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Pee-wee’s Big Adventure fans can now feel like a loner and a rebel as a notable film prop makes it public debut at the Alamo.

The original screen-used stunt bicycle from director Tim Burton’s popular comedy was unveiled Saturday at the historic fort in San Antonio, Texas. The bike’s debut took place on the 40th anniversary of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which Warner Bros. released in theaters Aug. 9, 1985.

This bike, which the Alamo acquired earlier this summer, is central to the plot of the Paul Reubens-starring movie, in which the comedian’s character, Pee-wee Herman, sets out on a journey to track down his stolen red-and-white Schwinn that leads him to the Alamo. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure collected $40 million ($122 million today) and became a cult classic that spawned two sequels. People reported in May that the bike sold at auction for $125,000.

Pee-wee’s bike will be on view inside...

“Pee-wee as Himself” offers a refreshing contrast to celebrity documentaries shaped by estate-approved image control. Director Matt Wolf approached the film as a gay man profoundly influenced by “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and its message of non-conformity — and as someone eager to unpack the complexity of Paul Reubens, a brilliant artist who re-entered the closet and disappeared behind his iconic persona to thrive in Hollywood.

However, Wolf didn’t expect the project to nearly break him. It changed him personally and professionally — but it also earned five Emmy nominations, including Best Director. On this week’s Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, he reflected on the toll of making a film about his idol.

Wolf’s introduction to Reubens came through Josh and Benny Safdie, who would later come aboard as producers.

“Paul had met with other directors whom he either didn’t connect with artistically or who were not open to his level of involvement,...

If you’re looking for a great documentary to watch on HBO Max, you’ve come to the right place. The streaming service not only plays host to a library of great HBO documentaries, but some streaming originals and engrossing docuseries as well, ranging from true crime to celebrity to emotional slice-of-life. Below we’ve put together a curated list of some of the best documentaries on HBO Max right now. They’re all guaranteed to scratch that documentary itch, and more than one doc on this list ends with a shocking confession.

Pee-wee as Himself Paul Reubens in the documentary “Pee-wee as Himself” (HBO)

The two-part Pee-wee documentary that debuted earlier this year is among the best things HBO has released – a revealing, candid and shocking chronicle of the life of Paul Reubens, with confessional interviews recorded as he was secretly battling health issues. Reubens discusses his sexuality openly...

It’s been 40 years since Pee-wee Herman lost his bike, and to be honest, we’re still not over it.

Released in August 1985, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” not only introduced audiences at large to Paul Reubens’ wild comic creation, it also welcomed us into the heightened world of Tim Burton. Then just an animator with a couple of credits under his belt, Burton was personally picked by Reubens to bring Pee-wee’s living-cartoon aesthetic to life on screen.

Turns out, it was a match made in heaven. Together, they sent viewers on a rip-roaring road trip following Reubens’ grey-suit-and-red-bowtie-loving manchild as he hitchhiked across America to find his beloved stolen bicycle. With Pee-wee’s unpredictability and Burton’s eye for detail, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” defied expectations and more than tripled its $7million budget. What’s more, it propelled the duo to household-name status.

Four decades on, a lot has changed. Reubens returned for a Burton-less sequel,...

Forty years ago, Paul Reubens and Tim Burton took viewers on a ride to remember with Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.

The film centers on Reubens as titular Pee-wee Herman, whose hunt for his stolen bicycle leads him to the Alamo. As a member of the L.A. comedy troupe the Groundlings, Reubens developed the childlike character and played him in the 1980s in live stage shows, an HBO special and appearances on Late Night With David Letterman. “It dawned on me that I could actually become Pee-wee Herman,” Reubens told THR in 2020 about his alter ego.

During a run of sold-out performances, the comedian landed a deal with Warner Bros. to write a Pee-wee feature. While on the studio lot, Reubens noticed people riding bikes and asked for one of his own. After being taken with the refurbished 1940s Schwinn he was given, Reubens retooled his movie to focus on the bike.

Now that the new Naked Gun has been released, it reminded us of how great parody films can be (check out Bumbray’s review Here). I felt it was time to look at other films in the parody genre. Because, sure, everyone knows Airplane, Hot Shots, or Scary Movie, but there are plenty of others that are worth your time. From the financially unsuccessful to films that didn’t get a fair shake until decades later, it’s time that we run the gauntlet.

So let’s take a look at some of the most underrated Parody Films ever made.

Stay Tuned (1992)

Ironically, this film was actually just announced to be getting its own TV series and has always been amongst John Ritter’s best. Following a husband and wife as they’re sucked into their television sets, they must survive the twisted versions of the shows that they now find themselves in.

