Handsome Podcast Summary: Episode “Cyndi Lauper Asks About Cookbooks”
Podcast Information
- Title: Handsome
- Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
- Episode: Cyndi Lauper asks about cookbooks
- Release Date: July 1, 2025
- Description: "Handsome" is a podcast from comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Every week, the handsome hosts field a question from a friend and attempt to answer it together, covering every subject you could think of. Along the way, Tig, Fortune, and Mae tell plenty of stories and just generally have a ridiculous time.
1. Celebrating a Decade of Handsome (00:51 – 01:35)
The episode kicks off with the hosts celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Handsome podcast. Fortune Feimster remarks, “I know every episode we've ever done” at [01:07], highlighting her attention to their decade-long journey. Tig Notaro adds, “Ten years in order,” emphasizing their commitment and consistency.
2. Personal Updates and Life Challenges (01:35 – 35:00)
Fortune Feimster’s Personal Journey: Fortune shares significant personal updates, including her divorce from Jax and her mother’s battle with cancer. At [26:54], Fortune opens up about these life changes:
“I’m focusing on the victory of 10 years. That was a really successful relationship.”
She reflects on the amicable end of her marriage, stating:
“Sometimes these things just don’t go the distance. It wasn’t something I could really talk about yet.”
Fortune emphasizes her positive outlook despite the hardships, declaring at [33:16]:
“I feel very positive about things. I'm coming into a new era with it all and just feeling very good.”
Mae Martin’s Tour Experiences: Mae recounts her recent tour experiences, particularly memorable meet and greets. A standout story involves a fan who discovered a hidden note with Mae’s handwriting behind a painting at the Silver Lake Hotel ([05:01]):
“I collapsed.”
Mae describes the fan's dedication and the emotional connection it fostered, highlighting the joy of meaningful fan interactions.
Tig Notaro’s Adventures: Tig shares humorous anecdotes about her daily life, including taking her dogs to the park and her plans to get a haircut due to her “thick” hair ([02:06]). She also discusses her approach to meet and greets, such as enforcing a no-touching rule in Eureka Springs, Arkansas ([14:56]).
3. Heartfelt Birthday Celebration (25:00 – 35:00)
The hosts take a moment to celebrate Fortune Feimster’s 45th birthday. At [25:05], Fortune humorously downplays her plans:
“I have no plans whatsoever.”
She opens up about the emotional impact of her divorce and her mother's illness, expressing gratitude for the support from friends and listeners. At [34:07], Fortune shares:
“People have shown up for me in these incredible ways, and so many people have reached out... it shows you, you know, these other valuable people in your life and connections.”
Mae and Tig offer words of encouragement, affirming Fortune’s resilience and positive outlook.
4. Responding to Cyndi Lauper’s Question: Have You Ever Considered Writing a Cookbook? (42:40 – 66:55)
Introduction to the Question: Cyndi Lauper poses a question to the hosts: “Have you ever considered writing a cookbook?” The hosts enthusiastically engage with this prompt, blending humor and personal insights.
Mae Martin’s Vision: Mae suggests creating a cookbook centered around immersive dinner party experiences. She envisions recipes that integrate games and interactive elements, such as hiding clues in pies or incorporating escape room elements into meals.
Tig Notaro’s Perspective: Tig considers a cookbook focused on plant-based transitions, drawing from her own experience of shifting to a vegan diet. She emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose ("North Star") and sustainability in dietary changes. At [47:52], Tig shares:
“Have that reason. And the other is to make sure that you've done the research to know how to sustain yourself while you're making that transition.”
Fortune Feimster’s Take: Fortune humorously admits her limited cooking skills but contributes ideas related to appetizers and charcuterie. She jokes about creating an "app app" for appetizer recipes and suggests a focus on simple, crowd-pleasing finger foods.
Collaborative Brainstorming: The trio engages in playful banter, imagining whimsical cookbook titles and concepts. Notable moments include discussions about:
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Humorous Recipe Names: Tig jokes about her cookbook being titled "It's Okay If It Jiggles" ([52:13]), blending humor with culinary advice.
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Family Influences: Mae reminisces about her father’s “Seducers Cookbook,” adding a humorous twist to traditional recipes.
Key Quotes:
- Mae Martin at [63:05]: “There is something nice about intergenerational recipe transmission.”
- Tig Notaro at [49:42]: “There are so many staples that are vegan. I guess that is my point.”
- Fortune Feimster at [55:27]: “I can make breakfast tacos.”
5. Humorous Anecdotes and Banter (35:00 – 42:40)
The hosts share lighthearted stories and jokes, particularly revolving around personal quirks and past relationships. A recurring theme is the humorous mention of bras and "jugs," with Tig recounting wearing her ex-girlfriend's mother’s bra for years ([59:42]):
“She brought over my mother's bra one day, and she's like, here, just wear my mother's.”
Fortune and Mae follow suit with their own playful comments, maintaining the show's comedic tone.
6. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Shows and Community Engagement (66:03 – End)
In the concluding segment, the hosts briefly mention their upcoming performances and encourage listeners to support live shows. They highlight the importance of community support in sustaining live comedy and performance.
Final Words: Mae expresses gratitude towards listeners, emphasizing the strength of the Handsome community. Tig wraps up by encouraging listeners to subscribe and share the podcast, affirming the show's mission to keep connections “Handsome.”
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Fortune Feimster [01:07]: “I know every episode we've ever done.”
- Mae Martin [05:01]: “I collapsed.”
- Fortune Feimster [33:16]: “I feel very positive about things. I'm coming into a new era with it all and just feeling very good.”
- Tig Notaro [47:52]: “Have that reason. And the other is to make sure that you've done the research to know how to sustain yourself while you're making that transition.”
- Tig Notaro [52:13]: “It's okay if it jiggles.”
- Fortune Feimster [55:27]: “I can make breakfast tacos.”
Conclusion: This episode of Handsome successfully blends humor with heartfelt personal stories, all centered around the engaging question posed by Cyndi Lauper. The hosts' candid conversations about life changes, coupled with their comedic chemistry, provide listeners with both entertainment and a sense of connection. Whether discussing the challenges of meet and greets, the intricacies of personal growth, or the whimsical idea of writing cookbooks, Tig, Fortune, and Mae deliver an episode that is both rich in content and deeply relatable.