Crashing: The Complete First Season

Comedian Pete Holmes stars in this HBO comedy series inspired by his early years. Unemployed and supported by his schoolteacher wife (Lauren Lapkus) while he performs at open mic nights to polish his act, Pete finds himself broke and homeless after catching his wife having an affair with a New Age doofus named Leif (George Basil)—who just wants to be friends with Pete. The title refers both to the sudden nosedive that Pete's life takes and to his new living situation, crashing on the couches of friends, acquaintances, and fellow comedians (including Artie Lange, T.J. Miller, Hannibal Buress, and Sarah Silverman, playing fictionalized versions of themselves). Holmes, who created the series with producer and co-writer Judd Apatow, was raised Christian, and the show explores his journey as a comedian through a culture of sex, drugs, and damaged and self-absorbed people spouting some of the most foul language you'll hear on TV. It also illustrates the dues that young comedians pay while struggling to break into for-money gigs. Holmes can be as immature and self-absorbed as anyone he meets but he is also an engaging personality and likable guy, and the series gives all of its guest stars moments in the spotlight. Presenting all eight episodes from the 2017 first season, extras include an HBO standup comedy special starring Holmes, bonus snippets featuring guest comics, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. While not must-watch HBO, this reasonably entertaining series is a strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)