Podcast Summary: Hey Riddle Riddle - Episode #358: Erin's Big Big Hat

Release Date: May 28, 2025
Hosts: Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan
Description: Three of Chicago's most improvisational minds tackle riddles, puzzles, and word games with humor and creativity.

1. Opening Banter and Podcast History (00:01 - 03:30)

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their signature humorous banter. Aaron Keefe attempts to start the episode with enthusiasm but faces playful resistance from John Patrick Cohen and Adol Refai. They reflect briefly on the podcast's inception in 2018 during the podcast boom and discuss their consistent opening routine. Aaron humorously admits that their recent episode has left their brains "jambled scrambled," setting a lighthearted tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:

• Aaron Keefe [03:04]: "We've been hanging out ever since. Is everyone okay?"

2. The Legend of the Big Big Hat (04:03 - 07:13)

The conversation swiftly transitions to a nostalgic story about a "big, big hat." John Patrick recounts gifting Aaron an oversized hat eight years prior, which Aaron rarely wears. Recently, during a movie night with Damon Royster and Elizabeth Andrews, Aaron defends his ability to sport the gigantic hat, leading to a humorous anecdote where he dons the hat unexpectedly, leaving his friends "with an egg on their face."

Notable Quotes:

• John Patrick Cohen [04:11]: "Erin, you still have that big, big, big hat that I bought you eight years ago?"
• Aaron Keefe [07:02]: "You can't see while you're wearing it. You can't like drive in the hat or talk to anyone."

3. Kentucky Derby and Horse Racing Discussion (07:13 - 20:49)

The hosts delve into their usual Kentucky Derby tradition of sporting extravagant hats. However, this year, unable to attend, they humorously contemplate "killing a horse at our individual homes," sparking a brief and comedic discussion about the realities of horse racing. Adol raises an intriguing question about whether racehorses understand they are racing or are simply motivated to run by their jockeys. The conversation touches on aspects like starting pistols and the nature of horse races, blending humor with playful curiosity.

Notable Quote:

• Adol Refai [07:36]: "Can I ask a question that might be dumb. Do the horses, you know, like, when we have, like, the Olympics or a track meet or something, the humans are running and they're trying to win and they recognize, like, to win is the best?"

4. "Horse or Band" Game (10:04 - 22:23)

A listener named Brandon introduces a game called "Horse or Band," where participants decide whether a given name refers to a racehorse or a band from recent music festivals. The hosts enjoy this interactive segment, showcasing their quick wit and extensive knowledge of both horse names and band titles. The game proves challenging as they navigate through cleverly named entries, often leading to humorous confusion.

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Keefe [16:19]: "That is a horse. Marsh on Fire Band."
• Adol Refai [17:00]: "Rutherford B. Hay. That's a horse."

5. Improvised Scenes and Comedy Skits (27:00 - 36:42)

Mid-episode, the hosts engage in improvised comedy sketches:

• Medieval Soldiers and Oil Attack: Aaron and John portray medieval soldiers attempting to storm a castle but are thwarted by an adversary using olive oil as a weapon.
• Science Teacher Gone Rogue: Adol plays a science teacher delivering quirky chemistry jokes, leading to humorous misunderstandings and classroom antics.

These sketches highlight the hosts' improvisational skills and their ability to infuse humor into spontaneous scenarios.

Notable Quote:

• Adol Refai [27:41]: "Aaron and GPC, you are two medieval soldiers. You are trying to storm a castle..."

6. "What's the Difference?" Word Game (50:04 - 58:35)

The hosts introduce another word-based game titled "What's the Difference?" Here, Adol presents a setup between two contexts, and the participants must identify opposing words based on different meanings. This segment tests their linguistic agility and adds an engaging puzzle-solving element to the episode.

Gameplay Example:

• Adol's Setup [50:04]: "What's the difference between a baked potato at Ponderosa and a non-functioning appliance?"
• Answer: "Loaded vs. Broken" – Highlighting the dual meanings of "loaded" in culinary and mechanical contexts.

Notable Quote:

• Adol Refai [63:43]: "I made a reference to the Esweepe bit on SNL..."

7. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events (68:02 - 70:23)

As the episode nears its end, the hosts take a moment to plug their upcoming projects:

• John Patrick Cohen promotes his tour, encouraging listeners to grab tickets early due to fast sales.
• Adol Refai highlights his new game, "Rattle Quest," a challenging word ladder game designed for puzzle enthusiasts.
• Aaron Keefe shares information about his Los Angeles-based variety show, "Quality Time," and seeks a puppeteer for an upcoming performance.

The hosts wrap up with playful interactions, maintaining the episode's lively and entertaining atmosphere.

Notable Quote:

• John Patrick Cohen [68:17]: "We're doing a 10 city tour so we should be coming, hopefully, somewhere near you."

Insights and Highlights

• Humor and Improvisation: The episode is rich with spontaneous humor, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and ability to create entertaining content on the fly.
• Engaging Games: Interactive segments like "Horse or Band" and "What's the Difference?" offer listeners an engaging way to participate and think creatively.
• Creative Storytelling: The improvised sketches add depth to the episode, illustrating the hosts' storytelling prowess.
• Community Interaction: By incorporating listener-sent games and acknowledging fan contributions, the hosts foster a strong sense of community.

Conclusion

Episode #358 of "Hey Riddle Riddle" blends humor, word games, and improvisational comedy to deliver an engaging and entertaining listening experience. Whether delving into the quirks of racehorses, reminiscing about oversized hats, or navigating fun word puzzles, the hosts maintain a lively dynamic that captivates both regular listeners and newcomers alike.

Note: This summary focuses on the core content and entertaining elements of the episode, excluding advertisements, intros, and outros, as per the provided instructions.