PeeWee Herman Is Back, Funnier Than Ever…
PeeWee’s doing his show on Broadway; and last weekend, Saturday Night Live.
Beside his comic brilliance, that is, there is something to mention about Paul Reubens, the actor who invented and plays the character, PeeWee Herman…
He got very tired of doing PeeWee at one point in his career. The story goes, that way back when Paul Reubens was training to be an actor, before he had any career at all…He took improv classes at The Groundlings in LA. (NOT a recommendation, btw.) Reubens came up with the character of PeeWee Herman there. Soon, he performed with The Groundlings, and did this character. That ensemble skit show, evolved into a singular live show, where Paul Reubens did PeeWee entirely, also in LA. The PeeWee Herman show became “the thing to do in L.A.; it was an extremely popular live show, a hip thing to go and see, and to be at.
Then Paul Reubens was offered the TV show; and a household name was born.
Except, as an actor, an artist, Paul Reuben’s felt that due to the popularity of PeeWee, he wasn’t able to be an actor. He felt confined to doing PeeWee, and restricted to it. Not able to pursue what he originally and still longed for; which was to be an actor doing all different roles.
I heard about that about 10 years ago. Paul Reubens took a long time away, without doing PeeWee. Perhaps, now that he’s had a good long break, he’s happy to be performing this vibrantly funny person again. I hope so. Because, as an actor, I felt a little guilt enjoying PeeWee as much as I do…I felt the clown, himself, was unhappy inside.
I don’t know Paul Reubens well, but over the years I’ve met him at a few parties. He’s very soft-spoken, and a much more mellow guy than PeeWee.
There’s just no denying that PeeWee Herman is one of the strongest comedic characters ever invented, and performed. It’s like ya can’t get enough. And he’s not just a character, he’s hilarious! In this SNL video, his comic timing and delivery is so strong, that he steals the stage.
Here’s the digital short from this past Saturday’s SNL…
“Son0fabi*ch stole my line!”
Best,
Dana
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We Want more of Pee Wee now, he is fantastic every second,just too cute! His outfit,white shoes,So rare.Gerapediau is my favorite too,love his big nose. XXOO P.WEE Bravo!!