The late Paul Reubens was a comedy icon thanks to his alter ego, Pee-wee Herman, but he never landed a spot with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
Now the surprising reason has been explained in a new book.
According to Love Johnny Carson by Mark Malkoff, the Pee-wee’s Playhouse creator was never invited during Carson’s tenure because of his commitment to staying in his child-like character, which he did for all interviews.
“Carson wouldn’t put on guests that were ‘in character’ if he thought the home audience might be confused if they were real or not,” Malkoff explains in the book, per Page Six.
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Reubens wasn’t alone — comedians like Gilbert Gottfried and Bobcat Goldthwait were also passed over for similar reasons. Carson only bent the rules when it was obvious the act was a joke and “put on,” making exceptions for performers like Bob Einstein‘s Super Dave Osborne and Don Novello‘s Father Guido Sarducci.
Although Reubens missed out on Carson’s couch, he did make a memorable appearance in 1985 when Joan Rivers filled in as guest host.
Two years later, the Pee-wee’s Big Adventure star became the very first guest on Rivers’ own late-night show, proving his quirky humor resonated with a younger crowd. He died in 2023 at 70.
Carson hosted The Tonight show from 1962 to 1992 and died at 79 in 2005.
This story Paul Reubens Was Banned From The Tonight Show By Johnny Carson For One Reason first appeared on Closer Weekly. Add Closer Weekly as a Preferred Source by clicking here.