ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 23, 1995 TAG: 9512260004
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-9 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HOLLYWOOD
SOURCE: N.F. MENDOZA LOS ANGELES TIMES
Charles Schulz still worries about the same things he did as a youth: loneliness, success and failure. These concerns aren't a bad thing for Schulz's fans, though, because for years the cartoonist has tapped into those all-too-common feelings for his immensely popular ``Peanuts'' comic strip.
An A&E ``Biography'' this week examines ``Charles Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life.'' Schulz says he was extremely sensitive at a young age; he didn't join his school arts club because he was too shy and suffered ``profound loneliness'' in the Army.
In one segment of the ``Biography,'' Schulz reveals that his newspaper syndicate gave his comic strip the name ``Peanuts'' over his objections.
In addition to an interview with Schulz, ``Biography'' talks with cartoonists Cathy Guisewite (``Cathy'') and Lynn Johnston (``For Better or for Worse'').
A longtime Schulz associate, animator Bill Melendez - who has produced all 36 ``Peanuts'' specials, the Saturday morning TV series and four features - suggests that Charlie Brown is Schulz ``come to life.''
Melendez and Schulz met in the mid-'50s doing Ford commercials. ``Ever since we've had a very wonderful relationship. He once called me up and said, `Bill, I'm a strip artist and that's what I do everyday, and you're an animator and that's what you do every day. I'll do my strip and you animate.' That gave me tremendous freedom and tremendous responsibilities. We've got a very nice association. We're very good friends, year after year.''
The artists have an understanding. Even though Melendez is called upon to imitate Schulz's work, Melendez says Schulz ``understands I've never taken away his responsibility to the strip. I try to make it the best I can, as if he's drawing it, which is very challenging and hard. I think Sparky (Schulz's nickname) respects my respect for his strip and that I don't try to change it or make it something it isn't.''
Melendez and Schulz are now at work on a new special focusing on Linus' birthday, as well as six children's CD-ROM projects featuring Charlie Brown and pals. They also continue to do commercials together.
Of course, it wouldn't be a holiday season without the Peanuts gang on your small screen. Friday on the Disney Channel, ``Happy New Year, Charlie Brown'' finds the anti-hero having to read ``War and Peace'' over the holiday break.
As for the Peanuts specials' enduring popularity, Melendez explains, ``The whole series is based on such a uniquely American comic strip. The stories are so whimsical, a true-to-life- American art form. There are so few like that.''
``Charles Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life'' airs Monday on A&E. For ages 8 and up. ``Happy New Year, Charlie Brown'' airs Friday and Jan. 1 on the Disney Channel. For ages 2 and up.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB