Handsome Podcast – Episode #74: "Pretty Little Episode" (January 16, 2026)

Overview

In this episode of the "Handsome" podcast, hosts Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster (Mae Martin is absent) create their signature cozy, comical atmosphere while answering a variety of listener questions. Highlights include stories about Tig’s relationship and origin story with her wife, playful speculation about romantic chemistry among the hosts, dream celebrity collaborations, thoughtful discussion on mortality and end-of-life conversations, and a lighthearted take on clown phobia. They also share personal anecdotes, riff off each other's jokes, and celebrate Tig's parents' birthdays.

1. Warm & Cozy Vibes, The "Will They, Won't They"

• [01:04] Tig and Fortune riff on the friendly and "romantic" chemistry between the hosts, referencing a recent holiday video where Tig was sandwiched and "kissing" on both Fortune and Mae.
  • "I don't know how to be sandwiched between Mae Martin and Fortune Feimster. Kiss all over you. I'm doing it for our fan base." – Tig Notaro [01:20]
• Much of the opening is a running joke on whether their fan base is shipping them as a couple, with playful banter about "stringing along" the audience by keeping things ambiguous.
  • "Well, you've created a real will they, won't they moment on the pod, you know?" – Fortune Feimster [01:52]

2. Tig's Love Story: 13 Years and an Iconic Email

• [02:27 – 04:34] Tig shares the story of meeting her wife Stephanie, their first kiss (which happened to fall on Valentine’s Day), and the famous humorous email exchange that followed.
  • Tig and Stephanie's relationship started with an unplanned first kiss on Valentine's Day.
    • "And it wasn't even planned. People roll their eyes... [but] there was no plan." – Tig [03:05]
  • After the kiss, Stephanie sent a long email explaining she couldn't date Tig and wasn't gay—prompting Tig’s now-legendary one-line response:
    • "I wrote in response to her email, I wrote, okay, dyke." — Tig [04:09]
  • Tig reflects on how humor helped keep things positive even in disappointment, and eventually brought them together.

3. Rejection, Friendship, and Old Non-Date Dinners

• [04:34 – 07:36] Fortune recounts her experience with awkwardness and late-in-life coming out, and how she navigated crushes and rejection.
• They address rumors that Fortune and Tig once dated or had romantic interest—confirming it never happened and sharing a funny anecdote about being set up for a platonic dinner by mutual friend Jamie Babbit.

4. Listener Question #1: Dream Celebrity Collaborations

Kristin from Baltimore asks: Who would you like to see collaborate in entertainment?

• [07:47] Listener Question
• [08:14] Tig’s Pick:
  • "I want an album entirely ... of Paul Simon and Edie Brickell." – Tig Notaro [08:22]
    Tig expands on their musical and personal connection, wishing for a full duet album rather than just occasional collaborations.
• [09:08] Fortune’s Picks:
  • Would love a podcast series with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, appreciating their ultimate silliness as a duo.
    • Also throws in Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as ideal award show hosts.
  • "I like silly people together." – Fortune [09:40]
• [09:52] Listener’s Own Pick:
  • Kristin imagines comedian Demetri Martin collaborating with Kate Micucci, feeling their different but compatible sensibilities would make for something unique.
    • "They're both so multi hyphenate talents…" – Kristin [10:55]
• [11:01] Hosts React:
  • Both agree it would be quirky but interesting.
    • "They have such different ways of thinking about things… that would be interesting." – Tig [11:14]
  • A running joke about their hypothetical project names: "My Coochie", "Dem Coochie’s", "Tig Marie" [11:46 – 12:02]

5. Listener Question #2: Talking About Death and "Come See Me in the Good Light"

Nick from the UK asks Tig: What discussions should students have after watching your documentary?

• [12:42] Listener Question
• [13:30 – 17:57] Deep and Reflective Segment
  • Tig shares that before her friend Andrea’s death and filming the documentary, she hadn’t thought much about her own end-of-life choices. She now values open discussions about mortality, dying on one's own terms, and making plans in advance.
    • "What I really noticed was that the conversation wasn't very open. There was a lot of like… You can't avoid sadness and fear and dread and regret … but I really would be curious to hear people … explore the idea of what they want in the final days and the time of their death." – Tig [14:36]
  • She emphasizes the value of breaking the taboo around death, making it a less dreadful, even potentially positive or transformative, topic.
    • "I'm trying to not present death as like this horrendous, terrible thing. And of course it is. It's so sad and emotional, but it can be beautiful and it can be life changing in this bold, exciting way if you embrace it…" – Tig [15:21]
  • Notes inspiration from friends training as death doulas and expresses curiosity about students’ honest reflections.

6. Listener Question #3: Are You Afraid of Clowns?

Joyce from Arkansas asks: Are you afraid of clowns? Why or why not?

• [18:05] Listener Question
• Both Tig and Fortune confess that clowns were never a source of fear for them, even though they understand why others might be creeped out.
  • "I've never had that thing…they've never been a source of weirdness for me." – Fortune [18:28]
  • "Famesies." – Tig [18:44]
  • "There's much creepier things in my opinion." – Fortune [19:02]
• Amusing attempts at making clown horn sounds liven up the segment.
• [20:05] Listener’s Answer:
  • Joyce reveals she's not afraid of clowns because her mom actually worked as a clown at birthday parties. Her dad is a stand-up comedian, so she grew up surrounded by eccentricity.
    • "My mom was a clown… it was really fun. My dad's also a standup comedian, so we had a pretty eccentric childhood." – Joyce [20:11]
  • Fortune laughs, calling her childhood a "literal fun house." [20:47]

7. Heartfelt Closing: Tig’s Parents' Birthday

• [21:10] Tig marks the special occasion: it's both her mother's and father's birthday.
  • Her mom’s real name was Mattel ("but she went by Susie"), and her father was Pasquale ("he went by Pat"). [21:32 – 21:48]
• Fortune and Tig warmly toast to them, reflecting on gratitude for their lives.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "I'm doing it for our fan base. I know they're all feeling it. They're all thinking it." – Tig Notaro [01:20]
• "I wrote in response to her email, I wrote, okay, dyke." – Tig Notaro [04:09]
• "I like silly people together." – Fortune Feimster [09:40]
• "It can be beautiful and it can be life changing in this bold, exciting way if you embrace it." – Tig Notaro [15:21]
• "My answer to that question is no. And my why is because as a kid my mom was a clown." – Joyce [20:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Will They, Won’t They/Fan Shipping – [01:01 – 02:11]
• Tig’s Relationship Story – [02:27 – 04:34]
• Friendship Origins and Non-Date Anecdote – [06:31 – 07:36]
• Q1: Dream Collaborations – [07:47 – 11:39]
• Q2: Death, Dying, and the Documentary Discussion – [12:42 – 17:57]
• Q3: Clown Phobia – [18:05 – 20:45]
• Tig’s Parents’ Birthday Tribute – [21:10 – 21:56]

Overall Tone

The episode is lighthearted and playful, balancing silly banter, candid storytelling, fan interactions, and unexpectedly poignant reflections—with Tig’s dry wit and Fortune’s warm humor shaping the flow. Even the heavier discussion on mortality feels accessible and grounded, true to the hosts’ comedic style.

For New Listeners

This episode provides a quintessential taste of what makes "Handsome" unique: close friendship, comedy, relatable vulnerability, and a welcoming space for listeners' questions—seamlessly blending humor and genuine heart.