Ethel O' GradyHistory of TelevisionDecember 3, 1996A Zipper for
Pee-Wee Herman: Leaders in childrens television are and always have
been concerned about what programs actually make it on the air. Most
early programming for children of school age in the 1950's was the
western program. Another type was the science-fiction thriller which
tended to be based on hero's from the radio, comics, and films.
However, a favorite of the youngest audience was the children's
equivalent of the variety show. This usually contained circus, puppet,
and/or animal segments. "Super Circus", which aired in 1949, consisted
of music, circus acts, animals, and of course, clowns. In 1952, yet
another type of program came about which reached a very similiar
audience as the circus variety shows. It was called "The Ding Dong
School". The Ding Dong School offered the conversation, low-key
instruction, commercials, and entertainment of Miss. Frances, a
professional teacher. With the help of these types of shows, a new
genre was born. Children's television which was a mixture of songs,
education, fun, and a whole lot more. In 1969, the first airing of "Sesame
Street" took place. Sesame Street had programs which were sponsored
by different letters of the alphabet or numbers each day, and relied on
very short, animated cartoons with live and puppet segments which kept
the interest of preschool children. The show was an instant outstanding
success, and still broadcasts today.
2 In 1970, "Mr.
Roger's Neighborhood" was born. Mr. Fred Roger's used puppets and
music to teach patience and cooperation, while providing guidance to
help children cope with feelings and frustrations. Mr. Roger's land of
makebelieve's handpuppet characters interacted with humans in the
mythical kingdom of King Friday XIII. There, the puppets and humans
would deal with their feelings and emotions as they solve typical,
everyday problems. This new genre of programming was a sensation.
The children loved it, and the parents approved of it. During the following
years, many new shows came about which still fit this genre. In the year
1986, yet another show was born into childrens television. "Pee-Wee's
Playhouse". This series, starring host Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens)
used animation, puppets, and vintage cartoons to entertain and educate
its audience. Between Pee-Wee Herman and his extraordinary
playhouse, children were given the opportunity to let their imaginations go
crazy. The "playhouse" had no permanent residents, that is, besides the
furnishings. Not ordinary furnishings, you see, Pee-Wee's furnishings
could move, talk, dance, and sing. These "characters" could be seen at
the playhouse on a regular basis. Some of the favorites were: Globey, a
talking globe who would show Pee-Wee the countries that his pen-pal's
letters came from; Magic Screen, a toy of Pee-Wee's that enabled him to
actually get "inside the screen" and play a life-size game of connect the
dots; Konkie, a talking robot which revealed the secret word of the day;
and of course Genie, who granted Pee-
3Wee one wish a day. The
playhouse also welcomed a series of visitors during each episode,
whichcould also be seen on a regular basis. Some of these favorites
included: Rina the mail-lady,who came to deliver Pee-Wee's pen-pal
letters everyday; Miss Yvonne, who Pee-Wee referred to the most
beautiful woman in Puppetland; and of course the King of Cartoons who
brought the "vintage cartoon of the day" to Pee-Wee. Besides the
spectacular furnishings and outrageous visitors, the television showalso
had an unusual daily theme. This theme could have been anything from
"a fire in the playhouse", "a trip to another planet", or even "Pee-Wee
getting sick". In all of these situations, Pee-Wee stressed the importance
of friendship, sharing, and just being nice. One particular show,
"Monster in the Playhouse", was about being in the dark. Pee-Wee
explains that when your with your friends, the dark is less spooky.
Suddenly Mrs. Steve, a neighbor of Pee-Wee's, begins panicking
because she thinks there's a monster on the loose. Just then, a great
monster with one eye and one leg enters the playhouse.His name is
Roger, and he stays and plays with Pee-Wee. All of a sudden Roger's
mother is on the picture-phone saying that Roger is late for dinner. This
show ends with Pee-Wee's elaborate closing: Pee-Wee mounting his
scooter with Roger and giving him a ride home.Unfortunately, Pee-Wee's
Playhouse came to an startling end only five years later.Why? Well, on
July 26, 1991, Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) was arrested for
indecent
4exposure in a porno-theater. This incident both shocked
and worried the leaders of children's television programming due to the
morals, ethics, and values of the society during that time. Questions
flooded the minds of parents, teachers, and officials. People began to
fear that Pee-Wee was perhaps a poor role-model for their youngsters.
The real question is this: Should Pee-Wee's behavior have been
such a shock to society? Lets look a little deeper into Pee-Wee's
Playhouse. This children's televisionshow was actually a refined version
of Paul Reuben's nightclub act: "The Pee-Wee Herman Show". It is
difficult to imagine that anyone who had seen his nightclub act, actually
agreed to run Pee-Wee's Playhouse during Saturday morning,
children's programming. The Pee-Wee Herman Show can best be
described as an adult version of Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Paul Reubens
played the part of Pee-Wee Herman, a boy who acts out his infantile
sexuality by "playing doctor" with the ladies and looking up women's
skirts. Numerous accounts of sexual innuendo's are made by Pee-Wee
during the entire show. I don't think Pee-Wee Herman ever gave the
impression that he was a "Mr. Rogers-Captain Kangeroo" kind of role
model for children. Pee-Wee was who he was: a creative comedian who
had a clever way of looking at life through the eyes of a child. Whether
he was a disgusting pervert or just plain human, his television show and
movies were a huge success. Though no longer in syndication,
Pee-Wee's Playhouse's fire still continues to burn.
5There is
now a collection of video tapes available which allow Pee-Wee to be
where he belongs: in the center of family room's across the country.
Long live Pee-Wee Herman! Works
Cited:Textbook: Christopher Sterling & John Kittros. Stay Tuned: A
Concise History of AmericanBroadcasting (Revised Edition). (Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth, 1990)The Museum of Television and Radio (NYC):1.
Pee-Wee's Playhouse: A Fire in the Playhouse2. Mr. Rogers
Neighborhood: Superhero's3. Before They Were Stars III (TV)4. Comic
Relief, pt. 2 of 5 (1986)5. Television, pt 8: The Promise of Television6.
Andrew Dice Clay: For Ladies Only7. The Muppets: A Celebration of 30
Years
. what programs actually make it on the air. Most
early programming for children of school age in the 1950's was the
western program. Another type was. Ethel O' GradyHistory of TelevisionDecember 3, 199 6A Zipper for
Pee-Wee Herman: Leaders in childrens television are and always have
been concerned about