About this episode
Pee-Wee As Himself is an HBO Max two-part documentary exploring the life and career of Paul Reubens, known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Directed by Matt Wolf, Pee-wee as Himself is constructed around over 40 hours of candid interviews with Reubens, conducted before his passing in 2023. The film delves into his early influences in circus and avant-garde theater, his meteoric rise with Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, and the deliberate separation he maintained between his personal identity and his Pee-wee persona. The documentary also addresses the controversies that impacted Reubens’ career, including his 1991 arrest and the 2002 charges related to vintage erotica, which were later dropped. In a poignant final audio message recorded shortly before his death, Reubens reflects on the pain of being misunderstood and emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and non-conformity—a message he consistently aimed to impart to his audience. Joining Kate is two-time Emmy and Grammy award-winning comedian Kathy Griffin, one of Paul Reubens good friends. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: http://www.tiktok.com/itskatecasey Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecasey See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .