It’s easy to declare any given year the year of a celebrity-of-the-moment, but it really does feel like 2026 belongs to Mary Beth Barone. The comedian is fresh off the release of her Netflix special, Galaxy Brain, which ricocheted to the platform’s top ten, thanks in no small part to Barone’s signature brand of scathingly honest humour and deadpan delivery.
There’s also Ride, the podcast she shares with her best friend and collaborator Benito Skinner, which recently returned for its fourth season and has amassed the kind of devoted following that only comes from weekly topics like vermicelli bowls, having the last word, Betty Draper, and Coke Zero.
Then there’s Overcompensating, Skinner’s series which Barone co-stars in as his sister, Grace. The pair have just wrapped their second season, which will land on Prime Video sometime in 2027. She’s also become a familiar face on the red carpet, interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest names at this year’s Golden Globes, and making everyone from Elle Fanning to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson fall in love with her in the process.
But for all the momentum around Barone right now, her path here has hardly been a straight line. She fell into comedy after dropping out of college, moving to New York City and taking improv classes as a hobby. Even Ride, now a cult favourite with a fiercely loyal fan base, came after the duo’s first podcast, Obsessed (bleep it), was cancelled after just a year on air. In fact, part of Barone’s appeal is just how candid she is with her audience, whether she’s discussing the passing of her father, breakups or the minutiae of everyday life. So naturally, there was plenty to talk about when RUSSH caught up with Barone. Below, read our conversation on life after Galaxy Brain, the art of people-watching, her favourite book, and her ever-growing vintage wardrobe.
Where are you answering these questions from right now?
My friend Carrie’s house in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
How do you feel post-Galaxy Brain coming into the world?
I am overstimulated but somehow also sleeping better. It feels right.
Were there any jokes you second-guessed, or that nearly didn’t make it into the special?
I had the joke about sleeping with Netflix executives while I was touring but the day we filmed the special I thought of adding the Warner Brothers part. I was like let me just try it and if it doesn’t do well, we can cut it in the edit. So I did it for the first time that night and it became one of my absolute favourites.
Your comedy depends on being incredibly observant about people. What tiny detail about someone tells you the most about them?
Lately I’ve been hypersensitive to people’s conversation styles and what they lean on conversationally. Are they active listeners? Do they affirm the person they’re talking to with gestures (like a head nod)? Are they hyperbolic? Do they reply with “no” and then go on to agree with the person? I’m still figuring out what these different speaking patterns indicate but it’s super interesting to me.
As the owner of a Galaxy Brain, you’re the perfect person to give reading advice. What was the last book you read?
I just read a book by Pablo Picasso’s granddaughter, Marina. It was heartbreaking and beautifully written. I read it in 2 hours. I didn’t know much about Picasso, other than how prolific and talented he was. There is a lot more to his story and it’s very dark.
What is a book everyone should read at least once?
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo.
I also know you’re a cinephile. What was the last film you watched?
I watched the Heartstopper movie. I loved it so much! I’m glad my nieces are growing up with movies like this.
If you could watch a film for the first time again, which one would it be?
Tár.
Ride season four has already delivered us so many gifts – vermicelli bowls, je suis de la monde – what’s still to come?
We are going to publish a list of all the guys who have ever ghosted me.
And what can you tell us about Grace’s journey in season two of Overcompensating?
I can’t say much but she does have brown hair this season…
Season one had so many easter eggs for the Baronies – can we expect more of the same?
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.
Your archival Missoni dress (i.e. Marissa Cooper’s dress) was such a moment. What’s left on your vintage hunt list?
I have a couple other Marissa Cooper moments I’m on the hunt for. And then one very special look that was worn by a blonde icon to the Golden Globes many years ago. I’m not sure it exists but I have my best girls on this.
Which is more intimate: sharing a Notes app or sharing a wardrobe?
I think notes app… for right now…
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