Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure had more of an impact on my sense of humor than I usually remember. My go-to’s for what movies best describe my sense of humor are usually Airplane! or The Naked Gun… very rarely do I stop and think about how much of my personality was derived from a man-child crossing the country to find his stolen bike.
It’s one of those movies that, when watching it again, you realize how much you’ve taken from it. Travis mentions in this episode a few times about how a specific gag in Big Holiday reminded him of me. My wife, Chelsea, while watching the movie said a few times, “that’s like something you would do.”
As a kid, I was all about Pee-Wee; so much so that my aunts, uncles and grandparents still comment on how often I’d do the Pee-Wee Herman dance or tried to talk like him. It brings up a thought I have: was I going to be weird already or did those movies and shows actually have a lasting impact on my personality? I don’t think there’s a definitive way to find the answer, none more definitive than which is the stronger force: nature vs. nurture.
I was sincerely hesitant to watch Big Holiday I’m not entirely sure why. If the movie was awful, would that somehow reflect on me? Would I be embarrassed for having that cultural reference imbued in my personality? Maybe I’m digging too deep into this… besides, it doesn’t matter too much, the movie was pretty good. Different from what I’m used to, but familiar. Just like my aunts and uncles still think I’m an older, different, version of that Pee-Wee dancing kid from yesterday.
I’m definitely going to use that balloon gag though…