Watch Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales

Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales is an animated television special from Warner Bros. that continues the timeless holiday tradition of celebrating the beloved Peanuts characters. The show first aired on December 8, 2002, and features the vocal talents of Wesley Singerman as Charlie Brown, Serena Berman as Lucy van Pelt, and Corey Padnos as Linus van Pelt.

Each of the sixteen animated vignettes that make up the show is based on a classic Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. The tales are woven together by the iconic Vince Guaraldi score from A Charlie Brown Christmas, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

The show opens with the Peanuts gang gathered around Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, singing "O Christmas Tree." It's a sweet and simple moment that sets the tone for the rest of the special. From there, the vignettes unfold, each one featuring a different member of the gang.

Some of the standout tales include "Snoopy's Christmas Surprise," in which everyone's favorite beagle tries to surprise Charlie Brown with a special gift, and "Pigpen's Christmas Blues," in which Pigpen laments his annual tradition of getting a lump of coal in his stocking. Lucy takes center stage in several of the tales, including "Lucy's Christmas Complaints," in which she bemoans the commercialization of the holiday season, and "Lucy's Toy Drive," in which she tries to do some good by collecting toys for needy children.

One of the most touching moments in the show comes in the tale "Linus and Lucy's Christmas List." In this vignette, Linus and Lucy make a joint Christmas list, but when Linus sees that Lucy only wants material things, he gently reminds her that the true spirit of Christmas is about love and kindness, not gifts. It's a simple moment, but one that perfectly encapsulates the heart of the Peanuts universe.

Throughout the show, there are also plenty of moments of classic Peanuts humor. Charlie Brown tries to teach Sally the true meaning of Christmas in "The Meaning of Christmas," with predictably disastrous results. Schroeder tries to teach his friends about Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in "Schroeder's Holiday Wish," but gets interrupted by Lucy's constant pestering. And in "Sally's Christmas List," Sally lists not only her own wants, but everyone else's too, leading to chaos and confusion.

The animation style of Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales stays true to the classic Peanuts aesthetic, with simple line drawings and subdued colors. The characters remain true to their comic strip iterations, with their distinct personalities shining through in every scene.

One of the strengths of the special is its pacing. At just over 20 minutes long, with the vignettes ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes, the show never feels boring or repetitive. Each tale is a self-contained story that can stand on its own, but taken as a whole, they create a cohesive and heartwarming celebration of the holiday season.

The music is also a major highlight of the show. Composed primarily by Vince Guaraldi, the score features both original compositions and classic Christmas songs, including "We Three Kings" and "Jingle Bells," performed in Guaraldi's signature jazz style. The music perfectly captures the warm and cozy feeling of the holiday season, and adds an extra layer of joy to the special.

Overall, Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales is a delightful holiday special that is sure to appeal to fans of the Peanuts universe, as well as anyone looking for a heartwarming and nostalgic celebration of Christmas. With its charming animation, memorable characters, and classic soundtrack, it's a perfect addition to any family's holiday viewing traditions.