Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Inspiration: Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special

I was going through some boxes recently and discovered a completely new, shrink-wrapped copy of Pee-Wee's Playouse Christmas Special. How did such a treasure get packed away?! Because, readers, it is indeed a treasure. This 1988 gem is everything we love about the playhouse, plus a stellar list of guest stars. It has Cher! Little Richard! Oprah Winfrey!

Costumes will be of upmost important to readers of this blog, I suspect. Let's take a look at the best of the best.

Annette Funicello appears wearing a '50s themed outfit, complete with felt circle skirt appliqued with a Christmas tree.


This special also introduced me to the wonders of the Del Rubio Triplets, whose "dulcet tones" are accompanied by mini-skirted (emphasis on the mini) ensembles.


Charo sparkles in a sequined beret and leotard-thing. She does "Feliz Navidad" ("Hit it, Konky!") while Pee-Wee stumbles about trying to hit the piƱata.


In my eyes, no one can outshine Miss Yvonne, the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland (and I've written about my love for her style before). And boy, does she outdo herself in the costume department.


In fact, my own holiday dress was inspired by her this year: strapless, red velvet, with greenery accessories!

There are a few misses, costume-wise, in the Pee-Wee special. Grace Jones wears . . . this.


K.D. Lang is an all-around disaster, in a self-consciously extra wacky version of Jingle Bell Rock. I would normally approve of a snowflake applique western shirtdress, but hers is so unflattering. Fast forward, readers!


All in all, however, this Christmas special is a treat! It's now taken up permanent residence next to my DVD player to be enjoyed any time of year. Watch it now to start planning your ensemble for next year, or just to squeeze in some last minute holiday cheer before New Year's.



13 comments:

  1. I have to disagree with your assessment on Grace Jones. That is absolutely HER and I love her. She is my favorite "No F*cks Given" fashion lady.

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    1. Fair enough! It's very her, it just felt out of place on this show. Charo was still very much herself, and felt like part of the cast. Ah well, to each her own!

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    2. ha, me too, my reaction was BUT GRACE CAN DO NO WRONG. maybe if she'd gone with a green skirt and red molded torso. because nothing says christmas like a red molded torso.

      gretchen, your christmas dress is fabulous. so much frigging fun.

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    3. i remember seeing this when it first came out and i questioned Grace's costume choice myself. but her performance of Little Drummer Boy in that dress just rocked! and of course, it was classic Grace.

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  2. My siblings and I still watch this special almost every year! My husband thinks it's crazy, but we love it. I always kind of like Grace Jones' weird outfit, but I totally agree on KD Lang's. It's the worst! :)

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    1. I confess, I, too, love what Ms. Jones wears here. Sure, I wouldn't wear it, but I still think it's fabulous! :)

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  3. I just shared this with Lynne Stewart!

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  4. Thank you Melissa and Gertie!.What a honor "Miss Yvonne"

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    1. Gertie you look beautiful in the dress! Happy New Year <3 Lynne Stewart

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  5. I think KD was still trying to find her way, style wise! We all have those years, unfortunately she has hers immortalised on film. I adore Annette and those triplets, wowsers.....if ya got it baby flaunt it!

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  6. I'm not familiar with Peewee but in the photo with Grace Jones he looks like Data from Star Trek!

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  7. Oh man!! I loved PeeWee's Playhouse growing up. and I remember meeting the Del Rubio triplets in the early nineties (or was it late 80s). Wow, good find!

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  8. Oh man!! I loved PeeWee's Playhouse growing up. and I remember meeting the Del Rubio triplets in the early nineties (or was it late 80s). Wow, good find!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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