Podcast Summary: Stavvy's World #162 – Sarah Sherman

Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Stavros Halkias
Guest: Sarah Sherman (aka Sarah Squirm)
Setting: The makeshift “Stavvy’s World” studio in Manhattan

Overview

In this lively and hilarious episode, comedian Sarah Sherman joins Stavros Halkias and co-host Eldis for a freewheeling conversation blending career updates, surreal personal anecdotes, and candid advice for call-in listeners. The episode is infused with Sarah’s trademark absurdist humor (especially about body horror and gross-out comedy), behind-the-scenes tales from SNL and stand-up, and the trio’s uniquely warm-but-caustic camaraderie as they roast each other, riff on youth and aging, and dispense practical, if unconventional, advice. The vibe is equal parts chaotic, affectionate, and unfiltered—classic Stavvy’s World.

Main Discussion & Key Themes

1. Catching Up: The Make-Up and the Vibe (01:11–03:13)

• Sarah returns to the show, glammed up from press obligations (“from the neck up. Glammed up, glammed up. Eyelashes burning into my eyes” – Sarah [01:20]).
• The crew jokes about her full day in makeup and the discomfort: “[You] could just take a shovel and scrape off 4 inches of concealer.” (Sarah, [01:33])
• They riff on the impersonal, weird “sublet” studio space, and Stav’s plans to host a wild, real party before moving out.

2. Comedy, Parties, and Social Burnout (03:11–05:36)

• Sarah confesses she hasn’t been to a fun, non-work party in a long time—after show events are all “work.”
• “I had a martini and a half… fully blacked out, was acting crazy” and “I can’t tell if I’m charming anymore.” (Sarah, [03:30], [04:16])
• The group recalls embarrassing post-show run-ins and Sarah’s “apology tour” at SNL after getting stressed with producers.

3. SNL Sketches, Gross-Out Comedy, and Technical Challenges (05:01–17:00)

• Sarah and Stav excitedly discuss the art of vomit/diarrhea sketches and the technical challenges of fake vomit rigs.
  • “The vomit hoses are hard… Louis, special effects, shout out to—he actually did scan me for [the movie] Begonia.” (Sarah, [05:01])
• Sarah shares the frustration of writing “four sketches a week”—most being absurdly on-brand for her—but rarely making it on air.
• Discussion of SNL “normal woman” sketches and how losing certain cast members shifted Sarah into more “straight-woman” roles, despite her surrealist leanings.
• Sarah’s HBO special Live in the Flesh: anxiety about how it’ll look streamed, and neurotic fears (blurry upload, visible IV port from “the hydration drip” pre-show).
  • “I’m always, like, inventing a new terrible thing that’s happening, so… I was worried it was going to get blurry.” (Sarah, [10:59])
• Both Sarah and Stav swap war stories about technical mishaps while taping comedy specials (lights going out, color correction mishaps).

Notable Quote

“I write four sketches a week, and they’re exactly what you think—they don’t make it past the finish line.” (Sarah, [10:08])

4. Body Horror, Gender, and Gross Anatomy Riffs (16:23–40:00)

• Extended riffing on fake genitals, nudity in comedy, prosthetics, and censorship on streaming platforms.
  • “They wouldn’t let me show my real balls… Not dangly enough? Yep.” (Stav [14:55])
• Sarah talks about the detail-obsessed color correcting for the special and the visible “red, oozing IV port” (her own “Easter egg”). ([17:00])
• Honest, hilarious discussion of male and female anatomy, penis/breasts/butt envy, testicular torsion, “nut slings,” and the comedy of being physically vulnerable.
  • “They are fun… in terms of genitals and sexual organs. They are the goofiest, almost the most innocent ones.” (Stav, [34:07])
  • Sarah: “I just have ball—I’m ball curious.” ([33:57])

Timestamped Highlight

• [33:02] Stav: “Mr. Belvedere, the chika, famously sat on his own balls so hard they had to delay production for three days…”

5. Sarah’s Youth: Lifeguard Days, Awkward Romances, and The Nanny as Fashion Icon (25:25–41:56)

• Sarah recounts her formative high school years as “head lifeguard” among the popular kids—but embracing outsider status (“dressing like Grandma Yenta from The Nanny” at 17).
• She discusses spurning the advances of the “bald, short” quarterback—preferring oddball crushes like a young English teacher who “wore Snoopy ties and smoked a pipe.”
• Extended lovefest about Fran Drescher and The Nanny—Sarah cites the character’s bold fashion and humor as a primary inspiration.

Notable Quote

“She’s again the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. Full head to toe, neon Moschino every episode.” (Sarah, [28:03])

6. Comedy Career Stories: Showbiz Anxiety & Typecasting (43:03–49:52)

• Sarah shares acting audition woes and the agony of being typecast (“Every time an audition comes… that’s like, whatever, 30s… can we not?” [44:19])
• Jokes about wanting to play high schoolers despite “early onset skin age” caused by vaping (Sarah, [46:11]).
• Candid talk about age, appearance, and cosmetic interventions versus embracing comedic character roles.

