Podcast Summary: "Carol Leifer: 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'"

Podcast: Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch
Host(s): Rachel Dratch, Irene Bremis
Guest: Carol Leifer
Date: February 18, 2026
Podcast Description:
Rachel Dratch and co-host Irene Bremis blend humor and curiosity as they delve into comedy origins, careers, and stories of the unexplained with comedy trailblazer Carol Leifer. This episode deeply explores both the world of standup comedy—especially from a groundbreaking woman’s perspective—and the “woo woo” realm of signs, spirits, and uncanny coincidences.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on two themes:

1. Carol Leifer’s legendary career in standup and TV comedy—with a focus on breaking into a male-dominated field, navigating SNL, and forging a path for women comics.
2. Leifer’s experiences with the “woo woo”—strange signs and meaningful coincidences after loved ones’ passing, and the question of whether such events are mere chance or messages from beyond.

Tone: Witty, candid, supportive, and open to mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Year of the Fire Horse—A Woo Woo Introduction (00:24–07:19)

• Rachel and Irene open with an energetic breakdown of 2026 as the "Year of the Fire Horse" in Chinese astrology.
  • “We have to make bold moves. This is the year for us to make bold moves.” – Irene (01:07)
• They riff on the rules and rituals of the Lunar New Year—don’t take out the trash, don’t wash your hair—before laughing at how two “white ladies” are interpreting Chinese astrology and referencing a past Philippa Soo episode for accuracy.
  • “This has been two white ladies talking about Chinese astrology.” – Rachel (06:22)
• Sets a playful, irreverent tone that welcomes doubt but keeps a sense of wonder.

2. Carol Leifer—Pioneer in Comedy (08:12–23:44)

• Carol Leifer’s Origin Story in Comedy:
  • Inspired by Elaine Boosler, Leifer started standup while still at SUNY Binghamton, encouraged by her then-boyfriend Paul Reiser.
  • “If I hadn’t met Paul [Reiser], maybe I wouldn’t have found my way to stand up.” – Carol (12:47)
  • Mentions early jokes (“Who’s the fifth dentist who DOESN’T recommend Trident gum?”) and winning the camp “Hammy Award.”
• First Major Breaks:
  • Finalist in the New York Laugh Off at the Copacabana (came in fourth—Eddie Murphy came in fifth).
  • This led to being a regular at Catch a Rising Star and her first spot on the Letterman Show thanks to David Letterman’s recommendation after seeing her on Showtime (17:04–17:41).
• Navigating Comedy as a Woman:
  • Carol candidly explains club bookers’ approach in the 1980s—“they wouldn’t put two women on in a row… but I got on a lot more and got more attention.” (18:00)
  • Addresses persistent challenges: “I think the trick of being a female comic… guys still have to laugh first to get the women going. I don’t think that’s changed in all the years I’ve been doing comedy. It’s an odd thing.” (18:28–18:59)
• Stand-up Material & Writing Style:
  • “Really, just kind of like observations, musings about things, you know, impressions a little bit… always very whimsical.” – Carol (21:06)
  • Stays old school (“I still [write ideas] in a notebook, not my phone.”) (21:31)

Notable Quote

“I added some mortar to the brick wall, and that’s how far I go back.” – Carol (09:05)

3. SNL, Writing Rooms, and ‘Debbie Downer’ (21:42–27:16)

• Carol wrote for the "weird year" of SNL (1985–86) amidst cast changes, but found the experience supportive rather than sexist.
• Rachel and Carol agree the real pressure at SNL is writing, not performing. Carol affirms, “Working under pressure, I think, is really a big lesson learned.” (23:46)
• Debbie Downer backstory: Rachel explains how the character was inspired by a real-life vacation and was co-written with Paula Pell. (26:41)

4. Sexism in Comedy—Then and Now (27:20–28:16)

• Carol and Irene discuss if sexism has improved in comedy.
  • Irene: “I tried to just get up on stage, do my best… and I haven’t really experienced [sexism]. Or maybe I’m just ignorant and dumb… more coffee!” (27:34)
• Both agree: Grit and perseverance count more than gender.

