Unpacking Peanuts

Special Episode: The Great Pumpkin - From the Vault

This episode was originally released on October 15, 2022.
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?
To download Joshua Stauffer's guide to all the strips in the animated special: https://bit.ly/3Fx84Td
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1990 Part 3 - If You Don’t Want to be Perfect, You’ve Come to the Right Place

Marcie is struggling with the pressure of being perfect, but there’s a place for everyone at the Brown house. Later, listener mail sparks a discussion on the humanity in the art of Bill Mauldin, and Charlie Brown’s new love life causes him to struggle financially!  Plus: It’s Superman!
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Listener Sarah Wilson sent us a link to the Up Front strips she found: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ynxhrj8mhu8nlablfiur9/Bill-Mauldin.zip?rlkey=mnp8d36n6k69odlwezk0ko42i&dl=0
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1990 Part 2 - The Ballad of Brownie Charles and Peggy Jean

Charlie Brown has a girlfriend! The arrival of Peggy Jean is turning things around for Good Ol’ Charlie Brown… but that’s no reason for him to be making obscene phone calls! Elsewhere in the strip, Sally asks the immortal question “Why would anyone want to say good night to the moon?” Plus: Anything is a map.
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.
 

1990 Part 1 - Home Again Finnegan

Charlie Brown’s family shares a tradition with Jimmy’s, but neither is gud at speling. A pencil sharpener inspires a run of the weirdest Peanuts strips of all time. Elsewhere, Sally contemplates the appropriateness of grandmas criticizing grandchildren, and at long last Snowsnakes are officially debunked. Plus: The dog is the lowest.
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

Season 9 Wrap-up - 1985-1989

The gang talks about all of the “new” Peanuts characters. How have they changed since they were introduced? Which ones have become icons and who has faded into inky newsprint afterthoughts? Then we take a trip to the mail box for some reader reactions and a lead on a fab pizza place. Plus: Which Peanuts character would you buy the rights to?
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1989 Part 3 - It’s Cute. It’s Sweet. It’s Funny.

Is it a case of mistaken identity, or is Snoopy an identity thief? Also, can Snoopy talk now?! Elsewhere in the strip, it’s a year of single panel tableaus, and whistling snowmen. And of course the 80’s couldn’t end without one last trip to the mall. Plus: Approachable Hats
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1989 Part 2 - Two Old Friends Sharing a Sandwich

Snoopy is off on an adventure with the foreign legion. Marcie is making Peppermint Patty jealous, Sally is writing more essays. And the guys can’t decide what word to emphasize in a word balloon. Plus: Well matched siblings
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1989 Part 1- I’m Very Fond of You Charles, But Stay Loose!

What did the future look like to cartoonists in 1989? Harold shares a fascinating look at what people were predicting for the future of syndicated cartoonists. How close did they get? We will find out! Meanwhile, Violet’s back. In pigtails no less! And poor Olaf wants to hurt himself! Plus: That’s What It’s All About!
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

Special Episode - What a Difference A Panel Makes - With Todd Webb

Cartoonist Todd Webb, creator of The Poet, is back and we are taking a close look at the biggest change in Peanuts history,… the dropping of the fourth panel! Plus: The truth about the attack of the Nancy Fans.
Attack of the Nancy Fans episode from 1986 Part 1
You can read The Poet every day at
https://toddbot.substack.com/
 
The Poet Volume One: 2020, containing the entire first year of the strip plus extra features can be ordered directly here:
https://www.toddbot.com/the-poet-volume-one-2020
(Volume Two is in the works now, for release around the holidays hopefully! And the newest pocket-sized The Poet collection “Today Is Your Life” will be debuting at the Small Press Expo September September 14–15!)
 
Order other The Poet books, merch, and more work of mine at 
https://www.toddbot.com
 
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.

1988 Part 3 - The Valley of the Dogs

Well, it’s that time again… the every 500-year reunion of all the beagles in the world. Also, Marcie is on a real high, Lydia and Linus continue their weird dance, and Snoopy is armed to the teeth… no license required. All this, and an epic shift on the good ol’ anger/happiness index.  Plus: What does the dog do when it catches the car?
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 Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.  
Thanks for listening.