Why would Pee Wee Herman and President Reagan say "Mecka-lecka Hi Mecka-hiney Ho" or similar?
Pee-wee Herman and Jambi say "Mecka-lecka Hi Mecka-hiney Ho" in "Jambese" (first video, found in Mecka-lecka Hi Mecka-hiney Ho; Scene from The Pee-wee Herman Show (1981), and President Reagan says something similar but supposedly in Arabic in the Season 12, 1986 Saturday Night Live skit President Reagan, Mastermind (second video).
Are these normal, every day expressions in arabic, or made-up words, and especially if the latter, who has borrowed from whom?
Best Answer
Phil Hartman played Reagan in the sketch. He also appeared on, and wrote for Pee Wee's Playhouse which is the origin of the "Mecka-lecka-hi mecka-heinie-ho" phrase. It's likely that this was Phil just making a call-back or homage to his past work.
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What was the genie name in Pee-Wee Playhouse say?
Jambi is a blue-faced (later green) genie who lived in a jeweled box, first appearing in The Pee-wee Herman Show. Usually appeared once per show to grant Pee-wee a wish, often with unexpected results. Sometimes he appeared more than once per show or not at all. His catchphrases included "Wish?What is Pee-wee Herman known for?
Paul Reubens is an American actor, writer, film producer and comedian, best-known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens joined the Los Angeles troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s and started his career as an improvisational comedian and stage actor.How was Pee-wee Herman created?
Reubens and Phil Hartman, a friend and fellow Groundlings performer (who died in 1998), conceived of the character together; Pee-wee was a hit with Groundlings audiences and soon became a regular on the Late Show With David Letterman and other talk shows.More answers regarding why would Pee Wee Herman and President Reagan say "Mecka-lecka Hi Mecka-hiney Ho" or similar?
Answer 2
"Mecka-lecka-hi mecka-heinie-ho" was just a gibberish line Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman) made up. President Reagan was known to be a bit of a Pop Culture fan, and of course a former actor. He was also made fun of quite a bit by the SNL cast. In this skit, the actor (is that Phil Hartman??) is making fun of Reagan's lack of knowledge of International languages, but also referencing Pee Wee's Jambese character.
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