Pee-wee Herman is back

Some of my readers probably never have heard of Pee-wee Herman, nor his real world creator Paul Reubens. That can either be taken as a plus or a negative depending on your taste in comedy.

Either way there is no question that for a time, Pee-wee was the hottest comedian on television. He had a successful Saturday morning show that was good for kids, but held lots of laughs for adults that could read between the lines. He had made 2 successful films. All was going well.

Then Reubens did something that nearly killed Pee-wee completely. Reubens was caught doing a very adult act in a quite seedy film theater. The reaction was hardly the minor inconvienence of George Michael, it was more akin to the image bash that Tiger Woods is currently living.



Every sponsor disappeared, and Reubens was unable to find any kind of work. He languished in this realm for a time until he got a break with a "minor" role in the original film of Buffy the Vampire Killer. His take on a vampire death was a scene stealer and reminded some that talent is not the same as media exposure.



There were several other minor roles over the years, but nothing to the level of Pee-wee.

Of course Reubens was in a love-hate relationsip with Pee-wee. Not unlike Leonard Nimoy's feelings towards Spock, perhaps even the relationship of Gollum and The Ring, Pee-wee was what Reubens was known for.

But now, decades after the event, and at a time when the youth are more than prepared to see for the first time the great hits of the past, Reubens has made peace with his famous alterego and brought him back to life. The only question is how big a return will it be?

I say how big because Paul Reubens is funny. As annoying as the Herman persona can be, it works. On the big screen and on the small it conveys something to audiences of all ages. And it's far more original than most anything else out now in any medium you can name.

I'm hoping all goes well for Reubens and Herman alike. I thought he was a funny man, and the onslaught of negative publicity for something that hurt no one was unfair (though it was a bit creppy - like George Michael). He's paid his dues, more than most entertainers.

So I think it's time that another generation learn how to dance to Tequila!