Pee-wee

A peek behind the bow-tie, revealing a unique, complicated, and somewhat challenging person. After decades of being exposed to the carefully curated Pee Wee persona and media sensationalized Paul Ruebens, we finally meet the real person. Fortunately, the documentary doesn't attempt to glorify/villainize or pass judgement, allowing the viewer to take away their own interpretation of the man. Magical dreamer? Calculating control freak? Lighthearted and kind? Troubled and difficult? Perhaps, a mixture of all? "Pee Wee As Himself" lays open his life and personal reflections for the viewer to decide.

Growing up in the 80s was fun, cartoon's on Saturday morning and Pee-week's playhouse what some people would say about Pee Wee would mean nothing because I know he bought joy to me as a kid. This documentary shows the real person he was and shown his passion for Pee Wee as a character. People say show your love and I truly believe Paul had his heart on his shoulder. When I heard he passed away I did cry and hearing his last word on this series broke my heart but in this series only shows his heart if you grew up in the 80s this is a must see even if you didn't grow up in the 80s 90s and love Pee Wee I would recommend watching this.

If you watched this as a kid (or maybe even didn't), this will put a smile on your face and make your day. I'm so glad he did all of this work before he passed. It is so much better that he leads the journey, as only he and his expressions can. His PeeWee character and humor are one thing, but the real Paul Rubens is a very charismatic man and I think most people don't realize that. It would have been awesome to have experienced The Groundlings troop in LA in their heyday.

The archival footage is fantastic, the editing is great, the music choices are on point and it details the extraordinary story of a social sensation exactly as it should.

I dare you not to smile as you watch it.

Paul Reubens was one of the true creative masters of our time. He didn't need a cartoon for his vision; he translated it into real life. The characters, the energy, the Playhouse itself, were so authentic and timeless that it felt like we were being invited into a safe space that lurked just behind the curtain of our everyday world. He managed to blend the mainstream with the avant-garde in such a way as to activate the full range of viewer imaginations and backgrounds- like all the best art. I remember checking my fridge during commercial breaks to see if we had any dancing food in there like Pee-wee's. And I was only partly disappointed when I found none... because I knew it was dancing when I wasn't looking. :)

This two-part doc by Matt Wolf offers a complete anthology of Paul's journey. We learn about his family and friends in Florida, early influences, education at CalArts, development at Groundlings, emergence on Broadway, and ultimately his superstardom on film and television amid the handful of personal issues that set him back.

I connected with the storytelling style here. It veers between historical clips, interviews and narration- notably from the man himself. Paul was a natural performer all the way through to the end. He talks to the camera as if he's sharing a secret with you. He's intellectually nimble, and his improv skills evidently never eroded. He knows precisely when to leaven adult anecdotes with juvenile humor: "Dad told me, 'Paul, if you're homosexual, I want you to be the greatest homosexual you can be'... so I went out that night to be the greatest homosexual ever- no, just kidding. ;)" His winsome attitude and smiling eyes make him a compelling speaker, and he means what he says in perfect earnest.

Learned a lot as well. Like how Pee-wee had a regular spot on Letterman before he made it big; he was once a contestant on The Dating Game; at CalArts he was part of an absurdly talented 10-actor ensemble that included Katey Sagal (= Peg Bundy) and David Hasselhoff (= HOFF!); and at Groundlings he laid the foundation for the Playhouse with mainstays Phil Hartman (Captain Carl) and John Paragon (Jambi). So if you're a Pee-wee fan, it's delightful. And if you're learning about him for the first time I'd love to be in your shoes because he's a total original whose greatness will inspire you.

Was there anyone who actually believed that Paul was a pedophile? There was never any there there. Yet the label tormented him until the day he died, as revealed by some gripping footage where he addresses the miasma of innuendo that swirled around his name. I'll never understand whose agenda we serve by perpetuating falsehoods against those who mean well. All I can say is, thank you Paul for laving pure joy over the world and sharing your singular artistry with us all. Your reputation remains clean to me, and legacy of Pee-wee Herman will be cherished forever. Conky's secret word today is LEGEND.

