PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Pee-Wee Herman was a comedy phenomenon that you were either hep to or not. Paul Reubens created the character on stage while part of the improve comedy troupe The Groundlings in 1978, and was such a hit that Pee-Wee earned his own show, which had a long run at the Roxy in Los Angeles and was taped for an HBO special. This success led to Tim Burton's first feature film PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, then a Saturday morning CBS series PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE, which debuted in 1987. The incredibly creative show brought Reubens an entirely new audience of children who'd missed his late night TV shenanigans, while retaining his core audience of young adult hipsters. After beginning his second season, at the height of his popularity playing the odd man-child kid show host, Reubens got the go-ahead to produce this prime time Christmas special.

Pee-Wee is especially obnoxious at Christmastime making out a huge list of "I Wants" to send to Santa Claus. He's so busy being greedy that he completely forgets to decorate the playhouse (which already resembled a kid's dream or a designer's nightmare) or announce the secret word (which was announced at the start of every show).

There are so many guest stars on the special that Reubens and crew don't have much room for a plot or their usual puppet and cartoon nonsense in between eclectic celebrities. Whoopi Goldberg calls Pee-Wee begging to be on the show. Magic Screen introduces his cousin, Magic Johnson. Pee-Wee accidentally receives a special gift meant for the President: Grace Jones(!), who performs her own version of "Little Drummer Boy". Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello help Pee-Wee make Christmas cards. Cher drops in to find out the secret word of the day ("year"). Joan Rivers makes a cameo to meet the King of Cartoons (William Marshall). When it starts snowing, the Del Rubio Triplets serenade Pee-Wee and Cowboy Curtis to "Winter Wonderland", and Little Richard tries to learn to ice skate. k.d. lang does "Jingle Bell Rock". The Countess introduces Pee-Wee to Zsa Zsa Gabor. Charo performs "Feliz Navidad" while Pee-Wee and Ricardo (Vic Trevino) play with a Christmas piñata.

Other celebs Oprah Winfrey, Dinah Shore, etc. - literally phone in their appearances via the playhouse video phone. Most of them are perfectly willing to spoof their public images, and participate in running gags. One minimal gag pays off well when Pee-Wee uses the multitude of fruitcakes he's given to build an addition onto the playhouse. Eventually, they get back to the minimal "plot" when Santa Claus arrives, but getting there is more than half the fun.

The special was a hit, but due to the overhyped scandal of Reuben's arrest while watching Fred J. Lincoln's NURSE NANCY in 1991, it was shelved along with several unaired episodes and tons of PLAYHOUSE merchandise. Since then, the show has been little seen except for a few VHS releases and a laserdisc of the special. Now the folks at Image have wisely made available the complete run of PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE on two beautiful DVD volumes, including the unaired episodes. The box sets are great, but fans have been slightly disappointed with their lack of extras. This special DVD of the CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, which comes in a special flocked sleeve, makes up for that lack somewhat with two commentraks.

The disc's commentraks can only be accessed via the menus, so don't go trying to toggle the audio tracks, okay? On one track, Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart (Miss Yvonne), John Paragon (Jambi) and animation producer Prudence Fenton have a relaxed chat, talking about how different aspects of the show were put together and reminiscing about the fun they had. You can easily picture them sharing a pitcher of eggnog. Won't you join them? Paragon joins behind the scenes folks Alison Mork, George McGrath, Ric Heitzman, Kevin Carlson and Wayne White who were all puppeteers on the show - gather for an equally cozy track. They reveal some puppet secrets, but sometimes get so wrapped up in the show and forget to talk. Or maybe they're just too choked up to comment.

With so many creative people working on it and so many fans still excited about it - this special and series really deserves something more in the way of a Making-Of documentary. But for now, this disc makes perfect viewing at any Xmas party or family gathering. I love it (but I won't marry it).