History Trivia / ACharlieBrownChristmas

** The recent showings on ABC have taken further cuts, removing such iconic moments as Lucy pestering Schroeder over the proper playing of "Jingle Bells," to even cutting poor Shermy's only line.

** In other words, nearly ''everything'' that makes this program a timeless classic. Fortunately, Creator/CharlesMSchulz and Creator/BillMelendez stuck by their guns and were vindicated the moment it aired.
* MagnumOpusDissonance: '''Nobody''' behind the project thought it was any good when they finished; Creator/LeeMendelson and the rest of the team felt they "ruined Charlie Brown" when they looked at the final cut before it aired.

** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track of all things [[note]](many cartoons in the 1960's had laugh tracks, for example see pretty much the entire Creator/HannaBarbera library prior to 1973)[[/note]], the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''WesternAnimation/ABoyNamedCharlieBrown'']] before his death). Thank goodness Schulz and Melendez stood their ground.

* {{Blooper}}[=/=]OffModel: Several animation errors exist, one of the more obvious being the fact that the words on Lucy's psychiatric help desk change twice in less than a minute. Among others:
** Lucy accidentally calls fear of cats "ailurophasia" instead of "ailurophobia".

* EditedForSyndication: In its original 1965 broadcast, this cartoon clocked in at just over 26 minutes. Nowadays, American TV networks have a ''lot'' more time devoted to commercials than back then. So for most of its subsequent airings, several scenes have been cut short (the first dancing scene) or cut out entirely (much of the beginning). Even in its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the Coke can redesigned).
** Coca-Cola was the special's original sponsor, and a brief scene mentioning this was animated for the broadcast. Once their sponsorship ended, that scene had to be excised and was thought lost for decades until a film reel containing it was discovered, digitized, and uploaded onto the internet (rights issues prevent it from being on the DVD cut, though every other scene cut over the decades is restored)
** The recent showings on ABC have taken further cuts, removing such iconic moments as Lucy pestering Schroeder over the proper playing of "Jingle Bells", to even cutting poor Shermy's only line.

** In other words, nearly ''everything'' that makes this program a timeless classic. Fortunately, Charles Schulz and Bill Melendez stuck by their guns and were vindicated the moment it aired.
* MagnumOpusDissonance: '''Nobody''' behind the project thought it was any good when they finished; Lee Mendelson and the rest of the team felt they "ruined Charlie Brown" when they looked at the final cut before it aired.
** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''Film/CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live-action/animated combo ''It's the Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965. (For added irony, Creator/OrsonWelles didn't consider the actual ''Citizen Kane'' to be his masterpiece.)
* NetworkToTheRescue: CBS made some cuts to the special in the '90s because shows made more room for commercials by then (see EditedForSyndication above). When ABC acquired the rights in 2001, they blocked out a full hour for the special so that it could run uncut, commissioning ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' to fill the extra time. (ABC does air cut half-hour versions some years, but the full version ''will'' be shown at some point during the season).

** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track of all things[[note]] (many cartoons in the 1960s had laugh tracks, for example see pretty much the entire Creator/HannaBarbera library prior to 1973)[[/note]], the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown'']] before his death). Thank goodness Schulz and Melendez stood their ground.

* ExecutiveMeddling: CBS executives had [[{{Understatement}} some]] issues with the special as it was originally put together. They objected to:

* {{Blooper}}: Several animation errors exist, one of the more obvious being the fact that the words on Lucy's psychiatric help desk change twice in less than a minute. Among others:

** In other words, nearly ''everything'' that makes this program a timeless classic. Fortunately, Schulz and Melendez stuck by their guns and were vindicated the moment it aired.

** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''Film/CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live-action/animated combo ''It's The Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965. (for added irony, Creator/OrsonWelles didn't consider the actual ''Citizen Kane'' to be his masterpiece)

** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track of all things[[note]] (many cartoons in the 60's had laugh tracks, for example see pretty much the entire Creator/HannaBarbera library prior to 1973)[[/note]], the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown'']] before his death). Thank goodness Schulz and Melendez stood their ground.

** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''Film/CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live-action/animated combo ''It's The Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965. (for what it's worth, Creator/OrsonWelles didn't consider the actual ''Citizen Kane'' to be his masterpiece)

** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track, of all things; the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown'']] before his death). Thank goodness Schulz and Melendez stood their ground.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned).
* ExecutiveMeddling: CBS executives had some issues with the special as it was originally put together. They objected to:

** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''Film/CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live-action/animated combo ''It's The Girl in the Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965. (Ironically, Creator/OrsonWelles didn't consider the actual ''Citizen Kane'' to be his masterpiece.)
* NetworkToTheRescue: CBS made some cuts to the special in the '90s because shows made more room for commercials by then (see EditedForSyndication above). When ABC acquired the rights in 2001, they blocked out a full hour for the special so that it could run uncut, commissioning ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' to fill the extra time. (ABC does air cut half-hour versions some years, but the full version ''will'' be shown at some point during the season.)
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Apparently when the project was started, the network just wanted this to be a regular goofy ''Peanuts'' short that just happened to take place at Christmas time. They weren't expecting the shots at commercialism and Linus' big speech. It's a good thing the special didn't go this direction, too, because it wouldn't be nearly so memorable otherwise.
** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track, of all things; the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown''.]]) Thank goodness Schulz and Melendez stood their ground.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The scene of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca-Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]]. However, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was discovered and posted to Website/YouTube in 2012. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version derived from a promotional tape reel]] was also found and uploaded.
** The original three airings also contained a sponsor tag at the end for Coca-Cola, which explains why later airings have the chorus of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" over the closing credits fading out early. An [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th1GdWQiYPM alternate version]] has also been discovered.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The scene of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca-Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]]. However, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was recently discovered and posted to Website/YouTube. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version derived from a promotional tape reel]] was also found and uploaded.

** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a laugh track, of all things; the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The tune [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored 17 other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown''.]]) Thank goodness Schultz and Melendez stood their ground.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The scene of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca-Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]], however, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was recently discovered and posted to [=YouTube=]. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version derived from a promotional tape reel]] was also found and uploaded.

** In other words, they objected to nearly ''everything'' that makes this program a timeless classic. Fortunately, Schulz and Melendez stuck by their guns and were vindicated the moment it aired.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Apparently when the project was started the network just wanted this to be a regular goofy Peanuts short that just happened to take place at Christmas time. They weren't expecting the shots at commercialism and Linus' big speech. It's a good thing the special didn't go this direction too because it wouldn't be nearly as memorable otherwise.
** The slam against commercialism and the Bible recitation were only two of what the suits perceived as a laundry list of "issues" with the show. Others were the lack of a [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LaughTrack laugh track]], of all things, the use of actual children for the voice acting instead of adults, and the Music/VinceGuaraldi jazz score. (The song [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zypc_LhnM "Linus and Lucy"]] became an icon of the franchise, and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi#Compositions_for_Charles_Schulz.27s_Peanuts Vince scored seventeen other ''Peanuts'' specials and the feature film ''A Boy Named Charlie Brown''.]]) Thank goodness Schultz and Melendez stood their ground.

* ChannelHop: After airing on {{CBS}} for 36 straight years, the special moved to its present network home of {{ABC}} in 2001.
* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The shot of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]], however, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was recently discovered and posted to [=YouTube=]. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version derived from a promotional tape reel]] was also found and uploaded.
** The original three airings also contained a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_oCutN7_W4 sponsor tag]] at the end for Coca-Cola, which explains why later airings have the chorus of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" over the closing credits fading out early. Another [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th1GdWQiYPM alternate version]] has also been discovered.

** The scripture quotation that Linus reads to explain the meaning of Christmas.
** Using the voices of actual children to voice the Peanuts characters.

** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live action/animated combo ''It's The Girl in The Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965. (Ironically, OrsonWelles didn't consider the actual ''Citizen Kane'' to be his ''Citizen Kane''.)
* NetworkToTheRescue: CBS made some cuts to the special in the '90s because shows made more room for commercials by then (see EditedForSyndication). When ABC acquired the rights in 2001, they blocked out a full hour for the special so that it could run uncut, commissioning ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' to fill the extra time. (They do air cut half-hour versions some years, but the full version ''will'' be shown at some point during the season.)

** It apparently took a while for Charles Schulz himself to realize how iconic this special had become. In the late 1980s he fretted that he hadn't produced his "own ''CitizenKane''" and invested a good deal of time and money on his intended masterpiece, the flop live action/animated combo ''It's The Girl in The Red Truck, Charlie Brown''. Any fan could've told him he'd already made his ''Citizen Kane'' way back in 1965.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The shot of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]], however, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was recently discovered and posted to YouTube. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version derived from a promotional tape reel]] was also found and uploaded.

** The Vince Guaraldi jazz score for the program.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). The shot of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) was long considered [[MissingEpisode lost]], however, a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4eDW1DZofU black-and-white print of the sequence derived from the original color master]] was recently discovered and posted to YouTube. And shortly after that, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1PstQ1Yg8 the original color version]] was also found and uploaded.

** The original three airings also contained a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th1GdWQiYPM sponsor tag]] at the end for Coca-Cola, which explains why later airings have the chorus of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" over the closing credits fading out early.

* EditedForSyndication: For most of its run on CBS, as well as its first VHS release, the scene of the kids throwing snowballs at the can on the fence was cut out. It was restored for its second VHS release and was reinstated in network broadcasts in 1997 (with the can redesigned). However, the shot of Snoopy tossing Linus at a billboard for Coca Cola (the special's [[ProductPlacement original sponsor]]) is now [[MissingEpisode lost]].

** The original three airings also contained a [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th1GdWQiYPM sponsor tag]] at the end for Coca-Cola, which explains why later airings have the chorus fading out early.

* ChannelHop: After airing on CBS for 36 straight years, the special moved to its present network home of {{ABC}} in 2001.

* NetworkToTheRescue: CBS made some cuts to the special in the '90s because shows made more room for commercials by then (see EditedForSyndication in the Main tab). When ABC acquired the rights in 2001, they blocked out a full hour for the special so that it could run uncut, commissioning ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' to fill the extra time. (They do air cut half-hour versions some years, but the full version ''will'' be shown at some point during the season.)

* NetworkToTheRescue: CBS made some cuts to the special in the '90s because shows made more room for commercials by then (see EditedForSyndication in the Main tab). When ABC acquired the rights in 2001, they blocked out a full hour for the special so that it could run uncut, commissioning ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'' to fill the extra time. (They did do a cut half-hour version in 2009, but aired the full version the next week.)