Pee Wee Herman And Dave's Haunted Mansion | Letterman

Pee Wee brings his bag of Halloween tricks and treats for Dave.
(From "Late Night," air date: 10/31/83)
#peeweeherman #halloween #letterman
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanally-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@CliveNDerek]

R.I.P. Paul Reubens. He always had us laughing. What a unique talent.

[@robyne3297]

Can you imagine any network show allowing this much time for something like this now? I love how much time they allowed for this silliness. No agenda. Not there to promote anything. Just pure goofy fun.

[@DoNotTredOnMe]

Right after a funny but more structured Tonight Show with Jonny Carson, you could always count on a crazy, more spur-of-the-moment feeling of Letterman.

[@ElBrooklyn1]

Filling three whole segments with shtick! Letterman got a lot of mileage out of Pee Wee. He did have to fill 90 minutes a night!

[@lfader]

Exactly other than retro channel all TV done toodles 👋👋👋

[@alro2434]

Seth Myers does fantastic work, precise political stuff that is the best on TV the past years, but NOTHING at all like 80's Dave, no bits, nothing outside or pre-taped or propsd, but a drinking in a bar bit. Shows gotta cost way less the letterman's.

[@daveman439]

Hey, all part of MK-mind control agenda. Hey, don't nay say it from some personal bias.

[@davec3717]

Paul Ruebens was a genius. He allowed us to all let our little 8 year old selves out to play for a bit.

[@CatJabZ]

Paul working so hard and Dave enjoys just being along for the ride.

[@sometimesleela5947]

Props to Dave for not giving his character flack. He wasn't so easy on Richard Simmons.

[@KurtChristensenPhoto]

Letterman playing straight man to Pee-Wee was always great.

[@Beowulf-wt3kb]

I’ve never liked how Dave played such a straight man that he didn’t seem to really be enjoying it. It’s like he was tolerating it. That’s sad because P-wee was an amazing comic talent.

[@carolwisniewski6740]

Especially the first few times Pee Wee was on. Dave was a little rough on him. There's another video with all the early shows.

[@rjkral]

@@Beowulf-wt3kbI agree. Lots of comments here saying Dave is enjoying it but what Dave is actually saying here is allllllmost really putting Pee Wee down, he seems to be tolerating it but not in a fun way at all, a real drag to be honest. Sure I bet he should be the "straight guy" but eh....just comes off as bad attitude to me

[@peterjones4621]

I'm honestly sad to have lost Pee Wee, he was only 70, he had the courage to keep his cancer to himself for the past 6 years. Pee Wee, or Paul Rubens made me laugh out loud for years, God has a great place for him in heaven. Rest well funny man, you are sorely missed.

[@Sindollx666x]

Absolutely. I actually got my mom into Pee-Wee as a kid. She originally was annoyed by him, until she actually sat and watched Pee-Wee's playhouse with me when I was little. She finally saw his genius! At around 6 years old I went to the dinosaurs Pee-Wee visits in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. I just saw a video of that place this week and it looks SOOOO DIFFERENT than I remember it looking in 1986 or 1987!!!!

[@jaray7710]

Omg I burst out laughing when Dave said “I like it” and Pee Wee says “why don’t you marry it then”.😂😂😂😂

[@v-town1980]

Pee-Wee and Zappa on Letterman for Halloween?! It's like winning the lottery! Always loved Pee-Wee. One of a kind❤ RIP

[@meowmeow333]

True dat!

[@Tuebor]

Paul was a thoughtful individual. I had the privilege of opening up “Fruit of the Month” boxes from him every month after Christmas. Always made me smile.

[@meowmeow333]

That's wonderful! I so wish I'd met him.

[@marthabakry7353]

Dave Letterman was the perfect straight man for Pee Wee Herman. “Excited and a little bit apprehensive.”

[@MrEvans1973]

Pee Wee AND Zappa??? What an episode!

[@samanthab1923]

My brothers went to the Halloween Zappa shows every year. 🎃

[@gregorychin1739]

God Bless You Pee Wee. Thanks for everything you’ve done and for all the laughs. RIP

[@EBDavis111]

IIRC, Pee Wee's original bit was that he would play in nightclubs that did really blue adult material very late at night, and the set-up was that he was a kid who had somehow snuck in and would tell really dirty jokes that he'd heard from his uncle but didn't really understand. And he absolutely slayed.

[@profile2047]

Oh man that would have been awesome to see.

[@TyDie85]

Pee Wee was one of the, if not the biggest of comedy icons of my childhood. I am so happy I got to experience his show/movies/appearances/everything. Large Marge sent me.

[@brucelee4996]

God, I loved watching Letterman in the 80's, 90's, 00's , and 10's.

