Podcast Summary: Handsome – Pretty Little Episode #47

Release Date: July 11, 2025
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
Episode Title: Pretty Little Episode #47

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Handsome, titled "Pretty Little Episode #47," hosts Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin delve into a variety of personal anecdotes, professional updates, and listener-submitted questions. The trio's chemistry and humor shine through as they navigate topics ranging from health routines to creative endeavors.

Back Cracking and Chiropractic Care

The episode opens with Mae Martin sharing her unique relationship with her trainer, Elliot, who is the only person she trusts to crack her back.

Mae Martin [01:03]:
"I've got into kind of a toxic thing with my trainer, Elliot, who cracks my back and he's like, the only person that can do it."

This leads to a broader conversation about the safety and personal experiences with chiropractic care. Tig expresses her reservations about back cracking, highlighting the potential risks despite its popularity.

Tig Notaro [01:52]:
"I don't go to, like, chiropractors or get... because every now and then you hear a gnarly story of, like, something going awry."

Mae recounts her recent visit to a chiropractor, encountering an unsympathetic practitioner, which adds a humorous twist to the discussion.

Mae Martin [02:20]:
"He was like, nothing's wrong with you. It's just postural. And I was like, but you haven't touched me yet."

The conversation evolves into personal habits of fidgeting and the awkwardness of managing gestures while performing, especially on screen.

Tig Notaro [02:33]:
"Like, you don't know what to do with your hands."

Professional Updates: Mae’s Show and Tig’s Acting Journey

Mae transitions the discussion to her upcoming show, expressing a mix of excitement and anxiety about its release.

Mae Martin [04:07]:
"Maybe by the time this comes out... Completely sound, mixed, color-graded, and then it comes out soon after that."

They delve into the nature of her show, which Mae describes as a "weird kind of parable" set in a bizarre small town filled with quirky characters.

Mae Martin [05:03]:
"It's a thriller, but it's not like a procedural cop thriller... All the characters are bizarre."

Tig shares her enthusiasm about her role in Fubar, highlighting the unique opportunities it has provided her.

Tig Notaro [05:43]:
"I did not think someone like me would get that kind of opportunity. So it makes me feel good that I can just, you know, do something like that."

Mae and Tig also discuss the challenges and rewards of bringing new seasons to life, especially on platforms like Netflix.

Tig Notaro [07:40]:
"Once you spend months on set, it's hard to totally crap on a movie or a TV show... you have to appreciate it for what it is."

Listener Questions: Uplifting Stories and Acts of Kindness

The hosts address a thoughtful question from listener Melissa, who asks what story Tig would write if she were a successful journalist focused on uplifting news.

Melissa [08:12]:
"If you were a successful career journalist... what story would you write?"

Tig reflects on her inherent optimism, considering a piece on the "glass half full" mentality.

Tig Notaro [08:57]:
"Having that as your lens to the world, I would not mind some kind of piece on that... It's a superpower as a human."

Mae adds her perspective, recalling her time in rehab where writing provided a beacon of hope.

Mae Martin [09:56]:
"I wrote a short story... it was such a beacon of light for me at that time."

Melissa then shares her vision of compiling small acts of kindness into a heartwarming narrative.

Melissa [11:20]:
"A story of all the very tiny acts of kindness I saw in a single day... It would just be an aggregate of the tiniest stories of a day."

Tig and Mae commend the idea, emphasizing the cumulative impact of small positive actions.

Tig Notaro [12:03]:
"Small acts of kindness have a big impact."

Listener Questions: Childhood Commercial Jingles

Leslie from Maine submits a nostalgic question about memorable childhood commercial jingles.

Leslie [12:52]:
"What jingle from a commercial from your childhood lives rent free in your brain?"

Tig reminisces about a national commercial featuring a monkey and cocoa crispies, while Mae shares her memorable mattress jingle.

Tig Notaro [13:13]:
"My name is Coco and I swing from the tree... Coco Crispy."

Mae Martin [14:08]:
"Sleep country Canada. Why buy a mattress anywhere else?"

The discussion turns playful as they consider the effectiveness of jingles in branding and discuss the possibility of creating their own for the podcast.

Listener Questions: Transformers and Vehicle Transformations

Sarah from Australia poses a fun hypothetical about which vehicle the hosts would transform into if they were Transformers.

Sarah [17:01]:
"If you guys were Transformers, what vehicle would you turn into?"

Tig expresses her love for vintage, big cars like a Bronco, sharing personal stories of her early driving experiences.

Tig Notaro [19:06]:
"I started driving in the cemetery when I was 12... It was an open cemetery, so I would know if there was another car."

Mae, not a car enthusiast, humorously suggests transforming into a propeller hat for agility.

Mae Martin [19:46]:
"I would transform into one of those propeller hats and zoom away."

Leslie from Australia adds her unique choice—a Vespa—for its fun and mobility.

Leslie [21:45]:
"I would be like a fun little Vespa... as a Vespa."

The hosts laugh over the practicality of their choices in the Transformers universe, especially in combating Optimus Prime.

Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Mae and Tig share their upcoming projects. Mae mentions her plans to relax during the summer and promote her specials, while Tig outlines her busy fall schedule, including performances at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival and various cities across North America.

Mae Martin [22:38]:
"I'm just chilling this summer... I'll be back doing live shows soon."

Tig Notaro [22:59]:
"I'm in Edmonton in July for the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival with Mat Lane... It's going to be a busy fall."

They encourage listeners to submit more questions and hypotheticals, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Mae Martin [23:40]:
"Keep sending your questions and your hypotheticals to speakpipe.com/handsomepod."

Conclusion

Pretty Little Episode #47 of Handsome is a delightful blend of humor, personal stories, and thoughtful discussions. Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin create an inviting atmosphere, making listeners feel like part of their circle of friends. Whether discussing the nuances of back cracking, reminiscing about childhood commercials, or imagining themselves as Transformers, the hosts deliver an episode rich with insights and laughter.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mae Martin [01:03]:
  "I've got into kind of a toxic thing with my trainer, Elliot, who cracks my back and he's like, the only person that can do it."

• Tig Notaro [08:57]:
  "Having that as your lens to the world, I would not mind some kind of piece on that... It's a superpower as a human."

• Melissa [11:20]:
  "It would just be an aggregate of the tiniest stories of a day."

• Tig Notaro [13:13]:
  "My name is Coco and I swing from the tree... Coco Crispy."

• Mae Martin [14:08]:
  "Sleep country Canada. Why buy a mattress anywhere else?"

• Tig Notaro [19:06]:
  "I started driving in the cemetery when I was 12... It was an open cemetery, so I would know if there was another car."

• Mae Martin [21:45]:
  "I would transform into one of those propeller hats and zoom away."

Join the Conversation:

Stay connected with Handsome by following them on social media and submitting your questions and hypotheticals at speakpipe.com/handsomepod. Share your thoughts, get featured, and become part of the Handsome community!