Pee-Wee Herman comes to HBO

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

As Chairy might say, today’s secret word is HBO. On Tuesday,the network announced that early next year it will broadcast ‘The Pee-Wee Herman Show,’ a Broadway production based on Paul Reubens’ original stage production, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” and his Emmy-winning Saturday morning TV series, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” Airing three decades after Reubens made his debut on the channel with “The Pee-wee Herman Show,’ the special will reunite Mailman Mike, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne and other Playhouse characters loved by kids and child-like adults.

“Before his hit series and movies, HBO introduced Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman to a national audience in the ‘Young Comedians’ series, followed by the groundbreaking 1981 special,” noted Nancy Geller, HBO’s senior vice president of original programming, in a statement. “It’s thrilling to have Paul back on the network, and it will be a blast to return to Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

Lately, Reubens has experienced a comeback of sorts, appearing on “30 Rock,” “Family Guy” and the Todd Solondz movie “Life During Wartime.” Writer-director Judd Apatow recently announced that he and Reubens are developing a new movie based on Pee Wee. And now HBO? Wait, we just said the secret word. Everybody, scream!

-- Melissa Maerz