+
upworthy
Pop Culture

Pee-Wee Herman creator Paul Reubens passes away at 70. He left a final 'apology' to fans.

He secretly battled cancer for years.

Paul Reubens, Pwee-Wee Herman, Pee-Wee's last words

Paul Reubens, creator of the iconic Pee-Wee Herman character, has passed away at 70.

Actor Paul Reubens, best known for creating the iconic character of Pee-Wee Herman, died on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70. His death shocked many as he kept his six-year battle with cancer a secret.

Pee-Wee Herman ranks among television and film history's most popular and imaginative children’s characters. In a world where many of Hollywood’s ideas are recycled, the Pee-Wee character was unlike any that came before or after.

He had the signature look of a red bow tie, drainpipe pants and a flat-top hairdo. He was part man, part child, and he lived a life of pure whimsy and kindness. But, occasionally, when driven to anger, he could become maniacal, like a kid throwing a tantrum. As we learned in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” never mess with Pee-Wee’s bike.


Entertainment Weekly perfectly summed up the character’s uniqueness and wide appeal.

“...he was more than a kid-show host, or a pop-culture oddity, or a tongue-in-cheek, time-warped fusion of Pinky Lee and the bratty kid next door. He was all of these at once. Anarchic, creative, obnoxious, and liberating, Pee-wee appealed to all sorts: to kids and to parents; to mainstream stars like David Letterman, and to maverick artists like Batman director Tim Burton and Playhouse designer Gary Panter. Pee-wee struck a chord with any perplexed soul who has ever echoed his famous cry, ‘I know you are, but what am I?’”


Reubens left a final note to fans that was shared on Instagram.

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

The Pee-Wee Herman character began as the star of a show for adults that played at midnight at the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles in 1981 and later became an HBO special. In the character's first full-length theatrical film, 1985's “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton, Reubens played a kid-friendly version of the character. The surprise hit film would lead to a sequel, “Big Top Pee-Wee” (1988), and a critically acclaimed children’s TV show, “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” which ran from 1986 to 1990.

“Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” earned 22 Emmy awards during that run, with Reubens being nominated for 14.

After an incident at a Sarasota, Florida, adult theater on Friday, July 26, 1991, Reuben’s image as a children’s TV host was tarnished, and CBS pulled all reruns of “Pee-Wee's Playhouse.” However, public opinion was decidedly pro-Reubens, with surveys showing that 9 out of 10 Americans supported him in the scandal.

Reubens reappeared as Pee-Wee at the MTV Movie Awards later that year, where he bravely poked fun at the controversy.


The scandal led Reubens to reinvent himself as a character actor, and he had scene-stealing roles in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Blow, “ Batman Returns,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “30 Rock.”

He revived the Pee-Wee character for a successful Broadway run in 2010 and a final film, “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday,” for Netflix in 2016. “Big Holiday” was a success with critics and fans, earning an 80% rating on “Rotten Tomatoes.”

Before his death, Reubens was putting the finishing touches on two new Pee-Wee scripts.

“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose beloved character Pee-Wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” his reps wrote on Instagram. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”

Sponsored

O Organics’ delicious, easy-to-cook homestyle spaghetti recipe helps feed America’s hungry

O Organics is donating a meal for every product purchased at Albertsons stores, up to 28 million meals.

Mei and Kyong and a delicious plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

True

When most people think about Korean cooking, they probably imagine the enticing aroma, colors, and flavors of a plate filled with kimchi and bulgogi or a hot bowl of bibimbap. But when cooking influencer Kyong reflects upon his childhood, he has fond memories of his Korean mother cooking him a delicious and easy-to-prepare spaghetti and meatballs recipe.

"My parents were busy running their dry-cleaning business and couldn't call off work or take long breaks like a traditional 9 to 5 job, so there wasn't a lot of time to cook,” he recalled. “So, my mom learned how to make quick-and-easy meals, and her spaghetti and meatballs were my favorites.”

Is there any better example of the American melting pot than a hard-working Korean mother cooking an Italian staple for her family?

Keep ReadingShow less
Pop Culture

Woman who lives on a cruise ship for free shares the 4 things she can’t do

Living on a ship isn’t perfect. It’s just close to perfect.

A beautiful ocean liner

Upworthy has covered a few stories about people who decided to live permanently on cruise ships because it's cheaper than living on land or in a nursing home. These stories have connected with millions because they say a lot about the modern cost of living but are also aspirational.

Christine Kesteloo has become popular on TikTok with over 680,000 followers because she shares what living on a cruise ship is really like. Kesteloo is the wife of the ship’s Staff Chief Engineer, so she gets to live on the boat for free. She only has to pay for alcohol and soda, which she gets for half off.

“I live on a cruise ship for half the year with my husband, and it's often as glamorous as it sounds,” she told Insider. “After all, I don't cook, clean, make my bed, do laundry or pay for food.“

Keep ReadingShow less
Albertsons

No child should have to worry about getting enough food to thrive.

