Tig Notaro

Wed Dec 17 2025

As a cancer survivor, Tig Notaro has explored her own mortality in acclaimed specials such as “Live” and “Boyish Girl Interrupted.” Now she’s a producer of an Apple TV documentary called “Come See me in The Good Light” that examines the final days of a close friend, the poet Andrea Gibson. Tig talks to Ted Danson about how this unique project came about, the changes it’s inspired in her own life, and much more. Like watching your podcasts? Visit http://youtube.com/teamcoco to see full episodes.

Transcript

Ted Danson (0:00)

Where everybody knows your name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson sometimes is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try it@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law, not available in all states.

Tig Notaro (0:32)

There's so many different important messages. I mean, as Andrea has said, of like not waiting for that terrible diagnosis to start living your life and to start appreciating every single moment that you have.

Ted Danson (0:56)

Welcome back. Everybody knows your name. I've been really looking forward to talking to Tig Notaro. She's our guest today. She's a comedian, actor, writer and podcaster. She's also a cancer survivor. I highly recommend her deeply personal comedy album live about that experience. She also recently produced a documentary that looks at how we should live in the light of our mortality. It's called come see me in the good light. It's on Apple tv. It follows the poet and activist Andrea Gibson in the final days of their battle with ovarian cancer. Here she is, Tig Notario. I'm stalling just for a second and we will definitely cut this part out or not. But I take this shot of stuff. I have an immune thing, autoimmune thing. And so when I take it, it's new. It gives me hiatal hernia for a little while which makes you short of breath and you think you're dying. So I'm in that think I'm dying. Panicky at the same time. I'm so excited to see you. So now I'm going and that's.

Tig Notaro (2:05)

Well, we're all dying. So.

Ted Danson (2:07)

Yeah. Okay. That's a good lead in.

Tig Notaro (2:08)

The body starts to die at 25. It starts to cellularly.

Ted Danson (2:14)

It does. Literally.

Tig Notaro (2:16)

Yeah, yeah.

Ted Danson (2:16)

You can lie about it for another 30 years, but then it starts to die.

Tig Notaro (2:20)

It start to catch up and start.

Ted Danson (2:22)

But thank God for gravity or we'd still be like. We'd never be spiritual. We'd be party on.

Tig Notaro (2:28)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" with Tig Notaro

Original Air Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Ted Danson & (sometimes) Woody Harrelson
Guest: Tig Notaro

Episode Overview

In this poignant and engaging episode, Ted Danson sits down with acclaimed comedian, actor, and podcaster Tig Notaro. The conversation dives deep into Tig's new documentary "Come See Me in the Good Light," which chronicles poet Andrea Gibson’s final year of life following an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The pair discuss mortality, the transformative power of grief, living authentically, and Tig’s uniquely candid journey through stand-up, cancer, and queer parenthood. The discussion weaves easily between humor, vulnerability, and reflection on what it means to live well—and die well.

Key Topics & Insights

The Genesis of "Come See Me in the Good Light"

Inspiration for the Documentary
- Tig shares how her friend Steph Willen, involved in Andrea Gibson’s care circle, first suggested the idea for a documentary.
  
  “Steph just casually said, you know, I feel like Andrea’s life would make a really great documentary right now. And I was like, oh. Like, it struck me so big time that I couldn't even believe I didn't see that.” — Tig Notaro [07:35]
- Within minutes of the conversation, Tig was reaching out to producers, directors, and financiers.
  
  “As soon as I have an idea or there’s something I’m inspired by, I’m immediately on it. My wife jokingly calls it, ‘Yeah, this can wait.’ Because I act so quickly.” — Tig Notaro [08:36]
Andrea Gibson’s Openness
- Tig marvels at Andrea and their wife Meg’s willingness to open their home and lives to the filmmakers, with zero hesitation or need for control over the project.
  
