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Tig Notaro has finally opened up about having to let go of her friendship with Cheryl Hines, revealing the painful decision came directly from RFK Jr.’s political rise. The comedian, age 54, sat down on March 9 to discuss the three-year podcast partnership that fell apart when politics changed everything.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Podcast Duration: Hosted “Tig and Cheryl: True Story” for 3 years starting in 2020.
- Exit Date: Notaro left the podcast in May 2023 when RFK Jr. announced his presidential bid.
- Friendship Timeline: Their bond began in the early 2000s after Hines caught Notaro’s stand-up performance.
- Current Status: Hines responds but no longer initiates contact with Notaro.
The Unexpected End of a Decades-Long Friendship
Tig Notaro and Cheryl Hines have been friends since the early 2000s, long before RFK Jr. entered the political spotlight. Their friendship was so strong that Hines helped Notaro get her first manager after witnessing a stand-up performance. When they launched their podcast together in 2020, it seemed like the perfect partnership. They discussed documentaries while their “ridiculous” banter made millions laugh during the pandemic.
But as RFK Jr.’s platform grew, everything shifted. Notaro explained that the podcast became harder to produce when Kennedy’s political movement gained momentum. The situation intensified when fans would interrupt her stand-up shows yelling “Bobby is crazy,” referring to RFK Jr.
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Tig Notaro reveals she ‘had to let go’ of Cheryl Hines friendship over RFK Jr.
When Politics Disrupted Creative Harmony
Notaro made the difficult choice to step away from the podcast in May 2023, just as RFK Jr. launched his unsuccessful presidential campaign. She continued reaching out to Hines with love and support, even though they were “in such opposing places.” However, something shifted dramatically in their dynamic.
“I was telling Cheryl, ‘I know it’s a small percentage that pushes back online or yells out at shows, but this is not my world. I don’t do this. I don’t want to be a part of this,'” Notaro recalled. Hines understood but wanted to continue the podcast, ultimately hiring comedian Rachel Harris as Notaro’s replacement.
The Moment She Realized Her Friend Was Gone
Notaro described a heartbreaking realization that came during recent interviews. She noticed that Hines stopped reaching out entirely, only responding when Notaro sent messages first. This pattern forced Notaro to confront an uncomfortable truth. “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,'” she confessed on MS NOW’s “The Best People” podcast.
| Timeline Element | Details |
| Friendship Started | Early 2000s after Hines discovered Notaro’s comedy |
| Podcast Launch | 2020: “Tig and Cheryl: True Story” begins |
| RFK Jr. Campaign | April 2023: Presidential campaign announcement |
| Notaro’s Exit | May 2023: Left the podcast over political concerns |
| Public Disclosure | March 2026: Notaro reveals the full story |
“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.”
— Tig Notaro, Comedian and Podcast Host
The Painful Aftermath and Misunderstandings
Notaro is frustrated by media narratives claiming she “dumped” Hines and “left her in the dust because of Bobby.” The reality is far more nuanced. Notaro tried to maintain the friendship despite fundamental disagreements about RFK Jr.’s political views and policies. She emphasized that she didn’t abandon Hines, but rather stepped back from public association with the increasingly controversial political movement.
Notaro described the entire experience as “very strange,” adding that she has “moved past the confusion and sadness.” Hines, now married to RFK Jr. since 2014, has also lost other Hollywood friendships over her husband’s political trajectory, including connections with Larry David and other industry figures.
What Does This Reveal About Celebrity Friendships in Divisive Times?
The Notaro-Hines split raises important questions about whether friendships can survive major political ideology clashes. Notaro consistently tried to bridge the gap, but the asymmetrical effort and Hines‘ apparent alignment with RFK Jr.’s MAGA movement created an insurmountable divide. Unlike other celebrity disputes rooted in personal drama or workplace conflicts, this friendship collapsed under the weight of fundamental values disagreements.
Notaro’s willingness to discuss the friendship’s end publicly offers rare insight into how powerful figures navigate loyalty versus conscience. She loved Hines deeply but couldn’t compromise her own identity and professional well-being. The question remains whether these friendships can ever be repaired once political boundaries have been drawn so clearly.
Sources
- People Magazine – Detailed interview with Tig Notaro on MS NOW’s “The Best People” podcast discussing the friendship fallout.
- Variety – Reporting on the three-year podcast partnership and the timeline of RFK Jr.’s political involvement.
- USA Today – Coverage of both Notaro and Hines’ statements regarding their ended friendship over political views.