Image Source: Walt Disney Pictures

Flight of the Navigator arrived quietly in theaters on July 30 1986, overshadowed by flashier summer blockbusters. Yet what it lacked in box office hype, it delivered in heart. Directed by Randal Kleiser (Grease) and starring Joey Cramer, this Disney gem captured a mix of emotional storytelling and ambitious early visual effects.

A Story of Time, Family, and Discovery

Flight of the Navigator tells the story of David Freeman, a Florida boy who disappears in 1978 and reappears eight years later—unchanged and confused. His family has aged. NASA takes interest. And a wisecracking alien ship named Max (voiced by Paul Reubens) whisks David away on an intergalactic journey of self‑discovery.

From Modest Release to Cult Favorite

At first, Flight of the Navigator didn’t rewrite box office history. However, it shifted expectations for sci‑fi aimed at younger audiences. Its themes of alienation, belonging, and resilience...

Ever since Taylor Sheridan convinced Billy Bob Thornton to star in his successful new series, "Landman," we've been enjoying somewhat of a Thornton renaissance. But as much as the Paramount show reminds us of the actor's talents, it also reminds us of his past missteps. Thornton's worst movie is a crime thriller with a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score, and is the only film in the man's filmography to have earned such a dismal rating from the Tomatometer. But he's got plenty of other stinkers that came close, including 2004's "The Alamo," which was one of the biggest box office flops of all time and made just $23.9 million on a $92 million budget. Then, there's "South of Heaven, West of Hell," which sort of feels like a film in which Thornton was obliged to appear but wasn't necessarily all that happy about it.

Nor should he have been. This 2000 western came from country singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam,...

Pee-wee Herman’s original red bike has found a new home at the Alamo.

On Friday, the Alamo revealed in a celebratory Instagram post that the stunt bicycle featured in the original 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure will be featured in the museum that is set to open in 2027.

“In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure this summer, the Alamo has officially acquired the original screen-used stunt bike from the film,” the post read. “The bike will be permanently displayed in the future Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, opening in Fall 2027.”

While there’s still roughly two years until Pee-wee’s iconic red bike will be available to view at the Alamo, they further announced that fans will be available to see the piece of movie magic in a limited-time showing inside the Ralston Family Collection Center.

“We’ll also be hosting a free public screening of the...

There may not be a basement in The Alamo but there is a pretty snazzy bike. That’s right, the actual bicycle from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure will officially be housed at the historic site featured prominently in the 1985 film.

In an announcement on The Alamo’s socials, they wrote: “Just announced on CBS Mornings! In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure this summer, the Alamo has officially acquired the original screen-used stunt bike from the film! The bike will be permanently displayed in the future Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, opening in Fall 2027— but you can be among the first to see it later this year during a limited-time showing inside the Ralston Family Collection Center. We’ll also be hosting a free public screening of the film in the newly reopened Plaza de Valero. Until then, don’t worry… the bike will be stored for safekeeping.

Making Pee-wee as Himself was no picnic for director Matt Wolf. He clashed with the protagonist of his film, the late Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens, over creative control — friction documented on screen. But his efforts were validated today with five Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program.

“I was thrilled and honored to be recognized in that way,” Wolf told Deadline after the nomination announcement. “The whole thing is unusually kind of bittersweet and also emotional because Paul is a posthumous nominee. He was an executive producer on the film, so that’s very special. That recognition obviously means a lot to me, but it would’ve meant a lot to Paul to be recognized by his peers.”

Actor Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images

Reubens, who died of complications from cancer in 2023, earned three Primetime...

Joe Epperson, the three-time Emmy-nominated camera operator who had long stints on All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Full House and The Tonight Show, has died. He was 80.

Epperson died Saturday of cardiac arrest at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, his wife of 58 years, Patty Epperson, told The Hollywood Reporter. He had been in and out of the hospital and rehab since April 29 when his appendix burst.

Known for his skill with hand-held cameras, Epperson in 1981 shot from the Roxy in West Hollywood The Pee-wee Herman Show, which ran on HBO and put Paul Reubens and his hilarious alter ego on the map.

He also trained his lens on Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis Jr. over three nights at the Fox Theatre in Detroit for a 1989 Showtime special and worked on the James Keach-directed Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me, the 2014 documentary that followed...

Children watching Pixar’s new animated sci-fi adventure “Elio” may be dazzled by the film’s science fiction concepts, wild alien characters and outer space adventures. Adults, however, might experience a sense of déjà vu. “Elio” may be an original story but it’s cobbled together from memorable pieces of other sci-fi movies, classics and cult classics alike, which makes it a perfect opportunity to introduce younger audiences to the wonderful, weird movies that inspired it. And also some other films which are remarkably similar and got unfairly overlooked.