  “They never had a call or a zoom or anything. They just showed up with a film crew... Meg walked out and hugged them. Andrea walked out and said, ‘Hi, I’m Andrea. I guess I’ll be with you when I die. Welcome to my home.’” — Tig Notaro [13:54]

The Reality and Impact of Death (and How We Face It)

Ted’s Personal Reaction
- Ted recounts watching the film with his wife, describing the intense emotional impact and the conflict between the beauty of the poetry and the harsh, unvarnished reality of mortality.
  
  “The poetry was uplifting... but death is dying is intensely real that I had to go past the poeticness and into, fuck. It’s so intensely real.” — Ted Danson [06:11]
Facing the End with Authenticity and Bravery
- Tig reflects on being present for Andrea’s final days:
  
  “I've been at four end of life bedsides. This is completely different experience than I’ve ever, ever had in my life.” — Tig Notaro [19:12]
- They discuss how Andrea desperately wanted to live and the tension between acceptance and hope.
  
  “It’s not like Andrea was just okay with dying. Andrea wanted to—desperately wanted to—live.” — Tig Notaro [18:11]
Societal Avoidance of Death
- Ted laments how American society in particular avoids talking openly about death and loss:
  
  “Our society especially doesn’t do well looking at death and loss. It’s very hard to let it in.” — Ted Danson [30:10]
Living Fully Before the End
- Tig shares one of Andrea’s core messages:
  
  “Not waiting for that terrible diagnosis to start living your life and to start appreciating every single moment that you have.” — Tig Notaro [32:00] (This quote recurs throughout the episode as a thematic touchstone)

Grief, Growth, and Transformation

Personal Transformation Through Grief
- Tig describes the surreal, powerful energy she felt after being present for Andrea’s death, challenging her sense of daily reality and herself.
  
  “I felt invincible with the energy and from the experience I had just had... I felt like there was some sort of energy and power... that I’ve carried with me.” — Tig Notaro [25:21]
- Tig states this experience changed her attitude toward work and life-balance:
  
  “I made real clear changes in my life... I only want to tour a weekend a month. I want to be home. I want to be part of my life.” — Tig Notaro [32:40]
The Power of Openness
- Both Ted and Tig discuss the beauty of Andrea and Meg’s willingness to live and die in front of others, and how this vulnerability helps other people face mortality honestly.

Stand-Up, Body Image, and Bravery

Performing Topless After Double Mastectomy
- Tig details her iconic move of performing shirtless on stage following her double mastectomy (without reconstruction surgery), and how the idea repeatedly surfaced during her recovery.
  
  “My brain just kept saying, like, oh my gosh, you have to do a set without a shirt on... It was an intrusive thought that kind of made me laugh maniacally.” — Tig Notaro [41:08]
- She wanted the moment to remain comedic, even choosing to segue into hacky airplane jokes:
  
  “In comedy what’s considered so hacky is airline material... so I thought, I’m going to do airplane humor while I’m doing this.” — Tig Notaro [44:00]
- The audience's normalization of the moment was powerful and healing:
  
  “I was so shocked, and then seconds later, I didn’t even notice because I did the whole half last part of my comedy show on HBO with no shirt on.” — Tig Notaro [45:53]
- Bo Burnham’s response highlighted the broader resonance:
  
  “This is not like a women’s issue. This is not even—sure, cancer and women and body issues—but this is like just humans... just to be comfortable in your body.” — Bo Burnham, via Tig Notaro [47:21]

Family, Coming Out, and Parenting

Children’s Innocence Around Sexuality and Gender
- Tig recounts a now-viral story wherein her children, raised by two moms, didn’t realize she was gay—nor did they know her gender:
  
  “I am the mayor of Gaytown and our kids don’t know. And we’ve surrounded them with all different types of people and families and gay families... but they don’t know why, I guess.” — Tig Notaro [57:20]
- She reflects on the radical normalcy:
  
  “You just take things for granted that your kids know your gender or they know that you’re gay... I have not had to come out to anyone in decades. So it did not cross my mind that I had to sit my kids down and say, I am a woman and I am gay.” — Tig Notaro [61:52]
Supportive Upbringing
- Tig shares anecdotes about her mother's boldness and her aunt’s moving response when she came out:
  
  “Why are you crying? You're telling me that you know yourself and you're in love... Some people go through their entire lives never experiencing love. And that's nothing to cry about.” — Tig Notaro's Aunt [63:08]

The South and Misconceptions

Regional Stereotypes and Acceptance
- Tig defends her Mississippi roots, highlighting the acceptance and open-heartedness she’s found among rural family members who never left small towns.
  
