TV Series
The Resume
(September 13, 1986-July 27, 1991)
Aired Saturday mornings on CBS
Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman/Billy Baloney
Laurence Fishburne as Cowboy Curtis
John Paragon as Jambi the Genie/Pterri the Pter-odactyl
Phil Hartman as Captain Carl
Johann Carlo as Dixie
Gregory Harrison as Conky the Robot/Mr. Knucklehead
Ric Heitzman as Mr. Window
Roland Rodriguez as Tito the Lifeguard
Lynne Marie Stewart as Miss Yvonne
Shirley Stoler as Mrs. Steve
Gilbert Lewis as King of Cartoons (1986-1987)
William Marshall as King of Cartoons (1987-1991)
Diane Yang as Cher
Natasha Lyonne as Opal
Shaun Weiss as Elvis
Based off of the movie 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'
Theme song sung by Cyndi Lauper
Why Pee-Wee's Playhouse might be annoying
The secret word! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
The idea of the show originated from a fairly raunchy HBO special.
For a Saturday morning TV show, it had a huge budget at almost $325,000 an episode.
Only 45 episodes were made in the five years it was on the air.
Perhaps inappropriately, it contained many hidden sexual jokes and references.
It appealed to the awkward demographic of young children and hung over college students.
It encouraged kids to jump all over things and go crazy.
Their were three kids (Opal, Cher and Elvis) that were phased out after the first season.
It started a 'Pee-Wee Herman' fad and a cottage industry of 'Pee-wee' merchandise.
This, of course, ended immediately when Paul Reubens was arrested for public masturbation (1991).
The show had planned on ending before the Paul Reubens scandal hit the tabloids, but many still believe that masturbation brought down 'Pee-Wee.'
Why Pee-Wee's Playhouse might not be annoying
It was very innovative, campy and original.
It was, surprisingly, very cleverly written for a children's show.
It contains some edgy humor that goes over the heads of kids for the adults to enjoy.
It had original animation, puppetry and vintage cartoons.
Though their were thinly masked sexual or racial overtones, they were not addressed by the characters.
It gave Lynne Stewart, Phil Hartman, S. Epatha Merkerson, Natasha Lyonne and Sandra Bernhard their first major roles in television.
Jimmy Smits also received his first major break on the show, appearing as 'Your authorized Conky repairman.'
Music for the show was provided by Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Rundgren, Danny Elfman, Mitchell Froom, Van Dyke Parks, George Clinton and Dweezil Zappa.
It won 22 Daytime Emmmy Awards.
Credit: Captain Howdy
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Year In Review:
For 2021, as of last week, Out of 76 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 76 Votes: 42.11% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 23 Votes: 39.13% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 21 Votes: 38.10% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 63.16% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 27 Votes: 40.74% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 52 Votes: 42.31% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 51 Votes: 45.10% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 90 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 234 Votes: 71.79% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 466 Votes: 53.65% Annoying
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