So if you or your kids exit the theater wanting more films like “Elio” — despite the film’s many flaws — here’s your viewing list. Plop yourselves down on that couch and make a whole weekend of it. You’ll be glad you did!

David Rappaport and Craig Warnock in ‘Time Bandits’ (Handmade Films) ‘Time Bandits’ (1981)

Terry Gilliam’s sci-fi action-comedy...

Natasha Lyonne has seen a lot of life in her 46 years, and it all started with her on-screen debut as a child actor on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

The lifelong performer — best known for her recent string of streaming hits “Orange Is the New Black,” “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face” — has never shied away from sharing her struggles with addiction in her teen and young adult years, a battle that culminated in a 2006 court-ordered stint in rehab. And in a recent interview on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast, Lyonne revealed a touching memory of how “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” creator and star Paul Reubens was there for her through that time.

As recalled by Lyonne, to hear the late Reubens tell it, he was not all that surprised when things “went south” with her health. He chalked it up to the upbringing he saw firsthand working with her on his beloved children’s program.

A documentary series that focuses on the harsh practices of workers at a Southern California funeral home is breaking viewership records at HBO. Per Deadline, The Mortician has audiences hooked. Since the series premiered on June 1, The Mortician has amassed over 2.6 million cross-platform viewers in the U.S.

The three-part true-crime series now holds the title of HBO’s most-watched documentary show in more than five years, topping other popular series like Chimp Crazy, Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, and the recent Paul Reubens doc,Pee Wee as Himself.

The popularity of The Mortician may be due in part to the show’s time slot, airing on Sunday nights at 9 p.m., following the conclusion of shows like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and The Gilded Age. The series comes from director Joshua Rofé, who also produced Surviving Ohio State for HBO, and executive producer...

For a documentary so packed with Pee-wee Herman lore that it required two 90-minute segments, Pee-wee As Himself glosses over some critical parts of the character’s history. While the majority of Paul Reubens’ comedy career springboards from his Groundlings creation, the two-part doc mostly skips over the fact that other talented people had a hand in creating his stage show, movie and Saturday morning kiddie program. And there’s barely a hint of Reubens’ conflict with Phil Hartman until an hour into the second segment of the doc, when Howard Stern interviews the Saturday Night Live alum.

Hartman tells Stern that Reubens contacted him for the first time in years after his infamous arrest at an adult movie theater. “Paul called me … and we had been estranged, really since I started Saturday Night Live.”

“You’re at odds with him — why?” asked Stern before providing an answer himself. “Because...

Adolescence

The Netflix drama gets attention for its flashy elements: a zeitgeisty focus on the manosphere, the tour-de-force acting (including from newbie Owen Cooper) and astonishing single takes. But it’s the nuances — a temperature shift during a contentious conversation, the waves of pain crashing over hard-earned moments of joy — that make this an indelible portrait of masculinity in crisis. — Angie Han

Andor

Airing as a quartet of three-episode installments leading into Rogue One, Tony Gilroy’s Disney+ upheaval of all things Star Wars is the year’s most thematically ambitious series. An exploration of the challenges of building consensus from the wreckage left by authoritarian regimes, season two is a lesson in how to make IP feel essential. — Daniel Fienberg

Common Side Effects

Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely’s animated Adult Swim dramedy is a scathing Big Pharma satire, an exercise in suspense-filled paranoia and a loopy stoner fantasia,...

In Steven Feinartz’s documentary Are We Good? about comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron, the director and subject grapple over who is in control of the narrative.

When Feinartz suggests animating still photographs to help chronicle both Maron's career and his life after the unexpected death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton, the comedian is against it. Yet Feinartz, who had full creative control over the project, used the animation anyway.

"The moment I mentioned animation, I could already hear [Marc] recoiling," says Feinartz. "If the film didn’t have that back and forth, it wouldn’t feel like a Maron doc. He’s not someone who just sits back and lets you tell his story. There was trust, but also a kind of tension."

Are We Good?, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 14, is the latest celebrity documentary that incorporates a star subject visibly and verbally...

No one had seen much Paul Reubens in over a decade — certainly not out and about in public, and it didn’t seem like the man behind Pee-wee Herman had any intention of changing that. After a 1991 scandal involving an adult movie theater effectively ended his status as a children’s entertainment mainstay, Reubens was only making an occasional film or television appearance, and the outside world was out of the question.

“He thought everyone hated him,” Cinespia founder John Wyatt said during a recent interview with IndieWire. “He must have gotten a lot of hate mail when he was unjustly persecuted.”

Wyatt was persistent, if still sympathetic. It was 2006. He wanted to pair a screening of “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” with a surprise Reubens introduction for his little movie club. Of course, any Angeleno can tell you that Cinespia is not really just a little movie club — it’s a uniquely L.

