The Pee-Wee Herman Show (1981)

Comedy special starring Pee-Wee Herman and his friends in an adult version of the children's television show, Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986) before it even existed.

Directors:

Paul Reubens, Marty Callner

Writers:

Paul Reubens (conceived by), Phil Hartman

Stars:

Paul Reubens, John Moody, John Paragon

Cast

Cast overview:
Paul Reubens	...	Pee Wee Herman
John Moody	...	Mailman Mike
John Paragon	...	Jambi the Genie / Pterry-Dactyl (voice)
Tito Larriva	...	Hammy
Nicole Panter	...	Susan
Phil Hartman	...	Kap'n Karl
Lynne Marie Stewart	...	Miss Yvonne
Edie McClurg	...	Hermit Hattie
Monica Ganas	...	Mrs. Jelly Donut
Brian Seff	...	Mr. Jelly Donut
Joan Leizman	...	Joan

Storyline

An adult-oriented version of what would eventually become an award-winning children's classic. This version of the show features Pee-wee's playhouse and many of the characters of the later series, but with adult and sexual overtones and jokes including "mirror shoes" and others.

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Plot Keywords:

actor name in series title | bad influence | makeup | cigarette smoking | telephone call | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The doll that Pee Wee introduces as "Mr Mondo" is actually a toy doll called "Hugo: Man of a Thousand Faces". The doll came with a few items to change Hugo's face such as mustaches, eyeglasses and wigs and was a popular toy in the 1970s.

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Quotes

[Pee Wee is hypnotizing a member of the audience]
Pee Wee Herman: JOAN! Joan! Listen to me, Joan! You are getting drowsy Joan. Your eyelids are getting very very heavy, Joan. You are beginning to feel yourself slipping into a hypnotic state. Just listen to my voice, Joan. Ahhhh... Ahhhh... Ahhhh... Your eyelids are very heavy, Joan. You are hypnotized. Do ya feel hypnotized, Joan?
Joan: Yes!
Pee Wee Herman: [looks shocked] You do?
[recovers]
Pee Wee Herman: I mean, you dooooo!

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Connections

Referenced in Growing Pains: My Brother, Myself (1987)

User Reviews

An unbelievably fun way to spend an hour.

I've always thought that "Pee Wee's Playhouse" was geared toward adults more than kids, but "The Pee Wee Herman Show" is unquestionably adult-oriented comedy. I first saw this show on HBO in the early 80's, and watched a dozen times before tears from laughing so hard began to slow. This well-written, fast-paced, well-performed "play" lays the ground work for Reubens' subsequent films and tv shows.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Шоу Коротышки Германа

Filming Locations:

The Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pee-Wee Herman Productions, Reubens-Callner Productions, Sabra Productions (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1