Pee Wee Herman (1983) An Evening at the Improv

This performance is from the early '80s and features Paul Reubens in the role of Pee Wee Herman. This performance was a very early appearance by Pee Wee. I still think half of the laughs come from his reactions to the crowd's reactions!

[@chipgarrett3139]

The man was simply a genius. He knew all adults missed the wonder and silliness of being a child and he brought that wonder and childish innocence back to all of us. And those of us who grew up with his show and movies, he is just as influential or maybe more than sesame street and Mr Rogers.

[@TCraigGoldy]

@chipgarrett3139 You said it perfectly!! Nice one!! His way of being happy and overwhelmed with wonder was simply amazing....and then he would suddenly poke fun or even be suddenly rude and it would be funny though and then he'd smack right back to his innocent like qualities!! Genius!!

[@kevinthomas4074]

But always childlike.

[@TCraigGoldy]

@@kevinthomas4074 Yep....you got it!! Purity and innocence with love and understanding is the true currency of life!! And in that....he abounded Above and beyond! Innocence obviously does not mean never making a mistake.....it's what's in the heart that Truly counts!! Nice one!!

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

Because he liked to play with children. If you catch my drift.

[@Corey-zg3bc]

nice how the audience is so excited to see him - and they’re always on his side - I hope he knew how much we loved him…

[@KnightEnterprises]

Paul was the only Hollywood person who ever invited me to work on a project without an audition.

[@georgeshelton6281]

Will the Ukranian citizens ever miss Pee Wee Herman/Paul Reubens the most?

[@underated17]

Why specifically Ukrainians the most?

[@spankynater4242]

That’s simply not true. I invited you to work on a Hollywood project without an audition, and as I recall, it was a smashing success.

[@chrisboston]

Which audition and which project?

[@supersentaiguy]

@@spankynater4242……now I just wanna know who the two of you are lol

[@ckmoore101]

Morgan Fairchild, Farrah Fawcett, and Linda Carter........ to be 13 years old during this time was...... exhausting.

[@mikeklein7931]

Haha. In my home gym I have it decorated with 70s/80s posters. Linda Carter, Morgan Fairchild, Farrah Faucet, Beau Derrick, Rachel Welch, Jane Fonda,and Daisy Duke.

[@comoyoko]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 YES

[@haretyper4954]

My uncle was friends with Paul. He gave a pair of those huge underwear to my uncle as a joke gift signed etc. in the 80s. He has it framed on his wall. It was so cool to see when visiting especially when I was a kid in the 80s and adored Pee Wee. He was a brilliant wholesome fun hilarious generous man that we'll always miss and never forget!

[@georgeshelton6281]

Who is Pee Wee Herman compared to? Is it Elvis Presley? Who knows, just how many Pee Wee Herman impersonators will appear in public, especially in the future?

[@mwilliamshs]

Wholesome 😅

[@godchi1dvonsteuben770]

Paul Reubens and Morgan Fairchild?!? This footage is a gem, I'm so glad somebody has it! Paul's getting older now. When he passes, the whole world will be a sadder place without him. Truly a comic icon, I'm glad everyone finally started giving him the credit he deserves!

[@griseldadominguez8734]

Sadly that day has come Rest In Peace Pee Wee 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@edwardgensheimer6640]

We just lost Paul Ruebans ''Pee Wee Herman'' .2023

[@mrcardenas400]

You weren’t kidding. The world is a sadder place now 😢

[@KerryMcSweeney]

Right on. But you have to think of the welcoming party he must've received...Phil Hartman, Dangerfield... The jokes that must be sharing & asking about what life is like now. Especially in comedy.

[@thundergodgamer118]

Rest in heaven pee wee Herman 🙏🏻🕊️🙏🏻🕊️

[@tanyapearcy2524]

how could you not love him, he was so stinkin adorable LOL LOL

[@norenecurry8585]

He was adorable! What a great loss. 😢

[@Alex-Defatte]

Pee Wee was larger than life. I'm so happy I got to grow up with him and Mr. Bean.

