Since the early 50s, the Peanuts gang has had an enduring presence in pop culture, and they were no less than iconic during the mid-80s with the cartoon The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show.  Debuting in 1983, this was the gang’s first regular television series – outside of the occasional specials, like A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. 

The new series stayed true to the philosophical characters created by Charles Shulz.  Charlie Brown was ever the loser, and the butt of Lucy’s jokes.  Lucy Van Pelt still hated Snoopy and was still in love with Schroeder, who would pound the keys of his piano, but never return Lucy’s feelings.  Tomboyish Peppermint Patty, on the other hand, had quite a thing for Charlie Brown or “Chuck” as she called him.  Marcie was the yin to Patty’s yang, ever the introvert and keenly observant to the behaviors surrounding her.  Linus was still Lucy's brother and Charlie’s thumb-sucking best friend.  Other characters would make occasional appearances, but by and large, that was the cast.  Like before, adults were never seen above the waist, but when they had something to say, they sounded like a muffled trumpet.  Unlike other Peanuts productions, with the exception of the animated version of the Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Snoopy actually had his thoughts conveyed via a voiceover.

Many were surprised it took this long to get Peanuts on the air.  Schulz’ fear of cheapening his beloved character prevented it up until that point, but by the time the 80s rolled around, it seemed to be the right thing to do.  Co-produced with Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, the series remained on the air until 1986, when it was let go in favor of a return of older and newer television specials.  Schulz went on with his strip until he passed away in 2000.  Today, new Peanuts television specials are based on the materials given to ABC by Schulz before his death.  The most recent, 2006’s He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown, which brought in over 10 million viewers, showed that there’s always an audience ready for the likes of Charlie Brown and his dog Snoopy.