This is the complete episode list for Pee-wee's Playhouse. A total of 45 half-hour episodes and 1 primetime special were recorded for CBS from 1986 until 1990.[1][2]
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
September 13, 1986 (1986-09-13)
101
Before Pee-wee's friends are forced to evacuate the pool due to rain, Pee-wee decides to make Ice Cream Soup, despite Randy getting carried away with too much chocolate syrup. Secret Word: Door King of Cartoons:The Fresh Vegetable Mystery (1939)
2
2
"Luau for Two"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
September 20, 1986 (1986-09-20)
102
Pee-wee wins dinner for two at a Hawaiian Restaurant, but then has to contemplate who he is going to take with him. He decides to throw a Luau party for all at his playhouse. Secret Word: Fun King of Cartoons:Ants in the Plants (1940)
3
3
"Rainy Day"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
September 27, 1986 (1986-09-27)
103
It is raining outside the playhouse, and Pee-wee tries to come up with all sorts of things to do, until he runs out of ideas and wishes the rain would stop. Secret Word: Help King of Cartoons:Summertime (1935) Note: Only appearance of the housewife and Daryl the cop.
4
4
"Now You See Me, Now You Don't"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
October 4, 1986 (1986-10-04)
104
During a Magic Show he puts on for his friends, Pee-wee makes himself invisible, and has to become visible again. Secret Word: Little King of Cartoons:Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931)
5
5
"Just Another Day"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
October 11, 1986 (1986-10-11)
105
Cowboy Curtis shows Pee-wee the traits of how to be a Cowboy. Secret Word: Back King of Cartoons:Old Mother Hubbard (1935)
6
6
"Beauty Makeover"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
October 18, 1986 (1986-10-18)
106
Miss Yvonne says she can give the next person who steps into the playhouse a beauty makeover, and it ends up being Mrs. Steve. Secret Word: Time King of Cartoons:The Three Bears (1935)
7
7
"The Restaurant"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
October 25, 1986 (1986-10-25)
107
Pee-wee's the maitre d', waiter and cashier when he plays restaurant with Captain Carl. But all they have are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Secret Word: Day King of Cartoons:Molly Moo-Cow and the Butterflies (1935)
8
8
"Ants in Your Pants"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
November 1, 1986 (1986-11-01)
108
The Ants from Pee-wee's formicarium go missing and raid the entire playhouse. Secret Word: What King of Cartoons:Flip the Frog: Puddle Pranks (1930)
9
9
"Monster in the Playhouse"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
November 8, 1986 (1986-11-08)
109
Mrs. Steve warns Pee-wee that it is a one-eyed monster on the loose. Secret Word: Look King of Cartoons:Jack Frost (1934)
10
10
"The Cowboy and the Cowntess"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
November 15, 1986 (1986-11-15)
110
Miss Yvonne asks Cowboy Curtis out for a date, which makes him nervous. Cowntess suggests playing date role-playing, with Pee-wee as Miss Yvonne. Secret Word: Good King of Cartoons:Mary's Little Lamb (1935)
11
11
"Stolen Apples"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
November 22, 1986 (1986-11-22)
111
Randy steals Mrs. Steve's crab apples. Secret Word: There King of Cartoons:Somewhere in Dreamland (1936)
12
12
"The Gang's All Here"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
November 29, 1986 (1986-11-29)
112
The Playhouse Gang is joined by a new member (an adult) named Rusty, and Pee-wee assigns them secret names. However, Pee-Wee has to put his foot down when the gang goes out of control. Secret Word: Okay King of Cartoons:Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931)
13
13
"Party"
Stephen R. Johnson
George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Max Robert & Michael Varhol
December 6, 1986 (1986-12-06)
113
Pee-wee throws a party for all of his friends in the playhouse. Secret Word: This King of Cartoons:Bunny Mooning (1937)
Note: Final appearances of Dixie, Tito, Captain Carl, Mrs. Steve, Elvis, Cher, Opal and the salesman.
Season 2 (1987)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
Prod. code
14
1
"Open House"
Guy Louthan & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
September 19, 1987 (1987-09-19)
201
Pee-wee and his friends help renovate the playhouse and Pee-wee makes sun tea for snack time. Secret Word: House King of Cartoons:Philips Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
Note: First appearances of Billy Baloney, Ricardo, Floory, Mrs. René and Clockey. Note #2: When the episode reran on FOX Family in the late 1990s, the segment in which Pee-wee Herman makes sun tea was cut, as making homemade sun tea can breed bacteria that can cause illness and/or death in some people. The edit was also made when the episode was released on VHS through MGM and United Artists. The Adult Swim rerun has it uncut. The DVD version is uncut as well, but contains a warning in the beginning that states that making sun tea can be dangerous. The Blu-Ray and Netflix releases of the episode are also uncut.
