List of Pee-wee's Playhouse episodes

This is the complete episode list for Pee-wee's Playhouse. A total of 45 episodes (including 1 primetime special) were recorded for CBS from 1986-1990.

Season 3 only had two episodes, plus the primetime Christmas special, due to production being halted by the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike.

Episode list

Season 1 (1986)

All episodes during this season were directed by Stephen R. Johnson and were written by George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert, and Michael Varhol.

01. "Ice Cream Soup" (101)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
In this very first Playhouse episode, Pee-wee's friends, including Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne, are introduced when they come over to swim in the pool. Ms. Yvonne at first declines to swim, claiming not to want to wet her new hairdo, but changes her mind when gorgeous lifeguard Tito gets her heart going. Captain Carl would be there too... if he weren't lost! When he calls in a mayday, it takes Conky and Globey to locate him and guide him to the delicious Sandwich Islands. Speaking of delicious, Pee-wee makes ice-cream soup for the gang when rain drives them back through the Playhouse "door."

• Broadcast: 9/13/86
• This was the pilot episode.
• Secret Word: Door
• Featured cartoon: The Fresh Vegetable Mystery (1939)
• First time Pee-wee shows his foil ball.
• First time Pee-wee plays with his toy shelf.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee used his wish at the end of this episode.
• This is the only episode in which Mr. Window doesn't announce who coming to the playhouse.
• First time a Playhouse door rings where somebody other than the Salesman comes. The Salesman does not ring, but knocks in this episode.
• The silver fish is portrayed by Ric Heitzman, and the gold fish is portrayed by George McGrath.
• The Dinosaur Family is portrayed by the following: George McGrath (Red Dinosaur) Alison Mork (Light Blue Dinosaur) Ric Heitzman (Blue Dinosaur) Kevin Carlson (Pink Dinosaur).
• This is the only time in which Pee-wee's corrected Randy's mispronounciation of one of Pee-wee's friend's names, therefore the P in Pterri's name was silent.
• The Salesmen Said Im Going Door To Door To Give You This Incredible Offer [He Said Door]

02. "Luau for Two" (102)
Music Composed by: Todd Rundgren
It's no secret that today's secret word is "fun" because Pee-wee just won a dinner for two at a Hawaiian restaurant! The question is - who is he going to take? The whole gang, including Captain Carl and Miss Yvonne, lay the guilt on to poor Pee-wee. Even Cowntess the cow has bought a new Moo-Moo! What's Pee-wee to do? Throw his own wild luau, that's what, and invite the entire Playhouse!

• Broadcast: 9/20/86
• Secret Word: Fun
• Featured cartoon: Ants in the Plants (1940)
• This episode marks the first time Pee-wee's ant farm is seen.
• The scotch tape on Pee-wee's face is a reference to a scene from the motion picture Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985).
• The title of this episode is a pun on the phrase "table for two."
• First episode in which Pee-wee missed the cartoons, because he was shopping for tape.
• This episode marks the first time Mr. Window announces who's coming to the playhouse.
• This episode marks the first time Pee-wee's golf windmill is seen, and Pee-wee plays it.

03. "Rainy Day" (103)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
It's a rainy day outside, and Pee-wee does many things for the rest of the day: fly paper airplanes, get a call from Miss Yvonne (who won't make it due to the weather), build an indoor campfire, and tell a ghost story. Later, he gets bored and has Playhouse fever! Randy tries to cheer him up by letting him call strangers - such as a housewife who grows angry when Randy plays a prank phone call on her. Pee-wee then calls the same person whose husband turns out to be a police officer. The husband threatens to take Pee-wee in, but he lets him go after he learns his lesson. Now, Pee-wee's only hope for "help" is Jambi.

• Broadcast: 9/27/86
• Secret Word: Help
• Featured cartoon: Summertime (1935).
• At the beginning, Pee-Wee sings the opening lines of The Beatles song Good Morning, Good Morning.
• This is George McGrath's first on-camera appearance. He plays the housewife's husband, Daryl, the police officer. His other on-screen appearance is in "Playhouse in Outer Space" where he portrays Zyzzybalubah.
• This is Alison Mork's only on-camera appearance. She plays the over-the-picturephone housewife, speaking in her normal voice.
• This episode marks the first time Pee-wee's exercise belt is seen.
• This episode marks the first time Pee-wee reminded viewers to watch "Penny Cartoon."
• The secret word flashes red instead of white after Pee-wee calls for help when he couldn't stop the whipped-cream from squirting.
• Dixie doesn't play her trumpet to introduce the King of Cartoons as the King couldn't wait to enter because of the rain.
• This is the only time, while playing in the Magic Screen, Pee-wee sang the "Connect-the-Dots" song, backwards.
• This episode marks the first time Pee-wee uses his magic glasses.
• This episode marks the first appearance of Reba, the mail lady.
• This episode marks the first time the Salesman rings the playhouse door.

04. "Now You See Me, Now You Don't" (104)
Music Composed by: Mitch Froom
Today's secret word is really "little," but the gangs' eyes get really big when Pee-wee puts on a magic show and disappears! Captain Carl, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and the gang are amazed as Pee-wee makes use of his new talent at their expense, but when their hidden host can't make himself reappear, it'll take Jambi's magic to set things right!

• Broadcast: 10/4/86
• Secret Word: Little
• Featured cartoon: Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931).
• Only time where Knucklehead's joke backfires.
• This is the first episode in which the Salesman screams after Pee-wee opened the door, which happened because Pee-wee was invisible.

05. "Just Another Day" (105)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Cowboy Curtis decides to have a cowboy-style snack (slow-cooked steak) and shows Pee-wee how to square dance. Pee-wee shows Curtis how to pogo, and Dixie gets her name on the "back" of her new jacket.

