"Handsome" Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Martha Plimpton asks about astrological signs
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
Date: September 30, 2025
Theme: Exploring Astrological Signs — How the hosts are (and aren't) like their zodiac signs, prompted by Martha Plimpton. Includes comedic banter, personal stories, and playful digs at astrology.

Episode Overview

In this episode, comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin answer a question from Emmy-winning actress Martha Plimpton about how they do and don’t embody the traits of their astrological signs. The conversation weaves between personal anecdotes, astrological stereotypes, playful skepticism, and the hosts’ typical offbeat humor. The episode also features memorable moments regarding celebrity name pronunciations, shared experiences from recent projects, and, as always, a parade of silly tangents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hypothetical Body Sharing and Food Preferences

[02:12 – 05:17]

• The hosts riff on the idea of all three sharing one body, debating who would control the "ship" at any time.
  • Mae imagines herself as a possible "control freak" in this scenario.
  • Fortune notes the food conflicts: "Tig's a vegan... and I would be like, ugh, I'm really feeling naughty today." ([04:29])
  • Tig considers late-night “snack attacks”: "You do late night cravings while I'm asleep?" ([05:00])
• Frequent “yes, and” improvisational banter strengthens their camaraderie.

2. Recent Life Updates: Shows, Collaborations, and Accents

[07:39 – 14:05]

• Mae discusses her Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) premiere, likening it to a wedding—friends from the past, emotional full-circle moments, and seeing herself on the big screen for the first time.

  • "It was just like a lot of full circle... we've, like, transmuted this awful experience." ([08:12])
  • On feedback: "If you go into it expecting a procedural crime thriller, you're going to be disappointed. But if you go in expecting a sort of twin Peaksy, sort of spooky, then you might be... into it." ([09:05])

• Fortune shares early days filming with Will Ferrell, expressing joy and comedic synergy: "It's such a trip. I just can't believe I'm getting to go toe-to-toe with this comedy legend." ([12:18])

• Tig recounts tea-drinking with her kids and upcoming family travel to London, expressing excitement about exposing the family to the British side of Stephanie’s heritage. ([19:36])

Memorable Accent Play

• The trio delights in (and critiques) each other’s attempts at British, Australian, and Southern accents (“No, it's my English accent.” — Fortune, [21:24]). Mae's "public radio" impersonation evokes much laughter.

3. Name Pronunciation Rabbit Hole

[24:24 – 37:07]

• Extended debate on the correct pronunciations of "Angelina Jolie," "Abby Wambach," and "Raven-Symoné," punctuated by Google searching audio clips.
  • Mae: "Is it Jolie or Jolie?" ([28:06])
  • Fortune: "Jolie!"
  • Tig: "Everyone has a duty to relinquish how their name should be pronounced." ([31:07])
• The segment includes a hilarious revelation: Tig is on Raven-Symoné’s mysterious holiday group text. ([32:43])

4. Martha Plimpton’s Question: Astrological Signs

[37:20 – 61:46]

Martha’s Question

• Martha Plimpton (voice message at [37:37]):
  "Regardless of whether or not you believe in astrology, how are you most like your astrological sign? And how are you least like your astrological sign?"

Each Host’s Response:

Fortune (Cancer) [~40:08]

• “Cancers are emotional, sensitive... we have a hard shell, like a crab... but we’re soft inside.”
• Says she’s not that “moody” as Cancers are supposed to be, but resonates with the need for security and being empathic: “If you do us dirty, we retreat. But if you make us mad, we snap you.”
• Reads off Cancer qualities and finds some fitting, others not:
  • Positive: emotionally intelligent, nurturing, caring, resilient.
  • Negative (less accurate): moody, irritable, clingy, "hypersensitive"—she’s "sensitive" but not to the point of needing “kid gloves.” ([41:49])

Mae (Taurus) [42:40]

• “I think about Taurus as, like... stubborn, sensitive, loyal. Well, am I loyal?”
• Notes being born premature (almost a Gemini), but feels personality matches Taurus: stubborn, needing home comfort, romantic, sometimes whimsical.
• Fortune (reading from a rundown): Tauruses are "relaxed and contented or hyped up and ready to charge." Taurus people "hate being rushed" (Mae: "I hate being rushed.") and supposedly have “long and elegant necks.” ([44:47])
• Admits some attributes are oddly specific or don’t fit ("I like things and objects in my space”).

