Pee-wee's Playhouse: Christmas Special

Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Christmas Special is a one-of-a-kind holiday treat that brims with creativity, humor, and above all, fun. This television special is the creation of the brilliant mind of Paul Reubens, best known for his eccentric character Pee-wee Herman. The special, which aired in 1988, offers a perfectly unique blend of all the traditional elements of a Christmas special with the trademark humor and stylings of the beloved children’s show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

Reubens leads an all-star cast that could only be assembled in the imaginative world of Pee-wee's Playhouse. In this special, the Playhouse receives some very special holiday guests, a veritable who’s who of late 1980s pop culture. The list of guest stars is a dazzling array of talent including Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Grace Jones, k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, Little Richard, pop icon Cher, the del Rubio triplets: Eadie, Elena, and Milly, basketball legend Magic Johnson, glamorous actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, acclaimed actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, the omnipresent Oprah Winfrey, and the quick-witted Joan Rivers.

The ensemble is a kaleidoscopic mix of talents that bring their own unique charm and charisma to the festive proceedings. These celebrities participate in the madness in a variety of unexpected ways, performing some delightfully zany sketches, sequences, and musical numbers that deliver plenty of laughs, oddball surprises, and Christmas fun.

Set within the creatively fanciful and highly visual world that is Pee-wee's Playhouse, the Christmas special is a treasure trove of holiday joy and outrageousness. The dazzling and quirky set design is often surreal, surging with bright colors and visually stunning gags that have a childlike energy and creativity but with humor that works on multiple levels for young viewers and adults alike. This childlike, festive aesthetic is continuously seen throughout the special, from the overbloated gift list Pee-wee sends to Santa, to the elaborate, candy-like ornaments that adorn the playhouse Christmas tree.

Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Christmas Special uses its impressive cast, playful scripts and delightful settings to elevate the hilarity and holiday spirit. Pee-wee, played with perfect absurdity by Reubens, is charmingly delightful as the man-child who guides the audience through this wacky Christmas journey. Whether it’s making hilarious phone calls to his celebrity friends or co-hosting a beautifully nonsensical puppet show, Reubens is in his element as the delightful lead.

Also outstanding are the performances by the multiple guest stars, from Grace Jones beautifully and unusually singing "Little Drummer Boy” in a shipping crate, to Little Richard ice skating with Pee-wee which ensue with hilarious results. The appearances by k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, and the del Rubio triplets offer more fun filled moments, each delivered with the clever humor that Pee-wee’s Playhouse was renowned for. Cher, Magic Johnson, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Joan Rivers also make a splash, with each of their closeups taking on a uniquely pee-wee twist. Interestingly, the special does more than just entertain. Amid the absurdity are some timely messages about the perils of over-consumption and the importance of giving, making it a distinctive addition to the canon of holiday specials.

Pee-wee's Playhouse: Christmas Special is not only enchanting and entertaining but also speaks to the nostalgic vibes of the late 80s pop culture scene. It is an incredibly fun romp through the holiday season with the irrepressible Pee-wee Herman and his coterie of fantastic guests. With clever humor, outrageous guest stars, memorable musical performances, and a big dollop of insanity, this Christmas special has something for everyone. It’s a delightful, absurd, and utterly entertaining holiday special that captures the offbeat charm of Pee-wee's Playhouse while also delivering some Christmas cheer. Simply put, Pee-wee's Playhouse: Christmas Special is a unique, nostalgic, and joyful celebration of the holiday season.