Holmes noted that his previous week had been spent in Maui on a meditation and yoga retreat with Ram Dass, a prominent spiritual figure. However, the so-called 'spiritual cleanse' proved insufficient against the chaos of Los Angeles traffic.
Additionally, he had a backlog of deadlines. He still had to complete editing for 'Crashing,' his HBO series that he both created and performs in, set to premiere its second season on January 14. His email inbox was overflowing. The thought of responding to every message appeared to be overwhelming.
"There's a nuance to the 'nonresponse response,'" Holmes explained. "When opportunities come my way, I often say, 'I'll think about it.' And by that I truly mean I need to consider it."
He went on: "But if the answer is no, I won't send a message stating that. When someone is genuinely eager or in need, failing to respond can be cruel. It's the kind of slight that can be remembered for years. Yet I find myself doing the same thing to my own employees."
It makes one wonder how much more stressed Holmes would be without his meditation getaways. "Spirituality feels far more crucial in the kind of world I inhabit today," he remarked, shifting to the front porch, settling into a love seat, crossing his legs, and giving his full focus for the first time that afternoon. "It's not limited to Sundays. It's a topic I read and reflect on constantly."
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Spirituality runs in his veins. Growing up in Lexington, a Boston suburb, Holmes attended Gordon College, an evangelical Christian liberal arts institution. At age 22, he wed his first girlfriend less than a year after graduation and started performing stand-up comedy.
His initial routines were family-friendly, but his divorce six years afterward compelled him to reassess both his life and his comedy.
He started gaining recognition as a somewhat quirky yet introspective stand-up comedian, a reputation that peaked with a spot on 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon' in 2010. The following year, he performed on 'Conan.' A TBS executive spotted his talent—a down-to-earth comedic style that resonated across age groups—and in 2013, Holmes was awarded his own late-night show.
'The Pete Holmes Show' blended sketches, live acts, and studio chats, but lasted just two seasons. After that, Holmes has drawn from his personal experiences for the well-known podcast 'You Made It Weird.' 'Crashing,' originally a self-mocking bit on his TBS program, was developed under the guidance of comedy heavyweight Judd Apatow.
Though Holmes still holds onto his Christian roots, he has started delving into Buddhism. Residing in Hollywood for seven years, he observes that "the trap of buying into your own publicity is a profound, hollow, damp, chilly sorrow." "To me, religion and spirituality are about reconnecting with others, with community, with relationships, with togetherness."
That's also why he likes to venture around his neighborhood. "Care to get a coffee?" he abruptly asked, unfolding his 6-foot-5 body from the gray sofa.
Holmes attached a leash to Brody, unlatched the front gate, and strolled along Vermont Avenue, lined with eateries. Three blocks later, he reached Bru Coffeebar, a third-wave café that takes pride in its fair-trade coffee. He chatted briefly with the barista and requested a double espresso.
But before he could take a seat, his phone buzzed. It was his publicist. She had arrived at his home and was curious about his whereabouts. He assured her he would return in ten minutes.
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"I always forget they're on their way," he said, wearing a grimace. After signing the contract for 'Crashing,' Holmes felt it was time to bring publicists on board. Yet he remains skeptical of their value. "It's like someone who's present but making an effort not to be," he remarked while leaving the coffee shop.
'Crashing' heavily borrows from Holmes's own biography: The series centers on Pete, a devout Christian comedian whose spouse is unfaithful, prompting him to doubt his beliefs and pour all his energy into stand-up. However, achievement hasn't made Holmes feel any less like a striver.
"You keep climbing upward, and it's never sufficient," he stated. "More viewers, more money, more magazine covers."
Back at his house, he said hello to his energetic publicist and settled once more on the front porch, then recalled he had chores to run, such as getting a Christmas tree. Buying a tree, he noted, not only brought back childhood memories but also represented "one of the few remaining opportunities to haggle over the price." "That, and hookers."
He jumped into his white Audi SUV for the brief trip to Frosty's Christmas Trees. It was a little past 4 PM, and the congestion on Franklin Avenue was already getting on his nerves. He inhaled deeply to calm himself.
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