Handsome Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Handsome
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
Guest/Question Asker: Oscar Nuñez
Episode Date: October 7, 2025
Episode Theme: SNL Favorites & Comedy Journeys

Episode Overview

This lively, story-packed episode starts with the hosts catching up on life, parenting, and the anxiety of current events, before diving into Oscar Nuñez's question about their top five all-time "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) cast members. Along the way, the trio share comedic industry tales, their rituals, inside jokes, and reflect on creativity, vulnerability, and the evolution of comedy culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Updates and Life Check-Ins

• Fortune shares updates about Ginger’s health and her family’s ongoing support ([02:14]–[04:19]).
  • "She had a blood transfusion recently because her red blood cells were pretty low... But she still gets a couple [well-wish cards] every day." – Fortune ([02:14]–[03:34])
• Phone/tech habits and generational learning quirks spark laughs ([04:47]–[07:03]):
  • "My stepfather, when he would go to bed at night, he would unplug his phone, his computer, his printer." – Tig ([04:55])
  • They discuss teaching parents to FaceTime and relating that to their own resistance to new habits.

2. On Technology, Driverless Cars, and the Future

• The hosts riff on self-driving cars (Waymo), sharing both real-life stories and anxieties ([07:55]–[10:16]):
  • "A friend of a friend... put her baby in [the car], temporarily closed the door so that the baby didn’t get wet from the rain. Car starts driving." – Mae ([09:19])
  • Tig expresses a kind of cautious optimism about robotics and parenting safety.
• Reflections on technological change fostering nostalgia yet feeling hopeful ([10:41]–[11:49]).

3. Dealing with the Overwhelming State of the World

• Discussion on news consumption, generational cycles of anxiety, and personal stress management ([11:24]–[13:15]):
  • "When everything’s going on around the world, it can feel like you're in imminent danger as well... but just that immediate, immediate—check your surroundings. Am I in imminent danger?" – Tig ([12:00])
  • Mae and Tig stress the importance of not being paralyzed by fear so one can still help and function.

4. Stand-Up Comedy in Tumultuous Times

• Mae expresses nervousness about writing a new show amidst global distress, wrestling with whether to address heavy topics or stick to personal material ([13:15]–[14:25]).

• Fortune points out the challenge of writing topical comedy as the news changes so rapidly ([14:25]–[14:41]).

• The joys (and terrors) of working on new stand-up, and the logistics and quirks of touring – including Mae’s upcoming bus tour ([17:48]–[19:20]); Tig recalls touring with Sarah Silverman and recording her album in a packed studio ([19:20]–[21:42]).

  • "It was a tiny audience... they all just sat on the floor in the recording studio and we got really great sound quality." – Tig ([20:55])

5. Family In-Jokes & Personal Rituals

• The group shares personal/family catchphrases, impressions, and the legacy of family sayings ([24:45]–[28:48]):
  • Tig and Stephanie’s callback: "Yes, please." (their Thomas impression)
  • Mae’s mom’s irreverent poker exclamation ("Some cunts light") and how language differs between UK and US ([25:10]–[26:39]).
  • Fortune recalls her mom’s sendoff: "Happy day, oh, happy day!"

6. Oscar Nuñez’s SNL Question

([30:09]–[47:14])

• Oscar asks for each host’s personal top 5 all-time SNL cast picks, emphasizing forming their “dream improv group.”
  • Oscar: "Pick your top five cast members from SNL from all time. Top five improv group you would have." ([30:34])
• Hosts reflect on their SNL “eras” and generational favorites:
  • Fortune: Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Kristen Wiig
  • Mae: Kristen Wiig, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon (noting, "they’re all women!")
  • Tig: Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Laura Kightlinger, Chris Farley (after brother’s influence)
• Discussion of the Groundlings, cast camaraderie shifts, and the rise of women-dominated casts.
• SNL’s after-party mythos: summarized as now being low-key, with each cast member sitting at their own table and often being too tired to party ([42:20]–[43:51]).

7. Comedy Industry Real Talk

• Fortune shares her two auditions for SNL, revealing the intense dream and the tough financial reality for cast members:
  • "I tested twice for the show... but now I would lose so much money doing that show. They get paid nothing." ([44:00]–[45:29])

8. Oscar's Picks and The SNL Final Five

([46:09]–[48:02])

• Oscar’s five: Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, and asks the hosts to pick from Will Forte, Fred Armisen, or Bill Hader.
  • Fortune: Bill Hader ("Stefon is one of my favorite SNL characters of all time.") ([47:25])
  • Mae: Fred Armisen ("Lots of amazing [sketches].")
  • Tig: Will Forte ("Just because you love MacGruber.")
• The hosts praise SNL’s enduring influence: "50 years. That is crazy." ([47:56])

9. Vulnerability, Reviews, and Artistic Resilience

• The hosts swap stories about reviews, constructive criticism versus online comments, and the thick skin required for making and sharing creative work ([50:13]–[54:43]).
  • Mae: "Every time you get on stage, it’s like a sort of self esteem firing squad... and then if you survive that over and over again, you’re like, okay, it’s going to be all right." ([54:04])
  • All agree that audience/review reactions are unpredictable and fleeting.

10. Final Callbacks and Running Bits

• Throughout the episode, “callbacks” and group catchphrases pop up repeatedly, bringing everything (including Waymo cars and the Thomas “yes, please” routine) back full circle ([57:24]–[58:55]).
  • Tig: "You know that, Jeff!" ([57:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On SNL Influence:

  • "I was obsessed with it, I would watch it religiously live... and then study it throughout the week." – Fortune, on her SNL fandom ([36:33])
  • "My five are like Kristen Wiig, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon, probably. Those are like gods to me." – Mae ([38:20])

• On Industry Reality:

  • "I make way too much money. They get paid nothing." – Fortune on SNL's pay ([44:57])

• On Resilience:

  • "For me it’s... hardened me in that I just, I’m not for everyone or, yeah, you don’t get my delivery." – Tig ([53:21])

• Callback Humor:

  • "Yes, please!" – Thomas impression, frequently used ([23:59] et al.)
  • "You know that, Jeff." – Family catchphrase, now adopted by Stephanie and Tig ([28:44], [57:44])

• On Family Rituals:

  • "'Happy day, oh, happy day,' So that I guess that would count as one of those things." – Fortune ([27:07])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ginger’s Health & Family Updates: [02:14]–[04:19]
• Tech Fears & Driverless Cars: [07:55]–[10:16]
• World News & Anxiety: [11:24]–[13:15]
• Current Stand-Up Comedy Struggles: [13:15]–[14:41]
• Inside Family Jokes & Callbacks: [24:45]–[28:48]
• Oscar Nuñez's SNL Question & Picks Discussion: [30:09]–[48:02]
• SNL Party Rituals & Industry Realities: [42:20]–[45:29]
• Callbacks Finale: [57:24]–[58:55]

Flow & Tone

As always, the Handsome podcast is silly, heartfelt, and filled with relatable banter and inside jokes. The hosts’ chemistry is palpable, their camaraderie infectious, and their industry honesty illuminating—all of which will delight listeners who love comedy and SNL history, or who simply want to hang out with sharp-witted, empathetic friends.

For New Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away with:

• An intimate look at three comedians' SNL influences across generations.
• Honest insight into industry dreams versus realities.
• A parade of hilarious in-jokes, stories, and heartwarming personal rituals.
• A loving shout-out to Oscar Nuñez and comedy’s ever-changing landscape.

"We all just want to be loved." – Fortune ([29:53])
"No, I just want to be loved. Is that so wrong?" – Mae, referencing John Lovitz ([29:55])