Paul Reubens on his forthcoming Pee-wee Herman movie
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Paul Reubens, back in bowtie for U.S. cable network HBO’s Emmy awards contender “The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway,” explains why his stage show is only now Emmy-eligible and where his script for Judd Apatow’s forthcoming movie script for “Pee-wee” is.
THR: You’re not just a stand-up comic in a tight suit. “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (CBS) won 22 Emmys, you got a Primetime Emmy nomination for “Murphy Brown,” you were awesome in “Blow.”
Paul Reubens: I’m grateful to even be eligible for an Emmy nomination! The show I have on HBO, “The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway,” is adapted from the show that started my career. When we produced it in 1981, it wasn’t eligible. Cable was brand new, and its programing wasn’t eligible for Emmy consideration.
THR: You won Emmys for design. Your Broadway show now up for an Emmy didn’t win design Tonys. Are Tony judges blinder than Emmy judges?
Reubens: I am baffled by our set and set designer not being nominated for a Tony. This is the truth: Every single performance of my show on Broadway, the set received not only applause, but a collective gasp from the audience. It was unbelievable. I thought many of the technical achievements were overlooked; sound design, costumes, lighting. Maybe on my next Broadway show
THR: What has (filmmaker) Judd Apatow brought to the Pee-wee party, creatively speaking? And when is the script done and the film out already?
Paul Reubens: Paul Rust and I just turned in a draft to Judd last week. He’s bringing such an interesting side to it. He’s constantly having us talk about and address the emotional core of Pee-wee Herman. It’s adding a dimension I never had before. Judd, if you’re reading this, I think it’s ready to green light!