I first watched this when I was a little girl and believe me, it stays with you forever! It really helps little kids understand about death. It's the best Charlie Brown episode I've ever seen. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing a great Charlie Brown episode, or anyone who likes Charlie Brown for that fact. It is one you can't miss and can't watch without getting a little teary eyed.
18 Reviews
Very unusual, very good
Horst_In_Translation4 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Why, Charlie Brown, Why?" is a television short film that runs for slightly over 20 minutes and was written by Charles M. Schulz. but this is already everything that this one has in common with the other Peanuts movies. The topic in here is leukemia, fairly heavy material for the franchise actually. Linus' little friend has blood cancer and the title of this film is a question he asks to Charlie Brown. poor Linus and poor Janice as well. It's really not fair. Luckily for everybody (including audiences), things take a turn for good in the end. Still, it's a rarity that you see a Peanuts character crying and having such a severe anger attack like Linus does in this film. My favorite Peanuts movie I believe and I very much recommend it. Thumbs up. Oh yeah, this one also was nominated for an Emmy, but unluckily lost it to "The Simpsons" who were already a thing back 25 years ago. How time flies... "Why, Charlie Brown, Why?" is not only a very heartfelt movie, but also nicely educational for young audiences who probably know absolutely nothing about (blood) cancer. Give it a watch. You will not regret it.
Beautiful Representation and Explanation of a Tough Topic
KinoBuff20215 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
'Why, Charlie Brown, Why?' arguably one of the best Peanuts specials. And it does so by incorporating that classic Peanut charm with an extremely challenging topic in an educational but still fun special.
Linus' friend Janice isn't feeling well and is soon diagnosed with leukemia. This leads to a tough realization to Linus of what this could mean for his new friend. Luckily, Janice stays brave as Linus valiantly learns and educates others on what Janice has to go through with her illness and treatments.
Observe the seasons change along with Janice's battle and you will recognize how amazing it is that they were able to make a special this good while dealing with the topic of cancer. This special works to remind the viewer the severity of treatments as well as the stigma many people especially children might have about cancer do to little knowledge on the topic.
This special should be watched by all regardless of their age as it can remind us all of how cancer especially childhood cancer can make some people feel and act. Its one the finest animated specials out there and your likely to be teary-eyed by the end. Give it a close watch and you won't be disappointed.
Linus' friend Janice isn't feeling well and is soon diagnosed with leukemia. This leads to a tough realization to Linus of what this could mean for his new friend. Luckily, Janice stays brave as Linus valiantly learns and educates others on what Janice has to go through with her illness and treatments.
Observe the seasons change along with Janice's battle and you will recognize how amazing it is that they were able to make a special this good while dealing with the topic of cancer. This special works to remind the viewer the severity of treatments as well as the stigma many people especially children might have about cancer do to little knowledge on the topic.
This special should be watched by all regardless of their age as it can remind us all of how cancer especially childhood cancer can make some people feel and act. Its one the finest animated specials out there and your likely to be teary-eyed by the end. Give it a close watch and you won't be disappointed.
Great at explaining
Sparrow_in_flight11 November 2003
For little kids, this is a great video for explaining cancer. Any kind of cancer, almost, not just leukemia. In a very gentle way, it gives a basic overview of testing and the effects of chemo. It also makes sure to provide a few of the traditional Snoopy laughs while still being true to the serious nature of the story. It's one of my favorite Peanuts specials, and I was glad to learn it is on video; I'm going to order a copy ASAP.
Great Show
dsnow-121 August 2007
My youngest daughter loved this show and watched it over and over again because we bought it on video. I'm surprised it hasn't been put on DVD by now.
It is a show that deals with the sensitivity about a childhood illness and at the same time brings us some humorous moments with Snoopy. My daughtered loved the part where Snoopy unplugs Charlie Brown's light he's reading by to plug in his Christmas lights.
The most unrealistic part is when the girl has her full head of hair at the end. Nobody's hair grows back that fast after Chemo, but I think the message was is that her hair would grow back. Something the kids needed to know. Most kids like to have happy endings.
No, it wasn't perfect but in my opinion it was done well.
It is a show that deals with the sensitivity about a childhood illness and at the same time brings us some humorous moments with Snoopy. My daughtered loved the part where Snoopy unplugs Charlie Brown's light he's reading by to plug in his Christmas lights.
