An Interview with Tig Notaro

Key Takeaways

Comedian Tig Notaro discussed her unique acting journey and role in "The Office."
Notaro detailed her experience filming "The Office" with limited show familiarity.
She shared struggles with "Star Trek" dialogue and her new acting process.
Notaro and Jenna Fischer connected over their breast cancer experiences and comedy's role.
Notaro provided insights into her personal health crises and evolving public sharing.
She highlighted her "Handsome" podcast and producing the "Come See Me in the Good Light" documentary.

Comedian Tig Notaro was specifically requested by Mindy Kaling for the role of Tiffany's mom.
She appeared in the Season 8 episode "Test the Store."
A clip of Notaro's scene with Andy Bernard was played, noting additional dialogue not in the original broadcast.

Tig Notaro, primarily a stand-up comedian, admitted to not watching "The Office" prior to filming.
Her lack of familiarity with characters led her to direct lines incorrectly during a conference room scene.
Notaro described filming as a "mortifying" anxiety dream, feeling she hadn't done her research.
Jenna Fischer recalled Notaro's "deer in headlights" look during the scene.

Tig Notaro, though not a deep fan, enjoyed the original "Star Trek" series as a child.
She discussed her role in "Starfleet Academy" and "Star Trek: Discovery" as a recurring character.
Notaro struggled with memorizing Star Trek dialogue, developing a "boot camp" process with her wife, Stephanie.
The process involves isolating and learning only her lines before reintroducing them into the script.

Director Brent Forrester cast Tig Notaro in "The Office" without an audition, but requested she "talk faster."
Notaro confirms this is a common request and she proactively informs directors of her limited speaking speed range.
She describes her natural comedic timing as an instinctual rhythm, difficult to teach in improv.
Notaro revealed Ed Helms' inherent silliness made it difficult not to break character during their scene.

Jenna Fischer shared her breast cancer diagnosis occurred shortly after hearing Tig Notaro's Grammy-nominated comedy set.
Notaro's set addressed her own breast cancer diagnosis, providing catharsis for Fischer.
Notaro clarified that "comedy is tragedy plus time" is a famous quote, not her own.
They discussed the audience's reaction to Notaro's initial cancer announcement during her set.

Tig Notaro reflected on a four-month period of intense personal and health crises, including pneumonia, C. diff, her mother's death, a breakup, and her own cancer diagnosis.
This period shifted her approach to comedy, making her more open about difficult experiences.
Notaro discussed finding a balance between sharing and maintaining privacy in her public life.
She initially kept her cancer diagnosis private for a year before deciding to share, experiencing an outpouring of support.

Hosts discussed the importance of a close support system during health crises, sharing personal anecdotes.
They reflected on how crisis situations can clarify relationships, revealing both unexpected support and limitations.
The conversation included experiences with hair loss and using wigs and hats for comfort and appearance.
Speakers mentioned previous efforts to conceal illness, such as creating a wig for appearances on set.

Jenna Fischer inquired about a watch Tig Notaro was wearing, which had a story linked to cancer.
Notaro recounted reconnecting with an actress friend, developing mutual feelings, and then receiving a cancer diagnosis.
During her illness, the friend was very supportive and found scars attractive.
This led to a temporary romantic involvement and an exchange of watches, with Notaro keeping a Rolex.

Tig Notaro described her podcast "Handsome" with Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin, featuring lighthearted chat and fan questions.
She detailed producing the documentary "Come See Me in the Good Light" about poet Andrea Gibson, who has stage four ovarian cancer.
The film went to Sundance and won the festival's top award, as well as the Boulder Film Festival award.
"Come See Me in the Good Light" is set for release on Apple TV+ on November 14th.