Podcast Summary: Don't Ask Tig - Episode: “NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING”

Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host: Dana Fox
Guests: Franklin Leonard, Abdullah Saeed, Fortune Feimster
Production: American Public Media in partnership with LA Studios and the Ankler

Introduction

In this lively episode of Don't Ask Tig, host Dana Fox welcomes a trio of creative minds—Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of the Blacklist; Abdullah Saeed, writer known for his work on Bong Appetit and High Life; and Fortune Feimster, actor, comedian, and writer. The episode, titled “NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING,” delves into the complexities of time travel in Hollywood through a series of engaging games and collaborative pitching.

Segment 1: Exploring Time Travel in Hollywood

Dana Fox opens the episode by setting the stage for a deep dive into the trope of time travel in cinema. She muses on the allure of altering the past to create a brighter future, highlighting the persistent fascination with time travel despite its inherent logical paradoxes.

Notable Quote:

"Time opens up the impossible. We fantasize about how a rewritten past could bring us into a bright new future." — Dana Fox [04:06]

Segment 2: Let’s Kill Hitler Game

The first game, “Let’s Kill Hitler,” challenges guests to recall how various time travel-themed narratives depict attempts to assassinate historical figures, particularly Adolf Hitler. The participants navigate through movie scenarios, identifying where characters falter in their missions.

Notable Quotes:

"Characters in movies and television shows try to go back in time and kill Hitler. And time and time again they fail." — Dana Fox [05:37]
"A housekeeper rats him out." — Abdullah Saeed [06:46]

The game not only serves as a fun trivia exercise but also sparks discussions on the ethical and logical dilemmas of altering pivotal historical events.

Segment 3: Lean Mean Time Travel Machine Lightning Round

Next up is the “Lean Mean Time Travel Machine” lightning round, where Dana describes iconic time travel devices from film and television. Guests buzz in to name the device and its origin.

Notable Quotes:

"It's the TARDIS." — Abdullah Saeed [41:21]
"It's a Time Turner." — Fortune Feimster [44:56]

The fast-paced segment highlights the diverse representations of time travel technology, from the DeLorean's flux capacitor in Back to the Future to the TARDIS in Doctor Who.

Segment 4: Collaborative Pitching and Time Travel Movie Ideas

The core of the episode revolves around collaborative pitching games where guests create and pitch their own time travel movie concepts based on random elements drawn from “popcorn buckets” containing actors, settings, and tropes.

Notable Quotes:

"I kinda went meta on it, guys. I also think it could be that's how I got here." — Dana Fox [19:05]
"Sweetie Man" — Abdullah Saeed [23:19]

Example Pitches:

1. "Can You Smell What's Cooking?"
   Franklin Leonard pitches a comedic time loop scenario featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson battling the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 Boston, emphasizing physical comedy and historical satire.

2. "Sweetie Man"
   Abdullah Saeed introduces a fantastical narrative where The Rock plays a Willy Wonka-like character orchestrating a molasses flood, only to relive his actions repeatedly, ultimately striving to prevent disaster.

3. "Unwritten"
   Fortune Feimster envisions a romantic time-travel tale set in the Library of Alexandria, exploring themes of love across epochs and the challenges of altering one's personal history.

Dana Fox commends the creativity and humor each pitch brings, highlighting the blend of historical events with imaginative storytelling.

Notable Quote:

"Would you rather risk dying in the explosion than be stuck in time without her?" — Dana Fox [73:05]

Segment 5: If I Could Turn Back Time - Real or Fake Movie Game

Dana Fox introduces a game where she pitches movie plots, and guests must discern whether they are real films or fabricated stories. This segment tests the guests' knowledge of time travel-themed cinema while providing humorous and inventive scenarios.

Notable Quotes:

"If I could turn back time, I'd have to decide if it's real or is it fake?" — Dana Fox [47:35]
"It's called 'Run.' It is." — Fortune Feimster [52:56]

Example Pitches:

• An MIT reject uses a Time Traveling TI89 calculator for revenge, which is revealed as a fabricated story by Dana.
• A romantic tale where a duke from the 19th century falls for a modern career woman, hinting at the real film Kate & Leopold.

The game not only entertains but also educates listeners on lesser-known and iconic time travel narratives.

Segment 6: Final Collaborative Writing Challenge

In the episode’s climax, Dana Fox assigns a collaborative writing task where guests revise a scene to modernize a time-travel narrative. They work together to infuse contemporary elements and emotional depth into a scripted scenario, showcasing their creative synergy and adaptability.

Notable Quotes:

"You have to punctuate the dialogue with an Irish flavor." — Dana Fox [67:05]
"Welcome to Ireland, where we make cool sweaters." — Fortune Feimster [67:41]

The exercise culminates in a humorous and heartfelt scene, demonstrating the guests' ability to blend humor with storytelling effectively.

Conclusion

Dana Fox wraps up the episode by acknowledging the collaborative efforts and creative contributions of her guests. She teases upcoming projects, including Deli Boys on Hulu, and reflects on the unpredictable nature of time travel narratives—echoing the episode's central theme that “nobody knows anything.”

Notable Quote:

"Nobody knows anything. Not even us. Actually, that's not true. I know one thing. If you have the chance to go back in time, please go back and kill both Hitler and Cortez." — Dana Fox [73:19]

Final Thoughts: This episode of Don't Ask Tig masterfully combines humor, creativity, and insightful discussions on time travel in media. Through interactive games and collaborative writing, Dana Fox and her guests engage listeners in an entertaining exploration of one of cinema’s most fascinating tropes, all while reinforcing the show's central humor: “Don't Ask Tig.”

Key Takeaways:

• Time travel remains a compelling and complex theme in Hollywood, often grappling with ethical and logical paradoxes.
• Collaborative creative exercises can yield both humorous and thought-provoking narratives.
• Interactive games on podcasts enhance listener engagement and provide dynamic content delivery.

Notable Quotes for Reference:

• "I've never had a child that couldn't read." — Franklin Leonard [00:17]
• "Time opens up the impossible." — Dana Fox [04:06]
• "If you have the chance to go back in time, please go back and kill both Hitler and Cortez." — Dana Fox [73:19]

Credits: Produced by Monica Bushman
Written by Megan Halpern
Head Writer: Claire Austin Culotte
Mixing: Hasmik Pahosian
Original Composition: E. Scott Kelly
Additional Music: Track Club
Support by Gordon and Donna Crawford

Disclaimer: LA Studios acknowledges the Gabrielino Tongva people and recognizes the painful history of displacement, colonization, and erasure of their language and sovereignty. Visit las.comland for more information.