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Erin Keif
This is a headgum podcast. You buy a pair of socks, that's two socks. You buy a pair of Bombas socks, that's four socks. Because one purchased is one donated. Socks are the number one most requested clothing item in homeless shelters. So when you buy a pair of super comfortable Bombas socks, you're also donating a pair. Bombas customers have powered over 150 million donations. So Bombas would like to thank you 150 million times, but we only have, like, 30 seconds. Go to bombas.com and use code audio for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B A and use code audio at checkout.
John Patrick Cohen
The doctor was the mother. He stood on a block of ice. Both of them were goldfish. It was the cabin of an airplane. He stabbed him with an ice. Hey, everybody, and welcome to hey Riddle. Riddle Aaron. On your phone.
Erin Keif
I was putting it on airplane mode.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, on your phone to put it on airplane mode.
Adol Refai
You don't put it away. I'm gonna put it on airplane mode. Throws it across the room.
Erin Keif
I could touch Adol's arm right now. I can kick GBC in the shins.
John Patrick Cohen
Those are not my shins. It's a very special episode of hey Riddle of Riddle. And of course, you know, it's the podcast about riddles. There's also some improv, but it's live and in person in. Let's see. Let's timestamp this a bit. Erin, you're in town. You're in Chicago.
Erin Keif
Yes.
John Patrick Cohen
We are currently not at war with Iran, but it's coming.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
It is 1 million degrees outside.
Erin Keif
Yes. I decided to come at the hottest time of the year where there's, like, a heat warning every day. My phone keeps being like, don't go outside, please.
John Patrick Cohen
And that's here in keeping that saddle refine. I'm John Patrick Cohen, and this is hey Riddle. Riddle the podcast.
Adol Refai
Aaron, anywhere you go, it's the hottest time of the year.
Erin Keif
Wow. I broke everything out loud.
Adol Refai
Oh, no.
Erin Keif
This feels really weird, strange, and uncomfortable. To be in person.
Adol Refai
Yes. Yeah, let's.
John Patrick Cohen
To sit in your skin. You mean. You mean to be a person? Yeah, to be a person. To exist as a person.
Erin Keif
I do believe that, though. I think that my natural form is. I'm sort of like a pink glittery mist that decided to be a person for a while. And it hurts. I don't like it. I can't wait to go back to being a mistake.
Adol Refai
Yeah. I always think of myself as, like, a gargoyle where I'm Like, I love being still and observing and I love being on roofs, but I don't want to be moving around.
John Patrick Cohen
I think of myself as that puddle that Alex Mack becomes.
Adol Refai
That's still Alex Mack.
John Patrick Cohen
Well, is it?
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
We don't know.
Erin Keif
We don't know water is still water even when it's ice.
John Patrick Cohen
Well, we don't know. But we actually don't know, because when Alex Mack becomes that puddle, we don't know that the Alex Mack that grows out of the puddle is the same Alex Mack or like a brand new Alex Mack with the memories of the old Alex Mack.
Erin Keif
Well, then if it's the same. Like, if it's a brand new but they have the same Mack, isn't it essentially the same one?
John Patrick Cohen
Well, the point is moot because I don't want to be Alex Mech. I want to be the puddle.
Adol Refai
Well, let's talk about Theseus's Alex Mack.
John Patrick Cohen
Theseus's Alex Mack.
Adol Refai
At what point? How many boards do you remove? So this is like a prestige situation, right?
Erin Keif
Illusionist. You're gonna Illusionist. No, no, I'm joking.
Adol Refai
Prestigious.
John Patrick Cohen
They built a brand new Jessica Biel every day for that movie. And Edward Norton never knew the difference. He said, this is the same Jessica Biel. And they said, yes, this is the same Jessica Biel. And everyone's just, hehe, snickering like a cartoon dog.
Erin Keif
They didn't pay Paul Giamatti on that movie because they couldn't because they were using the budget on building new Jessica Beals.
Adol Refai
I don't think Paul Giamatti gets paid.
Erin Keif
No, no, no.
Adol Refai
I think it's like when they have like a monkey on Friends or something.
