Inside Tig Notaro’s Friendship Ends With Cheryl Hines

Tig Notaro again Cheryl Hines entertained comedy fans with their podcast “Tig and Cheryl: True Story”, launched in 2020.
But three years later, Notaro, 54, suddenly left the job. Her May 2023 departure comes one month after Hines’ politician husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.announced his campaign for the 2024 US presidential election.
More than a year later, Notaro confirmed during an October 2025 episode of the “Breaking Bread With Tom Papa” podcast that she had to break up with Hines, 60, because of Kennedy’s political advances.
“Cheryl is married to Bobby Kennedy Jr.,” Notaro said during the episode. “When he announced how he was going to run, I immediately felt like I had to leave … because there are beliefs that were like a sore on the arm years ago that were starting to stand out.”
The comedian went on to explain that the political status of Kennedy, Secretary of Health and Human Services to the President Donald TrumpManagement, has been very problematic. “My friendship with Cheryl predates her marriage to Bobby,” Notaro said of the couple, who married in 2014. “He was under natural law. Also, some beliefs he had were like a sore on my arm.”
In a new interview of MS NowIn the podcast “The Best People”, published on Monday, March 9, Notaro once again showed his former friendship.
Keep scrolling for more insight into Notaro’s feud with Hines:
Notaro Felt ‘Stupid’ After Kennedy’s Power Move
“Tig and Cheryl: The True Story” features the two hosts breaking down the documentary each week, and their banter often results in funny anecdotes and commentary. Notaro said in his turn MS Now interview that the job felt different after Kennedy, 72, announced his campaign.
“There are things that he thought and felt that I did not agree with, but he did not have the platform that he had in this epidemic. I think that I had to stop doing the podcast, because it was absurd, it was stupid – our show – that it was difficult to do that while he was gaining momentum and talking,” he told the host. Nicole Wallace.

Tig Notaro
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Creative CoalitionNotaro’s Stand-Up shows were influential
Notaro said during the meeting MS Now interview that his association with Hines and Kennedy led to a political upheaval during which he played an important role.
“People were interrupting my stand-up plans and yelling, ‘Bobby’s crazy!'” Notaro said. “I was telling Cheryl that I know it’s a small percentage of people who push back online or shout at shows, but I was like, ‘Man, this is not my world. I’m not doing this. I don’t want to be a part of this.’
Notaro noted that Hines was initially understanding of his decision to exit their podcast. “He [Hines] it was like, ‘I understand,’ but he wanted to continue doing the podcast. I had to leave, but I loved him so much,” Notaro recalled.
Notaro was replaced Rachael Harris on “Tig and Cheryl: True Story,” but production ended for good in December 2023.
Their Friendship Changed After Notaro Left The Podcast
Notaro said he was upset that his friendship with Hines changed after he left the podcast. “What saddened me the most was that we were in conflicting places like this, but I continued to contact him and send him love and support because I didn’t know what was happening behind closed doors, things changed a lot,” he said in an interview.
“I noticed one day that he doesn’t want me anymore, he answers me, but he doesn’t come to me. I had to shake myself to deny, ‘Oh, he’s gone,’ and, ‘Okay, I have to stop.

Cheryl Hines
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Accessories CouncilNotaro Denies ‘Abandoning’ Hines as Friend
The comedian also said that reports that Hines had “dumped” were not true. “What impressed me was that there was an interview saying that I dumped him and left him in the dust because of Bobby, but I was trying to be his friend even though I don’t see that I can continue with this game,” he said. MS Now interview. “It’s been very strange, and I think I’m over the confusion and sadness.”
Hines Felt Helpless During Notaro’s Podcast Appearance
Hines said during a November 2025 episode of the “Howie Mandel does Stuff” podcast that he felt helpless when Notaro left. “When I felt sorry for him, there was not much I could do about it except to leave my husband,” she said at the time. “This is what he feels he has to do for himself … and he feels he needs to distance himself from me.”




