Drop ‘Peanuts'? Readers respond, ‘Forget about it'

I had a feeling I would get a lot of reaction to my column last week about whether it was a good idea or not to remove the “Peanuts” comic strip from our newspaper.

This week I'm feeling a bit like Charlie Brown after Lucy pulls away the football and he falls flat on his back.

I definitely took a pummeling from readers, mostly in a positive way, but a few also questioned my character and intelligence. A few also invited me to leave town.

In fact, my column hadn't even been printed yet when the reaction began. Some associates here at the newspaper got wind of last week's column and let me know they wanted the comic strip to remain in the paper.

I knew many people liked “Peanuts,” but because it has been in reruns since the death of its creator — Charles M. Schulz — a decade ago, I thought readers might be ready to move on to something else. Well, most of the many people who responded said they definitely did not want to move on. The vote was about 80 percent to keep it and 20 percent to replace it — with responses still coming in as this was written.

I discovered that many fans of the comic have a deep attachment to it.

For example, one fan e-mailed me: “I believe that a comic strip like Peanuts will never become so dated that it is irrelevant. The strip covers the gamut of emotion and also deals with everyday problems that were evident in 1950 and are still evident today.”

Another wrote: “That strip is more than just a cartoon — it's an institution. It's kind of like Irving Berlin's ‘God Bless America.'

And another: “It is a timeless strip, full of love and wonder. Its characters are not stuck in any particular era, so they appeal to all of us.”

One common theme that seemed to emerge from comments is many readers of “Peanuts” don't think more current comic strips are very funny — an essential element of past comics.

As one fan noted: “Other comics are not very interesting to read, and are boring and too political. I think comics should be for laughing and forgetting the world's problems and sadness.”

One commented: “If you replace it, it will probably be with one of those UGLY new comics that I can't stand to look at.” Another thought we would “want to introduce some weird cartoonist — probably a political assailant with a pen.”

Some revealed that the comic strip had deeper psychological significance to them. For example, “I loved Peanuts because I've always felt like the outsider the loser Charlie Brown was. But while Charlie wasn't loved by those around him, not even respected by his dog Snoopy, those on the outside adored Charlie and always wanted the best for him. I guess that's a message to people — one can be a loser but still be appreciated.”

Of course, some did think it was time to move on, usually expressing their feelings succinctly with a “yes, drop it” and often offering a comic strip they thought was better. But the “droppers” were definitely in the minority.

Most respondents felt like this one: “There are lots newer, but none that can really take its place. Charles Schulz had a talent that to date has been unequaled. His work is just as good today as it was when he was alive. It has a class that so many ‘strips' don't embrace today — that of being truly amusing.”

Then there was the person who compared me to a breakfast gremlin: “Do away with the ‘Peanuts' gang? Surely you are kidding? That would be like taking oatmeal off the list of breakfast options.”

OK, the message is clear. You love your “Peanuts.” In case you haven't guessed yet, we plan to continue to publish the comic strip.

Terry Ross is director of the Yuma Sun's News and Information Center. E-mail him at tross@yumasun.com or phone him at 539-6870.