10 Craziest Christmas Moments In TV History

3. Christmas At Pee-Wee's Playhouse

It's difficult to imagine just what a big star Pee-Wee Herman was back in the Eighties. These days he's regarded as a cult figure, with creator Paul Reubens heading to Netflix with a new adventure for the bow-tied, bicycle-obsessed manchild, now in his sixties.

Spool back the years to Pee-Wee's Playhouse and its festive episode and you get some idea of Reubens' powers of persuasion, as well as an insight into his loopy view of the world. Cher, Little Richard, Magic Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Frankie Avalon... they were all queuing up to take part in his Saturday morning kids' show.

With such a feast of the frenetic and fantastical it's tough to choose one moment. Yet I'd say a performance of Little Drummer Boy by no less a diva than Grace Jones was as close to the top as anything.

Contributor
Contributor

I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.