Pee Wees

On the 25th anniversary of the show "Pee-wee's Playhouse," the behind-the-scenes story is being told for the first time by those who experienced it. Complete with an episode guide, biographical information about the cast and key members of the show's creative team, never-before-told anecdotes, and previously unpublished photos.

A New York Times bestselling author takes a rollicking deep dive into the ultra-competitive world of youth hockey Rich Cohen, the New York Times–bestselling author of The Chicago Cubs: Story of a Curse and Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football, turns his attention to matters closer to home: his son’s elite Pee Wee hockey team and himself, a former player and a devoted hockey parent. In Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, Cohen takes us through a season of hard-fought competition in Fairfield County, Connecticut, an affluent suburb of New York City. Part memoir and part exploration of youth sports and the exploding popularity of American hockey, Pee Wees follows the ups and downs of the Ridgefield Bears, the twelve-year-old boys and girls on the team, and the parents watching, cheering, conniving, and cursing in the stands. It is a book about the love of the game, the love of parents for their children, and the triumphs and struggles of both.

“Gaines thoroughly explores the innerworkings of the most grownup kiddie show in TV history. Pull up a Chairry and enjoy” (Michael Musto, Village Voice). Between 1986 and 1991, a pandemic swept the nation. Symptoms included talking to furniture, checking the refrigerator for signs of life, and a desire to SCREAM REAL LOUD every time a “secret word” was spoken. For five years, Saturday morning television infect nearly ten million people a week with Pee-wee Fever. Following the twenty-fifth anniversary of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, the behind-the-scenes story of this groundbreaking, successful, and still revered children’s program is told for the first time by those who experienced it, with never-before-seen photos. Come on in and take a look Inside Pee-wee’s Playhouse. “With his inspired, lunatic Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Paul Reubens showed a generation of television viewers that it’s okay to be different. Caseen Gaines has crafted a meticulously researched look at the origin, production, and legacy of this landmark series that is every bit as educational and entertaining as the show it chronicles.” —Jeremy Kinser, senior editor, The Advocate “Caseen not only reveals the genius behind Paul Reubens’ pop culture creation, but also takes us inside Pee-wee’s Playhouse to meet the fascinating team that brought it to life.” —Noah Levy, senior news editor, In Touch Weekly “A must for any Pee-wee fan. Gaines unearths a significant moment in pop culture with the care of an archaeologist, and the vibrant humor of Pee-wee himself.” —John Ortved, author of The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History This book is not affiliated with Pee-wee’s Playhouse nor is it endorsed or approved by Paul Reubens

It's wintertime. Time for the Pee Wees to head for the slopes--the bunny slopes. How do you start? How do you stop? The Pee Wees have lots of questions to ask about skiing. But the Pee Wees' biggest question comes when a snowstorm leaves them stranded in their van on the way home. Without food. Will they have to eat each other?

Join the Pee Wee Scouts for fun and adventure as they make friends and earn badges. Batter Up! It’s spring, and the Pee Wees are going to try for a badge in baseball! First, a professional baseball player is going to come to their meeting to tell them about the game, and show them some pointers. But even more exciting, the Pee Wees are going to play a real game . . . against their parents! Roger is especially eager to show off his skills. But Molly is very worried. She has never played baseball before. What if she cannot hit the ball? Will she still get her badge?

What's the Fourth of July without a good old-fashioned parade down Main Street? The Pee Wees will get to ride real, live ponies down the street! Uh-oh. Molly can't remember ever meeting a real horse. She's seen pictures of them. She knows they are big. Very big. With big feet. She's the only one who doesn't know how to ride. Can you put training wheels on a horse?

Mrs. Peters is missing! The Pee Wees' leader has been called out of town on a family emergency. Who will run their scout meetings now that Mrs. Peters is gone? And who will help the Pee Wees plan their big Halloween party? Captain Spencer is the first substitute to take charge. He makes everyone march in a line and uses big words that nobody understands. Then there's ditzy Brandi. She laughs at Roger's dumb jokes and thinks slime-ball art is a fun project. Molly is sure there will be no costume contests or bobbing for apples this year. But then the Pee Wees get another substitute leader. And she has a plan to make this the best Halloween ever!

Everyone in the Pee Wee Scouts wants to win a trip to Camp Blast Off, the super-cool summer camp where kids learn what it's like to be an astronaut. But there's only room for one scout from each troop in the country. So the Pee Wee Scouts set out to make the best project about the planets and the solar system: Roger is building model meteors and stars with light bulbs, Rachel is stirring up a recipe for freeze-dried peanut butter. Find out what Molly and Mary Beth are working on--maybe the most exciting project of all!