Handsome – Episode #89: Pretty Little Episode
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Hosts: Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster (Mae Martin is not present in this episode)
Episode Overview
In this "Pretty Little" mini-episode, comedians Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster riff on the surprise joys of reconnecting with old friends, reflect on big life changes over decades in Los Angeles, and field listener questions about red and green flags in relationships and the childhood qualities they strive to carry into adulthood. With their typical warmth and humor, Tig and Fortune offer personal stories, candid insights, and a dose of heartfelt nostalgia.
Main Topics & Discussion Points
1. Tig's Nightly Ritual and an Unexpected Reunion
Starts at [01:00]
- Tig shares her nightly bubble bath ritual and how it shapes her evening routine.
- “I get excited that I can just go be alone and think about stuff.” – Tig ([02:21])
- Stephanie (Tig’s wife) surprises Tig by wanting to attend a friend’s party last minute, breaking their routine.
- The couple usually stays in, especially after Tig has her bath.
- “We shut down real early at our house... I'm usually in bed by like, nine.” – Tig ([03:01])
- At the party, Tig reconnects with an ex-girlfriend of an old friend she hasn’t seen since before her cancer diagnosis in 2012.
- The conversation feels fresh and full-circle. Both Tig and Stephanie leave “feeling giddy” about the encounter and happy for the ex’s current life and relationship.
- “I just loved talking to her…we both left the party going, 'She’s awesome.'” – Tig ([05:15])
2. Reflecting on Time, Friendships, and Life in L.A.
Starts at [07:06]
- Fortune talks about her 24 years in Los Angeles, outlining different life “eras” – from friendless early 20s, to wildly social mid-20s, to coupled-up thirties, and now a phase where many friends are scattered or settled down.
- "I've been through many different iterations of LA." – Fortune ([07:31])
- Discussion of how the pandemic and life changes have shifted social circles.
- “It just is a different place for me now...my friends are just scattered all over the place.” – Fortune ([08:14])
- Fondness for occasional reunions and the familiarity of old friends.
- “When you have those...reunions...you think of your life when y'all all hung out all the time, like how different it was. Those are always cool moments.” – Fortune ([08:39])
- Tig notes the passage of time: Thirty years in Los Angeles, and how former significant relationships or seasons seem so big in the moment, yet become “a blip” in hindsight.
- “That was a year and a half of my life... Now I’m like, thirty years in Los Angeles.” – Tig ([09:49])
3. Listener Questions Segment
Starts at [10:18]
a. Red and Green Flags in Partners
Question from JJ in San Francisco [10:29]: “What is one big red and green flag you find in a partner?”
- Fortune’s Green Flag: Kindness and empathy, especially toward elderly people – a value instilled by her grandmother. Also values “give and take” relationships.
- “Anybody who has that in them usually is my cup of tea.” – Fortune ([12:06])
- “You just both equally want to make things easier and better for each other for no other reason other than you love each other.” ([12:49])
- Fortune’s Red Flag: Mean-spirited people, and partners who want you to have a small life with no independence.
- “Anybody that's just like mean for no reason... that's obviously a big red flag.” – Fortune ([13:35])
- “Anybody that doesn’t want you to have a full life... that’s a red flag for sure.” ([13:54])
- Tig’s Green Flag: Genuine laughter and humor together—when someone surprises Tig with their wit (“hits me from behind”).
- “There is nothing better to me when somebody just is so surprisingly funny in a moment that it hits me from behind.” – Tig ([15:01])
- Values a natural sense of humor, not forced, and doesn’t need the person to be “stage funny.”
- Tig’s Red Flag: Heavy drinking or messy, out-of-control substance use; doesn’t want to “babysit” anyone or feel uncomfortable in “boy babysitting” situations.
- “I can't do the boy babysitting situation.” – Tig ([16:03])
- JJ’s Green Flag: A partner who can vibe easily in any social situation.
- JJ: “If I can put the person in any situation...and they just, like, vibe.” ([17:02])
- JJ’s Red Flag: Secondhand embarrassment from awkward or inappropriate comments in public.
Memorable Exchange:
- Fortune: "Say you met somebody, that you were single and they had everything…but weren’t that funny?"
