08/01/2023
We were one of the lucky families that had HBO when it was first made available in our area when we were kids. Between showings of Jewel of the Nile and Bill Cosby Himself was this hour long special of this dude in a grey suit and red bow tie that acted completely insane in front of a live audience. His surroundings were clunky, his props were over the top, and he acted like a little kid. It was in one word, "weird"...and we loved every second of it. We'd watch it every time we saw it was going to air. (We actually set clocks to it)
Years later, an unknown director by the name of Tim Burton made a full-length feature film about this same character. We begged our mom to take us, but didn't see it until it was released on VHS about a year later.
The music, the set design, the corny yet overwhelmingly charming supporting cast made this one of the films we would watch so often we memorized every line. An instant classic.
Shortly after, CBS announced a half-hour show starring this guy that would air during the holy grail of kids' programming days, Saturday mornings. Goddamn we were excited! We suffered through the bu****it shows like Kissyfur and The Care Bears Family in anticipation of the premiere of this singular event we had built up so much in our minds and hearts...
And hot damn, it did not disappoint! From the claymation opening with the calming lansdcape/soundscape to being smacked in the face by Cindy Lauper screeching through the rest of the opening theme song, we were hooked. It was bright, colorful, steeped in a classic kids show and counter culture we didn't understand yet, but were enamored by. This guy went against ALL conventions (this period of the 80s was ruled by conservative ideals, hateful story lines, war, etc..). But through it all, in all of his childish games and banter with the playhouse puppets and cast, the message that came through loud and clear was, be kind.
And man that stuck with us, through our daily interactions and through our ideals.
So thank you Paul Reubens, thank you for showing us that its ok to be as weird as you want to be, to create whatever makes you happy, and to unapologetically love with all of your heart.
Safe travels, you will never be forgotten