choices would lead the film to a disastrous outcome.
The soundtrack features a jazz score, and child actors were hired to voice the kids, which is an uncommon practice in film.
However, the film was well received and critically acclaimed, quickly becoming a fan-favorite.
What is a Charlie Brown Christmas tree?
A Charlie Brown Christmas tree refers to a tree that does not meet the typical standards of a Christmas tree.
They are typically small in size, and may have sparse leaves or pines.
The selection of the tree may represent a protest against the commercialization of Christmas, or it could just mean one admires the Peanuts series.
In the film, Charlie Brown is initially made fun of for his choice of tree. By the end, everyone comes together to decorate the tree in true holiday spirit.
