This is the complete episode list for Pee-wee's Playhouse. A total of 45 half-hour episodes and 1 primetime special were recorded for CBS from 1986 until 1990.
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 13 | September 13, 1986 (1986-09-13) | December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06) | |
| 2 | 10 | September 19, 1987 (1987-09-19) | November 21, 1987 (1987-11-21) | |
| Christmas special | December 21, 1988 (1988-12-21) | |||
| 3 | 2 | Spring 1989 | Fall 1989 | |
| 4 | 10 | September 16, 1989 (1989-09-16) | November 18, 1989 (1989-11-18) | |
| 5 | 10 | September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) | November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17) | |
Episodes
Season 1 (1986)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Ice Cream Soup" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | September 13, 1986 (1986-09-13) | 101 |
|
Before Pee-wee's friends are forced to evacuate the pool due to rain, Pee-wee decides to make Ice Cream Soup, despite Randy getting carried away with too much chocolate syrup. Secret Word: Door King of Cartoons: The Fresh Vegetable Mystery (1939) | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Luau for Two" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | September 20, 1986 (1986-09-20) | 102 |
|
Pee-wee wins dinner for two at a Hawaiian Restaurant, but then has to contemplate who he is going to take with him. He decides to throw a Luau party for all at his playhouse. Secret Word: Fun King of Cartoons: Ants in the Plants (1940) | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Rainy Day" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | September 27, 1986 (1986-09-27) | 103 |
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It is raining outside the playhouse, and Pee-wee tries to come up with all sorts of things to do, until he runs out of ideas and wishes the rain would stop. Secret Word: Help King of Cartoons: Summertime (1935) Note: Only appearance of the housewife and Daryl the cop. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Now You See Me, Now You Don't" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | October 4, 1986 (1986-10-04) | 104 |
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During a Magic Show he puts on for his friends, Pee-wee makes himself invisible, and has to become visible again. Secret Word: Little King of Cartoons: Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931) | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Just Another Day" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | October 11, 1986 (1986-10-11) | 105 |
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Cowboy Curtis shows Pee-wee the traits of how to be a Cowboy. Secret Word: Back King of Cartoons: Old Mother Hubbard (1935) | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Beauty Makeover" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | October 18, 1986 (1986-10-18) | 106 |
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Miss Yvonne says she can give the next person who steps into the playhouse a beauty makeover, and it ends up being Mrs. Steve. Secret Word: Time King of Cartoons: The Three Bears (1935) | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "The Restaurant" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | October 25, 1986 (1986-10-25) | 107 |
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Pee-wee's the maitre d', waiter and cashier when he plays restaurant with Captain Carl. But all they have are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Secret Word: Day King of Cartoons: Molly Moo-Cow and the Butterflies (1935) | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Ants in Your Pants" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | November 1, 1986 (1986-11-01) | 108 |
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The Ants from Pee-wee's formicarium go missing and raid the entire playhouse. Secret Word: What King of Cartoons: Flip the Frog: Puddle Pranks (1930) | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Monster in the Playhouse" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | November 8, 1986 (1986-11-08) | 109 |
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Mrs. Steve warns Pee-wee that it is a one-eyed monster on the loose. Secret Word: Look King of Cartoons: Jack Frost (1934) | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Cowboy and the Cowntess" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | November 15, 1986 (1986-11-15) | 110 |
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Miss Yvonne asks Cowboy Curtis out for a date, which makes him nervous. Cowntess suggests playing date role-playing, with Pee-wee as Miss Yvonne. Secret Word: Good King of Cartoons: Mary's Little Lamb (1935) | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Stolen Apples" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | November 22, 1986 (1986-11-22) | 111 |
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Randy steals Mrs. Steve's crab apples. Secret Word: There King of Cartoons: Somewhere in Dreamland (1936) | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Gang's All Here" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | November 29, 1986 (1986-11-29) | 112 |
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The Playhouse Gang is joined by a new member (an adult) named Rusty, and Pee-wee assigns them secret names. However, Pee-Wee has to put his foot down when the gangs go out of control. Secret Word: Okay King of Cartoons: Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931) | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Party" | Stephen R. Johnson | George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol | December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06) | 113 |
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Pee-wee throws a party for all of his friends in the playhouse. | ||||||
Season 2 (1987)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "Open House" | Guy Louthan & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | September 19, 1987 (1987-09-19) | 201 |
|
Pee-wee and his friends help renovate the playhouse and Pee-wee makes sun tea for snack time. Note #2: When the episode reran on FOX Family in the late 1990s, the segment in which Pee-wee Herman makes sun tea was cut, as making homemade sun tea can breed bacteria that can cause illness and/or death in some people. The edit was also made when the episode was released on VHS through MGM and United Artists. The Adult Swim rerun has it uncut. The DVD version is uncut as well, but contains a warning in the beginning that states that making sun tea can be dangerous. The Blu-Ray and Netflix releases of the episode are also uncut. | ||||||
| 15 | 2 | "Puppy in the Playhouse" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | September 26, 1987 (1987-09-26) | 202 |
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A dog comes to the playhouse, who turns out to be Reba, the Mail Lady's. Secret Word: Over King of Cartoons: To Spring (1936) | ||||||
| 16 | 3 | "Store" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | October 3, 1987 (1987-10-03) | 203 |
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Cowboy Curtis sings a little song, and Pee-wee, Curtis and Miss Yvonne play "Store". Secret Word: More King of Cartoons: Making 'em Move (1931) | ||||||
| 17 | 4 | "Pee-wee Catches a Cold" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | October 10, 1987 (1987-10-10) | 204 |
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Pee-wee finds himself incapacitated when he comes down with a cold and is taken care of by Ricardo and Miss Yvonne. Secret Word: Out King of Cartoons: The Sunshine Makers (1935) | ||||||
| 18 | 5 | "Why Wasn't I Invited?" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | October 17, 1987 (1987-10-17) | 205 |
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The Cowntess invites pretty much everyone to her party except for Pee-wee, Magic Screen, and Chairry. Secret Word: All King of Cartoons: Piano Tooners (1932) | ||||||
| 19 | 6 | "Tons of Fun" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | October 24, 1987 (1987-10-24) | 206 |
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When Pee-wee goes out to play with the Playhouse Gang, Miss Yvonne and Cowboy Curtis have some fun around the playhouse. Secret Word: Cool King of Cartoons: Philips Broadcast of 1938 (1938) | ||||||
| 20 | 7 | "School" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | October 31, 1987 (1987-10-31) | 207 |
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The Playhouse Gang comes over and they and Pee-wee play a game of "school" and learn about Christopher Columbus and the Declaration of Independence. Secret Word: Easy King of Cartoons: Pagan Moon (1932) | ||||||
| 21 | 8 | "Spring" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | November 7, 1987 (1987-11-07) | 208 |
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On the first day of spring, Pee-wee plants seeds and watches as they grow very quickly. The King of Cartoons visits and introduces his wife and son. Secret Word: Begin King of Cartoons: Wedding in the Coral Sea (1944) | ||||||
| 22 | 9 | "Playhouse in Outer Space" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11) (prime-time) November 14, 1987 (Saturday) | 209 |
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The playhouse gets abducted by an alien named Zyzzybalubah who forces everyone to be his new friend. Secret Word: Zyzzybalubah King of Cartoons: Ship of the Ether (1934) | ||||||
| 23 | 10 | "Pajama Party" | Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens | George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert | November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11) (prime-time) November 21, 1987 (Saturday) | 210 |
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Pee-wee hosts a slumber party at the playhouse, and Pee-wee marries a bowl of fruit salad. Secret Word: Watch (Magic Screen does the Secret Word routine in the episode) King of Cartoons: Musical Memories (1935) | ||||||
Special (1988)
| Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" | Wayne Orr | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | December 21, 1988 (1988-12-21) | 30X |
|
It is Christmas at the Playhouse, and Pee-wee has a large wish list for Santa. Special guest stars: Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Charo, Grace Jones, k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, Little Richard, Cher, the Del Rubio Triplets, Magic Johnson, Princess Zsa Zsa, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, and the UCLA Men's Choir. Filming dates: November 14–25, 1988 | ||||
Season 3 (1989)
Season 3 only had two episodes, plus the primetime Christmas special, due to production being halted by the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike and also by the production of Big Top Pee-wee. On February 2, 1989, The Pittsburgh Press stated that both episodes had been completed, but it was unclear when they would air. On March 26, The Courier stated in a Q&A that one of the episodes had already aired, but was unsure of the other one. Finally, on August 8, The Chillicothe Gazette stated that the other Season 3 episode would be shown with the ones from Season 4 in the Fall of that year.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1 | "Reba Eats and Pterri Runs" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | Spring 1989 (Spring 1989) | 301 |
