The Commercial Break | TCB Infomercial: Fortune Feimster

Original Air Date: November 30, 2024
Hosts: Brian Green, Kristen Joy Oakley
Guest: Fortune Feimster

Episode Overview

This special bonus Saturday "TCB Infomercial" episode features comedian, actress, and writer Fortune Feimster as the guest. The episode centers on Fortune’s comedic journey, her new Netflix special ("Crushing It"), her love of storytelling, life touring as a stand-up, balancing fame and privacy with her wife Jax, reflections on identity, and the unexpected impact her comedy has had on fans.

With the signature unfiltered, playful banter between hosts Bryan and Kristen, the show dives deep into Fortune’s background, her creative process, and insights about the current comedy landscape—sprinkled with candid asides, tangents, and lots of laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Family Dynamics and Material (09:49–13:09)

• Fortune talks about the complexities of splitting holidays between her and her wife Jax’s families, noting that Jax’s family are “better cooks and better hosts” (10:25).
• She reveals her mother isn’t offended but “provides a lot of fun, quirky material, but cooking is not her thing” (10:25).
• On pandemic changes: Fortune and Jax, having no kids, realized after COVID lockdowns that “this is actually kind of nice…We don't have to be there,” shifting away from obligatory family gatherings (11:59).
• Quote: “If you don't have kids, I feel like it's different, you know?” – Fortune (12:00)

2. Comedic Roots & Development (13:27–18:21)

• Fortune reflects on her conservative Southern upbringing, dabbling in theater in North Carolina but only discovering comedy as a possible career after moving to LA.
• She began Groundlings classes just to make friends but quickly found “the greatest gift” in discovering comedy, leading her to hone her craft for seven years at Groundlings and starting stand-up at the Comedy Store in 2007 (15:44).
• Fortune describes early stage struggles, from stage fright to major learning curves, but notes “I knew I was comfortable on stage, it seemed like people liked me. Those are two hard things to overcome right off the bat” (17:50).

3. Finding Voice & Storytelling (18:21–21:29)

• The process of honing a comedic voice is explored by both Fortune and the hosts, highlighting the long journey to authenticity and mastery—“10,000 hours to become a master” (18:21).
• Fortune’s style: Long-form storytelling with her own life as the narrative—especially family stories, particularly about her mother.

4. Turning Life Into Comedy (20:03–22:33)

• Shared anecdotes about Fortune’s mom becoming comedic fodder; Fortune admits to “writing it down” almost as it happens—e.g., “my mom falling in a cemetery” story being 95% real (20:24).
• Balancing punchlines with emotional through-lines is central to her stand-up, “so that there’s payoffs from the early things” (21:30).

5. Building and Testing a Comedy Special (22:11–25:27)

• After every special, Fortune faces “the worst part of this: I have to write a whole new hour” (22:33).
• The difficulty and anxiety of memorizing and developing new long stories, and the process of honing this material with live crowds.
• Hosts compare it to the difference between comics and musicians: “Unlike Guns and Roses, I can't play ‘Sweet Child of Mine.’ … They no longer want to hear it.” (22:56)
• Touring relentlessly (100+ cities, 150+ shows): “I think that material was honed as much as I could possibly hone it.” – Fortune (24:19)

6. Comedy’s Current “Golden Age” (25:37–27:56)

• Discussion of the current stand-up boom, fueled by Netflix, Amazon, and streaming platforms.
• The decline of theatrical comedies has driven more demand for live, communal comedy experiences: “People want shared experiences… so people are getting that by watching live comedy.” (26:35)
• Fortune touches on her gratitude for selling out big venues like The Chicago Theater and The Beacon Theater (27:58).

7. Acting vs. Stand-Up & The Path to Success (29:26–33:34)

• Acting was Fortune’s initial “goal”—she was cast in projects with Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling (via Lang Fisher), leading to "The Mindy Project" as her big break.
• Her comedic on-screen persona described as “so incredibly confident and clueless”—“overconfident… There’s this weird, vulnerable obsolescence, and I love it.” – Brian (32:07)

8. Working With Arnold Schwarzenegger on FUBAR (32:30–35:24)

• Fortune shares stories from the set of "FUBAR," highlighting Arnold’s non-diva attitude, sense of humor, and down-to-earth nature—even as he fields calls from the world's elite and remains committed to public service.
• Quote: “He kind of lives his life like he’s a governor still. He volunteers at organizations more than anyone I’ve ever met… He’s just smoking a cigar, chatting with this very powerful person.” – Fortune (34:31)

