Podcast Summary: "Handsome" Episode Featuring Nelly Furtado on Celebrity Crushes

Podcast Information:

• Title: Handsome
• Host/Author: Headgum
• Description: "Handsome" is a podcast featuring comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Each week, the hosts tackle a question from a friend, delving into a wide array of topics while sharing personal stories and humor.
• Episode: Nelly Furtado Asks About Celebrity Crushes
• Release Date: November 12, 2024

1. Introduction and Personal Health Conversations

[02:27] The episode kicks off with a warm welcome from the hosts, introducing Nelly Furtado as the guest. The initial conversation centers around self-care and personal well-being, setting an intimate and relatable tone for the episode.

• Tig Notaro shares her recent experiences managing hectic back-to-back tours and acting seasons, highlighting the toll it took on her physical appearance and overall health. She candidly discusses her decision to prioritize self-care, saying, “...I've lost like £40,” emphasizing the drastic changes she made to improve her well-being. [04:35]

• Nelly Furtado empathizes with Tig's situation, commending her efforts: “That’s really incredible.” [05:35]

• Thomas Willett adds humor to the discussion by commenting on Tig’s appearance and the challenges of maintaining a routine while constantly traveling. [05:43]

2. Emergency Preparedness and Personal Stories

Before delving into the main topic, the hosts share personal anecdotes related to emergency preparedness and past experiences with natural disasters.

• Tig Notaro recounts her childhood experience during Hurricane Hugo, detailing how her family prepared and the aftermath of the storm. She reflects, “We had this like hundred-year-old oak tree...,” illustrating the severity of the hurricane. [20:18]

• Nelly Furtado relates her own experiences with hurricanes in Mississippi, mentioning the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing need for support in affected areas. [22:31]

• The conversation touches on the importance of community and helping those affected by disasters, with Thomas Willett emphasizing, “It’s crazy how things... the ripple effect lasts for, like, a decade.” [09:52]

3. Transition to Celebrity Crushes

As the episode progresses, the focus shifts to Nelly Furtado’s question about celebrity crushes, marking the transition from personal well-being to more lighthearted topics.

[27:43] Nelly Furtado poses the central question: “Who was your very first celebrity crush of all time?” This sparks a series of entertaining and heartfelt responses from the hosts.

4. Hosts' First Celebrity Crushes

Tig Notaro initiates the discussion by sharing her first crush:

• Tig Notaro reveals her admiration for John Travolta, particularly from his roles in Grease and Urban Cowboy. She nostalgically describes his "greaser" persona, saying, “He was like, on my radar. There is nobody hotter than John Travolta in Urban Cowboy.” [29:20]

• She humorously adds, “I'm southern and I go to church and...,” highlighting her internal conflict during her younger years. [38:49]

Thomas Willett follows with his own experiences:

• Thomas Willett discusses his crushes on Patrick Swayze and Frank N. Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show. He shares a vivid memory of slapping Mark Wahlberg on set for a scene in Max Payne, illustrating the challenges of acting alongside a crush. [53:19-55:43]

Mae Martin and Fortune Feimster also contribute, offering their unique perspectives and favorite celebrity crushes, adding depth and variety to the conversation.

5. Evolving Perspectives on Celebrity Crushes

The hosts delve into how their views on their crushes have evolved over time:

• Nelly Furtado expresses a shift in her admiration for John Travolta, stating, “He’s not my vibe anymore.” [32:46]

• Tig Notaro reminisces about her attraction to Sandra Bullock and other female celebrities, adding layers to her initial straight crushes. [39:13-40:55]

• Thomas Willett discusses his fascination with Angelina Jolie, sharing anecdotes about writing fan letters and attending events featuring her. [47:31-56:59]

6. Humor and Light-Hearted Banter

Throughout the discussion, the hosts infuse humor and playful banter:

• Tig Notaro jokes about needing to organize her survival gear, saying, “I’ve got more than six loose batteries. Yeah, I need to have some.” [20:57]

• Thomas Willett humorously refers to himself as "our survivalist" and shares quirky survival tips, keeping the conversation lively and entertaining. [19:49]

• The playful teasing continues as they discuss hypothetical scenarios involving their crushes, such as imagining John Travolta at a modern house party. [30:28]

7. Nelly Furtado’s Acting Experience with Mark Wahlberg

A standout moment involves Nelly Furtado recounting her acting experience with Mark Wahlberg:

• She describes a challenging scene where she had to slap Mark Wahlberg multiple times, emphasizing the pressure of acting alongside her crush. “...they’re like, we don’t have to really practice the slap,” she shares with both humor and vulnerability. [53:25-55:43]

• Thomas Willett responds with humor, appreciating the surreal nature of the experience: “That is wild. Just slapping the shit out of him over and over.” [54:19]

8. Concluding Remarks and Takeaways

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the nature of celebrity crushes and personal growth:

• Nelly Furtado emphasizes the importance of humor in attraction, stating, “I really cannot even think twice about somebody unless they are funny...” [51:05]

• The conversation wraps up with nostalgic thoughts on past crushes and the enduring impact of these early attractions on their lives.

• The hosts express appreciation for sharing personal stories, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection with the audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Tig Notaro [04:35]: “I’ve lost like £40. Yeah.”

• Nelly Furtado [11:16]: “You should put cash towards the environment. It’s gold.”

• Thomas Willett [05:43]: “Only parents should be able to say, you look tired to someone. That's like the craziest thing to volunteer.”

• Nelly Furtado [53:19]: “I am struggling here because I feel like I've...”

• Tig Notaro [29:20]: “There is nobody hotter than John Travolta in Urban Cowboy.”

• Nelly Furtado [51:05]: “I really cannot even think twice about somebody unless they are funny or if they have a great sense of humor.”

Conclusion: This episode of "Handsome" offers a blend of personal anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt discussions about celebrity crushes. Through candid storytelling and playful interactions, Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin, and their guest Nelly Furtado provide an engaging exploration of how early attractions shape personal identities and relationships. Whether reminiscing about iconic movie stars or sharing amusing behind-the-scenes experiences, the hosts create a relatable and entertaining narrative for listeners.