• Broadcast: 10/11/86
• Secret Word: Back
• Featured cartoon: Old Mother Hubbard (1935).
• VHS title: "Cowboy Fun".
• Dog Chair is portrayed by George McGrath.
• Dixie wears a yellow leather jacket beginning in this episode.

06. "Beauty Makeover" (106)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Miss Yvonne is willing to give a beauty makeover to the next person who steps into the playhouse, and it ends up being Mrs. Steve! Then, the Cowntess has a tea party. You'll have the "time" of your life!

• Broadcast: 10/18/86
• Secret Word: Time
• Featured cartoon: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1935).
• This is the first episode in which Pee-wee did not push the button to activate his toy shelf.
• First and only episode when saying the secret word did not elicit a response.

07. "The Restaurant" (107)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Pee-wee is the maitre d', waiter and cashier while playing restaurant. Customer Captain Carl orders everything on the menu only to learn that all they have are peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches! Also, Dixie is having a particularly bad "day."

• Broadcast: 10/25/86
• Secret Word: Day
• Featured Cartoon: Molly Moo-Cow and the Butterflies (1935).
• This is the only episode in which Dixie did not honk her horn, in the beginning, until after she fixed the flat tire of her taxi, while the cartoons were on.
• This is the only episode where Pee-wee wasted his only wish from Jambi, before he really knew what to wish for.
• First episode in which King of Cartoons stayed in the playhouse after the cartoon was over, he then stays over on "Party", but a different King of Cartoons would stay after the cartoon was over was on "Puppy in the Playhouse".
• The Fish swam in imaginary water at the end of the episode, telling Pee-wee to get back to the playhouse, to say goodbye.
• This is the only episode in which King of Cartoons fell on Chairry, sitting down, before using the projector.

08. "Ants in Your Pants" (108)
Music Composed by: Todd Rundgren
The ants are loose, the ants are loose! While Pee-wee is playing house with Miss Yvonne and the Playhouse gang, the ants sneak out of their farm, go marching into the Dinosaur Family's home, steal a cake, and get all over everybody and everything. "What" will Pee-wee do? The Ants-in-your-pants dance!

• Broadcast: 11/1/86
• Secret Word: What
• Featured Cartoon: Flip the Frog: Puddle Pranks (1931).
• This is the only episode where the secret word was triggered at the beginning of a sentence. "What [screaming] are you doing?"
• The Penny cartoon featured in this episode, along with the one featured in the following episode, "Monster in the Playhouse", were combined and shown in the 2011 HBO special The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway.

09. "Monster in the Playhouse" (109)
Music Composed by: Danny Elfman
"Look" out because Mrs. Steve reports that there is a giant, one-eyed monster in town! He appears in the Playhouse, on the loose, and scares everyone! After Pee-wee makes the monster a snack, and Jambi grants Pee-wee's wish to understand the monster, the whole gang has a new friend! They even play a game of golf.

• Broadcast: 11/8/86
• Secret Word: Look
• Featured Cartoon: Jack Frost (1934).
• First episode not to feature "Connect-the-Dots".
• This is Roger the Monster's first appearance. His last appearance was on "Pajama Party".
• This episode marks the last time the golf windmill is seen, therefore, Roger was the last one to play golf.
• Roger talked Pee-wee gibberishly into making a sandwich for him, but did not complete the sentence.
• This is the only time when someone (Roger) responded correctly to Pee-wee when it was time for viewers to watch a "Penny Cartoon".
• This is the second episode in which Salesman screams after somebody opens the door, which turned out to be Roger.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee takes someone (Roger) with him on his scooter as well as them being seen during the closing credits.

10. "The Cowboy and the Cowntess" (110)
Music Composed by: Danny Elfman
The fabulous Miss Yvonne just asked Cowboy Curtis out for a date, and, now, he's as nervous as a prairie critter who's just been, um, asked out for a date by Miss Yvonne! To calm Curtis down, Cowntess suggests a little date role-playing, and, suddenly, Curtis finds himself with "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland": Pee-wee! Remember the secret word, and you'll have a "good" time!

• Broadcast: 11/15/86
• Secret Word: Good
• Featured Cartoon: Mary's Little Lamb (1935).
• This is the only episode in which Dirty Dog encouraged Pee-wee to watch the Dinosaur Family's vacation on video.
• This is the second episode in which Pee-wee did not push the button to activate his toy shelf.
• Pee-wee played Miss Yvonne in much of this episode, when he was pretending to date Cowboy Curtis.
• Dixie and the King of Cartoons come in the Playhouse together in this episode. In every other episode, during the first season, Dixie comes in first before announcing the king.
• This is the first episode in which Cowboy Curtis used Pee-wee's wish from Jambi. He later used Pee-wee's wish on "Pajama Party".
• This is the only episode where Pee-wee joked about the foil ball being gone.
• Although Cowboy Curtis is prominently featured in this episode, his name, and Laurence Fishburne's name, for some reason, aren't mentioned in the closing credits at all.
• Cowboy Curtis wears new leather boots beginning in this episode.

11. "Stolen Apples" (111)
Music Composed by: Todd Rundgren
Randy steals Mrs. Steve's crummy crab apples from her tree, and Mrs. Steve needs Pee-wee's help in finding him. Then, Pee-wee plays the hands game with Tito, and "there" are enough apples for everyone at snack time.