[@LNSLateNightSaturday]

I honestly can't imagine the kind of confidence one would need to go on Letterman with a collection of doofy kid's toys and KILL. Well done, Pee Wee!

[@Teeveepicksures]

Dave had him on all the time, the bits of the two of them driving were always great

[@mr.t8562]

That's for sure. Gotta love Pee Wee's enthusiasm. Great performer.

[@samanthab1923]

Back when Dave was just having fun. Hadn’t been crushed by NBC yet

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

It probably takes a grown man who really likes finding common ground with children for some unknown reason...

[@joeybaseball7352]

You say that as if he isn't a professional stand-up comedian, and one the biggest stars of the 80s.

[@jasonkonick8201]

Paul Reuben’s love for Halloween went so far as to portray one of the most lovable sociopathic children in Nightmare Before Christmas. 💀👹🧙‍♀️. You will be truly missed sir. ❤️❤️

[@williambonnie-do7yz]

I have loved this amazing human since the 1st time I saw him. I'm 40 & I love & Quote Paul every day I'm alive.

[@Orangeflava]

If you loved him so much why didnt you marry him? Huh huh

[@bridgethunsucker]

Same!!

[@FPwLola]

I second that. ❤

[@teddyray8597]

I was born in 1977, so I didn't really watch Dave until I was in my late teen/early adult years. So I'm so thankful that this KZbin channel exists and posts these vintage clips. Brilliant stuff.

[@allendracabal0819]

Dave was still a little awkward at this stage (1983), and wouldn't reach his state of brilliance for a couple more years.

[@teddyray8597]

@@allendracabal0819 I think it's that rawness and awkwardness that appeals to me so much.

[@allendracabal0819]

@@teddyray8597 It is fascinating to me to watch the early development of the great performers. Other than Dave, another fascinating one to me is Louis CK. His early standup material, on-stage persona, and physical appearance, are all so different from what he later became that it feels like you are watching a completely different person.

[@ladystrange7791]

I was born in 77 also & didn't really get to begin watching (aside from grade school years occasionally sneaking the TV on when our parents thought we were asleep) until middle school. We'd (sibling & myself) watch any & everything Pee-Wee Herman no matter how many times we'd already seen & always fall in the floor laughing. Seeing this interview & the one w/ him driving Dave around in the country....I lost it. 🤣🤣🤣 I've played it at least 10 times in the past 3 days. Had no idea Pee-Wee ever appeared on Letterman's show & really happy to see it now!

[@badapple65]

Seek out old “Tonight Show” episodes with Johnny Carson. (Myself born in 65’) Different types of humor but both played the straight man comedy wise. During Johnny’s rein most Americans only had 3-4 TV channels so it was common to talk to friends, school mates, about last night’s show.

[@JewandGreek]

I love how Dave is just walking along in his suit with his hand in his pocket like he's visiting an art gallery or something.

[@m8tahuman]

Thanks Paul & Thanks Dave

[@daveman439]

"I've got the hot needles if you need them Dave." 🤣🤣😂😂

[@Glitch-Gremlin]

Halloween in the early 80s. What a time to be alive. Of course i had just turned a year old in 83, but still love to see it.

[@JulieH819]

I was 14 in ‘83. It was an amazing childhood. Sad it’s so unsafe for children now.

[@joshuag7207]

‘85, here. I do remember early 90’s very fondly. It’s a stark contrast to where we are now

[@22lilacsky]

Born in 78. The 80s holidays were always a blast! Especially Halloween, the streets were packed back then!

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

The wholesomeness is an 11/10

[@t23001]

Snarky tween prop comedy crashes head on into snarky dry sarcasm. Comedy gold!

[@Sindollx666x]

I'm still really sad we lost Pee-Wee (Paul Reubens) he was a NATIONAL TREASURE!!!

[@evypeace03]

Thank you for this. I still laughed so hard. RIP Paul Reubens. 🌌

[@dennisdivine7448]

I was a freshman in high school when this aired. These early Pee Wee appearances were quite a bit more subversive than Reubens' work later in the '80s; I would compare this to how Jim Henson treated the Muppets, with "Sesame Street" Muppets for kids and "Muppet Show" Muppets geared toward an adult audience. (And I have the understanding that Phil Hartman was pretty instrumental in the Pee Wee franchise; he basically co-wrote most of the material with Reubens right into the first episodes of "Pee Wee's Playhouse".

[@MusicalJeanAz]

Classic Pee Wee. So much fun.

[@fruticetum]

My sister dated Pee Wee for a time. She thought he was amusing at first but decided he wasn't a mature man, wasn't husband material. But I loved when he came over and brought me all these cool todays just like on David's show here. He really was like an overgrown kid in a way. I also met his parents. Mr and Mrs. Herman were very down to earth and normal seeming.

