Latest news with #Pee-wee
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Pee-wee Herman's Documentary Lets Gen X Reflect on Our Quirky Childhood
Countless memes exist about how Gen X is a tough, often overlooked generation, and a million more about how we're also an apathetic generation (say whatever you want about us, I don't care). The whole "we drank from the hose and biked alone till dark" thing absolutely shaped many kids who grew up fiercely independent and resilient in the 1980s. But we were also one of the first generations to truly be babysat by TV and that also played a huge role in the lives of millions of lawless latchkey kids. It wasn't until I watched Pee-wee as Himself, the new two-part documentary on Max about the life and career of Paul Reubens, (aka Pee-wee Herman), that it hit me just how lucky we were to grow up at a time where a character like Pee-wee existed in the mainstream and the idea that something could be weird -- and embraced for that. Pee-wee's weirdness was obvious and evident in his films and on TV in Pee-wee's Playhouse. Here was this ageless man-child in a gray suit who lived alone, whose prized possession was his bike, who screamed every time a secret word was spoken. My household routinely ran out of Scotch tape as a result of my using it to stretch my face into some grotesque skin mask with an upturned nose, thanks to Pee-wee. The character seemed like someone who got to live out every kid's fantasy life, and that was the initial draw. He was aspirational in his silliness. But what the documentary makes clear is how deliberate Pee-wee's choices were, especially in the creation of his CBS Saturday morning TV show Pee-wee's Playhouse. This was a show that went out of its way to cast actors of color in prominent roles (including Law & Order star S. Epatha Merkerson and Laurence Fishburne, who both appear in the doc), and created an inclusive environment that embraced the unusual and eccentric. Nothing about any of that was by accident. Natasha Lyonne, who appeared on the show as a child, said being on the show "felt like permission to be myself." I'd like to think this permission to embrace what others might not consider "normal" is one reason why our generation identified so much with genres whose names speak volumes: alternative music, indie film, underground comedy. These things already existed, but ours was the generation that labeled them. How many other children's television shows cast androgynous disco star Grace Jones in their Christmas special? (The special also featured appearances from Charo, Joan Rivers, k.d. lang, Cher, Oprah Winfrey and Little Richard, an attempt to create multiple levels of entertainment for several generations. The Muppets did this too in a more vaudevillian-inspired way; Pee-wee took it to a much campier level.) Reubens says in the film, "I wanted kids to learn about being a non-conformist and what non-conformity was ... you can do the opposite of things, you can do whatever you want." Warner Bros. Discovery "I just put a lot of stuff in Pee-wee's Playhouse that I thought, 'Why not?'" he adds. This includes things like Pee-wee dancing in high heels and holding a marriage ceremony between himself and a bowl of fruit salad. (What's more fascinating is that while this stuff was considered offbeat at the time, it wasn't censored and didn't spark backlash the way that it potentially might today.) Pee-wee Herman was a performance art creation by an actor who chose not to ever appear as himself in public until much later in his career. It's because Paul Reubens never allowed anyone to get to know him and his creative process (a fact he expresses regret about in the film), and we didn't know at the time just how intentional and subversive he was being with his work. Reubens died in 2023 while still in the process of finishing interviews for the film and he struggled to relinquish creative control of the doc -- it's bittersweet to see him express his triumphs and regrets in these interviews and not get to see the completed product. I was a Pee-wee-loving kid, but after watching the documentary, I'm grateful that it was finished even in the wake of Reubens' death. It's a necessary bookend to Reubens' career; without it, I don't even know if I would have realized the impact he had on so many of us little weirdos.