[@seanwinegar3615]

I grew up on PeeWee's Playhouse and I'd still show that show to my kids nowadays. Fun, wholesome, silly entertainment. Big ups to Paul Reubens!

[@nicolasjax8684]

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[@lucianoomar8626]

@Nicolas Jax instablaster =)

[@nicolasjax8684]

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[@nicolasjax8684]

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[@lucianoomar8626]

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[@iamjaychase1]

Paul was an original... Nobody to this day has created more of a character.... I will always and forever love Paul Reubens

[@martha-anastasia]

Rest in peace dear Pee Wee. Love you.

[@NoisyButthole]

You love him? You didn't know him.

[@mariocooldude9092]

He was a pervert

[@KerryMcSweeney]

Gosh all mighty. He must've been 25 years old at this time? I saw him live on Broadway. I don't care about what happened in Florida, in the nineties. He made me laugh into tears. I'm just so happy he's no longer in pain. Had his health been better he could have have saved late night shows. Maybe TV? Just a genius comic. I wish you well, Pee-Wee. Keep flying high!

[@jamesestelle7260]

Fun fact. Paul was 30 at this point and had already been doing Pee-Wee for 6 years. He got his start at The Groundlings an Improv comedy school/theatre in L.A. A lot of current actors got their start there as well.

[@montibarnett6740]

He did bring out the inner child in every adult and all my children loved it

[@chrlpolk]

Another fun fact. He regularly did characters on The Gong Show. He went on The Dating Game in character as PeeWee Herman, and it was the success on that show (tho he wasn’t picked) that led him to staying with that character.

[@jedijones]

@@chrlpolk He did get picked on one episode eventually.

[@Bornelvibe]

You wish him well.... He's dead.

[@jedijones]

He made it up to Morgan Fairchild by casting her in Big Adventure. "You are such a pushover." "I know you are, but what am I."

[@patriot6067]

IamIsaiah " I don't understand ! "

[@robhaney8568]

I am so glad his work will live on thru vids like this. I'm so sad that he's gone. He was/is an original genius at his craft ... making people laugh. Thanks for bringing such an original character to life. RIP ... you will never be forgotten!

[@josephedwarddowling5919]

Love him or hate him you must admit he was an original, unique act that entertained.

[@thundergodgamer118]

Hilarious! 🤣😂🤣 R.I.P Pee Wee Herman 🙏🏻 thank you for making my childhood and everyone else's amazing especially with your pee wee's play house show. Rest in heaven Paul Rubens 🙏🏻🕊️🙏🏻🕊️

[@ZebraActual]

Perhaps the most uniquely brilliant comedic characters of all time.. R.I.P.

[@trainliker100]

Watching Pee-wee Herman doing standup is a good part of a daily exercise routine. Because when he is finished, you are sort of exhausted. Very funny and frenetic character. Brilliant.

[@derekdexheimer3070]

I was in middle school when An Evening at the Improv was on, and it was a highlight of my week to stay up late on Friday nights and watch it. So many great comics and acts on that little stage, including Reubens. So glad someone else stayed up (or set their VCR) to have this. This show, SCTV, and the short-lived Fridays on ABC made me will myself to stay awake past midnight. So much has changed, but Pee Wee remains fresh and original.

[@alanhudson2999]

Pee Wee was a true talent u’ve gotta b very confident and know ur craft to to stand up comedy n improv wit the audience he definitely deserved his own movie series n tv show Pee Wee’s Playhouse RIP Paul Reubens

[@PeteDavidson-yl3ps]

He was so stupid in character he was absolutely hilarious. Looking back Paul came to us at the right time having polished Peewee perfectly. He was not selfish in he didn’t want flowers or cards or crowds outside his home or Hospital he kept the Nurses Special Hospice Nurses and Doctors in his circle along with Family. Paul didn’t need apologize for 6 years of privacy he was entitled to it. So Rest In Peace and be Restless in Laughter….forever.

