Handsome Podcast – "Pretty Little Episode #68"

Hosts: Tig Notaro, Mae Martin (Fortune Feimster absent)
Date: December 5, 2025
Producer: Headgum

Episode Overview

This “pretty little episode” of Handsome features comedians Tig Notaro and Mae Martin (with Fortune Feimster absent) in their trademark playful, meandering style. The duo field questions from listeners, riff on fruit facts, celebrity relationships, choosing “the one,” and giving advice on connecting with troubled teens. The show is lighthearted, self-deprecating, and full of the hosts’ personality-driven tangents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Banana Peels, Fruit Facts & Comedy Props

• Opening Bit: Mae reveals she’s holding a banana peel, joking it's classic comedy material.
• Banana Peel Slipping: Jokes about the trope—neither host knows anyone who's actually slipped on one.
• Fruit Taxonomy Shocks:
  • Tig: “Bananas are berries.” (01:55)
  • Mae: “Stop.” (01:57)
  • Thomas (producer): Actually, yes – bananas are berries, but blackberries technically are not. (03:05)
  • Mae: “What is happening?” (02:19)
  • Discussion of pumpkin as a fruit and peanut butter history.

2. Favorite Snacks & Peanut Butter Origin

• Both hosts wax poetic about peanut butter plus bananas or apples.
• Mae shares her go-to: “Toast, peanut butter, banana, and honey drizzled.” (03:38)
• Thomas researches and delivers the story of peanut butter’s invention, touching on Marcellus Edson’s patent and its ancient origins. (04:07)

3. Celebrity Relationship “Hot Goss”

• Tig claims: “Katy Perry is dating Trudeau,” sparking a playful back-and-forth about the nature of celebrity couplings. (04:42)
• Mae: “When I look at them together, it makes sense. It works for me. I hope it lasts.” (05:39)
• Tig: “No offense to either of them. I don’t care if it lasts. If they broke up while we were talking ... I don't wish anyone ill will.” (05:49)
• Producer Thomas brings more “goss” with news of Sophie Turner & Chris Martin. (06:31)
• Reflections on how celebrity status amplifies relationship scrutiny.

4. Parasocial Relationships & Being in the Public Eye

• Mae reflects on fans’ feelings of intimacy with podcast hosts.
• Mae: “I feel connected to some celebrities I’ve never met ... you see someone out and you’re like, yeah, I know this person.” (08:22)
• Tig shares a story about seeing herself and her wife used in an ad about age-gap relationships—"May December" couples. (07:22 – 08:08)
• The hosts discuss the weirdness and prevalence of parasocial bonds, but overall positive experiences with their listeners.

5. Listener Q&A: "How Did You Know She Was The One?"

Asked by Rhiannon (09:34)

• Tig on Knowing Stephanie Was 'The One':

  • Remembers a conversation with Nick Offerman about knowing it's time to marry someone: “It's undeniable. It's like an avalanche. We're getting married.” (11:15)
  • “If it is that feeling of uncertainty, then you haven't had that feeling.” (11:40)
  • Mae and Tig agree: it’s less a choice and more a feeling of inevitability in the right relationship.

• Mae’s Reflection:

  • “There are probably multiple people for everybody...The person who’s the one is the person who you both are just, ‘We choose this. We want this...’” (12:27)

• Stephanie (Tig's wife) shares her perspective:

  • “A few weeks into dating my wife, I realized ... I never got tired of being around them...” (14:13)
  • “Fifteen years later, I still think they're the most interesting person I've ever met...” (14:26)

• Mae:

  • Describes importance of friendship, mingling in the kitchen with a partner: “Mingling in the kitchen is crucial.” (14:56)

6. Listener Q&A: Connecting with a “Wayward Teen”

Asked by Indira from Germany (15:11)
Advice from the hosts:

• Mae: Emphasize curiosity about the teen’s own interests; avoid labeling or pathologizing. Offer judgment-free spaces and shared activities that align with her world. (16:00)
• Tig: Invite openness (“Show me your ideal day”), share personal stories of struggle to normalize confusion, pick your battles. (16:56–18:10)
• Mae: “Kids love to hear the stories.” (18:12)
• Mae’s personal example: Regular meetups with a caring adult were vital during her own “messy” younger years, despite her behavior. (18:56)

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Fruit Facts:
  • Tig: “Bananas are berries.” (01:55)
  • Mae: “Stop.” (01:57)
  • Thomas: “It seems like [blackberries] are not technically berries.” (03:05)
• Peanut Butter Toast:
  • Mae: “Toast, peanut butter, banana and honey drizzled.” (03:38)
• On Celeb Couples:
  • Tig: “No offense to either of them. I don’t care if it lasts. If they broke up while we were talking, I don't wish anyone ill will.” (05:49)
• Knowing ‘The One’:
  • Tig: “It's undeniable. I guess it's coming for you. It's like an avalanche ... This is it.” (11:15)
  • Mae: "The person who's the one is that they keep choosing it." (12:57)
  • Stephanie (Tig’s wife): "I never got tired of being around them. I didn't want personal space. ... Fifteen years later, here we are." (14:13-14:26)
• On Connection with Teens:
  • Mae: “I have to get to know this person as an individual ... how can I connect with her with things that she's interested about?” (16:03)
  • Tig: “Hey, take me to your ideal day, start to finish ... I’m so curious about your life.” (16:56)
  • Mae: “Kids love to hear the stories.” (18:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Banana peel/fruit facts: 01:11–03:15
• Peanut butter snacks and origins: 03:31–04:39
• Celebrity gossip: 04:42–06:50
• Parasocial relationships/age gap anecdote: 07:07–08:22
• Listener Q&A — "Knowing the one”: 09:34–13:50
• Listener Q&A — “Wayward Teen” advice: 15:11–19:26

Tone & Language

• Warm, playful, and conversational
• Both hosts exhibit signature dry wit and genial self-awareness
• Frequent gentle teasing and supportive energy

Final Thoughts

This episode continues Handsome's tradition of blending goofball humor with genuine listener connection and heartfelt advice. The hosts riff on random trivia, demystify relationship milestones, normalize struggles in family dynamics, and embrace the oddity of public life, all while fostering a sense of supportive community for their audience.

For more questions or to join the conversation:
Submit at speakpipe.com/handsomepod
Email: handsomepodmail@gmail.com