Podcast Summary: Handsome – Episode: “Zach Cherry Asks About Wasting Time”
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Hosts: Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, May Martin
Description: "Handsome" is a podcast from comedians Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin. Every week, the handsome hosts field a question from a friend and attempt to answer it together, covering every subject you could think of. Along the way, Tig, Fortune, and Mae tell plenty of stories and just generally have a ridiculous time.
1. Family Vacations and Personal Stories
May Martin's Trip to Portugal
Timestamp: 02:36 – 07:04
May Martin shares her recent family vacation to Portugal, highlighting the rare gathering of her entire family after 15 years. One memorable experience was visiting the island of São Miguel, resembling Iceland with its dramatic landscapes featuring hot springs, geysers, and volcanic rocks. May recounts a humorous encounter with a handsome listener in San Miguel and describes the unique taste of naturally sparkling water straight from the earth.
Notable Quote:
May Martin (03:24): "It's so mind-blowing, like sitting there waiting for my shrimp or whatever in the restaurant, and someone went, 'keep it handsome.'"
Fortune Feimster's Weekend with Her Brother
Timestamp: 04:58 – 06:13
Fortune discusses her recent weekend spent exclusively with her brother, Jay. They engaged in nostalgic activities like playing Topgolf, watching movies, and revisiting their childhood interests such as Warhammer. This time fostered a deeper sibling bond, echoing their childhood camaraderie.
Notable Quote:
Fortune Feimster (05:27): "It felt like childhood all over again. Like, whoa."
2. Pop Culture and Shared Interests
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess
Timestamp: 09:03 – 11:08
The hosts delve into their appreciation for iconic TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess, emphasizing their significant LGBT+ followings. May praises Sarah Michelle Gellar's performance in Buffy, while Tig reminisces about her work with Sam Raimi's company on Xena, noting its substantial lesbian fan base.
Notable Quote:
May Martin (09:20): "It was big for me when Willow got a girlfriend in the later seasons. That was groundbreaking."
3. Personal Development and Hobbies
Memorizing Capital Cities and Organizing
Timestamp: 11:22 – 17:15
May discusses her commitment to memorizing capital cities, viewing it as a productive yet time-consuming hobby. Tig shares her method of maintaining extensive to-do lists and bucket lists to track personal progress and aspirations, highlighting their shared love for organization.
Notable Quote:
Tig Notaro (35:14): "I really enjoy lists and keep track by moving things to the next level once they're done."
4. Advertising Breaks
The episode includes several advertising segments, promoting brands like Allstate, Wild Grain, Honeylove, and Wayfair. These segments are seamlessly integrated into the conversation but are excluded from the core content summary.
5. Engaging with the Listener's Question
Zach Cherry's Inquiry on Wasting Time
Timestamp: 31:24 – 57:38
Question:
Zach Cherry asks, "What is a way that you could easily just waste like 10 hours?" emphasizing activities that are purely time-consuming without being productive.
Hosts' Responses:
-
Fortune Feimster: Suggests lounging in a hot tub for hours, engaging in mindless activities like scrolling through the phone, or watching (good or bad) television.
Notable Quote:
Fortune Feimster (44:07): "I could sit in the pool or the hot tub for hours. I'll go through different times of talking on the phone or staring into space." -
May Martin: Recommends getting absorbed in activities that facilitate losing track of time, such as playing video games or indulging in trivia games.
Notable Quote:
May Martin (35:19): "It's something that you can get so fixated on that you lose track of time and you're in your own little world." -
Tig Notaro: Shares her strategy of creating and organizing to-do lists, which paradoxically can be both productive and time-consuming, especially when done obsessively.
Notable Quote:
Tig Notaro (35:33): "On flights, I go through all of my photos and videos, clean up my phone, and organize my lists. It feels productive, but it can easily take up hours."
Discussion Highlights:
- The trio reflects on the balance between productivity and leisure, acknowledging that certain activities can border on time-wasting while still offering personal satisfaction.
- They humorously explore the idea of being "wasting time" through organized tasks versus purely recreational activities.
6. Fictional Visitor Interaction: Amelia
Timestamp: 30:31 – 30:22
The hosts engage in a playful skit featuring a fictional character named Amelia, a new vegan in town, injecting humor and spontaneity into the episode. This segment showcases their chemistry and improvisational skills, adding a layer of entertainment beyond the structured responses to the listener's question.
Notable Quote:
Fortune Feimster (29:53): "I insist. I'm sure I will."
7. Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
Timestamp: 57:44 – End
As the episode wraps up, Tig encourages listeners to share the podcast, subscribe, and engage with their community. Each host briefly mentions their upcoming projects and appearances, fostering a sense of connection and anticipation for future episodes.
Notable Quote:
Tig Notaro (58:12): "We have built an incredible community, and we're very thankful for it."
Conclusion
In this episode of Handsome, the hosts intertwine personal anecdotes, pop culture references, and thoughtful discussions to address Zach Cherry's question on wasting time. Through their engaging dialogue, Tig, Fortune, and May explore various facets of leisure and productivity, offering listeners relatable insights while maintaining their signature humor and camaraderie. Whether reminiscing about family vacations, bonding with siblings, or tackling listener inquiries, the Handsome trio delivers a rich and entertaining narrative that stands out for its authenticity and wit.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace Leisure: Recognize the value in activities that allow you to lose track of time, whether for relaxation or personal enjoyment.
- Balance Productivity and Fun: While organizing and planning can be fulfilling, it's essential to find a balance to prevent tasks from becoming time-consuming endeavors.
- Community and Connection: Engaging with friends, family, and the broader community can enhance personal experiences and provide meaningful interactions.
Notable Quotes for Reflection:
- May Martin (03:24): "It's so mind-blowing, like sitting there waiting for my shrimp or whatever in the restaurant, and someone went, 'keep it handsome.'"
- Fortune Feimster (44:07): "I could sit in the pool or the hot tub for hours. I'll go through different times of talking on the phone or staring into space."
- Tig Notaro (35:14): "I really enjoy lists and keep track by moving things to the next level once they're done."
This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the hosts' interactions, personal stories, and their approach to answering the listener's question about wasting time. For a more immersive experience, tuning into the full episode is highly recommended.