A couple of nights ago we were flicking through TV channels looking for the least worst alternative to watch when DM suddenly shrieked “The pirates in an adventure with scientists! Let’s watch that. You’ll love it.” I wasn’t convinced. He went on to say that it was a cartoon and he was sure I’d love it. I still wasn’t convinced.

What he failed to mention was that it wasn’t a cartoon at all but an animation. Not only that but an Aardman animation. He was right. I DID love it. For anyone who’s not seen it, do so at once! You won’t regret it. I love all of the Aardman things I’ve seen. The curse of the were-rabbit is quite simply one of the most fabulous films I’ve ever seen.

It got me to thinking. I’m just not a cartoon sort of a girl. I will probably get abuse hurled at me for daring to diss the Simpsons, which I just don’t really get. I’ve tried. I really have but it does nothing for me. Likewise South Park, Futurama and all of the others. The same goes for print cartoons. Beano? Nah. Batman? Nah. Viz? Nah.

The exception is Peanuts. You see I LOVE Snoopy, Woodstock, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the rest of the gang. I even love Pigpen. There is something so perfect about Charles Schulz’s humour. It’s funny, sweet, touching, even poignant and it’s never dull. I reckon its brilliance comes from its simplicity. It looks effortless although I am certain that it was not. It was a sad day when Schulz died and there were no more new ones. That’s not to say that revisiting the old ones doesn’t bring pleasure. I used to be able to tell how old they were by how different characters were drawn, you know, Snoopy in all fours or on two legs etc.

Yep, Snoopy does it for me.