Pee-wee as Himself

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.

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.

It's challenging trying to explain the huge appeal of Peewee Herman to those who never saw him or didn't get it. A unique blend of irony, sincerity, nostalgia and quirky charisma, Paul Reubens created his man-child character based on the 50's kids TV he loved in boyhood - and succeeded brilliantly.

In part one, director Matt Wolves delves into young Paul's obsession with performance and fame - and how he reached it. Along the way, though, Paul sets aside his personal life and a loving gay relationship to focus on his career. His reward is graduating from the Groundlings improv to regular appearances on Letterman and the Tonight Show - and ultimately a hit Hollywood movie.

As revealed in candid interviews, Reubens' hunger for fame was so great that he became jealous over credit given to director Tim Burton for the success of Peewee's Big Adventure - he did not want to share it.

Part II looks at the dark challenges in his life. These included a career-hobbling arrest in a Florida sex shop and a later witch-hunting investigation by the LAPD - with groundless news leaks about pedophilia. What is amazing is watching the resilience of Reubens and his supportive close friends, his family - and many fans.

Tragically, we also learn that the secretive Reubens suffered with cancer for six years before his death - which he kept from the film team telling his story.

The film's later chapters also touch on the irony of a performer accustomed to final-cut control on his projects fencing with the director telling his life story. It leads to revealing and sometimes awkward exchanges.

In total it's a compelling rise and fall and rise again life story that ended far too early.

As a kid growing up in the 1980s Pee-wee was a household name. His incredible film Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a classic. Not to mention the follow-up Big Top Pee-wee. The effort he put into entertaining the public was never appreciated by most except a few true fans. This documentary goes over his childhood, stage work and films. Very well done and a great tribute to one of my favorite people of all-time.

His brief roles in movies like Cheech & Chongs Next Movie, Blow and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are really interesting and show a dynamic of Paul Reubens that went mostly unnoticed. Thank you Paul for the years of laughter and smiles.

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.