Erin Keif
Where they're like, you don't think they paid that. No, they paid that monkey. I went to that monkey's New Year's party this year.
Adol Refai
Excuse me.
Erin Keif
Because they live in the hills, obviously off of the residuals and Friends, and there was so much cocaine.
John Patrick Cohen
I don't mean to do it. I don't mean to do a ship of Theseus Mack on that monkey era, but that monkey is deceased.
Erin Keif
No, no, no, no. That monkey is very much alive.
Adol Refai
Decisis is it has hair plugs.
Erin Keif
It looks insane.
John Patrick Cohen
It says a capsaic monkey.
Adol Refai
It was a turkey.
John Patrick Cohen
A capsaicin monkey can live up to 10 years.
Adol Refai
What about a coaxation monkey?
John Patrick Cohen
It says a coaxation monkey can have the night of its life.
Erin Keif
Yeah, I always see that monkey at Musso and Frank's, just with a different girl every time.
Adol Refai
Stevie Nicks one night, the Monkey from.
John Patrick Cohen
Friends has other credits too. Yeah, Outbreak. It's the monkey from Outbreak as well. Yes.
Adol Refai
Which is in the monkeyverse. Can I say that?
Erin Keif
Yeah.
Adol Refai
In the monkeyverse, Casey Bleep. Outbreak is like their Citizen Kane.
Erin Keif
Right.
Adol Refai
Like, that's Godfather 2 for monkeys.
Erin Keif
That monkey did like four years on Grey's Anatomy then got killed off. He's been around the block.
John Patrick Cohen
Who didn't, though? Honestly, Grey's Anatomy went on way too long. I also did not.
Erin Keif
It's still happening. It's 20 years in Sedilla.
John Patrick Cohen
Ever do Grey's Anatomy?
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Hell, yeah.
Adol Refai
She was a cadaver, I think.
Erin Keif
Is that real?
Adol Refai
She was maybe a dead body on.
John Patrick Cohen
She'd been a corpse in Chicago. Yeah.
Adol Refai
She's been on Chicago Hope twice. Once as maybe, like, a person who dies, and then once as some sort of worker of a city bureaucratic worker or something.
John Patrick Cohen
Sure. They say the best two days of any actor's life is the day that you die on Chicago Hope and the day that you're a city bureaucratic worker on Chicago Hope.
Adol Refai
They say you die three times. Once when you physically pass away, once when someone says your name for the last time, once when you get your last residual check for Chicago Hope, you hit the screen on Chicago and Fleetwood Max the Ching.
John Patrick Cohen
The roll credits would have never love you again.
Adol Refai
Is that the credits for Chicago Hope?
John Patrick Cohen
Hell, yeah.
Erin Keif
I didn't know that.
John Patrick Cohen
There's no way. It is. It's too expensive.
Erin Keif
The worst panic attacks I had in Chicago and I had a lot was.
John Patrick Cohen
And we're going through your top 10, right?
Erin Keif
Yeah. Here's the top 10, Letterman style, holding.
John Patrick Cohen
A Johnny Carson envelope next to my head.
Erin Keif
You're confusing multiple things here.
John Patrick Cohen
Sure.
Erin Keif
I went to. I think it was Chicago Fire. It was one of the Chicago.
John Patrick Cohen
That's the Chicago professional soccer. Soccer team.
Erin Keif
Yeah. And it was two hours to get there because it was like southeast by. I didn't have a car. I had to take the train. It was like two hours to get there, maybe a little longer. And then I went in and I had to say one line, and it was like, hey, back up. There were no survivors. And I said it and I did it once and they went, okay, thank you, Aaron.
Adol Refai
No judgment. Did you say it just like you said it now?
Erin Keif
I don't want to say it with.
John Patrick Cohen
A Boston accent and funny.
Erin Keif
Hey, back up. There were no salivas.
John Patrick Cohen
Big wink to the camera. I think I went big wink to the camera.
Erin Keif
And I didn't get it. But also I looked and was like, oh, my God. It's two and a half hours back. I took the day off from nannying. I don't know. I'm gonna. How am I gonna make rent? This is such a nightmare. And I, the whole way back was like, felt like I was going to pass out. I was like, what a waste.