True

When you’re a kid, summer means enjoying the fun of the season—plentiful sunshine, free time with friends, splashing in pools and sprinklers. But not every child’s summer is as carefree as it should be.

For some, summer means going hungry. According to Feeding America, food insecurity affects 1 in 8 children in the U.S., largely because families lose the free or reduced-price meals at school that help keep them fed during the school year.

But back-to-school time doesn’t make food insecurity disappear, either. Hunger is a year-round issue, and with the increased cost of groceries, it’s gotten harder for families who were already struggling to put food on the table.

So what can be done—or more specifically, what can the average person do—to help?

The good news is that one simple choice at the grocery store can help ease the burden a bit for those experiencing food insecurity. And the even better news is that it’s also a healthy choice for ourselves, our families and our planet. When we’re out on our regular shopping trips, we can simply look for the O Organics versions of things we would already buy.

But wait—aren’t we all feeling the pinch at the checkout stand? And isn’t organic food expensive? Here’s the thing: Organic food is often much more affordable than you might think. The cost difference between organic and non-organic products keeps narrowing, and many organic and non-organic foods are now almost identical in price. Sometimes you’ll even find that an organic product is actually cheaper than its brand-name non-organic counterpart.

Since 2005, O Organics has helped give health-conscious shoppers more options by making organic food more accessible and affordable. And now, it’s helping those same shoppers take action to fight food insecurity. For every O Organics product you purchase, the company will donate a meal to someone in need through the Albertsons Companies Foundation—for up to a total of 28 million meals.

Look for the O Organics label in every aisle.O Organics

Here’s what that means in real-world terms:

Say you’re throwing an end-of-summer backyard BBQ bash. If you were to buy O Organics ground beef, hamburger buns, ketchup and sea salt potato chips, you’d be donating four meals just by buying those four ingredients. If you added O Organics butter lettuce and O Organics sandwich slice pickles, you’d be donating two more meals, and so on.

And where are those meals going? Albertsons Companies Foundation works with a network of national and local charities fighting hunger, and regional divisions choose organizations to fund locally. So every O Organics product you purchase means a meal on the table for someone in your area who might not otherwise have the nourishment they need.

No kid should have to worry about getting enough food to thrive. We all make conscious choices each time we walk down a grocery store aisle, and by choosing

O Organics, we can make a difference in a child’s life while also making healthy choices for ourselves and our families. It’s truly a win-win.
Image pulled from YouTube video.

An art piece created by Phil Hansen.

When Phil was in art school, he developed a shake in the worst possible place: his hand.

He thought it meant the destruction of his dream to become an artist, so he left art school and quit art altogether.

When visiting a neurologist years later, Phil learned that the shake was the result of permanent nerve damage and could not be corrected. He was right to have given up. Or so he thought. But the doctor had a different outlook on what that prognosis meant for Phil's art. He said the seven words that Phil will never forget: "Why don't you just embrace the shake?"

Keep ReadingShow less

Though we're all part of the same species living on the same planet, our experience as humans walking through this world can differ widely. Children see things through a different lens than adults. Women and men have different perspectives on certain issues. And because racism has long been an active element in our society, people with varying amounts of melanin in their skin face specific challenges that others don't.

Keep ReadingShow less
Canva

A total mind expanding experience is a click away.

I found a hidden gem on the Internet this week: NPR has a Soundcloud set of "binaural soundscapes." Strap on your headphones — it's going to be a surreal ride.Important note: If you have hearing loss, this may not work well for you.

Maybe you don't know what a binaural recording is.

Basically, the deal is, you have two ears.

They are the width of your head apart. And there's a big lumpy meatball in the middle. So your ears hear different things. Then your brain processes these two distinct streams of information and uses them to position stuff in space. Standard stereo recording often uses a couple of mics, but it's not trying to position them in a way that mimics your ears.

Keep ReadingShow less

Is painful sex affecting your relationships? Rediscover comfort with this dilator.

The Milli Vaginal Dilator provides a revolutionary approach to addressing painful sex associated with vaginismus.

Painful sex, or dyspareunia, is an uncomfortable reality for many women, and its ripples are felt beyond the bedroom. It permeates every aspect of a relationship, fostering feelings of inadequacy and stress, and can affect overall mental well-being. The common culprit? Vaginismus. It’s a condition characterized by involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles during attempted penetration. This discomfort can transform what should be intimate and enjoyable experiences into moments fraught with anxiety and fear. Luckily, there’s the Milli Vaginal Dilator, an innovative tool designed to help you reclaim control over your sexual health and relationships.


Comes In A Discreet Case
Milli Vaginal Dilator
Milli Vaginal Dilator
$24.00 at Milli


This tool is a potential game changer for individuals affected by vaginismus. Milli’s unique design and features provide a user-controlled, millimeter-by-millimeter expansion, paving the way for a comfortable, tailored approach to dilation therapy. Unlike traditional dilators, Milli remains inserted in the vagina during use, allowing you to avoid the discomfort of reinsertion while also enabling you to track your progress effectively.

