Office Ladies Podcast: An Interview with Tig Notaro

Episode Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
Guest: Tig Notaro

Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey bring on comedian, actress, and writer Tig Notaro for an in-depth interview. The conversation blends behind-the-scenes Office stories, personal revelations, career reflections, and plenty of laughs. Tig shares what it was like to guest star as Tiffany’s mom in "Test the Store," her journey through acting and comedy, her experience as a cancer survivor, family stories, and the tale behind her now-famous watch. The episode is filled with humor, genuine emotion, and candid insights into the real-life experiences of its hosts and guest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fan Anticipation for Tig Notaro's Interview

• Jenna and Angela share that fans have long requested a Tig Notaro interview, especially after her role in season eight's "Test the Store" (04:08).
• Fan letters express admiration and excitement, with one asking, "Tig, why are you so amazing? How do I become more like you? And where do I sign up to be your friend?" (12:16, Rebecca D.).

2. Tig’s Unusual Journey into Acting and The Office

• Tig describes herself as "not a big auditioner," stating, "I'm not good at auditioning... I'm a standup comedian who has friends that have TV shows. And then I end up on them, and then it just kind of has kept happening." (13:56)
• She candidly admits she had never watched The Office before appearing on the show:

  "I hadn't ever seen The Office...I realized I didn't know who the characters were, so I didn't know who to direct the lines to." (17:34)

• During filming, she would accidentally direct lines to the wrong people in the conference room scene:

  "I was directing my lines in the wrong direction. And I was corrected, and they're like, 'Tig, you're looking at...' and I was like, 'Oh my God, get me out of this situation.'" (18:20)

• Tig later watched The Office with her kids, who became big fans—Dwight is their favorite character (38:26).

3. Unique Comedy Timing and On-Set Anecdotes

• The show's director, Brent Forrester, revealed that Tig's trademark slow delivery led to a typical exchange on set:

  "Hey, Tig, I have a thought."
  "You want me to talk faster?"
  "Yeah."
  "Every time they put me on camera, they tell me to talk faster. ...I can't." (33:44-34:23)

• Tig explains her slow comedic rhythm is innate:

  "The timing, it feels like a rhythm and a song to me...no, there's no thought. It's truly just how I deliver it." (35:10)

4. Overcoming Challenges & Developing an Acting Process

• Upon joining Star Trek: Discovery and Starfleet Academy, Tig struggled to memorize complex lines until her wife, Stephanie Allynne, developed a boot camp for her:

  "She basically said, when you get your sides...write out or type out only your dialogue...get it to where you can say it basically like an entire monologue...then plug it back into the script." (25:01-26:06)

• Tig credits this process with transforming her confidence and effectiveness as an actor.

5. The Impact of Cancer—Personal and Career Insights

• Jenna and Tig share an emotional dialogue about breast cancer, centering on Tig’s famous "tragedy plus time" quote and how it offered Jenna comfort during her own diagnosis and treatment (45:04–55:56).
• Tig describes how cancer made her more open, but also careful about how much she shares publicly versus privately.
• They discuss the complicated dynamics of support during health crises: friends who show up, those who cannot, the need for both comfort and normalcy. Tig emphasizes:

  "Any hard thing I go through, I'm going to be alive after this uncomfortable thing. ...but nothing feels better than...just being with somebody that you care about." (59:37–61:20)

6. Fun & Memorable Moments

• Angela tries to recall Holly Hunter’s favorite curse word, “sucker,” leading to a nerdy/funny tangent (29:34-30:34).
• The famous “Tig in space” motif. Angela says:

  "You are Tig, and you're Tig in space." (26:54) Tig: “I'm Tig in space. I'm Tig in the office, and I'm directing my lines to all of the wrong people.” (26:57)

• The “tortoise man” bit: Angela laments how she looks in hats, declaring,

  "I look like a little tortoise man." (58:50)
  Tig: "I look like a tortoise man. With or without a hat, I get called sir... Everywhere I go, I'm called sir." (59:00)

7. Family, Parenting, and Personal Stories

• Tig shares a touching story about her son honoring both his moms at a school assembly:

  "...they said, is there a woman in your life that is inspiring to you? And he said, my two moms. ...I was included in that. It was so sweet." (75:12)

8. The Story of the Watch

• Jenna noticed Tig’s Rolex in her latest special, leading to the story of how she received it from a former girlfriend who loved scars and gifted her the watch after their relationship (70:31-73:57).

