‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving' Special Returning To PBS

ACROSS AMERICA — Americans heaved a collective sigh of “Good grief, Charlie Brown” last year when they learned they’d have to sign up for the Apple TV+ streaming service to watch the Charlie Brown holiday specials.

The specials, based on Charles M. Schulz’s beloved "Peanuts" comic strip, had been ABC television holiday staples since the 1960s. When they were yanked from the holiday schedule, fans ached with the same betrayal and despair that the hapless Charlie Brown felt every time fussbudget Lucy Van Pelt pulled away the football.

PBS charged in, offering Americans a Linus-approved security blanket with a deal to air the Charlie Brown holiday specials.

The streaming service got the message loud and clear, and acquiesced — too late to air the first in the holiday trilogy, “It’s a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” but in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Peanuts specials.

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” airs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 on both PBS and PBS Kids. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” airs at 7:30 pm. Dec. 19 on the public broadcasting channels. The Halloween program aired last month.

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