Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy, on Apple TV+

The network initially predicted A Charlie Brown Christmas would be a disaster, because it was too jazzy and too religious. Instead, it became a timeless classic. It also reflected the faith of Peanuts Charles M. Shulz, who had simultaneously penned the Christian-themed Young Pillars comic strip, about teens coming of age, during the early 1960s. The latest Peanuts Christmas special evokes the vibe of Vince Guaraldi’s classic jazz score, but it chickens out when it comes to recreating Linus’s arresting re-telling of the first Christmas. Nevertheless, for fans and families alike, Peanuts and Christmas still go together like milk and Christmas cookies in Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy, which premieres tomorrow on Apple TV+.

Is Snoopy a good dog or a bad dog? If he were a D&D character, he would be “chaotic good.” Evidently, that isn’t good enough for Santa anymore, because the North Pole communications department officially notifies Snoopy that he is on the naughty list.

Snoopy has twelve days to act virtuous to remove his naughty designation. Charlie Brown and his sister Sally do their best to coach Snoopy, but the beagle just cannot help causing chaos. It’s simply in his nature. Consequently, Charlie Brown tries to work odd jobs to earn money to buy Snoopy a present, but he just can’t get a break. That’s just who he is.

Despite the torturous title, “Snoopy Presents Snoopy” is a very sweet holiday special. Snoopy and his long-suffering owner both redeem themselves in seasonally appropriate ways. Yet, a message from Linus regarding the real meaning of Christmas would have elevated this special to an even higher level. Honestly, no matter how many times you have already seen A Charlie Brown Christmas, watching Linus explain the first Christmas in the Bethlehem stable still takes your breath away, doesn’t it?

Director Matt Ferguson and writer Alex Galatis might have taken the “safe” way out, in that respect, but in a way, just making a gentle and wholesome Christmas special, that really is Christmas, represents a bit of a risk these days. Jeff Morrow’s score continues to pay homage to Guaraldi, which also makes 12 Days of Snoopy refreshingly faithful to its predecessors. It is highly entertaining television, even though it never reaches the lofty heights of the 1965 Christmas special. Warmly recommended, Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy starts streaming tomorrow (11/13) on Apple TV+.