Adol Refai
If I was a casting agent, I would win. Win.
John Patrick Cohen
Thank you.
Adol Refai
When I'm a casting agent.
John Patrick Cohen
Believe in yourself.
Adol Refai
When I'm a casting agent, I want people to tell me stuff like that. Where like when they come in and say the one line, it's like, okay, that's whatever. I don't care. What's the story of today? And you're like, I took the day off work. I traveled two hours each way. And I'm like, you got it. You got the job.
Erin Keif
Not only that, but the people I nanny for, they had to stay home. They couldn't find last minute childcare. And that's such a nice. They affected so many people's day.
Adol Refai
I would put together maybe the worst episode of TV of all time. Cause I'm going off of sob stories. But up top, before the episode, it's.
Erin Keif
Like a bunch of people's broken arms.
John Patrick Cohen
The Midwest polite casting director.
Adol Refai
I'm like, no, it's fine. But before credits or maybe every time we go to commercial break, I want to post on the TV those sob stories so people get a sense of like, oh, this is why I thought I hated that character or that actor. But I didn't realize that this was their story. So I feel like that would be really fun.
John Patrick Cohen
I watched Star Wars Episode 1 recently, and after the credits hit, there's like a big, like, you know, explainer text that comes up. It's the Star wars crawl. But it just is like Jake Lloyd's parents were actually a lot. And it's not really his fault because most of what you see on screen is like projections from his parents were kind of making him.
Adol Refai
There's a reason. But Cauley Culkin doesn't act much anymore.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm sitting there watching, I go, okay, yeah, I like this movie a little better.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
And then at the end it goes Jerjeer Banks, huh? Well, that one got away from us.
Erin Keif
If someone's bored at work right now and you know how to make that Star wars scroll, can you please put what jpeg on this scene?
John Patrick Cohen
There's gotta be some easy way to.
Adol Refai
Make I love in the credits.
Erin Keif
It's like, I would fucking die.
Adol Refai
The movie's not even released yet. And they say Jar Jar Binks Ooh, that one got away from us. And it's like, there's still time. If you could put. If you could put Chris Crawler.
John Patrick Cohen
A galaxy at war. The Imperial Trade Federation is blockading the planet of Naboo. Also on Naboo, Jar Jar Binks. Now, hold on, because now did I. The actor who plays him is black. Not that it matters. You're sitting there, it's 1999. You're watching the scroll, and you're like, oh, this is gonna be the worst movie I've ever seen.
Erin Keif
This is going on way too long.
Adol Refai
Some of these aliens look like a certain race, but we didn't mean for that.
Erin Keif
So any. Anyways, enjoy the film.
John Patrick Cohen
So anyway, enjoy the film. Oh, and this is. Hey, Rid of.
Adol Refai
Please don't do Jar Jar Binks patois. Please avoid the Jar Jar patois.
John Patrick Cohen
Rewatching Episode one, which I have recently. And knowing in your heart that the Jar Jar Binks voice is not even the worst of the voices in that movie. Oh, boy.
Erin Keif
My least favorite Star wars character of all time is the robot with the cough. I fucking General Grievous.
Adol Refai
That's my word. Cause I'm like, why are we giving a robot a cough?
Erin Keif
Horrible.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, why wouldn't we?
Adol Refai
If we have the technology and he has. Doesn't he have, like four arms or something?
Erin Keif
Yeah, everything about him. He's my least favorite fictional character of all time.
Adol Refai
Aaron, I agree with you.
John Patrick Cohen
That's insane. What an insane take.
Adol Refai
I agree. But here's the thing is, on the opposite side of the spectrum, on the other side of the coin, I think the best character of all time is Sebulba.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, Sebulba's fun.
Erin Keif
Which one is that?
Adol Refai
He's the guy who walks on his hands and drives with his feet. He's a Podracer. He's the pod. He's the messy of pod racing.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, well, one of my favorite.
Erin Keif
Somewhere messy, perhaps Apocryphal.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm not.
