Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

177. Chelsea Handler: Why She Must Say It

Jul 14, 2025
Chelsea Handler, a stand-up comic and author, shares her journey from career lows, including a major bomb at Just For Laughs, to her present success with 'The Feeling'. She reflects on the importance of sisterhood in comedy and offers humorous insights into daily rituals, like her love for coffee. Chelsea reveals a wild anecdote about unintentionally transporting cocaine and her bold confrontation with Woody Allen. The conversation also explores personal growth, resilience, and the necessity for balance in a comedian's life.
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INSIGHT

Championing Flight Attendants

  • Chelsea Handler feels a strong connection to flight attendants due to the stresses they face and advocates for defending them against difficult passengers.
  • She believes in speaking up confrontationally when witnessing rudeness on planes, highlighting her fearless approach.
ANECDOTE

Dark Joke to Woody Allen

  • Chelsea Handler confronted Woody Allen at dinner with a dark joke about his relationship with his daughter-wife.
  • The moment shocked the table and made clear her refusal to stay silent on uncomfortable truths.
ANECDOTE

Accidental Cocaine Transport

  • At 19, Chelsea unknowingly transported a large bag of cocaine cross-country and was later pulled over showing drug residue.
  • Her fear and quick thinking in a tense encounter with police highlight her chaotic, early life experiences.
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