[@1968joseph1]

Just cruising through all his stuff lately on YT to celebrate the awesome Pee Wee. RIP

[@PsychoThirteen]

Clicked on it to see Pee Wee. Jaw dropped when I see Morgan!

[@bradpirochta9293]

Morgan Fairchild. My whole teenage years just flooded back into my memory.

[@nancyhillard6456]

It's a shame that all these great videos of him didn't come out before he was gone. There will never be another like him. 😔❤❤❤

[@johnmcdermott2551]

...and he never gets heckled. Priceless

[@sagatuppercut2960]

It's so cool to see Julie Brown at the end.

[@SWSimpson]

She could have been a scientist, but instead she became an actress. Morgan Fairchild. She looks like she is made of porcelain on the screen, but up close, she is soft, very sweet, and cute! She has just a few light freckles across her nose bridge hidden under light translucent powder. She doesn't have to wear foundation or very much makeup, really, because her skin is flawless. Both she and her sister are really nice, amazing people.

[@innerlightfilms]

I loved watching Pee Wee Herman as a child. Crazy to think he was already doing this character in 83, the year I was born.

[@MidNightRider2001]

1977

[@auntiewewe972]

You can see he's still ironing out his character here. The nasal high pitched voice that talked real fast. He would later switch his voice octaves up and down. Its pretty awesome to remember

[@elvis-jj1sc]

im so grateful i grew up in the 80 es!

[@donnalichvarcik9358]

Our beloved comedian Paul it so sad that you are gone tv shows and movies aren't the same without you you were a comedy star ✨ and now that ⭐ light 🕯️ will never fade because every time we see that light 🕯️ in the sky we will always think of you rest in heaven paul we ❤ you and miss you so much

[@chrisjaybecker]

Paul was the only comic who could actually make prop comedy hilarious.

[@onanthebarbarian9883]

Joel Hodgson was also a prop comic. /RIP Pee Wee

[@r.j.wheels6755]

For real

[@last808]

@chrisjaybecker I think The Amazing Johnathan was pretty good too!

[@bill4482]

Howie Mandel was hilariously funny as a prop comedian as was Carrot Top.😃

[@aarondigby5054]

​@@r.j.wheels6755arguably PWH the best prop comic ever. Many of the early comics dabbled in prop comedy: Jonathon Winters, Red Skelton

[@_maryade]

omg... this is awesome. great to see pee-wee at the beginning of his career!! cool!!

[@zorrpop]

Great funny clip and gorgeous Morgan !

[@rarad.3793]

It's Chandler Bing's mom!!! Pee Wee's (Paul Reuben's) stammer/ stutter was so effing endearing.... he played that off ridiculously amazing!! 😅😂 funny thing is, me and my boyfriend use those poppers on each other all the time just like he did in this video 😅😂 and it never fails to scare us lol that's epic!

[@Possiblechange]

13yrs ago next to 1983..I can only dream! I know it’s the upload date but how I wish it was true

[@Mattguitarmania]

He was one of the funniest and most unique true artistic comedians of all time

[@superfly3990]

I was one of Paul's roommates just as his Pee Wee career started to take shape. He used to sleep in the living room fold out bed. I remember coming home late and seeing Morgan naked on top of Paul grinding. They noticed me but made no effort to stop. I quickly went to my room. Morgan was in Paul's robe making coffee when I left for work. Let's just say Morgan was a regular visitor.

[@tiffanyg9926]

So, sounds like he was straight!

[@superfly3990]

@@tiffanyg9926 Paul Stuffed a lot of Beaver and Frosted many Muffins back then.

[@tiffanyg9926]

@@superfly3990Lol! ❤

[@wendyrock4260]

I have a funny memory of Miss Fairchild. About this time she was on TV in A very low cut gown, and my baby crawled at top speed to her. We all could so read his mind. Snack Time!

