Podcast Summary: Handsome, "Pretty Little Episode" #82

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Tig Notaro (absent this episode), Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin

Episode Overview

This episode of Handsome brings together comedians Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin (with Tig Notaro notably absent) for a lively and silly conversation fueled by listener questions. They dive into the perils of winter weather, reflect on the deeply emotional art of comedic roasts, and indulge in theories as outlandish as Garth Brooks secretly being a serial killer. Along the way, the hosts share personal stories, debate the true appeal of beer, and offer their trademark blend of self-deprecation and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Weather Woes and Cold Memories

• Fortune’s Tour in the Midwest:
  • Recently returned from performing in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Chicago – describing subzero temperatures:
    • "Milwaukee was six degrees. And then I drove back to Chicago to fly out of there, and it was one degree." (01:16)
  • Fortune and Mae agree that harsh winters build character, recalling childhood rituals of wearing boots and trudging through snow.
  • Mae: "Some people in LA have never brought their school shoes to school, and it shows." (01:48)
• Sledding as Life Metaphor:
  • Mae compares childhood sledding—the thrill and subsequent trudge up the hill—to lessons in delayed gratification:
    • "You're like Sisyphus... it teaches you about reward and delayed gratification." (03:55)
• Comfort Rituals:
  • Mae reveals her love for keeping the house cold to force sleeping partners to cuddle:
    • "One of my toxic traits is that I... like to crank the AC, get it real cold... and then they gotta cuddle me." (04:38)
  • Fortune prefers cozying up by fireplaces and is soothed by both “water and the fireplace or candles.” (05:53)
• Oceans & Fears:
  • Both share a wariness of deep ocean swimming, in part due to recent shark attack news:
    • "I don't want to go swimming in the ocean. Only because everybody keeps getting eaten by sharks lately." (06:07)

2. Listener Question: Who Would You Want to Roast You?

Prompt from Listener Margaret (07:10):
"If you could put together your own roast and pick the comedians to roast you—who would you choose?"

Hosts’ Honest Feelings About Roasts

• Both Fortune and Mae admit roasts make them uncomfortable—"hell" and "absolute hell"—preferring self-deprecating or kind jokes over biting ones.
  • Fortune: “Some people you feel fine for… others you're like, oh, I know that punched them in their soul.” (08:01)
• Mae: “Sometimes I've been like, am I even a real comic? Because I hate roasts.” (08:10)

Their Dream Roast Lineups

• Mae’s Picks:
  • “I'd pick you and Tig, obviously. I would pick Chelsea Peretti, probably… Sarah Silverman’s great as well… Sabrina Jalees, Lisa Gilroy, Atlanta. I just pick my friends… Brett Goldstein's such a gentle, soft soul...” (09:02–10:04)
• Fortune’s Picks:
  • “I would have you and Tig as well… Nikki Glaser do something just because I would want to see her joke writing... Chelsea Handler… Leanne Morgan… Aaron Foley… Jillian Bell (not a stand-up, but funny)… Margaret Cho, Karen Kilgariff, Lunell, Meg Stalter...” (10:38–15:30)
• Notable Quotes:
  • Mae: “There's not a lot of men on this list... my friends are more observant.” (09:50)
  • Fortune: “Women are more of a safe space.” (12:46)
• Personal Roast Memories:
  • Fortune describes her own 30th birthday roast, recalling only that she felt good and dressed sharp. (10:54)

Wholesome Conclusion

• Listener Margaret’s answer: “My answer would be the three of you, obviously. Thank you so much for the podcast. It's been such a joy...” (15:36)
• Both hosts joke: “We’ll go easy on you.” (15:57)

3. Conspiracy Theories: Sincere & Silly

Prompt from Listener Melanie (16:12):
"What is a conspiracy theory you believe in? Bonus points if you made it up yourself."

