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As a product of the ’80s, I will always have a soft spot for Pee Wee Herman. His too-small 1950s suit, his man-child persona, and of course, that laugh. I can’t hear the song “Tequila” without breaking out the Pee Wee dance. And to be honest, I always thought he got the shaft. Yes, he was busted for indecent exposure for pleasuring himself in a porno theater. But compare that to what many celebrities get caught doing these days, and he’s practically in line for sainthood. It should also be noted that originally, the character of Pee Wee Herman was never intended for children. Anyone who saw his 1982 HBO special, “Pee Wee Herman Live at the Roxy Theater” knows this. Anyway, the disgraced comedian is staging something of a comeback, in the form of an all-new stage play.
Pee-Wee Herman’s ready for a comeback — and he’s starting in Los Angeles with a stage play.
“I’m opening a big show in January — ‘The Pee-Wee Herman Show’ — based on my original stage production, but completely new and rewritten,” Herman, played by creator Paul Reubens, said.
The play could lead to a national tour and maybe another Pee-Wee Herman movie, show producer Scott Sanders told CNN.
“I’m crossing all my fingers and toes that after Los Angeles, I’ll get Pee-Wee to say yes, that he’ll go and do this elsewhere,” Sanders said.
The stage show will include all the characters from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse — his CBS television series — including Chairry, Genie, Conky, Magic Screen, Miss Yvonne and Cowboy Curtis, Herman said.
“People are going to see a brand new show, full of incredible, incredible puppets, characters, live action, costumes, a plot, music, Club Nokia,” he said.
Club Nokia is the downtown Los Angeles venue where the show will run for four weeks, starting on January 12.
Reubens has rarely appeared in his child-like Pee-Wee persona since 1991, when he was arrested on an indecent exposure charge in a Florida theater.
The character, initially created for an adult alternative comedy audience in 1980, became a big hit with kids because of two movies and a Saturday-morning CBS show that ran for six years. It was canceled after his arrest.
Director Alex Timbers, who grew up watching Pee-Wee Herman, thinks the new show will appeal to all ages.
“He’s the impulsive character who will do what you’re feeling inside,” Timbers said.
Sanders suggested parents could safely bring children 10 and older to see Pee-Wee. “It would be rated PG if it were a movie,” he said.
“Pee-Wee’s got a lot of mischief in him and he’s subversive, but he’s also kind and warm and loving,” Sanders said.
All of the original actors from the TV show will reprise their roles for the stage play, except for Laurence Fishburne, who played Cowboy Curtis.
Fishburne, who has won Emmys and was nominated for an Oscar since his Pee-Wee’s Playhouse days, is busy portraying Dr. Raymond Langston in the CSI TV series, Sanders said. But Herman did call Fishburne to get his approval to hire another actor for the part, he said.
“Just before he hung up, Laurence said to Pee Wee, ‘But listen, if you decide you’re going to do another movie, I’ll get that Jheri curl out and I’ll be there for Cowboy Curtis,” Sanders said.
In fact, a new movie has been rumored, but Pee Wee Herman was coy when asked about it.
“A movie could be in the cards,” Herman said. “Do you know something I don’t know?”
But there is no question he has high expectations for his show.
“I hope the whole world, and people on the moon, and Mars and all over the universe get to see me, not just the people on Earth,” Herman said. “I don’t want to be limited to just Earth.”
One person who will sadly be missing from the reunion is Phil Hartman, the slain comedian who played Captain Carl. He was great! It does seem to make sense to revive Pee Wee, with 1980s nostalgia at an all time high these days. I just hope this time around, Paul Reubens, the actor who created and plays the character, behaves himself. Reubens has had a few small but memorable roles outside of his alter ego. A longtime friend of Tim Burton, who directed “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure,” Reubens lent his familiar voice to “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” He’s also made guest appearances on “30 Rock,” “Reno 911!” and the cartoon “Chowder.”
Here’s one of Pee Wee’s most memorable moments:
Written by MSat
Posted in Comics, Paul Reubens, Photos
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26 Responses to “Paul Reubens, a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman, attempts a comeback”
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PLEEEZE! (Word of the day) do a movie- do a movie!!! SOO Stoked for this Play…(I know you are but what am I?)
