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The Film That Drove Audrey Hepburn Away From Hollywood(Photo Credit –Prime Video)

In 1953, a young woman with delicate features and an unreadable smile stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome, and with that, she marked her way into cinematic history. William Wyler’s Roman Holiday was not just Audrey Hepburn’s big break but a coronation. Unlike most actresses of Hollywood’s golden era, she was not loud and never begged to be noticed. Even after that, from the very first frame in front of the camera, Audrey proved that she belonged in the industry for years to come.

She was never the kind who chased fame down studio hallways or stayed up rehearsing acceptance speeches in her head. Audrey moved through the world like she was part of another era altogether. She was distant, poised, and of course, a little mysterious, and subsequently, Hollywood couldn’t look away.

Jeff Daniels In Dumb And Dumber(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Jeff Daniels bet it all on a toilet. And somehow, that gamble helped flush Dumb and Dumber into comedy gold. While Jim Carrey was riding the Ace Ventura wave and pocketing $7 million for the 1994 buddy comedy, Daniels walked away with just $50 K. Yup, fifty thousand, less than one percent of what Carrey earned. The studio lowballed him, assuming he’d pass. He didn’t. And that decision nearly scared everyone off, including his agents. Daniels recalled during an interview with The Rich Eisen Show in 2021, “This is not the direction you need to be going,” they warned, trying to yank him off the movie.

But Jeff Daniels doubled down. He wanted to shift gears from drama to full-blown comedy. That toilet scene? The one where Harry Dunne goes nuclear in Mary Swanson’s bathroom wasn’t just a laugh gag. It was career roulette.

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles is rolling out one of its most immersive events to date: the DC Heroes and Villains Fest, running from June 20 through July 26. Set in the park’s DC Universe area, the event transforms guests into citizens of Gotham City and pulls them into a live-action storyline starring Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman. Six Flags is a franchise of amusement parks with over 40 locations throughout America (except the entire Northwest region). The flagship location is Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, home to multiple roller coasters like the Twisted Colossus, Tatsu, Goliath, Full Throttle and X2. Six Flags also features appearances from costumed licensed characters like DC Heroes, Looney Tunes and Peanuts. Wait, did Knott’s Berry Farm lose Peanuts? Speaking of corporate buyouts, Warner Bros used to own Six Flags outright, until they sold off the parks years ago. Despite this,...

“Long Story Short” cuts to the point. Coming from “BoJack Horseman” creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, it’s without the parody dressing “BoJack Horseman” presents, instead getting closer to the heart of human conflict and comedy.

Screening at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival this week, the first episode of the “BoJack” creator’s latest animated Netflix series sees Avi (Ben Feldman) bring his new girlfriend Jennifer (Abbi Jacobson) to meet his family ahead of his little brother Yoshi’s (Max Greenfield) Bat Mitzvah. It drowns you in overlapping dialogue, religious anxiety, and eccentric family members, immediately distancing itself from Waksberg’s past work. The series then follows the Jewish family through the years, their hopes, and disappointments.

“I was thinking about family, time, and identity,” Waksberg told IndieWire at Annecy. “In the writers room, I wrote those up on a board, like this is what the show is about. More specifically,...

The final installments of "Stranger Things" are set to hit Netflix in three different episode drops later this year, marking an end to a nearly decade-long saga that transformed the lives of all of its young stars. Fans of the show have seen its child cast grow up in front of our eyes, and at this point, rewatching season 1 feels a bit like stepping into a time machine -- to both the '80s and the 2010s.

While season 1's wide-eyed Millie Bobby Brown-Bongiovi, high-pitched Caleb McLaughlin, and baby-faced Gaten Matarazzo have been the subject of countless "before and after" photo comparisons along with their fellow kid cast members, several "Stranger Things" stars actually got their Hollywood starts before being cast in the massive Netflix series. Finn Wolfhard was in an episode of "Supernatural," Sadie Sink popped up in "The Americans," and Noah Schnapp even voiced Charlie Brown in the 2015 Peanuts movie.

Better Call Saul, the spin-off of Breaking Bad, is one of the rare examples of good spin-off content. I could not even imagine that the show would be so exceptional in recreating the complex layers and serious tonality that made Breaking Bad a masterpiece. Interestingly, this was not the only expansion of the Breaking Bad universe.

I cannot comprehend how, but AMC also thought about exploring Jimmy McGill’s childhood through an animated spin-off titled Slippin’ Jimmy. Many fans probably do not even know about the show, but I do not blame them, as it should not have even existed in the first place.

Slippin’ Jimmy almost ruined the signature essence of the Breaking Bad universe A still from Slippin’ Jimmy | Credits: AMC+

After watching the quality of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, hardly any fan can imagine a bad addition to this TV universe. But surprisingly, AMC pulled...

