Product Details

• Studio: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304196717
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,058 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Vol. 1-8" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the mid-1980s, Saturday morning television was turned upside down by the brash arrival of Pee-wee Herman (comedian Paul Reubens) and his dreamlike playhouse. What sets Pee-wee apart from the rest of the Saturday morning pack is his universal appeal to kids, teens, and adults. Kids love the bright cartoony colors, the word of the day (accompanied by screams whenever anyone utters it), and the animated residents of the playhouse; teens find in him a hip icon; and adults savor the sophisticated humor, sunny double-entendres, and Pee-wee's way with kids--he never condescends, teaches valuable lessons, and has fun doing it. This collection of the first 16 episodes includes the first show, in which Pee-wee remodels his playhouse, along with Pee-wee catching a cold, attending a Hawaiian luau, and throwing a party, Miss Yvonne's (Lynne Stewart) temporary stay at the playhouse, and more. Cultural-savvy viewers will recognize the Playhouse characters who went on to later fame: Cowboy Curtis (Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne), Captain Carl (Saturday Night Live's Phil Hartman), Mail Lady Reba (Law and Order's S. Epatha Merkerson), and in a guest appearance, Jimmy Smits as an all-important TV repairman. Unlike most TV series, this one has aged wonderfully, and Pee-wee's humor and understanding of how to entertain and teach children make this a perennial favorite for kids, parents, and even grown-up Gen-Xers. --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look out, Mom! Pee Wee's on the loose!, June 10, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Cleveland, Oh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pee-Wee's Playhouse Vol. 1-8 (VHS Tape)

We bought the entire Pee Wee collections (all 32 episodes) so that my 3 year old could enjoy Pee Wee w/o commercial interruption. Yeah, right. Guilty pleasure and all, I bought them for me. A Pee Wee fan at 40? A Pee Wee fan forever!

Pee Wee's Playhouse is a healthy antidote for kids immersed in Pokemon and other touchy-feely, Japanese wide-eyed animated swill. If you can't get the Road Runner or Pepe Le Pew, then Pee Wee can put a smile on your face without explosions, bad guys or pandering to political correctness.

Long live Pee Wee Herman.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pee Wee's Playhouse is a winner, December 14, 1999

By 

Patti (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pee-Wee's Playhouse Vol. 1-8 (VHS Tape)

This is a must own for all Pee Wee fans! I have had these videos for a few years now and I must admit I do watch them from time to time. Not only are these aimed at teaching kids about fire vol.7,learning about Hawaii vol.6, dental hygiene vol.4 or just plain ol' pee wee fun but the adult hidden humor is hysterical. I love these tapes. Where are vol 9-16 tho? I have 9 and never bought 10-16. Help !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He may be in trouble again but I love his videos!, December 5, 2002

By 

Foob (Gig Harbor) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pee-Wee's Playhouse Vol. 1-8 (VHS Tape)

I just viewed the Pee-Wee's Playhouse videos again after finding them in the back of the closet. WHAT A HOOT!!! Paul
Reubens may be in trouble with the vice squad again but he's a genius at children's (and big kids') entertainment. I laughed so hard at the giant underpants episode that I think I wore the tape out. He teaches gentle lessons on kindness, sharing and civility without being condescending. . . and he's so funny! All the characters are terrific as is the set. No wonder the show won so many children's TV awards. These videos are classics. By the way, I'm in my late 40's and my husband and I have no children.