Adol Refai
Shivers.
John Patrick Cohen
I don't mind saying if this is not true, I don't mind spreading it around. But there was some. It was like Star Wars Force Awakens or some video game that they brought George Lucas on to do, like, a writing credit on. And they're, like, sitting at the table and they're pitching them the idea for the game. They're like, what we really need for the villain of this game is, like, his Darth name. You know, he's gonna be a Sith. What do you think his name should be?
Adol Refai
Sith MacFarlane.
John Patrick Cohen
He said Sith MacFarlane and George Lucas thought about it for a while and he was like, I'd either go with Darth Icky or Darth Insanius.
Erin Keif
Oh, I wanna die.
Adol Refai
Did he ever have it or did he lose it?
John Patrick Cohen
That's so interesting to think. Cause, yeah, you know what? I don't know. I mean, he had something. I think he was.
Erin Keif
I think he liked computers.
John Patrick Cohen
I think he likes computers.
Erin Keif
I think that's sort of how it.
John Patrick Cohen
Ended, like in thx and like, he did that stuff. But I think he was like. I think he was always a better businessman than he was a creative or even a director.
Adol Refai
Well, I believe that the movie should be. Any movie should be sort of run like a business, I think. I mean, he countries.
John Patrick Cohen
He truly did like. Cause I think that he financed Episode one by himself, which is why it was such a mess, because he didn't have a studio being like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. He just did it all.
Erin Keif
In that studio. Would have gone, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
John Patrick Cohen
20Th Century Fox would be like, I'm gonna lose my fucking job. I'm gonna lose my job. No, I don't think he ever had it. But, you know, nobody ever has it, right? Like, you know, you just. And no movies are made by one person, right? It's always.
Adol Refai
They're made by Ari Aster.
John Patrick Cohen
That's right.
Adol Refai
Damn near killed her.
John Patrick Cohen
I was also thinking, like, Eddie Murphy, the clumps, pretty damn near. Basically one guy.
Erin Keif
Yeah. Think back to that set. He's holding the boom mic.
John Patrick Cohen
What if he was? He's doing, like, Hercules and making fart sounds as the boom bike guy. They're like, eddie, like, only the people on stage are gonna be seen in the movie.
Erin Keif
We're worried about you. Rest. Eddie. Eddie, please, you're overextending yourself.
John Patrick Cohen
Eddie, please, your kids are here.
Adol Refai
Please, they're crying.
Erin Keif
Please, Eddie, I'm begging to see you. Eddie, please.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, well, hey, so this is. How many times do I.
Erin Keif
How many times it's. Hey, Riddle, Riddle.
John Patrick Cohen
I don't think I should introduce the.
Erin Keif
Podcast, but we're here together in person and we're just enjoying it, okay?
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, we're just enjoying it.
Erin Keif
Okay.
John Patrick Cohen
Get off our fucking butts and backs and dicks and butts, dude.
Erin Keif
If you're one of those lunatics. Sorry, that is binging. Hey, Riddle, Riddle. And listening to, like eight episodes a day. You might remember a time when we were all in person. We would record on Sunday nights.
John Patrick Cohen
This is just like that.
Erin Keif
And this Is just like that Monday morning. We're more evolved now. But we used to sometimes start recording at like 9pm and go till 1 in the morning on a Sunday night. And now we're back in that kind of madness and let's see how it goes.
John Patrick Cohen
And we have a guest in the studio. Wouldn't that be fucked if we just did this for 15 minutes?
Erin Keif
It's like the most famous person.
Adol Refai
Go ahead and say something.
Erin Keif
We got Hillary Clinton here with us today.
John Patrick Cohen
Hillary Clinton sitting there on the fourth mic just, like doing, like, the neck cut. Like, I don't want to be.
Erin Keif
To make eye contact with her publicist that's in the next room on her phone. She's like, maria, please, please.
John Patrick Cohen
We know you're texting each other. Who else could you be texting? Who else would you be texting? Get me out of here right now.
Erin Keif
We kept talking over her. She wanted to get in on that Star wars bit.
John Patrick Cohen
She had so much stuff.
