It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown

Storyline

Hosted by Kristen Bell, this television special celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the first airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Background is provided on the history of Peanuts leading up to the genesis of the 1965 production, and the importance of music in it, especially what would become the iconic Peanuts theme, "Linus & Lucy". Some of the music from the show and other subsequent Peanuts specials - which total fifty to date - are performed, with a new song composed commemorating the Charlie Brown Christmas tree sung by Matthew Morrison. Recurring themes within Peanuts are discussed, including Charlie Brown's many sporting failures. Other aspects of popular culture in which Peanuts has made a mark are also presented, including being used as the subject of a Broadway musical and module names in the American space program. Interspersed, many celebrities offer their congratulations to the Peanuts gang for reaching this milestone.