Today, it was announced by HBO Original Films that their Paul Reubens two-part documentary “Pee-wee As Himself,” directed by Matt Wolf (HBO’s “The Stroll”), is coming out on May 23, as it will air back-to-back on HBO (8:00 p.m. to 11:20 p.m ET/PT) and can also be streamed on Max.
They’ve also shared with us a trailer giving fans of wacky and imaginative character that started out as an adults-only comedy stage show, only for Pee-wee to evolve and become quite the hit with kids via multiple feature films and a television show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
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HBO’s synopsis for the doc reads:
Driven by a soul-baring interview with Paul Reubens, the man behind the iconic character Pee-wee Herman, PEE-WEE AS HIMSELF is the definitive portrait of the comedic performer, and a window into his never-before-discussed personal life. Determined to correct the record and tell the factual story of his life, Reubens excavates his kaleidoscopic influences, origins in the circus and avant-garde performance theater, and career choices, while reflecting on the reasoning behind, and the consequences of, severing his beloved alter ego from his authentic self.
Those who will be featured in the doc sharing their stories about Reubens and “Pee-wee” will be sister Abby Rubenfeld, Gary Panter Wayne White, Lynne Stewart, John Moody, Alison Mork, Natasha Lyonne, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurence Fishburne, Debi Mazar, David Arquette, Laraine Newman, Cassandra Peterson (who created her bombastic horror host character, Elvira, alongside Pee-wee at the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings) along with filmmakers Tim Burton (“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”) and Judd Apatow (“Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday”).
Reubens sadly passed away in 2023, making this documentary a celebration of the late comedian’s life and his impact on popular culture.
The two parts are broken down like this:
Part one details Reubens’ childhood and desire to be an actor, inspired by such television shows as “Howdy Doody,” “Captain Kangaroo,” and “I Love Lucy.” He finds acceptance at CalArts, where he hones his performance art skills. At the Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings, Reubens creates the alter ego of Pee-wee Herman and puts on a live late-night show that becomes a cult sensation and evolves into a popular tour. The hit 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” makes him a global sensation. Subsuming himself into the character of Pee-wee, Reubens hides his personal life, and recognizes too late that fame makes for a complicated companion. 
Reubens’ profile continues to grow with an Emmy-winning weekly Saturday morning television show, “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” which unabashedly celebrates diversity and nonconformity. The episode explores the casting, production design, and creative process of the show that ran for five seasons. Reubens talks candidly about his fame as a pop culture icon and the lows he endured as he faced rumors, vilification, and the vitriol of the media. Reemerging as a cult figure with cameo roles in films and TV shows, a Broadway revival of his Pee-wee stage show, and a final Pee-wee film, Reubens refuses to have his legacy be defined by media scandals based on false rumors. He shares final words with the public, reinforcing his lifelong dream to bring joy, creativity, and acceptance to everyone.
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You can watch that trailer for “Pee-Wee As Himself” below.