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The Best Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse

Every episode of Pee-wee's Playhouse ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse!

The Best Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse

Join Pee-Wee Herman and his friends Chairry, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Jambi the Genie and others as they play around in Pee-Wee's magical Playhouse!
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 8 - Camping Out
    8.5/10(38 votes)

    #1 - Camping Out

    S5:E8

    Pee-wee goes on a camping trip with Cowboy Curtis and leaves Mrs. Rene to house-sit the Playhouse. Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis ride horses, roast wieners, and sleep under the stars. Curtis does his best to "show" Pee-wee a good time, and Pee-wee thinks Curtis is lucky to be a cowboy!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

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  2. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 9 - Playhouse In Outer Space
    8.4/10(60 votes)

    #2 - Playhouse In Outer Space

    S2:E9

    Aaaaugh! The secret word is "zyzzybalubah," and that can only mean one thing! The entire Playhouse, including Reba, is sucked into space, transported to a strange planet, and taken over by an odd, lonely alien! Yvona, an alien from the planet, is trying to escape the unfriendly Zyzzybalubah, but Pee-wee teaches him how to be polite and make friends. Reba teaches Pee-wee how to whistle, and she sings a song.

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  3. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 4 Episode 1 - Dr. Pee-wee and the Del Rubios
    8.4/10(38 votes)

    #3 - Dr. Pee-wee and the Del Rubios

    S4:E1

    When Reba isn't feeling too "well," Pee-wee tells her to be patient because he's going to be her doctor. With the help of Chandelier, Magic Screen, and Pterri, Pee-wee takes an X-ray and her temperature before removing a splinter from her finger! Then, the Del Rubio Triplets stop by but not for long because their "Boots Are Made For Walkin'!"

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Paragon

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  4. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 4 Episode 2 - Fire In the Playhouse
    8.4/10(42 votes)

    #4 - Fire In the Playhouse

    S4:E2

    When Pee-wee and Miss Yvonne decide to bake bread to make peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches for snack time, Randy decides to break the rules and change the temperature on Miss Yvonne's baking bread to 700 degrees! Though Pee-wee's been dreaming of Miss Yvonne, she develops a sizzling crush on the four-alarm Fireman Frank when he arrives to share the cold hard facts of fire safety! Listen for the secret word, - you know the "one" - and you'll have a red-hot time.

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

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  5. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 1 - Open House
    8.3/10(48 votes)

    #5 - Open House

    S2:E1

    Today in the "Playhouse," Pee-wee tricks his friends into doing all of his chores by pretending that work is fun. The gang meets some new friends while renovating the "house." Reba arrives in time to deliver Clocky while the Playhouse gang uncovers Floory and meets Mrs. Rene for the first time.

    Directors:Paul Reubens, Guy J. Louthan
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  6. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 3 - Rainy Day
    8.2/10(77 votes)

    #6 - Rainy Day

    S1:E3

    It's a rainy day outside, and Pee-wee does many things for the rest of the day: fly paper airplanes, get a call from Miss Yvonne (who won't make it due to the weather), build an indoor campfire, and tell a ghost story. Later, he gets bored and has Playhouse fever! Randy tries to cheer him up by letting him call strangers - such as a housewife who grows angry when Randy plays a prank phone call on her. Pee-wee then calls the same person whose husband turns out to be a police officer. The husband threatens to take Pee-wee in, but he lets him go after he learns his lesson. Now, Pee-wee's only hope for "help" is Jambi.

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse

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  7. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 13 - Party
    8.2/10(53 votes)

    #7 - Party

    S1:E13

    It's party time at the Playhouse and you're invited! The whole gang is here: Cowboy Curtis, Captain Carl, Reba the Mail Lady and the lovely Miss Yvonne! You'll want to join in the Hokey-Pokey, yell when you hear the secret word (""this"") and play pin the tail on the...Globey.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 3 Episode 1 - Reba Eats and Pterri Runs
    8.2/10(37 votes)

    #8 - Reba Eats and Pterri Runs

    S3:E1

    Pee-wee wants a letter mailed, so he asks Jambi to make Reba appear at the Playhouse. This makes Reba mad because it's her day off. Pee-wee convinces her to stay for an imaginary breakfast of oatmeal and potatoes. Meanwhile, Pterri disappears when Pee-wee sends him to his nest for being naughty. The Playhouse gang blames themselves for Pterri's punishment until Pterri comes back - from hiding underneath the bed! Watch, "now," and you'll have a "Pterri-fic" time!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writer:John Paragon

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  9. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 9 - Monster In the Playhouse
    8.1/10(61 votes)

    #9 - Monster In the Playhouse

    S1:E9

    "Look" out because Mrs. Steve reports that there is a giant, one-eyed monster in town! He appears in the Playhouse, on the loose, and scares everyone! After Pee-wee makes the monster a snack, and Jambi grants Pee-wee's wish to understand the monster, the whole gang has a new friend! They even play a game of golf.

