Sen. John Fetterman hears voices like character in 'Peanuts' cartoon 'whose words could never be deciphered': Report



The health problems that Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) experiences because of his near-fatal stroke last year are so severe that to him, voices sometime resemble a character from the "Peanuts" cartoon.

What are the details?

The New York Times revealed on Friday the severity of Fetterman's auditory processing issues, a lingering effect of his stroke.

From the Times:

The most evident disability is a neurological condition that impairs his hearing. Mr. Fetterman suffers from auditory processing issues, forcing him to rely primarily on a tablet to transcribe what is being said to him. The hearing issues are inconsistent; they often get worse when he is in a stressful or unfamiliar situation. When it’s bad, Mr. Fetterman has described it as trying to make out the muffled voice of the teacher in the “Peanuts” cartoon, whose words could never be deciphered.

Because of his complications, the Senate has installed new technology to help Fetterman understand proceedings in the Senate and to communicate with his colleagues.

For example, the Senate installed monitors at Fetterman's desk and the center dais in the Senate chamber that provide closed-captioning transcription services, allowing Fetterman to understand what is being said.

According to the Times, the Senate sergeant-at-arms is making similar arraignments for committee hearing rooms.

What is going on now?

The details come after Fetterman was hospitalized on Wednesday.

While attending a retreat for Senate Democrats, Fetterman began "feeling lightheaded." His staff promptly rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent testing. Doctors reportedly ruled out another stoke and later tested him for seizures.

Fetterman remains hospitalized.

Fetterman's chief of staff, Adam Jentleson, suggested in an interview with the the Times that his boss' busy post-stroke schedule may be responsible for the latest health episode.

According to Jentleson, Fetterman "was forced to do as much as possible — he had to get back to the campaign trail," instead of rest and recover.

But no one forced Fetterman to campaign for the Senate. Indeed, Fetterman was pushed to keep running because he had the opportunity to flip a Senate seat that had been long held by Republican Pat Toomey.

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'Peanuts' Mother's Day special celebrates dads, states 'some kids have two moms'



A forthcoming Apple TV Mother's Day special based on the "Peanuts" comic strip states that "some kids have two moms" ahead of the Sunday holiday.

The new special is described as a "sweet Mother’s Day celebration of friendship and family.”

What are the details?

On Friday, Apple TV released the trailer for the upcoming Mother's Day special, which is titled "Snoopy Presents to Mom (and Dad), with Love."

In the trailer, characters like Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, and more conjure up ways to celebrate Mother's Day — but for Peppermint Patty, whose mother is not in the picture, the holiday is difficult.

"I don't know why I get so upset," Peppermint Patty — who creator Charles Schulz confirmed is motherless in a September 1973 strip — tells her friend Marcie.

Marcie replies, "[B]ecause you miss your mom ... [Or] maybe you miss what moms do."

"My dad does all that mom stuff for me," Peppermint Patty continues. "For Mother's Day, I'm going to celebrate my dad ... There are all types of moms, right?"

Marcie answers in the affirmative, saying, "Of course. Some kids can have two moms."

“Even kids like me can have someone who acts like a mom," Peppermint Patty adds. "And it’s all those moms who deserve to be celebrated"

A news release from Apple TV states, "While the other kids are excited to celebrate the special day, for Peppermint Patty, it's just a reminder that she didn't grow up with a mom. With her good friend Marcie by her side, she soon realizes that real families come in all shapes and sizes, and that Mother's Day is an opportunity to thank that special person in your life who means the most to you. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock embark on an epic adventure to find Woodstock's long-lost mom."

The special is set to air Friday exclusively on Apple TV.

To Mom (and Dad), With Love — Official Trailer | Apple TV+ www.youtube.com

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Christmas specials are coming back to traditional TV following outcry over their removal



Fans of the "Peanuts" holiday specials "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" can turn their frowns upside down, as PBS struck a deal with Apple to bring the programs back to traditional television for special airings, Deadline reported.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving | Preview youtu.be

What's the background?

For countless folks last month, the news hit like left hook to the jaw that the beloved programs, which have been airing every year for decades, were leaving traditional TV for exclusive streaming on Apple TV+.

Apple TV+ acquired exclusive rights to the entire library of Charles Schulz's animated specials, and for the first time since 1965 there would be no more scenes of Snoopy dancing on regular TV.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

Folks were not happy, either. There were accusations of selling out, denying the joy the specials bring to families and individuals who don't have internet access, and squelching a tradition that has put the country on the same page — even for just a little while — when we're already so polarized.

"Decades of people sharing this with generations of children, the love and feeling it brings to those that make it a tradition and you sell out for AppleTV? What the hell?" another commenter wrote on Twitter. "Screw AppleTV. I can't believe you took this from people."

Then an online petition was launched demanding the programs' return to traditional TV — and it has garnered over 260,000 signatures to date.

They're back!

While "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" was on only Apple TV+ this year, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will air on PBS and PBS Kids — as well as on Apple TV+ — as part of the deal, Deadline said.

So, mark your calendars: "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will air ad-free on PBS and PBS Kids on Nov. 22 and Dec. 13, respectively, at 7:30 p.m. local time/6:30 p.m. CT, the outlet said.

Deadline also said the programs will stream ad-free and in HD on Apple TV+. In fact, "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" started streaming Wednesday on Apple TV+ and will be available for free from Nov. 25 through Nov. 27. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" will start streaming on Apple TV+ Dec. 4 and will stream for free from Dec. 11 through Dec. 13, the outlet added.

Anything else?

Apple also said it's creating additional "Peanuts" specials to celebrate Mother's Day, Earth Day, New Year's Eve, and the back-to-school season at the end of summer, FaithWire noted.

Where can I watch Charlie Brown this year?youtu.be

Petition demanding that the 'Peanuts' holiday specials be brought back to network TV nears 200,000 signatures: 'Obviously, we can't let this stand'



Last week, Apple TV announced that the beloved "Peanuts" holiday specials would appear exclusively on the Apple TV platform.

The move means for the first time since 1965 classics such as "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" would not be seen on American network television.

"It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is now streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Watch it for free from October 3… https://t.co/wWNn7CyqUG
— PEANUTS (@PEANUTS)1603124090.0

Needless to say, the announcement was poorly received.

The day after the Apple TV revealed it's plot to rob Americans of the joy of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and the gang marking the holidays — especially during this chaotic time America as we all deal with a global pandemic and a divisive election — a man named Michael Nebbia took to Change.org to launch a petition to get the animated features back on the airwaves.

In a matter of days, the petition has garnered 170,000 signatures — well on its way to 200,000.

The petition recalls the history of "Peanuts" in the U.S. and the massive betrayal by Apple TV, saying, "For over 50 years, we have celebrated the holidays with the airings of the Peanuts holiday specials on TV - first on CBS, then on ABC. To our shock and dismay, last night it was announced that Apple had swiped the football from us and claimed the specials for their Apple TV platform, leaving us devoted fans who have grown up with Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang in the dark, unable to watch."

So it's time to take a stand and "fight back" against "corporate greed" that would rob freedom-loving Americans of this unique and treasured tradition of the holidays, according to the petitioners:

Obviously, we can't let this stand. We can not let Apple take the football away from us like Lucy always does to Charlie Brown! It's time for us Peanuts fans to stand up to Apple and Wildbrain Studios (current owners of Peanuts) and show them they're making a mistake. With this petition, we are making a statement - the statement that #AppleHatesTradition and that the tradition of watching the Peanuts holiday specials should be renewed as soon as possible! All we have to do is sign this, send it off and and share it.

Win or lose, we are telling Apple and Wildbrain Studios that we will not fall for their corporate greed. But our goal is to get our Peanuts back on television and bring back the tradition! The time for saying 'Good Grief' is over. Now's the time to take action. Now's the time to fight back! Do it for Charlie Brown and for Peanuts fans everywhere, young and old!

You can sign the petition here.

(H/T: Christian Post)

'Peanuts' holiday specials will not appear on network TV for the first time in decades, thanks to Apple — and folks are furious



The year 2020 has brought us the coronavirus, rioting, massive unemployment, social separation, fighting in the streets, a presidential campaign from hell — and now a small asteroid may hit Earth the day before the election. One can only hope, right?

So if you were counting on a little respite from the madness — you know, like the "Peanuts" holiday specials that air on network TV every year — well, 2020 will continue to break your hearts.

Huh?

Since Apple TV+ acquired exclusive rights to the entire library of Charles Schulz's animated specials, for the first time since 1965 those "Peanuts" specials — "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" — can be seen only on Apple TV+, FaithWire reported.

That's right. No more of Snoopy dancing on regular TV.

The outlet said the agreement is part of a plan between Apple and Wildbrain, Peanuts Worldwide, and Lee Mendelson Film Productions.

Each of the three specials will be available for free for a few days on Apple TV+: the Halloween special is accessible for free from Oct. 30-Nov. 1, the Thanksgiving special from Nov. 25-27, and the Christmas show from Dec. 11-13, FaithWire said.

"It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is now streaming exclusively on Apple TV+. Watch it for free from October 3… https://t.co/wWNn7CyqUG
— PEANUTS (@PEANUTS)1603124090.0

Apple also said it's creating additional "Peanuts" specials to celebrate Mother's Day, Earth Day, New Year's Eve, and the back-to-school season at the end of summer, the outlet noted.

How are folks reacting?

As you can imagine, Twitter is abuzz with venom over the move. Users are accusing the powers that be of selling out, denying the joy the specials bring to families and individuals who don't have internet access, and for squelching a tradition that has put the country on the same page — even for just a little while — when we're already so polarized:

  • "@ABCNetwork Why do you hate everyone? Did you just feel like 2020 wasn't bad enough so you needed to make it worse? Because you succeeded. So...congratulations???" one commenter asked.
  • "2020 BLOWWWWS!!!" another user noted. "The point of having them on network TV is the country coming together and watching at the same time. That's being taken from us. The 'Peanuts' specials are one of the very FEW things that brings US together."
  • "Decades of people sharing this with generations of children, the love and feeling it brings to those that make it a tradition and you sell out for AppleTV? What the hell?" another commenter said. "Screw AppleTV. I can't believe you took this from people."

And, of course:

Image source: Twitter, redacted