Headgum, the premier comedy podcast network behind shows such as Doughboys, Handsome, The Lamorning After, Gayotic with MUNA, and Seek Treatment with Cat & Pat announces that Why Won’t You Date Me?, the long-running award-winning comedy and dating podcast from comedian and actress Nicole Byer, is returning to its rapidly expanding podcast network. Additionally, ad sales for Why Won’t You Date Me will now be managed through Gumball, the Headgum-owned marketplace for advertisers to buy host-read ads directly from podcasters. Nicole will also start to record video episodes from Headgum’s LA and New York studios.
The announcement of Headgum recruiting Why Won’t You Date Me? and furthering its relationship with top podcast talent Nicole is on the heels of Headgum signing the Handsome podcast from Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin, as well as The Lamorning After podcast from Emmy-winner Lamorne Morris, both in October 2024. Headgum also launched SNL star Ego Nwodim’s Thanks Dad podcast in September, all proving its position as the top podcast home for established and emerging comedy talent.
Each week on Why Won’t You Date Me?, Byer invites fellow comedians, friends, and ex-flings to talk romance and share their wildest dating tales, from cringeworthy first dates to jaw-dropping hookup stories. Through her mix of wit and extreme vulnerability, Byer’s show has racked up dedicated fans and awards over its eight-year run, including the iHeart Radio Podcast award for best Female Host, the Webby Award for Best Comedy Podcast, and the Ambie Award for Best Comedy Podcast. Notable guests from its impressive catalog of episodes include Keke Palmer, Tony Hale, Nikki Glaser, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lil Rel Howery, Franchesca Ramsey, and many more.
Upcoming guests include Lauren Lapkus, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Sherry Cola, Nick Kroll, Ben Schwartz and Randall Park.
“Why Won’t You Date Me? is my favorite podcast child – just don’t tell the others. I’m looking forward to bringing her back home to Headgum, where we first launched the show in 2017. I’ve hosted WWYDM for many years, and it’s scary and comforting to know that there will always be new content when it comes to dating – whether it’s fresh horror stories, new relationship scenarios, and unbelievably cute love stories – and I’m thrilled to be the host helping my listeners navigate it all every week,” said Nicole Byer, host of the Why Won’t You Date Me? podcast.
“There’s no question that Nicole is one of the top podcast hosts of all time – there is rarely someone who is so prolific and so consistently hilarious – and Why Won’t You Date Me? is a comedy podcast classic,” said Headgum VP of Content, Kaiti Moos. “Headgum and WWYDM grew together after the show’s launch in 2017, and we’re thrilled to reunite at this exciting stage for both Nicole’s career and our network. From iconic live shows to co-hosting Newcomers, Nicole has been an integral part of Headgum, and we’re honored to continue supporting her podcast empire and all the hard work she puts in,” added Headgum Director of Marketing, Marika Brownlee.
Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018, and her award-winning podcasts, including Why Won’t You Date Me?, Best Friends with Sasheer Zamata, and 90 Day Bae with Marcy Jarreau. Nicole has also hosted the Headgum Original podcast Newcomers, where she and co-host Lauren Lapkus take a deep dive into cultural staples they haven’t gotten around to just yet, since 2020.
In 2020, Nicole made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for A Reality or Competition Program” and was nominated again in 2021 and 2022. Nicole can be seen in her debut solo stand-up special for Netflix, Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo, and previously on the NBC comedy Grand Crew. Nicole can most recently be seen in Focus Feature’s The American Society of Magical Negroes, a satirical comedy and the 2024 American comedy film, Thelma. Both received rave reviews during their premieres at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Her additional film and television work includes Grand Crew, Loosely Exactly Nicole, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Lady Dynamite, Party Over Here, BoJack Horseman, and 30 Rock.
New episodes of Why Won’t You Date Me? are released on Fridays and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts, including on the Why Won’t You Date Me? YouTube channel.