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  10. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 3 - Store
    8.1/10(47 votes)

    #10 - Store

    S2:E3

    Pee-wee and Cowboy Curtis take a leap into Magic Screen where they enjoy some mighty fine handcart ridin' until a train chases them back into the waiting arms of Chairry! Then, Cowboy Curtis sings a song with "more" of the secret word in it than you could scream at. Finally, Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne go shopping at Pee-wee's "department store" where they decide to buy Chairry!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  11. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 4 - Pee-wee Catches a Cold
    8.1/10(46 votes)

    #11 - Pee-wee Catches a Cold

    S2:E4

    Today the secret word is "out," but Pee-wee is stuck in when he overdoes it and comes down with a cold! It's lovely Nurse Yvonne and ultra-health conscious Ricardo to the rescue with some good advice and chicken soup for their sick and cranky friend. In no time, Pee-wee's back to his old self again to join in the Playhouse fun.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 1 - Ice Cream Soup
    8.0/10(153 votes)

    #12 - Ice Cream Soup

    S1:E1

    In this very first Playhouse episode, Pee Wee's friends, including Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne, are introduced when they come over to swim in the pool. Captain Carl would be there too... if he weren't lost! When he calls in a mayday, it takes Conky and Globey to locate him and guide him to the delicious Sandwich Islands. Speaking of delicious, Pee Wee makes Ice cream Soup for the gang when rain drives them back through the Playhouse ""door"".

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  13. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 2 - Luau For Two
    8.0/10(90 votes)

    #13 - Luau For Two

    S1:E2

    It's no secret that today's secret word is ""fun,"" 'cause Pee Wee just won a dinner for two at a Hawaiian restaurant! The question is -- who's he gonna take? The whole gang, including Captain Carl and Miss Yvonne, ""lei""s on the guilt for poor Pee Wee. Even Cowntess the cow has bought a new Moo-Moo! What's Pee Wee to do? Throw his own wild luau, that's what -- and invite the entire Playhouse!

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  14. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 2 - Puppy In the Playhouse
    8.0/10(47 votes)

    #14 - Puppy In the Playhouse

    S2:E2

    Cowntess, just back from a world cruise, is showing some of her home movies from the trip. Globey teaches Pee-wee how to say "hello, my name is Pee-wee" in French and Chinese! When a lost puppy appears at the Playhouse door, no one can figure out who the owner is. Pee-wee develops a strong case of puppy love and decides to keep him and name him Aloysius. However, Reba comes "over," and it's obvious just whose dog it is.

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  15. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 10 - Pajama Party
    8.0/10(52 votes)

    #15 - Pajama Party

    S2:E10

    Guess who's having a pajama-party sleepover? That's right, it's Pee-wee along with his co-hostess, "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland," Miss Yvonne! Jambi's got a head for pajama fashion when he gives Cowboy Curtis a Wild-West pair of P.J.s! Wacky Roger, the Monster, keeps an eye on things as Pee-wee decides that, since he loves his fruit salad so much, he's going to marry it! "Watch" for the secret word!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  16. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 4 Episode 4 - Sick? Did Somebody Say Sick?
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #16 - Sick? Did Somebody Say Sick?

    S4:E4

    Randy's got the whole Playhouse barking at the word "go" - today's secret word. However, Pee-wee has bigger concerns. Jambi is sick, so Pee-wee has to call a genie-ologist! It's Dr. Jinga-Janga to the rescue, but he's got a wacky bedside manner that may just be worse than Jambi's disease - Mecca Lecca Hi Mecca Heinyitis!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:Max Robert

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  17. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 3 - Front Page Pee-wee
    8.0/10(32 votes)

    #17 - Front Page Pee-wee

    S5:E3

    Pee-wee's revving up the presses to print the Playhouse's first newspaper! The Playhouse crew starts researching their articles with the five "W's" and "H": who, what, when, where, why, and "how." When Pee-wee puts the paper to bed, and then goes to bed himself, sneaky Randy changes everyone's stories to lies! How will the Playhouse pals live it down?

