The New York Times

Pee-wee’s Legacy: A Network of Ambitious Weirdos

Paul Reubens’s performance as Pee-wee Herman gave fans “license to be weird.” At an underground cabaret, he cheered on his community of renegades. Paul Reubens, as seen in the documentary “Pee-wee as ...
NPR

'Pee-wee as Himself' is a portrait of a private man and his public alter ego

In 1986, one of the most unusual and iconic kids' TV shows debuted. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE THEME") PAUL REUBENS: (As Pee-wee Herman) Hey. CYNDI LAUPER: (Singing) Come in and pull ...
The Hollywood Reporter

The ’Pee-wee as Himself’ Trailer Is a Party, and You’re Invited

The two-part posthumous Paul Reubens documentary out of Sundance premieres one month from today on HBO and Max. By Tony Maglio The man behind Pee-wee Herman, Paul Reubens (Blow), is ready to truly ...
Los Angeles Times

Everyone knew Pee-wee Herman. But few knew the man behind the man-child

The first time we see Paul Reubens in the documentary “Pee-wee as Himself,” he is not playing Pee-wee Herman, the antic man-child he portrayed in comedy routines, movies, a children’s TV show and most ...
NPR

Paul Reubens steps out from behind his famous character in 'Pee-Wee as Himself'

Before his death in 2023, Reubens filmed an HBO documentary in which he explained why he refused to be seen or interviewed as himself for the whole time Pee-Wee Herman was starring in TV and films.