  “There's so much credit that needs to be given to these people that didn’t go to big cities and have those experiences that just have an open heart, mind blowing.” — Tig Notaro [69:09]
- She also recounts her family’s support during her gay wedding in Mississippi.

Notable Quotes / Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

“[Steph] said, ‘Andrea’s life would make a really great documentary right now.’ I was like, oh. It struck me so big time that I couldn’t even believe I didn’t see that.” — Tig Notaro [07:31]
“It’s not like Andrea was just okay with dying. Andrea wanted to—desperately wanted to—live. … I haven’t really used the word brave in a real way [before].” — Tig Notaro [18:12]
“You can’t help but let it in because there’s poetry, which is like music. It hits you someplace you can’t quite intellectualize. It’s so powerful.” — Ted Danson [30:15]
“Not waiting for that terrible diagnosis to start living your life and appreciating every single moment.” — Tig Notaro [32:00]
“I want to be part of it. I don’t want to be a … at the end of life, you’re like, I wish I hadn't worked so much. I wish I had spent more time with friends and family. … I want to do it now.” — Tig Notaro [32:55]
“My brain just kept saying, you have to do a set without a shirt on. … And so I did.” — Tig Notaro [41:08]
“This is not… a women’s issue … this is like just humans. Even as a man … just to be comfortable in your body.” — Bo Burnham, via Tig Notaro [47:21]
“You just take things for granted that your kids know your gender or they know that you’re gay.” — Tig Notaro [61:52]
“You’re telling me that you know yourself and you’re in love, you’ve found somebody. … That’s nothing to cry about.” — Tig Notaro's Aunt [63:08]
“The best gift you can give anybody is a well-lived life of your own.” — Tig Notaro [74:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Documentary Inspiration / Making-of: [07:00–14:00]
The Reality of Death, Andrea Gibson’s Legacy: [15:00–25:00]
Impact of Grief, Life Changes, the Message of the Film: [25:00–34:00]
Openness About Death and Urgency to Live: [34:00–37:00]
Stand-up, Body Image, Shirtless Performance: [39:41–48:43]
Queer Family Stories and Children: [56:47–62:28]
Coming Out and Family Reactions: [62:28–65:07]
Reflections on the South: [67:32–72:36]
Guiding Light/Personal Philosophy (“Best Gift…”): [74:59]
Closing Reflections on Healthy Relationships & Self-Worth: [77:26–82:32]

Tone and Language

The conversation effortlessly blends humor and gravity, reflecting both Ted’s warm curiosity and Tig’s dry wit and candor. There are moments of open vulnerability and laughter in equal measure, particularly around subjects usually skirted in polite conversation—death, grief, cancer, sexuality, family absurdities, and the South.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a rich, deeply personal conversation about mortality, courage, creativity, and living authentically. Through the lens of Tig Notaro’s documentary on Andrea Gibson, Ted and Tig explore why it’s so important—not just to appreciate life’s beauty, but to look death honestly in the face. Along the way, you’ll hear hilarious detours into stand-up war stories, adventures in queer parenting, and reflections on the power of self-acceptance. If you want to be moved, challenged, and reminded to live now—not later—queue this up.

Recommended Follow-Up:

"Come See Me in the Good Light" available on Apple TV
Tig Notaro’s podcast “Handsome” (mentioned by Ted)
Anderson Cooper’s “All There Is” podcast (on grief and loss)

(For those who haven’t listened, this summary brings you warmth, humor, memorable insights, and poignant moments from two beloved storytellers—making it feel as if you were in the room where everybody, indeed, knows your name.)