Um… Let me ask this important question: Was Charlie Brown always such a bum out? Did I miss that when I was 6? I just watched Charlie Brown Xmas with my daughter and I wanted to throw a sock at the TV.
First, BUCK UP DUDE! I mean, where are your parents? Why are they not setting you straight!? And don’t take that shit from Lucy! And what’s up with her? Mean, man! Just mean. The other chick, who, Sally? I can’t remember. The one who’s after Charlie all the time. She’s a cute little girl and she wants Charlie? And he keeps blowing her off. Dude! Let me tell you, you’re not gonna get any better than that. Nope, not at all with that bum-out attitude. And Pig Pen. Um… Take a bath? In this day and age he would probably be diagnosed with some “disorder.” Linus was sweet – ya know, an artist.
I remember in the pumpkin show, Charlie was always getting the rock and we all laughed. Right? We all thought it was funny. That would be sorta devastating for a kid. Honestly, if my kid came home with only rocks on Halloween night, I’d be going to those houses with a can of whoop ass!
AND WHERE ARE THE PARENTS OF THOSE PEANUTS!? And why do they only go “Wha, wha, wha”? Is that what we sound like to our kids? Is that what Natalia hears? No wonder there is such drama at bath time.
My summation… Charlie needs to get some balls. He needs to tell Lucy to go fuck herself and needs to cozy up to that blonde girl and all will be good. But I am still diggin’ snoopy.
Haha!! Brutal assessment! Yeah, poor Chuck, the rocks, Lucy, no parents around, smart-ass dog?! Plus, didn’t he have a crush on a certain red-haired girl, but couldn’t muster the courage to ask her out?
Hmmm.. those red haired women.. lol!
I’ll tell ya another show, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on that one!! Yikes!!
I had never thought about Charlie Brown being a ‘bum out’ before. But the first thought t that came to my mind was that maybe he was very depressed. Maybe he was so disappointed about the world and people in it.
Hey, Michelle. I watched an episode of Diagnosis Murder yesterday and the conclusion today.. Yesterday you played a dumb pretty mob chick. I thought you were t the Dick Van Kyke character’s girlfriend ( I had it on in the background), and today the computer smart chiick came out and I recognized that voice. Hey that is Michelle Staffrord! Love you on GH.
Ms Stafford,
Hi…longtime fan and may I say with the exception of Dawn Wells in the 60s, NEVER have I crushed on someone so fast. You are a beautiful talent. (When God made YOU,, He was just showin’ off…) May I share a post I made in my notes on facebook after going to the new “Peanuts” movie last November?
Top 10 Things I Learned from “Peanuts”
LANCE KIRTLEY·SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2015
I went to see the new Peanuts movie, last Saturday, with a friend and her 2 sons. I don’t think ANY of us were disappointed. I’ve always been a fan of Charlie Brown & Co. In fact, I think the most important life lessons can be learned from the Peanuts gang. Some things I learned:
1) It’s okay to be afraid… just don’t let your fears control you. Charlie Brown often sat in bed and spoke of his fears, but no matter how scared he was he always did the things he wanted to do.
2) Persistence wins out.. Charlie Brown often lost, failed at much, but he never gave up. Even though he knew Lucy was going to pull the football away before he could kick it…. Even though he knew the tree was going to eat his kite… Even though he knew his team would lose the ball game… he kept on trying.
3) It’s what you think of yourself that counts… Linus carried a security blanket for years and his friends laughed at him. They also laughed at him because he believed in the Great Pumpkin. Pigpen was a walking cloud of dust and dirt and was often regarded unkindly. Both characters, however, were always proud of themselves and believed they were as good as anybody else – and they were right.
4)) Sometimes you need to talk…One thing the “Peanuts” gang understood was the importance of talking things out. Whether leaning up against Schroeder’s piano or atop the brick wall, they always discussed what was of concern to them.
