Inside Pee-wee's Playhouse

Can Pee-wee's Playhouse—the transformational children's show that was for an entire generation in the Eighties what the intellectually subversive Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends was in the Sixties—really be celebrating its 25th anniversary? Today's secret word, boys and girls, is "youbetcha!" This serviceable and simple guide to Pee-wee's seminal show also traces the trajectory of actor Paul Reubens through the TV show, movies, the notorious 1991 incident, and comeback, culminating in his recent successful Broadway adaptation. First-time author Gaines constructs an easy and gently flowing narrative blissfully devoid of academic semiotic deconstructions and metaphorical high-wire linguistic acts. Utilizing interviews with key cast and crew members, Gaines follows the development and run of Pee-wee's Playhouse and liberally adds anecdotal material and behind-the-scenes gossip from numerous insiders. An episode guide for all five seasons and a "Puppetland Directory" that identifies key personnel enrich the text.