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
How to watch 'Pee-wee as Himself' online – stream Paul Reubens documentary from anywhere
"Pee-wee as Himself" - it was never going to be a straightforward documentary was it? And so it proves. Pee-wee's creator Paul Reubens wanted to make it himself but made the uncharacteristic decision to cede control to director Matt Woolf although his fingerprints are all over it... Here's how you can watch "Pee-wee as Himself" online around the world and from anywhere with a VPN. "Pee-wee as Himself" premieres on HBO/Max with both parts of the doc running back-to-back on Friday, May 23 from 8 p.m. ET/PT.• U.S. — HBO/Max/Max via Amazon Prime• CAN — Crave• AUS — Max• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free With over 40 hours of interviews (including a final word the day before his death in July 2023), thousands of unseen photos and hours of archive footage, part of the arc of this two-part 200 minute film is the struggle with Woolf to maintain control. It ducks nothing. The elevator to the top floor in the 1980s when it felt that success and excess would never stop and then a 1991 bust for indecent exposure, the infamous mug shot and "the loss of my anonymity." And then the fight for redemption which revealed a huge love for his tortured man-child after ego. Is it an honest portrayal of Paul Reubens' authentic self or is Pee Wee Herman still pulling the strings? Either way, he's still asking, "But what am I?" Read on and discover how you can watch "Pee-wee as Himself" online with all the streaming details you need below. "Pee-wee as Himself" premieres on HBO/ Max with both parts of the doc running back-to-back on Friday, May 23 from 8 p.m. ET/ PT. Max prices start at $9.99/month if you don't mind ads. You can also subscribe to Max through your Amazon Prime account. And HBO can be added to OTT streaming services such as Hulu and Disney Plus. Traveling outside the States? You'll need to use a VPN to unblock Max when abroad. Max is no. 1 on our best streaming services list for its vast, high-quality library, including all of HBO's prestige series like "Game of Thrones", "The Last of Us" and "Succession", plus recent offerings among the best Max shows such as "House of the Dragon", "True Detective: Night Country" and "The White Lotus". If you're traveling overseas and "Pee-wee as Himself" isn't airing where you're currently located, that doesn't mean you have to miss the show while you're away from home. With the right VPN (virtual private network), you can stream the show from wherever you are. We've evaluated many options, and the best VPN you can get right now is NordVPN. It meets the VPN needs of the vast majority of users, offering outstanding compatibility with most devices and impressive connection speeds. You can try it risk-free for 30 days if you take advantage of NordVPN's no-quibble money-back guarantee. There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 6,000 servers across 110+ countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. Get over 70% off NordVPN with this deal Using a VPN is incredibly simple. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, you'd select a U.S. server from the location list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to your streaming service app — so Max, for example — and watch "Pee-wee as Himself" online from wherever you are in the world. You can watch "Pee-wee as Himself" in Canada on the Crave streaming service. Both parts land on Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT . Crave subscriptions start at $11.99/month for its Basic plan (720p video, includes ads). Those on vacation away from Canada will need one of the best VPNs to log in back home to use Crave. We recommend NordVPN. There is no release date for "Pee-wee as Himself" in the U.K. yet but it is likely to end up on Sky Atlantic very soon. Not a Sky subscriber? Plans currently start from £31/month. Aussies can catch "Pee-wee as Himself' when both parts of the doc premiere on Max (now available Down Under) on Friday, May 23. Plans start at $9.99/month. Not at home? Don't panic. You can still watch the show from your usual domestic streaming platform with a VPN. We recommend NordVPN. "Part One": Reubens' childhood and desire to be an actor, inspired by such television shows as "Howdy Doody," "Captain Kangaroo," and "I Love Lucy." He finds acceptance at CalArts, where he hones his performance art skills. At the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings, Reubens creates the alter ego of Pee-wee Herman and puts on a live late-night show that becomes a cult sensation and evolves into a popular tour. The hit 1985 film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" makes him a global sensation. Subsuming himself into the character of Pee-wee, Reubens hides his personal life, and recognizes too late that fame makes for a complicated companion. (Friday, May 23) "Part Two": Reubens' profile continues to grow with an Emmy-winning weekly Saturday morning television show "Pee-wee's Playhouse," which unabashedly celebrates diversity and nonconformity. The episode explores the casting, production design, and creative process of the show that ran for five seasons. Reubens talks candidly about his fame as a pop culture icon and the lows he endured as he faced rumors, vilification, and the vitriol of the media. Reemerging as a cult figure with cameo roles in films and TV shows, a Broadway revival of his Pee-wee stage show, and a final Pee-wee film, Reubens refuses to have his legacy be defined by media scandals based on false rumors. He shares final words with the public, reinforcing his lifelong dream to bring joy, creativity, and acceptance to everyone. (Friday, May 23) Reubens died on July 30, 2023 aged 70 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The immediate cause of death was acute hypoxic respiratory failure. He had been diagnosed with both myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Khaleej Times
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Pee-wee's Playhouse' actor Lynne Marie Stewart passes away