The most unrealistic part is when the girl has her full head of hair at the end. Nobody's hair grows back that fast after Chemo, but I think the message was is that her hair would grow back. Something the kids needed to know. Most kids like to have happy endings.
No, it wasn't perfect but in my opinion it was done well.
A Universal Classic
columbia24537 August 2001
No other cartoonist who dare address subject matter as death can achieve such brilliance as Charles M. Schulz. One of the absolute best of the Peanuts TV movies, a beautiful piece that stays with you throughout the years.
Very Risky for a Cartoon but Touching and Moving!
ShelbyTMItchell15 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
While I love Charlie Brown, still really Linus is my favorite as the voice of reason. And as the conscience of Charlie and the kids. Charlie kind of takes a backseat to Linus.
As he falls in love with a blonde hair girl. As she gets leukemia. And loses her hair. As she must have treatment. And Linus really is grieved with this.
Loved the way that he stood up to a bully. Who was making fun of her, for losing her hair. Later the bully becomes nicer. After learning of her disease.
As Linus really took the spotlight. Wished that he could take the spotlight more. As really he is my favorite of the Peanuts. Even before Charlie Brown!
Touching and moving and risky for a cartoon to take on the cancer thing. As kids needed to know how cancer is involved.
As he falls in love with a blonde hair girl. As she gets leukemia. And loses her hair. As she must have treatment. And Linus really is grieved with this.
Loved the way that he stood up to a bully. Who was making fun of her, for losing her hair. Later the bully becomes nicer. After learning of her disease.
As Linus really took the spotlight. Wished that he could take the spotlight more. As really he is my favorite of the Peanuts. Even before Charlie Brown!
Touching and moving and risky for a cartoon to take on the cancer thing. As kids needed to know how cancer is involved.
Very touching special
mitsubishizero20 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It's interesting to see a the Peanuts gang tackle something serious and they do a pretty good job at it in my opinion. Charlie and Linus discover their new friend Janice Emmons has Leukemia which is a type of cancer after noticing she has a fever and bruises easily than usual. This causes Linus to feel helpless and angry about Janice's diagnosis leading to the question "Why, Charlie Brown, Why? It's interesting to see Linus stand up to his ignorant sister Lucy after she assumes that it's contagious like the cold or flu.
Janice recovers at the cost of her hair forcing her to wear a cap. This attracts the attention of the school bully who taunts her causing to Linus to stand up to him and give him a hard lesson of the pain Janice has to go through. This causes the bully to back down and compliment her as they walk by. Linus does whatever he can to help her out which is nice. I like how as dark as this special can get there is still a balance of happiness and hope. At the end when Janice swings on the swings with Linus her cap falls off revealing she grew her hair back. That's really nice. The movie's also educational in explaining what cancer patients have to go through. Janice explains to Linus and Charlie she got various tests to confirm she got Leukemia followed by what Leukemia is and how it works and it's done in a simple way that kids can understand.
It's interesting to note that the special came to be due to a request by a nurse named Sylvia Cook asking Charles Schultz to produce an educational short about cancer with Peanuts characters for young patients. Schulz was reluctant at first due to the high cost but eventually got more enthusiastic about the project deciding to make it a half-hour long special. Schultz wrote the whole script while Cook and the American Cancer Society served as consultants. The latter also helped fund the production of the special. Needless to say the end result is a dark at times yet heartfelt special.
I'd highly recommend you check this special out. It's make you laugh just as much as it'll make you cry.
Janice recovers at the cost of her hair forcing her to wear a cap. This attracts the attention of the school bully who taunts her causing to Linus to stand up to him and give him a hard lesson of the pain Janice has to go through. This causes the bully to back down and compliment her as they walk by. Linus does whatever he can to help her out which is nice. I like how as dark as this special can get there is still a balance of happiness and hope. At the end when Janice swings on the swings with Linus her cap falls off revealing she grew her hair back. That's really nice. The movie's also educational in explaining what cancer patients have to go through. Janice explains to Linus and Charlie she got various tests to confirm she got Leukemia followed by what Leukemia is and how it works and it's done in a simple way that kids can understand.