In the early 1980s, Paul Reubens was killing it as one of the stars of the L.A.-based comedy group, the Groundlings. What came next? “SNL was absolutely the Holy Grail,” Reubens says in the documentary, Pee-wee as Himself.

Reubens, Phil Hartman and other improvisers from the Groundlings would watch Saturday Night Live and scoff at the show in the way only jealous comedians can. “(We’d) suck our teeth at stuff, and be like, ‘After all these years, the sketches still don’t have endings!’” Reubens remembered.

But despite the grousing, “we still all wanted to be on the show,” Reubens confessed. “We still all thought, ‘This is it.’”

The Groundlings, like Second City in Chicago, was one of the places Saturday Night Live recruited new talent. In 1980, all of the original cast, along with producer Lorne Michaels, moved on to movies and whatever else came next. That...

Amid the crowded, contentious field for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special one project has emerged as the early favorite: HBO's Pee-wee as Himself, a poignant tribute to Paul Reubens, the ingenious and enigmatic mind behind Pee-wee Herman. Blending an in-depth look at Reubens' personal journey with the offbeat humor and charm that made his iconic character a pop-culture phenomenon, the documentary looks poised to win over Emmy voters.

"He wanted people to believe that Pee-wee Herman was a real person," director Matt Wolf tells Gold Derby. "But on a deeper level, Paul was deeply protective of his privacy and anonymity." Herman became a household name through Tim Burton's debut film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and the groundbreaking Saturday morning kids' show Pee-wee's Playhouse. But Reubens faced public backlash after his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure in an adult theater, which led to years of retreat from the public eye. In...

As Pride Month 2025 gets underway, it's difficult to know how to feel. With news stories about members of the U.S. government passing anti-trans laws or bolstering anti-lgbtq+ sentiment popping up on a near-daily basis, the obvious response is for queer people and their allies to be louder and prouder than ever. But that's easier said than done, especially when incidents like actor Jonathan Joss' death as the result of an alleged hate crime are a stark reminder that the mere act of existing can still be enough to get queer people killed.

The question of how to live as a queer person, whether your life is constantly under a microscope or not, lies at the heart of "Pee-wee as Himself." Director Matt Wolf's two-part documentary about the life and times of the late and, it should go without saying, great Paul Reubens has been garnering universal praise since making...

Director Matt Wolf has provided a minor update on his upcoming documentary film focusing on the behind-the-scenes world of daytime soap operas, particularly “The Bold and the Beautiful,” recently sharing with People, “I’m not a lifelong soap fan, but I sure am now.”

First announced in January, Wolf says that the aptly titled “Soaps” documentary broadly reflects the cultural significance of soap operas and how much work is undertaken in bringing stories from the page to the screen week after week, day after day and year after year.

As part of the documentary, Wolf was granted unprecedented access to the half-hour series helmed for more than 30 years by head writer and executive producer Bradley Bell — “The Bold and the Beautiful,” along with sister soap “The Young and the Restless,” was created by the Bell’s parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, in 1987 and 1973, respectively.

“It...

Pee-wee as Himself director Matt Wolf had his work cut out for him.

Making a documentary film or series is hard enough as it is. Add in a subject with difficult personality and who disappears for months (or even a year) at a time, and you’ve got bonus problems. And just when it seemingly can’t get any more difficult, your subject dies from an illness you weren’t even aware he had.

Paul Reubens put Wolf through the ringer.

So there’s not much The Hollywood Reporter could do to rankle Wolf — especially not on the morning after Pee-wee as Himself won the inaugural outstanding original film, broadcast or streaming trophy at the second annual Gotham Television Awards — but we tried anyway.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

You recently wrote a very personal essay about your experience making the film, and why you...

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced the winners of the second annual Gotham Television Awards 2025 at a ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Netflix’s Adolescence won Breakthrough Limited Series. The show, which follows the aftermath of a school murder committed by a 13-year-old boy, also picked up two acting awards. Stephen Graham won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Limited Series, and Owen Cooper won Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Limited Series. Jenny Slate received the same supporting performance award for her role in Dying for Sex.

The Studio, a workplace comedy about a team of studio executives navigating Hollywood, won Breakthrough Comedy Series. Julio Torres won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy Series for Fantasmas, and Poorna Jagannathan won Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Comedy Series for Deli Boys. HBO’s The Pitt, set entirely inside a Pittsburgh hospital, won Breakthrough Drama Series. Kathy Bates...

The new in-depth documentary, Pee-Wee As Himself, made a splash at Sundance as audiences were granted access to never-before-seen footage and a final interview with the Pee-Wee star himself — Paul Reubens. The documentary was recently added to HBO Max (is it time to call it that yet?) and features a soul-baring recount of events straight from Reubens, as well as interviews from close individuals, including sister Abby Rubenfeld, artists Gary Panter and Wayne White, actors Lynne Stewart, John Moody, Alison Mork, Natasha Lyonne, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurence Fishburne, Debi Mazar, David Arquette, Laraine Newman, and Cassandra Peterson, and filmmakers Tim Burton and Judd Apatow.

