RJ Writing Ink

On this day, a hundred years ago, a little boy was born in Minnesota. That boy held a lifelong interest in drawing, and as he got older, he got really good at it. So, after serving his country in World War II, that boy, now a man, decided to turn it into a career.

The man started drawing comic strips for newspapers, and over time, people began to take notice of him. Eventually, he asked a big comic strip syndicate if he could do a strip for them that everyone could see. They said yes, and on October 2nd, 1950, his strip appeared in seven newspapers across the country. It started out small, but it kept growing and growing as more people learned about it. 

As the years went by, the man continued to work on his strip, and more people started to like it. Eventually, his strip got adapted into dozens of animated specials watched by millions all over the world. Everyone loved what the man drew. He even got a pair of spaceships named after two of his characters. The man became more successful than he ever thought possible.

The man loved drawing his strip, so much so that he kept doing it for fifty years. But eventually, the man grew old and tired, like many people do. Thus, he finally decided to retire…but he never got to enjoy it. He died hours before the final strip was published in thousands of newspapers worldwide. 

That man’s name was Charles Schulz, and the strip he created was named Peanuts.

Happy birthday, Charles Schulz!

Click here to see the tributes done to the late Charles Schulz 

Top 5 Favorite Thanksgiving Day Specials

I don’t understand why, but I’ve never been that big a fan of Thanksgiving. Maybe it’s because of the fact that I don’t like the food; it’s true. I don’t like stuffing, gravy, or mashed potatoes. However, I still appreciate what Thanksgiving means. It’s about being able to spend time with family and think about what we’re blessed to have. Still, I’ve spent 2019 doing something for several big holidays, and I won’t stop with Thanksgiving. So without further ado, here are my top 5 favorite Thanksgiving Day Specials!

#5- Talking Turkey, CatDog

Few people in Nearburg love Thanksgiving as much as CatDog, though they each love it for different reasons. Dog’s simply thankful for everything he has in life, while Cat only wants turkey. However, when the only turkey in Nearburg comes seeking refuge from the holiday, the two have to work together to help him escape to freedom.

I only saw this special a few times on TV, and I didn’t find it until years later with streaming. As far as what it brings to the table, I think this special’s pretty average. While it’s subtle, though, there is a message about the importance of family. It’s just hidden underneath the slapstick of Tom Kenny and Jim Cummings.

#4- Garfield’s Thanksgiving, Garfield

Given how much Garfield loves Thanksgiving, one would think Thanksgiving’s his favorite holiday. However, this holiday special sees Garfield put on a diet on the day before Thanksgiving. As a result, Garfield has to find a way to dodge his diet, or else make sure no one enjoys the holiday.

I was a big fan of Garfield growing up, and I especially enjoyed the old show, Garfield and Friends. So I naturally had to include the fat cat’s Thanksgiving day special on my list. The only reason it’s not higher on the list is due to my in credulousness at the fact that Garfield’s vet, Liz, put him on a diet right before a holiday involving eating. I get that she has to watch out for his health, but the woman had the worst possible timing! Good thing Garfield got out of the diet in the end.

#3- Helen Keller, The Musical!, South Park

In this Season Four episode of South Park, the kids are putting on their annual Thanksgiving Day play on Helen Keller. In an effort to one-up the kindergartners play, Cartman adapts the play into a Broadway musical, complete with a pet turkey jumping through a ring of fire. However, when lead Timmy chooses a disabled turkey named Gobbles, Cartman’s forced to take drastic measures to save the show. Oh, and Kenny dies.

South Park has had its fair share of Thanksgiving Day specials over the years, but I think that this one is my personal favorite. I honestly thought that the bond between Timmy and Gobbles the turkey was heartwarming to watch. Moreover, despite Cartman’s objections, I think using a disabled turkey was appropriate given it’s about Helen Keller. My favorite part, though, is the ending, where it’s revealed the kindergartners play was a lame, one minute act. Never trust Butters as a source of information.

