This Saturday morning kids show created by Paul Reubens was the most imaginative and energetic offering of its kind when it premiered in 1986, and its playfulness and creativity remain top-notch. Originally devised for an adult cabaret production before being turned into the goofy innocent in a boyish suit and bow tie for the hit movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure, the TV character of Pee-wee is a squeaky, gawking, endlessly whimsical child-man in a land of make-believe, the host of his own psychedelic version of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood in a clubhouse where the toys and furniture have personalities of their own. Each episode is packed with colorful figures, inventive activity, animated interludes, and peals of party screams whenever the word of the day is uttered. Pee-wee's regular buddies include Laurence Fishburne as Cowboy Curtis, S. Epatha Merkerson as Reba the Mail Lady, and William Marshall as the King of Cartoons, who presents clips from surreal animations of the 1930s. Both sophisticated and simple, the series finds joy in goofy jokes and make-believe while slipping in references for the grown-ups, which earned it fans both young and old. Every installment also sported a lesson, although never at the expense of the fun. Winner of 22 Emmy Awards during its four-year run, this landmark of children's programming has been newly remastered for Blu-ray. Compiling all 45 episodes from 1986–90—plus the 1988 Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special (VL Online-12/04), extras include new cast and crew interviews, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series
Shout! Factory, 8 discs, 1,104 min., not rated, DVD: $149.99 Volume 30, Issue 1
Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series
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