Holiday TV viewing: Charlie Brown moves to Apple TV+, plus other Christmas specials

For many, the first viewing of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” each year truly marks the beginning of the holiday season. The animated special, released in 1965, features the characters made famous in Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip “Peanuts.”

In the special, Charlie Brown (voiced by Peter Robbins) admits to his friend Linus (Chris Shea) that despite the holiday cheer, he still feels depressed. He shares the same thing with Lucy (Tracy Stratford) when visiting her psychiatric booth. Lucy says he should get involved in a holiday project and suggests he direct the school Christmas play.

While heading to the school, Brown notices more and more instances of the commercialization of the holiday. When he gets to school, he sees that the Christmas play has been updated to include dancing, upbeat music and a Christmas Queen.

Frustrated, he and Linus leave to search for a Christmas tree, arriving back at the school with the sorriest looking tree from the whole lot. Lucy and the other children laugh at the tree, leading Brown to wonder if anyone knows the meaning of Christmas. Linus shares the Gospel of Luke’s annunciation to the shepherds and says that’s what Christmas is all about.

Brown decides to decorate the tree on his own, borrowing an ornament from Snoopy’s doghouse, which the dog decorated itself. When the ornament causes the small tree to buckle, Brown is even more depressed.

It’s then that the other children, realizing they were tough on Brown, join together to right the tree and sing in the spirit of the holiday.

The special was well-received by viewers and critics alike, and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” took home an Emmy Award for outstanding children’s program in 1966.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” aired annually on CBS until 2000, when it began airing on ABC. This year marks the first that the special will be aired on Apple TV+ and PBS.

In October, Apple TV+ acquired exclusive rights to all “Peanuts”-related media, including “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Under the agreement, Apple TV+ must make each “Peanuts” special available for free for a three-day window, which, for “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” is Friday through Sunday.

After criticism concerning Apple’s decision to remove “Peanuts” from free television, the company announced that it had partnered with PBS to continue broadcasting the specials each year. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will air on PBS and PBS Kids on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Set a reminder for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – and perhaps some of these new Christmas specials, as well.

”Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical Live”

Airing tonight on NBC, “Dr. Seuss’ the Grinch Musical Live” is an adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” itself a take on the classic children’s book. The musical follows NBC’s tradition of live specials following “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Sound of Music,” “Peter Pan,” “The Wiz” and “Hairspray.”

The special stars Matthew Morrison (“Glee”) as the Grinch, Denis O’Hare as Max the Dog, Booboo Stewart as Young Max and Amelia Minto as Cindy-Lou Who.

”Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”

Ever since the release of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 1994, Mariah Carey has been a Christmas staple. With two holiday albums under her belt, “Merry Christmas” and “Merry Christmas II You,” Carey has added even more to her holiday resume with “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special.”

The special, which premiered Dec. 4 on Apple TV+, features performances from Carey, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson, plus dancing and animation all in the name of helping Santa solve a holiday cheer crisis. Tiffany Haddish, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland, Mykal-Michelle Harris and Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the “Peanuts” gang also appear.

”A Holly Dolly Christmas”

Though the special aired Dec. 6, you can still watch all-around legend Dolly Parton’s “A Holly Dolly Christmas” via CBS All Access. During the hourlong special, Parton performs hymns and holiday classics and shares personal Christmas stories.

Viewers also will get a chance to hear songs from Parton’s latest release, also titled “A Holly Dolly Christmas.” For even more Parton, watch her latest Christmas movie, “Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square,” now available on Netflix.

”My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood”

Now available on HBO Max, “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” features the country star singing a mix of holiday classics and original Christmas songs from “My Gift,” which was released in October. The special also will feature a performance of her new song “Hallelujah” with John Legend and “Little Drummer Boy” with Underwood’s 5-year-old son, Isaiah.

”CMA Country Christmas”

If you missed the TV premiere of “CMA Country Christmas,” don’t fret; the special is now available on Hulu. The special featured some of the biggest names in country music putting a down-home twist on holiday favorites.

Hosted by Thomas Rhett, who also performed, and his wife, Lauren, “CMA Country Christmas” featured performances by Darius Rucker and Lindsey Stirling, Little Big Town, Gabby Barrett, Dan and Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Lady A and Tim McGraw.