It's only a newspaper strip;

By: Dave Astor still, it changed the world

'Peanutes' will live on in reruns

Not since Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse has a cartoon property made such a universal impact on the world. And it all started in a newspaper.
"Nothing lasts forever," said "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz in a Dec. 14 telephone interview, adding that he was disappointed his comic would not reach its 50th anniversary in October.
The 77-year-old cartoonist, who has been undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, will see his last original daily strip run Jan. 3 and last original Sunday strip on Feb. 13. Schulz did all the upcoming comics before his illness, except for special final ones he's creating for Jan. 3 and Feb. 13.
"Although I feel better following my recent surgery, I want to focus on my health and my family without the worry of a daily deadline," said Schulz, whose cancer was discovered during a Nov. 16 operation for a blocked abdominal aorta. He also suffered one or more small strokes around that time.
Schulz is the most widely syndicated cartoonist in history, with more than 2,600 newspapers and an estimated 355 million readers in 75 countries. Starting Jan. 4 for daily strips and Feb. 20 for Sunday ones, United Media will offer "Peanuts" reruns from 1974 on.
These comics will be distributed indefinitely, probably at the same price as originals but possibly at lower prices in "exceptional cases," according to United.
United Senior Vice President/General Manager Sid Goldberg said it's too early to say how many newspapers will use the reruns, but expects it to be a large number. He acknowledged that papers traditionally don't like comic repeats, but said many will make an exception for Schulz. "Symphony orchestras are still playing Beethoven 200 years after he died," remarked Goldberg.
Schulz is uncertain how the rerun idea will fare. "Some papers will like it, and some will just plain drop it," he said.
Two newspaper editors E&P contacted each gave a thumb's up to repeats.
"I think it's a worthwhile endeavor," said Houston Chronicle Associate Publisher/Editor Jack Loftis. "Many younger readers have not seen the stuff from 1974, and those who did will appreciate the nostalgia involved."
Los Angeles Times Editorial Projects Manager/Comics Editor Nancy Tew added, "My hope is that we and most other papers will run it at least through 2000 ? the 50th anniversary year."
United's syndicate competitors are obviously watching to see how many "Peanuts" slots open up for their comics, while also realizing that Schulz's unique standing makes him deserving of reruns.
"I certainly think it's appropriate for now," said Copley News Service Editorial Director Glenda Winders. "As long as people want to see 'Peanuts,' that's exactly what I would do."
"There are a lot of gems in those reruns," added Universal Press Syndicate President John McMeel. "Probably a number of papers will use them, but it's hard to say how many."
Goldberg, who's also president of the Newspaper Features Council, did say that "like millions of people, we're going to miss the new material. ? But we're gratified that he did the comic far longer than one would have expected a person to."
"Peanuts" began with seven papers Oct. 2, 1950. As the comic grew in popularity, Schulz continued to write and draw every word and picture ? unlike many superstar cartoonists who use assistants.
Meanwhile, the comic spawned more than 1,400 books, more than 50 animated TV specials, and other spinoffs.
Licensed "Peanuts" products will continue, and Schulz plans to work on animation and book projects when his health permits.
"He won't have the daily deadline, but he'll still have the creative outlet," said Paige Braddock, senior vice president/creative director of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates in Santa Rosa, Calif., as well as a Web cartoonist and ex-graphics editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Nowadays, Schulz said he's spending time with family and friends, visiting his studio and ice arena, and just trying to relax.
Will Schulz ever resume "Peanuts"? People who know him said it's theoretically possible, but unlikely. "He could do the comic, but he's very conscious about the quality and how it might suffer because of his health," said Braddock.
"To have the fullest recuperation, he has to put himself in first place and his comic in second," added Goldberg.

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