Dear Chelsea: "Does This Make Me Funny?" with Zosia Mamet
Date: September 25, 2025
Podcast: Dear Chelsea (iHeartPodcasts)
Host: Chelsea Handler
Guest: Zosia Mamet
Co-Host: Catherine Law
Episode Overview
This episode of "Dear Chelsea" features actor and writer Zosia Mamet, best known for "The Flight Attendant" and "Girls," discussing her new book, Does This Make Me Funny? Chelsea and Zosia dive into themes around self-worth, nepotism in Hollywood, envy, childhood bullying, eating disorders, and the pressure on women to apologize for their emotions and ambitions. Zosia shares candid personal stories from her book, explores generational issues of self-doubt and confidence, and offers honest, pragmatic advice to listeners alongside Chelsea and Catherine.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Chelsea's Tour Announcement & Guest Introduction
- Chelsea announces her "High and Mighty" comedy tour with multiple U.S. dates.
(03:13–04:40) - Zosia Mamet is introduced as the guest to discuss her new memoir-in-essays, Does This Make Me Funny? (06:31–07:05)
2. Writing, Nepotism, and Generational Self-Worth
- Zosia distinguishes her first anthology (involving other writers) from her new, more personal collection of essays.
(07:05–07:25) - Both women examine why Zosia dislikes the word "memoir," leading into a broader talk about self-worth, generational and intergenerational patterns of feeling undeserving, and how these show up especially for women.
(07:30–08:43) - The "Nepo baby" discussion:
- Zosia calls herself a "B-minus Nepo baby," reflecting on public perceptions vs. reality.
- Chelsea: “Nepotism doesn’t replace talent... People aren’t going to continue to hire somebody because of their parents—that’s just not the way that it works.” (10:19–10:48)
- Both agree the biggest privilege is industry insight, not career handouts, and that celebrity offspring often work harder due to extra scrutiny.
(08:52–13:12) - Zosia: “The greatest thing that growing up in a famous family in the industry allotted me was knowledge. Like, I just got to see what it was actually like. So I went into it without any misconceptions.” (12:19–12:51)
3. Female Confidence, Apologizing, and Envy
- Chelsea reads a bold anecdote from Zosia’s book where David Mamet, her father, confidently pitched his play—something she wishes all women would feel empowered to do.
(13:20–14:10) - The group laments women’s tendency to apologize for everything—crying, correcting mistakes, asserting themselves.
- Zosia: “I could get to the point of doing it [advocating for myself], and then the second I finished being like, ‘I am powerful woman, hear me roar,’ I’d be like, ‘I’m so sorry, that was really inappropriate…’” (14:28–14:44)
- They discuss the naturalness of envy, especially among women in entertainment, and how it’s rooted in systemic scarcity myths.
- Zosia: “Part of me is like, is that a deep-seated move on the patriarchy? Because like if we were all to band together, we would just be too fucking powerful to, like, kind of pit us against each other.” (15:54–16:57)
- Chelsea: “Women are just now coming to the realization that we are stronger together, you know, and that all ships do rise with the tide.” (16:57–17:07)
4. Bullying and Childhood Trauma
- Zosia recounts brutal experiences with girlhood bullying, including being psychologically targeted at school (e.g., the infamous birthday party trap).
- Zosia: “They would just set these traps for me, like mind games. 1000% mind games. They were full, like, Machiavellian, these young, little blonde ladies.” (19:14–20:20)
- Chelsea stresses the vital importance for parents to pay attention to how their daughters treat others, calling for compassion and intervention against bullying.
5. Eating Disorder Journey and Recovery
- Zosia details her adolescent struggles with anorexia and how she fixated on a specific “goal weight” as a false solution for deeper anxieties and lack of control.
- “The biggest misconception about an eating disorder is that it’s about the weight and that it’s about the food... at its core, it’s about control.” (24:52–26:37)
- Her father’s emotional intervention provided the wake-up call Zosia needed to seek help and ultimately recover.
- “[My dad] came home... and he sat on my bed... And he started crying and he put his head in my lap and he said, ‘You have to promise me that you won’t die...’ It was the first time that I realized what was happening to me wasn’t just about me.” (27:42–29:08)
6. Behind the Scenes on “Girls”
- Zosia shares the chaotic experience of landing her breakout role on HBO’s "Girls," including her near-disastrous, NyQuil-laced table read that ironically secured her a spot as a series regular.
- “After a week of just full spiral, [my agent] calls me and he’s like, the reason it took them so long to get back to us is that they were amending your contract... They loved what you did so much at the table read they want to make you a series regular.” (35:05–35:53)
- She reflects on spending her twenties with the cast, calling the seven-year run “just a dream.”
