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Charles Schulz’s widow discusses ‘Peanuts,’ characters

By Neal Justin, Star Tribune
Published: July 4, 2021, 6:00am
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Charlie Brown and Linus of "Peanuts." A new special, "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?" premieres Friday on Apple TV Plus.
Charlie Brown and Linus of "Peanuts." A new special, "Who Are You, Charlie Brown?" premieres Friday on Apple TV Plus. (Apple TV Plus/TNS) Photo Gallery

In “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?,” our hero panics when the teacher assigns him to write a personal essay.

“I’m nobody special,” he moans as he watches a solitary leaf flutter away from a bare branch.

That lament couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Peanuts” is one of the most beloved comic strips in history, thanks to the insightful wit of its creator, Charles M. Schulz. He died on Feb. 12, 2000, the day before his final strip appeared in newspapers worldwide.

The new special streaming Friday Apple TV+, joins “The Snoopy Show” and “Snoopy in Space” as fresh attempts to introduce the gang to a new generation of youngsters. But it’s also a biography of the cartoonist that will delight grown-ups, with such celebrities as Al Roker and Drew Barrymore sharing treasured memories.

Jean Schulz, 81, who refers to her late husband as “Sparky,” spoke about the enduring nature of “Peanuts” from her home in Santa Rosa, Calif., where she is president of the board of directors for the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

At the museum, you get a chance to see youngsters reacting to the characters. What are they getting out of them?

Snoopy’s funny. Anyone can enjoy his antics. But children also understand the frustrations and arguments the characters have at home. When Snoopy is banging on the door with a dog dish in his mouth, demanding to be fed, every kid can relate to that.

Do you have a favorite character, one you relate to the most?

I’m not a big favorites person. I used to call Sparky my sweet babboo. When he started using it for Sally as her way to torment Linus, I had to stop saying it. I did come to realize that I’m more like Sally than I thought, a little ditzy and railing at things I don’t like going on in the world.

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