7. Therapy, Stress, and Personal Care (50:42–51:36)

• The group swaps stories about dental work, teeth grinding, stress-related issues, and the comic indignities of trying to stay healthy as an adult.

Listener Calls & Advice Segments

1. Accidental Young Dad? (67:44–77:51)

• Caller Situation: Young cousin (24M) is about to become a dad with a much older girlfriend (late 30s), freaking out, seeking help.
• Advice:
  • “Is this lady going to have the kid? She’s going to have a kid with a 24-year-old?” (Stav, [69:04])
  • Step one: open, honest conversation with partner—figure out what they want to do.
  • Support is crucial—emotionally, financially, logistically (“this is an all hands on deck situation”).
  • Comical riffs about possible outcomes (faking insanity, running to Ecuador) but ultimately, be their sounding board and encourage honesty.

2. My Sibling Smells—Can I Tell Them? (80:36–85:49)

• Caller Situation: The caller’s sibling smells “like body odor and incense.” Should she let them stay at her house while they help with childcare, and can she bring it up?
• Advice:
  • Sarah: “This has nothing to do with where this person is staying. You just have to tell your sibling that they stink.” ([82:36])
  • Stav: “You gotta have [this conversation]. If not now, when? This is crazy.” ([84:13])
  • Options: Gently but firmly tell them, or take the “coward’s way out” and get them a hotel/Airbnb with an excuse.

3. Old Teacher Sliding Into DMs… Is He Creepy? (88:30–95:53)

• Caller Situation: A young woman’s former history teacher, recently divorced, is inviting her to meet at his hotel—she’s conflicted, unsure if it’s just friendly.
• Advice:
  • Sarah: “Why would you not go?” (joking)
  • Stav: “There is no innocent scenario here.” ([90:59])
  • Team consensus: He’s absolutely trying to hook up. It’s not unheard of, but it’s weird—double-check your own comfort and priorities.
• “If you want to get dicked down and you’re clear… this is it—then do it. But it’s a weird move to hit up an ex-student for a hotel meet.” (Stav, [92:16])

4. Am I Too "Gay-Seeming" for Straight Life? (101:14–109:55)

• Caller Situation: Straight guy frustrated he’s always assumed to be gay due to style/grooming. How to look "straighter" without sacrificing self?
• Advice:
  • Sarah: “I think he’s not telling us something, that he like, waxes his chest or something…” ([105:56])
  • Stav: “This isn’t bad… people want to look gay. Everybody loves gay now. It’s like the thing everybody loves.” ([109:08])
  • Embrace your style and vibe; don’t sweat assumptions. If you want to “look straighter,” dressing down and being a little messy can help—but why compromise if you like who you are?

Memorable Quotes

• “[Testicles] are the goofiest… almost the most innocent [genitals].” – Stav ([34:07])
• “I just have ball—I’m ball curious.” – Sarah ([33:57])
• “I’m not a diva deluxe… but all my jokes are ‘I’m ugly, I’m sweaty, I stink’—and my director was like, I think we have to hose you down because you’re bone dry and stunning.” – Sarah ([19:25])
• “I tried to show my nuts… to the point where people were like, oh–like, I didn’t care if it was a closed set. Everybody can look at my nuts.” – Stav ([30:34])
• “If you want an ounce of respect in this universe, you better pray on your hands and knees that everybody thinks you’re gay.” – Sarah ([109:34])
• “You could just take a shovel and scrape off 4 inches of concealer.” – Sarah ([01:33])
• “I haven’t smoked weed since I got crossfaded and watched Rap World before its release. I don’t come back from weed.” – Sarah ([25:01])
• “I was raka. He was a jock.” – Sarah ([41:21])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sarah talks SNL makeup & party deprivation: [01:11]–[03:13]
• Work parties & social awkwardness: [03:13]–[05:36]
• Diarrhea/vomit sketch talk, SNL inside baseball: [05:00]–[10:10]
• HBO special neuroses: [10:40]–[16:23]
• Body horror humor & physical comedy tangents: [16:23]–[40:00]
• The Nanny & Long Island identity: [27:00]–[41:56]
• Listener calls/advice (Dad panic, stinky sibling): [67:44]–[87:00]
• Teacher ex-student dilemma: [88:30]–[95:53]
• Am I “too gay-seeming?”: [101:14]–end

Conclusion & Tone

This episode captures everything fans love about Stavvy’s World—unfiltered stories, joyful grossness, and friends tackling both big life issues and the gloriously mundane. Sarah Sherman brings her offbeat candor and self-deprecating wit, Stav keeps the pace snappy and mischievous, and all three riff astutely on everything from bodily functions to existential anxiety. A standout for listeners who love authentic, absurd, and unexpectedly wise comedic conversations.

Sarah’s Special Plug:
Watch Sarah Sherman’s HBO special “Live in the Flesh!”
“If you like the special, take a screenshot of your favorite moment. Send it to me. Explain why. I’ll make a scrapbook.” – Sarah ([110:22])