RIP, Snoopy

Bill Melendez, animator of four Peanuts movies and 70 television specials, and the voice of Snoopy and Woodstock, has died at the age of 91. I'm glad he had such a long, full life, and that during that time, he made such enduring work as A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I never feel as though it's Christmas, officially, until I watch Charlie drag that pathetic tree home and make it special. And I never make it through without at least one little tear, because I am the worst sap in the world. I've seen it probably close to 30 times, and I still get excited when it comes on television. Same for It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

That's not to say Melendez's career didn't have some misses. For example, he oversaw work on a Cathy cartoon, which is just not okay. And I'm pretty sure no one finds themselves saying around April, "You know, I just don't feel it's Arbor Day until I see It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown." (I kid — the Arbor Day special was Emmy-nominated and the blame for its lack in popularity probably has a great deal more to do with Arbor Day than the work itself. Also, I am possibly going to hell.)

In all seriousness, it's sad to think there will never be a new Charlie Brown special. Thankfully, we have the ones that are so timeless, with even 30 viewings under my belt, I will still get excited in early December when I hear that piano interlude and the brushing of a snare, followed by the children's chorus of Christmas Time Is Here. Bill Melendez, who breathed life into Schulz's motionless characters for over 40 years, brought us many gifts and leaves a hole in the heart of animation. RIP, Snoopy.

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