It’s 2020, Charlie Brown

2020 has been a mess to say the least. With everything going on, you’d think things simply couldn’t get worse.

Brace yourself.

It has come to my attention through the murmurs of the general public that one of America’s most popular cartoon characters has been robbed from us. Yes, the Peanut Gang was kidnapped by none other than the big bad tech giant: Apple.

The holiday specials I’ve watched almost every year of my life with my brothers and family are no longer ours to claim.

For the first time in 54 years, Charlie Brown specials will not air on television for everyone to see. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” are all on the Apple train.

The week of Oct. 18, Apple TV+ announced that it had made a deal with Peanuts Worldwide and Lee Mendelson Film Productions, giving Apple the right to stream the holiday specials. However, these specials are only available on Apple TV+.

After using my iPhone in order to relay these details to my brothers (well, maybe just brother; the younger two were busy chasing each other), I verbalized my temptation to burn both my iPhone and iPad. 

Zion, a sensible 13-year-old when the occasion calls for it, told me that I was insane, though he did admit that Apple had gone too far this time. Taking a beloved treasure from the public is downright treason.

Although I will not burn my iPhone or school-issued iPad, even though it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve destroyed an iPad (it was an accident and that’s all you need to know), I’m still quite upset with the amount of power Apple seems to be acquiring. 

Not just Apple, but Google and Amazon as well, though I’ll choose to save that for another article. 

Now, I know what you might be saying. “Vic, you have an iPhone. Just pay for Apple TV +, it’s not that bad.” I already paid (partially) for my iPhone. Apple isn’t getting another penny from me. They don’t need it nor do they deserve it.

So out of stubbornness (which many people can agree I have a lot of) and anger towards Apple, I won’t be seeing another Charlie Brown special for what will probably be a long time. 

In tribute: Snoopy, I will greatly miss you. You were hands down the cutest and my favorite dog cartoon character ever. Lucy, you were a bit of a jerk, but I had to admit you got Charlie pretty good every once in a while. 

Sally, you were a pretty good little sister, though you might want to stop badgering Linus as much as you do. Linus, keep on being yourself. You’re pure and passionate and frankly, we all need someone like you in our lives. 

And finally, Charlie. Yeah, they call you the “lovable loser,” but to me, you were just a guy doing his best to do right in the world, and that in and of itself is important. 

Tell the rest of the gang I said “Hi” and that Apple TV+ might have you now, but the childhood memories and joys you brought are something that won’t be erased from the plaque of cartoon history.