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Doug Cox, John Moody

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  18. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 5 - Playhouse Day
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #18 - Playhouse Day

    S5:E5

    Because Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and Cowntess all have to work, Pee-wee and the Playhouse crew create a special holiday: "Playhouse Day!" To celebrate, they decorate a tree, the Playhouse, and even the King of Cartoons! When they find out it's an official holiday, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, and the Cowntess take the day off. After all, it is the fun "thing" to do!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writer:Rob Bragin

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  19. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 6 - Accidental Playhouse
    8.0/10(29 votes)

    #19 - Accidental Playhouse

    S5:E6

    Mrs. Rene stops by to give Pee-wee a letter from a faraway "place" - Japan! It's from Oki Doki, a young Japanese man who soon appears at the Playhouse door. By introducing Pee-wee to sushi, origami, and Gamara, Oki proves that he has a lot to share about his homeland, and Pee-wee has a lot to learn!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Doug Cox, John Moody

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  20. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 6 - Beauty Makeover
    7.9/10(54 votes)

    #20 - Beauty Makeover

    S1:E6

    Miss Yvonne is willing to give a beauty makeover to the next person who steps into the playhouse, and it ends up being Mrs. Steve! Then, the Cowntess has a tea party. You'll have the "time" of your life!

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  21. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 7 - Restaurant
    7.9/10(54 votes)

    #21 - Restaurant

    S1:E7

    Pee-wee is the maitre d', waiter and cashier while playing restaurant. Customer Captain Carl orders everything on the menu only to learn that all they have are peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches! Also, Dixie is having a particularly bad "day."

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  22. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 1 Episode 8 - Ants In Your Pants
    7.9/10(59 votes)

    #22 - Ants In Your Pants

    S1:E8

    The ants are loose, the ants are loose! While Pee Wee is playing house with Miss Yvonne and the Playhouse Gang, the ants sneak out of their farm, go marching into the Dinosaur Family's home, steal a cake and get all over everybody and everything. ""What"" will Pee Wee do? The 'Ants In Your Pants Dance!

    Director:Stephen R. Johnson
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, John Paragon, Paul Reubens, Michael Varhol

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  23. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 5 - Why Wasn't I Invited?
    7.9/10(43 votes)

    #23 - Why Wasn't I Invited?

    S2:E5

    Nothing bugs Pee-wee's flowers more than having a caterpillar in their flower box until Magic Screen shows how a caterpillar can turn itself into a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar's not the only uninvited creature around when Cowntess has a birthday party and invites practically "all" of Puppetland except Pee-wee! Is she mad at him or just being moody?

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  24. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 2 Episode 6 - Tons of Fun
    7.9/10(44 votes)

    #24 - Tons of Fun

    S2:E6

    Today, Pee-wee gives everybody "That Certain Feeling" by lip-synching to one of his old records. Later, while Pee-wee is out with the Playhouse Gang, Cowboy Curtis comes over and sings to the flowers, and Miss Yvonne does a wild clog dance. Tensions mount when the gang ends up with two "cool" ice cream desserts, and they have to choose which to eat. Of course, they could just eat them both!

    Directors:Wayne Orr, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Max Robert, George McGrath, Paul Reubens

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  25. Pee-wee's Playhouse Season 5 Episode 2 - Mystery
    7.9/10(43 votes)

    #25 - Mystery

    S5:E2

    Everyone better start looking "around" because some of Pee-Wee's favorite possessions are missing! When Miss Yvonne offers to take his suits to the cleaners, Pee-Wee can't find them. Soon, he discovers that his spoon, cereal bowl, and even his connect-the-dots are gone! When the culprit is revealed, Pee-Wee discovers more than just his treasured possessions; he discovers a new friend and a valuable lesson about being yourself!

    Directors:John Paragon, Paul Reubens
    Writers:Roger S.H. Schulman, David Steven Cohen

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Best Episodes Summary

"Camping Out" is the best rated episode of "Pee-wee's Playhouse". It scored 8.5/10 based on 38 votes. Directed by John Paragon, Paul Reubens and written by John Paragon, it aired on 11/3/1990. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Playhouse In Outer Space".