• Broadcast: 11/22/86
• Secret Word: There
• Featured Cartoon: Somewhere in Dreamland (1936).
• This is the only time when, at one point, the secret word began to fade away as it was flashed on the screen, and the bell sound fizzled.
• This is the only episode where Dixie uses the projector for the first time, after the King of Cartoons had fallen on his rollerskates.
• At the beginning of the episode, this is the only time where Pee-wee did not look at either his toy shelf or the ant farm. In every other episode, Pee-wee would either show his toy shelf and/or the ant farm.
• Knucklehead appears in this episode, but nobody screams when Pee-Wee says "Who's there?"
• This is the first episode in which the ending's theme song was edited after Pee-wee raised the iron to open the door in which his scooter came out.

12. "The Gang's All Here" (112)
Music Composed by: Jay Cotton
Get out your pencils and crayons because the gang at Pee-wee's Playhouse is sketching Pee-wee's favorite subject: Pee-wee! The Playhouse gang joins in the fun when Pee-wee-o assigns everyone a secret name-o. Pee-wee develops a severe case of shrunken head when Jambi's magic helps him out of the mouse hole. The entire gang wonders if he'll ever be "okay."

• Broadcast: 11/29/86
• Secret Word: Okay
• Featured Cartoon: Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931); the second time in the series.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee confronted the entire Playhouse gang about making too much racket in the playhouse.
• When Rusty was questioned after Pee-wee held the "9+5" flashcard (meaning the answer is: 14), he didn't answer in time.
• Rusty was played by Calvert DeForest (Larry "Bud" Melman).

13. "Party" (113)
Music Composed by: Todd Rundgren
It's party time at the Playhouse, and you're invited! The whole gang is here: Cowboy Curtis, Captain Carl, Reba the Mail Lady, and the lovely Miss Yvonne! You'll want to join in the Hokey-Pokey, scream when you hear the secret word ("this"), and play Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Conky!

• Broadcast: 12/6/86
• Secret Word: This
• Featured Cartoon: Bunny Mooning (1937).
• Second episode not to feature "Connect-the-Dots".
• This is the second episode where the original King of Cartoons stays after the cartoon was over.
• The music heard in the refrigerator sketch is the song "Tequila" by the Champs. The song is, also, heard in the motion picture Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985). When the ice cube dances to the song, it parallels the scene in the former, where Pee-Wee dances for the bikers.
• This episode marks the last time Pee-wee brings out his foil ball. In "Open House", he explained that it got too big for the playhouse, so he donated it to the Foil Museum. He also replaced it with a rubberband ball.
• This is the only episode in which Dixie wore a dress in lieu of her leather jacket.
• This is the only episode in which Reba the Mail Lady wore a dress in lieu of her mail uniform.
• This episode features the final appearance of the original King of Cartoons, Gilbert Lewis.
• This episode features the final appearances of Dixie, Opal, Cher, Elvis, Captain Carl, Tito, Mrs. Steve, and the Salesman.
• The salesman finally gets to give Pee-wee his "incredible offer" - some foil for his foil ball.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee gave Jambi his wish - for a present to him.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee has a conversation with the salesman.
• At the end of the episode, All of Pee-wee's friends made the perfect gift for him, giving him a present that turned out to be an imaginary friend.

Season 2 (1987)

All episodes during this season were written by George McGrath, Paul Reubens, and Max Robert. The first episode of this season was directed by Guy Louthan & Paul Reubens, but Louthan was replaced by Wayne Orr, who directed the rest of the episodes with Reubens, until the Christmas Special in 1988.

14. "Open House" (201)
Music Composed by: The Residents
Today in the "Playhouse," Pee-wee tricks his friends into doing all of his chores by pretending that work is fun (a la Tom Sawyer with the fence-painting). The gang meets some new friends while renovating the "house." Reba arrives in time to deliver Clocky while Ricardo and Cowboy Curtis uncover Floory and meets Mrs. Rene for the first time.

• Broadcast: 9/19/87
• Secret Word: House (though "Playhouse" also counted).
• Featured Cartoon: Philips Broadcast (1938).
• The show changed dramatically during this season. For a list of changes made to the show, refer to the following Pee-wee's Playhouse#Changes to the show
• From this point on, the flowers sing as they introduce the King of Cartoons.
• This is the only episode in which the secret word was also part of another word.
• In the previous season, the first letter of the secret word was capitalized. In the next two seasons, all letters in the secret word are lowercase.
• Throughout this season, George McGrath portrayed the role of Pterri. John Paragon resumed duties as Pterri in season 3.
• The scene showing Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne making sun tea was cut from the 1996 VHS releases and television airings on Fox Family. It was later restored for a DVD release, with a warning playing before the episode about the dangers of bacteria in sun tea, and airings on Adult Swim.
• This is the only episode in which Jambi grants his own wish.
• This is the first episode shot at the Hollywood Center Studios in Hollywood, California. (The show had, previously, been shot in New York.) This is why, in this episode, Pee-wee is renovating the Playhouse. The new studio was larger and could accommodate more props and a larger cast of characters.
• This episode features the first appearance of Pee-wee's dummy, Billy Baloney.
• Because the playhouse was being redecorated, this was the only time the full opening was not shown. Starting with the next episode, a new opening debuted, set in the newly remodeled playhouse.
• As of this season, the show was now produced in association with Binder Entertainment (the previous season was produced in association with Broadcast Arts Services). Some season 2 reruns had the BRB Productions logo.
• Pee-wee reveals he had to donate his foil ball to the Foil Museum because it was getting too big. This episode marks the first appearance of his rubberband ball, which at this point is not very big.
• First appearance of the new King of Cartoons and Ricardo.