15
2
"Puppy in the Playhouse"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
September 26, 1987 (1987-09-26)
202
A lost dog comes to the playhouse, who turns out to be Reba, the Mail Lady's. Secret Word: Over King of Cartoons:To Spring (1936)
16
3
"Store"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
October 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
203
Cowboy Curtis sings a little song, and Pee-wee, Curtis and Miss Yvonne play "Store". Secret Word: More King of Cartoons:Making 'em Move (1931)
17
4
"Pee-wee Catches a Cold"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
October 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
204
Pee-wee finds himself incapacitated when he comes down with a cold and is taken care of by Ricardo and Miss Yvonne. Secret Word: Out King of Cartoons:The Sunshine Makers (1935)
18
5
"Why Wasn't I Invited?"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
October 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
205
The Cowntess invites pretty much everyone to her party except for Pee-wee, Magic Screen, and Chairry. Secret Word: All King of Cartoons:Piano Tooners (1932)
19
6
"Tons of Fun"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
October 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
206
When Pee-wee goes out to play with the Playhouse Gang, Miss Yvonne and Cowboy Curtis have some fun around the playhouse. Secret Word: Cool King of Cartoons:Philips Broadcast of 1938 (1938)
20
7
"School"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
October 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
207
The Playhouse Gang comes over and they and Pee-wee play a game of "school" and learn about Christopher Columbus and the Declaration of Independence. Secret Word: Easy King of Cartoons:Pagan Moon (1932)
21
8
"Spring"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
November 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
208
On the first day of spring, Pee-wee plants seeds and watches as they grow very quickly. The King of Cartoons visits and introduces his wife and son. Secret Word: Begin King of Cartoons:Wedding in the Coral Sea (1944)
22
9
"Playhouse in Outer Space"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11) (prime-time) November 14, 1987 (Saturday)
209
The playhouse gets abducted by an alien named Zyzzybalubah who forces everyone to be his new friend. Secret Word: Zyzzybalubah King of Cartoons:Ship of the Ether (1934)
23
10
"Pajama Party"
Wayne Orr & Paul Reubens
George McGrath, Paul Reubens & Max Robert
November 11, 1987 (1987-11-11) (prime-time) November 21, 1987 (Saturday)
210
Pee-wee hosts a slumber party at the playhouse, and marries a bowl of fruit salad. Secret Word: Watch (Magic Screen does the Secret Word routine in the episode) King of Cartoons:Musical Memories (1935)
Special (1988)
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
Prod. code
"Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special"
Wayne Orr
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
December 21, 1988 (1988-12-21)
30X
It is Christmas at the Playhouse, and Pee-wee has a large wish list for Santa. Secret Word: Year King of Cartoons:Christmas Comes But Once a Year (1936)
Season 3 only had two episodes, plus the primetime Christmas special, due to production being halted by the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike and also by the production of Big Top Pee-wee. On February 2, 1989, The Pittsburgh Press stated that both episodes had been completed, but it was unclear when they would air. On March 26, The Courier stated in a Q&A that one of the episodes had already aired, but was unsure of the other one. Finally, on August 8, The Chillicothe Gazette stated that the other Season 3 episode would be shown with the ones from Season 4 in the Fall of that year.
Much to the chagrin of both Jambi and Reba, Pee-wee wishes Reba over to the playhouse on her day off so she can mail his pen pal letter. Pee-wee invites Reba for some breakfast. Pterri no longer feels wanted around the playhouse, so he runs away. Pee-wee and his friends were disappointed that Pterri ran away from the Playhouse, but Pterri comes back. Secret Word: Now King of Cartoons:Farm Foolery (1949)
Pee-wee gets a toothache, but tries to avoid going to the dentist. Secret Word: It King of Cartoons:An Elephant Never Forgets (1935)
Season 4 (1989)
Unlike before, the final two seasons were filmed back-to-back. On June 16, 1989, Marilyn Beck wrote in her Syndicated Gossip Column that Reubens would start production in July on 20 new episodes (10 for the 1989–90 Season and 10 for the 1990–91 Season), not counting the other Season 3 leftover.[10]
Note: First appearances of Chandelier, El Hombre and Pee-Wee's dog, Roosevelt.
