A brand new documentary airing on HBO tonight will function the definitive portrait of Paul Reubens and his comedic alter-ego Pee-wee Herman.
“Pee-wee as Himself” was primarily filmed previous to Reubens’ dying in July 2023 and consists of voice recordings carried out the day earlier than he handed. The comic, 70, died following a personal battle with most cancers. The candid documentary will reportedly present Reubens and director Matt Wolf sparring over inventive management, one thing Reubens wished extra of regardless of ceding the director’s chair to Wolf.
The doc, a 2025 Sundance Movie Competition choice, traces Reubens’ comedic origins as he left his Florida hometown for California, started performing with the storied Groundlings improv group, and created the character he would develop into identified for: Pee-wee Herman. It should additionally focus on the results that his 1991 public indecency arrest at a porno movie show had on his profession going ahead.
In the end, on this set of emotional last interviews, Reubens displays on his life as a closeted homosexual man who made the choice to hide his personal life completely behind the Pee-wee Herman persona.
‘Pee-wee as Himself’ streaming launch date:
“Pee-wee as Himself” premieres tonight, Might 23, at 8 p.m. ET. The 2-part documentary will air back-to-back on HBO linear premium cable channel with the episodes dropping on the Max streaming service on the similar time.
Methods to watch ‘Pee-wee as Himself’:
In case you don’t have HBO by way of conventional cable, you’ll want a Max subscription to look at “Pee-wee as Himself.”
Max, which you’ll be able to subscribe to through Prime Video, begins at $9.99/month with adverts and prices $16.99/month ad-free.
That’s not the one solution to subscribe, although. Sling TV is among the many greatest worth for cash amongst dwell television streaming companies, due to some nice affords. You’ll want Sling’s Blue plan with a Max add-on to look at HBO dwell. And once you subscribe to Max by way of Sling, the money-saving by no means stops! You’ll get 50% off your first month, plus $5 off your invoice each month after that.
‘Pee-wee as Himself’ episode information:
Each components of “Pee-wee as Himself” will air back-to-back tonight, Might 23.
- Half One (8:00-9:40 p.m. ET): “Part one details Reubens’ childhood and desire to be an actor, inspired by such television shows as “Howdy Doody,” “Captain Kangaroo,” and“I Love Lucy.” He finds acceptance at CalArts, the place he hones his efficiency artwork abilities. On the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings, Reubens creates the alter ego of Pee-wee Herman and places on a dwell late-night present that turns into a cult sensation and evolves into a preferred tour. The hit 1985 movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” made him a worldwide sensation. Subsuming himself into the character of Pee-wee, Reubens hides his private life, and acknowledges too late that fame makes for an advanced companion.”
- Half Two (9:40-11:20 p.m. ET): “Reubens’ profile continues to grow with an Emmy®-winning weekly Saturday morning television show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which unabashedly celebrates range and nonconformity. The episode explores the casting, manufacturing design, and inventive means of the present that ran for 5 seasons. Reubens talks candidly about his fame as a popular culture icon and the lows he endured as he confronted rumors, vilification, and the vitriol of the media. Reemerging as a cult determine with cameo roles in movies and TV reveals, a Broadway revival of his Pee-wee stage present, and a last Pee-wee movie, Reubens refuses to have his legacy be outlined by media scandals based mostly on false rumors. He shares last phrases with the general public, reinforcing his lifelong dream to deliver pleasure, creativity, and acceptance to everybody.”
‘Pee-wee as Himself’ trailer:
Who will seem within the ‘Pee-wee as Himself’ documentary?
Along with footage from over 40 hours of interviews and over 1,000 hours of archival materials, the next individuals sat for interviews that might be featured within the documentary: Reubens’ sister Abby Rubenfeld; artists Gary Panter and Wayne White; actors Lynne Stewart, John Moody, Alison Mork, Natasha Lyonne, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurence Fishburne, Debi Mazar, David Arquette, Laraine Newman, and Cassandra Peterson; and filmmakers Tim Burton and Judd Apatow.
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This text was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Author/Reporter for Submit Needed Buying and New York Submit’s streaming property, Decider. Angela retains readers updated with cord-cutter-friendly offers, and knowledge on the way to watch your favourite sports activities groups, TV reveals, and films on every streaming service. Not solely does Angela check and evaluate the streaming companies she writes about to make sure readers are getting the very best costs, however she’s additionally a superfan specializing within the intersection of buying, tech, sports activities, and popular culture. Previous to becoming a member of Decider and New York Submit in 2023, she wrote about streaming and shopper tech at Insider Critiques