It's interesting to note that the special came to be due to a request by a nurse named Sylvia Cook asking Charles Schultz to produce an educational short about cancer with Peanuts characters for young patients. Schulz was reluctant at first due to the high cost but eventually got more enthusiastic about the project deciding to make it a half-hour long special. Schultz wrote the whole script while Cook and the American Cancer Society served as consultants. The latter also helped fund the production of the special. Needless to say the end result is a dark at times yet heartfelt special.
I'd highly recommend you check this special out. It's make you laugh just as much as it'll make you cry.
Helps Younger Kids Learn About Cancer
jeremycrimsonfox5 February 2021
A powerful special, Why, Charlie Brown, Why? was created by Charles M. Shultz as a primetime special with insight from the American Cancer Society, telling the tale of Linus' new friend, Janice Emmons, whom he finds out was sent to the hospital and has been diagnosed with leukemia, a type of cancer affecting her bone marrow. Linus goes through a lot in this special, as this affects him to the point where he even won't stand for his sister Lucy's usual antics of being a jerk to everyone.
Yeah, the special is a perfect way to teach kids about cancer, as it has a scene where Janice explains to Linus and Charlie Brown about how the doctors found out she has leukemia, as well as the scene where Linus not taking his sister's beef, which also involves telling her leukemia is not like the cold or flu. Also, good old Snoopy appears to help bring comic relief to balance out the depressing stuff.
Yeah, the special is a perfect way to teach kids about cancer, as it has a scene where Janice explains to Linus and Charlie Brown about how the doctors found out she has leukemia, as well as the scene where Linus not taking his sister's beef, which also involves telling her leukemia is not like the cold or flu. Also, good old Snoopy appears to help bring comic relief to balance out the depressing stuff.
Bedside Manner
hellraiser723 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
When I was a kid one of the things I thought of being was a doctor, so that I could help find the cure for Cancer so it would be destroyed forever. This is another one of my favorite Pennuts specials which is strange to say since this is not entirely the most uplifting, well it kinda is due to the finale. And it's no doubt one of the most unique of the bunch because it deals with a serious and rather touchy subject, however it does it with dignity and subtlety. But I love this special because it's the most emotionally engaging and touching.
The animation is unchanged as usual, wouldn't want it any other way. The music is solid, there is one really good song however it's the score at the end that I found memorable, it was just beautiful because of how emotional it was.
The main stars of this are Linus whom to me is at his emotional best and for once is without his blanket which I thought was a wise choice showing some growth and maturity to the character.
But also on a character that isn't a regular to the Pennuts gang, Janyce who is I think a beautiful character, I really like how we do get a certain amount of depth to her character that I actually found myself caring for her. She is a youthfully spirit that just has great aspirations in life.
The chemistry between both Linus and her I felt was genuine and kinda beautiful, sure there was Linus and Sally but those two are just friends and never really added up to much. Here it's different because both interact on a more deeper level, I personally wouldn't of minded if this special was longer would of like more scenes with both of them.
And this of course makes this special all the more sad, just hearing the news about Leukema from Janyce and what she has to go though really hits hard. It wasn't fair but it really presented the reality that this kinda of thing can hit anyone at any age at any time, no one is immune to the possibility of death.
There are a lot of other memorable moments as we see Linus and Janyce go though the motions, like one moment I'll remember when some random blowhole just picks on Janice for no good reason and does something uncool and that moment Linus just loses his cool. I just thought it was interesting just seeing hot white anger on Linus's face really looked like he was seconds away from punching that kid as he does what any good boyfriend should do, defend his girlfriend. All I can say is way to go Linus and yeah what that blowhole did made my blood boil red hot too, insult to injury isn't funny.
But of course the one moment that really stuck with me was when Linus asked Charlie Brown the question which of course is the title itself. I'll admit it was a bit heart wrenching hearing that and this is from a character that usually has the answers but for once he doesn't. That's a question we all ask when faced with this terrible dilemma, and to this day I honestly don't have the answer.
It then of course gets down to an ending that I'll admit put happy tears in my eyes, and was hopeful.
If the film has messages they are these, treasure life and live it well because none of us have as much time as we think. But also to never stop fighting.
Janyce and many others won her fight, and I believe we will win the war against Cancer.
Rating: 4 stars
The animation is unchanged as usual, wouldn't want it any other way. The music is solid, there is one really good song however it's the score at the end that I found memorable, it was just beautiful because of how emotional it was.
