You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown

"The song at the title screen, it sang: 'You're elected Charlie Brown!', but they should of sang: 'You're NOT elected Charlie Brown.'"

There's a reason for this; the first time it aired, it was called, "You're Elected, Charlie Brown," and used the theme music with that title. However, sometime after that, presumably somebody noticed that, as Charlie Brown wasn't actually elected, the title made no sense, so the title was changed, and the theme music changed to a different song without lyrics. (It is possible that the on-screen title was changed at the last second, but note that CBS commercials for the show's first airing used the original title.)

The cast of the "Peanuts" gang are getting caught-up in a world of politics, power and promises!! Watch out! Because, here comes Lucy, the campaign manager, adviser and publicist for her brother Linus's ill-fated political student body presidential career. Well, maybe it's not that bad, but it is a whole lot of fun!! And you can't exactly call Lucy and Linus a puppet regime either, because they're not Muppets, just cartoon characters after all. This episode is truly another 'Peanuts' great.

Talking about the political process at the 'school' of Charlie Brown, who in this case, declines to take a verbal 'nomination' from his buddy Linus for student body Prez. So Lucy hits the streets to meet the public and be a 'pollster'. She figures after pre-stumping for her brother's 'popularity' that he looks like a shoe-in for the office and that things in that school are about to happened. The timing and political climate is right, for 'change' or a tremendous political sun-burn.

Everyone turns out for the campaign of Linus, even Snoopy and Woodstock. A short 'cameo' appearance from 'Joe Cool' is in order. The music score is worthy of praise, from a solid, stylish, Guaraldi.

Linus is in for a surprise when he learns that it's not always easy when you're 'Elected'.

This one makes the political grade. (****)

This showcases the time when Linus Van Pelt (Stephen Shea) tried to run for class president. Linus is backed by his best friend Charlie Brown (Chad Webber) and his sister Lucy Van Pelt (Robin Kohn). This one doesn't really focus too much on Charlie and I think that's what makes it weaker than the others. It's still good, but it doesn't really hold a candle to the other Peanuts films. The story is all right, and the acting is good so it succeed there, and there certainly are some memorable moments like when Snoopy does the Joe Cool segment. But overall it just doesn't seem to be as good or as memorable. I actually watched this around the time of the 2008 election. Certainly not my favorite Peanuts movie. But overall it's just okay.

"You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" includes one of jazz genius Vince Guaraldi's greatest compositions: "Joe Cool". The short sequence is truly great and worth every Peanuts fan's attention. The rest of the 25 minute long special is pretty unremarkable, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Still worth the full and solid 7 Stars I gave it, but I watched it the same night as I watched 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' and I just can't rate this one as high as I did for the Great Pumpkin. I really like the Snoopy and Schroeder scene at the piano. Snoopy is a funny character in this cartoon. Still quite enjoyable and definitely a classic cartoon for the growing children.