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 came one month after Hines’ politician husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced his campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
More than one year later, Notaro confirmed during an October 2025 episode of the “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” podcast that she had to part professional ways with Hines, 60, as a result of Kennedy’s political advances.
“Cheryl’s married to Bobby Kennedy Jr.,” Notaro said during 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 spotlight.”
The comedian went on to explain 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 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 two hosts dissecting a documentary every week, with their musings often resulting in humorous anecdotes and observations. Notaro said during her MS Now interview that the work felt different in the wake of Kennedy, 72, announcing his campaign.
“There were things he thought and felt that I didn’t agree with, but he didn’t have the platform he got in the pandemic. I think that I needed to stop doing the podcast, because it was so ridiculous, it was so stupid— 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 during 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 was telling Cheryl that I know it’s a small percentage that pushes back online or yells out at shows, but I was, like, ‘Man, this is not my world. I don’t do this. I don’t want to be a part of this.’”
Notaro noted that Hines was initially understanding of her decision to exit their podcast. “She [Hines] was like, ‘I understand,’ but she wanted to keep doing the podcast. I had to step away, but I loved her so much,” 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 changed in 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 reach out to her and send her love and support because I didn’t know what was going on behind closed doors. Then things shifted very severely,” she stated in the interview.
“I realized one day that she doesn’t ever reach out to me anymore. She responds to me, but she doesn’t reach out to me. I had to kind of shake myself out of denial that, ‘Oh, she’s gone,’ and, ‘OK, I need to let this go. I need 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 in the dust because of Bobby, but I was trying to be a friend to her even though I didn’t feel like I could continue with the podcast,” she said during the MS Now interview. “It’s been very strange, and I think 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 a lot for her, there wasn’t much I could do about it other than leave my husband,” she said at the time. “This is what she feels she needs to do for herself … and she feels she needs to distance herself from me.”
