December 2017 Update: Due to the horrendous allegations that have been levelled at T.J. Miller regarding sexual assault and transphobia, this episode has been removed.
T.J. Miller talks headlining Just for Laughs’ cross-Canada Alternative Comedy Tour, leaving Silicon Valley, the state of pop art, and more. Sponsored by Pizza Trokadero, the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, Grandad’s Donuts, Freshbooks, and Hello Fresh Canada.
Pete Holmes and Artie Lange are both respected and beloved stand-up comedians who appear on the HBO show Crashing. Created by Holmes and co-produced and often directed by Judd Apatow, Crashing is a semi-autobiographical sitcom about an aspiring comedian named Pete, who is so obsessed with making it as a stand-up, he neglects his put upon wife who cheats on him, leaving him homeless, pitiful, and at the mercy of more established comedians like T.J. Miller, Sarah Silverman, and Artie Lange. The cast and crew are currently shooting the second season of Crashing and the first season is now available on Blu-ray and DVD for your home viewing pleasure. I recently had the chance to travel to Brooklyn, New York for an event to promote Crashing while also benefitting REALgirl, a program that aims to “help end gender inequality by fostering the ability of girls to discover their truest selves and develop the skills, knowledge, confidence and courage they need to consistently make informed life-choices from a place of self-knowledge, self-love and strength.” So yes, there was a night of stand-up at the Bell House in Brooklyn featuring amazing sets by Pete Holmes, Artie Lange, Dov Davidoff, and Beth Stelling. Earlier that day, I caught up with Pete and Artie for a chat about Crashing. They were on a press junket so I was told I’d only have nine minutes with them. But I think because I flew down from Canada and also because we had a nice rapport, Pete bought me a bit more time. It probably helped that Pete and Artie seemed to like my long, salt and pepper hair. At least Artie liked it; Pete found it sucpicious. You’ll see. I’m a big fan of Pete and Artie’s work, both alone and together, so this was fun. Sponsored by Pizza Trokadero, the Bookshelf, Planet Bean Coffee, and Grandad’s Donuts.