COMEDY SERIES "CRASHING," CREATED BY AND STARRING PETE HOLMES, RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON JAN. 14 ON HBO

Feeling lost in the universe, Pete has an enlightening conversation with an atheist, which sends him into a night of New York debauchery. This marks the beginning of a season in which he starts to question his faith and find his voice.

Created by and starring Pete Holmes, the comedy series CRASHING returns for its eight-episode second season SUNDAY, JAN. 14 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Executive produced by Pete Holmes, Judd Apatow and Judah Miller, the series draws on Holmes' own experiences as a comedian, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of stand-up comedy.

With the help of Ali, a fellow rising comic, Pete explores the alternative comedy scene, a world of comedy nerds, apartment shows and no-drink minimums, where he begins to thrive. As he continues to lean on the hospitality of comedy greats, Pete explores all types of comedy, from benefit shows to the college market to roast battles. These diverse encounters test his enthusiasm and optimism, but also promise to make him a better comedian as he tries to survive the competitive world of New York stand-up.

Series veterans featured on season two of CRASHING include Lauren Lapkus (HBO's "Animals.") as Pete's ex-wife, Jessica, George Basil ("Flaked") as Leif, Jessica's former lover, and comics Dave Attell, Dov Davidoff and Artie Lange, playing versions of themselves. Among the other established talents playing versions of themselves this season are Joy Behar, Doug Benson, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Wayne Federman, Jermaine Fowler, Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette, The Lucas Brothers, Eugene Mirman, John Mulaney, Aparna Nancherla, Dr. Oz, Jeff Ross, Bobby Tisdale, Melissa Villase�or and Henry Zebrowski, while actress and stand-up comedian Jamie Lee ("Girl Code") joins the series in the recurring role of Ali Reissen.

Upcoming episodes:

Episode #9 (season 2, episode 1): "The Atheist"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 14 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Pete (Pete Holmes) has a chance encounter with famed magician Penn Jillette, who shakes his faith and inspires a questioning Pete to try living with abandon for one night.

Written by Pete Holmes & Judd Apatow; directed by Ryan McFaul.

Episode #10 (season 2, episode 2): "Pete and Leif"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 21 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Pete (Pete Holmes) decides to spend the day with Leif (George Basil), who encourages him to be open to the universe. Their carefree attitude is challenged when the two find themselves at odds and in trouble with the law.

Written by Judd Apatow & Pete Holmes; directed by Ryan McFaul.

Episode #11 (season 2, episode 3): "Bill Burr"

Debut: SUNDAY, JAN. 28 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

When Pete (Pete Holmes) is abandoned by Artie (Artie Lang), he is rescued by comedian Bill Burr, who takes pity on him and offers his guest room. As they become unlikely friends, Bill encourages Pete to toughen up and embrace his masculine side.

Written by Pete Holmes & Greg Fitzsimmons; directed by Ryan McFaul.

Episode #12 (season 2, episode 4): "Porter Got HBO"

Debut: SUNDAY, FEB. 4 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Pete (Pete Holmes) tries to be supportive when a fellow comic at The Boston gets his big break. Later, he reconnects with Jess (Lauren Lapkus), who encourages him to find a healthy way to express himself.

Written by Judah Miller; directed by Ryan McFaul.

Episode #13 (season 2, episode 5): "Too Good"

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

Pete (Pete Holmes) reunites with Ali (Jamie Lee), who takes him on a tour of New York's alternative comedy scene, where they encounter a wide array of comedians and venues over the course of one night.

Written by Pete Holmes & Beth Stelling; directed by Jude Weng.

Episode #14 (season 2, episode 6): "Artie"

Debut: SUNDAY, FEB. 18 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)

Pete's (Pete Holmes) decision to organize a secret benefit for an ailing comedy vet finds him scrambling to put on a good show and facing hard truths about Artie (Artie Lang).

Written by Pete Holmes & Judd Apatow; directed by Gillian Robespierre.

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

Pete Holmes starred in the stand-up comedy special "Pete Holmes: Faces and Sounds," which debuted on HBO in 2016. He hosts the popular podcast You Made It Weird, which has featured such guests as Jim Gaffigan, Zach Galifianakis, Keegan-Michael Key, Jimmy Kimmel and Paul F. Tompkins, and previously hosted the cable program "The Pete Holmes Show." Holmes has also appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "Conan" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," as well as starring in two other cable comedy specials, and has voiced characters for "American Dad," "Ugly Americans" and HBO's "Animals."

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