Fans of the cartoon classic Tom and Jerry will be excited to hear that its official Cartoon Network anime series adaptation is finally coming to streaming for international fans after nearly three years of being exclusive to Japanese viewers.

Warner Bros. (WB) Kids recently posted the trailer for the upcoming release, titled Tom & Jerry Gokko, stating, it's your favorite cartoon cat and mouse as you've never seen them before! Tom and Jerry Gokko is coming soon to YouTube!" The anime series is an adaptation of the classic 1970s cartoon Tom & Jerry, putting a cute (and much more affectionate) spin on the adventures of everyone’s favorite cat and mouse. An official streaming date has not yet been announced. The official trailer can be viewed below.

Tom & Jerry's Official Anime Streams for International Fans

Tom & JerryGokko first appeared in 2022 on Cartoon Network as a Warner Bros. Japan production,...

Sterling K. Brown will be back on Hulu this summer, but not in Paradise.

Washington Black, an adventure event series co-starring and executive-produced by the Paradise and This Is Us actor, will premiere Wednesday, July 23 on the streamer, Entertainment Weekly reports.

More from TVLineFamily Law Season 4 Set for Summer Premiere on The CW - Get DetailsEvery New Scripted Show Confirmed to Premiere in 2025 - Save the Dates!A Handmaid's Tale Casualty Breaks Down the 'Slightly Telepathic' Moment Right Before [Spoiler]'s Death

Adapted from Esi Edugyan’s bestselling novel, the nine-episode Washington Black follows the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington...

Who decides what’s best for a child? In “Adam’s Sake,” a scrawny 4-year-old boy is admitted to the pediatric ward with a broken arm, which the doctors attribute to malnutrition. A social worker is called, and Adam’s mother — who’s hardly more than a child herself — is forbidden access to her son while hospital staff try to nurse him back to health. But Adam refuses to eat unless his mother is present, fighting against the feeding tubes the doctors have ordered.

All that is backstory that we piece together on the trot during the opening minutes of Belgian director Laura Wandel’s emotionally wrenching whirlwind, which is bolstered by a pair of terrific performances from Léa Drucker as Lucy, the pediatric department’s head nurse, and “Happening” star Anamaria Vartolomei as Adam’s mom, Rebecca — to say nothing of soulful newcomer Jules Delsart, the remarkable young actor who plays Adam.

Everyone loves the classic comic strip Peanuts, and that includes the world's newest Pope! It's only been a week since the world has been introduced to the newest leader of the Catholic Church and everyone is eager to know more about him. As it turns out, he's a fan of Charles Schulz's greatest creations, Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

On May 8th, just weeks after the death of Pope Francis, the Sacred College of Cardinals convened to elect Robert Francis Prevost as the the next head of the Catholic Church. In the days that followed, people began looking into Prevost’s social media accounts to get a sense of what the new Pope was really like. As it turns out, Pope Leo Xiv, as he’s now known, is a big Peanuts fan.

In 2020, Pope Leo Xiv retweeted on X (then Twitter) which showcased Snoopy and Charlie Brown discussing the...

According to a report published today in The Information, Apple TV+, the media streaming service created by the tech giant in 2019, is posting an annual $1 billion loss. While streamer start-ups are expected to struggle at first as they build up their subscriber base and original programming library, they should be headed toward something approaching profitability six years in. For instance, Comcast's Peacock, which launched in 2020, went from losing $2.5 billion in 2022 to $372 million in 2024. That's still a load of red ink, but at least they're losing money in the right direction.

So why is Apple TV+ still hemorrhaging so much cash despite being home to such popular and/or celebrated series as "Severance," "Ted Lasso," "The Morning Show," and "Shrinking?" And why isn't Apple freaking out over it?

It's a bit of a mystery, actually, and it should be a sad commentary on the state of the entertainment industry that...

There's a fantastic scene in Jazzy where the burgeoning adolescent protagonists discuss never wanting to grow up. You'll have to find a job, work hard, and impress your boss, or get fired, then have no money, and end up homeless. What's fun about that? The girls already understand that childhood is fleeting. Every moment of wondrous youth must be treasured. This is the simple and straightforward plot of an endearing film told with a dreamlike quality. Your heart will swell as life unfolds as it should, with friendship, love, and dawning maturity.

Filmmaker Morrisa Maltz (The Unknown Country) spent six years documenting the childhood of her goddaughter, Jasmine Bearkiller Shangreaux (affectionately nicknamed Jazzy), and her best friend, Syriah Foohead Means, in South Dakota's Oglala Lakota County, home of the Pine Ridge reservation. The story told is mostly fictional, but could easily have taken place anywhere in America. The girls, their family,...