The Hollywood Reporter recently spoke with Joe Manganiello while promoting his series, Deal or No Deal Island, when he reflected on his friend Reubens. Manganiello can be seen alongside Reubens in Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, and the actor stated, “I love Paul and I miss Paul a lot.

There’s renewed interest in the life and career of Paul Reubens thanks to the critically acclaimed two-part documentary Pee-Wee as Himself from HBO Max.

The film, from filmmaker Matt Wolf, recently hit the streamer after a world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Wolf worked closely with Reubens in pulling together the project, culled from more than 40 hours of on-camera interviews and 1,000 hours of archival footage and shaped over what turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster lasting four years.

On the heels of Sundance revealing the 2025 lineup last December, The Hollywood Reporter happened to be on Zoom with Joe Manganiello to discuss the latest season of his buzzy new reality competition series Deal or No Deal Island. As the interview was winding down, THR asked Manganiello about the documentary and Reubens, someone he got to know quite well when he filmed a starring role in Netflix’s 2016 film Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday.

When Matt Wolf took on the daunting task of creating a documentary about the enigmatic Paul Reubens, the man behind the flamboyant and charming Pee-wee Herman, the filmmaker never could have imagined just how deeply layered the story would be. Now, in Wolf's Pee-wee as Himself, audiences are given an unprecedented look at a fiercely private artist whose boundary-pushing creativity and resilience impacted an entire generation.

The two-part HBO documentary introduces viewers to Reubens in an unexpected way: as an eccentric figure claiming to have been born in 1938 on the banks of the Mississippi River. It's humor that cuts straight to the core of who Reubens was, but also hints at the complicated man behind the bowtie. Wolf admits that the opening moments of a documentary often come together through trial and error: "Oh, I don't know. You just try stuff out and it sticks and we probably tried that...

Photograph by Courtesy of HBO There was a time when seemingly everyone knew who Pee-Wee Herman was, yet hardly anybody knew who Paul Reubens was. While that eventually changed — for better or worse — the vast majority of people still associated Reubens with his childlike, happy-go-lucky alter ego. But behind the character, Reubens had more than his fair share of struggles, many of which are coming to light in the new documentary Pee-Wee as Himself. Before his death in 2023, we were fortunate enough to speak with Reubens a few times, and even then, he admitted to us that he was lucky to have a long of good people in his corner who helped him through those rough times. (Click on the media bar below to hear Paul Reubens.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Paul_Rebuens_Life_.mp3

Pee-Wee as Himself is currently streaming on Max.

The post How Pee-Wee Herman...

HBO’s two-part documentary Pee-wee as Himself arrives like a confessional stained glass, refracting Paul Reubens’ life through interviews and vintage footage. Directed by Matt Wolf, it premiered May 23, 2025, on HBO Max, and sets out to pry apart the man and the myth. Reubens, clad perpetually in Pee-wee garb, occupies both subject and specter, teasing us with fragments of childhood wonder—his obsession with Howdy Doody and hothouse dreams of television worlds.

From Groundlings stages to the riotous kaleidoscope of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, his ascent unfolds in playful vignettes, each bearing the imprint of a man who crafted his own mythos. Underneath the polka-dotted bow tie and squeaky voice lies a restless soul, wary of another’s pen steering his narrative.

Wolf’s film aims to lay bare that tension: entertainer versus autobiographer. It welcomes us into four hours of candid conversation, archival stills and whispered audio recorded on the eve of Reubens’ death,...

Beloved funnyman Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens passed away in 2023, and at the time, the news came as a big surprise to fans. Reubens had been privately living with cancer, keeping his diagnosis a secret, and it wasn't until his passing when the truth was revealed.

Reubens loved to entertain, but he had always kept private about the details of his personal life. Shortly before his death, however, Reubens finally opened up in a series of interviews he was doing for a new documentary. While Reubens died before the doc could be completed, it has now just been released, finally allowing fans to see another side of Reubens they'd never seen before. The doc, Pee-wee as Himself, is now streaming on HBO Max.

Critics have universally embraced Pee-wee as Himself. It is holding a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a glowing review from every approved critic. Ahead of its release,...

Director Matt Wolf spent two years interviewing Paul Reubens for his new HBO documentary “Pee-Wee as Himself,” not realizing that the actor was dying of cancer.

As he told TheWrap at Sundance earlier this year, “I did have the sense that Paul was motivated to tell his story in a way he hadn’t been before, that it was going to be challenging for him, but that he threw himself into that process and was fully committed to being himself on camera in a way that was totally uncomfortable and something he had never done.”

“The idea that these would be the last words that he would share publicly with the world was completely off my radar,” he continued.

Here’s how to watch the two-part documentary about the Pee-wee Herman star.

When will “Pee-wee as Himself” be on Max?

It premieres Friday, May 23, at 8:00 pm Et/Pt on HBO and Max.

Pee-wee as Himself is an intimate look at a complicated comedic legend. The new HBO Max docuseries, told over two episodes and running 325 minutes, recounts his accomplishments—such as Pee-wee’s Playhouse and the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure—featuring insights from big names like Laurence Fishburne, Poker Face’s Natasha Lyonne, and filmmaker Tim Burton, highlighting how revolutionary Paul Reubens was at the time.

However, Pee-wee as Himself also documents how it all came crashing down with two infamous arrests, which destroyed the inclusive cult-classic at the time. An indecent exposure charge in 1991 that brought his “freakish” empire down, and the rabid fanbase ran to hide.

Yet, the man rose from the ashes scathed, but standing, and was never forgotten. The new docuseries proves that sentiment.

HBO’s Pee-wee as Himself Review and Synopsis

Paul Reubens wears his emotions on his sleeves in the new HBO documentary about the...

Paul Reubens knew he was dying, and the director didn’t, as they were making “Pee-wee as Himself,” an extraordinary documentary that pulls back the curtain on the man known to the world as Pee-wee Herman. While the HBO two-part project is in ways unique, it also represents what might be called the Celebrity Exit Interview, where public figures take control of their stories while there’s still time to do so.

Through that lens, “Pee-wee as Himself” joins a small but rich roster of relatively recent documentaries, including “Val,” Amazon’s 2021 look at Val Kilmer, who died earlier this year after battling throat cancer; and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” an emotional tribute to the actor’s life and career amid his three-decade struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Each of these films has been not only deeply personal but unusually moving, so much so that it’s easy...

Netflix, Apple TV+, Max, Hulu, Prime Video, and Starz have loaded the Memorial Day frame with fresh originals, hoping to capture viewers who may stay indoors between barbecues. The mix ranges from Julianne Moore’s limited-series thriller Sirens to Guy Ritchie’s globe-trotting Fountain of Youth and a two-part Paul Reubens documentary on Max.

Early reviews, scheduling data, and industry tracking suggest the long weekend will test audience appetite across adventure, nostalgia, and prestige mini-series.

Netflix Banks on High-Profile Suspense

Sirens arrived on Thursday with five tightly edited episodes and an ensemble led by Moore, Meghann Fahy, and Milly Alcock. The story follows Devon (Fahy) as she tries to pry her sister away from a charismatic, possibly predatory employer played by Moore. Netflix positions the show as its marquee May launch, slotting it beside returning comedy Big Mouth and YA slasher Fear Street: Prom Queen.

Early critical response has been...

Plot: The life and career of Pee-wee Herman as told by Paul Reubens himself.

Review: Shortly before his death, Paul Reubens sat down with documentarian Matt Wolf for an exhaustive forty hours of interviews to be used for a potential documentary. Reubens, who was notoriously press-shy throughout his career, was always reluctant to talk about himself, especially in light of the various scandals that sometimes overshadowed his legacy. However, later in life, he felt the need to set the record straight, making Pee-wee as Himself a stunningly insightful view into the legacy of one of the eighties’ biggest (and most unconventional) pop culture icons.

If you weren’t alive during that decade, it’s hard to explain just how big he was. He held a unique place in the entertainment industry, as everyone loved him, with him appealing equally to adults and children thanks to his hit film, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,...

On Friday May 23 2025, HBO broadcasts Pee-wee as Himself!

Season 1 Episode 1 Episode Summary

A new episode of “Pee-wee as Himself” is set to air on HBO, and it promises to be an engaging look into the life of Paul Reubens. This episode dives deep into the journey of Reubens, exploring how he created and developed his famous character, Pee-wee Herman. Viewers can expect a blend of personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and the evolution of this beloved alter ego.

The episode will showcase key milestones in Reubens’ career, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. It will feature interviews with friends, collaborators, and fans who share their perspectives on the impact of Pee-wee Herman. This exploration reveals not just the character’s quirky charm, but also the artistry and dedication that Reubens poured into bringing Pee-wee to life.

As the episode unfolds, it will touch on the cultural significance...

HBO lifts the curtain on the man behind the red bow tie and gray suit this Friday with “Pee-wee as Himself,” a documentary exploring the life and career of Paul Reubens. From his childhood dreams of acting, sparked by watching “Howdy Doody” and “I Love Lucy,” to his global stardom as Pee-wee Herman, the film […]

Pee-wee as Himself: Part One...