[@timvanboening9432]

This must have been the first or second time Morgan met Pee-Wee/Paul, she was iffy about being around him and playing the “Can I Touch There?” game. Two years later, she’d be playing Dottie in the movie of Pee-Wee’s life in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” “Paging Mr. Herman…”

[@donnalichvarcik9358]

His comedy shows were legendary his dramas were masterpieces his tv shows were badass RIP Paul ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Saxysaboy77]

A sad day today. We’ll miss him.

[@Jan-mt8zp]

I luuùuuuuv his humor. Swimming baby .okay okay..I need to watch his movie with morgan!!

[@michelemichele5204]

i love Pee Wee! i will miss him. i own a copy of Pee Wee's Big Adventure and i still will pop it in from time to time and m,ulti task around the house while listening to it. then when my fave scenes are coming up i run in to watch!! miss u pee wee!

[@moccalou]

He had a much more childlike voice as Pee-wee in 1983. You can tell in the later 80s he had refined it to give it that extra Pee-wee edge ALL the time.

[@PoohbearPlus]

Paul and Morgan 2 years before appearing together in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", even though they didn't share any lines. RIP Mr. Reubens.😥

[@mikeruge354]

I forgot how much I love Paul Ruebans.

[@dembkomj]

Rip to this legend

[@pete5534]

What a talent. Brilliant.

[@dbsti3006]

Pee Wee should have had a talk show. That would have been awesome.

[@ronchamberlain8392]

He had that manic energy like Robin Williams had.

[@TheLarryBrown]

With one big difference: Pee Wee is funny.

[@christopherp.hitchens3902]

Interesting. He’s not quite Pee Wee Herman yet…but he’s on his way. I will miss this guy…he made me laugh!

[@rockycoast8335]

Cool, this adds more context to her appearance in Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

[@Qrayon]

I went to that place several times in 1980. Now it's on KZbin. Wow.

[@cherylb2008]

Rest In Peace Paul You were a great comic You’re acting in movies was pretty good, my favorite being Blow You will be missed💐

[@spankynater4242]

My favorite movie of his was his often forgotten porno, Herman’s peewee.

[@andygossard4293]

Ice cubes would melt instantly if Morgan Fairchild walked into the room. She was my IT girl during that era

[@delano62]

Internet Tech? Lucky you.

[@jimbokay5696]

She was the only reason us teen boys watched Falcon Crest...

[@splorn]

No one like him Beautiful man

[@robbyddurham1624]

I've never seen Morgan Fairchild not acting. She's wonderful.

[@charleybarley914]

She was still acting there and yes she's wonderful.

[@KerryMcSweeney]

She's so underrated in comedy and probably as a person. She loves laugh. She hung out with all the comics then. I pray she's doing well. Bless this guy....😇

[@nigel900]

Real “down to earth” isn’t she? 👎🏻 No doubt some douche will comment that she’s his wife…

[@brianschwartz1372]

I did once, she was with David Copperfield in 1983.

[@kingofallwhites]

She’s my wife!

[@therealjayseh]

He fu**ng killed it! What an awesome entertainer.

[@denniscarroll3164]

Loved the guy, he had a silliness.

[@anashleyrodriguez5006]

awwww his voice is so cute omg aew

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

She ended up being in his quintessential movie "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" as well, at the very end of the movie playing the jazzed up version of "Dottie" (James Brolin played the jazzed up version of Pee Wee). That big thumb was also in the movie.

[@jamespfp]

Best moment: "You're not the one sending those 40-page mash notes, are you?" -- Morgan Fairchild.

[@morrisonAV]

I think the funniest part of that question was how he laughed......and then didn't say anything.

[@Erilis000]

It's so interesting seeing him as such an antagonist here like Andy Kaufman or Bugs Bunny.

[@Vejur9000]

Ughh.... that’s just how we love him.

[@SpaceCowboy-u7j]

Paul Reubens was the GOAT.

[@Tanstaafl1976]

Wow, 40 years ago. RIP, Paul.

