Tig Notaro and Cheryl Hines entertained comedy fans with their “Tig and Cheryl: True Story” podcast, which launched in 2020.
But three years later, Notaro, 54, abruptly exited the project. Her May 2023 departure got here one month after Hines’ politician husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
A couple of yr later, Notaro confirmed during an October 2025 episode of the “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” podcast that she needed to part skilled ways with Hines, 60, because of this of Kennedy’s political advances.
“Cheryl’s married to Bobby Kennedy Jr.,” Notaro said in the course of the episode. “When he was announcing his run, I just felt like I needed to step away … because there are beliefs that were like a gnat on the arm years ago that were getting further into the highlight.”
The comedian went on to elucidate that the political stance of Kennedy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services for President Donald Trump’s administration, became too problematic. “My friendship with Cheryl predated her marriage to Bobby,” Notaro said of the couple, who got married in 2014. “He was in environmental law. And again, other beliefs he had were like a gnat on my arm.”
In a brand new interview for MS Now’s “The Best People” podcast, published on Monday, March 9, Notaro has reflected on her past friendship even further.
Keep scrolling for more insight into Notaro’s falling out with Hines:
Notaro Felt ‘Ridiculous’ After Kennedy’s Power Move
“Tig and Cheryl: True Story” involved the 2 hosts dissecting a documentary every week, with their musings often leading to humorous anecdotes and observations. Notaro said during her MS Now interview that the work felt different within the wake of Kennedy, 72, announcing his campaign.
“There have been things he thought and felt that I didn’t agree with, but he didn’t have the platform he got within the pandemic. I feel that I needed to stop doing the podcast, since it was so ridiculous, it was so silly— our show — that it was hard to be doing that when he was gaining momentum and speaking,” she told host Nicole Wallace.
Tig Notaro Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for The Creative Coalition
Notaro’s Stand-Up Shows Became Impacted
Notaro said in the course of the MS Now interview that her affiliation with Hines and Kennedy led to politically fuelled heckling during her stand-up performances.
“People would interrupt my stand-up shows and yell, ‘Bobby is crazy!’” Notaro said. “I used to be telling Cheryl that I understand it’s a small percentage that pushes back online or yells out at shows, but I used to be, like, ‘Man, this is just not my world. I don’t do that. I don’t wish to be an element of this.’”
Notaro noted that Hines was initially understanding of her decision to exit their podcast. “She [Hines] was like, ‘I understand,’ but she desired to keep doing the podcast. I needed to step away, but I loved her a lot,” Notaro recalled.
Notaro was replaced by Rachael Harris on “Tig and Cheryl: True Story,” but production ended for good in December 2023.
Their Friendship Dynamic Shifted After Notaro Left the Podcast
Notaro said she was upset as her friendship with Hines modified within the wake of her departure from the podcast. “What was most upsetting to me is we were in such opposing places, but I continued to achieve out to her and send her love and support because I didn’t know what was occurring behind closed doors. Then things shifted very severely,” she stated within the interview.
“I spotted someday that she doesn’t ever reach out to me anymore. She responds to me, but she doesn’t reach out to me. I needed to form of shake myself out of denial that, ‘Oh, she’s gone,’ and, ‘OK, I would like to let this go. I would like to let it go.’”
Cheryl Hines Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Accessories Council
Notaro Denies ‘Dumping’ Hines as a Friend
The comedian also claimed that reports stating that she “dumped” Hines were incorrect. “What was a bummer is that there’s some interviews claiming I dumped her and left her within the dust due to Bobby, but I used to be attempting to be a friend to her although I didn’t feel like I could proceed with the podcast,” she said in the course of the MS Now interview. “It’s been very strange, and I feel I’ve moved past the confusion and sadness.”
Hines Felt Helpless Amid Notaro’s Exit From the Podcast
Hines said during a November 2025 episode of the ‘“Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast that she felt helpless when Notaro left. “When it was feeling so much for her, there wasn’t much I could do about it apart from leave my husband,” she said on the time. “That is what she feels she must do for herself … and she or he feels she must distance herself from me.”