ABC TELEVISION NETWORK CELEBRATES HOLIDAY TRADITIONS WITH THE
ANIMATED CLASSIC, "A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS," MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
The ABC Television Network will celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, airing MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET/PT; OAD on ABC: 11/28/06). In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.
On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Who would have guessed the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. PEANUTS animated specials have become a seasonal tradition and thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder's piano are images to which everyone can relate. Such phrases as "Security Blanket" and "Good Grief" have become a part of the global vernacular. Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez's association with Charles Schulz stretches back to 1965 with "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which debuted on CBS in 1965 with Mendelson as executive producer and Bill Melendez as animator and director. The three men continued their long-term association until Schulz's death, working together on 50 PEANUTS network specials and four feature films. The network specials won five Emmys, two Peabodys and 18 other Emmy nominations.
The cast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" includes Peter Robbins ("Charlie Brown"), Christopher Shea as ("Linus"), Tracy Stratford ("Lucy"), Chris Doran ("Schroeder") and Sally Dryer ("Violet"). The special was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.
Iconix Brand Group in a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates has formed PEANUTS Worldwide, a new home to the global PEANUTS property. The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S�, BONGO�, BADGLEY MISCHKA�, JOE BOXER�, RAMPAGE�, MUDD�, LONDON FOG�, MOSSIMO�, OCEAN PACIFIC�, DANSKIN�, ROCA WEAR�, CANNON�, ROYAL VELVET�, FIELDCREST�, CHARISMA�, STARTER� and WAVERLY (R). In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY�, ECKO�, MARC ECKO�, ZOO YORK�, MATERIAL GIRL� and PEANUTS� brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.
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