Paul Ruebens (Pee-Wee Herman) Has Died

[Xprimentyl]

Ugh, this man was a massive part of my childhood. Between "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and the subsequent feature films, he made me laugh and very happy so many times growing up. Yes, he had his controversies, but fuck all that; who didn't love Pee-Wee? Yet we still suffer the Trumps, Putins, and Uns in this world; dear Lord, can you please prioritize and start taking some of the people we could seriously do without? Y'know, take the the ones doing actual harm and damage to your precious creation and those of us living in it, and leave those who spread joy and wonder alone?

Anyway, RIP, Pee-Wee. Wishing you peace with a send-off "Mekka-lekka-hi, Mekka-hiney-ho." You're already missed.

Paul Reubens, actor best known as Pee-wee Herman, dies at 70

He rose to fame in the 1980s playing the whimsical, child-like character on TV and in movies.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Yes, he had his controversies

And so much of that was a "you hurt my childhood" overreaction (with some "won't someone please think of the children" sprinkled in). Nobody would've cared if John Q. Tuggenbief masturbated in public, but Pee-Wee? OH MY GOD!

 

[Xprimentyl]

And so much of that was a "you hurt my childhood" overreaction (with some "won't someone please think of the children" sprinkled in). Nobody would've cared if John Q. Tuggenbief masturbated in public, but Pee-Wee? OH MY GOD!

Given the spate of far worse controversies far more prolific people have been involved in, Ruebens gets the kind of pass that makes you even question why he'd even need a pass. It's only because he was so beloved (by children) that his actions were consider as salacious as they were. Worth a side-eye? Sure; fair enough; human's gotta human. But let's all agree his impact as Pee-Wee was pretty substantial, and it's not like he was found to be the secret pedophile he'd probably be likened to today, i.e.: in retrospect, a grown man in a suit and bowtie with a playhouse to his name would be on no fewer than a dozen government watch lists, but in his prime, he was just a fun guy living in a magical house with anthropomorphic furniture, amicable neighbors, and a genie that granted his wishes from time to time. What's more honest and pure than that?

I'm 43, and Pee-Wee's schtick is appropriately no longer my cup of tea, but I will never forget the 7-year-old I was that watched "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" religiously, and loved Pee-Wee Herman, nor will I take away from the legacy of joy, fun, and laughter Ruebens has left in his wake. In my dream of dreams, he's beating it like a mad man in heaven's filthiest porn theater just to spite the haters. Okay, that's a bit far; I really mean I hope his recent death surfaces the good more so than the "bad" from his life.

 

[BrawlMan]

Rest in peace funny weenie man. I didn't watch you that much, and I don't remember a lot, but thanks for the fun times.

 

[Kyrian007]

Given the spate of far worse controversies far more prolific people have been involved in, Ruebens gets the kind of pass that makes you even question why he'd even need a pass. It's only because he was so beloved (by children) that his actions were consider as salacious as they were. Worth a side-eye? Sure; fair enough; human's gotta human. But let's all agree his impact as Pee-Wee was pretty substantial, and it's not like he was found to be the secret pedophile he'd probably be likened to today, i.e.: in retrospect, a grown man in a suit and bowtie with a playhouse to his name would be on no fewer than a dozen government watch lists, but in his prime, he was just a fun guy living in a magical house with anthropomorphic furniture, amicable neighbors, and a genie that granted his wishes from time to time. What's more honest and pure than that?

I'm 43, and Pee-Wee's schtick is appropriately no longer my cup of tea, but I will never forget the 7-year-old I was that watched "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" religiously, and loved Pee-Wee Herman, nor will I take away from the legacy of joy, fun, and laughter Ruebens has left in his wake. In my dream of dreams, he's beating it like a mad man in heaven's filthiest porn theater just to spite the haters. Okay, that's a bit far; I really mean I hope his recent death surfaces the good more so than the "bad" from his life.

I haven't seen all of the reaction, but so far of what I've seen... the good does seem to be overshadowing anything else. So far anyway. I wasn't particularly a fan of the Pee-Wee character (just never tickled my fancy as a kid,) but seeing a decent amount of reaction from people my age who apparently loved Pee-Wee Herman. I thought he was funny as Spleen in Mystery Men. And of course just a bit part as a waiter in one of my favorite movies, The Blues Brothers.