Treat every day Like Christmas - episode 90
We’re doing something a little different this week. We’re going to celebrate Christmas.
Shaun graced us with his presence by bringing his A-game of whimsy, impressions, and as always, fun. We thought of a few memories, walked through some would-you-rathers, and he guessed on a bunch of Christmas trivia. Be sure to have some fun with loved ones this season. I know we’ll have a Merry Christmas and we are wishing you one too!
“mer-ry”
adjective
cheerful and lively
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Thoughts from Treat every day Like Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas was the first TV special based on the Peanuts characters created by Charles M. Schulz. It debuted in 1965 and has been a mainstay of holiday classics ever since. Back in the day you had to wait a whole year until it came on. It was well worth it.
I always did feel awful the way Charlie Brown was treated by his friends, most especially Lucy who seemed to be the ringleader of instigation. There was clearly a point. Maybe it’s that even if you find yourself around a “Lucy” you can persevere and still be the best version of you. And Charlie Brown always enviably did.
Some lesser known facts about the show:
It was going to have a laugh track. Schulz walked out of the room at the suggestion. Needless to say, it didn’t happen.
Schulz had led the music decisions up to animator Bill Melendez who liked jazz. Schulz did not.
Melendez recorded himself barking and making sounds. He sped that up to make the Snoopy sound.
Charlie was difficult to animate while Snoopy was the easiest.
And now the part that brings me joy - anytime the characters break into unique, stylized dance moves:
Shermy (brown hair, green top) ZOMBIE - He walks in place with arms outstretched, giving a slight head bob
The Twins (brown hair, purple ensemble) FLOWER CHILD - A combo of Irish jig and some long forgotten hippie moves make the twins, named “3” and “4” a hit
Frieda (red hair, purple dress) THRILLER - raises hands up while shifting weight from left to right
Five (brown hair, golden colored shirt) MARIONETTE - a mix of shoulder shrug and heel-clicking, he’s the big brother to 3 and 4
Violet (dark bun with bangs, green dress) THE ARMPIT - She seems to be alternating putting her fist near her armpits as she shifts her weight
Linus (thin hair, blue blanket) VICTORY DANCE - He goes from right to left almost mimicking slalom skiing
Sally (blond hair, blue dress) MARCHING - She has turned marching with alternating arms into a dance
Looks like I’ll watch the DVD tonight. I can’t wait for the dance moves and I think I’ll join them. It always makes me smile.
The above dance descriptions are inspired by http://tophatsasquatch.com/charlie-brown-christmas-dances/
It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters. It’s whose around it.
— Charlie Brown