Tig (Aries) [45:41]

• Emphasizes decisiveness and forward movement: “My personality, when I get an idea, I move forward,” confirmed by Stephanie calling this approach “yeah, this can wait.”
• Finds herself less moody than Aries are known for; thinks impulses look impulsive to others, but are usually well-considered internally.
• On impatience: “I don’t see myself as impatient... but if so, I’m curious to hear...” ([48:40])—Mae notes Tig nudges her to drive faster sometimes. ([48:46])
• Rudeness: Recognizes her dry humor is sometimes misread as rudeness, but it’s mostly delivery.

Mayan Astrology Diversion ([50:46])

• Mae finds each host’s Mayan sign (e.g., Tig is a “white spectral dog”: "I dissolve in order to love, releasing loyalty...") leading to much giggling and confusion.

Astrology Skepticism and Amusement

• All hosts acknowledge the mixture of entertainment and skepticism.
  • “It just seems like online, all the astrology accounts... it’s always something massive happening astrologically. Like, every day, it’s like, guys, today is it, portal day...” — Mae ([55:39])
  • “I do feel, as much as I don’t necessarily connect to all that, I do feel curious and I love hearing about it.” — Tig ([56:08])
  • Fortune says she’s checked date compatibility in her dating years, finding fun in comparing signs ([56:51]).

5. Martha Plimpton’s Own Sign and Candid Response

[59:08 – 61:36]

• Martha is a Scorpio and describes the associated (and often scandalous) stereotypes:
  • "I automatically have a reputation... aggressive and crazy, maybe a little bit demonic, maybe a little bit toxic, and also sexually voracious and, you know, like I will rip a man's head off after I have sex with him..." ([59:08])
  • But, she jokes, "I am least like the perception... I will likely just express an A level of boredom."
  • Relates to Scorpio loyalty: "Loyalty means a lot to me... but once I’ve learned my lesson... they're out. So, I don’t know how funny or amusing this is... I may have just revealed way more about myself..."
• The hosts react with laughter, admiration, and appreciation for her candor; Tig observes, “That was one of the most thorough responses, not just on this podcast, but I think ever, that anyone has ever given.” ([61:46])

Notable Quotes

• Mae: “It was just like a lot of full circle, like... we’ve, like, transmuted this awful experience.” ([08:12])
• Fortune: “Cancers can be moody. I would say that is where I'm not exactly. Like, I get quiet... but I'm not, like, a moody person." ([40:45])
• Tig: “My personality, when I get an idea, I move forward... at the end of the day when [Stephanie] comes home, I'm like, 'Oh, by the way, I reached out to investors,' and she'll go, 'Yeah, this can wait.’” ([46:36])
• Martha Plimpton (voice message): “I will not rip a man's head off after having sex with him. I will likely just express an A level of boredom.” ([60:04])
• Tig: “I don’t necessarily connect to all that, [astrology] but I do feel curious and I love hearing about it.” ([56:08])
• Mae: "It should be illegal to have a turdy toilet around Angelina Jolie." ([28:02])

Key Segments with Timestamps

• Body-sharing/food control games: [02:12 – 05:17]
• Stories about TIFF, new shows, and filming with Will Ferrell: [07:39 – 14:05]
• Accent play and British-vs-Australian bits: [21:23 – 22:44]
• Name pronunciation rabbit hole (Jolie, Wambach, Simone): [24:24 – 37:07]
• Martha’s astrological question and hosts’ sign analysis: [37:20 – 61:46]
  • Fortune (Cancer): [40:08 – 42:28]
  • Mae (Taurus): [42:40 – 45:39]
  • Tig (Aries): [45:41 – 50:38]
  • Mayan astrology poems: [50:46 – 53:41]
• Martha Plimpton’s voice memo (Scorpio reveal): [59:08 – 61:36]

Tone & Style

Light-hearted, silly, and honest with irreverent, witty banter. The hosts fluidly shift between comedy, candid self-reflection, and pure nonsense, maintaining a welcoming, playful vibe throughout.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a quintessential "Handsome" experience: a meandering, character-driven conversation punctuated by sharp observations and absurdities. Whether you revere or ridicule astrology, you’ll find the hosts’ journey through star sign stereotypes relatable, hilarious, and oddly illuminating. The off-topic detours—pronouncing celebrity names, turd-in-the-toilet adventures, and the etiquette of British tea—enrich the fun, making for a vibrant, engaging listen.

Closing

The episode concludes with Martha's heartfelt/irreverent answer, the hosts’ appreciation, and a light wrap-up on the true purpose of these discussions—to connect, poke fun, and, occasionally, maybe find a little truth in the stars.