Podcast Summary: Hey Riddle Riddle #338: Fiddler On the Dune! w/ Elliott Kalan

Episode Information

• Title: Fiddler On the Dune! w/ Elliott Kalan
• Release Date: January 8, 2025
• Host/Authors: Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan
• Guest: Elliott Kalan, Emmy Award-winning writer and podcaster

1. Introduction of Elliott Kalan

The episode kicks off with the hosts warmly welcoming Elliott Kalan, highlighting his impressive résumé as an Emmy Award winner, former head writer for The Daily Show, and creator of the Flophouse podcast.

Notable Quote:

• [01:52] Adol: "Please welcome the wickedly talented, the one and only Elliott Kalan."

2. Discussing Names and Pronunciations

A significant portion of the early conversation delves into the complexities of Elliott’s last name, discussing its unique spelling and pronunciation. Elliott explains the historical reasons behind his family's name alteration to avoid anti-Semitism, emphasizing the pride in maintaining a distinctive identity.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:28] Elliott Kalan: "My name is spelled with two L's and two T's. My dad's name is Mark, spelled with a C at the end of it."
• [04:38] Adol: "It is like being part of a... I kind of have the opposite problem because my last name is Cohen, but it's C O, A N and I'm not Jewish."

3. Elliott’s Relationship with Riddles and Puzzles

Elliott shares his nuanced relationship with riddles and puzzles, expressing a love for logical word riddles and traditional brain-teasers while admitting a discomfort with physically interactive puzzles like escape rooms. He also introduces his new project, the puzzle podcast Smartless Presents Clueless, where he collaborates with Sean Hayes.

Notable Quote:

• [06:38] Elliott Kalan: "I have a son who loves games and puzzles of all kinds. He has a persona that we invented a couple years ago named P.J. PuzzleWiz, who is just like the master of puzzles."

4. Engaging with Riddles

The hosts present Elliott with several riddles, creating an interactive and entertaining segment. The first riddle asks, "What is the main cause of dry skin?" After some deliberation, Elliott correctly identifies the answer as "a towel."

Notable Quote:

• [11:26] Elliott Kalan: "It is a towel. The main cause of dry skin is a towel."

5. Improvisational Scenes with Riddles

The trio engages in improvisational scenes, blending riddles with humorous skits. One such scene involves playing football players on the sidelines, with Adol acting as a riddle-demanding towel boy named Riddleburn. These segments showcase the hosts' and Elliott's improvisational skills, adding a layer of humor and creativity to the episode.

Notable Quote:

• [14:38] Adol: "Riddleburn. That's the kind of riddle goblin."

6. Exploring New Jersey Culture and Anecdotes

Elliott delves into his experiences in New Jersey, discussing its dense forests, gas station culture, and the myth of the Jersey Devil. The conversation highlights the state's unique blend of urban and rural environments and Elliott's personal connections to its cultural icons.

Notable Quotes:

• [24:05] Elliott Kalan: "New Jersey is bigger on the inside than on the outside. So if you look in the map, it looks like a small state, but when you're there, it's a massive."
• [25:47] Adol: "Aaron, Nice. New Jersey's so beautiful. And great seafood. Underrated seafood."

7. Fiddler on the Roof Meets Dune: A Creative Blend

The podcast takes an inventive turn as Elliott discusses his creative endeavor of merging Fiddler on the Roof with Frank Herbert’s Dune. He narrates the development of "Fiddler on the Dune," a play that reimagines the classic musical within the Dune universe. Elliott shares snippets of the lyrics and the conceptual challenges involved in blending these two distinct worlds.

Notable Quotes:

• [40:54] Elliott Kalan: "The name of the play is A Baliset Player on the Sietch. You can also call it Fiddler on the Dune."
• [41:12] Elliott Kalan: "Because we're Fremen. We're Fremen. We're Fremen."

8. Reflections on Journalism and Storytelling

Elliott reflects on his tenure as a head writer, discussing the delicate balance between creative storytelling and factual journalism. He shares insights into his character development on The Flophouse podcast, particularly his portrayal of a die-hard Dune fan named Tom Brokaw.

Notable Quote:

• [38:14] JPC: "I want to see your version at the La Jolla Playhouse or something soon."
• [44:28] Elliott Kalan: "The main female character, who's like, she's always poisoning people left and right so that her son can become Roman emperor. She's so amazing in it."

9. Interactive Riddling and Playful Banter

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Elliott engage in playful banter, tackling various riddles and expanding on each other’s answers. They explore themes ranging from Roman history to modern-day puzzles, maintaining an engaging and humorous dynamic.

Notable Quotes:

• [49:40] JPC: "What letter comes next in the sequence? D, R, M, F, SLT and then blank."
• [56:28] Adol: "When is L larger than XL?"

10. Promotions and Future Projects

As the episode nears its end, the hosts and Elliott take time to promote their respective projects. Elliott highlights his involvement in writing for DC Comics' Harley Quinn and his upcoming children's book, Sadie Mouse Wrecks the House. The hosts also promote their live shows and Patreon offerings, encouraging listeners to support their creative endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• [64:14] Elliott Kalan: "I host Smartless Presents Clueless. It's a new puzzle podcast. Sean Hayes is the contestant every single episode with a special guest."
• [65:00] Adol: "World News tonight, Saturday nights at the IO Theater in Chicago."

Conclusion

Episode #338 of Hey Riddle Riddle offers a rich tapestry of humor, creativity, and intellectual stimulation. With Elliott Kalan as a guest, listeners are treated to insightful discussions on names, a deep dive into riddle-solving, improvisational skits blending classic musicals with sci-fi lore, and engaging anecdotes about New Jersey. The episode effectively balances structured content with spontaneous banter, making it both entertaining and enlightening for fans new and old.

Final Notable Quote:

• [68:22] Adol: "This podcast is brought to you by eHarmony, the dating app to find someone you can be yourself with."

Key Takeaways:

• Elliott Kalan brings a wealth of experience from comedy writing and podcasting to the table, enriching the episode with his unique perspectives.
• The hosts maintain a dynamic and humorous environment, encouraging creative problem-solving and entertaining interactions.
• The episode seamlessly integrates riddles and improvisational performances, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Hey Riddle Riddle team.

For more engaging episodes and bonus content, listeners are encouraged to join the Clue Crew on Patreon.