User reviews

Let me start by saying I have very fond memories of watching Pee Wees Playhouse when I was younger, so needless to say this has been a staple in our family since the year it came out. Staying tried and true to the quirkiness that is Pee Wees Playhouse, come join Pee Wee, Globey, Chairry, Randy and the rest of the magical objects, characters, celebrities, and musical guests as they take you through a world of imagination, love, comical quips and enjoy being a kid again through the wonder world that is Pee Wees Playhouse. Teaches kids a great lesson about the gift of Christmas. Another thing I like about this show is it has the right amount of adult humor (Nothing over the top, though) that makes it just as enjoyable to watch it as an adult as it was to watch when I was a kid. Admit it, you know you want to travel through the wonderful wacky world of Pee Wees Playhouse!

Watching Pee-wee Herman's Christmas special 21 years after it first aired, many thoughts go through the viewer's mind as to what transpired in comedian Paul Reubens' life and career up to this point--and what has happened since (indeed, in his DVD commentary, Reubens is soft-spoken and even contrite concerning the past two decades). Reubens' creation was originally a naughty one-act for grown-ups, his material laced with innuendo, so it has always stumped me why he chose to be a kiddie entertainer. Apparently, his heart was really in it, and the results are there on the screen...yet when hunky construction workers are seen building the fruitcake room, one may sense a wink and a nudge from the old days. Many guests join Pee-wee at his Playhouse to help usher in the Christmas cheer, including a fleeting Cher, a colorful Little Richard, a tormented Frankie Avalon & Annette Funicello, a very young k.d. lang, a scarily elegant Grace Jones, a saucy Charo, and all of Herman's friends from his weekly television program (including co-writer John Paragon as Jambi, with incredible make-up). It's very light and easy, obviously put together rather quickly, and lacking a bit in high-end laughter. Pee-wee's newfound penchant to be educationally sound detracts from the fun, as does the proverbial meaning-of-Christmas speech which comes off a little heavy. Still, it moves along at a merry pace, Pee-wee is occasionally a funny jerk, and the celebrities all seem remarkably in step with the fanciful humor at hand.

Pee Wee Herman and friends join in the holiday spirit tour de force in what might be the greatest holiday special ever. The regulars are all there, from Capt. Carl (the late, great Phil Hartman) to Reba the Mail lady. In addition to the already sensational cast, numerous guests are in attendance including (but in no particular order by any means) Frankie and Annette, the Derubial Triplets, Charro, Grace Jones, and Little Richard (and I'm positive I'm forgetting a few, and I'm sorry for that [I want to say k.d. lang, but don't quote me on that]).

Now, the special does focus its attention on Christmas, but it also brings Hanukah into light for a moment (hence my persistence on dubbing it as a 'holiday special') - and it does so both educationally and entertainingly (if that's a word).

This single episode of Pee Wee's Playhouse is forever held dear to me, not only because of the sheer amount of comedic goodness, but also because I feel it best sums up entirely the greatness of what was arguably one of the greatest shows ever!

Why isn't this available on video or DVD? Fortunately, I taped it when it aired one Christmas when my kids were toddlers. The date above says 1988 which surprises me because I was under the impression it only aired once. My youngest was born in '87 and I'm pretty certain she was older than 1 when we first saw it. The year I taped this, and every year since they have watched it over again, rewinding certain parts to see them played backwards. This was hilarious to them. The Christmas special has the same kitchy, glitzy sets and props of the Saturday morning show with all the regular characters as well as several great drop-ins. Some particular favorites of mine are k.d. lang performing a frenetic "Jingle Bell Rock" and Charo singing "Feliz Navidad". There is even a touching moment when Pee Wee explains the true meaning of Christmas with the aid of an old educational film of children performing a Nativity pageant. We just watched that original tape I made for the gazillionth time. My kids are now 15, 14, and 12 and they catch the sly camp humor that eluded them when they were younger. My copy is old and deteriorating. I can't believe this hasn't been released for purchace by now. Are people still so hung up on that minor picadillo that future audiences will be deprived of ever seeing this truly entertaining, good natured Christmas special? I surely hope not. I don't know how many more viewings my copy will endure.

Pee-Wee's Playhouse has to be one of the biggest shows any 80's kid grew up on (and used to annoy their parents and siblings, what, with the rule of the secret word of the day requiring one to scream real loud when one says it). This Christmas Special, shown after season two ended, has Pee-Wee trying to throw a big party in his playhouse. The special basically has the same gags as the show it's based on, and it has some good musical numbers and even guest stars like Whoopi Goldberg, Magic Johnson, and Cher, and musical numbers from Grace Jones, the Del Rubio Triplets, Charo, K. D. lang, and Dinah Shore. And it would not be Pee-Wee's Playhouse if it didn't teach a moral, which this special does. Worth watching for the nostalgia.

