`Peanuts' Christmas Special Brings Early Cheer

There's snow on the ground? And Snoopy's dressed up like Santa?

Well, sure, then naturally you expect to see Peppermint Patty bopping along in summer sandals. This is the wry and charming universe of "Peanuts," after all. Where quirky isn't jerky, but it's always rather enchanting.

And the charm is flowing with giggly holiday cheer in "It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown" at 8:30 tonight on Channel 7.

This is something of a landmark occasion for the Peanuts gang.

"It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown" is the first new "Peanuts" Christmas special in 27 years.

There's a reason for that. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which premiered in 1965 and has been rebroadcast every year since then, is a beloved family classic. It was the first and remains the best of the TV specials based on Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip.

Honored with both Emmy and Peabody awards, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is one animated Christmas special that never wears out its welcome.

Though this new Peanuts encounter with the spirit of Noel doesn't quite merit a citation as instant classic, "It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown" certainly spreads its fair share of seasonal joy.

As with any venture into the world of animated Peanuts small fry who speak dollops of cockeyed truth, there is a certain ambience of dizzy Schulzian angst and introspection. Are you uptight yet, Charlie Brown? But of course.

When first we spy him, Charlie Brown is having doors slammed in his face as he tries to sell holiday wreaths door-to-door. Snipes one potential customer: "Don't you know you're contributing to the commercialization of Christmas?!" Slam.

Poor Chuck, he's just trying to earn a little money so he can buy a nice Christmas gift for his girlfriend, Peggy Jean. And if it's not one thing, it's usually another. Like Charlie being shocked and dismayed by little sister Sally's rather materialistic attitude toward the holiday season.

"Christmas is getting all you can get while the getting is good," says Sally forthrightly.

Fortunately, philosopher Linus is there to divine the more metaphysical aspects of the season. Not that he gets very far with Sally. But he does read excerpts of the Christmas story from the second chapter of Luke.

It's not just any old Christmas special when Dr. Albert Schweitzer's fear of receiving holiday gifts is mused upon. Thanks, Linus.

Nor is it anywhere but Schulzville when Peppermint Patty - dressed as a lamb - trips over her feet on the way to the school Christmas pageant. Chirps Patty's pal, Marcie: "Slouching toward Bethlehem, huh, sir?"

Out of the mouths of sly, wisdom-fueled characters. "It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown" is a fine early gift. Merry Christmas, Chuck.