I watched it too, and while I agree that one could definately come (AAAAAHHH!) away from it with that impression, I have a different take:

That was Paul do his level best (he's an actor, remember) to save his career by publicly and unequivocally allaying any fears people have of him being a pedophile or pervert.

It was an absolutely necessary move, and one in which it was crucial that he appear normal, measured, and UTTERLY CLEAR that:

- He IS NOT a pedophile (nor does he collect kiddie porn)

- He regrets both incidents deeply

- He NEVER indecently exposed himself

He was wise (or well-advised, or both) to not appear even slightly flip or cavalier about these suspicions/allegations. There's a large number of people who would be very ready to write him off as a sicko, and who aren't inclined (or necessarily even able) to parse irony, sarcasm or the all-too-subtle (to them) differences between historical erotic ephemera and kiddie porn. I think that if he'd tried to defend himself in that way, he'd have probably only succeeded in convincing people that he's.... well, weird. And most likely dangerous.

And with that, so would disappear any chance of a continued Hollywood career. (2 new movies in the works, supposedly! The future of which was likely saved due to this quick and decisive interview.)

This is how the Hollywood game is played. As such, I don't take his seriousness or flat denials of his sexual (mis?)adventures as an accurate reflection of his true personality. Indeed, I suspect that Mr. Paul Reubens is, like us, a sensitive, creative freak, full of dualities, contradictions, desires and hypocrisies, all bubbling around in a confusing stew, from which he occasionally ladles out a dollop of that strange substance we call "art".

Did he rock out with his cock out when he was 40? Oh yeah.

Is he, at 50 something, smart enough to know that he has to deny it? Yessiree Wee!

What then, does he likely think of PRD? I have no doubt that - privately - he's deeply amused by and supportive of it.

Just my $0.02,

- (s)Punk Wee (AKA Slim)

Seriously. I think he'd be really offended by everyone projecting their sexuality onto him and Pee Wee. Pee Wee is innocent and naive, looking up girl's skirts with mirror shoes, not running around waving his dick at people. I thought the message was that it should be okay for Paul Reubens to masturbate in a porno theater and that he shouldn't be shamed and that people should still love Pee Wee in spite of it. NOT that Pee Wee and Paul are one in the same and that they are both big time obnoxious perverts who can't stop beating off in public and that they would somehow approve of the porn being shown along side clips from the playhouse.

After being at the afterparty for a while, I genuinely felt bad that he called in. At least said he "really didn't know what to think." I know everyone's heart is in the right place, and I'm sure that's why he was willing to give the benefit of the doubt. But that's also what makes it feel so exploitive.