Handsome Podcast – Pretty Little Episode #70 (December 19, 2025)
Main Theme & Purpose
In this lively "pretty little episode" of the Handsome podcast, hosts Mae Martin and Tig Notaro (with Fortune Feimster absent) banter about writing new comedy, swap wild stories about magicians and movie memories, and answer thoughtful listener questions about life stories and family traditions. The episode is packed with comedic anecdotes, warm personal reflections, and playful energy, delivering the show’s trademark mix of humor and connection.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Catching Up and Comedy Writing
[01:19 – 03:23]
- Mae shares that her friend Joe (co-writer of Feel Good) is visiting from England to work with her on a new comedy show.
- The writing process is collaborative and ego-free, making it “just trying to make each other laugh.”
- Quote – Mae: “It's just so rare to find someone who's like, totally aligned and, you know, we don't have any ego with each other.” [02:35]
- Mae expresses excitement about returning to “joke heavy” comedy.
- The conversation turns slapstick, invoking physical comedy tropes (banana peels, pants falling down).
- Quote – Tig: “How about slip on a banana type stuff? Or like, step on a rake and it comes up, hit you in the face.” [03:30]
2. Movie Nostalgia & Jodie Foster
[03:50 – 06:48]
- Mae recently watched Freaky Friday (the Lohan/Curtis version), finds it hilarious, and praises the performances.
- They recall the original 1976 version with Jodie Foster.
- Quote – Mae (in a Jodie Foster imitation): “Mom, this fraud is pretty freaky or something?” [04:43]
- Tig shares a connection: Jodie Foster attended a screening of Tig’s film.
- Quote – Tig: “Jodie came to come see me in the Good Light screening.” [04:50]
- Mae describes the tension in Silence of the Lambs, particularly the pivotal kitchen scene, invoking a sense of suspense.
3. Canadian Money and Writing on Bills
[06:48 – 07:56]
- Mae and Tig discuss the shift from paper to plastic currency in Canada.
- Mae: “That’s like what money was like when I was a kid. And then they turned it all into these weird plastic bills.” [07:03]
- Mae finds a $1 bill with “Annabelle” written on it, muses about the idea of writing messages on circulating money.
- Tig makes a pun: “They didn't write Anna Bill.” [07:43]
4. The Magician Story
[07:56 – 11:51]
- Tig recounts a jaw-dropping experience with a close-up magician at a charity event.
- The magician performs the “signed card in wallet” trick and stuns Tig and her wife, Stephanie, by making an “8” appear in permanent marker on Stephanie’s hand.
- Quote – Tig: “If you could see there was, with that permanent marker, an 8 written on the inside of her hand.” [10:35]
- Tig repeatedly expresses her amazement: “That’s why I kept yelling at him. I am sick and tired of your bullshit.” [10:50]
- Mae reacts with disbelief and wants to track down the magician.
- Quote – Mae: “This is too powerful and dangerous.” [11:14]
- Mae feels “like I was being astonished by magic” just hearing about it.
5. Listener Game: Life Story in One Minute (Clara from Brazil)
[12:49 – 16:39]
- Listener Clara challenges the hosts to tell their life story in one minute.
- Mae’s 1-minute life story: Born 1987, premature, needy kid, enjoyed school and drugs, was kicked out, moved to England, got engaged twice, became a comedian, allergic to coconut, got tattoos, went to shiatsu massage school, podcasting, and finds comfort in Mother Nature.
- Self-reflection: “That was really depressing that I only needed 40 seconds and then I was struggling to fill the last 20.” [14:54]
- Tig’s 1-minute life story: Born in Jackson, Mississippi, parents split, moved to Texas, quirky childhood (wet her pants, greasy bowl haircut, smoked, popular), 12 cats, dropped out of school, lived in New Jersey, moved to Colorado, came out, moved to LA, did stand-up, met wife, had children, had cancer.
- Quote – Tig: “Also, I had cancer.” [16:32]
- Invites listeners to read her book for more: “Read my book. It's called I'm Just a Person. That was fun.” [16:39]
6. Listener Question: Family Traditions (Steph from Vermont)
[17:08 – 21:11]
- Steph asks about family traditions, especially ones the hosts hope to pass down.
- Mae’s traditions:
- Christmas meal – she likes traditions, but her mom disrupts them with new dishes (elk sausage and bok choy).
- Family poker and wine.
- “New moon through glass” superstition: if you see it, you go outside with a coin, bow to the moon three times, greet “lady moon,” and turn the coin.
- Tig calls it “pagan” and compares it to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon.”
- Many family superstitions carried from her grandmother.
- Tig’s traditions:
- Her kids love traditions—create “comfort and safety.”
- On Christmas Eve: vegan gumbo, Nana’s tree trimming party, “oat nog.”
- Little rituals like going to Burger Lounge for vegan burgers after practices.
- Family catchphrases: “Who's Ina?” “Don’t call me Shirley.” (nod to Airplane! movie)
- Discuss Julie Haggerty’s comedic style.
7. Listener Follow-up: Steph’s Family Coal Tradition
[21:15 – 22:18]
- Steph shares a story: Her grandmother wrapped a lump of coal as a gag gift at family Christmas; swapping gifts, and whoever gets the coal has to do a “job” the next year.
- Steph draws a connection between her grandmother and Tig’s mom.
- Expresses gratitude to the podcast (“Lift me up twice a week…”)
- Tig and Mae are touched, wish her well during tough times.
- Quote – Tig: “That was so touching and meaningful and... yeah. I'm sorry to hear you're going through a tough spot.” [22:05]
- Quote – Mae: “Glad we can brighten it up a bit.” [22:13]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Mae (on slapstick): “Give me all that. I want, like, your pants accidentally fall down.” [03:37]
- Tig (about the magician): “Your brain would ooze out of your ears. This man.” [11:01]
- Mae (packing her life story): “Wait, I'm done. And I got 25 seconds left…” [13:54]
- Tig (on childhood): “I wet my pants until way too long and had a greasy bull haircut. Was still popular, though, very well liked. I was smoking the whole time, sitting in trees...” [15:28]
- Tig (on traditions): “It just creates comfort and safety feel...” [18:51]
- Mae (on podcast’s impact): “Holiday season's tough for a lot of people, but also you find your little bits of magic.” [22:18]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Writing a new comedy show: 01:50 – 03:23
- Movie & Jodie Foster stories: 03:50 – 06:48
- Canadian money & writing on bills: 06:52 – 07:56
- Tig’s magician story: 07:56 – 11:51
- Life story in one minute (listener game): 12:49 – 16:39
- Family traditions discussion: 17:08 – 21:11
- Steph’s coal tradition and gratitude: 21:15 – 22:18
Tone & Style
Mae and Tig maintain an informal, laugh-heavy, and storytelling tone throughout, frequently riffing off each other’s stories and sharing personal anecdotes with candor and warmth. The banter is playful, sometimes absurd, but always rooted in genuine connection—typical of the Handsome podcast’s inclusive and welcoming style.
Closing Notes
The hosts encourage continued listener participation via SpeakPipe and promote their upcoming live holiday show (December 22nd), promising even more fun, connection, and possibly a mind-blowing magical guest appearance.
For those who missed it, this episode delivers:
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses at comedy writing
- Unfiltered personal histories (in one-minute sprints)
- Hilarious stories about magicians, movies, and mischievous family traditions
- A sense of belonging and community—particularly precious during the holiday season