Current:Home > NewsPete Holmes, Judy Greer on their tears and nerves before 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' -Golden Summit Finance
Pete Holmes, Judy Greer on their tears and nerves before 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever'
View
Date:2025-04-14 07:37:48
Pete Holmes and Judy Greer are in a great mood, perhaps even feeling jolly. The two play off each other while trading barbs about past projects ("Look, Judy's been in a few stinkers," Holmes, 45, quips) and potential future endeavors. When they bring up the idea of rebooting "Cheers," Holmes ponders if he could play Ted Danson's character Sam Malone.
"I thought you'd be Norm, no?" Greer, 49, retorts before adding "It was just a joke."
The pair are currently promoting their new film "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," an adaptation of Barbara Robinson's 1972 children's novel. "Christmas Pageant" tells the story of the Herdmans, six outcast children who land the lead roles in their church's annual Christmas play. When the town gets word that these misbehaved children have taken over the beloved pageant, they demand that Grace (Greer) kick them out. Complicating matters for Grace and her husband Bob (Holmes): she's directing the play for the first time, and both of their children are also participating in it.
"I cried. I really did," Holmes recalls after first reading the script. "The story is about letting the other in and folding other people into your community, not just to tolerate them but to celebrate them. And that is the spirit of Christmas and that is a message that we need more and more."
The movie is narrated by Grace's daughter Beth, played by Molly Belle Wright and voiced by "Gilmore Girls" star Lauren Graham, who also appears in the final scene.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"I really think (the film) is more relevant than the filmmakers and the writers could possibly have known," Graham, 57, says. "It's exactly what I want at the holidays, which is something you can truly go to with your entire family and not worry that anyone's going to feel left out or offended or not entertained. I just thought it was really beautiful."
"Christmas Pageant" was filmed during last year's holiday season in Winnipeg, Canada. There was no snow, but it was cold enough to warrant hand warmers and thermals during production. Greer also experienced another byproduct of a holiday film: working with a lot of children.
"The kids were amazing and I was nervous about that because I don't have little kids at home," she says. "I was like, 'What am I signing up for here?'"
For "Christmas Pageant," scenes inside the family home were shot first. After a week with Holmes and their two onscreen children, new groups of kids were added in daily.
"All of a sudden, I'm at the church (and) there's all the kids," Greer recalls. "I am so overwhelmed. And what I love so much is that my character Grace is very overwhelmed. So I really didn't have to do much acting."
And how did Holmes react? "I just moonwalked away."
Greer jokes that he went right to the food spread. "I was like, 'I'll be at the bowl of free Skittles. Enjoy.'"
veryGood! (33)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Tommy Hilfiger takes over the Oyster Bar in Grand Central for a joyous New York-centric fashion show
- Country Singer Parker McCollum and Wife Hallie Expecting First Baby
- Kansas’ AG is telling schools they must out trans kids to parents, even with no specific law
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- What the Lunar New Year Means for Your Horoscope
- There might actually be fewer TV shows to watch: Why 'Peak TV' is over
- See Kylie Jenner Debut Short Bob Hair Transformation in Topless Selfie
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Usher's Got Fans Fallin' in Love With His Sweet Family
Ranking
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Arizona governor signs bill giving counties more time to count votes amid concerns over recounts
- Senate slowly forges ahead on foreign aid bill
- The Bear Season 3: Premiere Date Clue Proves the Show Is Almost Ready to Serve
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Q&A: New Rules in Pennsylvania Require Drillers to Disclose Toxic Chemicals Used in Fracking
- Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Sade, Oasis and Ozzy Osbourne among Rock Hall nominees for ’24
- Ban lifted on book displays celebrating Black history, Pride Month in SW Louisiana city
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Lakers let trade deadline pass with no deal. Now LeBron James & Co. are left still average.
Is Kyle Richards Finally Leaving RHOBH Amid Her Marriage Troubles? She Says...
LA Dodgers embrace insane expectations, 'target on our back' as spring training begins
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Texas A&M to close Qatar campus as school’s board notes instability in Middle East as factor
Will Beyoncé's new hair care line, Cécred, cater to different hair textures?
Iceland volcano at it again with a third eruption in as many months