The main stars of this are Linus whom to me is at his emotional best and for once is without his blanket which I thought was a wise choice showing some growth and maturity to the character.
But also on a character that isn't a regular to the Pennuts gang, Janyce who is I think a beautiful character, I really like how we do get a certain amount of depth to her character that I actually found myself caring for her. She is a youthfully spirit that just has great aspirations in life.
The chemistry between both Linus and her I felt was genuine and kinda beautiful, sure there was Linus and Sally but those two are just friends and never really added up to much. Here it's different because both interact on a more deeper level, I personally wouldn't of minded if this special was longer would of like more scenes with both of them.
And this of course makes this special all the more sad, just hearing the news about Leukema from Janyce and what she has to go though really hits hard. It wasn't fair but it really presented the reality that this kinda of thing can hit anyone at any age at any time, no one is immune to the possibility of death.
There are a lot of other memorable moments as we see Linus and Janyce go though the motions, like one moment I'll remember when some random blowhole just picks on Janice for no good reason and does something uncool and that moment Linus just loses his cool. I just thought it was interesting just seeing hot white anger on Linus's face really looked like he was seconds away from punching that kid as he does what any good boyfriend should do, defend his girlfriend. All I can say is way to go Linus and yeah what that blowhole did made my blood boil red hot too, insult to injury isn't funny.
But of course the one moment that really stuck with me was when Linus asked Charlie Brown the question which of course is the title itself. I'll admit it was a bit heart wrenching hearing that and this is from a character that usually has the answers but for once he doesn't. That's a question we all ask when faced with this terrible dilemma, and to this day I honestly don't have the answer.
It then of course gets down to an ending that I'll admit put happy tears in my eyes, and was hopeful.
If the film has messages they are these, treasure life and live it well because none of us have as much time as we think. But also to never stop fighting.
Janyce and many others won her fight, and I believe we will win the war against Cancer.
Rating: 4 stars
Sincere yet Weak Tribute to Cancer in the Peanuts
elicopperman20 September 2020
Out of all the Peanuts specials that were produced, few ever came as close as tackling subjects as serious as someone almost losing a loved one to cancer. Inspired by an idea from a children's hospital nurse, Charles Schulz set out to put together a special entitled Why, Charlie Brown, Why? with the help of the American Cancer Society. To this day, the special is often regarded as a cult favorite amongst Peanuts fans, especially due to its impactful influence on children for decades to understand what happens when a loved one is sick. Now that the special is 30 years old, let's look back on it and see how it favors out.
The main storyline revolves around a friend of Linus named Janice who slowly goes through treatments to cure her diagnosed leukemia, much to the grief of the poor kid. Based on the serious subject matter at hand here, one could imagine this would be much darker than most Peanuts specials, and to the featurette's credit, it does handle the topic with a lot of respect. Considering the effects cancer can have on the youth, the special even helps educate young viewers on the complicated procedures patients go through to get the right treatment. In addition, Linus goes through quite the amount of grief through his concern for Janice's well being, which I'm sure many of us have witnessed with a loved one at some point in their lives. While he can get a little heated around others, a lot of it comes from the confusion of not being able to comprehend a serious situation like a near terminal disease. Even Janice herself is surprisingly brave for a young kid trying to beat cancer, which could hopefully send a positive message to the ill youth.
However, perhaps it was my expectations getting the better of my judgement, but the special isn't quite as serious as it could have been. Perhaps the entire special should have focused more on Janice's dilemma or laid off the Snoopy filler, but the tone just isn't strong enough to make much of an impact. Even when the special attempts to get dramatic, it mostly just lets a specific scene play out and not even go back to it to make the story more engaging. Arguably one of the more well known scenes from this special involves a mean kid laughing at Janice's loss of hair, and Linus proceeding to berate him for being such a bully. While the scene shows a more passionately defensive side to Linus, it barely has much of a payoff and is quickly forgotten about after it's over. Also, the special wraps up so quickly and sweetly that it doesn't let the poorer emotions of the characters resonate long enough. No matter how poignant you are with a special on cancer, you must let the drama speak for itself so the viewers will have a better appreciation for the risks you took in the long run.