[@MuffinStuffer_TV]

Hahaha what? You know his real name isn't Pee Wee Herman 😂

[@fruticetum]

@@MuffinStuffer_TV Well, I don't think Pee Wee would have lied about it.

[@meowmeow333]

I've had a huge crush on him since the moment I saw him. For me,he'd have made the perfect husband.

[@fredrikalarsson3962]

I am pretty sure that he was gay

[@Danuta628]

The good ol’days !! Love you PeeWee - Dave - loved the early years on nbc - been watching since 1982 ❤

[@EverAppl14]

Definitely one of my favorite Pee-wee appearances ever, even though I wasn't born yet in 1983. Thanks for making these available on KZbin- they are invaluable to fans. Paul Reubens' premature and unexpected death was absolutely crushing news this past summer, and these clips are so precious to me.

[@printisdead1983]

As a child born in 83....pee wee was my buddy , he was great

[@thewiseguy3529]

His laugh after the "hot needles" joke lol 😂 Yeah I heard that lol

[@johnr5252]

Aired 40 years ago. Wow. Think about that. Hard to believe.

[@bluebassett2]

Hard to believe that in this point in time Pee Wee was a 31 year old man. Well before his movies and Pee Wee's playhouse, which came a couple of years later.

[@allendracabal0819]

It's pretty brave to keep doing that at that age, not being sure if anything will ever come of it.

[@mangrove]

About a year earlier, Dave asked about the first movie, which was already named "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", and pretty much written by that point, though the plot around the stolen bike came a little later. He was also doing bits of the Tequila dance, sans music. It's all so cool to watch these appearances now, and seeing everything come together.

[@tigristhelynx7224]

I feel like Paul accepts it as a challenge to get Dave to break his stalwart "boring dad" nature that won't play along with his son. I cracked up when Paul did the stairs bit at the end because Dave left him hanging again.

[@jesserothbeind950]

The greatest 13 mins of late night tv in history!! Paul was a true genius, RIP!!!

[@johnswackyworld]

rip pee wee herman ! pee wee you always scored on letterman...drove david batty!!

[@vanamonde2]

Best "see you in the basement" I've ever seen!

[@juancalderon5520]

He was ahead of his time. A lot of shows started doing the mouth and eye things after this

[@brutallyhonest123]

That gag was actually popularized in 1959 with a show called Clutch Cargo

[@juancalderon5520]

@@brutallyhonest123 ahhh, I see

[@Grogfury777]

Pee Wee was so quick and witty.

[@Zknwlf]

I remember going on a date with a guy in 1984 telling me about this weird but funny guy who acts like a kids - 'he's hilarious!". Then I found PeeWee.

[@StephanieB1982]

This is so stupid, but I still laugh out loud. 😃🤦🏻‍♀️

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Simply devastated ❤ one of the only class acts Left.😢

[@LePetitChatNoir79]

I grew up watching Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. I still can’t believe he’s gone. 😢

[@SkySim]

Imagine Richard Simmons and Pee-Wee on the same Letterman show.

[@QuantumG432]

Pee Wee was great. Loved his antics. 😂😂😂

[@foesfly3047]

I didn’t understand Letterman’s style of humor when he was most popular but with Pee Wee as his guest, it’s perfectly hilarious !

[@patrickvigil9353]

Bringing out the youth in us is never a bad thing (especially these day's) Bravo Pee-Wee 😂🎉

[@elainearchibald9020]

Oh my goodness, I'm so happy to watch this video of Pee Wee Herman and David Letterman, it was hilarious! Tfs RIP Paul

[@dirtylemon3379]

I know you are but what am I?

[@franknacc1718]

Thank you for sharing this! Happy Halloween!

[@nohandle227]

RIP Pee Wee.

[@TacoTot]

RIP Paul. Thank you for the laughs.

[@sammygirl6910]

RIP Paul. One of the best.

[@TheReubixcube1]

All I knew of Pee Wee was the playhouse, He was funny as heck.

[@MMay2099]

Slay! It was great to be able to follow him on Twitter before his passing.

[@judithscobee8102]

I bet he had a lot of cool toys and props in his home! Fun guy! Will be missed!

[@kstepko]

The jack o’lantern on the bookshelf behind Dave leaves much to be desired. 🎃

[@samanthab1923]

I caught that too 🎃😂

[@kstepko]

The ghost at the window of that haunted house toy sort of looks like Leonard Nimoy.

[@ilhuicatlamatini]

LOL Peewee! 😂 Those Halloween toys are so coooool, I want! Why don’t they make things like that anymore? I’d buy the clock and house for sure. And the slinky eyeball glasses too haha! 🎃

[@allendracabal0819]

I am sure that the slinky eyeball glasses are still available somewhere.