(36:34–37:12)
7. The Book: Does This Make Me Funny?
- Zosia explains how the book originated as a publisher’s suggestion (a two-book deal), and how it evolved into a collection of essays mixing sadness, humor, and insight.
- “When I pitched that book... [my editor] asked if I would consider doing a two book deal... I was super shocked... But I said yes because I’m an actor and I’ll say yes to any job anyone wants to give me that they pay me money for, pretty much.” (43:17–43:50)
- Both discuss the real, often tedious aspects of publishing, contrasting bursts of creativity with the grind of final production.
(45:13–46:01)
Advice Segment Highlights
Caller 1: Alex—Addicted to Online Arguing (47:24–55:04)
- Dilemma: Feels addicted to arguing with strangers online, primarily about politics, and wants help stopping.
- Insight: Chelsea frames it as a real addiction and tells Alex to start a digital detox; Zosia normalizes the struggle due to social media’s dopamine hits.
- Chelsea: “You need to fucking read a book. That’s what you need. And you need to get into the habit... because you’re addicted.” (49:18–49:54)
- Zosia: “The problem is it’s not real... And it is absolutely an addiction.” (51:22–51:44)
- Advice: Start with a set period each day offline, track time spent, and replace online fights with real-world activities or volunteering.
Caller 2: John—Wedding Guest List & Estranged Mother (55:41–63:28)
- Dilemma: Feels pressured to invite his unsupportive, estranged mother to his wedding for the grandparents’ sake.
- Insight: Both hosts urge John to center his own emotional safety and the celebration, not family politics.
- Chelsea: “If you in any way, shape, or form are not feeling like you’re gonna have a safe experience at your wedding emotionally, then your mother isn’t welcome there.” (58:50–59:18)
- Zosia: “This wedding is for us. The only people that we want there are those who are going to elevate that love. And that was our hard line.” (61:42–62:23)
- Advice: Consider an honest, non-confrontational email to the mother but prioritize inviting only those who are supportive and loving.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Nepotism:
“Nepotism doesn’t replace talent. People aren’t going to continue to hire somebody because of their parents.”
—Chelsea Handler (10:19) -
On Women's Confidence:
“The brazenness of that [her father's pitch] and the confidence of that is like—it's what I want for every woman to feel.”
—Chelsea Handler (14:10) -
On Jealousy & Scarcity:
“We’re fed this idea... that there’s a finite amount of pie to be had. And so if someone else gets a piece, there’s less for you... and that’s untrue.”
—Zosia Mamet (15:54–16:57) -
On Girls' Bullying:
“They would just set these traps for me, like mind games. 1000% mind games. They were full, like, Machiavellian, these young, little blonde ladies.”
—Zosia Mamet (20:13) -
On Eating Disorders:
“[With an eating disorder] it’s about control. Food and your weight feel like these very tangible things when, like, the thing that probably is making you feel out of control is not tangible whatsoever.”
—Zosia Mamet (24:52) -
On Recovery:
“He put his head in my lap and said, ‘You have to promise me that you won’t die.’”
—Zosia Mamet (27:42) -
On Social Media Addiction:
“It’s not good for your brain. You are not feeding your brain when you’re on social media. So you need to start detoxing...”
—Chelsea Handler (49:18)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:13 — Chelsea announces "High and Mighty" Tour
- 06:31 — Zosia Mamet introduced
- 08:52–13:12 — Nepotism, industry access, and talent
- 13:20–14:44 — Women’s confidence, apologizing
- 15:54–16:57 — Envy, the “scarcity” myth among women
- 19:14–20:20 — Bullying story: the birthday party trap
- 24:52–27:32 — Eating disorder, recovery, and family
- 30:14–37:12 — Getting cast on "Girls," wild table read story
- 43:17–46:01 — Writing the book, publishing grind
- 47:24–55:04 — Caller 1: Alex on online fighting
- 55:41–63:28 — Caller 2: John on wedding invitations & family estrangement
- 68:48–69:08 — Zosia: 13 years with her husband, closing thoughts
Tone & Style
- Unfiltered, warm, and humorous, with Chelsea’s signature brash honesty.
- Zosia is candid, witty, and self-deprecating, but offers deep insight into trauma and growth.
- Both consistently empower listeners to embrace self-worth, seek authentic connections, and prioritize their own well-being.
For listeners who missed the episode:
This conversation is a compelling, emotionally honest mix of personal storytelling and actionable advice, spotlighting the complexity of ambition, family, personal struggles, and the importance of kindness—to ourselves and others. Zosia Mamet’s Does This Make Me Funny? anchors the episode’s themes, and both Chelsea and Zosia offer memorable, often hilarious testimony on how to survive (and maybe even thrive) in a sometimes ruthless world.