15. "Puppy in the Playhouse" (202)
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Cowntess, just back from a world cruise, is showing some of her home movies from the trip. Globey teaches Pee-wee how to say "hello, my name is Pee-wee" in French and Chinese! When a lost puppy appears at the Playhouse door, no one can figure out who the owner is. Pee-wee develops a strong case of puppy love and decides to keep him and name him Aloysius. However, Reba comes "over," and it's obvious just whose dog it is.

• Broadcast: 9/26/87
• Secret Word: Over
• Featured cartoon: To Spring (1936).

16. "Store" (203)
Music Composed by: Danny Elfman
Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis take a leap into Magic Screen where they enjoy some fine handcart ridin' until a train chases them back into the waiting arms of Chairry! Then, Cowboy Curtis sings a song with "more" of the secret word in it than you could scream at. Finally, Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne go shopping at Pee-wee's "department store" where they decide to buy Chairry!

• Broadcast: 10/3/87
• Secret Word: More
• Featured cartoon: Makin' 'Em Move (1931).
• VHS title: "Pee-Wee's Store"
• This episode marks the last time Pee-wee's Exercise Belt is seen.

17. "Pee-Wee Catches a Cold" (204)
Music Composed by: Danny Elfman
Today the secret word is "out," but Pee-wee is stuck in when he overdoes it and comes down with a cold! It's lovely Nurse Yvonne and ultra-health conscious Ricardo to the rescue with some good advice and chicken soup for their sick and cranky friend. In no time, Pee-wee's back to his old self again to join in the Playhouse fun.

• Broadcast: 10/10/87
• Secret Word: Out
• Featured Cartoon: The Sunshine Makers (1935).
• This is the only episode in which somebody besides Pee-wee answers Knucklehead's knock-knock joke.

18. "Why Wasn't I Invited?" (205)
Music Composed by: Cliff Martinez
Nothing bugs Pee-wee's flowers more than having a caterpillar in their flower box until Magic Screen shows how a caterpillar can turn itself into a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar's not the only uninvited creature around when Cowntess has a birthday party and invites practically "all" of Puppetland except Pee-wee! Is she mad at him or just being moody?

• Broadcast: 10/17/87
• Secret Word: All
• Featured cartoon: Piano Tooners (1932).
• In a scene where Pee-Wee Herman is upset about not being invited to the party, he says the word ALL which is the Secret word and no one is screaming after he says it.

19. "Tons of Fun" (206)
Music Composed by: Jeff Baxter
Today, Pee-wee gives everybody "That Certain Feeling" by lip-synching to one of his old records. Later, while Pee-wee is out with the Playhouse Gang, Cowboy Curtis comes over and sings to the flowers, and Miss Yvonne does a wild clog dance. Tensions mount when the gang ends up with two "cool" ice cream desserts, and they have to choose which to eat. Of course, they could just eat them both!

• Broadcast: 10/24/87
• Secret Word: Cool
• Featured Cartoon: Philips Broadcast (1938), the second time it was featured.
• First appearance of the New Playhouse gang, Fabian, Rapunzel, and Li'l Punkin.
• The song that Pee-Wee lip-syncs to at the beginning of this episode is George and Ira Gershwin's "That Certain Feeling".

20. "School" (207)
Music Composed by: Glenn Jordan
Learning is "easy" when your teacher makes it fun. No one can make it more fun than Pee-wee, especially when he turns the Playhouse into a schoolhouse! The Playhouse Gang are his students, Magic Screen is his blackboard, and Globey is, well, his globe. Pee-wee makes history exciting when he teaches about Christopher Columbus and the Declaration of Independence. Sit back, laugh, and learn!

• Broadcast: 10/31/87
• Secret Word: Easy
• Featured Cartoon: Neptune Nonsense (1936).
• This episode features the final appearances of Knucklehead, and the New Playhouse gang.

21. "Spring" (208)
Music Composed by: Stanley Clarke
As the Spring season comes to "begin," Pee-wee plants a seed, and it grows quickly (courtesy of Clockey). Also, the King of Cartoons presents his wife, "The Queen of Cartoons," and his son, "The Prince of Cartoons." Also, when Pee-wee doesn't make the baseball team, Ricardo shows him that there are other sports he can try.

• Broadcast: 11/7/87
• Secret Word: Begin
• Featured Cartoon: Much Ado About Mutton (1947).

22. "Playhouse in Outer Space" (209)
Music Composed by: The Residents
Aaaaugh! The secret word is "zyzzybalubah," and that can only mean one thing! The entire Playhouse, including Reba, is sucked into space, transported to a strange planet, and taken over by an odd, lonely alien! Yvona, an alien from the planet, is trying to escape the unfriendly Zyzzybalubah, but Pee-wee teaches him how to be polite and make friends. Reba teaches Pee-wee how to whistle, and she sings a song.

• Broadcast: 11/14/87
• Secret Word: Zyzzybalubah
• Featured Cartoon: Ship of the Ether (1934).
• Zyzzybalubah is played by George McGrath. This marks his second (and final) appearance. He first appeared in "Rainy Day," played the housewife's husband, Daryl, the police officer.
• Ms. Yvona is played by Lynne Marie Stewart, the female alien who bears a slight resemblance to Miss Yvonne.
• The flowers did not announce The King of Cartoons's arrival at the playhouse in this episode.
• This is the only episode in which the secret word's name does not appear in the dictionary.
• In a scene where Miss Yvonne enters the playhouse, she thanked both Cowboy Curtis and Pegasus for giving her a ride there, when Cowboy Curtis does not appear in this episode.
• At the beginning of the episode, this is the only time where Zyzzybalubah announced "Conky 2000," before he said the secret word, instead of Conky.
• At the end of the episode, this is the only time The King of Cartoons showed a cartoon by V.I.A. picturephone.
• This marks the first time somebody other than Pee-wee answers the picturephone in this episode.
• This is the only episode which is the longest secret word in the playhouse.

