Crashed

Tonight will be the finale of Crashing, the HBO comedy about a guy trying to make it in stand-up comedy.  It was only just announced the show had been canceled after three seasons.  Not a bad run, but I assume it wasn't getting great numbers (and no Emmy nominations) if they're saying goodbye.  I'm sorry to see it go.  HBO hasn't been doing that well in comedy for a while and this is one of their few bright spots. (I wondered if it stayed on as long as it did because Judd Apatow is an executive producer.)

The star and creator of Crashing, Pete Holmes, based it on his life as an aspiring comic.  The show started with Pete walking in on his wife who's with another man.  So he soon leaves her, but continues trying to make it as a comic (one of the reasons his marriage was having trouble).  The title comes (partly) from how he, especially in the first season, needs to crash at various places since he's essentially homeless.

Pete is a nice guy--or at least plays a nice guy--and doesn't always fit the well into the world of stand up.  Many comedians actually play themselves. In fact, each episode has at least one name comic in it, and the names have included Artie Lange, Sarah Silverman, Dave Attell, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Ray Romano, John Mulaney (who I hope is playing a much meaner version of his normal self) and Amy Schumer.

We get to see a lot of material from Pete and other comedians, but it's actually the story that makes the show work.  Pete tries to get better and, at least in the show, does improve.  And each season has been a little different, as Pete enjoys more success, as well as changing his outlook on life.  In this (final) season, he also got a new girlfriend, played by Madeline Wise, an actress I've never seen before who did a fine job.

So we'll say goodbye to Crashing--though maybe they'll get to do an HBO movie.  It was a good show and I hope the people who missed it the first time around will eventually catch on.