FOF #1343 – Pee Wee Herman is Back!

In the late 1970s, Paul Ruebens developed the character of Pee-wee Herman as a challenge by the LA based improv group, the Groundlings, to create a comic that could never make it in real life.

A few years later, along with his friend, the late Phil Hartman, Ruebens developed a full fledged show centered around this character who who lived in a magical playhouse. The show toured the country, sold out Carnegie Hall and eventually became an Emmy award winning TV series.

In the late 80s, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, with its mixture of live action, puppets and animation became a Saturday morning institution that will influence generations to come. Paul Ruebens truly subversive humor walks the line between comedy fit for a child that would appeal to adults.

After they decided to end the series, Reubens was arrested in his home town of Sarasota, Florida for masturbating in an adult theater. Although this sex scandal pales in comparison to the likes of today’s Kardashians and Paris Hiltons, it launched a witch hunt into Reuben’s life that kept him out of the public eye for years.

It seemed like Pee Wee Herman would never come back, but miracles do happen, and Pee Wee Herman is back with a new HBO special of his Broadway show and the promise of a new film directed by Jud Apatow.

Joining us is film maker Kerthy Fix- her new documentary “Who Took the Bomp: Le Tigre On Tour,” that focuses on the electroclash band Le Tigre premiers at SXSW.

How do people in the riot girl music overtake oppressive symbols embracing them with sex and humor?

Kerthy’s upcoming puppet film on the life of Christine Jorgenson

And the hot news:

The lost city of Atlantis is found again, but this time in Spain.

An English vicar gets into hot water for dressing up in drag.

and the intense life of young Internet tycoons.

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Featured Music:
Le Tigre – Decepticon: iTunes

This entry was posted on Monday, March 14th, 2011 at 3:35 am and is filed under Culture & Style, Filmmakers, Interviews, Movies, Podcast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.