So in spite of its sincere intentions and moments of stubbornness the Peanuts have been known for, Why, Charlie Brown, Why? falls short in the drama department and plays itself a little too safe to break any new ground whatsoever. It's good to know that this special inspired many children to feel for the sick and understand what someone can go through when they're in love, but there isn't much worth remembering from the special outside of the leukimia subject. That being said, I still recommend giving this special a watch if you want to see Charles Schulz tackling a more personal topic.
The main storyline revolves around a friend of Linus named Janice who slowly goes through treatments to cure her diagnosed leukemia, much to the grief of the poor kid. Based on the serious subject matter at hand here, one could imagine this would be much darker than most Peanuts specials, and to the featurette's credit, it does handle the topic with a lot of respect. Considering the effects cancer can have on the youth, the special even helps educate young viewers on the complicated procedures patients go through to get the right treatment. In addition, Linus goes through quite the amount of grief through his concern for Janice's well being, which I'm sure many of us have witnessed with a loved one at some point in their lives. While he can get a little heated around others, a lot of it comes from the confusion of not being able to comprehend a serious situation like a near terminal disease. Even Janice herself is surprisingly brave for a young kid trying to beat cancer, which could hopefully send a positive message to the ill youth.
However, perhaps it was my expectations getting the better of my judgement, but the special isn't quite as serious as it could have been. Perhaps the entire special should have focused more on Janice's dilemma or laid off the Snoopy filler, but the tone just isn't strong enough to make much of an impact. Even when the special attempts to get dramatic, it mostly just lets a specific scene play out and not even go back to it to make the story more engaging. Arguably one of the more well known scenes from this special involves a mean kid laughing at Janice's loss of hair, and Linus proceeding to berate him for being such a bully. While the scene shows a more passionately defensive side to Linus, it barely has much of a payoff and is quickly forgotten about after it's over. Also, the special wraps up so quickly and sweetly that it doesn't let the poorer emotions of the characters resonate long enough. No matter how poignant you are with a special on cancer, you must let the drama speak for itself so the viewers will have a better appreciation for the risks you took in the long run.
So in spite of its sincere intentions and moments of stubbornness the Peanuts have been known for, Why, Charlie Brown, Why? falls short in the drama department and plays itself a little too safe to break any new ground whatsoever. It's good to know that this special inspired many children to feel for the sick and understand what someone can go through when they're in love, but there isn't much worth remembering from the special outside of the leukimia subject. That being said, I still recommend giving this special a watch if you want to see Charles Schulz tackling a more personal topic.
A good lesson for children on grief and the meaning of friendship
SusieSalmonLikeTheFish3 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of Charlie Brown was a little depressing and morbid, but it has a valuable lesson for kids about life, grief and the importance of friendship in hard times.
Linus has a crush on Janice, a pretty girl in his class, but one day she gets really sick and doesn't come back to school. When Linus and Charlie Brown drop by the hospital to visit her, they discover that Janice has leukemia (bone cancer), and that she'll have to stay there for radiation treatments. Linus is beside himself with sadness; he doesn't understand why a little girl would be given such an awful illness, but when she comes back to school he stays by her side and stops bullies from laughing at her, until finally in the spring they're able to play together on the swing sets again.
There should be more shows like this for kids. I'm not saying kids should be surrounded in this stuff, but children today are growing up in safe little bubbles on their cellular phones with no idea of how to handle what life can throw at you. Chances are at some point in life they'll have to lose a loved one, if not to cancer than to something else, and it's important to know that nobody is to blame, that sometimes unfair things happen for no reason.
FYI, Janice doesn't die, so this episode isn't too sad for kids.
Linus has a crush on Janice, a pretty girl in his class, but one day she gets really sick and doesn't come back to school. When Linus and Charlie Brown drop by the hospital to visit her, they discover that Janice has leukemia (bone cancer), and that she'll have to stay there for radiation treatments. Linus is beside himself with sadness; he doesn't understand why a little girl would be given such an awful illness, but when she comes back to school he stays by her side and stops bullies from laughing at her, until finally in the spring they're able to play together on the swing sets again.
There should be more shows like this for kids. I'm not saying kids should be surrounded in this stuff, but children today are growing up in safe little bubbles on their cellular phones with no idea of how to handle what life can throw at you. Chances are at some point in life they'll have to lose a loved one, if not to cancer than to something else, and it's important to know that nobody is to blame, that sometimes unfair things happen for no reason.
