Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special from 1988

[80sTrivia]

I was a huge fan of Pee-Wee's Playhouse as a kid, and I was always certain to watch every episode on Saturday morning. I don't remember watching the Christmas special that debuted in 1988, however, which is strange! I think perhaps it aired in prime time instead of the usual Saturday morning time slot?

I am glad the episode is available to view on YouTube. It's very nostalgic, especially since a number of the guests who appeared have since passed away, including Little Richard, Dinah Shore, Annette Funicello, Joan Rivers & Zsa-Zsa Gabor.

There are some unusual musical numbers, with avant-garde performer Grace Jones singing "The Little Drummer Boy" and k.d. lang gives a unique rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock". The cheery Del Rubio Triplets do a campy version of "Winter Wonderland". Charo sings "Feliz Navidad" while playing the guitar & Dinah Shore performs an interminable version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" while on Pee-Wee's futuristic video phone, predicting Facetime & Skype by several decades.

Frankie Avalon & Annette Funicello appear throughout the special as Pee-Wee's "helpers", and there are cameo appearances from Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Magic Johnson. Regular cast members also appear, including Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne), Miss Yvonne, Ricardo, Miss Renee and Reba the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson).

Of course, Pee-Wee (Paul Reuben) has to learn a lesson in the true meaning of Christmas & that the season is about giving more than about receiving. All-in-all, a fun and entertaining Christmas special from a world & time that's long-gone...

[DJM77]

I watched it on Tubi a little while back. I believe I watched it when it originally aired and I'm pretty sure it aired in primetime then.

[80sTrivia]

Originally Posted by DJM77

I watched it on Tubi a little while back. I believe I watched it when it originally aired and I'm pretty sure it aired in primetime then.

I thought it must have aired in prime time since I didn't have a recollection of watching it back when it was originally broadcast. With so many unique performances and guest appearances, I would have remembered seeing it as a kid. Thanks!

[TMC]

Happy Holidays from Too Many Tapes! Thank you all for a wonderful 2023, and welcome to the fifth annual Too Many Tapes Christmas Special.

Pee-Wee Herman (RIP to the legend Paul Reubens) was a game-changer for comedy, performance art, and children's television. He was idiosyncratic, irreverent, and deeply, deeply funny. And as well-remembered and well-regarded as he is, somehow he's still underrated. And his wonderfully strange 1988 Christmas special is no different.