Unpacking Peanuts

Dec 09 2024 140 ep. 69 mins 84

Unpacking Peanuts Podcast artwork

Three lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Each week, Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Plus special guests and bonuses. Unpacking Peanuts is a fan podcast unaffiliated with Peanuts Worldwide.

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1992 Part 3 - We Live in Interesting Times, Marcie

Dec 09 2024 52 mins

Cormac makes his well coiffed debut appearance and brings a bit of 90’s swagger to the strip. But will he be foiled by the Good Ol’ Flying Ace? Also, we learn that Loni Anderson played Blondie, and the strip was pretty good too. Plus: Hippi, Modi, and Go Go! Protons and Fleurons: Twenty-Two Elements of Fiction by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson is available at https://thornbushpress.com/

1992 Part 2 - Linus, in a Light Jacket, Patting Birds on the Head

Dec 02 2024 60 mins

Lucy is the laughingstock of the neighborhood because Linus is patting birds on the head again. And that’s not the only throwback, because Violet makes another brief return, as does the Davy Crockett cap. On the other hand, Schulz is experimenting with Zipatone and it’s giving Peanuts a little of that good ol’ 90’s grunge. Plus: Puffer Jacket Snoopy Transcript available at

1992 Part 1 - Have You Ever Written A Love Note, Linus?

Nov 25 2024 66 mins

Snoopy is stuck at the Van Pelt’s. Lydia is still torturing Linus, and Charles Schulz is doing some artwork unlike anything he has created thus far: Plus: paddle balls. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Azi

1991 Part 3 - Sally Is As Radical As They Come

Nov 18 2024 76 mins

Schulz is getting pretty radical too… at least when it comes to new art techniques and comic strip approaches. Meanwhile, Lydia is still delivering the goods with classic punchlines, Charlie Brown reaches new levels of wishy-washy maturity, and Snoopy’s cookies achieve co-starring status. Plus: The Great Pumpkin is a she. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking P

1991 Part 2 - Gatsby Had a Mansion in Jericho

Nov 11 2024 74 mins

Sally is teaching Sunday school and runs into a student as obstinate as she is. Linus is still fighting the struggle for security against Snoopy. And meanwhile, in our world, the guys ponder how Schulz sees himself at this point in his life and career, and marvel at the variety of approaches he takes to the strip. Plus: Useless knowledge Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com

1991 Part 1 - Maybe You Should Have Bought a Golden Retriever, Charles!

Nov 04 2024 67 mins

Snoopy is drinking all of Marcie’s root beer, but maybe President Wilson can straighten him out. Meanwhile, Schulz takes some major new stylistic swings this year, and the guys debate not only their effects, but also how he did it! Plus: Babbooette? Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, and Harold Buchholz. Produ

Special Episode: The Great Pumpkin - From the Vault

Oct 28 2024 79 mins

This episode was originally released on October 15, 2022. Spooky Season is upon us, and Harold, Michael, and Jimmy are taking a special episode long look at the Great Pumpkin, both in the strip and the animated special. They highlight the themes and origins of the idea and how it’s become a lasting part of pop culture. Then they go strip by strip through all the gags that made it

1990 Part 3 - If You Don’t Want to be Perfect, You’ve Come to the Right Place

Oct 21 2024 65 mins

Marcie is struggling with the pressure of being perfect, but there’s a place for everyone at the Brown house. Later, listener mail sparks a discussion on the humanity in the art of Bill Mauldin, and Charlie Brown’s new love life causes him to struggle financially! Plus: It’s Superman! Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Listener Sarah Wilson sent us a link to the Up

1990 Part 2 - The Ballad of Brownie Charles and Peggy Jean

Oct 14 2024 62 mins

Charlie Brown has a girlfriend! The arrival of Peggy Jean is turning things around for Good Ol’ Charlie Brown… but that’s no reason for him to be making obscene phone calls! Elsewhere in the strip, Sally asks the immortal question “Why would anyone want to say good night to the moon?” Plus: Anything is a map. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Unpacking Peanuts

1990 Part 1 - Home Again Finnegan

Oct 07 2024 66 mins

Charlie Brown’s family shares a tradition with Jimmy’s, but neither is gud at speling. A pencil sharpener inspires a run of the weirdest Peanuts strips of all time. Elsewhere, Sally contemplates the appropriateness of grandmas criticizing grandchildren, and at long last Snowsnakes are officially debunked. Plus: The dog is the lowest. Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com