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6d ago

‘Pee-wee as Himself’ Offers a Candid Look at Paul Reubens’ Dual Lives

The two-part documentary premieres May 23 on HBO and Max, exploring Reubens’ identity, secrecy, and the price of fame.

Paul Reubens in a scene from “Pee-wee as Himself,” a two-part documentary that premieres Friday, May 23, on HBO and HBO Max.
Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman in 1984 during a tour as seen in “Pee-wee as Himself,” a two-part documentary that premieres Friday, May 23, on HBO and HBO Max.
Paul Reubens in a scene from “Pee-wee as Himself,” a two-part documentary that premieres Friday, May 23, on HBO and HBO Max.
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Overview

  • Paul Reubens sat for over 40 hours of interviews, revealing his private struggles and the sacrifices behind his Pee-wee Herman persona.
  • The film delves into Reubens’ arrests in 1991 and 2002, suggesting the latter was a targeted effort to discredit him.
  • Reubens’ sexuality, kept private during his lifetime, is addressed alongside his concealment of his terminal cancer diagnosis.
  • The documentary highlights the tension between Reubens’ artistic ambitions and the commercial success of Pee-wee Herman.
  • Early reviews praise the film as an honest and provocative exploration of identity, control, and legacy.