When it comes to representation in media, Christmas is almost certainly the most popular holiday of them all. Christmas is at the center of countless films and television specials across nearly every genre, not to mention mediums. From fan-favorites like Peanuts to anime like Sailor Moon, every IP got into the Christmas spirit at one point or another.

There is still a wide gulf between the number of Christmas-themed productions created in American and Japanese studios. This is to say nothing of the stylistic differences between the two, some of which rarely, if ever, overlap. Then again, on those special occasions when they do, what becomes of their pairing stands out as truly unforgettable, and there simply aren't any so memorable as Sanrio's very own stop-motion Nutcracker Fantasy.

RelatedTokyo Godfathers Should Be An Anime Fan's Christmas Tradition

Tokyo Godfathers is an amazing Christmas film that should be part of every anime fan's Christmas lineup.

Quick Links The Far Side Has Been Adapted For the Screen Only Two Times Tales From The Far Side II Is More In Line With The Comic Strips Tales From the Far Side II Was Never Broadcast On American Television

For almost 40 years, Gary Larson's The Far Side comic strip has left an undeniable impact on the zeitgeist. It not only continues to bring laughter to millions of readers, but its single-panel format and sense of humor have also changed the art form of comics altogether. Larson's art style and comedy are easily recognized by people all around the world, but perhaps not so surprisingly, unlike many of the other major comic strips with more easily marketable characters, The Far Side hasn't seen its way onto merchandising all too much. It's not the sort of property that could easily be made into toys, and it's only been adapted...

Since 2016, the young cast members of Netflix's Stranger Things have impressed audiences with their heartfelt performances, which means there is no excuse for overlooking the actors' other amazing projects. Over the course of nearly ten years, the Duffer Brothers have crafted four (going on five) seasons of their sci-fi TV series, Stranger Things. Along with the 1980s nostalgia and thrillingly dark plot, the show is a success because of Stranger Things' talented ensemble cast. From icons like Winona Ryder to newcomers like Millie Bobby Brown, the show offers something for everyone.

Generally, the cast of Stranger Things is split up into two parts: the adult cast and the young cast. Stranger Things' young cast includes Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, and Sadie Sink as Max. There is also Joe Keery as Steve, Natalia Dyer as Nancy,...

Quick Links This Is America, Charlie Brown Was a Unique Concept This Is America, Charlie Brown Introduced Adults The Peanuts Franchise Learned From This Is America, Charlie Brown

Most depictions of the Peanuts franchise focus on a few key notes. Charlie Brown and Snoopy appear other gang members take part in a beloved running gag, and a holiday or two is usually involved. In the comic strip, they often have adventures in the snow, suffer in their classrooms, or play baseball while rain pours down from above. While creator Charles M. Schulz was a genius cartoonist, 50 years of working on the same strip meant that he always needed to remain able to fall back on what worked. Character dynamics and continued gags were at the root of that.

Yet, while Peanuts had a proven formula, there were times when the strip and its specials diverged from expectations. For instance, The Peanuts Movie...

Snoopy is famously Charlie Brown’s dog in Peanuts continuity, and for the entirety of their relationship, Charlie Brown was under the impression that he and Snoopy were best friends. However, after re-reading some Peanuts comic strips, I’ve had a startling realization: Snoopy doesn’t even know Charlie Brown’s name. Snoopy knows Charlie Brown is responsible for feeding and taking care of him, but that seems to be about as far as their relationship goes (from Snoopy’s perspective) - and honestly, this is the most ‘Charlie Brown’ thing to ever happen to Charlie Brown in Peanuts.

Proof that Snoopy doesn’t actually know Charlie Brown’s name isn’t only found in a single story arc or even in just a one-month-crop of Peanuts comics, but throughout the entire comic strip series. Rather than referring to Charlie Brown by his actual name, Snoopy simply calls him “The...

The Far Side has made a name for itself as one of the best comic strips of all time, as its humor is smart and witty (with just the right amount of absurdity) and its artwork is unique and visually comical. Not only that, but The Far Side stands out from other popular comic strips for a number of reasons. For one thing, it’s not a comic ‘strip’ at all; it’s a single-panel comic. And for another, The Far Side doesn’t feature a main character or any semblance of long-form continuity.

The things that make The Far Side stand out are what make it so popular, especially the fact that it changes its characters with every passing comic. That difference from other iconic comic strips is how The Far Side is able to feature some truly wacky subjects, like animals, aliens, trees, bugs, trains, cowboys, and even God Himself.

Peanuts' ongoing appeal has no end in sight, with Charles Schulz' comics continuing to bring joy to all who read them. Charlie Brown and his friends' wacky misadventures are a delight to read and remain as fresh as ever to readers of all ages, even though decades have passed since their original publication.

Underrated characters and fan-favorites alike get their time in the spotlight throughout this selection of comic strips from December 1954. Charlie Brown's antics are sure to bring a smile to any reader's face as he braves bullying from his peers, manipulates Santa Claus, and endures Pig-Pen's nasty odor. Here are 10 Peanuts comics that just turned 70, but are still as funny now as they were back in the day.

Charlotte Braun Denies Her Connection to Charlie Brown First Published: December 1st, 1954

In this first strip, Violet meets Charlotte Braun and notices that her name resembles Charlie Brown's. She asks if they're related,...

Charles Schulz' Peanuts is considered timeless for a reason, and that's because of how relatable it continues to be despite the passage of time. Children continue to see themselves in characters like Charlie Brown and Lucy, and adults also look back and recall past events through these strips - even those that make them cringe in hindsight. Schulz also depicts adult experiences through his childlike narrative lens, contributing to the eternal relevance of Peanuts.

From Charlie Brown procrastinating in school to Snoopy attempting to shovel snow to no avail, Peanuts presents a number of hilarious scenes that all readers - young, old, and everything in-between - can resonate with in some capacity. Decades after their initial release, these 10 Peanuts comics from December 1964 depict experiences that still hit a little too close to home.

Lucy Faces Karmic Retribution For Her Football Prank First Published: December 2nd, 1964

One of Peanuts' most...

Often called "comics' original orange cat," Heathcliff is the surreal alternative to Garfield, routinely breaking with reality to deliver cerebral and strange jokes that have the ability to take even the most savvy readers by surprise. In publication for over forty years now, Heathcliff has grown steadily more unhinged as time has gone on – to the benefit of generations of readers.

Heathcliff is beloved by those who know the comic, but the strip arguably doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves. First published in 1973, at a time when Peanuts was at its peak, and Doonesbury was doing Pulitzer-prize winning work, Heathcliff was created and illustrated by George Gately until 1998; since then, it has been the product of his nephew Peter Gallagher.

While Heathcliff was always odd, it has become especially weird in the Gallagher years, which have grown increasingly absurd, keeping pace with the increasingly surreal style of internet humor.

Adults in Peanuts are mysterious, they are hardly ever seen or even heard from, with usually their existence implied but never outright obvious or front and center. However, all rules have exceptions, the case in point being the select few Peanuts comics trips that have featured adults. It may just be the hand of an adult or a full scale appearance from one main character's parents, but adults have made appearances in Peanuts, albeit varied in the kind of appearance they make.

While many characters have come and gone from Peanuts in the 50 years the comic strip was publishing new comics, adults were few and far between. Consequently, the comics that did star adults were a momentous occasion that fans of the series could not miss.

"We're Too Late" December 19, 1999

Snoopy and Woodstock take a trek across the snowy landscape dressed in American Revolutionary era garb as they see the ship sailing away,...

New Year's Day will be a great time to revisit a beloved Peanuts classic. Originally released in 1977, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown is resurfacing on a new streaming home at the start of the new year.

On Jan. 1, Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown will be made available to stream on Paramount+. For subscribers of the Paramount+ service, this will allow anyone who hasn't seen the classic animated film to finally give it a chance. As this story is not tied to a specific holiday, unlike many Peanuts specials, it tends to be overlooked in favor of specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas getting watched annually by fans. As a quality animated film, the 1977 movie may get a chance to shine again on its own by getting a new streaming home.

Related 59 Years Later, A Charlie Brown Christmas Is Still Heartwarmingly Relevant

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a timeless...

The trailer for James Gunn’s Superman has been met with a tidal wave of positive feedback, with fans praising everything from the film’s overall aesthetic to the brief glimpses of other Justice League heroes. However, it’s the humorous scene between the Man of Steel and his loyal companion, Krypto the Superdog, that has truly captured fans’ hearts, sparking widespread discussions and a surge of fan art.

The trailer scene between Superman and Krypto shows a bloodied and bruised Man of Steel crash-landing face-first into an Arctic snowcap, before letting out a sharp whistle. Moments later, a plume of snow reveals his ever-loyal companion, Krypto, bounding to the rescue. Barely able to move, Superman lifts his cape and mutters for Krypto to "take [him] home."

Bless you too @noobde, It's an honor to get words like this from someone who inspires me in my career..