9. Destiny, Identity, and the Name ‘Fortune’ (36:03–41:07)

• The powerful story behind Fortune’s name: It was her great-grandmother’s maiden name, heavily encouraged by her grandmother. Her mother, however, “wanted me to be that perfect little lady,” naming her Emily.
• After her grandmother’s death, Fortune honors her by adopting ‘Fortune’ as her stage name while in LA, realizing quickly “I was always meant to be called Fortune. Like, I don't resonate at all with the name Emily.” (37:13–39:43)
• Discussion about destiny, trusting gut instincts, and the mysterious ways the universe guides us.

10. Comedy’s Unexpected Personal & Social Impact (42:04–46:31)

• Fortune describes being regularly approached by fans who share how her comedy, especially her coming-out material, facilitated pivotal conversations (such as parents better understanding their LGBTQ kids).
• Memorable Quote:
  “I had parents who were… kids were now with their parents again… I would get from parents saying, my kid put on your special to see how I would react… if I liked it, they got the courage [to come out].” – Fortune (44:07)
• Hosts relate their own experience with the podcast’s impact: “To some people, it intersects with their lives in meaningful ways that you could never understand. And in that moment, every struggle… becomes worth it...” – Brian (46:17)

11. Choosing Positivity & Fame Boundaries (46:43–49:56)

• Fortune explains why she leans toward positivity in her content, to offer a counterbalance to the “negativity, doom and gloom, and fear-based” media environment (47:34).
• She diplomatically manages her wife Jax's discomfort with the limelight, respecting boundaries and “being more conscious” not to overexpose their private life (49:54).
• Quote: “If I was with someone like… that couldn’t stop filming themselves, that was crazy. The two of you would be obnoxious together.” (51:01)

12. Netflix Special, Tour, and Upcoming Projects (52:27–55:02)

• Fortune plugs her third Netflix special (“Crushing It”), dropping December 3rd (53:07), and a new big tour starting April 1st (54:37), plus her “Handsome” podcast and ongoing work with Tom Papa.
• Celebrates the worldwide reach and affirmation that comes with being part of “the Netflix family.” (52:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Touring:
  “Second hundred city tour… I wore [Jax] out. …I forced her to be out of this comfort zone in so many situations just because I needed help. I was a one-woman team.”
  – Fortune (50:23)

• On Storytelling:
  “My stories are long, too… How can I keep someone's attention for eight whole minutes of a story?” (21:19)

• On Destiny and Names:
  “I quickly…knew I was always meant to be called Fortune. Like, I don't resonate at all with the name Emily.” (39:30)

• On Fame & Relatability:
  “I just try to spit [family stories] back out in a way that's like…how can I…keep your attention…for a whole hour?” (21:19)

• On The Impact of Comedy:
  “To think you can also help in these little, subtle ways just really means so much to me… I don't take it for granted in that moment.” (45:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Family Holiday Dynamics & Material: 09:49–13:09
• Comedic Roots & Early LA Years: 13:27–15:44
• Storytelling & Voice Discovery: 18:21–21:29
• Working on New Material & Touring: 22:11–25:27
• Golden Age of Comedy/Live Experience: 25:37–27:56
• Acting Career & FUBAR Stories: 29:26–35:24
• Name & Identity Destiny: 36:03–41:07
• Comedy’s Real-Life Impact: 42:04–46:31
• Positivity, Fame, & Relationship Privacy: 46:43–49:56
• Netflix Special & New Tour Announcement: 52:27–55:02

Tone and Takeaway

Light, irreverent, and heartfelt—the episode encapsulates TCB’s “chaotic, unpolished charm,” alternating between warm life insights, playful ribbing, confessional moments, and a deep appreciation for the craft of comedy and its ripple effects in people’s lives.

Whether you’re a Fortune fan, a comedy nerd, or just need a laugh with some unexpected soul, this episode delivers. Fortune’s mix of Southern candor, comedic humility, and gratitude toward her audience—all wrapped in the spontaneous TCB banter—makes for a satisfying, memorable listen.

Quick Links (from Episode)

• Fortune Feimster’s Netflix Specials:
  Crushing It (out Dec 3, 2024), plus previous specials
• Tour Dates: [Fortune’s website & social media]
• FUBAR (Netflix): Season 2 in Spring 2025
• Handsome Podcast: With Fortune Feimster