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Charlie Brown

Some notes:

*It's airing the day BEFORE Thanksgiving. And, weirdly, the famous Christmas special will be very early in December. (Check ABC listings.)

*"Thanksgiving" was the third holiday-themed special; "Christmas" came first, then, pretty quickly afterward, the "Great Pumpkin" saga happened. A gap of a few years separates "Pumpkin" from "Thanksgiving." The voice actors have changed. Oddly, vocal music is prominent in "Christmas," disappears from "Pumpkin," and resurfaces in "Thanksgiving." ("Little Birdie," "Over the River....")

*Critical responses to "Thanksgiving" did not match the effusiveness that followed "Pumpkin" and "Christmas"--though I think "Thanksgiving" is my husband's favorite. A main theme--Charlie's askew nature, as established by his screwy Halloween costume and his tiny fir tree--is carried forward: Charlie serves buttered toast for Thanksgiving.

*A highlight--for me--is the football scene. Lucy seduces Charlie: "The Thanksgiving kick-off is a major tradition, and it's a great honor for you to participate right now; I would never toy with you on Thanksgiving." Charlie--a fool--feels puffed up, and he drinks the Kool-Aid: "Lucy wouldn't bully me on a major holiday." After being humiliated, Charlie sits quietly. And Lucy has a nonsensical send-off: "Isn't it strange how some traditions slowly fade?"

*The moral seems to be: Certain people are consumed by bitterness, and it's likely they will infect you, whether you try to stay away or not. (And surely Charlie could try a bit harder.) Is there a silver lining? Well, sure: You can use your experience and make art.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving.....
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