5. Carol Leifer’s Woo Woo Stories—Signs from Loved Ones (28:44–34:16)

• The Lens Flew Out: At her father’s shiva, her sister’s eyeglass lens “flew out”—Carol, her siblings immediately believed it was a nod from their deceased optometrist father. (29:01)
  • “Not like, oh, you have a loose lens, it falls and drops in your lap. Flew out. We all looked at each other and we're like, that's Dad.” – Carol (29:04)
• The Stevie Wonder Song: After her father’s passing, “I Just Called To Say I Love You”—his favorite song—seemed to play everywhere she went. (30:16)
  • “To an extent where it was like, did the DJs out there get a mass email that this was my dad’s favorite? … It came on all the time.”
• Rescue Animals and Uncanny Names:
  • Carol and her wife adopted a Chihuahua named Julius—the name of both their grandfathers. (32:20)
  • Later, they rescued two cats after her aunt Jeanette’s passing—one named “Wolfie” (her wife’s own nickname), underscoring Carol’s belief in meaningful cosmic connections. (33:50)
• Both Rachel and Irene express delight at how “comical” and specific these signs are—and that they’re more fun to believe in than dismiss as coincidence.

Notable Quote

“I think it’s fun to notice those things. Like, you could just be like, eh, whatever. But it’s more fun to go through life thinking like, this is meant to be, you know, and seeing the meaning.” – Rachel (34:16)

6. More Woo Woo, Astrology & Animal Bonds (37:36–41:39)

• Carol and Irene discuss astrology (Irene tries to guess Carol’s sign—she’s a Leo), the idea of pets and humans being fated to find one another, and random psychic readings. (39:18)
  • “Are you a Leo?” – Rachel
    “Yes.” – Carol (40:58–41:00)
  • “A lot of people in show business are Leos because the attention!” – Carol (41:22)

7. Iconic Moments & Memorabilia (41:47–43:46)

• Carol shows off cue cards from a Bob Hope/Milton Berle special and Beatles memorabilia—her first concert was The Beatles at Shea Stadium at age 10. (42:32–43:46)

8. The Pendulum Readings—Lighthearted Woo Woo (47:49–50:48)

• Carol plays the show’s “pendulum reading” game, where Rachel and Irene each use a pendulum to answer yes/no questions that Carol thinks silently.
  • First question (revealed after): “Will Donald Trump be president in 2028?” Both get “yes,” then “no” once they hear the question—everyone laughs at the seriousness.
  • Second question: About possibly getting an engagement ring someday—pendulums say “no.” Carol and the hosts laugh off the accuracy.
• Rachel notes that, despite occasional bad calls (e.g., about whether she should fly home in a snowstorm), the pendulum isn’t always right, but it’s part of the fun.

9. Carol’s Current Work & Outro (50:48–52:13)

• Carol plugs her new book:
  • How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation, and Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place
  • “We walk you through it. … It’s very easy. We give you tips along the way. Pick it up, you won’t be sorry.” (50:48)
• Rachel and Irene extend the invite for Carol to perform in NYC soon and close with gratitude for Carol’s trailblazing career.

Memorable Quote

“You paved the road, sister.” – Irene, to Carol (52:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Year of the Fire Horse & Woo Woo intro: 00:24–07:19
• Carol Leifer’s comedy beginnings: 08:12–17:44
• Breaking into SNL & writing insights: 21:42–27:16
• Sexism in comedy, past & present: 18:28–28:16
• Woo Woo stories: Signs from her dad & pets: 28:44–34:16
• Astrology guessing game: 39:18–41:39
• Beatles concert story: 42:32–43:46
• Pendulum reading game: 47:49–50:48
• Carol’s book + outro: 50:48–52:13

Final Thoughts

In this heartfelt, funny, and reflective episode, Carol Leifer shares a legacy of blazing trails in standup and TV comedy while offering the kind of “woo woo” stories that stick—strange, personal, and maybe more meaningful than mere chance. Throughout, Rachel and Irene blend humor and warmth, creating an inviting space for both deep career wisdom and quirky spiritual curiosity. For comedians, fans, or the “woo woo” skeptical or curious, it’s a conversation full of laughter, insights, and memorable moments.

For more:

• Find Carol Leifer’s new book wherever books are sold.
• Follow Rachel Dratch (@raedratch) and Irene Bremis (@irenebremis) on Instagram.