Podcast Summary: Handsome — "Pretty Little Episode #84"
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, Mae Martin
Date: March 27, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode of Handsome centers around the unique gifts Mae receives from fans, playful banter about quirks and routines, and answering listener questions about unnecessary lies and managing FOMO (fear of missing out). The hosts share personal stories, playful riffs, and radiate their signature mix of vulnerability and silliness.
Main Topics Covered
1. Mae’s Trinket Collection and Tour Gifts
- Mae opens the episode discussing the growing number of quirky, handmade gifts she receives from fans at shows, including a “handmade possum creature” ([01:47]).
- The gifts have become so frequent she jokes about needing a case to keep them all, especially since “a lot of them are kind of magical, like crystals and spells” and she fears being cursed if she gives any away ([02:14]).
- The hosts compare personality differences, with Tig highlighting how “up your alley, it’s hilarious” these gifts are for Mae ([02:26]).
- Mae shares the story of being given a “book of Canadian trivia” and learning peanut butter was invented in Canada ([02:38]–[03:01]).
Notable Quote:
- Mae: “I have kind of a problem now that at every show I’m getting these amazing gifts... I don’t know where to keep them all or what to do.” ([02:03])
- Mae (on peanut butter): “She goes, ‘you’re not gonna believe this, but peanut butter was invented in Canada.’ I was like, I’m in heaven.” ([02:38])
2. Fan Interactions and Meet & Greet Behavior
- Mae describes fans wanting different meet & greet photo styles: reserved with Tig, playful with Fortune, and “like a koala” with Mae, which she admits is her own precedent: “I like a hug” ([03:18]–[04:01]).
- The hosts playfully analyze their reputations and approaches to fans.
3. Brand Worship & Merchandise (Buc-ee’s Conversation)
- Tig discusses the cult-like enthusiasm for Buc-ee’s gas stations and similar brand obsessions, contrasting it with her own more indifferent approach ([05:19]–[06:53]).
- Mae points out fans even give her Buc-ee’s related merchandise to annoy Tig.
Notable Quote:
- Tig: “I don’t like brand worship … Like, go empty your bladder, buy a bag of chips, fill up your car and head out.” ([05:28])
4. Home Life & Routines
- Tig shares how much she appreciates time at home after touring and enjoys family rituals, like making up a story by taking turns saying words ([06:58]–[08:11]).
- Discussion of exercise routines, with Tig doing “55-year-old weight training” to stay healthy: “Certainly not creating a body like Mae Martin’s, but...” ([08:34]).
Notable Quote:
- Tig: “It feels nice to be in a routine. Stephanie and I in the morning sit and chat and we take a walk together and … it’s just nice to start my day that way.” ([08:59])
5. Listener Questions
A. Silliest Unnecessary Lie Ever Told ([10:39])
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Mae’s Confession: She once lied to cancel a show at Largo, telling the booker she’d hurt her back from a massage (“the person was walking on me”), though she’d really just fallen in love and wanted to stay home. She describes the loop of unnecessary explanations and how she’s worked to break the habit ([11:00]–[12:57]).
- Mae: “That was crazy. Blaming some fictional masseuse for breaking my back … and then having to see Flanny the next week for another show.” ([12:38])
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Tig’s Prank: Rather than lying, Tig leans into pranks—describes “party bits” pulled at a Venice house party with comedian Henry Phillips. She’d tell strangers: “Hey, guys, I’m gonna be going to bed in like 10 minutes,” then walk away, escalating it to the whole backyard ([14:16]–[16:57]).
- Tig: “That doesn’t mean I own the house. That just means I’m going to bed in like 10 minutes, you know? Totally.” ([16:57])
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Listener Ray’s Lie: Ray from Toronto tells how she convinced her partner that “gaslighting” came from “gas lamping,” giving a fake etymology before confessing it was made up. Her partner responded, “You planned this.” ([17:35]–[18:13])
- Mae: “She gaslist him. She gaslisted him.” ([18:17])
B. Dealing with FOMO ([18:27])
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Tig: Doesn’t usually experience FOMO in the outside world, but misses out on home life when traveling. Admits, “I want to hear all the funny things everybody’s saying…” ([18:49])
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Mae: Describes a 20s Soho House London story where she left early and missed her friend hanging out with Harry Styles, which led to her biggest FOMO moment ([19:14]–[20:21]):
- “20 minutes later, my friend texted me a photo of her linking arms with Harry Styles … I was like, wow.” ([19:48])
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Listener Katie’s FOMO: Katie from Chicago shares that she can’t see Mae live because she’s due to give birth on the tour date—her ultimate FOMO ([20:31]).
- The hosts joke about Mae bringing the tour bus to the hospital or Katie giving birth at the show.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
- Mae (on tour gifts): “I have so many possums. I have little cowboys. I have little raccoons.” ([05:02])
- Tig (pranks): “I really think we should start party bits at like awards shows, like, big, high stakes environments.” ([17:14])
- Mae (burp coverup): “Oh, yeah, you burped. Oh, you hiccuped. Okay, burped.” ([22:17])
- Mae: “That was a lie. I said hiccups because I was embarrassed that I burped.” ([22:22])
- Hosts’ Advice: On FOMO, they empathize and laugh with callers, reinforcing the positive community of the show.
Key Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:47 | Mae receives a handmade possum; discussion of fan gifts | | 03:18 | Meet & greet photo expectations, personality differences | | 05:19 | Buc-ee’s and the mystery of brand obsession | | 06:58 | Tig on returning home; family rituals and routines | | 08:34 | Exercise, routines, health updates | | 10:39 | Listener Ray asks about unnecessary lies | | 11:00 | Mae’s fictional back injury to cancel a gig | | 14:16 | Tig’s Venice “party bits” story | | 17:35 | Ray’s gaslighting etymology prank | | 18:27 | Katie asks for advice on FOMO | | 19:14 | Mae’s Harry Styles FOMO story | | 20:31 | Katie’s FOMO about missing Mae’s show due to giving birth | | 22:22 | Mae lies about burping (calls it a hiccup) |
Tone & Dynamic
The conversation is energetic, honest, and comedic, with the hosts riffing off one another’s quirks and stories. The tone balances lightheartedness and genuine connection, particularly when discussing personal failings or sharing with listeners.
For Listeners
This episode is perfect for fans who enjoy behind-the-scenes glimpses of the hosts’ lives, funny tales of mishaps, and the camaraderie that makes “Handsome” a unique blend of humor and real talk. Whether you relate to Mae’s trinket-hoarding, Tig’s love of routine and pranks, or you just want advice on processing FOMO, there’s something charming here for everyone.
