Who are you, Charlie Brown is going to make me cry, isn't it?

By Mike Prospero
published

This Peanuts retrospective looks back on the life of creator Charles M. Schulz

Who are you, Charlie Brown? is coming to Apple TV Plus
(Image credit: Apple)

I have a feeling that I might tear up once or twice while watching Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

This new Peanuts documentary, launching June 25 on Apple TV Plus, will take a look at the enduring legacy of the Peanuts and its creator, Charles Schulz. Announced today (June 4) with a trailer, the documentary is narrated by Lupita Nyong'o and features interviews with Jean Schulz (Charles Schulz' widow), Drew Barrymore, Billie Jean King, Al Roker, Ira Glass, Kevin Smith, Paul Feig, and others. 

The roughly 2-minute trailer for Who Are You, Charlie Brown? also contains clips from older interviews with Schulz, who passed away 21 years ago. Based on what's in the trailer, the documentary looks to explore the impact that Peanuts had on society, from having girls playing sports, to addressing racism with the introduction of Franklin, a Black character, in 1968. 

The larger themes of Peanuts — also part of its legacy — will also be examined, such as Charlie Brown's relentless faith that things will turn his way, no matter how many times Lucy swipes the football away. 

"Keep on trying, Charlie Brown," says Schulz in the trailer. "And if anyone should give up, he should." 

I have a real soft spot in my heart for the Peanuts, and couldn't help but get more than a little excited when I heard the familiar strains of Linus & Lucy playing in the background.

So, as sure as the Great Pumpkin rises every Halloween, you can be sure that I'll be watching Who Are You, Charlie Brown? when it comes out on June 25. And I might just get a bit misty-eyed, too.

Mike Prospero
Mike Prospero
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.