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"I just felt I could be the beacon out there and say it's okay to be different. It's okay to be creative. In fact not only is it okay, but let's celebrate it." - Paul Reubens.

Greetings again from the darkness. Even the title is a form a trickery. First of all, there was no Pee-wee Herman other than the character portrayed by Paul Reubens. Secondly, much of what this documentary presents is not from Pee-wee, but rather from Paul Reubens 'himself'. And it goes directly to the point - the public adored Pee-wee Herman, while Paul Reubens was a bit more complicated. Documentarian Matt Wolf (SPACESHIP EARTH, 2020; the excellent RECORDER: THE MARION STOKES PROJECT, 2019) presents a two-part documentary for HBO that strives to clarify the line between man and character.

Paul Reubens died of cancer in 2023. Prior to that, he sat for 40 hours of recorded interviews with Matt Wolf, offering perspective on his career, his background, his motivation, and his self. While we see Reubens speaking directly to the camera quite a bit, Wolf utilizes a treasure trove of clips and photographs, as well as other interviews to paint the full picture of how the man and character came to be so closely associated.

Part One details Reubens' influence from children's television shows like "Captain Kangaroo", "Howdy Doody", "Kukla, Fran and Ollie", and "The Little Rascals". It's because of these programs that from an early age, he wanted to be an actor ... and was convinced Lucy and Desi were his real parents. Art School (with classmates David Hasselhoff and Katie Segal) drew him to performance art, and also led to his first serious romantic relationship with Guy. Reubens eventually decided to focus on his career, and described himself as out and then back in (the closet), since he was able to "pass" (as heterosexual). We see clips of him performing on "The Gong Show" and with The Groundlings, including Phil Hartman and Laraine Newman ... which is where he laid the foundation for the Pee-Wee character. Clips from "The Dating Game" proved Pee-wee had appeal.

The commitment to the Pee-wee Herman character was a career choice, and it's fascinating to learn that actress Shelley Duvall recommended Tim Burton to direct PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE (1985). The story behind the bicycle is a gem, and the film jump-started the career of both Burton and Pee-Wee ... errr ... Reubens. Reubens admits to his ambition and willingly hiding behind the Pee-wee alter ego.

PART TWO focuses on the iconic stardom of Pee-wee Herman in the 1980's. Building on the popularity of the first film, "Pee-wee's Playhouse" was developed as a 1986 children's TV show, in the vein of those that so influenced a young Reubens. There was even a Pee-wee doll that became a best-selling gift. Reubens explained that beyond entertainment, his goal with the show was to make inclusion the "norm". He wanted a place where all kids felt they belonged. Laurence Fishburne admits he didn't "get" Pee-Wee, but needed the work and gladly took the job as Cowboy Curtis. BIG TOP PEE-WEE (1988) followed, and may have been the last enjoyable moment for Pee-Wee/Reubens to bask in the spotlight.

After years of living an extremely private life, his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at an adult theatre instantly changed his life. 'Playhouse' re-runs stopped immediately, as did sales of the doll. Paul Reubens' mug shot became a meme ... early 90's style. Unfortunately, this wasn't his last public scandal, yet remarkably, Reubens was able to create a second half of his career as a character actor and voice actor - with only a few additional roles in the Pee-wee Herman suit.

The documentary includes clips of his parents and an interview with his sister, as well as input from directors Tim Burton and Judd Apatow. Reubens explains the inner turmoil of having his creation, Pee-wee Herman, be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, while Reubens himself has not. Towards the end of the film, Wolf plays the self-recorded audio that Reubens recorded the day before he died. Although he discusses his desire to bring joy to the masses, we can't help but question the failed friendships along the way. And though Paul Reubens may very well have been a creative genius, we must finally ask, "I know you are but what am I?"

Premiering on HBO on Friday May 23, 2025.