Handsome Podcast Episode Summary: "Weird Al" Yankovic Asks About Memorable Movie Moments

Release Date: February 4, 2025
Hosted by: Mae Martin, Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Produced by Thomas Willet

1. Introduction and Recent Events

The episode opens with heartfelt discussions about the recent wildfires devastating parts of Los Angeles, including Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu, and the Palisades. The hosts share their personal experiences and the emotional toll these events have taken.

• Thomas Willet recounts the anxiety of watching the fire approach his home:

  "I was watching the planes come in one after another after another and drop water. And you could see it over hours going down, down, down." [02:37]

• Mae Martin highlights the suddenness and devastation:

  "Having friends who get, you know, you get the evacuation Notice. And then three hours later, your whole house is gone." [02:56]

• Tig Notaro shares her tough decision to return home from Toronto to support her family:

  "The second I walked in the door, the hugs that I got from my family. And that trip home, I think, was one of my greatest time spent with my family." [09:36]

2. Coping Mechanisms and Community Support

The hosts discuss how they've coped with the crisis, emphasizing the importance of community support and personal preparedness.

• Mae Martin describes her temporary relocation to Palm Springs to help a friend and engage in normal life amidst chaos:

  "It was nice being around kids and her dog, and they were all in, like, one hotel room." [11:34]

• Tig Notaro underscores the value of having an emergency plan:

  "Make an emergency bag too." [25:56]

• Thomas Willet talks about the resilience of the Los Angeles community:

  "The city was so amazing. All these friends were texting and looking out for each other." [05:59]

3. Mental Health and Preparedness

The conversation shifts to the psychological impacts of natural disasters and the necessity for mental health support.

• Mae Martin emphasizes the strain on therapists and the community:

  "We all need to reach out therapists right now." [15:48]

• Tig Notaro shares her decision to disconnect from social media to protect her mental health:

  "I do appreciate people reaching out and... I was a little more MIA because I had to kind of protect my sanity." [20:43]

4. Interactive Segment: "Weird Al" Yankovic's Question

The episode's highlight is a thoughtful and engaging Q&A session prompted by a question from the iconic musician and comedian, "Weird Al" Yankovic.

Question from "Weird Al" Yankovic:

"Is there one particular scene in a movie that you had a severe physical reaction to? I'm talking about a movie that made you laugh or cry or throw up or soil your underwear. Something that made you flip out. So what is the one movie scene that made you do that?" [30:23]

Personal Responses:

• Mae Martin reminisces about "Rocky Horror Picture Show," sharing a vivid childhood memory:

  "Frank N. Furter throws that cape off and... I was five when my parents showed it to me." [46:45]

• Thomas Willet discusses the lasting impact of "Carrie," recalling an intense reaction as a teenager:

  "I literally jumped out of my seat. I was out of my chair and yelling at the screen." [55:57]

• Tig Notaro humorously admits to not having seen some classic films:

  "I've never seen Pretty Woman." [38:57]

5. Reflections on Classic and Modern Cinema

The hosts delve deeper into how certain films have left indelible marks on them, both emotionally and psychologically.

• Thomas Willet connects his reaction to "Carrie" with personal experiences involving family:

  "Anytime I watch a movie where a mother or a grandmother or any older woman dies of cancer, that it kills me." [45:05]

• Mae Martin shares her aversion to men breaking down in movies, triggered by performances in films like "Interstellar" and "Terms of Endearment":

  "I cry when men break down in movies like, like Matthew McConaughey and Interstellar." [45:34]

6. Humorous Banter and Lighthearted Moments

Despite the heavy topics, the hosts maintain a light and humorous atmosphere through playful interactions and jokes.

• Mae Martin introduces the concept of "apocalypse sex," eliciting laughter and camaraderie:

  "Oh, my God, I was gonna say, I mean, John Travolta, you know, he. He ignited my fire as a kid." [25:00]

• Tig Notaro and Thomas Willet engage in funny exchanges about mooning and awkward moments, showcasing their chemistry:

  "People don't moon anymore." [53:01]

7. Upcoming Projects and Events

The episode concludes with hosts sharing their upcoming projects, tours, and encouraging listeners to attend their live shows.

• Tig Notaro announces live podcast events:

  "We have the handsome pod live in Nashville on April 6th, and then we will be also Handsome Pod Live in Austin, Texas on April 12th." [58:16]

• Mae Martin discusses her music album release and tour dates:

  "My music album is coming out... I'm doing four big music tour shows." [58:26]

Notable Quotes

• Mae Martin: "Apocalypse sex." [10:35]
• Tig Notaro: "You gotta get that little baby in there." [16:56]
• Thomas Willet: "I'm going to look at apocalyptic situations very differently now." [25:04]

Conclusion

This episode of the "Handsome" podcast masterfully balances serious discussions about natural disasters and personal resilience with lighthearted banter and interactive segments. The heartfelt storytelling coupled with humor provides listeners with an engaging and relatable experience, while the question from "Weird Al" Yankovic adds a unique and entertaining twist.

For those who haven't tuned in, this episode offers a compelling mix of personal anecdotes, community insights, and entertaining interactions that encapsulate the essence of the "Handsome" podcast.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the podcast's content.