At the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards Reubens made his first appearance after the arrest . Taking the stage in costume as Pee-wee , he asked the audience , " Heard any good jokes lately ? " and received a standing ovation . Reubens responded with , " Ha , that 's so funny I forgot to laugh ! " Pee-wee appeared once more in 1992 , when he participated in a Grand Ole Opry tribute to Minnie Pearl . Reubens then avoided interviews and according to a 1991 '' Rolling Stone '' article had indeed become weary of the character and wanted to explore new territory
1991 MTV Video Music Awards
1991 MTV Video Music Awards
Pee-wee Herman