FYI, Janice doesn't die, so this episode isn't too sad for kids.
Not Only Is This The Best Peanuts Special, This Is One Of The Best FILMS Ever Made
danieltigerthomasfan19 November 2022
I Love this movie..... I mean I REALLY Love this movie! From the characters to the animation to the music and the emotional impact! I Lost my 3 grandfathers to cancer. One of them was a huge Peanuts fan. So this hit me right in the heart! Honestly this could be on the same level as a cinematic film like Inside Out or my Favorite Film of all time, The Polar Express! Yes that's how good this movie is! The only other peanuts project that could top this is The Peanuts Movie. Both are in my Top 10 Favorite Movies of all time! They are both perfect and this one in particular is a real emotional wreck! There were 2 moments that made me cry, 1 was when Janice talked about her leukemia and the 2nd was the ending, which was more of a "tears of joy" if you will. I also love the fact that she's got a positive mind set. I honestly have no flaws with this film, I didn't find Sally annoying at all, I thought Snoopy was funny as always and of course it has the amazing Peanuts heart!
"Peanuts" With A Very Important (And Personal) Message
mkurland231 July 2019
This "Peanuts" special is a huge departure from everything that had come before, to discuss the real illness of cancer. Schulz had previously insisted on a reading of the Biblical version of the true meaning of Christmas in the very first special. He insisted on this special being expanded from five minutes to the full half-hour of the previous ones because of how personal it was to him. (His mother died of cancer right as he was drafted into the Army.) In a way, this special was foreshadowing the very disease that would claim Schulz's life in 2000. I might have only seen parts of this special, but I believe it is a must-see for both kids and their parents so they understand what others might have to go through if they have cancer.
A Remarkably Good Departure From the Peanuts Formula
cairn68 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
By 1990 the "Peanuts" series had grown to well over 30 specials. Most were very well received by fans of the series as well as the general viewing audience. One main factor was light hearted nature the subject matter presented in each outing.But this special is different. Even when the characters faced tough situations, those examples of drama were nothing in comparison to what was faced in this very strong and well presented episode. This time it was serious business. The story centers around a young girl to which Linus has developed a close relationship with. Early on in the story she becomes ill and is admitted to the hospital where she is diagnosed with cancer. Her struggles and will to survive are documented as well as Linus doing his best to provide moral support. The story has a happy ending, but the viewer now understands that the characters we know and love, like us, have to sometimes face the ugly realities of life. And in this story they...especially Linus and Janice...very much do so. Due to the seriousness of the story, Snoopy's normal antics are very limited, appropriate considering the story line, and Linus' blanket is gone, a well thought idea to present him not as a goofy kid, but a pre-teen acting in a mature and responsible manner. All in all this is a must see for fans of the series, you may shed a tear, but in the end you will be even more close to the characters you have known and loved for years.
This bold move by Peanuts is what inspired me to go back and watch every non-holiday special online and on DVD collections. 💜
adampkalb3 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It is a sad and heavy story, that is still met with a happy and light ending so that the kids who watch Peanuts, as well as parents or grandparents who have real kids with cancer do not get too upset to watch it again. For 40 years, the Peanuts comic books and cartoons were known for telling lighthearted yet mature slice-of-life stories that only showed kids and their pets, and rarely ever showed adults (except when they needed to in the Thanksgiving special, the mini-series about American history and Snoopy's Reunion). In 1990, we get a very special episode near and dear to the heart of Charles M. Schulz. Because of his own real experience and family history of cancer, I could not be more proud of Charles M. Schulz for negotiating with Sylvia Cook, Bill Melendez and CBS to make this a full 22-minute story, instead of a 5-minute PSA short like the ones he made about brushing teeth, dental hygiene and air pollution in 1978. I also love it when serious PSA stories that introduce a new character for their story, know how to give their main subject character some depth and personality that helps us feel emotionally attached to them for the single story they are in. Oops was a very special Family Ties episode from Season 1 that I watched because it featured Cristen Kauffman two years before she played Betty in Back to the Future and got to work with Michael J. Fox again. Oops was a stand-out serious episode about teen pregnancy which did a good job of fleshing out the personalities and interactions of Cindy Sullivan and her mother Lynn Sullivan. It is the same case with Janice Emmons, her older sister and her younger sister in Why, Charlie Brown, Why. Even in other Peanuts TV specials or movies that do not take on a serious subject like this one, stories that include other new kids we do not see often, really help to expand the world of Peanuts, which says a lot for a cartoon world limited to an unspecified suburban American town with kids who are perpetually stuck in the mid-20th century using rotary phones and typewriters. Yes, even in The Peanuts Movie from 2015.
