SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : All About Charles: A&E; ‘Biography’ examines what draws Schulz to ‘Peanuts’

Charles Schulz still worries about the same things he did as a youth: loneliness, success and failure. These concerns aren’t a bad thing for Schulz’s fans, though, because for years the cartoonist has tapped into those all-too-common feelings for his immensely popular “Peanuts” comic strip.

An A&E; Biography this week examines “Charles Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life.” Schulz says he was extremely sensitive at a young age; he didn’t join his school arts club because he was too shy and suffered “profound loneliness” in the Army.

In one segment of the “Biography,” Schulz reveals his newspaper syndicate gave his comic strip the name “Peanuts” over his objections.

In addition to an interview with Schulz, “Biography” talks with cartoonists Cathy Guisewite (“Cathy”) and Lynn Johnston (“For Better or for Worse”).

A long-time Schulz associate, animator Bill Melendez--who has produced all 36 “Peanuts” specials, the Saturday morning TV series and four features--suggests that Charlie Brown is Schulz “come to life.”

Melendez and Schulz met in the mid-’50s doing Ford commercials. “Ever since we’ve had a very wonderful relationship. He once called me up and said, ‘Bill, I’m a strip artist and that’s what I do everyday, and you’re an animator and that’s what you do every day. I’ll do my strip and you animate.’ That gave me tremendous freedom and tremendous responsibilities. We’ve got a very nice association. We’re very good friends, year after year.”

The artists have an understanding. Even though Melendez is called upon to imitate Schulz’s work, Melendez says Schulz “understands I’ve never taken away his responsibility to the strip. I try to make it the best I can, as if he’s drawing it, which is very challenging and hard. I think Sparky [Schulz’s nickname] respects my respect for his strip and that I don’t try to change it or make it something it isnt.”

Melendez and Schulz are now at work on a new special focusing on Linus’ birthday, as well as six children’s CD-ROM projects featuring Charlie Brown and pals. They also continue to do commercials together.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a holiday season without the Peanuts gang on your small screen. Friday on the Disney Channel, Happy New Year, Charlie Brown finds the anti-hero having to read “War and Peace” over the holiday break.

As for the Peanuts specials’ enduring popularity, Melendez explains, “The whole series is based on such a uniquely American comic strip. The stories are so whimsical, a true-to-life- American art form. There are so few like that.”

“Charles Schulz: A Charlie Brown Life” airs Monday at 5 and 9 p.m. on A&E.; For ages 8 and up. “Happy New Year, Charlie Brown” airs Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 6:30 p.m. on the Disney Channel. For ages 2 and up.

Another Family Show

Christmas theme toons highlight A Disney Channel Christmas (Sunday, 7 p.m. and Monday, 10 a.m. Disney Channel). Jiminy Cricket hosts. For ages 2 and up.