The Christmas season has no shortage of classic specials in which audiences can indulge. From Frosty the Snowman to How the Grinch Stole Christmas, there’s a jolly entry that can warm the heart of even the coldest Scrooge. Perhaps no special does this better than A Charlie Brown Christmas. From its memorable characters to its beautiful themes, it’s not only one of the best entries in the Peanuts franchise; it’s one of the finest holiday movies ever made. Despite being a joyous tradition, though, bringing Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) and his friends to the screen was not an easy task.

A running Peanuts gag, Sally receiving help with her homework from her favorite big brother Charlie Brown, has had many comic strips throughout the duration of the comics. It was and is incredibly common for older siblings to help their younger siblings with their homework, making the comic strips of Charlie Brown and Sally endlessly relatable.

That said, Sally is not always the most receptive or grateful for his help. Likewise, Sally tends to make some unique mistakes that are totally in line with Sally and her personality. As a result, the running gag in Peanuts of Sally misunderstanding a lot of things stays strong in the homework comic strips as well, with her always having her own view of things that do not align with reality too much.

"Ha!" October 6th, 1965

Charlie Brown enlists Linus to help Sally with her "new math" homework, only for her to rebuff the...

Sports of all ilk are a Peanuts mainstay, be it the winter, spring, summer, or fall, and ice skating is commonly included in the strip. There have been numerous stories featuring ice skating throughout Peanuts' history. Just two of many storylines are Snoopy's short-lived romance with an ice skating beagle and Peppermint Patty joining a skating competition with help from Snoopy as her coach.

Much like how football and baseball are entwined in Peanuts lore, ice skating plays an important role in the gang's lives, as numerous comic strips can demonstrate. Snoopy even has multiple personas tied to ice skating, with a notable one being his World Famous Crabby Skating Pro alter ego. Even without counting the various hockey comic strips of Peanuts, there are still countless ice-skating comics of the beloved property that one can't help but laugh at with that classic Peanuts humor on full display.

"The World Figure Skating Championship" February 8th,...

There’s a reason everyone who’s ever read Peanuts regards it as an absolute classic, as the original comic strip has everything fans could want from a series. In-depth character studies, genuine relationships that feel significant, and - of course - humor. In every conceivable way, the likes of Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, and Charlie Brown have captured the hearts of readers since the very first comic strip was published - and they continue to to this day.

While the franchise has certainly grown since the start of its syndication into the realms of animated features, holiday specials, and even broadway musicals, Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip is where Peanuts got its start. These comics laid the foundation for everything Peanuts has become, so it's important to take a look back and truly appreciate their legacy. And, as of November 2024, this is the perfect time to do just that,...

1965's A Charlie Brown Christmas was the first animated TV special based on the Peanuts comic strip. It would be followed by additional Peanuts holiday classics like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving -- but it set the bar very high. In 1966, A Charlie Brown Christmas won the Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children’s Programming. Written and created by Charles M. Schulz, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a nostalgic holiday classic that challenges the commercialization of the holiday season -- a message that is still relevant today.

A Charlie Brown Christmas follows a lost and wistful Charlie Brown, who is struggling to find his holiday spirit as those around him get swept up in the commercialization of Christmas. After he expresses his unshakable sense of sadness and dread, Lucy appoints him the director of the Christmas play to help him feel involved in the holiday festivities.

Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang are some of the most iconic comic strip characters in history, with a grip on popular culture that’s still incredibly influential to this day. However, not every Peanuts character is as popular as the likes of Linus, Lucy, Sally, Snoopy, and Charlie Brown himself, especially one character in particular: Charlotte Braun - or, as many fans remember her, the ‘female Charlie Brown’. Not only has Charlotte become a forgotten member of the Peanuts gang, but Charles M. Schulz actually killed her off.

Charlotte Braun made her first appearance in the Peanuts strip published November 30, 1954, and right from the start, it was clear what her role was in the comic strip. Charlotte Braun was meant to be the female counterpart to Charlie Brown, something that was made immediately apparent when she introduced herself as “Good ol’ Charlotte Braun”, not to mention the obvious...

It's the holiday season, which, for fans of Peanuts, means it's the time to revisit A Charlie Brown Christmas. While the beloved special is not airing on broadcast television, it will be free to watch on streaming this week.

Apple TV+, the streaming platform that holds the streaming rights for A Charlie Brown Christmas and other classic Peanuts specials, will offer the classic program for free to everyone this weekend. On Saturday, Dec. 14, A Charlie Brown Christmas will start streaming on Apple TV+ with no subscription required to watch the special. It will also be available to stream the next day on Sunday, Dec. 15, before it then goes back to becoming an exclusive for Apple TV+ subscribers. Making the special available to stream for free for a limited time is Apple's way of replicating how Peanuts holiday specials would previously be aired on television every year.

