162. Pete Holmes Returns: Comedy That’s Clean, Dirty, or PG-13
Mar 3, 2025
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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.
The discussion highlights the contrasting reactions to clean and dirty comedy, emphasizing their relevance across different audience settings and cultural backgrounds.
The importance of collaboration in joke writing is underscored, as sharing ideas with peers can refine humor and enhance overall performance quality.
Deep dives
The Importance of Clean vs. Not Clean Comedy
The discussion centers around the contrast between clean and not clean comedy, reflecting on their significance in the comedy landscape. The speakers share their personal experiences and how their backgrounds influence their views on humor, often stemming from a shared Massachusetts upbringing. They highlight how different audiences may react to clean comedy, with some preferring it for family-friendly settings or professional environments. This leads to a broader commentary on the evolving nature of comedy and how comedians can navigate these distinctions in their acts.
Jokes and Puns: Crafting Humor
The conversation dives into the process of developing jokes and puns, with examples illustrating the creative journey comedians undergo. They discuss the challenge of creating puns that feel organic rather than forced, emphasizing that a truly great pun emerges naturally. The speakers share specific examples of their own humorous premises, such as one discussing the concept of 'onomata-pizza', demonstrating how wordplay can resonate with audiences if it's cleverly constructed. This segment showcases the intricate balance between storytelling and punchlines that defines effective comedy.
Comedy's Cultural Commentary
The episode examines comedy as a medium for commentary on societal norms and personal experiences. The speakers reflect on their unique perspectives, particularly in relation to their upbringing and cultural influences, which shape their sense of humor. They discuss topics like parenting and expectations, with humor serving as a lens to express deeper truths about life and responsibility. This reflection highlights how comedians use their platform to critique and explore themes relevant to the human experience, often pushing boundaries in the process.
Joke Writing as a Collaborative Process
A significant aspect of the conversation revolves around how humor often emerges from collaboration and feedback among peers. They describe the process of sharing ideas and refining jokes, with one comedian mentioning the value of having a friend to bounce ideas off of in order to gain perspective and clarity. This collaborative approach not only helps improve individual jokes but also strengthens the overall performance for live audiences. The dialogue emphasizes the artistic nature of comedy writing, where input from others can illuminate new angles or enhance existing ideas.
Pete Holmes returns to help Mike punch up some last minute jokes before the premiere of Mike’s show The Good Life at the Beacon Theatre in New York. What follows is a heated debate about puns, an attempt to define and dissect the nature of “clean” comedy, and, yes, a nuts and bolts joke writing session. Plus, Pete psychoanalyzes the state of Massachusetts, and Mike recalls the time he opened for Tracy Morgan.