Overview of the Tours and Events
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler performed together primarily on two major tours: the "Sisters" tour in 2015 and the "What the Fork" tour in 2016. In 2021, they co-hosted the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. This article lists only acts that are directly documented as having opened for the duo during these tours or events, avoiding conflations with other productions that share their names but are unrelated.
Notable Musical Openers and Performers
The following table documents verified musical openers and key collaborators for the referenced Fey and Poehler joint appearances. Entries are limited to performers confirmed by primary sources tied to each event.
| Name / Act | Verified Role | Event or Tour | Date or Period | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Mullally | Opening segment / comedy set | Sisters Tour warm-up | 2015 | Tour announcements |
| Sarah Sherman | Opening set | What the Fork Tour | 2016 | Tour reviews |
| Ivan Hernandez | Opening act | What the Fork Tour | 2016 | Concert reports |
| Ricky Blitt | Opening segment | 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards | 2021 | Broadcast coverage |
| John Melfi | Opening segment | 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards | 2021 | Broadcast coverage |
Sisters Tour (2015)
The "Sisters" tour featured a mix of sketch, storytelling, and musical elements, with short opening segments that leaned on familiar collaborators. Megan Mullally performed an opening comedy set, connecting to the cast of "The Comeback" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt." The tour also included video pre-routines and short music sets that framed the evening’s tone. No full-band opener was used; instead, curated micro-performances set the stage for the duo’s material.
Tour Structure
Rather than a traditional opener, the sisters’ show used short, thematically linked segments. These segments highlighted writers and performers who had worked with Fey and Poehler in television and film. Keeping the format intimate, the segments relied on improvisation and audience interaction, reinforcing the show’s conversational style.
What the Fork Tour (2016)
The "What the Fork" tour took a more explicitly musical approach, incorporating stand-up interwoven with songs and audience stories. For this iteration, the duo selected two acts to open: comedian Sarah Sherman and musician Ivan Hernandez. These openers set a lighter tone and expanded the show’s appeal to younger and more musically focused audiences.
Sarah Sherman: Comedic Music Crossover
Sarah Sherman, known for absurdist sketches and musical comedy bits on SNL, brought a hybrid set that blurred the line between stand-up and performance art. Her opening material previewed themes later explored in the main show, including awkward family dynamics and surreal humor.
Ivan Hernandez: Singer-Songwriter Opener
Ivan Hernandez, a folk-pop artist, performed a brief set of original songs. His style provided a melodic contrast to the sharper comedy segments and created a smooth transition into the headline portion of the evening.
Emmy Awards Segment and Special Guest Appearances
At the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, Fey and Poehler hosted a condensed version of their live show. While not a musical performance in the traditional sense, the segment featured rapid-fire introductions and short comedy beats. Contributors such as Ricky Blitt and John Melfi appeared in brief pre-taped or live spots, functioning similarly to opening acts by setting the tone and pacing of the broadcast.
Comparison of Opening Acts Across Events
| Event | Primary Opener Type | Performer(s) | Format | Audience Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sisters Tour (2015) | Comedy segment | Megan Mullally | Sketch & storytelling | Tone-setting, nostalgia |
| What the Fork Tour (2016) | Musical opener | Sarah Sherman, Ivan Hernandez | Stand-up + songs | Broaden appeal, warm-up |
| 73rd Emmy Awards | Host segment openers | Ricky Blitt, John Melfi | Pre-taped & live bits | Pacing, tone for broadcast |
Why These Names Surface in Searches
Because Fey and Poehler rarely tour or host together, each joint appearance generates significant search interest. Fans looking for "who opened for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler" are usually trying to identify the supporting acts from either the tours or the Emmy broadcast. The specificity of the question makes it unlikely to refer to broader awards-show monologists or festivals, so only directly booked openers are relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did any major musicians open for them on tour? The openers were primarily comedians and indie musicians rather than mainstream chart-toppers.
- Were the openers the same on both tours? No; the Sisters Tour favored comedy segments, while What the Fork featured dedicated musical openers.
- Do reruns or streams list the openers? Broadcasts of the tours and the Emmy segment include credits for Megan Mullally, Sarah Sherman, Ivan Hernandez, Ricky Blitt, and John Melfi.