If you're a Pee Wee Herman/Paul Reubens fan

[catchnrelease]

I definitely recommend the Max/HBO doc Pee Wee As Himself. A two part series that really goes back to Reuben's beginnings and how Pee Wee was created. It doesn't pull any punches and the subject of Reuben's arrests is covered head on. Very bittersweet, I think. I was/am a fan so I found it fascinating and sad at how he was treated during those difficult years. Got some tears from me.

[John1956PA]

1. Gilbert Gottfried famously came to his defense in a live broadcast of the Emmy Awards Show.

[catchnrelease]

2. Good for him!

In the documentary Reubens talks about how he went to New York to audition for Saturday Night Live. Gilbert's audition was before his and Reubens felt that they were essentially doing the same act--nerdy guy--so he left before trying out. So many interesting anecdotes in the films.

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. I definitely remember this.

[snot]

4. "Cancelling" people's contributions for the better based on their mistakes in other areas of life

leads to eschewing most of humanity's progress.

Paul Reubens was brilliantly creative.

We need to be able to acknowledge both the good and the bad in people without minimizing or exaggerating either one.

[MuseRider]

5. I saw the first half.

Fell asleep right before that one ended so time to catch up and watch the next soon. I found several places that made me get weepy and I am certain I will again. I was a mother of two boys who were a bit late to Pee Wee because I was. Once I saw the morning shows I was right there with my boys doing "Scream Real LOUD!" For months later the Large Marge story was the thing and after that my youngest boy kept yelling "Spookies!". It took me a while then I knew it was also from Pee Wee. So many things he did and I do think he broke a lot of boundaries. How could anyone dislike Pee Wee? "Calling Mr. Herman", I do so wish he was back.

[Chalco]

6. Watched first half so far

I was dubious at first with the editing, but then it grabbed me. It teaches a lot about the entertainment industry along with the way he worked and reworked his persona into different parts and made decisions about who he really was. It's a good study in how to understand who one is.

I can't wait to see the second half.

[bif]

7. Read a good review of it in yesterday's paper

I put it in the ol' queue.

[La Coliniere]

8. Worthwhile, especially if you were a fan.

We actually had a Pee Wee Herman doll back in the day. Pulled the string and out came, “I know you are, but what am I” and other Pee Wee quips. The documentary filled in many gaps and was ultimately an honest but sad retelling of Paul Reubens’ story of the man behind the man-child who was Pee Wee Herman.