[@sabserab]

thanks for uploading! wow the early beginning. of course it needed time till Paul can develope his character right, more voice switching and all. he he giant underpants^^at some points the audience was rather "WTF" than to LOL and get things, but I got the idea (shame it didn´t worked out so well)..LOLed anyways though it was a little painfull sometimes (felt sry for him), but hella interesting!!! he improved a lot in later years!! ♥♥♥♥♥ and faved Paul Reubens-my hero

[@Rennette-td2mq]

The biker bar scene in his movie killed me. Dancing to Tequila on the table. They put him on a Harley and he drives right through the bar sign. Hilarious

[@rsz90182]

If it was anyone else goofing off like that they would be booed off the stage. Pee Wee was spontaneous and kept his character which act he perfected. This acting ability he had was genius and amazing.

[@geraldlewis8272]

He's hilarious

[@Scipio488]

Sometimes, all these years later, I still find myself unintentionally saying, "Okay, oKAy!".

[@spankynater4242]

Whenever something bad has been done, and we don’t know who did it, I’ll hiss Francis.

[@Ransomhandsome]

Me too

[@joehernandez9722]

Peewee was great, funny and captivating. Gone at 70

[@motokev2727]

Bye pee wee Thanks for the laughs.

[@Poeeeluvschai]

Can’t believe he’s gone Rest In Peace paul😭💔

[@drewgrows7765]

Two yrs after this she was in Pee Wees Big Adventure.

[@AlbertPalmer-eb8wi]

What a stunning lady she is and a very good sport miss Fairchild is a goddess breathtakingly beautiful

[@zacpdx]

Rip Pee Wee. Sorry the world was so judgmental. Thank you 🙏

[@Soundofsilver2007]

Love how antagonistic he was here. Even if Paul violated her personal space and made her uncomfortable as hell, she starred in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, (1985) and paid respects to Paul when he died. Then again that was 41 years ago and things were different..

[@robbernath]

Paul Reiser and Julie Brown at then end. Reiser probably best known for his 90s sitcom with Helen Hunt ("Mad About You"), though his breakthrough role was in the movie "Diner" that would've been out around this time. Julie Brown had her brief fame in the 1980s with her silly MTV videos (ex. "Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun"). RIP Paul Reubens - keep riding that shiny bike forever.

[@sergkaizen5342]

Genius!

[@CHRISMED2]

The Arab joke & elephant man jokes would have gotten PeeWee cancelled in todays up tight world. RIP Paul

[@hjalmar.poelzig]

Definitely the most original comic creation since Curly Howard, perhaps since Chaplin.

[@tymesho]

Today's secret word is: Love. R.I.P. My friend.

[@floretion]

Ah- so this is where the first link between Morgan Fairchild and Paul Reubens comes, culminating in a part in Pee Wee's Big Adventure...

[@bigneiltoo]

The most gorgeous woman of the 1980s.

[@EricGranata]

We’ve all met kids like this.

[@Thespiella]

he's so adorable.

[@joelbohnenkamp4987]

I'd like to take a picture with Morgan Fairchild. At least one of us would be gorgeous.

[@TrueNorthNever51]

Awe crap 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣😢🤣🤓. I’m laughing and crying‼️. RIP PeeWee 🥰🫡

[@cuttykev1]

Pee Wee still making me LOL

[@JTheTeach]

Gosh Julie Brown is adorable.

[@grouchosays]

When women were still glamorous

[@truthmatters-jt5up]

40 yrs ago....wow....RIP Pee Wee.... (edited to correct my error saying 50 yrs ago.)

[@alro2434]

Maths not your strong point?

[@truthmatters-jt5up]

@@alro2434 oh no's....I made a fkn mistake. Guess that demands a fkn idiot comment.

[@sylviaplathovencompany9510]

RIP Pee Wee.

[@tyrsog]

Our own Mr Bing. RIP Paul

[@Guitcad1]

Oh man! I forgot how absolutely HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT! Morgan Fairchild was. I going to need some time alone now.

[@vanillawaterfae]

RIP Pee Wee ❤❤❤❤

[@michealtorres8598]

Remember when famous people were funny and talented?????