Pete Holmes and Bobby have a Heated Rivalry

Summary of Pete Holmes and Bobby have a Heated Rivalry

by All Things Comedy

1h 27m•February 25, 2026
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Overview of Pete Holmes and Bobby have a Heated Rivalry

This episode of the All Things Comedy podcast is a freeform, wide-ranging conversation between hosts/guests Bobby Lee and Pete Holmes (with contributions from comedian Kat/Catbird and others in-studio). The tone is loose, comedic, and improvisational — lots of riffing, impressions, and personal storytelling about comedy life, careers, family, sobriety, shows, and lifestyle choices. Interspersed are sponsor reads (Shopify, Cash App, DraftKings Casino) and recurring in-jokes (lip “borders,” Montclair jackets, Benson/Jerry Seinfeld story).

Guests & context

  • Bobby Lee — comedian, promoting his graphic novel Deadweight; celebrates four years sober during the episode; frequent TigerBelly host.
  • Pete Holmes — comedian, actor (Crashing), podcaster (You Made It Weird); discussing his recent special and touring; talks about living outside the city (Ojai), creativity, and lifestyle choices.
  • Cat/Catbird — stand-up comic who performs at Largo and the Comedy Store; appears in-studio and contributes to conversation.
  • Other participants/show contributors make cameo riffs (Andrew Santino, Judd Apatow referenced).

Main topics discussed

  • Promotions and projects
    • Bobby Lee: graphic novel Deadweight (available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, GundnerBooks.com).
    • Pete Holmes: new special released via 800 Pound Gorilla (pre-release) and upcoming tour dates; website: PeteHolmes.com.
  • Comedy life & industry anecdotes
    • Benson/Jerry Seinfeld story (anecdote about being fired and not getting the message).
    • Working with producers, performing at Largo vs. Comedy Store, touring, doing specials.
    • Dating/relationships and show material (references to Crashing / “Heated Rivalry” and sexual tension as storytelling).
  • Personal life, wellness & habits
    • Bobby’s sobriety milestone (4 years) and how friends acknowledged it.
    • Phone/screen-time habits: discussion about checking phones, charging outside the bedroom, and creative focus before screens.
    • Wellness routines mentioned: cold plunge, sauna, red light therapy, meditation.
  • Family, upbringing & cultural identity
    • Jokes and conversation about race/ethnicity, Keanu Reeves, Asian identity, and borders/appearance riffs.
    • Parenting: co-sleeping vs. sleep training; reference to the book Tribe and the evolutionary argument for small-group/social attachment.
  • Material & persona
    • Montclair jacket anecdote (buying expensive coat and feeling conflicted).
    • The balance between success-driven ambition and the desire for a quieter, less noisy life (moving out of city, retreats, Ojai).

Key moments & takeaways

  • Bobby announces/promotes his graphic novel Deadweight and emphasizes it’s a personal project with R-rated action-vibe.
  • Bobby marks four years of sobriety and shares the emotional weight of that milestone — a poignant contrast amid the comic banter.
  • Pete discusses the difficulty of watching one’s own produced TV work because of the memories tied to every shot (editing, on-set memories).
  • Practical life takeaway: trying to delay phone usage in the morning (two hours before checking) improves creativity and focus — anecdotal endorsement from Pete.
  • Parenting insight (from the “Tribe” discussion): co-sleeping can build secure attachment and may lead to confident, fearless children — framed as one approach, not a universal prescription.
  • Career humility: anecdotes about struggling and awkward showbiz moments (like being fired at a table read) underline how chaotic the industry can be.

Notable quotes / lines

  • “We live in a society.” — brief riff on mutual responsibility and invitations.
  • “If you moved to the country, I would think that was wrong.” — playful pushback on romanticizing rural retreats.
  • On phone habits: “My best time is the two hours before I look at my phone.” — practical creative advice.
  • On sobriety: Bobby marking it as his “birthday” (sobriety anniversary) — an emotionally important moment.

Sponsors & plugs (as read in the episode)

  • Shopify — promo read; the hosts use Shopify for merch. Mentioned code: shopify slash TigerBelly.
  • Cash App — promo read for Cash App Green; signup code CASHAPP10 mentioned.
  • DraftKings Casino — promo read with code TIGERBELLY; details and responsible gambling reminders included.

(If you want to support the guests: Bobby’s graphic novel Deadweight is sold via Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and GundnerBooks.com; Pete Holmes’ tour & special info at PeteHolmes.com.)

Action items / recommendations

  • For listeners:
    • Check out Bobby Lee’s graphic novel Deadweight if you’re interested in action comics (available major retailers).
    • If you’re interested in Pete’s stand-up work: visit PeteHolmes.com for tour dates and check his special on 800 Pound Gorilla (then YouTube release).
    • Consider experimenting with phone boundaries: try delaying morning phone checks for a few hours to test creative benefit.
    • If you’re a parent weighing sleep-training choices, read Tribe (the book discussed) and consult pediatric/advice resources; the episode highlights attachment arguments for co-sleeping.
  • If you liked the episode: clips include many short, sharable moments (borders-of-the-lips bit, Montclair jacket, Bobby’s sobriety mention, comedic impressions).

This episode is conversational, meandering, and best enjoyed for personality-driven comedy and candid personal moments rather than a tightly structured interview.