23. "Pajama Party" (210)
Music Composed by: The Residents
Guess who's having a pajama-party sleepover? That's right, it's Pee-wee along with his co-hostess, "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland," Miss Yvonne! Jambi's got a head for pajama fashion when he gives Cowboy Curtis a Wild-West pair of P.J.s! Wacky Roger, the Monster, keeps an eye on things as Pee-wee decides that, since he loves his fruit salad so much, he's going to marry it! "Watch" for the secret word!

• Broadcast: 11/21/87
• Secret Word: Watch
• Featured Cartoon: Musical Memories (1935).
• Pee-wee didn't activate Conky or obtain the secret word in this episode - Magic Screen did. It marks the first time someone besides Pee-wee gets the secret word.
• Clips from this episode, along with "Open House", were featured as part of VH1's I Love the '80s Strikes Back.
• This episode marks the second (and final) appearance of Roger, the monster. He first appeared in "Monster in the Playhouse."
• This is Wayne White's only on-screen appearance. He plays the Hungry Person in this episode, who accidentally dialed the wrong number, which was actually the playhouse.
• This is the second (and final) episode in which Cowboy Curtis used Pee-wee's wish from Jambi. He first used Pee-wee's wish in "The Cowboy and the Cowntess."
• When all of Pee-wee's friends were awake to see him get married, he did not wake up both Cowboy Curtis and Jambi for the wedding.
• The closing of this episode marks the second time the ending theme song was edited after Pee-wee activated the hand to open the door in which his scooter came out. The ending theme's music was first edited in "Stolen Apples."
• Despite the King of Cartoons showing a bedtime cartoon, he did not bring his own pajamas for the party and did not spend the night in the playhouse, because they were in his washer.
• This is the only episode in which Pee-wee really gets married --- to a fruit salad.

Season 3 (1988)

Season 3 only had two episodes, plus the Christmas special, due to production being halted by the 1988 Writers Guild of America Strike. John Paragon wrote both episodes from this season, and together with Paul Reubens, wrote the Christmas Special.

24. "Reba Eats and Pterri Runs" (301)
Music Composed by: Dweezil Zappa & Scott Thunes
Pee-wee wants a letter mailed, so he asks Jambi to make Reba appear at the Playhouse. This makes Reba mad because it's her day off. Pee-wee convinces her to stay for an imaginary breakfast of oatmeal, pancakes, toast, and hash browns. Meanwhile, Pterri disappears when Pee-wee sends him to his nest for drinking water from the fish tank. The Playhouse gang blames themselves for Pterri's punishment until Pterri comes back - from hiding underneath the bed! Watch, "now," and you'll have a "Pterri-fic" time!

• Broadcast: 9/17/88
• Secret Word: Now
• Featured Cartoon: Farm Foolery (1949).
• During the third season, the secret words were printed on the same pieces of card stock as in the previous season, only this time, the letters on them were now a littler larger than before.
• After the first couple of times that this episode aired on CBS, it stopped showing the part at the very beginning, the "My Name Is..." song, for an unknown reason. It skipped to the scene showing Ricardo entering the Playhouse to find out the day's secret word. The 1996 VHS release and Fox Family airings of this episode reinstated the song. However, the segment was again dropped on DVD releases and Adult Swim airings.

25. "To Tell the Tooth" (302)
Music Composed by: The Residents
Pee-wee has to eat his words when he tells the gang how important dental hygiene is and, then, develops an ow-some toothache! Since Jambi is taking a head-turning vacation at Mount Rushmore, Pee-Wee is forced to face his greatest fear - the dentist! He's so afraid, it'll take Miss Yvonne's coaxing just to get him to go. When he finally does make "it," Pee-wee learns that visiting the dentist is nothing to grit his teeth over and can actually be fun.

• Broadcast: 9/24/88
• Secret Word: It
• Featured Cartoon: An Elephant Never Forgets (1935).
• The title is a pun on the phrase "to tell the truth."
• Charles Randazzo, Peter W. Moyer, David Pincus and Steve Purcell won the 1989 Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Videotape Editing" for this episode. Yolanda Toussieng and Jerry Masone won the 1989 Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling" for this episode.
• Jambi appears where Abraham Lincoln's face should be in the Mount Rushmore shot during the closing credits.

Primetime Special: "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special"
Music Composed by: Van Dyke Parks
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 make Christmas cards, Magic Johnson joins Pee-wee for a 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 also appear. Pee-wee shows Little Richard how to ice skate, and Charo, k.d. lang, the Del Rubio triplets, and Grace Jones perform yuletide carols. Santa Claus drops by to tell him that his Christmas wish list is too long, and no one else will get presents if he doesn't shorten it.

• Broadcast: 12/21/88
• Secret Word: Year
• Featured Cartoon: Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936)
• Released on VHS in 1988 and 1996, and on DVD in 2004.
• The special was divided into two shows, and several parts were cut, during Fox Family airings.
• This special originally aired in prime time as a special one-hour episode on a Wednesday night. Aside from being repeated on Fox Family, it was also shown on MTV, and, most recently, on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.
• This is the only episode in which the secret word is not revealed in the beginning.

Season 4 (1989)

All of the final two seasons were directed by John Paragon & Paul Reubens. In addition, the final two seasons were produced and filmed for one entire year, from early 1989-early 1990.

26. "Dr. Pee-wee and the Del Rubios" (401)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Dweezil Zappa & Scott Thunes
When Reba isn't feeling too "well," Pee-wee tells her to be patient because he's going to be her doctor. With the help of Chandelier, Magic Screen, and Pterri, Pee-wee takes an X-ray and her temperature before removing a splinter from her finger! Then, the Del Rubio Triplets stop by but not for long because their "Boots Are Made For Walkin'!"

