
Your Hosts
Your hosts for Unpacking Peanuts are Jimmy Gownley, the cartoonist behind Amelia Rules, The Dumbest Idea Ever, and Seven Good Reasons Not To Grow Up; Michael Cohen, cartoonist behind A Gathering of Spells, Tangled River and Strange Attractors as well as composer for the band Complicated People, and this podcast; and Harold Buchholz, executive producer and writer of Mystery Science Theater 3000, former vice-president of Archie comics and cartoonist behind the Instagram strip Sweetest Beasts. Unpacking Peanuts is produced and edited by Liz Sumner.
Episodes

Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
The photocopier makes it’s exciting first appearance in Peanuts! The guys get deep into the discussion of how different readers perceive the art of comics. Michael has a great idea for a Peanuts spinoff strip, and Jimmy gives a complete listing of all the towns in Pennsylvania. Plus: Dick Ayers and Joe Kubert
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.
Chuck Klosterman essay - Writing About Charlie Brown Feels Like Writing About Myself - https://lithub.com/writing-about-charlie-brown-feels-like-writing-about-myselfPlaylist of Michael Cohen's songs used in Unpacking Peanutshttps://lizsumner.bandcamp.com/album/unpacking-peanuts-theme-music-volume-1

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
44 years into his career and Schulz is still breaking new creative ground as a cartoonist. The gang discusses some of the formal innovations Schulz has made, react to a bunch of great strips, and then answer a Sopwith camel’s worth of listener mail. Plus: Kato Kaelin
Graphic Novels recommended:Michael: Finder by Carla Speed McNeilHarold: The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy GownleyLiz: Fun Home - A Family Tragicomic by Alison BechdelJimmy: Death of Speedy by Jaime Hernandez
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Lucy diversifies her revenue streams. Lydia needs some love letters. Woodstock gets violent. Snoopy goes to the hospital. And Jimmy turns 22. Plus: Spike, and Andy, and Olaf, and Krypto.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Schulz is revisiting some old scenarios and branching out in new directions. Linus’s snowmen are back, Marcie is desperately attempting to understand football, and the guys touch up John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Plus: Sweet Smug Snoopy
In this episode Michael praises The River at Night by Kevin Huizenga.
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
A classic of the nineties is discussed, and we learn Schroeder is still the most highbrow catcher going. Roy Hobbs’ Great Granddaughter is revealed because… sure, why not? But know this, Sally is not going to camp. Plus: Streaks of Glory
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Tuesday Jan 07, 2025
Sally has to butter her toast with chunky butter. Snoopy is attending school with Charlie Brown, and even the local mailbox is rejecting Chuck now. Also, Michael shares the story of the first ever comic book price guide. Plus: Cheesy teeth
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
As much a part of the holidays as Rudolph and mistletoe, the legendary first Peanuts special has lived in the hearts of millions since its debut in 1965. In this special episode Jimmy, Harold, and Michael examine the strips that were adapted for the show, discuss the story behind the production, and relay their own experiences with viewing… or not viewing… the classic program. Plus: More graphics get blandished!
This episode was originally released December 13, 2022
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.
Links to articles mentioned in the episode are available at unpackingpeanuts.com/obscurities

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
The gang takes a look at the strips and sequences that inspired the second Peanuts Christmas Special. Strips from the 70’s to the early nineties are covered making this a great overview of the second half of the Peanuts comic. Plus: George quits the band.
Many thanks to tarvinneeko mainitakaan on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@tarvinneekomainitakaan
Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com
Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. 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.

Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Cormac makes his well coiffed debut appearance and brings a bit of 90’s swagger to the strip. But will he be foiled by the Good Ol’ Flying Ace? Also, we learn that Loni Anderson played Blondie, and the strip was pretty good too. Plus: Hippi, Modi, and Go Go!
Protons and Fleurons: Twenty-Two Elements of Fiction by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is available at https://thornbushpress.com/product/protons-and-fleurons-twenty-two-elements-of-fiction/
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.

Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Tuesday Dec 03, 2024
Lucy is the laughingstock of the neighborhood because Linus is patting birds on the head again. And that’s not the only throwback, because Violet makes another brief return, as does the Davy Crockett cap. On the other hand, Schulz is experimenting with Zipatone and it’s giving Peanuts a little of that good ol’ 90’s grunge. Plus: Puffer Jacket Snoopy
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.