Greetings from The Office Microwave!
Today's issue is a tribute to Paul Reubens. Heat up some leftovers, sit back, and enjoy. |
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As the Office Microwave, I keep an ear to the streets and hear the best conversation topics for your work friends, for your boss, for your latest client, and everyone in between |
The rise of Pee-wee Herman |
TLDR:Paul Reubens decided to make "The Pee-wee Herman Show" after getting turned down by SNL. |
The rise of Pee-wee Herman began in the 1970s when Paul Reubens was starting out as a comedian in Los Angeles. During his time with an improvisational comedy group called The Groundlings, Reubens created a character who "would never make it as a comic." This failed comedian—who wore a grey plaid suit, a red bow tie, and blush—would later become Pee-wee Herman. After putting in his time at LA comedy clubs, Reubens auditioned for the 1980–81 season of "Saturday Night Live." He was rejected, so he started making plans to quit comedy and move back to Sarasota, Florida—until he had an idea for a new live show.
Reubens revived his Pee-wee Herman character and wrote a 60-minute production called “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which debuted in 1981. The show was unlike anything you might see on a regular night at a comedy club. Instead of a typical comedy hour involving standup, the “The Pee-wee Herman Show” was a live adult version of a 1950s kids TV show like “Howdy Doody.”
Despite its avant-garde nature, the show was a hit, repeatedly selling out the Roxy Theatre. Months later, HBO recorded “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” and released it as an hour-long comedy special. An HBO special dedicated only to the Pee-wee Herman character was risky, but Warner Bros. producers took an even bigger risk in 1985, when they gave the green light to “Pee-wee's Big Adventure” a feature-length film. |
Tim Burton's directorial debut |
TLDR: ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ was Tim Burton’s first feature film, and it may have scored him his ‘Bettlejuice’ and ‘Batman’ jobs. |
When it came time to begin production on the film, Reubens was looking for a director. His friend, actress Shelley Duvall, had shown him “Vincent” (1982), and “Frankenweenie” (1984), early short films by director Tim Burton.
Burton had never directed a feature film, but Reubens decided that their bizarre tastes aligned, and Burton got the job.
After the unlikely success of “Pee-wee's Big Adventure,” which made $40 million at box office on a $7 million budget, Burton was offered new directing jobs with Warner Bros. His next film was “Beetlejuice.” |
New wave frontman turned composer |
TLDR: Danny Elfman might have not become a film composer if it wasn't for Pee-wee. |
The film was also a blessing to composer Danny Elfman.
Reubens and Burton were both fans of the new wave band Oingo Boingo, which Elfman led as a songwriter.
Elfman had never scored a film, but he was given a shot on "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." He is now one of the best-known film composers of all time. |
Most people are not aware of the massive impact that the film and its Pee-wee character had.
Paul Reubens is remembered as a visionary by his fans and those who worked with him.
If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, here is the original “Pee Wee Herman Show” stage production.
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FOR YOUR WAY OUT: 5 MEMES |
That’s it for this week’s Work Talk. These topics are meant to be shared with your co-workers, so if you liked it, forward this email to you best friend or colleague and have them subscribe here. And if you made it this far, reply back to this email with a meme I should put in the next send. Until next week… — the Office Microwave |
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