Revisit 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' With Some Very Special Guests

Hang onto your red bicycles, everybody! The first new Pee-wee Herman film in 18 years, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, is now streaming on Netflix. Produced by Judd Apatow and co-written by Pee-wee’s alter ego, Paul Reubens, the 90-minute adventure sends the eternal man-child on an eventful road trip from the idyllic small town of Fairville to the busy streets of New York City. His plan is to attend a swanky birthday party thrown by Joe Manganiello (yes, the Joe Manganiello), but getting there requires him to tangle with a trio of Russ Meyer-esque female outlaws (one of whom is played by Arrested Development’s Alia Shawkat), a farmer with a surfeit of unmarried daughters, and a Manhattan manhole.

Related: Review: ‘Pee-wee’s Big Holiday’ Brings Back The Pee-wee We Love

Despite these travails, Pee-wee retains the sense of youthful enthusiasm with which he greeted young viewers every Saturday morning on his late, great series, Pee-wee’s Playhouse. In a convenient bit of synergy, the entire five-season run of that Emmy-winning series also happens to be streaming on Netflix. So if you’re looking to prolong your childhood nostalgia trip after watching Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, here are eight Playhouse episodes featuring notable celebrity guest stars. In case you haven’t guessed it, “Celebrity” is the day’s secret word.

“The Restaurant” (Season 1, Episode 7)
Guest Star: Phil Hartman
Friends with Reubens since their days in the storied L.A. comedy group the Groundlings, Hartman appeared as the cantankerous mariner Captain Carl for several episodes during Playhouse’s first season. In this particular voyage, he dropped by Pee-wee’s recently opened restaurant, but got salty when he learned that the only item on the menu was PB&J.

“The Cowboy and the Countess” (Season 1, Episode 10)
Guest Star: Laurence Fishburne
Fishburne’s stylish cowpoke was a favorite visitor around the Playhouse, and one of Pee-wee’s closest human confidants. They were such good friends that Pee-wee even did the unthinkable in this episode and let Curtis have dibs on his weekly Jambi-granted wish. The lucky dude also gets to go on a date with Miss Yvonne, an experience that probably gave him plenty of great campfire stories.

“The Gang’s All Here” (Season 1, Episode 12)
Guest Star: Calvert DeForest
The Artist Otherwise Known as Larry “Bud” Melman spends a day at the Playhouse as new recruit Rusty. Unfortunately, amidst all the merriment, he also goes and plays around with Conky the Robot’s controls. That’s probably why he was never invited to return.

“Party” (Season 1, Episode 13)
Guest Star: Natasha Lyonne
The future Orange is the New Black star is one of three members of the Season 1 Playhouse Gang, a group of kids who Pee-wee invites over for fun and games. In the Season 1 finale, they’re among the guests at a big Playhouse party that’s a celebration of all things Pee-wee.

“Reba Eats and Pterri Runs” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Guest Star: S. Epatha Merkerson
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays Pee-wee’s faithful mail carrier, Reba, from her appointed rounds. When Season 3 rolled around, he decided to get to know her a little better, inviting her for breakfast after she swings by on her day off to pick up a letter bound for his pen pal. In an unwelcome surprise, though, the breakfast table turns out to be filled with imaginary food. You gotta stock the Playhouse fridge with more ingredients, dude!

“Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special” (Season 3, Episode 3)
Guest Star: Oprah Winfrey
Although a host of celebrities attended Pee-wee’s Christmas shindig — including former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello, superstar singer Little Richard, and music/fashion icon Cher — Oprah’s literally phoned-in cameo impresses the most. Her dead-on impression of Pee-wee’s trademark laugh is one more reason why she’s the television royalty.

“Conky’s Breakdown” (Season 5, Episode 1)
Guest Star: Jimmy Smits
When Conky goes on the fritz, Smits comes to the rescue as an officially licensed Conky repairman. He also trades vaguely PG-13 rated double entendres with the always-risque Miss Yvonne. Good luck explaining to your kids why she’s smiling when Smits says that qualified repairmen always “have the right tools and know how to use them.”

“Camping Out” (Season 5, Episode 8)
Guest Star: Sandra Bernhard
The comedian/actress contributes a brief cameo as Pee-wee’s personal picture phone operator, Rhonda, who expresses great affection for him and his… um, secret word. To his credit, he’s able to dial down his prankster instincts and not take her up on her offer to interrupt somebody else’s picture phone call. The secret word of this episode is “Restraint.” (Actually, it’s “Show.” Everybody scream!)

Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday are now streaming on Netflix.