27
2
"Fire in the Playhouse"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
September 23, 1989 (1989-09-23)
402
Pee-wee dreams he is a superhero. While making homemade bread, Randy sets the oven way too high causing a fire to break out in the playhouse. Secret Word: One King of Cartoons:The Stork Market (1949)
28
3
"Love That Story"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Max Robert
September 30, 1989 (1989-09-30)
403
Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne play "Library". Ricardo joins them to tell their favorite stories. Secret Word: End King of Cartoons:Spring Song (1949) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
29
4
"Sick, Did Somebody Say Sick?"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
October 7, 1989 (1989-10-07)
404
When Pee-wee briefly steps out, Randy attempts to hijack the show. Jambi becomes sick and the genie doctor, Dr. Jinga Janga (Bernard Fox) makes a house call. Secret Word: Go (Randy hijacks the secret word routine and adds bark like a dog to it instead of screaming to it in the episode) King of Cartoons:To Spring (1936)
30
5
"Miss Yvonne's Visit"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Doug Cox & John Moody
October 14, 1989 (1989-10-14)
405
While Miss Yvonne's house is being painted, Pee-wee invites her to stay the night. Secret Word: Nice King of Cartoons: None
31
6
"Rebarella"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Lynne Marie Stewart & Mimi Pond
October 21, 1989 (1989-10-21)
406
Pee-wee, Miss Yvonne and the other playhouse puppets play "airplane", and later, prepare Reba for her big date. Secret Word: Stop King of Cartoons:The Kids In the Shoe (1935) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
32
7
"Heat Wave"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Rob Bragin
October 28, 1989 (1989-10-28)
407
On an especially hot day in the Playhouse, Pee-wee plays "courtroom" to judge over Miss Yvonne and Mrs. René wearing the same one-of-a-kind dress. Secret Word: Here and Hear King of Cartoons:The Song of the Birds (1935)
33
8
"Chairry-Tee Drive"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
November 4, 1989 (1989-11-04)
408
While searching for the Cowntess' pencil sharpener he borrowed from her years ago, Pee-wee decides to start a clothing drive. Secret Word: Wait King of Cartoons: None
34
9
"Let's Play Office"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon & Lynne Marie Stewart
November 11, 1989 (1989-11-11)
409
Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne play "office" with Pee-wee as the boss and Miss Yvonne as the secretary. Pee-wee makes fruit punch for a snack. Secret Word: That King of Cartoons:Little Lambkins (1940)
35
10
"I Remember Curtis"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
November 18, 1989 (1989-11-18)
410
Cowboy Curtis leaves his lasso behind at the playhouse and Pee-wee and the gang reminisce in a Curtis-themed clip show. Secret Word: Remember King of Cartoons: None
Season 5 (1990)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
Prod. code
36
1
"Conky's Breakdown"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Moody & Doug Cox
September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15)
501
Conky goes on the fritz, so Pee-wee calls a repairman (Jimmy Smits) to fix him. Miss Yvonne becomes smitten with the repairman. Secret Word: Great (It originally comes out as "Grrrrr", due to Conky's malfunction, and Pee-Wee tests it out on Chairry. After the scream, Conky manages to give Pee-Wee the actual secret word.) King of Cartoons:One More Time (1931)
37
2
"Mystery"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
David Cohen & S.H. Schulman
September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22)
502
Someone has been stealing things around the playhouse, and Pee-wee attempts to get to the bottom of it. Secret Word: Around King of Cartoons:Farm Frolics (1941) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
38
3
"Front Page Pee-wee"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Moody & Doug Cox
September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29)
503
Pee-wee decides to start his own newspaper, but Randy publishes false articles in it. Secret Word: How King of Cartoons:The Little Red Hen (1934) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
39
4
"Tango Time"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
David Cohen & S.H. Schulman
October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06)
504
Pee-wee watches two cartoons from the King of Cartoons. Pee-wee teaches Mrs. René how to tango. Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis go through old photos in his photo album. Secret Word: Fast King of Cartoons:Freddy the Freshman (1932) and Humpty Dumpty (1935)
40
5
"Playhouse Day"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Rob Bragin
October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)
505
All of Pee-wee's friends have to work, so Pee-wee makes up "Playhouse Day" to get them to come over. Secret Word: Thing King of Cartoons:Fin'n Catty (1943)
41
6
"Accidental Playhouse"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Moody & Doug Cox
October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20)
506
Pee-wee's Japanese pen pal, Oki (Joey Miyashima), comes over to the Playhouse. Secret Word: Place (Mrs. René does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons:The Interesting Guest (1951) and Sinkin' in the Bathtub (1930) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
42
7
"Fun, Fun, Fun"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
Max Robert
October 27, 1990 (1990-10-27)
507
Pee-wee attempts to create a secret upside-down word, but decides it makes him too dizzy. Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne make cheeseballs. Pee-wee teaches viewers how to make a mobile. Secret Word: On (Initially mistaken to be "No" because Pee-Wee held the card upside down. "No" was briefly declared the secret upside-down word) King of Cartoons:Freddy the Freshman (1932)
43
8
"Camping Out"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03)
508
In this rare episode that takes place outside of the playhouse, Pee-Wee has a dream called shape symphony. Pee-wee leaves Ms. Rene in charge while he and Cowboy Curtis go camping in the open range. Pee-wee has a conversation with Rhonda, the Picturephone operator. (Sandra Bernhard) Secret Word: Show (Globey does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons:Allegretto (1936) and Balloon Land (1935) (The King of Cartoons does not appear)
44
9
"Something to Do"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
November 10, 1990 (1990-11-10)
509
Pee-wee is bored, so Jambi makes a list of things he can do. Secret Word: Do King of Cartoons: None
45
10
"Playhouse for Sale"
John Paragon & Paul Reubens
John Paragon
November 17, 1990 (1990-11-17)
510
With Pee-wee out, Miss Yvonne finds a "for sale" sign outside the playhouse, and immediately assumes that Pee-wee is going to sell the playhouse. Miss Yvonne and the playhouse puppets all reminisce about the good times around the playhouse in the finale clip show. They later learn that Pee-wee was merely selling lemonade, but the "Lemonade" part of the sign fell off. Secret Word: Word (Miss Yvonne does the Secret Word routine in the episode.) King of Cartoons: None