1990 was an unusual and fascinating year for children's animation; the same year of Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Had Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue when Alf, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Garfield, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and the main characters of DuckTales, Looney Tunes, Muppet Babies and The Smurfs come together to teach a brother and sister, Michael and Corey, about how to quit on drugs. Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue and Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Deserve to be remembered for being a big start for two new actors each. WCBW is the first acting credit for Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Lindsay Sloane, who voiced Janice's older sister, and the twelfth acting credit for The Torkeltons star Olivia Burnette, who gives a very good serious child's performance as Janice Emmons in this TV special and Mickey Bolen in Casey's Gift: For Love of a Child. CASttR is the first time after Mel Blanc's passing when Jeff Bergman got to play Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, who each show Michael his past and future with drugs, and he puts on a memorable first performance for both characters. It is also the fifth acting credit for Jason Marsden, who voices Michael and got to have a very illustrious cartoon acting career ever since, including A Goofy Movie and The Fairly OddParents.
Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Is the yin to Cartoon All-Stars' yang, the various cartoon characters who come together and take Michael on a trippy adventure and encourage Corey to tell her parents about his problem give the story a whimsical tone despite the serious subject matter. Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Is more sad and serious, and tells a much more down-to-earth story like many Peanuts cartoons before and after it, but does not forget to have light moments of comedic relief with Snoopy and Woodstock as the seasons change from fall to winter to spring, and goes deep into showing us a variety of positive and negative reactions to Janice's cancer. Linus and Charlie are Janice's friends and visitors who get a little scared when she tells them how she learned she had leukemia, but they support her all throughout her journey and hope for her to get better. Sally ignores how Janice feels when she does not like riding the school bus and tells Janice she could have stayed and played at home longer after she got well. Lucy acts even worse when she believes Janice is contagious and will get her and Linus sick, and thinks Janice got cancer because she is a "creepy kid."
I am very happy that Janice Emmons survived her cancer, not only because Why, Charlie Brown, Why would be too much of a downer if she died young, but it would also be a cheap way to cut off the story early when there are more sides to this subject to cover in the second half of the story. Transition from fall to winter, and Janice is bald from chemotherapy treatments. Linus stands up to a mean boy who bullied Janice for being bald, and asks him how he would feel if he had cancer and lost his hair. Linus goes to Janice's house to give her a Christmas present, and her older sister is mad that Janice keeps getting more Christmas gifts than them. Janice's younger sister says that all the presents and attention that Janice gets are ways for people who care about Janice to show that they hope she gets well. When spring comes by, Janice is well again and she is happy to be back at school. The swings are back after the winter, and Linus pushes Janice on the swings again with the joyful surprise that her hair grew back in 3 months since we last saw her in the winter. I was proud of Charles M. Schulz for telling a heavy, yet idealistic story that carefully educates kids about cancer and can still have a happy ending without any cheap death fake-outs. 😠I do not think Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Would be any better or develop Linus's character throughout the story any more if Janice Emmons died in the end or in the middle, and I also do not think Wonder Park would be a better story for June Bailey if her mom died. They would waste good characters by not treating them like an actual person with their own side of the story to tell because they were only a "motivational tool" for Linus's and June's story. June's mom teaches her to keep her light of positivity shining in her, which is an important thing for June to remember to do to keep Wonderland alive on her own whether or not her mother survives. June Bailey's mom surviving her sickness in the end does nothing to nullify June's character development throughout the story, and I would much rather prefer June being rewarded with the return of her mom, than for June to lose her mom and possible learn how to move on from it way too fast.
