‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ became a holiday classic against all odds

It’s hard to imagine a holiday season without A Charlie Brown Christmas. The 1965 broadcast has become a staple—etched into traditions across generations like decorating the tree or sipping hot cocoa. But this beloved TV special almost didn’t make it to air. CBS executives thought the 25-minute program was too slow, too serious and too different from the upbeat spectacles they imagined audiences wanted. A cartoon about a depressed kid seeking psychiatric advice? No laugh track?...