 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
- Review Date: October 7, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1988
Common Sense Media says
Bizarre humor, high-speed antics, non-stop fun!
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, although there's nothing objectionable in this film, Pee-wee isn't the most outstanding role model for children. He's crass occasionally and likes to poke fun, but he's also inventive, vulnerable, and loads of fun. Pee-wee learns a bit about Hanukkah and holiday card-making, even more about sharing. Kids will learn how to say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish, even if Pee-wee has some trouble.
What's the story?
It's Christmas at the Playhouse and everybody's bringing fruitcake. Between putting Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to work making holiday cards, teaching Little Richard how to ice skate, and going for a wild sleigh ride with Magic Johnson, Pee-wee manages to dictate a Christmas wish list long enough to choke a reindeer and decorate the Playhouse in anticipation of Santa's arrival. When Santa arrives, it's with less than merry tidings. It seems that Pee-wee's covetousness has deprived the rest of the world's children of their own presents. But not to worry. It's not too late to put things right, and learn a valuable lesson about sharing. Special guests include Cher, Magic Johnson, and, yes, the man himself, Santa Claus, who has a bone to pick with his host. Musical guests include Dinah Shore, Grace Jones, Charo, k.d. lang, and the Del Rubio Triplets.
Is it any good?
At this most festive time of year, let's give thanks to Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman) not only for giving us the phenomenally inventive Pee-wee's Playhouse series that enlivened children's programming in the mid-1980s, but also for delivering this refreshingly untraditional 1988 Christmas special. For a sure-to-please stocking-stuffer, you can't go wrong here.
A fresh alternative to the Rankin-Bass brand of cuteness that permeates the season, PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL isn't syrupy, yet there's a very palatable sweetness to it. The innocence is attributable mostly to Reubens' chuckling man-boy character, but also to the creative talents behind the show and to the endearing Playhouse regulars who include Reba the Mail Lady, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and Jambi the disembodied genie. Behavior-wise, Pee-wee isn't the most outstanding role model for children. He's crass occasionally and likes to poke fun (maybe that's what makes him so identifiable), but he's also inventive (wait 'til you see what he does with all those fruitcakes he's left with), vulnerable, and loads of fun.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about greed and sharing. What is greed? Was Pee-wee greedy? Did he do the right thing by the end of the show? If you were in Pee-wee's predicament, what do you think you would do?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
May 17, 2010
AGE
alll ages admitted!
there is no adult content
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Kid, 11 years old
May 17, 2010
AGE
alll ages admitted!
there is no adult content
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AGE
A holiday tradition at our house
OK, Pee Wee Herman is an acquired taste. But I think he's actually a great role model, because he basically is a 5-year old in an adult's body. He acts obnoxious and selfish, but in the end he sees why it's important to be kind, think of others' needs, etc. I think kids relate better to this than to getting a lecture from a parental stand-in. And the energy, art, music are really fun and engaging.
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Pee Wee is Darling and Funny!
My kids (8 and 10) love Pee Wee and I cannot see his films ever being outdated! I love his subtle and hidden adult humor.
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| Studio: | MGM/UA |
| Directors: | Paul Reubens, Wayne Orr |
| Cast: | Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Paul Reubens |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 48 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1988 |
| DVD release date: | October 19, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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