On Friday May 23 2025, HBO broadcasts Pee-wee as Himself!

Season 1 Episode 2 Episode Summary

A new episode of “Pee-wee as Himself” is set to air on HBO, and it promises to be an exciting look at the life of Paul Reubens. This episode dives deep into the journey of Reubens and his iconic character, Pee-wee Herman. Fans of the quirky and beloved character can expect to learn more about the man behind the persona.

The episode will explore how Paul Reubens created Pee-wee Herman, showcasing the creativity and hard work that went into bringing this unique character to life. It will highlight key moments in Reubens’ career, including his early days in comedy and the development of the Pee-wee character. Viewers will get a glimpse of the challenges he faced and the triumphs that made Pee-wee a household name.

In addition to the story of Reubens and Pee-wee, the episode will feature...

Separating the artist from their art is especially tricky when the creator hides within his creation, adopting it as his alter ego. Filmmaker Matt Wolf triumphantly rises to the challenge in Pee-wee as Himself, HBO’s revealing, rewarding two-part documentary profile of Paul Reubens, who for years we saw and knew only as the irrepressible Pee-wee Herman. Culling from 40-plus hours of candid on-camera interviews before Reubens’ unexpected death in 2023 at 70, with a wealth of archival footage and photos, the film presents its subject as droll, witty, and playfully combative, reluctant to cede control of his life story to the director. He needn’t have worried. Pee-wee as Himself is a fascinating, endearing, and moving portrait of an entertainer who as a child was mesmerized by early children’s TV like Howdy Doody: “I wanted to jump into my TV and live in that world,” he says. He got his wish when,...

Remember the American Comedy Awards?

No problem if you don’t — the honors, intended to become the Oscars of funny business, launched in 1987 and were dead in the water by 2001. (NBC tried to revive them in 2014; that half-hearted effort lasted a single year.) But the initial broadcast was impressive, mainly because big comedy stars actually showed up for the event.

Check out this list of presenters from the first show: George Carlin, Roseanne Barr, Gilbert Gottfried, Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, the cast of The Golden Girls, Shirley MacLaine and Pee-wee Herman, for starters. That wouldn’t have been a bad guest list for SNL50.

1987 was a mixed-bag year for comedy. There was Carlin calling out the nominees for the year’s Funniest Newcomer, a list that somehow included Alf. Another Woody — pre-pariah Woody Allen — took home Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture for Hannah and Her Sisters.

While several of...

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What is Batman's most famous trait? His black bat costume? His crime-fighting? Or is it his dead parents?

The tragic birth of Batman in Crime Alley, or eight-year-old Bruce Wayne seeing his parents gunned down, has been retold again and again. These days, the story is a ripe target for parody or mockery: "Shouldn't Bruce Wayne just be in therapy!" they (the writers of "Harley Quinn") say, as I point them to Grant Morrison.

But the reason the Wayne murders are constantly featured and referred back to in Batman stories is because it's an innately dramatic and tragic tale, one dripping with pathos, and the cornerstone of Batman's character. Written right, Batman's inability to move past his parents' murder reveals not just his obsessiveness, but his compassion; he can't bring back his parents, so he fights to make sure no...

The second episode of “Pee-wee as Himself” promises to dive deeper into the life of Paul Reubens and his iconic character, Pee-wee Herman. This episode airs on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 9:40 Pm on HBO. Fans of the quirky and beloved comedian can expect a blend of humor and heartfelt moments as it explores the evolution of Reubens’ career and the creation of Pee-wee.

Viewers will learn about the inspirations behind Pee-wee Herman and how the character became a cultural phenomenon. The episode is set to showcase some behind-the-scenes stories that highlight the challenges and triumphs Reubens faced while bringing Pee-wee to life. It will touch on the unique style, humor, and charm that made Pee-wee a household name.

As the series unfolds, it reveals not just the comedic genius of Reubens but also the personal journey that shaped him. This episode is sure to resonate with fans old and new,...

The excitement builds as HBO prepares to unveil “Pee-wee as Himself,” the first episode of a much-anticipated series. Airing at 8:00 Pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, this episode promises to delve into the life of Paul Reubens, the creative mind behind the iconic character Pee-wee Herman. Fans of comedy and storytelling will find themselves drawn into the unique journey of an artist who has left a lasting mark on pop culture.

This episode will explore the origins of Pee-wee Herman, showcasing how Reubens crafted this unforgettable persona. It will highlight the blend of whimsy and humor that defines Pee-wee, offering a glimpse into the creative process that brought this character to life. Viewers can expect a mix of interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and anecdotes that reveal the challenges and triumphs Reubens faced along the way.