#2- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Peanuts

Taking the number two spot on my list is a special that needs no introductions, because almost everyone in America knows the name Charlie Brown. Right when Charlie Brown and Sally are going to their Grandmother’s Thanksgiving day dinner, Peppermint Patty invites herself, Sally, and Franklin over. As a result, Charlie Brown has to cook an impromptu dinner, with the help of Snoopy and Woodstock.

Like almost every other Peanuts special, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is a holiday classic. It follows much of the same formula as many of the other Charlie Brown specials. Charlie Brown faces a problem, his wishy-washy nature exacerbates the problem, then he solves the problem. We’ve seen it a thousand times, yet it never gets old. It helps that we had the dynamic duo of Snoopy and Woodstock to provide their brand of silent comedy.

As good as “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is, though, it’s not my favorite Thanksgiving special. That honor goes to another

#1- The Thanksgiving Episode, Regular Show

Taking the top spot is one of my all time favorite cartoons, Regular Show with their Thanksgiving Day special. After accidentally destroying all the food for their Thanksgiving dinner, Mordecai and Rigby scramble to make things right and get that precious turkey. While everyone else is trying to pick up their families or get more food, the duo enter a singing contest with the prize being a naturally born Turducken. However, they find themselves competing against the likes of billionaire Rich Buckner for the prize

There are a few reasons why this takes my top pick for my favorite Thanksgiving day episode. Firstly, I enjoyed the fact that Richard Buckner was a humorous parody of Donald Trump, complete with his hair. Secondly is the song that Mordecai and Rigby sing in the contest, “What are You Thankful For?” Not only is the song super catchy, but provides a genuinely heartfelt message about the meaning of the holiday: spending time with loved ones. For that reason, I name it my all-time favorite Thanksgiving Day Special.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments below! And be sure to check back this Saturday, as I have news about my plans for December!

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Jay’s Month of Screams, Day 22- Peanuts

Today’s choice for a Halloween special is by no means scary. Nonetheless, it’s so well-known that watching it is as big a Halloween tradition as Trick-Or-Treating. I’m talking, of course, about the Halloween classic, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Ever since it first aired back in 1966, the Great Pumpkin has aired every Halloween. It’s one of the first Halloween specials I ever remember seeing, and as a big Peanuts fan as a kid, it holds a special place in my heart. I daresay it, but next to A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Great Pumpkin’s the most famous Peanuts special.

Linus’ Annual Struggle

Most of us know the plot, so I won’t bother trying to avoid spoilers. We know how Linus spends Halloween night in a pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Nonetheless, he refuses to give up on seeing the Great Pumpkin. We know Linus’ engaging in an exercise of futility, yet we can’t help but admire his determination. 

The nature of the Great Pumpkin’s debated by scholars and philosophers for years now. Some see it as symbolic of unshakable belief, while others see it as an example of people believing in something foolish. Charles Schulz, though, says there’s a greater meaning to the Great Pumpkin. He thought it would be funny for a kid to confuse aspects of Halloween and Christmas, which are both popular in America. I think Schulz’s right, that we’re over-thinking things, and yes, I do find it amusing. Flying Ace Snoopy

Flying Ace Snoopy

The real reason I keep coming back to a special I’ve memorized by heart, though, is Snoopy. I loved Snoopy as a kid, and so did many kids growing up. Watching his various antics in the Charlie Brown specials was half their appeal, and the Great Pumpkin is his most memorable appearance. 

World War One Flying Ace scene’s one of the best moments in the history of animation and my favorite part of the special. It only uses moving backgrounds and changing colors, but its simplicity is incredibly effective at attracting viewer’s eyes.

I Love The Great Pumpkin

I’ve seen the Great Pumpkin special several hundred times now, and I’ve memorized every part of it. Yet it’s the special that I keep coming back to every Halloween. It may not have the same appeal as an adult, at times, but I enjoy the nostalgia. In addition, I can pass that love on to my kids one day. So whether you believe in the Great Pumpkin or not, Happy Halloween, everyone!

Click here to see the FANDOM Article I did for Halloween last year. Click here to see my other animation stuff. Or here to see all holiday related posts.