Lynne Marie Stewart, the actor best known for her role as Miss Yvonne in Pee-wee's Playhouse and appearances in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has passed away at the age of 78. Stewart became a beloved figure through her portrayal of Miss Yvonne in the Pee-wee franchise, which included appearances in The Pee-wee Herman Show (1981), Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986-'90) Big Top Pee-wee (1988), Christmas at Pee-wee's Playhouse (1988) and Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016). Several film stars and celebrities condoled Stewart's demise. Elvira star Cassandra Peterson was one of several to pay tribute to the actress on Instagram after they met at The Groundlings in Los Angeles and appeared together in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) and The Elvira Show (1993). She wrote, "My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend @lynnestewart78 Lynne Stewart's of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee's Playhouse: She'll always be 'the most beautiful woman in Puppetland." Born on December 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Stewart was a member of The Groundlings in the '70s, where she met Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman, and Cassandra Peterson. In addition to her role as Miss Yvonne, Stewart was known for playing Bonnie Kelly, the sweet mother of lead character Charlie Kelly -- played by Charlie Day — in the long-running comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Stewart first appeared as Bonnie in the show's first season in 2005 and made her final appearance in the 16th season in 2023.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lynne Marie Stewart, 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' and 'It's Always Sunny' actress, dies
The Brief Lynne Marie Stewart, "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland," has died. The "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" star was 78. Lynne Marie Stewart, who starred in "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and played Charlie's mother on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," has died. She was 78. Friends and former colleagues announced her death on social media. Her manager told TMZ that she died unexpectedly Friday afternoon at her sister's home in California after doctors found a tumor between her liver and gall bladder in December. Stewart played Miss Yvonne, "The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland," on "Pee-wee's Playhouse" with Pee-wee creator Paul Reubens, who died in July 2023. RELATED: Celebrity deaths of 2025: Who we've lost this year Stewart appeared in several other Pee-wee films, and was more recently known for her role as Charlie's mother on "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Before she was diagnosed with the tumor in December, she had finished filming "Dink," a Ben Stiller film, and season 17 of "It's Always Sunny," according to Deadline. According to IMDB, Stewart also appeared in "American Graffiti," "Laverne & Shirley," "M*A*S*H," "Life with Louie" and "Arrested Development." What they're saying "My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend Lynne Stewart's passing," Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson wrote on Instagram. "One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee's Playhouse: She'll always be 'the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.'" Stewart appeared with Peterson on "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark" and "The Elvira Show." They first met at The Groundlings, a Los Angeles improv and comedy club, where Stewart also met Reubens and Phil Hartman. Stewart's friend Jonathan Stark, who worked with her on the original Pee-Wee Herman show, said on Facebook that she was "the kindest, most loving person I ever knew and she was without question, one of the most talented and funny people ever." "I lost a friend today. And the world lost a great soul. Lynne Marie Stewart is gone … It seemed impossible to me as I felt that her goodness and light would live forever. I'm beyond heartbroken," he said. The Source This report includes information from Deadline, Jonathan Stark, Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson, IMDB and TMZ.
Buzz Feed
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
"Pee-Wee Herman" Star Paul Reubens Comes Out As Gay In Posthumous Documentary
The late Paul Reubens made sure he got the final word when it came to his much-debated but never openly acknowledged sexuality. The beloved actor came out as a gay man in the posthumous documentary, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. While sitting down with director Matt Wolf for the film, Reubens discussed why he decided to hide his sexuality after becoming famous with his whimsically childlike character, Pee-wee Herman. 'I hid behind an alter ego,' he said in the movie, which was detailed in a story by the New York Post. 'I spent my entire adult life hiding. I was a huge weed head. I was secretive about my sexuality even to my friends [out of] self-hatred or self-preservation. I was conflicted about sexuality. But fame was way more complicated.' Reuben's Pee-wee persona first took off after debuting the character with the Groundlings comedy troupe in 1981. After being unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight, the star chose to put his professional ambitions ahead of his personal life. 'I was out of the closet, and then I went back in the closet,' Reubens said, who recalled being in a relationship with a man who helped inspire Pee-wee before concealing his sexuality and becoming a pop culture icon. 'I wasn't pursuing the Paul Reubens career,' he continued. 'I was pursuing the Pee-wee Herman career.' Reubens' success as Pee-wee was undeniable. Throughout the 1980s, the character became a fixture on late-night television, landing the star his Emmy-winning children's show, Pee-wee's Playhous e, and two hit films. (A third, far less celebrated Pee-wee film came out in 2016, years after Reubens' career collapsed following his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure.) Though he refused to be public about his sexuality during his career, the actor told Wolf he had 'many, many secret relationships' amid the height of his fame. Despite refusing to come out as gay during his lifetime, Reubens decided to make his sexuality public in the posthumous documentary, which is crafted from 40 hours of interviews done prior to his death at the age of 70 in 2023 due to acute hypoxic respiratory failure. The star, who was also fighting two forms of cancer and kept his diagnosis private during the last years of his life, told Wolf how working on Pee-wee as Himself gave him a chance to shape his own legacy after years of scandal, speculation, and gossip. 'More than anything, the reason I wanted to make a documentary was for people to see who I really am, and how painful and dreadful it was to be labeled something I wasn't,' he told the filmmaker. 'To be labeled a pariah; to have people be scared of you, or untrusting.' Remarking on his own mortality in the movie, Reubens said, 'Death is just so final. To be able to get your message in at the last minute, at some point, is incredible.' Pee-wee as Himself, a two-part documentary, will be released on HBO sometime later this year.
