Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 162. Pete Holmes Returns: Comedy That’s Clean, Dirty, or PG-13
27 snips
Mar 3, 2025 
Pete Holmes, a comedian and podcaster renowned for "You Made It Weird," joins Mike for a lively discussion. They punch up jokes before Mike's show, diving deep into the nuances of clean versus edgy comedy. A playful debate on puns unfolds, alongside reflections on the legacy of influential comics. Pete hilariously psychoanalyzes Massachusetts while Mike shares memories of opening for Tracy Morgan. Their candid banter blends personal anecdotes with cultural critiques, making for a delightful exploration of humor's many forms.
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Cursing in Comedy
- Many comedic trailblazers use cursing, leading other comedians to emulate them.
- However, cursing doesn't inherently make a comedian funny; many who curse are still bad.
Clean Comedy Examples
- Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze, Jerry Seinfeld, and Ryan Hamilton are considered archetypal clean comedians.
- Pete Holmes believes they wouldn't tell his Hitler's dad joke, despite it not containing any explicit language.
Unintentional Clean Comedy
- Mike Birbiglia's latest special, unintentionally clean, receives praise for its cleanliness.
- He discusses topics like masturbation, porn, and his dad's stroke, not typically considered "clean."