Podcast Summary: Handsome - Pretty Little Episode #23

Episode Information:

• Title: Pretty Little Episode #23
• Host/Author: Headgum
• Release Date: January 24, 2025
• Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin

1. Introduction and Episode Setup (00:35 - 01:19)

The episode kicks off with the hosts welcoming Mae Martin to the Pretty Little Episode segment. Mae humorously likens the segment to a movie subplot focusing on the developing relationships among the hosts.

Mae Martin [01:07]: "It feels like if there's a movie of the Handsome Pod, then the B plot is this relationship developing in the Pretty Little Episodes."

2. Discussing Gladiator 2 (01:19 - 05:20)

The conversation shifts to the recently released Gladiator 2, praised by Mae for its thrilling action sequences. Mae shares her enthusiasm for the film's depiction of glistening men in combat, expressing both admiration and humor.

Mae Martin [02:00]: "It's out. And it is so gay. Kind of. I mean, it's just glistening men fighting. It was really. I loved it."

Mae recounts a vivid and bizarre dream involving an older gay man rescuing her from execution, leading to a humorous exchange about receiving an enema.

The hosts delve into a specific scene from Gladiator 2 where the Colosseum is flooded with water and populated with sharks, debating the plausibility and logistical aspects of such a spectacle.

Mae Martin [03:23]: "But there's a big fight where they fill the Colosseum with water and there are sharks in there. So the gladiators are fighting in boats in the Colosseum, and then there's sharks that they've put in there. And I thought that was so insane."

3. Fear of Sharks vs. Other Fears (05:20 - 09:48)

Tig and Mae discuss common fears, contrasting the fear of sharks with more mundane dangers like deer and gerbils. Tig humorously points out that deer are more likely to cause accidents than apex predators like sharks.

Tig Notaro [05:31]: "People are so scared of sharks and bears when actually they should be more scared of deer."

The conversation takes an unexpected turn towards gerbil-related rumors, specifically the absurd claim that Richard Gere was involved in gerbil stuffing—a topic they debunk with both humor and skepticism.

Mae Martin [07:05]: "Didn't Richard Gere do it?"

Tig Notaro [07:14]: "There is no world Richard Gere had a gerbil in his anus."

4. Gerbil Rumors and Richard Gere (09:48 - 10:53)

The hosts thoroughly dismantle the ridiculous gerbil rumors, with Mae insisting the story must have originated from somewhere, while Tig emphasizes the implausibility of the claim. They ultimately conclude that the gerbil stuffing narrative lacks credible evidence.

Thomas Willette [09:48]: "Wikipedia says there is no evidence that the practice has ever occurred in real life. And its existence remains highly dubious."

5. Transition to Listener Questions (11:40 - 14:09)

After addressing the outlandish gerbil topic, the hosts seamlessly transition to their first listener question, submitted by Jacob. They encourage more listeners to send in questions, setting the stage for an interactive segment.

Tig Notaro [11:40]: "Oh, my God. Well, should we just transition on over to our first question?"

6. Listener Question 1: Communicating with Animals (11:44 - 15:02)

Question: If you could fluently communicate with any animal, which animal would you choose and what question would you ask it?
Submitted by: Jacob

The hosts share their thoughts on this hypothetical scenario. Tig expresses a desire to understand her cat, Linus, while Mae contemplates conversing with birds to uncover secrets about aliens or gain insights into her personal life. The discussion highlights their personal connections with their pets and the whimsical nature of the question.

Tig Notaro [12:03]: "I would definitely love to know what, if anything, Linus is thinking."

Jacob adds his own preference for communicating with ravens, intrigued by their intelligence and longevity of grudges against humans.

Jacob [14:10]: "I would choose ravens... I would ask them what the most interesting thing is about the area that they think is interesting."

7. Listener Question 2: Biggest Spoiler Experiences (15:12 - 19:25)

Question: What is the biggest thing that somebody has spoiled for you?
Submitted by: Lucy

Mae recounts a disappointing experience where a classmate spoiled the death of Sirius in Harry Potter, leading to frustration and lingering resentment.

Lucy's Story [15:43]: "I had one of the big Harry Potter books... I remember him standing up at the back of the school bus and shouting down the whole thing, sirius dies. And I just could have. I could have Killed him."

Tig shares her struggles with others spoiling movies for her, particularly mentioning The Sixth Sense.

Tig Notaro [17:25]: "People spoil movies for me all the time because they know I'm not going to watch them."

The hosts reflect on the impact of spoilers on their personal experiences with beloved media.

8. Children's Belief in Santa Claus (19:25 - 20:28)

The discussion shifts to the challenges of having children who still believe in Santa Claus. Tig shares a heartwarming story about her son, Max, who genuinely believes in Santa's existence, complete with elaborate narratives about Santa's practices.

Tig Notaro [19:57]: "Max told us that he was lying in bed just before he was falling asleep, and he saw Santa fly by outside the window with his sled and one reindeer."

Mae expresses her amusement and affection for the depth of children's imagination and belief.

Mae Martin [20:27]: "Well, who are we to judge? Maybe. Maybe it happened."

9. Closing Remarks and Community Engagement (20:28 - 22:36)

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts encourage listeners to submit their own questions and engage with the podcast community. They promote their merchandise and social media channels, fostering a sense of community among their audience.

Tig Notaro [21:02]: "Please submit, review, rate, all that good stuff. And until next time, keep it pretty handsome."

Mae and Tig wrap up with warm acknowledgments, reinforcing the podcast's friendly and inclusive atmosphere.

Notable Quotes:

• Mae Martin [02:00]: "It's out. And it is so gay. Kind of. I mean, it's just glistening men fighting."

• Tig Notaro [05:31]: "People are so scared of sharks and bears when actually they should be more scared of deer."

• Mae Martin [07:05]: "Didn't Richard Gere do it?"

• Thomas Willette [09:48]: "Wikipedia says there is no evidence that the practice has ever occurred in real life."

• Lucy's Story [15:43]: "I could have Killed him."

• Tig Notaro [17:25]: "People spoil movies for me all the time because they know I'm not going to watch them."

Conclusion:

In Pretty Little Episode #23 of Handsome, Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin engage in a lively and humorous discussion covering a range of topics from bizarre movie plots and unsettling rumors to poignant listener questions about animal communication and the pain of spoilers. Their chemistry and comedic timing make the episode both entertaining and relatable, offering listeners a blend of wit, personal anecdotes, and heartfelt moments. Whether debating the realism of Gladiator 2 or navigating the complexities of parenting and maintaining childhood magic, the hosts deliver an episode brimming with insights and laughter.