5) Sometimes you need to listen… Even crabby, self-indulged Lucy knew the importance of listening. She started the famous Psychiatry Booth where any and all could come and be heard.
6)Do what you love to do…Through all their adventures, Schroeder remained constant in his appreciation of Beethoven and his love of playing the piano. He loved to play piano and that’s what he did, regardless of the circumstances. Charlie Brown flew his kite, played baseball and football, not just to win (he knew he wouldn’t), but because he loved to do those things.
7) It’s important to have friends that care… The Peanuts gang was made up of individual characters, each with their own foibles and talents, but through it all they were always there for each other.
8) Big dreams lead to big things… Snoopy was the biggest dreamer of them all, but his wild imagination often led to even wilder, more fantastic adventures in real life. Snoopy knew that you must have a big dream if you are going to lead a big life.
9)Action creates reality… As Charlie Brown was reminded time and again after prodding from Linus: it takes action to bring about change. Though he often failed, Chuck took action quite regularly – and every now and again things would go his way.
(And probably my FAVOURITE lesson)
10) Laugh every day! While the kids themselves may not have seen the humor in the things they did, Schulz made sure that we did. Life is only as serious or as humorous as YOU make it. Lighten up. Go play softball. Fly a kite. Dance with your dog. Smile… it makes people wonder what you’re up to.
Thank you for allowing me this response. And thank you for your time and talent, over the years.
I hope the rest of your life is as awesome as you are beautiful.
Stay cool, Stay groovy!
Lance
Good morning, Michelle,
Hope you’re doing well.
Thank you for this. I wouldn’t have put it quite that harshly, but, yes, I completely agree.
I never liked, “Peanuts,” even as a kid. I wasn’t able to explain it, as a child. All I would have been able to say, is, “It’s not fair. They’re mean.”
What those characters did to him is reprehensible. I personally witnessed physical abuse and complete and utter psychological torture in elementary school, back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. What they did to that innocent child is unconscionable, and it continued day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, because it was condoned and encouraged by the principal and the staff. I found one classmate at a high school reunion that wasn’t specific, but did assent that child had a very rough go of it.
This is why I never liked, “Peanuts.” You’re spot on. They were mean. I put most of the responsibility in the other characters who continued to initiate the emotional abuse. However, Charlie did continue to go back to them. “Kick the football, Charlie Brown, kick the football, Charlie Brown. I won’t pull it away this time. You can trust me. Kick the football, Charlie Brown.” And, he’d trust her, he’d try, then she’d do what she always did, pull the football away, and he’d fall on his back. That is both emotional and physical abuse. Completely unacceptable. And, it sent a message to every child to that lying and hurting others is what one is supposed to do, that this is encouraged and accepted behaviour in society.
If only Mr. Schulz had Charlie take his power back, and, at Lucy’s incessant tauntings, turned and walked away. Best way to win, don’t play the game.
Hilarious! I totally agree.
michelle stafford hi how long have you been on gh
I think you are AMAZING, & I enjoy watching you on General Hospital! 🙂 You were AWESOME on Y&R also. I would love to see what other shows you end up on. 🙂 YOU ROCK! 🙂
The really burning question for me has nothing to with Charlie’s balls. I’m still not convinced that Bugs Bunny has any…still think the bunny’s a lady.
I am really late to this party and post but, allow me to interject. Michelle, you are a wee bit younger than I and so I’m going to give a little leeway on your misinformation regarding Peanuts’ characters and your misunderstanding of some of the deeper meanings brilliantly woven into that beloved comic strip and carton series. You’ve already been scolded for not knowing that Sally is Chalie Brown’s sister and not a potential love interest but doesn’t that really illustrate your missing the boat overall, here? Your commentary really glosses over what it was all about.