9. Rapid-Fire "Call Sheet" Questions

• Tig’s first entertainment job: booking bands and working as a local music promoter (77:13).
• She plays guitar and drums (78:19).
• She loves nearly every small town she tours; cites Tulsa, Bloomington, and Indianola among other favorites (79:35-82:01).
• Midnight snack: Popcorn while watching sitcoms with her family—Friends, with The Office cued up next (83:39-84:55).

10. Tig On Her Career, Favorite Projects, and Star Trek

• Tig is proud of her Star Trek work and is excited by the enduring legacy and fandom:

  "That fandom is...it's like the Office...it's bigger, it's just been around for so long and you're part of that universe now." (68:08–68:13)

• She recounts being credited in unexpected ways (e.g., as “Tig Notaro from Garfunkel and Oates” after a minor role) (65:41–66:57).

11. Tig as Producer—New Documentary

• Tig produced a Sundance-winning documentary about poet Andrea Gibson and their battle with cancer, “Come See Me in the Good Light,” noting its emotional resonance and upcoming Apple release (90:22–93:54).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"I hadn't ever seen The Office...I didn't know who the characters were, so I didn't know who to direct the lines to."
—Tig Notaro (17:34)

"Before you give me any notes, just know I have no range. But go on."
—Tig Notaro (34:23)

"The timing, it feels like a rhythm and a song to me...it's truly just how I deliver it."
—Tig Notaro (35:10)

"Comedy is tragedy plus time."
—Tig Notaro, as referenced by Jenna during her own cancer journey (45:04, 45:37)

"Any hard thing I go through, I'm going to be alive after this uncomfortable thing...but nothing feels better than...just being with somebody that you care about."
—Tig Notaro (59:37–61:20)

"I'm Tig in space. I'm Tig in the office, and I'm directing my lines to all of the wrong people."
—Tig Notaro (26:57)

"Popcorn while watching Friends with the family at night—then The Office is up next."
—Tig Notaro (83:52–84:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Fan Letters about Tig: 12:05–13:36
• How Tig Got Cast on The Office: 13:56–14:57
• Admitting She Hadn’t Seen The Office: 16:14–18:09
• Director Story: “Talk Faster”: 33:35–34:23
• Tig Shares Acting Process Boot Camp: 25:01–26:06
• Cancer Conversation (Personal & Career Impact): 45:04–55:56
• Angela’s “Tortoise Man” Riff: 58:50–59:16
• Tig’s Watch Story: 70:31–73:57
• Tig’s Documentary Story: 90:22–93:54

Final Notes

• Tig’s Comedy Special "Hello Again" is available on Prime Video.
• Podcast Plug: Handsome with Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster, and Mae Martin.
• Documentary: Come See Me in the Good Light, about poet Andrea Gibson, released on Apple (Nov 14).
• Tig on Star Trek: Filming Starfleet Academy with Holly Hunter & Paul Giamatti.

The Office Ladies’ Takeaway

Jenna and Angela close the episode expressing gratitude for Tig’s honesty, humor, and vulnerability, celebrating both her artistic achievements and the way she’s inspired those who—like Jenna—face adversity. The conversation is both an insightful look into The Office’s behind-the-scenes world and a moving meditation on the power of comedy, support, and human connection.

For more on Tig Notaro:

• Website: tignation.com
• "Hello Again" comedy special (Prime Video)
• Podcast: "Handsome"
• Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (upcoming series)
• Documentary: "Come See Me in the Good Light" (Apple)

End of summary.