Christmas Special (1988) (TV)

Directors:

Wayne Orr
Paul Reubens

Writers:

John Paragon (writer)
Paul Reubens (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Musical

Plot:

Pee-wee Herman and pals are celebrating Christmas in the Playhouse in their own creative ways: Pee-wee makes a list for Santa Claus 1 1/2 miles long...

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Santa Claus | Snow | Cameo | Christmas Gift

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Paul Reubens	...	Pee-wee Herman
Annette Funicello	...	Herself
Frankie Avalon	...	Himself
Grace Jones	...	Herself
k.d. lang	...	Herself
Dinah Shore	...	Herself
Little Richard	...	Himself
Cher	...	Herself
Eadie Del Rubio	...	Del Rubio Triplette #1
Magic Johnson	...	Magic Screen's Cousin
Elena Del Rubio	...	Del Rubio Triplette #2
Zsa Zsa Gabor	...	Princess Zsa Zsa
Milly Del Rubio	...	Del Rubio Triplette #3
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Herself
Oprah Winfrey	...	Herself

Also Known As:

Christmas at Pee Wee's Playhouse (USA) (alternative title)
Pee-Wee Herman's Christmas Special (USA) (complete title)
Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

49 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Binder Entertainment

Trivia:

Cher's cameo was taped in only 25 minutes as she was whisked in and out of the studio due to a heavy schedule for a promotional tour at the time.

Quotes:

Pee-wee: That was Cher! Cher was right over there! In the same room as my chair! I hope I didn't stare! Oh well! I don't care!

Movie Connections:

Features "The New Hollywood Squares" (1986)

Soundtrack:

O Come All Ye Faithful/Deck the Halls/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Campiest, Hippest Christmas Special EVER!

Why isn't this available on video or DVD? Fortunately, I taped it when it aired one Christmas when my kids were toddlers. The date above says 1988 which surprises me because I was under the impression it only aired once. My youngest was born in '87 and I'm pretty certain she was older than 1 when we first saw it. The year I taped this, and every year since they have watched it over again, rewinding certain parts to see them played backwards. This was hilarious to them. The Christmas special has the same kitchy, glitzy sets and props of the Saturday morning show with all the regular characters as well as several great drop-ins. Some particular favorites of mine are k.d. lang performing a frenetic "Jingle Bell Rock" and Charo singing "Feliz Navidad". There is even a touching moment when Pee Wee explains the true meaning of Christmas with the aid of an old educational film of children performing a Nativity pageant. We just watched that original tape I made for the gazillionth time. My kids are now 15, 14, and 12 and they catch the sly camp humor that eluded them when they were younger. My copy is old and deteriorating. I can't believe this hasn't been released for purchace by now. Are people still so hung up on that minor picadillo that future audiences will be deprived of ever seeing this truly entertaining, good natured Christmas special? I surely hope not. I don't know how many more viewings my copy will endure.