Sparky’s (Schultz’s nickname) Peanuts gang was not mean to Charlie Brown for the pure sake of meanness or today’s word: bullying. These children (especially Charlie) were brimming with insecurity, depression, loss, and resentment. It is amazing to see how they dealt with it in their childlike (yet often very adult) way. The humor was there to overcome the darkness. We are asked to take a philosophical journey into the human condition and come out laughing. Peanuts is the ultimate (and brilliant) trip through existentialism and good human determinism. The sacred and the profane.
Well put. We watch every yr. One of the reasons I do pay Bell T.V. every month… that and to watch Stafford at work (no… that didn’t sound creepy at all). We did start to find it a little depressing… but it’s still a very cool thing to do during the holidays with loved ones 🙂
Lots of the cartoons we loved as kids are violent by today’s standards, and yeah, the adults go ‘wha wha’ because the point was to see life from a kid’s perspective. Your daughter is adorable and seems very happy, content and secure from what I’ve seen on your episodes- She’s always smiling and full of energy- Charlie Brown can’t touch that. Besides, he’s a boy- boys don’t grow up. You’ve probably figured that out. )
Oh
michelle!!! You are so so missed and truly I don’t watch Y&R as much anymore, and I have watch the show for 20 years. Is there any chance your coming back????Please please you make the show worth watching. Miss you
I know this is an older post and Xmas is far behind us, but I just stumbled upon it. I see others have beat me to it, but I think you need to add an addendum to your original comments! Sally is Charlie Brown’s little sister, which means your original comments could be very damaging to good ole Charlie Brown’s reputation! Peppermint Patty, (who’s hair was brown!) was the one they hinted at as having a crush on Charlie Brown (altho it has long been rumored that PP was really gay and that her lover was Marcie, who always referred to Peppermint Patty as “Sir”!). Cute little Sally was in love with Linus (she stayed up with him all night on Halloween waiting for the Great Pumpkin!). She also wrote that cute little letter to Santa Clause in the Xmas special (“How is your wife?”).
Otherwise, I’m glad to have stumbled across your site – I plan on visiting from time to time, and look forward to your future columns! Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year!
Please please please go back to young and restless, anybody they get is not going too come close too you as Phyllis Newman, they are going to botch the whole thing is writing you’re opinion of Charlie brown really rewarding and what is this Web series about i don’t think there are allot of viewers……i mean that come close to what you had with y&r……Michelle please go back wee really need you there.please.you’re number one fan. Rhonda.
Hey Michelle! Miss you on the show!
As for Peanuts….you never see any adults…just their legs, and they always say “wha wha wha”. Also I Sally was Charlie Brown’s sister and she was in luvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv with Linus! LOL
Snoopy Rocks!
Dear Ms Stafford,
I have been a fan of yours since you first appeared on Y & R. I have followed, and watched, your career even when you were that southern belle vamp…(LOVED her). I know you want to expand your career but Michelle, enough is enough we NEED you as Phyliss Summers. I need you to come back and kick Ms Newman’s you know what. All kidding aside I really love your work and REALLY am going to miss the way YOU make that character come alive, I’ve only enjoyed one other person in that role and that was the lady who took over for you in the 80’s. I miss you sooo much Phyliss ( I mean) Michelle.
I love your rant! I am lmao at this cause its so damn true! Tell it like it is Michelle!!
I think you are just going to deep in the cartoons it’s just a show that is much better than most of the stuff they have on tv now for children that what I think and if you don’t like it don’t watch it is just that simple
Yeah, that show is a relic! I think we’re supposed to just turn off our normal everyday reasoning capabilities and just accept it as “kiddietainment.” Sorry! No can do!
Michelle when Veg is at that age NO NO hate Baths so let her take a shower see if that words.. if not wait until she is a teenager. than you won;t be able to keep her from the bathroom.. Charlie Brother is a cartoon Michelle some silly person wrote this year ago to make Kids happy. just like you and the 2 Pages do when you all wrote the SteaffordProject too makes us happy now.
Peppermint Patty was always after “Chuck”! 😉