This is a holiday special I always try to watch every Christmas season. Pee-wee's Christmas special introduces great celebs including Grace Jones, the Del Rubio Triplets and K. D. Lang performing Christmas songs. But we can't forget Little Richard trying to ice skate and Charo's rendition of "Feliz Navidad". But what will Pee-wee do with all those fruitcakes he gets for Christmas? And what will Pee-wee when his Christmas list is too long for Santa Claus.

This holiday special contains all the classic elements of Pee-wee's Playhouse including a vintage cartoon from the Golden Age, a Penny cartoon and, of course, the secret word!.

What kid in 1988 knew of half of the guests? I sure as heck didn't.

You've gotta hand it to a holiday special from the late '80s to make all this stale Christmas material fun again; one that at least gives it just that weird spin to freshen things up. "Christmas at Pee Wee's Playhouse" packs in the guest stars, musical numbers and unwanted fruitcakes - it's got duds, sure, the Del Rubio sisters and KD Lang don't really fit. But get a look at Pee Wee in his (awesome) snow suit. My kid lives to see him spaz it up (we both kinda bond over this), and that alone makes this a fun special.

The damn thing even comes with a message, and it's one that doesn't ruin the fun. Nice job.

7/10

The Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (1988) is currently available on Tubi and features our quirky host, Pee-Wee Herman, as he eagerly prepares to receive Christmas gifts from Santa. Along the way, he's joined by a lineup of iconic celebrity guests.

Directed by Wayne Orr (Gallagher), the special stars Paul Reubens (Blow), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), William Marshall (Blacula), Kevin Carlson (Team America), and S. Epatha Merkerson (Jacob's Ladder).

The guest list is truly remarkable, featuring Little Richard, Magic Johnson, Grace Jones, Charo, Oprah Winfrey, Dinah Shore, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Frankie Avalon, Cher, and Zsa Zsa Gabor, among others. It's one of the most star-studded holiday specials I've ever seen. Watching this reminded me of how innovative Pee-Wee's Playhouse was-bursting with creativity, hijinks, and its unique ability to pull you into its zany universe. The props and sets are visually stunning, while Paul Reubens' facial expressions and mannerisms add to the hilarity. The dialogue, voice work, and over-the-top charm keep the laughs coming. There's also fun claymation and nostalgic callbacks to classic cartoons.

In conclusion, the Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special is a delightful mix of legendary guests, nostalgic charm, and endless fun. I'd rate it 8/10 and strongly recommend it.

This is the best christmas special I have ever seen on TV and on VHS! This christmas has handful of special guest stars who are really great people. Pee-wee was hilarious and all the other characters in the playhouse were also funny. Pee-wee Herman is the funniest guy in the world and I wish he could come back and make brand new Pee-wee movies and bring back Pee-wee's Playhouse on the air again.

Pee-wee Herman and pals are celebrating Christmas in the Playhouse in their own creative ways: Pee-wee makes a list for Santa Claus 1 1/2 miles long, teaches Little Richard how to ice skate, goes for a sleigh ride with Magic Johnson, commands Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to make Christmas cards, receives a long phone call from Dinah Shore, even has more musical fun with k.d. lang, the Del Rubio Triplettes and Charo! I understand some people may find Pee-wee annoying, and if that is the case, there is not much you are going to like about this. But if you like him, you will love this Christmas special. A crazy amount of guests, many who are abruptly cut off (which I find hilarious)... and even a little bit of that subversive humor sneaking in.

It is still hard to believe all the people who got heir start off of Pee-wee Herman. Even just in this special, we see Laurence Fishbourne in his silly Cowboy Curtis persona which he probably would not do anymore.

Remember as a kid in the 5th grade watching this TV Christmas special I liked Pee Wee and watched his Saturday morning show. And again this special was funny and wacky with crazy like entertainment. The humor was jolly like as it filled and rubbed off on the holiday season just super. Plus the guest were delightful and entertaining just as they were on his TV series! Great old fashioned Christmas special one that long has stuck out in memory!

Pee Wee Herman, many of the Playhouse regulars and a load of celebrities celebrate the holidays in a grand and glorious way. Among the many funny skits is an interminable rendering of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' by Dinah Shore on Pee Wee's multi-media phone device.

The celebrities are too numerous to mention, and all are very good sports. In the end, Pee Wee (and the viewers) learn a wonderful lesson about selflessness and sharing.

Regardless of his press in recent years, Pee Wee is a comic genius who tickles the funny bones of children as well as adults. Well worth viewing.