• Broadcast: 9/9/89
• Secret Word: Well
• Featured Cartoon: Hunky and Spunky (1938).
• First episode shot at Culver Studios.
• As of this episode, the show is now produced in association with Grosso-Jacobson Productions.
• Also from this point on, the secret word flashed on the screen in all capital letters.
• In this episode, as well as in the next three from this season, the secret word was printed in thick letters on small square-shaped pieces of card stock.
• This episode features the first appearances of Chandelier and Pee-wee's dog, Roosevelt.
• Diane Dimeo was nominated for the 1989 Artios Award for "Best Casting for TV Daytime" for this episode.
• The appearance of Jambi in his jeweled box this season began by use of "blue screen" (Chroma key technology) rather than actually having John Paragon inside as in previous seasons.

27. "Fire in the Playhouse" (402)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Dweezil Zappa & Scott Thunes
When Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne decide to bake bread to make peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches for snack time, Randy decides to break the rules and change the temperature on Miss Yvonne's baking bread to 700 degrees! Though Pee-wee's been dreaming of Miss Yvonne, she develops a sizzling crush on the four-alarm Fireman Frank when he arrives to share the cold hard facts of fire safety! Listen for the secret word, - you know the "one" - and you'll have a red-hot time.

• Broadcast: 9/16/89
• Secret Word: One
• Featured Cartoon: Stork Market (1949).
• This is the last time Mrs. Steve (not seen since the first season) is alluded to in the series.

28. "Love that Story" (403)
Written by: Max Robert
Music Composed by: Mark Snow
What's your favorite story? You're sure to hear it when Pee-wee and the gang start telling tales! Pee-wee and Ricardo put a new spin on The Nutcracker, Miss Yvonne tells a wild story in hula, and, when Magic Screen gives Pee-wee magic beans, they lead him into a giant adventure! Miss Yvonne's delicious storybook recipes and the secret word "end" up the fun.

• Broadcast: 9/23/89
• Secret Word: End
• Featured Cartoon: Spring Song (1949). It is the first episode to feature a cartoon without an introduction by the King of Cartoons.

29. "Sick? Did Somebody Say Sick?" (404)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Mark Snow
Randy's got the whole Playhouse barking at the word "go" - today's secret word. However, Pee-wee has bigger concerns. Jambi is sick, so Pee-wee has to call a genie-ologist! It's Dr. Jinga-Janga to the rescue, but he's got a wacky bedside manner that may just be worse than Jambi's disease - Mecca Lecca Hi Mecca Heinyitis!

• Broadcast: 9/30/89
• Secret Word: Go
• Featured Cartoon: To Spring (1936), the second time it was featured.
• Randy obtains the secret word from Conky while Pee-wee is out buying groceries. He makes everyone bark instead of scream when the word is said.
• Bernard Fox, who plays Dr. Jinga-Janga, the "wish doctor," is both a spoof and an homage to his most famous television role, Dr. Bombay, the warlock physician ("witch doctor") that was a recurring character on the classic sitcom Bewitched.

30. "Miss Yvonne's Visit" (405)
Written by: Doug Cox & John Moody
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
While her house is being painted, Miss Yvonne accepts an invitation to stay at the Playhouse. Perfumey as she is, Miss Yvonne is a stinker of a houseguest! Since Pee-wee's too "nice" to ask her to leave, he has to get a little help from Jambi to get her house painted lickety split. Now, the Cowntess wants to stay over while her barn is painted. What will Pee-wee do?

• Broadcast: 10/7/89
• Secret Word: Nice
• Features both an "El Hombre" cartoon, and a Penny Cartoon.
• Beginning with this episode, and continuing until the series finale, the secret word was now printed in large letters on wider rectangular pieces of card stock.

31. "Rebarella" (406)
Written by: Lynne Marie Stewart & Mimi Pond
Music Composed by: Bruce Roberts & Jonathan Sheffer
The laughs and fun never "stop" when Pee-wee, Miss Yvonne, and the Playhouse crew pretend to take a plane trip around the world. Reba has to steal Miss Yvonne, who's the plane's stewardess, away for some girl talk because she's got a date. With Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne acting as chaperones, Reba and her date take in a drive-in movie - Playhouse style!

• Broadcast: 10/14/89
• Secret Word: Stop
• Featured cartoon: The Kids in the Shoe (1935).
• This episode features the final appearance of Reba although she will appear in flashbacks and be alluded to in future episodes.
• In place of the regular scenes of Pee-wee on his scooter, Reba and Derek kissing is shown under the closing credits.
• Derek was played by American martial-arts actor Steve James.
• When Globey sees the plane flying through the air, he says, "The plane! The plane!" This is what Hervé Villechaize's character says repeatedly on Fantasy Island whenever he sees the plane arriving.
• Title is a play on Cinderella.
• One of the magazines on the Pee-wee Airlines flight is called Playrobot. This is a parody of the real-life Playboy and Playgirl magazines.

32. "Heat Wave" (407)
Written by: Rob Bragin
Music Composed by: Mark Snow
There's a heat wave today "here" at the Playhouse. Judge Pee-wee is set to "hear" the arguments in a trial pitting Miss Yvonne against Mrs. Rene after they both wear the same one-of-a-kind dress.

