Podcast Summary: Handsome – "Audition Antics" Featuring Chelsea Peretti

Episode Information:

• Title: Audition Antics
• Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
• Guest: Chelsea Peretti
• Release Date: March 18, 2025

Introduction and Pet Shenanigans

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing delightful and humorous anecdotes about their pets. Fortune Feimster introduces their fake plant companion, Biggie, and Mae Martin talks about their other cat, Fluff. The conversation dives into the quirky grooming habits of their pets, highlighting incidents where both cats were accidentally nicked during grooming sessions.

• Fortune Feimster: "Biggie got nicked in his butthole once." (04:07)
• Mae Martin: "He overheard and understood what her name was. And she is just a fluff ball." (02:43)

Personal Updates and Touring Tales

Mae Martin updates the group on her summer tour, expressing excitement and the challenges of performing in New York City. She describes the vibrant atmosphere and the enthusiastic response from her fans.

• Mae Martin: "I'm on tour right now. It's been so insanely fun, though." (06:12)

Tig Notaro shares her involvement in a successful film, "Come See Me in the Good Light," which recently won at the Sundance Film Festival. Fortune Feimster discusses her upcoming comedy tour, detailing various cities they'll be performing in.

• Tig Notaro: "Come See Me in the Good Light, that won the Sundance Film Festival this year." (60:08)
• Fortune Feimster: "My tour kicks off April 4th in Savannah, Georgia." (60:56)

Cruising with Fortune's Mom: A Heartwarming Experience

Fortune recounts a memorable experience taking her mother on a gay cruise, highlighting the profound impact it had on both of them. She emphasizes the importance of allyship and the supportive environment the cruise provided for LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Fortune Feimster: "She gives a mama hug for you." (22:32)
• Fortune Feimster: "She symbolizes any mom that supports their gay or queer kid." (22:32)

The hosts reflect on how such experiences foster community and acceptance, sharing laughs over the light-hearted moments they encountered.

Main Discussion: Audition Tales Inspired by Chelsea Peretti

Chelsea Peretti poses the central question of the episode: "To what lengths have you gone to nail an audition historically? Have you dressed up in costumes? Have you used props? Have you pantomimed? Has your audition process changed over time?"

Tig Notaro's Spider-Man Audition Fiasco

Tig opens up about her nerve-wracking audition for a role in the "Spider-Man" movie. She describes the intense anxiety she felt and the realization that her audition tape might have been seen by her boss back at work.

• Tig Notaro: "I was so uncomfortable and nervous... I was driving back to Universal going, what in the hell did I just do?" (32:34)

Years later, Tig reconnects with Octavia Spencer, learning that he inadvertently auditioned for the very role Octavia secured, illustrating the unpredictable nature of auditions.

• Tig Notaro: "She got the part and she has the Oscar for... like, I'm the one." (34:39)

Fortune Feimster's Pressure and Decision to Decline

Fortune shares a poignant story about her experience auditioning under immense pressure. Despite being encouraged to pursue a role that was seemingly a guaranteed path to stardom, she felt it wasn't the right fit and chose to step away.

• Fortune Feimster: "I didn't want to do this, but felt pressure... I knew it wasn't right." (43:08)

She emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, even when faced with external expectations.

Mae Martin's Childhood Audition for "Oliver Twist"

Mae reminisces about her childhood audition for the role of the Artful Dodger in a Toronto West End production of "Oliver Twist." She vividly describes her elaborate costume and the heartbreak of making it to the final two only to miss out due to summer camp commitments.

• Mae Martin: "I was so invested in this fantasy of getting that part... obviously a boy got it." (38:30)

Group Reflections and Humorous Insights

The trio engages in a lively discussion about the anxiety and absurdity often associated with auditions. They joke about the lengths they've gone to, from dressing up to dealing with embarrassing moments, reinforcing the camaraderie and understanding among creative professionals.

• Mae Martin: "I feel like you'd be good at auditions because you don't radiate desperation." (32:27)
• Fortune Feimster: "We do have on our Instagram page occasionally who said what?" (15:42)

Conclusion and Upcoming Projects

As the episode winds down, the hosts share information about their upcoming projects, tours, and how listeners can support their work. They maintain their signature humor, ending on a light and uplifting note.

• Tig Notaro: "My birthday is March 24th, so we care." (56:00)
• Fortune Feimster: "We'Re singing up here." (58:22)

Notable Quotes:

• Tig Notaro: "I gotta get out of here." (45:33)
• Fortune Feimster: "Everyone's hugging and tugging." (27:50)
• May Martin: "I miss, you know, guys." (05:44)
• Fortune Feimster: "She symbolizes any mom that supports their gay or queer kid." (22:32)

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity in Auditions: The hosts highlight the importance of being genuine during auditions rather than overcomplicating the process with excessive costumes or props.

• Facing Anxiety: They openly discuss the common fears and anxieties associated with auditions, offering relatable stories that resonate with many listeners.

• Support Systems: Emphasizing the value of supportive communities, whether through cruises or personal relationships, the episode underscores the significance of having allies in challenging professional environments.

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Throughout their stories, the hosts use humor to navigate and alleviate the stress of auditioning, reinforcing the therapeutic role of comedy in their lives.

Final Thoughts:

This episode of "Handsome" masterfully blends humor with heartfelt storytelling, providing listeners with an honest and entertaining look into the often tumultuous world of auditions. Through their candid conversations, Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin offer both laughter and wisdom, making this episode a standout for anyone navigating the ups and downs of creative pursuits.

Quick Links:

• Subscribe to Handsome: Headgum – Handsome
• Follow Hosts on Social Media:
  • Tig Notaro: tignotaro.com
  • Fortune Feimster: fortunefreefemster.com
  • Mae Martin: maemartin.com

Note: Time stamps correspond to moments within the episode where the quotes were made.