January 28, 2002

ABC Television Network

PRESS RELEASE - ENTERTAINMENT - A CHARLIE BROWN VALENTINE (2/14)

ALL-NEW CHARLIE BROWN VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL AIRS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, ON ABC

An all-new "PEANUTS" special, "A Charlie Brown Valentine," produced and animated by the same team that gave us the now classic "PEANUTS" holiday specials and taken directly from the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz's famed comic strip, will air THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

The Valentine's Day special marks the first newly created programming from the "PEANUTS" team in several years. It is taken directly from the vast number of archived strips that Schulz themed to the popular February holiday. In this special, Charlie Brown finally works up the courage to call the little red-haired girl to ask her to the Valentine's Day dance. But once again he ends up broken-hearted and empty-handed when he dials the wrong number and reaches Peppermint Patty instead.

"PEANUTS" focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy.

Lee Mendelson is executive-producer and Bill Melendez is producer and director of "A Charlie Brown Valentine."

This program carries a TV-G parental guideline.