|
Much to the chagrin of both Jambi and Reba, Pee-wee wishes Reba over to the playhouse on her day off so she can mail his pen pal letter. Pee-wee invites Reba for some breakfast. Pterri no longer feels wanted around the playhouse, so he runs away. Pee-wee and his friends were disappointed that Pterri ran away from the Playhouse, but Pterri comes back. Secret Word: Now King of Cartoons: Farm Foolery (1949) | ||||||
| 25 | 2 | "To Tell the Tooth" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | Fall 1989 (Fall 1989) | 302 |
|
Pee-wee gets a toothache, but tries to avoid going to the dentist. Secret Word: It King of Cartoons: An Elephant Never Forgets (1935) | ||||||
Season 4 (1989)
Unlike before, the final two seasons were filmed back-to-back. On June 16, 1989, Marilyn Beck wrote in her Syndicated Gossip Column that Reubens would start production in July on 20 new episodes (10 for the 1989–90 Season and 10 for the 1990–91 Season), not counting the other Season 3 leftover.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 1 | "Dr. Pee-wee and the Del Rubios" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | September 16, 1989 (1989-09-16) | 401 |
|
Dr. Pee-wee takes care of Reba's splinter. The Del Rubio Triplets come over to play Pass the Orange and perform their rendition of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". | ||||||
| 27 | 2 | "Fire in the Playhouse" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | September 23, 1989 (1989-09-23) | 402 |
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Pee-wee dreams he is a superhero. While making homemade bread, Randy sets the oven way too high causing a fire to break out in the playhouse. Secret Word: One King of Cartoons: The Stork Market (1949) | ||||||
| 28 | 3 | "Love That Story" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Max Robert | September 30, 1989 (1989-09-30) | 403 |
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Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne play "Library". Ricardo joins them to tell their favorite stories. Secret Word: End King of Cartoons: Spring Song (1949) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 29 | 4 | "Sick, Did Somebody Say Sick?" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | October 7, 1989 (1989-10-07) | 404 |
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When Pee-wee briefly steps out, Randy attempts to hijack the show. Jambi becomes sick and the genie doctor, Dr. Jinga Janga (Bernard Fox) makes a house call. Secret Word: Go (Randy does the secret word routine and adds bark like a dog to it instead of screaming to it in the episode) King of Cartoons: To Spring (1936) | ||||||
| 30 | 5 | "Miss Yvonne's Visit" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Doug Cox & John Moody | October 14, 1989 (1989-10-14) | 405 |
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While Miss Yvonne's house is being painted, Pee-wee invites her to stay the night. Secret Word: Nice King of Cartoons: None | ||||||
| 31 | 6 | "Rebarella" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Lynne Marie Stewart & Mimi Pond | October 21, 1989 (1989-10-21) | 406 |
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Pee-wee, Miss Yvonne and the other playhouse puppets play "airplane", and later, prepare Reba for her big date. Secret Word: Stop King of Cartoons: The Kids In the Shoe (1935) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 32 | 7 | "Heat Wave" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Rob Bragin | October 28, 1989 (1989-10-28) | 407 |
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On an especially hot day in the Playhouse, Pee-wee plays "courtroom" to judge over Miss Yvonne and Mrs. René wearing the same one-of-a-kind dress. Secret Word: Here and Hear King of Cartoons: The Song of the Birds (1935) | ||||||
| 33 | 8 | "Chairry-Tee Drive" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | November 4, 1989 (1989-11-04) | 408 |
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While searching for the Cowntess' pencil sharpener he borrowed from her years ago, Pee-wee decides to start a clothing drive. Secret Word: Wait King of Cartoons: None | ||||||
| 34 | 9 | "Let's Play Office" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon & Lynne Marie Stewart | November 11, 1989 (1989-11-11) | 409 |
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Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne play "office" with Pee-wee as the boss and Miss Yvonne as the secretary. Pee-wee makes fruit punch for a snack. Secret Word: That King of Cartoons: Little Lambkins (1940) | ||||||
| 35 | 10 | "I Remember Curtis" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | November 18, 1989 (1989-11-18) | 410 |
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Cowboy Curtis leaves his lasso behind at the playhouse and Pee-wee and the gang reminisce in a Curtis-themed clip show. Secret Word: Remember King of Cartoons: None | ||||||
Season 5 (1990)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1 | "Conky's Breakdown" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Moody & Doug Cox | September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15) | 501 |