• Broadcast: 10/21/89
• Secret Word: Hear and Here
• Featured cartoon: The Song of the Birds (1935)
• The dress situation is based on the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress"
• Pee-wee's final line, "Y'all come back now, ya hear?" is a reference to the television series The Beverly Hillbillies in which this very same line is spoken at the end of the closing theme

33. "Charity Tee Drive" (408)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Jay Cotton
Pee-wee has lost the Cowntess' pencil sharpener! While he searches to find it, he and the rest of the gang collect things from the Playhouse that they don't use anymore so that he can give them to charity. "Wait" until you see what the secret word is!

• Broadcast: 10/28/89
• Secret Word: Wait
• The song heard in the scene where Pee-wee dances in Cowntess's shoes is "Fever" originally sung by Peggy Lee (this version of Fever is sung by Carla Hassett).
• The traffic safety film Magic Screen shows is narrated by James Stewart.

34. "Let's Play Office" (409)
Written by: John Paragon & Lynne Marie Stewart
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne are playing office and taking turns as boss and secretary. But when it's time for Miss Yvonne to be the boss, Pee-wee takes his break. Later on, Cowboy Curtis stops by with a new friend: a cactus who decides "that" it's fun to stick around.

• Broadcast: 11/4/89
• Secret Word: That
• Featured Cartoon: Little Lambkins (1940).

35. "I Remember Curtis" (410)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
When Pee-wee finds Cowboy Curtis' magic lasso, it spurs some great memories for the Playhouse gang. Included are the times Cowboy Curtis showed Pee-wee his fantastic rope tricks, sang "The More Song," got some new boots courtesy of Jambi, played hide-and-seek with Pee-wee, and prepared for a date with the lovely Miss Yvonne. "Remember" the secret word, and you'll have a wildly wonderful time.

• Broadcast: 11/11/89
• Secret Word: Remember
• This episode was a clip show. Clips from the following episodes were used:
  • Rainy Day
  • Store
  • Pajama Party
  • The Cowboy and the Cowntess
• Pee-wee's line, "See you next week, same Pee-wee time, same Pee-wee channel," is a reference to the old Batman TV show, in which this line is said at the end of every episode: "Tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel."
• The clip from "Store" showing Curtis singing the "More" song was in black and white when shown initially on CBS (possibly to avoid confusion when "more" flashed on the screen). The 1996 video and Fox Family airings of this episode showed the scene in color and the word "more" flashed, but the 2004 DVD and Adult Swim airings showed the scene as originally seen on CBS.

Season 5 (1990)

36. "Conky's Breakdown" (501)
Written by: John Moody & Doug Cox
Music Composed by: Mark Snow
When Pee-wee's robot, Conky 2000, breaks down, the Playhouse gang suddenly doesn't feel so "great." When Pee-wee tries to fix the malfunctioning robot, Conky winds up in a million pieces! Oh, no! What will Pee-wee do, now? Call the Authorized Conky Repairman - that's what! Will the repairman be able to fix their robot pal, or will lovelorn Miss Yvonne wrench him away first?

• Broadcast: 9/8/90
• Secret Word: Great (though initially printed as "Grrrr" due to Conky's malfunction)
• Featured Cartoon: One More Time (1931).
• Jimmy Smits played as the repairman.
• A new prologue, and a new opening both debuted in this episode. The new prologue showed Pee-Wee riding on his scooter to his playhouse, which was now seen in a brighter daytime setting, while the new opening featured clips from episodes from all 5 seasons, as the last two seasons were made together, and completed by January 1990, according to the Biography channel episode on Pee-Wee Herman. Later airings (and VHS and DVD releases) featured this opening on the season 4 episodes, all of which originally featured the season 2 opening. As an interesting hybrid, in addition to featuring clips from various episodes from all seasons, this version also featured clips from the season 1 and season 2 opening sequences. The following clips were featured in this final version of the opening:
  • Pee-Wee Catches a Cold
  • Fire in the Playhouse
  • Heat Wave
  • Dr. Pee-Wee and the Del Rubios
  • Store
  • Something to Do
  • Pajama Party
  • Stolen Apples
  • Let's Play Office
  • Ants in Your Pants
  • Rainy Day
  • Reba Eats and Pterri Runs
  • Luau for Two
  • Miss Yvonne's Visit
  • Playhouse Day
  • To Tell the Tooth
  • Love That Story
  • Front Page Pee-Wee
  • The Cowboy and the Cowntess
  • Playhouse in Outer Space

37. "Mystery" (502)
Written by: David Cohen & S.H. Schulman
Music Composed by: Bruce Roberts & Jonathan Sheffer
Everyone better start looking "around" because some of Pee-Wee's favorite possessions are missing! When Miss Yvonne offers to take his suits to the cleaners, Pee-Wee can't find them. Soon, he discovers that his spoon, cereal bowl, and even his connect-the-dots are gone! When the culprit is revealed, Pee-Wee discovers more than just his treasured possessions; he discovers a new friend and a valuable lesson about being yourself!

• Broadcast: 9/15/90
• Secret Word: Around
• Featured Cartoon: Farm Frolics (1941).
• Busby was played by prominent television actor and playwright Leslie Jordan.
• The organist was played by one of the shows' writers, Max Robert.
• The movie the food in the refrigerator are watching is Big Top Pee-wee (1988). The sequence would be used in "Camping Out"; this time, it's a sequence of Big Bird from Sesame Street.
• Last episode to feature "El Hombre"

38. "Front Page Pee-Wee" (503)
Written by: John Moody & Doug Cox
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh & The Residents
Pee-wee's revving up the presses to print the Playhouse's first newspaper! The Playhouse crew starts researching their articles with the five "W's" and "H": who, what, when, where, why, and "how." When Pee-wee puts the paper to bed, and then goes to bed himself, sneaky Randy changes everyone's stories to lies! How will the Playhouse pals live it down?