[@ContentWizard]

@@allendracabal0819 I searched that term on Amazon and a number of the glasses came up :-)

[@marsy1480]

I had them and the Caspa as a kid!

[@neilbainbridge8719]

Just silly. And the world needs more silly. Thanks Paul.

[@thisravenhasflown010]

Excellent fun as usual Paul. Thank you for these important memories

[@OkamiWSDwarrior]

He is so cute and that blush is KILLER ❤

[@cpearson7372]

Paul, you brought me such joy, from my young adult years, into my middle-aged ones. THANK YOU, truly. I am grateful you were here, and sorry you were treated as a villain, so cruelly, by those who chose to be ignorant to the truths. We are human. Have some empathy and kindness, as Paul Ruben did. Research your biases, from more than one source. I wish all those who loved Pee Wee Herman, Paul, a strong shoulder to lean on, and someone to listen. I am deeply sorry for your, our, great loss.

[@brutallyhonest123]

I think PeeWee was referencing a Dice poem there wth the spider

[@sheilamore3261]

Oh my goodness I just love peewee Hermon so much fun Pure hilarious they both got me laughing David Letterman yes have some good shows 😁💕

[@sittingbythepool]

aw I love Pee Wee

[@joeybaseball7352]

More Pee-wee please.

[@ginnyk50]

PeeWee Still makes me laugh out loud. He was a genius. I was sorry my kids were too old to watch him, but I did 😂👵

[@Hagstro]

Paul you are a legend..Rest in Peace

[@manp1039]

it would be great if someone did a documentary on the life of Pee-wee (Paul Ruebens).

[@judithscobee8102]

Paul wrote and finished his memoirs, hopefully it’ll get published! Interesting man!

[@ambientrelaxingandhealingm7552]

CLASSIC!!

[@ColeyHinson91]

perfect show for Pee Wee to hang out on…

[@DuainSmith-ph2xl]

Rip pee wee we'll miss you 😔 God bless 🙌

[@redimade]

im lovin these peewee letterman vids

[@sheilamore3261]

🤣🤣🤣💕 oh that was great Pee-wee Herman and David Letterman that was cool sure got me laughing🤣💕

[@2ndRodeo_Keziah]

Getting flashbacks of playtime at Grumpy Grandpa’s house. What a wet blanket Letterman was 😝😝😝

[@adamchrysler5847]

Im surprised, the true classic t commercial before this classic letterman clip, was actually funny. very rare these days!

[@robiberg3464]

Golly, Dave really needed to calm down. His levels of over excitement are so exhausting I could barely stay awake. Paul R. handled this entire appearance like a champ, essentially HOSTING the segment himself… while the actual host was apparently on Quaaludes.

[@tmseh]

I just learned that Paul's Father was a founding pilot of the Isreali Airforce. RIP Pee Wee.

[@dmontes133]

Pee Wee was great!

[@Knight14649]

Hard to believe this was 40 years ago…

[@solracrod]

That was fun!

[@dustincongello5802]

Pee-wee Herman was the Andy Kaufman of his time

[@jacktorrance9973]

Happy halloween Letterman ❤️❤️

[@jeremyhughel3756]

god ill miss him

[@Possiblechange]

It’s finally sinking in after watching PeeWee videos…Sponge Bob stole his act!

[@dward8146]

Gotta love the Picasso faces they were making...Lordy, Paul...we gonna miss PeeWee...😢

[@buslady3705]

Pee Wee must have raided a Halloween store.

[@starlightanddreams1317]

He was a huge collector of vintage toys and oddities. ❤

[@buslady3705]

@@starlightanddreams1317 he sure had fun with this. Much to the delight of the audience.

[@FlamesCagney]

Pee Wee was a master of content before content was a thing.

[@BonafideGail]

God bless him!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Paul Reubens (nacido como Rubenfeld; Peekskill, estado de Nueva York, 27 de agosto 1952-Los Ángeles, California, 30 de julio 2023), conocido como Pee-wee, fue una actor y cómico estadounidese. Es recordado por haber interpretado al personaje de Pee-wee Herman.

[@diannemose244]

"Are you satisfied "😅

[@planetaescapa6099]

I can you not like Pee wee ..!!! We’ll miss you 😢

[@emma28865]

I remember him doing His first appearence ,the bell joke!😅

[@rogerthomas169]

delightful

[@iamnegan1515]

Love PeeWee🎉😅🎉

[@kingcardbeard1471]

Pee Wee invented Snapchat filters!

[@cherilg88]

One of a kind! RIP

[@PigeonsPie1]

Dave looked like he was unsure how to play off of Pee Wee's antics.