The appeal of Peanuts...why did we like it?

[Makernaut]

They were good in their time and they mean what they mean to me....in that time. No, they don't hold up, but neither does a whole hell of a lot from those times and singling them out doesn't mean a thing to me. That includes Super Friends, Professional Sports of all stripes, College Football, Land of the Lost, Puppet Shows, Sesame Street, Sunday School, Presidential Elections, and TV Dinners.

You can't go home again and "there" ain't there, anymore.

My point is, just because 40 to 50 year old You doesn't get it, it doesn't mean that you didn't get it back then. "What did we see in it?" was the question. And it's an honest one, but the answer is not in the Adult You picking it apart.....from an adult perspective.

[HardyGirl]

This forum is by and large made of of people who celebrate nostalgia. For our toys, TV, music, food, clothing (thanks Brian), fond memories of what made us the people who we are today. It doesn't seem like you're nostalgic about anything. So why are you here?

They were good in their time and they mean what they mean to me....in that time. No, they don't hold up, but neither does a whole hell of a lot from those times and singling them out doesn't mean a thing to me. That includes Super Friends, Professional Sports of all stripes, College Football, Land of the Lost, Puppet Shows, Sesame Street, Sunday School, Presidential Elections, and TV Dinners.

You can't go home again and "there" ain't there, anymore.

My point is, just because 40 to 50 year old You doesn't get it, it doesn't mean that you didn't get it back then. "What did we see in it?" was the question. And it's an honest one, but the answer is not in the Adult You picking it apart.....from an adult perspective.

[HardyGirl]

For me, nostalgia plays a big part, but also because the kids were more "real" than in most cartoons. Real life has bullies, jocks, girly-girls, sycophants, optimists and the "square pegs" that just don't seem to fit in anywhere. I have just described Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Sally, Marcie, Linus and Charlie Brown.

[PNGwynne]

I don't think Makernaut isn't nostalgic: He's saying, "They mean what hey mean to me...not picking it apart from an ADULT perspective." Retaining that childlike sense of wonder and appreciation--which you excel at, Sharry--is IMO a definite part of nostalgia.

[Makernaut]

I don't think Makernaut isn't nostalgic: He's saying, "They mean what hey mean to me...not picking it apart from an ADULT perspective." Retaining that childlike sense of wonder and appreciation--which you excel at, Sharry--is IMO a definite part of nostalgia.

Yes, and thank you. I wasn't as clear as I should have been but that's what I was driving at. I did say what they meant to me at the time a few posts before.

[JediJaida]

They did mean a lot to me back then. I was a little girl, and crazy about Peanuts. But I was always saddened that Charlie Brown was a loser at everything.

There were times I actually cried because I was so upset about it.

But as an adult, I had to wonder 'WHY' did the poor kid have to lose all the time?

There was one cartoon, I think, where Snoopy turned Charlie Brown invisible, and he went around getting even with people.

Especially Lucy for the football trick. Invisible, he was able to kick it wherever he wanted, and she was going crazy trying to get a hold of it.

He even got his revenge on Sally, for trying to move into his room, when she thought that he wasn't coming back.

I cheered when I saw it, because he finally, FINALLY got a little of his own back from the other kids.

[LonnieFisher]

They did mean a lot to me back then. I was a little girl, and crazy about Peanuts. But I was always saddened that Charlie Brown was a loser at everything.

There were times I actually cried because I was so upset about it.

But as an adult, I had to wonder 'WHY' did the poor kid have to lose all the time?

There was one cartoon, I think, where Snoopy turned Charlie Brown invisible, and he went around getting even with people.

Especially Lucy for the football trick. Invisible, he was able to kick it wherever he wanted, and she was going crazy trying to get a hold of it.

He even got his revenge on Sally, for trying to move into his room, when she thought that he wasn't coming back.

I cheered when I saw it, because he finally, FINALLY got a little of his own back from the other kids.

It's Magic, Charlie Brown
I don't remember ever watching this one, but I was fifteen when it came out, so I probably didn't see it.

[huedell]

Well... can't say that "SPECIAL" hype wasn't a part of it....

But what kid doesn't like watching:

A Halloween party... painting Easter eggs... shopping for Christmas trees... kids putting on a Thanksgiving dinner for each other... a mysterious Pumpkin creature myth woven in front of our eyes... a girl getting exasperated at a dog kiss... a running gag w/a "football kick" offer that teases possible success but ultimately ends up with the same guy on his back ruing his stupid naivete... a girl going nutso after getting nickels... a boy's peculiar obsession with a blanket... the boy with the perpetual dirt cloud following him wherever he went...

I mean, I could add 30 more to that list EASY....

However, I feel about that stuff now... THAT'S the kind of stuff that drew ME in as a kid.

[JediJaida]

I remember one of the strips where Lucy threatened Linus' blanket one time too many.

It came to life and jumped her! She started screaming "Get it off me! Get it off me!", while poor Linus was screaming "Down boy! Down!"

[PNGwynne]

^Lol I recall that one, too.

[HardyGirl]

There was also another one where Charlie Brown came out on top. I think it's when Rerun lost his marble collection to some big kid, and Charlie Brown had to play the kid to get the marbles back. No one thought he could do it, but he did it! I clearly remember cheering!

[HardyGirl]

I don't think Makernaut isn't nostalgic: He's saying, "They mean what hey mean to me...not picking it apart from an ADULT perspective." Retaining that childlike sense of wonder and appreciation--which you excel at, Sharry--is IMO a definite part of nostalgia.

Thanks PNGwynne. And I get it now, Makernaut. ^5

[Makernaut]

Thanks PNGwynne. And I get it now, Makernaut. ^5

No worries, ever, my friend!

[Duncan]

...That includes...TV Dinners...

Agree to disagree, though you might have to go to Canada to find the Swanson TV dinners that you remember.

[Makernaut]

Agree to disagree, though you might have to go to Canada to find the Swanson TV dinners that you remember.

Hahahahaha

For me, TV dinners were more about the family gathering around the TV to watch a "Special". Eating off of TV trays in front of the tube with everyone there to enjoy a game or TV show. That kind of thing.

Variety and availability of prepared foods (think take out pizza and big sub sandwiches), microwaves, and DVRs kind of killed all of that as far as the peeled back foil goes.