Related 10 Funniest Peanuts Comics Featuring Snoopy's Family,...

The characters in Peanuts are some of the most beloved in pop culture, as the likes of Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy are timeless icons that practically everyone recognizes. However, just because Peanuts consists of some incredibly popular characters doesn’t mean every member of the Peanuts gang can boast global fame and recognition. In fact, there’s one character Peanuts actually killed off, and since then, she’s all but been forgotten: Charlotte Braun.

Charlotte Braun was originally meant to be the female counterpart to Charlie Brown, as Charles M. Schulz set her up to become just as prominently featured as Chuck himself. However, Charlotte Braun was not received well by fans, and a number of them even wrote to Schulz directly asking him to get rid of her. So, Charles Schulz did just that, in decidedly brutal fashion.

Above is a letter Charles M. Schulz wrote to a...

The comic strip medium has long been a tool for ideation. Brilliant and beloved characters debut on newspaper pages in ridiculous, hilarious, and breathtaking adventures. The medium transcends genres, featuring science fiction, fantasy, comedy, drama, and satire without ever stumbling. Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, The Far Side, and other strips remain memorable and classic concepts.

That does not mean that these characters are always restricted to the comic strip medium, however. Many of these stories have been adapted into movies, TV shows, comic books, and novelizations. Some have even become some of the greatest TV shows of their eras.

Flash Gordon Brought a Space Hero To Life

Seasons

Episodes

Release Years

2

32

1979–1982

When he first appeared on TV, Flash Gordon starred in a black-and-white 1954 show of his own. It earned modest success but left a minuscule impression on the wider audience. Shortly after the original Star Wars movie received incredible success...

In the latest episode of “My Lottery Dream Home,” Season 16, Episode 10, titled “Pensacola Peanuts,” airing at 9:00 Pm on Friday, 20 December 2024, viewers are introduced to a couple of gold star do-gooders who have dedicated their lives to helping others. After struggling financially for years, they receive an unexpected windfall—a $5 million lottery win. However, they find themselves overwhelmed by the sudden wealth, unsure of how to spend it.

Enter David, the host, who steps in to guide them through this exciting new chapter of their lives. David ensures that they focus on spending some of their newfound fortune on themselves, while also helping them find the perfect dream home in sunny Pensacola, Florida. As the couple explores different properties, viewers get an inside look at their search for the perfect place to call home. This heartwarming episode promises to show the couple making their dream come true while navigating the...

Given that Peanuts was a long-running comic strip, all the way from 1950 to 2000, it is no surprise that Peanuts included many pop culture references, including to classic literature. From capturing the Harry Potter fervor that was present in the late '90s to referring to some of the most famous and popular children's books, Peanuts gave readers of the past and present a window into what kids were reading at the time.

Well, for the most part, as Rerun at one point refers to quite the surprising novel, which is not the most child-friendly. Regardless, Peanuts usually focuses on the qualities of their characters and their interactions with others, as well as their reactions to situations. As a result, there were not always a lot of references to things like movies, music, and books in the comic strips. However, there still were enough comic strips referencing classic books to please any bibliophile,...

Maybe Snoopy isn't the best dog in Peanuts after all, if all of these crimes are anything to go by. Linus and his security blanket are as synonymous with each other as peanut butter and jelly. As close as Linus is with his blanket, there is one special beagle who always tries to take the blanket from Linus so he can keep it all to himself: the one and only Snoopy, of course.

Unfortunately for Linus, Snoopy is one determined dog, using all sorts of tactics to try to get the blanket from him. While Snoopy has had some success in taking Linus' blanket and is even given the blanket from Linus for a storyline, he is typically pretty unsuccessful. It seems like Snoopy partly tries to steal Linus' blanket just to mess with him, like any friend trying to ruffle the feathers of a buddy. Linus does not usually see it that way though,...

Ever since the first Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, debuted in 1965, Charlie Brown and his friends have been a television mainstay, with over 40 specials and counting. Some, like 1981's Someday You'll Find Her, Charlie Brown and I Want a Dog for Christmas, and Charlie Brown from 2003, are lower lights, while others like Charlie Brown's All-Stars, and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, both from 1966, are much stronger entries. But it's a recent entry in the collection of Peanuts TV specials that has emerged as the best of the lot - and Charlie Brown plays second fiddle.

The sound of Charlie Brown saying “Good Grief!” is forever ingrained in my mind from religiously watching the Peanuts holiday specials as a kid, and I still hear it every time a reread Charles M. Schulz’s original Peanuts comic strips. But it wasn’t until I read what Schulz said about how he went about conveying emotion with his cartoon characters that I understood the deeper meaning behind that iconic catchphrase. And I have to say, it’s a bit darker than I expected.