1990 was an unusual and fascinating year for children's animation; the same year of Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Had Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue when Alf, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Garfield, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and the main characters of DuckTales, Looney Tunes, Muppet Babies and The Smurfs come together to teach a brother and sister, Michael and Corey, about how to quit on drugs. Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue and Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Deserve to be remembered for being a big start for two new actors each. WCBW is the first acting credit for Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Lindsay Sloane, who voiced Janice's older sister, and the twelfth acting credit for The Torkeltons star Olivia Burnette, who gives a very good serious child's performance as Janice Emmons in this TV special and Mickey Bolen in Casey's Gift: For Love of a Child. CASttR is the first time after Mel Blanc's passing when Jeff Bergman got to play Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, who each show Michael his past and future with drugs, and he puts on a memorable first performance for both characters. It is also the fifth acting credit for Jason Marsden, who voices Michael and got to have a very illustrious cartoon acting career ever since, including A Goofy Movie and The Fairly OddParents.
Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Is the yin to Cartoon All-Stars' yang, the various cartoon characters who come together and take Michael on a trippy adventure and encourage Corey to tell her parents about his problem give the story a whimsical tone despite the serious subject matter. Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Is more sad and serious, and tells a much more down-to-earth story like many Peanuts cartoons before and after it, but does not forget to have light moments of comedic relief with Snoopy and Woodstock as the seasons change from fall to winter to spring, and goes deep into showing us a variety of positive and negative reactions to Janice's cancer. Linus and Charlie are Janice's friends and visitors who get a little scared when she tells them how she learned she had leukemia, but they support her all throughout her journey and hope for her to get better. Sally ignores how Janice feels when she does not like riding the school bus and tells Janice she could have stayed and played at home longer after she got well. Lucy acts even worse when she believes Janice is contagious and will get her and Linus sick, and thinks Janice got cancer because she is a "creepy kid."
I am very happy that Janice Emmons survived her cancer, not only because Why, Charlie Brown, Why would be too much of a downer if she died young, but it would also be a cheap way to cut off the story early when there are more sides to this subject to cover in the second half of the story. Transition from fall to winter, and Janice is bald from chemotherapy treatments. Linus stands up to a mean boy who bullied Janice for being bald, and asks him how he would feel if he had cancer and lost his hair. Linus goes to Janice's house to give her a Christmas present, and her older sister is mad that Janice keeps getting more Christmas gifts than them. Janice's younger sister says that all the presents and attention that Janice gets are ways for people who care about Janice to show that they hope she gets well. When spring comes by, Janice is well again and she is happy to be back at school. The swings are back after the winter, and Linus pushes Janice on the swings again with the joyful surprise that her hair grew back in 3 months since we last saw her in the winter. I was proud of Charles M. Schulz for telling a heavy, yet idealistic story that carefully educates kids about cancer and can still have a happy ending without any cheap death fake-outs. 😠I do not think Why, Charlie Brown, Why? Would be any better or develop Linus's character throughout the story any more if Janice Emmons died in the end or in the middle, and I also do not think Wonder Park would be a better story for June Bailey if her mom died. They would waste good characters by not treating them like an actual person with their own side of the story to tell because they were only a "motivational tool" for Linus's and June's story. June's mom teaches her to keep her light of positivity shining in her, which is an important thing for June to remember to do to keep Wonderland alive on her own whether or not her mother survives. June Bailey's mom surviving her sickness in the end does nothing to nullify June's character development throughout the story, and I would much rather prefer June being rewarded with the return of her mom, than for June to lose her mom and possible learn how to move on from it way too fast.
It's Leukemia, Charlie Brown
Livedog24 August 2001
It's one of those things that you think is too good to really exist. "Have you seen that Charlie Brown special where the chick gets cancer?" It's surreal, like if there were an episode of Sesame Street where Oscar the Grouch catches HIV from a dirty needle in his trash can. They missed a great opportunity for a funeral scene where they play the Charlie Brown theme on an organ, Linus has a black blanket, Snoopy dances in place really slow.
She's Got Cancer, Charlie Brown!
Rosabel10 August 2004
This one will probably continue to hold the award for Most Annoying Shouting By An Aggrieved Child until the 5th Harry Potter book is filmed. These Charlie Brown cartoons always had an unpolished speaking style for the kids' voices, which in the early days was cute and winning. The stilted shouting was funny when it was Linus ranting about the Great Pumpkin. But they use the exact same phony-sounding style when the issue being discussed is cancer, so the whole thing comes off as hokey. The worst part is when Linus lectures an insensitive kid on his cruel comments about the girl who's lost her hair through chemotherapy. It's loud, toneless, and self-righteous, and just made me want to belt him in the mouth, rather than making me feel sympathetic.
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