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Conky goes on the fritz, so Pee-wee calls a repairman (Jimmy Smits) to fix him. Miss Yvonne becomes smitten with the repairman. Secret Word: Great (It originally comes out as "Grrrrr", due to Conky's malfunction, and Pee-Wee tests it out on Chairry. After the scream, Conky manages to give Pee-Wee the actual secret word.) King of Cartoons: One More Time (1931) | ||||||
| 37 | 2 | "Mystery" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | David Cohen & S.H. Schulman | September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22) | 502 |
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Someone has been stealing things around the playhouse, and Pee-wee attempts to get to the bottom of it. Secret Word: Around King of Cartoons: Farm Frolics (1941) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 38 | 3 | "Front Page Pee-wee" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Moody & Doug Cox | September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29) | 503 |
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Pee-wee decides to start his own newspaper, but Randy publishes false articles in it. Secret Word: How King of Cartoons: The Little Red Hen (1934) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 39 | 4 | "Tango Time" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | David Cohen & S.H. Schulman | October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06) | 504 |
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Pee-wee watches two cartoons from the King of Cartoons. Pee-wee teaches Mrs. René how to tango. Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis go through old photos in his photo album. Secret Word: Fast King of Cartoons: Freddy the Freshman (1932) and Humpty Dumpty (1935) | ||||||
| 40 | 5 | "Playhouse Day" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Rob Bragin | October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13) | 505 |
|
All of Pee-wee's friends have to work, so Pee-wee makes up "Playhouse Day" to get them to come over. Secret Word: Thing King of Cartoons: Fin'n Catty (1943) | ||||||
| 41 | 6 | "Accidental Playhouse" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Moody & Doug Cox | October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20) | 506 |
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Pee-wee's Japanese pen pal, Oki (Joey Miyashima), comes over to the Playhouse. Secret Word: Place (Mrs. René does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons: The Interesting Guest (1951) and Sinkin' in the Bathtub (1930) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 42 | 7 | "Fun, Fun, Fun" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | Max Robert | October 27, 1990 (1990-10-27) | 507 |
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Pee-wee attempts to create a secret upside-down word, but decides it makes him too dizzy. Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne make cheeseballs. Pee-wee teaches viewers how to make a mobile. Secret Word: On (Initially mistaken to be "No" because Pee-Wee held the card upside down. "No" was briefly declared the secret upside-down word) King of Cartoons: Freddy the Freshman (1932) | ||||||
| 43 | 8 | "Camping Out" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03) | 508 |
|
In this rare episode that takes place outside of the playhouse, Pee-Wee has a dream called shape symphony. Pee-wee leaves Ms. Rene in charge while he and Cowboy Curtis go camping in the open range. Pee-wee has a conversation with Rhonda, the Picturephone operator. (Sandra Bernhard) Secret Word: Show (Globey does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons: Allegretto (1936) and Balloon Land (1935) (The King of Cartoons does not appear) | ||||||
| 44 | 9 | "Something to Do" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10) | 509 |
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Pee-wee is bored, so Jambi makes a list of things he can do. Secret Word: Do King of Cartoons: None | ||||||
| 45 | 10 | "Playhouse for Sale" | John Paragon & Paul Reubens | John Paragon | November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17) | 510 |
|
With Pee-wee out, Miss Yvonne finds a "for sale" sign outside the playhouse, and immediately assumes that Pee-wee is going to sell the playhouse. Miss Yvonne and the playhouse puppets all reminisce about the good times around the playhouse in the finale clip show. They later learn that Pee-wee was merely selling lemonade, but the "Lemonade" part of the sign fell off. Secret Word: Word (Miss Yvonne does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons: None | ||||||
References
- Katie McLaughlin, CNN (25 October 2014). "You love Pee-wee's Playhouse? Why don't you marry it? - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - "10 Things You Didn't Know About Pee-wee's Playhouse". www.ifc.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
- "Imgur: The magic of the Internet".
- "TV Listings". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 2, 1989.
- "TV Listings". The Courier. Waterloo, Iowa. March 26, 1989.
- "TV Listings". The Chillicothe Gazette. Chillicothe, Ohio. August 8, 1989.
- "TV Listings". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 3, 1989.
- "TV Listings". The Courier. Waterloo, Iowa. March 26, 1989.
- "TV Listings". The Chillicothe Gazette. Chillicothe, Ohio. August 8, 1989.
- "Marilyn Beck Gossip". The Post-Star. Glens Falls, New York. June 16, 1989.
External links
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| Paul Reubens | |
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