An article published by Hogan’s Alley gave Peanuts fans the chance to read the remarks that Charles M. Schulz delivered at the 1994 National Cartoonists Society convention (reprinted from Hogan’s Alley #1). Schulz spoke about his career as a cartoonist, how he got his start working at Art Instruction Inc. while mailing Peanuts strips to newspapers, and what his creative process entailed with each and every comic he wrote/drew.

The kids from Peanuts always start off winter with a bang, showing readers the great (and even not so great) aspects of the coldest season. As Peanuts shows winter through the eyes of its core cast of characters, many readers will find that they can relate to the Peanuts gang and their activities - as well as their feelings about winter.

For instance, many readers can relate to Snoopy's love of winter at the season's first arrival to then wishing for warmer temperatures when the snow keeps on coming. Likewise, making snowmen and drinking hot chocolate are adored hallmarks of the winter season, and Peanuts readers will be able to pull from their own experiences of winter to find the same enjoyment that the characters do.

"It's Snowing!!" December 21st, 1952

Excited about the first snowfall of winter, Charlie Brown rounds up the gang to see the snow after he sees it starting to fall.

Sports always played an important role in Peanuts comic strips – as did the winter months, and Charles Schulz's cartoons about ice hockey brought the best of the two together. Schulz produced countless Peanuts hockey strips over the years, with all the Peanuts Gang getting on the pond at one point or another.

Whether it was a joke of how horrible some of the Peanuts kids were at the sport, referencing iconic professional hockey players, or showing Snoopy in intense games – both imaginary and real – with other hockey players and Woodstock, hockey became a beloved aspect of winter Peanuts comic strips.

Moreover, Snoopy has not one but three alter egos that relate to hockey: World Famous Hockey Player, World Famous Hockey Coach, and the World Famous Hockey Goalie. As a result, Peanuts was pretty closely tied into the sport of hockey, especially when winter rolled around.

"Check This Double Axel,...

Quick Links Gary Larson's The Far Side Comics Had a Great Effect on the Zeitgeist What Did Gary Larson Do on The Simpsons? What Has Gary Larson Done Since Appearing on The Simpsons?

Many people tend to overlook or forget the kind of cultural impact that animation and newspaper comic strips have had all around the world. While the characters of such major comic book publications as Marvel and DC have been the inspiration behind some of the most popular films in recent years, other works like Charles Schultz's Peanuts have had just as much of an impact. Gary Larson's iconic The Far Side comic, for example, continues to be held in high regard for its sense of humor, unique art style, and how it pioneered the concept of a single-panel comic. So, what exactly do The Far Side and the long-running animated comedy The Simpsons have in common?...

Peanuts always does it up for the holidays, celebrating in their strips and animated TV specials, with Thanksgiving being one of the more famous Peanuts holidays. Never failing to address Thanksgiving in their comic strips, Peanuts makes all the characters join in on the Turkey Day festivities. Even characters that are not part of the core cast, like Spike, Snoopy's brother, have been included in Thanksgiving storylines.

Whether it be about the food or the family, Peanuts mines Thanksgiving for inspiration in their November comic strips. Given that Thanksgiving was such a popular holiday to celebrate in the comic strips, an animated TV special was just a matter of time, especially after the massive success of the Halloween TV special. As a result, Peanuts became forever entwined with the holiday of Thanksgiving.

"They Should Give You A Turkey" November 23, 1999

Rerun has his own way of looking at the world, something...

The Far Side has no shortage of bizarre main characters in any given comic, and thats because creator Gary Larson decided not to commit to a main character. Unlike other world-famous comic strips like Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes, and Peanuts, The Far Side has different characters starring in each comic. Sure, there might be running gags (like comics with dinosaurs or trees), but as far as an actual main, marketable character is concerned, The Far Side has none to speak of.

While one might assume The Far Sides lack of a main character would hurt its widespread popularity, thats certainly not the case. The Far Side is easily one of the most iconic comics ever created, and thats because it highlights individual jokes with unique illustrations, as opposed to working jokes into the lives of any main character. Thats also how The Far Side can bring fans gags centered around some decidedly bizarre characters,...

The Peanuts have become a holiday staple for families across the globe. The comic strip was created by Charles M. Schulz and debuted on October 2, 1950. The comic follows the life of Charlie Brown and his friends as they navigate life in middle school. The series made its way to television in the United States for its first-holiday special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, in December 1965. The Christmas special was such a success that they wanted another holiday special, this time for Thanksgiving. A Charlie Brown Christmas ushered a new era for the Peanuts gang.

