Happy New Year, Charlie Brown on ABC

By catherine Nailog

For those seeking a charming viewing experience to ring in the New Year, ABC had the answer with the broadcast of Happy New Year, Charlie Brown on Thursday, December 29th, at 8:00 p.m. (ET)the Best TV Show of the Week.

Charlie Brown’s winter break had been ruined with a book report assignment on War and Peace.  As he tried to read the 1,136-page book, Peppermint Patty invited him to her and Marcie’s New Year’s Eve party.  Charlie tried to explain to her that he wouldn’t be able to attend because of the assignment, but Peppermint Patty insisted that he attend, hoping that he would be her date to the party.

Lucy and Sally were excited about the New Year’s Eve’ party, the first boy-ask-girl party.  Sally wanted Linus, her “Sweet Baboo,” to be her date, and Lucy wanted Schroeder to be her date.  She even enrolled everyone in dance class since the party would require dancing.  Charlie became worried about not being able to finish reading War and Peace on time.  He and Linus went to the local records, books, and magazines store looking for a comic book, record, tape, cassette, computer game, or film strip version of War and Peace.  Charlie was out of luck because the store did not have these versions.  He attempted to continue to read the book, and then decided to go to dance class where everyone else was and read the book there.  While at dance class, Peppermint Patty pulled Charlie away from the book and had him dance the foxtrot with her.

As the party approached, Lucy and Sally were anxious about their dates.  But sadly, Schroeder and Linus rejected them.  Back at home, Charlie continued to read the book, and was interrupted by Peppermint Patty’s phone call inquiring about who his date would be to the party.  She was angry when he mentioned asking “The Little Red-Haired Girl,” Heather, and she hung up on him.  Charlie was afraid to call Heather, and it was too late to mail the invitation, so he personally delivered the invitation at her house. Charlie Brown never heard from Heather regarding the party.

On the night of the party, Peppermint Patty was happy to see Charlie with his book at hand, but he told her that he hoped “The Little Red-Haired Girl” would show up.  Peppermint Patty was frustrated with Charlie Brown.  The party-goers played musical chairs, and they drank root beer.  Charlie went to the back porch to read his book and was joined by Peppermint Patty.  Charlie Brown told Peppermint Patty about some of his good rules for living in the New Year:  “Don’t leave your crayons in the sun. Use dental floss every day. Feed your dog whenever he’s hungry.”  Peppermint Patty left Charlie to read his book, and he eventually fell asleep on the bench. 

“The Little Red-Haired Girl” arrived at the party, and Linus kept her company, unaware of Charlie’s whereabouts. Charlie was fast asleep when the clock struck midnight.  When he finally woke up, he went back inside and was yelled at by Peppermint Patty and Sally.  Peppermint Patty was upset for being abandoned at midnight, and Sally told Charlie that Linus spent the night dancing with “The Little Red-Haired Girl.”  Charlie was sad for missing Heather at the party, but he did get a New Year’s Eve kiss on the cheek from Marcie.

Charlie finally finished reading and writing his report on War and Peace on the last night of winter vacation.  He received a D- on the book report because the report, according to the teacher, had seemed to have been written last minute. And Charlie Brown agreed with her.  Linus told Charlie of their next assignment, Crime and Punishment, which caused Charlie to collapse in his seat.

This show was chosen for Best TV Show of the Week because it shows the humorous consequences of Charlie Brown’s procrastination.  He tried to complete his homework on time, but was easily distracted by the festivities of the holiday season.  It’s human to delay the things one must do in order to enjoy other things in the present.  But in trying to do both things half-heartedly, Charlie Brown missed out on spending time with “The Little Red-Haired Girl” and received a D- on his schoolwork.  Though Charlie may not have been a good planner in those aspects, he did have wonderful insights on good rules on living that worked for him.  The New Year is a wonderful time to retain what’s worked for one in the past or let go of things and start anew. For Charlie Brown, procrastination could be one habit to let go.  The New Year gives one hope for a better self and better things to come.  Have a healthy, happy, and blessed 2012.

Best TV Show of the Week

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org