Unpacking Peanuts
The show where three cartoonists take an in-depth look at the greatest comic strip of all time-- Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.
Listen on:
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 May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
It's a brand new decade, and things are getting weird. Is Snoopy the Head Beagle, or just a funny looking kid with a big nose? Well this year, he’s both, which Jimmy loves but makes Michael’s head hurt! Elsewhere, Peppermint Patty is being hassled about the school dress code, and Charlie Brown fears he is the goat… but it’s ok, ‘cuz we know he’s really the GOAT! Plus: Wacky Packages and Hockey Cards.
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, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Friday May 05, 2023
Friday May 05, 2023
Here's a short teaser for Unpacking Peanuts, the show where 3 lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Each week, Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Plus special guests and bonuses.
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, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
It’s a very special day at Unpacking Peanuts, as the guys welcome comedian, actor, writer, and creator of the legendary Mystery Science Theater 3000… Joel Hodgson! We discuss Joel’s career, his early desire to be a cartoonist, his and Schulz’s shared Minnesota roots, and then dive into Joel’s favorite Peanuts strips.
MST3K can be seen on gizmoplex.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 Twitter, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
We say so long to the Swinging 60’s, and set the stage for the Sunny 70’s as Jimmy, Michael and Harold look back on what is probably the greatest decade of work by any cartoonist ever.
Then, special guests Marcia Hepps and Gay Merwin join Liz and the guys to talk about one of the first-ever amateur productions of You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and tell of composer Clark Gesner’s rave review. Plus: Our mission going forward!
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, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Lucy’s year continues, and apparently even God is a fan! But all is not rosy, cuz the Little Red Haired Girl is moving away! Will Charlie Brown finally say hello? Will Sally survive school? And how did Lucy get Babe Ruth’s glove? Don’t ask. Plus: A perfect day for banana fish… or just a pretty good day for goop?
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, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
It may be Lucy’s Year, but Schulz is raising the stakes and going to extremes… and maybe feeling a bit nostalgic for good ol’ Minnesota… as winter sports are everywhere in the strip. Meanwhile… Sally is living in fear, Linus is getting involved, and Snoopy is going to the moon. Plus: The final Shermometer!
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, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.
Thanks for listening.
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
The world is changing, and Charles Schulz is changing with it. As America struggles (once again) with racial divide, Schulz integrates Peanuts. Elsewhere, Snoopy goes on a quest to meet the mysterious “Lila”, Linus learns what art is, and Peppermint Patty continues to keep it real. Plus: How come no one sings “Chloe” anymore?
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.
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
What makes a bird a Woodstock? Well, someone must know, because even stupid questions have answers! We watch as the classic character slowly comes into focus, and marvel as Schulz remains firmly in the center of a changing zeitgeist. Then Michael takes us on a quick tour of Muscle Beach, and Snoopy kicks everyone’s butt in a sequence Jimmy believes reflects perfect management style. Plus: A square who doesn’t care, is no square at all.
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.
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Good Grief, we made it a year! Join us as we pat ourselves on the back, talk about our other influences as cartoonists, and… oh yeah! Talk about Peanuts! It’s been a wonderful year, so please enjoy this bonus episode as a thank you from us to you. Plus: Jimmy makes a true confession that will rock the Unpacking Peanuts Universe to its core!
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.
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
It's the Summer of Love, and we discuss the real world inspiration for the Little Red Haired Girl. Meanwhile, Schulz continues to fine tune the characters in both design and personality, as he fills out the year with a mix of long sequences (The Burning of the Blanket) and sharp one offs (Bird Hippie!). Plus: What is “Peak Forehead?”
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.