Tig: "Well, I don’t even need somebody to be funny. I just like laughing with people...as long as they get the joke." ([17:25])
b. Childhood Memories & Parenting
Question from Cammie [18:44]: “What aspects of being a kid do you never want to forget? And for Tig — how does that show up in parenting?”
- Tig cherishes her “Huckleberry” childhood – exploring creeks, climbing trees, feeling free and close to nature. She tries to replicate those moments with her own (urban) kids in LA: hiking, tree-climbing, and searching for crawdads in Griffith Park.
- “I never, ever want to forget the freedom that I felt in exploring nature.” – Tig ([19:12])
- “I love taking them on hikes in the parks and making sure that we’re finding ways to be more in touch with nature…” – Tig ([20:40])
- In Colorado, the family does more outdoors—mountain biking, wildflower watching, and mountain goat spotting. Tig imparts a bit of “survival skills” play to her boys.
- “I love mountain goats so much and just making sure my sons are keeping their eyes out for mountain goats.” – Tig ([22:29])
- Fortune’s keeps her “silliness” from childhood alive—valuing playfulness and lightness, not taking life too seriously despite adult responsibilities.
- "I like to be goofy and silly...what's wrong with keeping a little bit of that ridiculousness, that imagination, that playful part of your personality that was so prevalent when you were a kid?" – Fortune ([23:38])
- Tig recalls feeling “like she was 8 years old again” after her mastectomy, connecting body changes to childhood memories.
- “I felt very connected to my childhood when I had a double mastectomy... I feel like I'm 8 years old right now.” – Tig ([24:08])
- Cammie’s approach as a parent: She wants to validate her son’s big emotions, reflecting on being called “too sensitive” as a child.
- “As my little one gets bigger, I aspire to validate his feelings...he is a triple water sign, so I’m sure there will be many feelings.” – Cammie ([24:34])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On running into old friends:
"I love those moments where you get to meet somebody a second time in life." – Tig ([05:30])
- On the meaning of time:
“When you’re younger, certain groups of people or exes feel so massive in your life, and then you look back and you’re like, that was a year and a half.” – Tig ([09:37])
- On relationship red flags:
"I can't do the boy babysitting situation." – Tig ([16:03])
- On carrying childhood forward:
"I don't want to lose that. I think it's fun to have a playfulness, even as an adult, because otherwise everything is so serious and tough." – Fortune ([23:38])
- On self-acceptance after major surgery:
“I felt very connected to my childhood when I had a double mastectomy... I feel like I'm 8 years old right now.” – Tig ([24:08])
- Listener Cammie’s wisdom:
"As my little one gets bigger, I aspire to validate his feelings...he is a triple water sign, so I’m sure there will be many feelings." – Cammie ([24:34])
Timestamps for Significant Segments
- [01:00] — Tig’s bubble bath ritual and party plans
- [04:28] — Reconnecting with an old acquaintance at the party
- [07:06] — Fortune’s 24-year retrospect on life in Los Angeles
- [10:18] — Listener questions intro
- [10:29] — JJ’s question: Red and green flags in partners
- [11:53] — Fortune and Tig discuss flags
- [16:38] — JJ’s responses and more on social “vibing"
- [18:44] — Cammie’s question: Childhood memories to keep alive
- [19:12] — Tig on nature, parenting, and the Huckleberry childhood
- [23:19] — Fortune on keeping silliness and playfulness
- [24:34] — Cammie on raising a sensitive child
Tone & Style
Warm, personal, meandering, self-deprecating, and at times deeply reflective. The hosts’ comedic backgrounds shine in their asides but the tone is gentle, authentic, and supportive, especially in discussions of parenting and relationships.
Summary
This episode of "Handsome" is a cozy, intimate chat between Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster, brimming with stories of growth, reconnection, and the joys of keeping one’s inner child alive. The hosts offer insightful and often poignant reflections on friendship, time’s passage, relationships, and the small rituals that make life meaningful. Listener questions spark revealing and entertaining discussions about what makes for a great partner and how to retain the best parts of childhood in adulthood and parenting.
Handsome listeners: This “Pretty Little Episode” is for you if you want the perfect blend of laughter, nostalgia, and practical wisdom on navigating connection—in friendships, love, and family.