The Milli Vaginal Dilatoror isn't just a medical device – it’s a revolutionary approach to combating the often hidden challenges of painful sex. Milli delivers a personalized solution to address vaginismus, allowing for gradual expansion at a pace that suits your needs, helping you to regain comfort, confidence, and control gradually. With Milli, you can redefine your sexual health journey on your terms.

Understanding Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles inside the vagina involuntarily tighten or spasm, making penetration, whether for sex, tampon insertion, or gynecological exams, uncomfortable or even impossible. This distressing cycle of anticipation, tightening, pain, and avoidance sets vaginismus apart from other sexual health conditions. And while it may seem like a purely physical problem, it's also interwoven with emotional and psychological aspects.

The ripple effects of vaginismus extend beyond the physical discomfort. It can be a source of emotional turmoil, creating frustration, inadequacy, and shame. It can strain relationships, dampen intimacy, and even lead to avoidance of sexual interactions altogether. But remember, it's not just about sex. The consequences of vaginismus can seep into a person's overall mental health, potentially leading to anxiety and depression.

In response to vaginismus, traditional treatment protocols have typically involved physical therapy, relaxation exercises, psychotherapy, and the use of vaginal dilators. These solutions aim to help individuals gradually accustom the body to penetration, reduce the fear and anxiety associated with it, and break the cycle of pain. However, not all dilators are created equal, and finding the right one that respects your comfort and pace is crucial. And that's where Milli steps in.

Introducing the Milli Vaginal Dilator

Enter the Milli Vaginal Dilator, a groundbreaking approach to addressing vaginismus. Uniquely designed with the user's comfort in mind, this expanding dilator takes the dread out of dilation therapy. Imagine a smooth silicone device, starting at a comfortable 15mm (just over a 1/2″), that can gradually expand at your control without the need for removal or reinsertion. Milli doesn't stop at that — it also offers an optional built-in vibration feature for enhanced comfort.


Comes In A Discreet Case
Milli Vaginal Dilator
Milli Vaginal Dilator
$24.00 at Milli


The user-controlled, millimeter-by-millimeter expansion is just one of the many benefits Milli brings to the table. Its design eliminates the intimidating jumps in size that static dilators often present. This allows for a less stressful, more comfortable journey towards overcoming vaginismus. Additionally, Milli's all-in-one device discreetly fits into your life, letting you maintain your dilation therapy as private as you want it to be. The added convenience of a discreet charging case only sweetens the deal.

While various vaginal dilators are already available, not all have undergone the rigorous process with the FDA to ensure their safety and effectiveness. But the Milli is the only dilator cleared by the FDA that's available directly to consumers over the counter. This FDA clearance serves as a testament to Milli's commitment to providing a safe, effective solution to those grappling with vaginismus.

How the Milli Vaginal Dilator Works

Simply put, the Milli employs a tried-and-tested method with a revolutionary twist. The device works by gradually expanding, stretching, and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles — the same concept traditional dilators use, but with the crucial addition of user control. With Milli, you are in the driver's seat, adjusting the expansion one millimeter at a time at a pace that feels right for you. This control minimizes discomfort and reduces the anxiety associated with sudden size increases.

While every person's experience with vaginismus is unique, which means results can vary, the overall impact of using Milli can be transformative. Users can expect to see a reduction in the pain associated with vaginal penetration and an improvement in their ability to engage in sexual activity. It's more than just physical — Milli can also bring significant psychological relief by breaking the cycle of fear and anxiety associated with sexual intercourse.

Take Control Of Your Sexual Health

In a world where vaginismus can often make sex an ordeal rather than a joy, the Milli Vaginal Dilator stands out as a beacon of hope. With its revolutionary features, like gradual millimeter-by-millimeter expansion and built-in vibration, Milli brings a fresh approach to managing this condition. Its FDA clearance is further testimony to its safety and effectiveness. But the real magic lies in its potential to transform sexual health, easing the pain of penetration and reclaiming the joy of intimacy.


Comes In A Discreet Case
Milli Vaginal Dilator
Milli Vaginal Dilator
$24.00 at Milli


If you're living with vaginismus, or you know someone who is, consider what the Milli Vaginal Dilator has to offer. It doesn't promise a quick fix — it provides a tool for gradual, controlled, and comfortable progress, giving you the power to take back control of your sexual health journey. Don't let vaginismus define your sex life. Click here to take the first step to rediscover comfort and pleasure today.

Canva

“Sometimes, you need to change perspectives in order to gain new insights!”

“Sometimes, you need to change perspectives in order to gain new insights!” is not exactly a sentence one might expect to hear from a corporate exec, but it is a philosophy that led Jens Ritter, CEO of German company Lufthansa Airlines, to taking on a shift as a flight attendant.

In a post shared on LinkedIn, Ritter detailed his experience of working as additional cabin crew for a flight heading to Riyadh and Bahrain, taking care of passengers in business class.

Though Ritter’s previous career as a pilot gave him some insight into the challenges of working a flight, taking on the responsibilities of an attendant left him “astonished.”

Keep ReadingShow less