Christmas at Pee-wee's Playhouse

Watching Pee-wee Herman's Christmas special 21 years after it first aired, many thoughts go through the viewer's mind as to what transpired in comedian Paul Reubens' life and career up to this point--and what has happened since (indeed, in his DVD commentary, Reubens is soft-spoken and even contrite concerning the past two decades). Reubens' creation was originally a naughty one-act for grown-ups, his material laced with innuendo, so it has always stumped me why he chose to be a kiddie entertainer. Apparently, his heart was really in it, and the results are there on the screen...yet when hunky construction workers are seen building the fruitcake room, one may sense a wink and a nudge from the old days. Many guests join Pee-wee at his Playhouse to help usher in the Christmas cheer, including a fleeting Cher, a colorful Little Richard, a tormented Frankie Avalon & Annette Funicello, a very young k.d. lang, a scarily elegant Grace Jones, a saucy Charo, and all of Herman's friends from his weekly television program (including co-writer John Paragon as Jambi, with incredible make-up). It's very light and easy, obviously put together rather quickly, and lacking a bit in high-end laughter. Pee-wee's newfound penchant to be educationally sound detracts from the fun, as does the proverbial meaning-of-Christmas speech which comes off a little heavy. Still, it moves along at a merry pace, Pee-wee is occasionally a funny jerk, and the celebrities all seem remarkably in step with the fanciful humor at hand.

This is a holiday special I always try to watch every Christmas season. Pee-wee's Christmas special introduces great celebs including Grace Jones, the Del Rubio Triplets and K. D. Lang performing Christmas songs. But we can't forget Little Richard trying to ice skate and Charo's rendition of "Feliz Navidad". But what will Pee-wee do with all those fruitcakes he gets for Christmas? And what will Pee-wee when his Christmas list is too long for Santa Claus.

This holiday special contains all the classic elements of Pee-wee's Playhouse including a vintage cartoon from the Golden Age, a Penny cartoon and, of course, the secret word!.

The Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988) is currently available on Tubi and features our quirky host, Pee-Wee Herman, as he eagerly prepares to receive Christmas gifts from Santa. Along the way, he's joined by a lineup of iconic celebrity guests.

Directed by Wayne Orr (Gallagher), the special stars Paul Reubens (Blow), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), William Marshall (Blacula), Kevin Carlson (Team America), and S. Epatha Merkerson (Jacob's Ladder).

The guest list is truly remarkable, featuring Little Richard, Magic Johnson, Grace Jones, Charo, Oprah Winfrey, Dinah Shore, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Frankie Avalon, Cher, and Zsa Zsa Gabor, among others. It's one of the most star-studded holiday specials I've ever seen. Watching this reminded me of how innovative Pee-Wee's Playhouse was-bursting with creativity, hijinks, and its unique ability to pull you into its zany universe. The props and sets are visually stunning, while Paul Reubens' facial expressions and mannerisms add to the hilarity. The dialogue, voice work, and over-the-top charm keep the laughs coming. There's also fun claymation and nostalgic callbacks to classic cartoons.

In conclusion, the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special is a delightful mix of legendary guests, nostalgic charm, and endless fun. I'd rate it 8/10 and strongly recommend it.

This is the best christmas special I have ever seen on TV and on VHS! This christmas has handful of special guest stars who are really great people. Pee-wee was hilarious and all the other characters in the playhouse were also funny. Pee-wee Herman is the funniest guy in the world and I wish he could come back and make brand new Pee-wee movies and bring back Pee-wee's Playhouse on the air again.

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, teaches Little Richard how to ice skate, goes for a sleigh ride with Magic Johnson, commands Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to make Christmas cards, receives a long phone call from Dinah Shore, even has more musical fun with k.d. lang, the Del Rubio Triplettes and Charo! I understand some people may find Pee-wee annoying, and if that is the case, there is not much you are going to like about this. But if you like him, you will love this Christmas special. A crazy amount of guests, many who are abruptly cut off (which I find hilarious)... and even a little bit of that subversive humor sneaking in.

It is still hard to believe all the people who got heir start off of Pee-wee Herman. Even just in this special, we see Laurence Fishbourne in his silly Cowboy Curtis persona which he probably would not do anymore.