Pee-Wee's mini variety show actually began a year earlier with Pee-Wee's first appearance on Late Night. He would entertain the audience with toys, singing, the Pee-Wee dance, and messing with students in a cafeteria video. He would later attribute the success of his stage show, which sold out Carnegie Hall in 1984, to being a guest on Late Night. Two of his appearances were on Halloween and almost started an annual tradition.
In 1985, Pee-Wee jumped to The Tonight Show where Joan Rivers was guest hosting. He brought along a pumpkin full of candy, even offering Pez to Rivers. He shows off various other Halloween items and even Cyndi Lauper trading cards!
Pee-Wee would make a couple more appearances on Late Night before landing his Saturday Morning show but unfortunately the Halloween tradition didn't last. Watching these videos now makes me wish it did last a few more years, but I guess once you hit the big time you don't need to do sideshow gags on talk shows anymore.
Pee-Wee would make a couple more appearances on Late Night before landing his Saturday Morning show but unfortunately the Halloween tradition didn't last. Watching these videos now makes me wish it did last a few more years, but I guess once you hit the big time you don't need to do sideshow gags on talk shows anymore.
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