And Dear Mr. Fishburn, your not a loner, and dotty totally understands, but please revisit your role as Cowboy Curtis!!!
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He’s no “Valerie Cherish”,
but I wish him well.
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Welcome back, old friend.
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I loved Pee Wee’s Playhouse! I also do the PeeWee dance whenever I hear Tequila.
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I loved him as Oscar Vibenius on Pushing Daisies (something else that got the shaft in my opinion.)
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I LOVED Pee Wee Herman, I still do the tequila dance!!
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I do wish him lots of luck, I used to love watching Pee Wee. Although I did think he was the creepiest looking one in that show.
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What about “Jambie”…I named my cat after him! LOL…. Meck a leck a high meck a hiney ho!!!! I LOVE me some Pee Wee!
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I met Paul Reubens outside my dad’s office just after the whole scandal/arrest/cancellation etc, when I was about six or seven years old. He was incredibly nice and generous and did the Pee-Wee laugh and voice for me, and it’s by far my favorite childhood memory.
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Pee Wee’s Playhouse was awesome!
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I love Pee Wee! I have thr box set of the shows! This is so great! He totally got the shaft and hopefully kids now will cherish their new Pee Wee memories like we do!
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Somethings are worth bringing back.Da na na na na na Tequila.
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Have tickets for the Jan 24 show–can;t wait!
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The most overlooked Paul Reubens performance, in my opinion, was his turn as Amylin in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Awesome movie, and he was barely recognizable as he was so NOT Pee Wee Herman.
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I LOVE this guy! I want a Peewee Herman comeback! I loved his movie!
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Kayla, I agree with you about Pushing Daisies, It got the shaft alright lol. I was so surprised that it was cancelled after only two seasons, it was such a cute show.
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Oh hell yes!! Paul Reubens is so under appreciated. He is all genius. Also I second the Buffy mention. He played one of the best characters in that flick, and that’s saying alot as every character in the film was great in my opinion.
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This delights me.
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Don’t forget his role in ‘Mystery Men’. Pull my finger!
I hope the stage show is a huge success so that a movie is made. I LOVE PEEWEE!
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“Wait! I remember…I remember…the Alamo?”
Pee-Wee is one of my all-time favorite characters. I have Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure DVD in constant rotation with The Holy Grail, The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen, Blade Runner and The Music Man so that went my kids grow up, they’ll be able to quote at will from those fantastic movies.
I wish Paul Reubens well and can’t wait to see his new ventures.
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I just watched his Big Adventure last week for the 700th time…OMG, that movie is so freakin’ funny. There were SO many great details I’d forgotten. PLEASE make another movie PW! You’re a rebel, a loner and I want to see another movie!!!
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“And to be honest, I always thought he got the shaft.” Thats hilarious! i love peewee.
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I just saw Lawrence Fishburne on Lopez tonight, and he said that Reubens was so gracious and wanted to make sure that LF heard from him and no one else about needing to recast Cowboy Curtis because he figured that LF’s schedule was too crazy for him to be able to participate in the show. LF said that when he went in to audition, he played CC serious, and PR and…I forget who…asked if he could be funnier, and so LF let loose. I miss Pee Wee (and Ernest!) on Saturday mornings. I’d love to see a movie. I, too, also love Pushing Daisies, and it was so nice to see PR on it.
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PEE WEE! My son and I watched every single episode together on Saturday mornings. Had the box set. Love to all the people who want Pee Wee back in their lives. Go, Paul Reubens, go!
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Loved PeeWee and never understood why he got such a bad rap, especially when other *stars* are out doing worse and getting caught. I’m glad Ruebens is bringing PeeWee back! Loved Cowboy Curtis “You know what they say about big boots, dontcha PeeWee?” “No, what?” “…..Big feet!!!” So much of that program was geared towards adults on the Saturday a.m. shows! It was hilarious!
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i used to watch pee wee’s big adventure everytime it came on.. he was great in blow too derrick forreal was the man…
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