Good grief! “The Masked Singer” pays tribute to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends next week with “Peanuts Night.” The event will also air one day later than usual, Thursday, Nov. 28, as a Thanksgiving special.

Variety has a first look at the Thanksgiving “Peanuts Night” edition of “The Masked Singer,” which kicks off with panelists Rita Ora and Robin Thicke performing “You Make My Dreams Come True.” Then, the Group C finals take place, with Sherlock Hound, Royal Knight and Strawberry Shortcake giving out “Thanksgiving-themed clues” and singing songs “I Hope You Dance,” “Holiday” and “Ho Hey.” The episode, which airs 8 p.m. Et on Thursday, will end with a battle royale and double elimination.

To celebrate “Peanuts Night,” the show’s panelists also shared their favorite characters from the long-running comic strip (which marks its 75th anniversary in 2025). For Robin Thicke, he quips, “I kind of always related to Pig Pen,...

Warning: the following story contains spoilers from “The Masked Singer’s” Nov. 20 episode. Read at your own risk!

Season 12 of “The Masked Singer” continued Wednesday night on Fox, with the Group C contestants competing on “Miley Cyrus Night.” Following the studio audience vote, Ice King became the group’s second singer eliminated (and the eighth overall this season), revealing actor and musician Drake Bell. Watch our video interview above.

When Bell first set eyes on his frozen blue Ice King costume, his immediate reaction was, “I loved it!” As he tells Gold Derby, “I thought it was incredible. I loved the concept [and] the colors. I loved that it was all kind of one color, but different tones. And of course, the mustache got me.”

The entertainer readily admits that he could “see pretty well” out of the mask, but he didn’t realize just how much fake snow there was...

Shuntaro Tanikawa, iconic poet, essayist, translator and lyricist, has passed away of old age, leaving behind a long-lasting legacy among fans of Studio Ghibli and anime more generally, among his many other media and literary contributions.

Via Nhk, Shuntaro Tanikawa passed away at 10:05 p.m. Jst on Nov. 13 in a hospital located in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, at the age of 92. He was with his daughter in his final moments, with his son Kensaku sharing in a post on X (formerly Twitter), "I was on my way back from a performance in China and couldn't make it in time, but my sister rushed over and was with him at the end. It was a peaceful end. Like everyone else, I was surprised and impressed by Shuntaro's poems, they made me laugh and cry, and I enjoyed it. It may be a clich, but his poems will always be with you.

Its fair to say that Peanuts is the most iconic and widely beloved comic strip of all time, as the likes of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock are some of the greatest characters ever created - comic characters or otherwise. In fact, thats the reason why Peanuts is perhaps the greatest comic strip series ever created: its characters.

The comic doesnt just give readers an endless spew of gags, it gives them a peek into the lives of these characters, letting the characters themselves deliver the jokes naturally. And two of the biggest standouts are easily Snoopy and Woodstock. Their friendship is one of the funniest bits of the entire Peanuts series, as the antics these two get up to are absolutely hilarious, making any comic featuring them together one that every Peanuts fan needs to read. And, in a crop of Peanuts comics that just turned 40, Snoopy and Woodstocks friendship is showcased beautifully.

As I have started to become more familiar with Peanuts, it has come to my attention that one character in Charles Schulz's legendary comic strip seemingly knew he was in a cartoon the whole time: Schroeder. Peanuts only broke the fourth wall a handful of times over the years, and somehow, Schroeder always seemed to be involved.

Schroeder first acknowledged he was a comic character in an early Peanuts strip from 1952. At that point, the comic had only been running for two years of its eventual five-decade run, and in retrospect, I understand that it was still a very formative time for Schulz and his characters.

Arguably Peanuts most iconic fourth-wall break came much later, in 1990, as the strip entered its final decade and once more, Schroeder was at the center of it, in a hilariously sly bit of continuity from the long-running series.

"Transfer To A New Comic...

One of Charlie Brown's most endearing character traits from the Peanuts comics is his love of baseball and that extended to his favorite player and hero, Joe Shlabotnik, whose lousy career in the major and minor leagues made him a reflection of the franchise's protagonist, who is best known for being a loser, but a relentlessly optimistic one.

Joe Shlabotnik, a fictional ballplayer, remained Charlie Brown's idol despite the tumult of his career, which saw him repeatedly demoted to the minors. Later, he went from an unsuccessful career as a player to an equally tepid run as a manager yet Charlie Brown's admiration for him never wavered.

Peanuts' Joe Schlabotnik cartoons are a great representation of what makes Charlie Brown such a beloved character: a mix of unwavering loyalty, good-natured navet, and persistence in the face of any and all discouragement.

"When He Suffers, I Suffer" First Published: May 6, 1963

Though...