Unpacking Peanuts

Latest Episodes:

1963 Part 2 - Why Don’t You Ever Call Me Cutie? Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Lucy finds out she is an “uncutie.” Snoopy needs to take it on the lam. And we meet a boy named “5.” Also, the guys discuss perhaps the most controversial strip in the Schulz canon and how it has been understood and misunderstood in the years since. Plus: Lot’s of fun at Finnegan’s Wake!

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1963 Part 1 - Oh No! We’re Aware of Our Tongues! Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Peanuts soars from strength to strength in another year of classics. Linus teaches us all a thing or two about empathy when his “Blanket Hating” Grandma comes to town, and later he develops a whole new philosophy. Elsewhere, Snoopy gets fat shamed, and Charles Schulz brings ever more depth to our hero Charlie Brown. Plus: Hooray for Aunt Marion!

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

Bonus Episode - It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Oct 15, 2022

Show notes

Spooky Season is upon us, and Harold, Michael, and Jimmy are taking a special episode long look at the Great Pumpkin, both in the strip and the animated special. They highlight the themes and origins of the idea and how it’s become a lasting part of pop culture. Then they go strip by strip through all the gags that made it into the classic TV special, and even take calls from listeners! Plus: What the heck is Graphic Blandishment?
Sign up to download Joshua Stauffer's guide to all the Peanuts comic strips featured in the animated holiday special It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. https://bit.ly/3Cyt1vd

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1962 Part 2 - Charles Schulz Sees You Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

The guys discuss the profound way in which Schulz engages and honors his readers on their own terms. Meanwhile, in the strip, Linus is patting birds on the head, Sally can’t deal with kindergarten, and Lucy sets an all time record for crabbiness! Plus: Snoopy will do anything to prove a point.

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1962 Part 1 - Schroeder’s Big Break Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Schulz continues to explore longer stories and more subtle emotions, as Linus (briefly) gets glasses, Lucy and Schroeder bicker, and Snoopy experiences a winter of loss. Luckily, it doesn’t affect his appetite. Plus: It’s time for an episode of Polka Pod!

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

Special Episode - Duncan Watson and Melanie Kohn - Voices of Charlie Brown and Lucy Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

It’s a special day for Unpacking Peanuts. Charlie Brown and Lucy are here! We welcome voice actors Melanie Kohn and Duncan Watson to the show. They discuss their time spent as Peanuts’ star players, how they got the gigs, and what it’s been like reconnecting with Peanuts fans in recent years. We even get them to reprise their old roles as we discuss their favorite strips! Plus: Keene is nifty!

For information about Melanie and Duncan’s appearances follow @melaniejkohn on Facebook

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1961 Part 2 - Lunchtime With the Little Red Haired Girl Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

The most famous character never drawn (the movies don’t count, you blockhead!) makes her first non-appearance, and it’s a heartbreaker. Then Schulz writes a few anti-hallmark cards, and three goofballs openly ridicule certified genius Windsor McCay! Plus: Punchlines that punch you.

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1961 Part 1 - It’s Run By a Big Eastern Syndicate, You Know Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

The character of Charlie Brown is deepening as Schulz explores more subtle shades of emotion. Meanwhile, in the Van Pelt household tempers are wearing thin, and in Chicago It’s full on gang warfare as Harold gives us a detailed explanation of just how the syndicated comics game worked back in the wild early days. Plus: Harold and Jimmy try (and fail) to think of the word “avatar.”

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1960 Part 2 - Do You Believe in Charles Schulz? Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Jimmy expands on his theory of how Charles Schulz is a character in Peanuts. Michael talks to leaves, and Harold gets his first comic book! Plus: Liz Phair, and Alan Moore, and Mort Sahl, and Gertrude Stein

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

1960 Part 1 - Happiness is a Warm Puppy Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

It’s the Swinging Sixties, and Linus wants to be all love! But Lucy might have a nefarious plan to thwart him. Meanwhile, Snoopy endures the Icicle of Damocles, while in the real world Schulz meets Hallmark to deliver some warm feelings. Plus: Hate at a Different Angle and a shout out to Librarians.

Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.

For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Twitter. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.

Thanks for listening.

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