Mae’s Favorites

• Ancient Mysteries:
  • “Chambers underneath the pyramids… maybe they're big batteries, like energy charging stations.” (16:32)
• Pop Culture Myths:
  • “There's one that I've heard—that Garth Brooks is a serial killer… if you do a deep dive…” (16:48)
• Classic Theories:
  • Titanic sunk on purpose, bank leaders on board; the moon landing as a hoax directed by Stanley Kubrick (“The Shining” as a coded confession). (17:24; 22:19)

Fortune’s Approach

• Emphasizes a preference for “silly ones, like Bigfoot and Loch Ness Monster,” citing cryptozoology interests. (17:39)
• Shares a JFK “umbrella man” theory:
  • “Some people think that the opening of the umbrella was signaling... Some people thought he had a poison dart from it.” (18:13–18:51)
• Admits she's “not a big conspiracy theory gal,” taking most things at face value:
  • “I’m too chill to, like, pry any further.” (21:25)

Existential Anxiety & The Joy of Not Knowing

• Mae reflects on her lifelong search for big answers (“Is it a simulation? What happens after we die?”), realizing the importance of enjoying the questions rather than solutions. (20:38–21:20)
  • “The joy is in asking the questions. I'm not gonna get answers.” (21:06)

Fun Social Idea

• Mae plans a “conspiracy theory night,” requiring friends to prepare tinfoil hat-wearing presentations. (21:38)
  • Fortune: “That definitely seems like a Mae party.” (21:56)

Listener Melanie’s Own Conspiracy Theory

• “Nobody actually likes beer. Everyone's just pretending… drinking garbage water, but nobody actually likes it.” (23:00)
• This sparks a poll:
  • Fortune: “I do not like it. I think it's an acquired taste.” (23:36)
  • Mae: “Yeah, I don't really like it either.” (23:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mae (on winter): “Some people in LA have never brought their school shoes to school, and it shows.” (01:48)
• Mae (about roasts): “Sometimes I've been like, am I even a real comic? Because I hate roasts.” (08:10)
• Fortune (on the burden of a mean roast): "If someone really stings you, it stays with you forever." (11:42)
• Mae (childhood walk after sledding): “You're like Sisyphus... from the bliss, then that slog up the hill.” (03:55)
• Fortune (about beer): "I do not like it. I think it's an acquired taste." (23:36)
• Mae (existential questioning): "The joy is in asking the questions. I'm not gonna get answers." (21:06)
• Mae (conspiracy theory night): "Everyone has to prepare a presentation... then you present them to each other." (21:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Recap of Fortune’s freezing tour & sledding nostalgia: 01:16–04:07
• Hosts’ toxic cold-related habits & comfort rituals: 04:30–06:13
• Shark anxieties & ocean avoidance: 06:00–06:56
• Listener Margaret’s Roast Question & segment: 07:10–15:33
• Roast lineups and stories: 08:10–15:30
• Listener Melanie’s Conspiracy Theory question: 16:12–22:02
• Discussion of silly and serious conspiracy theories: 16:28–22:19
• Listener’s “fake beer” conspiracy & hosts’ reactions: 23:00–24:05

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by the hosts’ playful banter, mutual self-deprecation, and wayward comedic tangents. Mae’s anxious curiosity is balanced by Fortune’s relaxed pragmatism, creating a space where absurd ideas (like Garth Brooks as a serial killer or conspiracy-themed parties) serve as fodder for both laughter and light philosophy. The tone, as always, is irreverent, observant, and deeply human.

For Listeners

This episode gives you a strong dose of what makes Handsome unique: comical vulnerability, a mix of real and surreal conversation topics, and the warm, welcoming rapport between its hosts and listeners. If you have ever wondered who a comedian would trust to lovingly make fun of them—or which wild conspiracy is currently top-of-mind—you’ll find both, plus a reminder not to take yourself (or your answers) too seriously.

Have a question for the hosts? Submit at speakpipe.com/handsomepod!