For the umpteenth year in a row, the glorified Christmas special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be the quintessential image of the holidays. To some, the Christmas special might appear to be about a depressing kid named Charlie Brown who cannot get into the ‘Christmas spirit’. However, most support this animated special, agreeing that it truly is the staple of the holiday season.
“[The special is] about what it truly means to give, and what it truly means to love,” said Paul Noe.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” celebrated its 50th anniversary with an ABC special airing 8 p.m. Nov. 30, wherein Kristen Bell played host for the hourlong program. During the program, celebrities shared memories of the beloved 1965 show, and Kristin Chenoweth and the Pentatonix performed. At 9 p.m., the annual prime-time showing of the special began.
During the 50 years that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has aired, it has been supported by many viewers, “because it’s awesome,” said sophomore Alex Nemfakos.
“It hit me in the heart, and it had a great combination of pathos and humor,” said Noe.
By its name, it is assumable that this special is about a particular Charlie Brown character. From the start, he is a depressing character shown to have few friends. Yet bossy Lucy is finally able to coerce Charlie into directing the Christmas play so that he can get out of his Christmastime funk. Charlie Brown loses favor with all the other children when he brings in a shabby little tree as the Christmas tree for the play, as they were expecting magnificence. At the end of the special, the tree actually ends up bringing the children together as they sing a closing “Hark the Herald.”
“Charlie Brown starts out lost to what Christmas is all about… and comes out… with a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about,” said Noe.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is very different from most of the shows and movies around Christmas time. It has a simple story with a basic problem-solution plot. There is also not a lot of fantasy about Santa Claus, a common theme in Christmas movies.
“I think it’s very different because it’s a very basic story, just about a boy who’s depressed and goes through an experience,” said Noe.
The special is also quite conservative, so the whole family can enjoy it, including young members of the extended family.
“It’s nice for kids of all ages, for the entire family,” said sophomore Cameron Williams. “I kind of see it as a Christmas tradition. It became a big thing when it became a comic back in the day, I believe it was the 1950s,” Williams said.
What Charlie Brown represents as a symbol of Christmas has extended past just the holiday season.
“I’ve often over the years referred to things even outside of the holiday season as a Charlie Brown Christmas tree,” said photography teacher Allen Beland.
Maybe you do not fancy “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as much as the next person, but there is no denying that it places importance on the one thing that people seem to ignore – love of family and friends is the strongest fuel there is. So maybe, try putting down the gifts and truly connect with your loved ones and this special holiday season by watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
