Overview of Ep 260: Pete Holmes
This episode of the Sam Morril & Mark Normand podcast features comedian Pete Holmes. The conversation ranges widely — from onstage medical emergencies and crowd-work techniques to meeting comedy heroes (Jerry Seinfeld), the craft of joke delivery, differences between the New York and L.A. comedy scenes, health trends (cold plunges, carnivore diets), viral clips vs. club work, and Pete’s upcoming shows and special taping plans. The hosts trade stories, riffs, and concrete advice about building material and being a working comedian.
Topics covered
- Onstage emergencies and crowd reactions (audience member collapse, wheelchairs, strokes)
- Crowd work: when to use it, why it helps a set, and examples of awkward encounters
- Meeting and interacting with big-name comics (Jerry Seinfeld, Donald Glover, Conan references)
- Comedic craft: delivery, tone, keeping bits that “feel” right even if they don’t immediately land in clubs
- The difference between New York and L.A. comedy cultures and the loss of nightly camaraderie
- How viral clips change careers (pros/cons of getting big from a clip)
- Health and lifestyle tangents: cold plunges, carnivore diet, strokes
- A frank, sometimes darkly comedic discussion about edgy topics (porn consumption trends by state, sensitive joke topics and when comedians cut material)
- Tour plans, special taping (Tampa), and Pete’s recurring monthly Largo shows
- Sponsors readouts and promo codes
Notable anecdotes & moments
- Woman collapsed in the front row: Pete recounts a recent set where a woman in the front row fell; crowd and strangers produced a wheelchair quickly — a moment that stopped the show and highlighted how messy and real live performance can be.
- Audience member having a stroke: Pete shares another true incident where a person had a stroke mid-show; the experience underscored how comics sometimes have to improvise and deal with serious moments while onstage.
- Meeting Jerry Seinfeld: Pete tells multiple awkward/funny first encounters with Seinfeld (including a “master of your domain” moment at the Creek) and how early missteps eventually led to Jerry being supportive and showing up for Pete’s Town Hall run.
- “Bits that don’t work in clubs but belong on the special”: Pete explains how some material that didn’t kill in clubs (e.g., the “trumpet” bit) nevertheless became signature material on recordings and specials — a rationale for keeping and trusting certain jokes.
- “Fun dad” label from Mulaney: Pete recounts being told his energy is like a “fun dad,” which he turned into an onstage persona.
- Turning down an intimate offer in Toronto: an anecdote Pete used to illustrate tone, timing, and what makes a story funny beyond the salacious detail.
- Conversations about craft: long-running discussion about tone and delivery (Louie, Burr, Jeselnik examples), and the value of vulnerability in comedy.
Key takeaways about comedy & performance
- Delivery matters as much as (or more than) the line. The same punchline can fail or soar depending on tone and timing.
- Crowd work doesn’t have to dominate a set, but anchoring to audience moments can help bridge and enliven material.
- Keep material you believe in even if it doesn’t initially land in clubs — specials and different audiences can make it connect later.
- Viral clips are powerful career accelerants but can cause people to "get big" before they’re ready; there are trade-offs between club-culture apprenticeship and online success.
- Comedy culture used to be more communal (NY cellar nights, alt scene). The internet fragmented that but also created new paths.
- Don’t “pick up” either praise or venom: stay centered — a recurring practical philosophy for handling fame or criticism.
- Being on the road and performing regularly is still the main way comics refine material and read rooms; different rooms (theaters vs. clubs) demand different approaches.
Notable lines / short quotes
- On trusting a joke that initially flops in clubs: “Do them on your special.”
- On handling praise/criticism: paraphrase of Maya Angelou/Chappelle advice — don’t pick it up, don’t lay it down.
- On delivery: “If I’m not feeling it, I can’t hit the note.” (the idea that vibe/emotional truth fuels the laugh)
Practical info — Pete Holmes (tour, shows, podcasts)
- Website: peteholmes.com — follow for tour dates and updates.
- Monthly Largo show in L.A. (Pete says he runs a monthly show at Largo).
- Highlights he mentions:
- Carnegie Hall — December 4 (he’s excited and tweaking material)
- Omaha (Funny Bone) — Jan 8–10
- Tampa — special taping scheduled for February 27 (tickets/onsale timing noted)
- Various clubs mentioned across the U.S. (Milwaukee, Brea, San Francisco, Denver, Buffalo, Portland, Kansas City, Des Moines, Indianapolis Helium, etc.)
- Pete’s podcast is still active (hosts invited Sam to appear).
Sponsors & promo codes (from episode)
- Manscaped — code: WMBD (15% off at Manscaped.com)
- Lucy (nicotine pouches) — lucy.co, code: drunk (20% off)
- Mint Mobile — mintmobile.com/wmbd (promotional unlimited plan offers)
- Ridge Wallet — ridge.com/drunk (Black Friday sale up to 47% off)
(These were sponsor reads in the episode; verify codes/links before using.)
Final summary
This episode is a wide-ranging, conversational deep-dive into the life of a touring comic: the unpredictable realities of live shows (medical emergencies, audience dynamics), the craft of writing and delivery, maintaining authenticity amid viral culture, and the benefits of a comedy community. Pete mixes personal anecdotes and concrete craft observations, illustrating why comedians keep working noisy club rooms while also embracing the reach of recorded specials and online clips. If you want to understand how a working comic balances club-tested material, special-ready jokes, and the messy human side of performing, this episode is informative and entertaining.