THE PEANUTS GANG RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH CHARLES SCHULZ' ANIMATED SPECIAL, "HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHARLIE BROWN," AIRING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

The ABC Television Network and the PEANUTS gang will ring in the new year with the half-hour animated PEANUTS special, "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing with Spanish audio via SAP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

PEANUTS focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

In "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown," the PEANUTS gang is ringing in 1986 and Marcie and Peppermint Patty are throwing a big New Year's Eve bash. Charlie Brown plans to celebrate the holiday by curling up with a big book that weighs nearly as much as he does: Tolstoy's War and Peace. The book's weight doesn't stop him from lugging it to Lucy's pre-party dance class, where he cuts a mean rug with a rollicking Patty. With just 1131 pages to go, Charlie Brown takes another break, this time for the party, and summons the courage to invite his true love, the little red-haired girl. She doesn't respond, but hapless Chuck shows up anyway � with Tolstoy in tow. Then he settles down with the book � on a porch swing in a snowstorm, and in so doing, misses the evening's big surprise.

The cast includes Chad Allen as Charlie Brown, Melissa Guzzi as Lucy, Jeremy Miller as Linus, Kristi Baker as Peppermint Patty, Elizabeth Lyn Fraser as Sally, Aron Mandelbaum as Schroeder and Jason Mendelson as Marcie.

The special was executive produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer. It was directed by Bill Melendez and Sam Jaimes. The music is by Desiree Goyette and Ed Bogas.

This program will air with Spanish audio via SAP. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.