It was a place where everyone was welcome: “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” This magical fever dream of a show impacted an entire generation of people. It also made such a big star of its creator, Paul Reubens, that when Reubens was arrested after being targeted by Florida police, his reputation had a far way to fall. Joining Tess to talk though the genius of Paul Reubens and the tragedy of his media bludgeoning, is comic and performance artist Erin Lampart (@thatssolampy)

Watch “Pee-Wee As Himself” 

Read “Pee-Wee Herman, Paul Reubens, and Sarasota” in Sarasota Magazine 

Read “In 1990, Sarasota Waged War on Thongs, Leading to Outrage, Protests and National Media Attention” in Sarasota Magazine

Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod 

Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. 

Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.

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Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods. 

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