Screen time

Good grief!

6 Comments

I have a secret. I’ve never shared this with anyone other than Rockford, and he was both shocked and dismayed. I’m prepared for the possibility that this could raise some hackles. But here it is. My big, dark secret.

I don’t like “Peanuts.”

Normally this doesn’t have a big impact on my day-to-day life — it isn’t difficult to avoid characters from the animated realm most of the time. But this year, Rockford decided to share his love of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Poppy. And she loves it. We’ve watched it at least twice a day for the last week.

Before this week, I’ve never given much thought as to why I dislike the round-headed gang. But with all the good-griefing in the house lately, I’ve been able to come up with a list.

  • The vilification of Christmas decorations. What’s wrong with Snoopy’s festive dog house? Charlie Brown says it means his dog’s gone “commercial.” And later, he and his friends dance around their Christmas tree. Which they’ve festooned with decorations stolen from Snoopy’s house.
  • The children are so mean. It bothers me how frequently they call each other “stupid.” And by “each other,” I guess I mean “Charlie Brown.”
  • Charlie Brown’s depression. “I know everyone hates me”? That’s a bit heavy for a children’s Christmas special, isn’t it?
  • The way Lucy repeats herself all the time. (“I know when I’ve been insulted! I know when I’ve been insulted!”) It just annoys me.

    To be fair, there are a few things I do like about “Peanuts.” I like Snoopy’s affinity for root beer, and I like the kids’ little dinner roll feet. I like it when Snoopy pretends to be a penguin. And I love how much Poppy loves the show.

    So, “Peanuts.” I will let you into my home. But only because my little girl’s laugh makes me smile like nothing else.

    • 6 thoughts on “Good grief!”

    1. I think I love it for all the reasons that you don’t! Those and the excellent Vince Guaraldi soundtrack. You’re a phillistine!

    2. I thought you meant you didn’t like actual peanuts. I don’t like peanuts all the much either (the actual nuts), but at first, I was curious as to why your lack of affinity for the nut warranted a post. (Historically, your posts involve epic changes in the Butterscotch Sundae realm (like when you made the side tracker that listed all of Dad’s favorite ribs). But alas, the post was not about your hatred for the peanut, it was about your dislike for the cartoon, as opposed to the legume. So, as I should have stated at the beginning of the comment, so as to save some time for those who read the comments to your posts, my comment to this post is entirely irrelevant. I neither like nor dislike “Peanuts” (the cartoon).

    3. It’s a Christmas tradition for us… I start tearing up as soon as Linus says “Lights, please…”

    Comments are closed.