As the series unfolds, it aims to celebrate not just the character of Pee-wee, but also the man behind the laughter.

Kate Hudson and Ciara were among the many stylish stars who gathered on Monday night (May 12) to celebrate the grand opening of Tory Burch’s brand new flagship boutique in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The designer hosted a cocktail party and dinner to mark the occasion, unveiling the striking new space. “Working on this store was incredibly personal,” Tory shared. “To me, it feels quintessentially L.A., where modern design is juxtaposed against so much natural beauty.”

The celebration kicked off with cocktails, martinis, and live music by DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak) and jazz trumpeter Maurice “MoBetta” Brown, who led guests from the store to a private dinner at renowned Chinese restaurant Mr. Chow. Mentalist Matt Cooper wowed the crowd with mind-reading sessions, while DJ Mad Marj kept the party going during dinner. Guests also posed for chic Polaroid portraits by photographer Andrew Tess.

The star-studded guest list included Rachel Brosnahan,...

Pee-wee Herman loved his red bicycle more than anything and even trekked across the country when the treasured bike was stolen in 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Now, the iconic bicycle ridden by Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee is going to a new home. Per TMZ, the screen-used stunt bicycle, ridden by the late Reubens, was sold at auction on May 3.

Van Eaton Galleries told the outlet that the bike’s new owner paid $125,000 for the screen-used prop. The red bike sold at auction was one of just 14 bicycles made for Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.The custom-made bike had been slightly restored to make it appear as it looked in the 1985 film. However, the bike’s original elements were kept intact.

Image via Van Eaton Galleries Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is Streaming

Pee-wee Herman fans can still get their fix of the lovable character as Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is currently...

Haley Elizabeth Anderson’s Tendaberry is now showing on Mubi.Tendaberry.Tendaberry was named for the Laura Nyro song “New York Tendaberry.” The end titles are timed to the song, but we weren’t able to get the rights in time. Over the last year, I keep trying to find a single point of genesis for the project. It’s fairly impossible because there are many—one thing folds into another, which leads to another. Hide Your Smiling Faces.The Flies Collective—originally Matthew Petock, Zachary Shedd, and Daniel Patrick Carbone—made the film Hide Your Smiling Faces (2013), a beautifully subdued story about two brothers who spend a summer coping after a friend’s death. I discovered this film while still living in Texas and was obsessed with it, and with the story of these three college friends making films together. In 2018, I received the Flies grant to make my thesis film,...

One of Pee-wee Herman’s bikes from Tim Burton’s 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure could soon be yours.

Coming from the estate of Jay Ward, one of the 14 iconic red bikes used during the filming of the movie will go up for sale during a two-day auction on May 3rd and 4th, hosted by Van Eaton Galleries.

According to the listing, the bike was used in several memorable scenes, including one in which Pee-wee (played by the late Paul Reubens) crashes into a curb and is thrown onto a lawn — only to pop up and deliver his signature line, “I meant to do that.” Watch a clip of that below.

It’s also the bike that Pee-wee uses to swing across a lake on a vine, Tarzan-style, while fleeing security on the Warner Bros. lot.

Built by Hollywood stuntman Gary Littlejohn, the bike has been restored to match its on-screen appearance.

HBO has just unveiled the trailer for the upcoming Paul Reubens documentary to premiere on Friday, May 23. The two-part documentary film titled Pee-wee as Himself will chronicle Reubens' lifelong run as the iconic character Pee-wee Herman, and it's based on over 40 hours of interview footage. Director Matt Wolf was able to sit with Reubens before his death in 2023, and the documentary is the result of long interviews where they often clashed over creative control, and Reubens ultimately opened up about his sexuality.

Pee-wee as Himself also includes appearances by Pee-wee's Playhouse co-stars Natasha Lyonne, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Laurence Fishburne. Other stars include Debi Mazar, David Arquette, and Laraine Newman. The film is executive produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, and Uncut Gems directors Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie.

The HBO-produced project offers an inside look at Reubens' beginnings in the industry as a multifaceted comedian,...

While Paul Reubens introduced his Pee-wee Herman character onstage in the early 1980s, the world was formally introduced to the fun-loving childlike character in the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Now, the movie, which boasts a Certified Fresh 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, is set to make its streaming debut.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure on the streamer will be available to stream on Max starting on May 1. Directed by Oscar-nominee Tim Burton, the story follows Pee-wee Herman as his treasured red bicycle gets stolen in broad daylight. He then sets off on a trip across the country to find it. At the time of its release, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which was Burton’s directorial debut,earned $40.9 million at the box office against its $7 million budget.

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure led to a sequel, Big Top Pee-wee, in 1988, and his television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse.In 2016, Netflix debuted another Pee-wee movie, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,...