When was Charlie Brown’s All-Stars planned?

I had been laboring under the working assumption that the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas was planned as a one-off, with people willing to do more specials if it was a success, but with that seeming unlikely to most involved. In his book A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition, producer Lee Mendelson notes that after viewing the special the week before it aired, network suits specifically told him that they wouldn’t be ordering any more. It creates the sense that Charlie Brown’s All-Stars was produced on only slightly less rushed a schedule than A Charlie Brown Christmas, being set in motion after that show’s huge and unexpected success.

Then I stumble across this UPI story which ran a few days before that fateful airing, in which Schulz was already saying “we’re doing a second show for June or July on baseball, and if the first two are a success we may have to come up with another for Halloween with Linus and the Great Pumpkin.”

(Got to love that headline:

‘Peanuts’ And His Pals In Christmas TV Special

That Peanuts; he’s my favorite character!)

Animated Peanuts
New Peanuts feature film on the way

Apple, who have been producing Peanuts series and specials in plentitude, have announced that they, Wildbrain, and Peanuts Worldwide are working together on a new Peanuts feature-length film, the Hollywood Reporter notes. If you liked the last feature film, then this should be very good news. They’re using a story …

Animated Peanuts
Beagle Scout missions

Those of you who have never been to the San Diego Comic-Con (or who haven’t been in a the past couple decades) may not realize that the event goes well beyond the convention center. For blocks around, there are pop-up shops in unused storefronts, studios creating fan “experiences” in parking …

Animated Peanuts
Bulk book

What do I have to say about the new board book edition of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I mean, the reading experience of being told “and that happens at every door. All the other kids get wonderful treats like candy, gum, and popcorn balls … and Charlie Brown …