Comedy series Crashing debuts Feb. 19 on HBO

COMEDY SERIES CRASHING, STARRING PETE HOLMES,

DEBUTS FEB. 19, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

            Pete is a sheltered suburbanite who married his childhood sweetheart and dreams of making it as a stand-up comedian. But when he finds out his wife is cheating on him, Pete’s world unravels, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and plunging him into the deep end of the rough-and-tumble New York comedy scene.

            Starring Pete Holmes, the comedy series CRASHING launches its eight-episode season SUNDAY, FEB. 19 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT). Holmes and Judd Apatow (HBO’s “Girls”) executive produce the show, which draws on Holmes’ own experiences as a comedian, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the unpredictable world of stand-up comedy. Apatow also directs the first and eighth episode of the series.

            After discovering his wife, Jessica, in a compromising position with another man, aspiring but unworldly stand-up comedian Pete flees to the New York comedy scene, where he crashes on other people’s couches, in the process learning hard lessons about life and himself.

            Also featured on CRASHING are Lauren Lapkus (HBO’s “Animals.”) as Pete’s wife, Jessica, and George Basil (“Flaked”) as Leif, Jessica’s lover. Among the notables appearing as versions of themselves on the show are Dave Attell, Hannibal Burress, Artie Lange, T.J. Miller, Jim Norton, Rachael Ray and Sarah Silverman.

            Upcoming episodes:

            Episode #1: “Artie Lange”

            Debut: SUNDAY, FEB. 19 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

            Aspiring comedian Pete (Pete Holmes) finds himself without a home after he catches his wife, Jessica (Lauren Lapkus), in a compromising position. As Pete attempts to find solace at a New York comedy club, he befriends cynical comedy legend Artie Lange, who reluctantly offers him some pizza, some advice and a couch.

            Written by Pete Holmes; directed by Judd Apatow.

            Episode #2: “The Road”

            Debut: SUNDAY, FEB. 26 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Pete (Pete Holmes) wallows in his new reality, but Artie Lange snaps him out of it with an offer: In exchange for a ride to Albany, Pete can be Artie’s opening act. Pete meets co-headliner T.J. Miller and attempts to save Artie from breaking his sobriety by getting between him and the temptations of an ardent fan (Gina Gershon).

            Written by Pete Holmes & Oren Brimer; directed by Chris Kelly.

            Episode #3: “Yard Sale”

            Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 5 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

            While staying at T.J. Miller’s place, Pete (Pete Holmes) has the unsettling experience of witnessing a comic who can’t “turn it off.” Hearing from his wife, Jessica (Lauren Lapkus), Pete and T.J. travel upstate to her yard sale, where Pete unexpectedly teams up with Jess’ new boyfriend, Leif (George Basil), to get back a prized possession. After Jess voices her true feelings to Pete, the sale comes to a dramatic end.

            Written by Pete Holmes & Judd Apatow; directed by Chris Kelly.

            Episode #4: “Barking”

            Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 12 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

            In an effort to get stage time, Pete (Pete Holmes) spends the night handing out fliers for a comedy club, or “barking,” as he later learns it’s known in the comedy world. On the streets of New York, he finds himself encountering disinterested locals, befriending up-and-coming comics, engaging in a turf war with a rival barker and getting a pep talk from a veteran comedian.

            Written by Pete Holmes & Eric Slovin; directed by Jeff Schaffer.

            Episode #5: “Parents”

            Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 19 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

            When Pete’s parents decide to come to New York for his mother’s birthday, Pete (Pete Holmes) begs Jess (Lauren Lapkus) to come along and keep up the charade of their marriage, but an incredibly tense dinner reveals harsh truths about their relationships, as Jess struggles to keep quiet. Pete faces a turning point.

            Written by Pete Holmes & Judah Miller; directed by Jeff Schaffer.

            Episode #6: “Warm-up”

            Debut: SUNDAY, MARCH 26 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

            Homeless once more and facing professional disappointment, Pete (Pete Holmes) turns to Artie Lange, who invites him to be a guest on his podcast. Pete meets Sarah Silverman, who takes pity on him and invites him to stay with her and her collection of stray comedians. When Sarah suggests that he try to find work as an audience “warm-up” comedian, Pete is presented with a job opportunity, where he’s tasked with saving the day.

            Written by Pete Holmes & Beth Stelling; directed by Ryan McFaul.

            The series will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

            Pete Holmes also stars in the stand-up comedy special “Pete Holmes: Faces and Sounds,” which debuted on HBO in December. He hosts the popular podcast You Made It Weird, which features a wide range of guests, including comedians, musicians, writers and actors, and previously hosted the cable program “The Pete Holmes Show.” Holmes has also appeared on “Conan” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” as well as starring in two previous cable comedy specials.

            CRASHING is executive produced by Pete Holmes and Judd Apatow; co-executive producer, Judah Miller; producers, Oren Brimer, Josh Church, Igor Srubshchik and Dave Rath.