• Broadcast: 9/22/90
• Secret Word: How
• Featured Cartoon: The Little Red Hen (1935).

39. "Tango Time" (504)
Written by: David Cohen & S.H. Schulman
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Mrs. Rene is learning how to tango! With a rose in her mouth and Pee-wee's magic footprints on the floor, she dances up a storm until Pee-wee dips her right out the Playhouse door! Cowboy Curtis remembers his first and last whirl on rollerskates, and Jambi helps Pee-wee relive the whole show with a replay that goes by all too "fast."

• Broadcast: 9/29/90
• Secret Word: Fast
• Featured Cartoons: Freddy the Freshman (1932) and Humpty Dumpty (1935).
• The only episode where the King of Cartoons shows 2 cartoons.

40. "Playhouse Day" (505)
Written by: Rob Bragin
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh & George Clinton
Because Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and Cowntess all have to work, Pee-wee and the Playhouse crew create a special holiday: "Playhouse Day!" To celebrate, they decorate a tree, the Playhouse, and even the King of Cartoons! When they find out it's an official holiday, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and the Cowntess take the day off. After all, it is the fun "thing" to do!

• Broadcast: 10/6/90
• Secret Word: Thing
• Featured Cartoon: Fin 'n Catty (1943).
• The marching band in the Playhouse Day parade performs "Louie, Louie."
• This marks the last time Pee-Wee uses his Magic Glasses.

41. "Accidental Playhouse" (506)
Written by: John Moody & Doug Cox
Music Composed by: Ron Grant
Mrs. Rene stops by to give Pee-wee a letter from a faraway "place" - Japan! It's from Oki Doki, a young Japanese man who soon appears at the Playhouse door. By introducing Pee-wee to sushi, origami, and Gamara, Oki proves that he has a lot to share about his homeland, and Pee-wee has a lot to learn!

• Broadcast: 10/13/90
• Secret Word: Place
• Featured Cartoon: Sinkin' in the Bathtub (1930).
• Mrs. Rene gets the secret word from Conky in this episode.
• Reba is mentioned but not seen in this episode, however, she will be seen in flashbacks in future episodes.

42. "Fun, Fun, Fun" (507)
Written by: Max Robert
Music Composed by: Tom Snow
Miss Yvonne teaches the gang how to make cheese balls, and Pee-wee makes a mobile. The fun goes "on" and on!

• Broadcast: 10/20/90
• Secret Word: On (though initially mistaken by Pee-Wee as "No")
• Featured Cartoon: Freddy the Freshman (1932)
• Last episode to feature a Penny cartoon.
• This episode features the final appearances of Ricardo, the Cowntess, and the King of Cartoons (aside from flashbacks in future episodes).

43. "Camping Out" (508)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Mark Snow
Pee-wee goes on a camping trip with Cowboy Curtis and leaves Mrs. Rene to house-sit the Playhouse. Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis ride horses, roast wieners, and sleep under the stars. Curtis does his best to "show" Pee-wee a good time, and Pee-wee thinks Curtis is lucky to be a cowboy!

• Broadcast: 10/27/90
• Secret Word: Show
• Featured Cartoon: Balloon Land (1935). This is the final episode to feature a cartoon. This cartoon is also shown in 1981's The Pee-wee Herman Show.
• The animation seen at the beginning of this episode is called Allegretto (1936).
• This is the last episode where Pee-Wee uses the Picture Phone.
• Globey gets the secret word from Conky instead of Pee-Wee
• This episode features the final appearances of Mrs. Rene and Cowboy Curtis (aside from flashbacks in future episodes).
• After being aired once on CBS, this episode didn't air on television again until the series hit reruns on Fox Family in 1998.
• This is the only episode that took place outside the playhouse.

44. "Something to Do" (509)
Written by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Dweezil Zappa & Scott Thunes
Pee-wee can't figure out what to "do" today, so Jambi gives him a to-do list which includes blowing a big balloon, dressing up as a pirate, and going for a walk with Miss Yvonne. The list also mentions cleaning up Pee-wee's room.

• Broadcast: 11/3/90
• Secret Word: Do
• This episode features the final time Pee-wee plays Connect-the-Dots with Magic Screen.
• This episode features the final appearances of Jambi and Roosevelt

45. "Playhouse for Sale" (510)
Writtem by: John Paragon
Music Composed by: Mark Mothersbaugh
Miss Yvonne pays a visit to the Playhouse, yet Pee-wee is nowhere to be found. Miss Yvonne finds, instead, the words "For Sale" in front of the Playhouse abode. Shocked and confused, Miss Yvonne and everyone else try to remember all the better times that the Playhouse has gone through. Watch for today's secret "word."

• Broadcast: 11/10/90
• Secret Word: Word
• Miss Yvonne obtains the secret word from Conky in this episode.
• The song used in the montage of flashbacks is Marvin Hamlisch's "The Way We Were", performed in this episode by Charlotte Crossley.
• This episode was a clip show. No season 1 clips were used. Some of the clips even had new scenes and new music. Clips from the following episodes were used:
  • Reba Eats and Pterri Runs
  • Open House
  • Charity Tee Drive
  • Love That Story
  • Spring
  • Store
  • Dr. Pee-Wee and the Del Rubios
  • Pee-Wee Catches a Cold
  • Tons of Fun
  • Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
  • Playhouse Day
  • Miss Yvonne's Visit
  • Rebarella
  • Front Page Pee-Wee
  • Tango Time
  • Sick, Did Somebody Say Sick?
  • Fire in the Playhouse
  • Pajama Party
• Final first-run episode of the series.

External links

• Pee-Wee's Playhouse episode guide