Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986-1990) - Specials Episodes and Ratings

It's the wildest holiday ever when some V.I.P.'s (Very Important Persons) stop by to wish Pee-wee a V.M.C. (Very Merry Christmas)! Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon are off the beach and on Pee-wee's floor making Christmas cards, Magic Johnson joins Pee-wee for a wild sleigh ride in the Magic Screen, and Dinah Shore sings the "12 Days (or so) of Christmas!" Joan Rivers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg wish Pee-wee a merry Christmas and a happy new "year." Pee-wee shows Little Richard how to ice skate, and Charo, K.D. Lang, the Del Rubio triplets, and Grace Jones perform fun yuletide carols! However, Pee-wee's got a problem larger than his mounting fruitcake collection when perhaps the M.I.P. (Most Important Person), Santa Claus, drops by to tell him that his Christmas wish list is just too long, and no one else will get presents if he doesn't shorten it! Will he keep the gifts, or will he help Santa deliver?

Some great interviews which help to trace the genesis of the show and, ultimately, the incredible production design.

A fun look at the opening multi-media title sequence.

Doesn't just concentrate on the word writers, but on other writers, like composer Mark Mothersbaugh.

Good companion piece to the Building featurette, offering more of a look at some of the construction process for the show's incredible array of props, sets and costumes.

Profiles Mothersbaugh and his compositional process for the series.

A loving look at the series' truly phenomenal performers, many of whom have gone on to greater renown (and at least one, Phil Hartman, to his "greater reward". The featurette also nicely includes some of the behind the scenes performers who helped bring characters like Chairy to life.

A great look at the production and manipulation of the show's puppets.

Details the many different animation techniques which were utilized in the series.

Goes behind the scenes of this special episode.

Looks at the lasting impact of the show courtesy of tchokes that fans still collect.