Erin Keif
All right, Okay. I have later on in this some original riddles.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, good.
Erin Keif
That have a new riddle format written by my friend Michael that I also wrote some as well.
Adol Refai
Whoa.
Erin Keif
But for now, I wanna do warmup riddles. And I know the theme of this. Seems like I should have been on the receiving end of these warmup riddles. But I saw the. What is it called? Subject of the email.
John Patrick Cohen
Subject of the email.
Erin Keif
I was too curious and I clicked on it. And then I was like, well, I've already clicked on it, so I can't.
John Patrick Cohen
Once you've clicked on it, you can't unclick on it.
Erin Keif
So these are Broadway. Sorry. I'll just stand at Casey's phone to take probably a candid shot of us.
Adol Refai
I was trying to be so subtle.
Erin Keif
We're all in person. I can see you better than I ever.
Adol Refai
You should be only looking at my from the neck up.
Erin Keif
I'm trying.
Adol Refai
Okay, that's on you.
Erin Keif
Don't dress so slutty if you don't want me.
John Patrick Cohen
Are we gonna talk about it? Speaking of dress slutty, we were talking about this. Cause it is 100 million degrees in Chicago. And we were like, okay, so it's gonna be hot. We're gonna be in a studio. We have to dress appropriately. Aaron and I, I would say we both have tank tops on.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Adol.
Adol Refai
I'm in my slut summer, my slummer, if you will.
Erin Keif
It looks like the dead of winter.
John Patrick Cohen
Long pants, full crew cut, wool socks, two shirts. Insane.
Erin Keif
Okay, I'm sorry I said you dressed like a Slut. You look fantastic. And Sluts are great. I'm digging myself.
Adol Refai
Can that be the title of this episode?
Erin Keif
No.
John Patrick Cohen
And Sluts are great. And Sluts are great.
Adol Refai
That makes sense. Erin. That makes sense.
Erin Keif
Okay, these are Broadway musical riddles.
John Patrick Cohen
Ooh, yeah. Erin.
Adol Refai
Aaron. Aaron. You'll answer these?
Erin Keif
Yeah. Nope. I think that these are well known enough that you guys can get them.
John Patrick Cohen
I guess we'll fucking see.
Erin Keif
And these.
John Patrick Cohen
What are the Broadway musicals that I know?
Adol Refai
You just saw Hadestown.
John Patrick Cohen
No.
Adol Refai
You didn't see it?
John Patrick Cohen
I didn't see it. Moana.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Encanto.
Adol Refai
Okay. Are you counting in.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, yeah, I'm counting in Space French.
Erin Keif
These are from Lauren. And Lauren says, here's to a thousand more years of. Hey, riddle, riddle. Which is sort of the cruelest.
Adol Refai
I've signed a sheet to freeze my head and do riddles.
Erin Keif
Oh, boy.
John Patrick Cohen
A thousand more years. I'll commit to it.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
I'll do the podcast for a thousand more years.
Adol Refai
Aaron.
Erin Keif
Yep. I could do another 18 minutes. Yeah, same joke. Okay. Okay. I have some change. One letter Broadway show riddles. This was a category on Jeopardy, and it was so fun. I wrote some more. And I actually saw this category in Jeopardy. Recently.
John Patrick Cohen
And did you think it was so fun?
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Then why didn't you write some more?
Erin Keif
Oh, I was too busy writing. It was literally the same night that I wrote the Lou story. So I was a little busy.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay.
Erin Keif
Trying to figure out what rhymes with what. Here's the example.
Adol Refai
Okay.
Erin Keif
Skimbleshanks wears a fedora and a magical and magical Mr. Mistoffeles dons a beret. You got it.
John Patrick Cohen
Hats. This is Hats the Musical.
Erin Keif
All right, so you get it. And these are from Lauren. Okay. For Easter, these New York bohemians are giving up their apartment payments. Yes.
John Patrick Cohen
Wow.
Adol Refai
526,600 fishes.
John Patrick Cohen
Yep. Uh huh. What are some. And Aaron, just a couple more songs from Lint.
Erin Keif
Oh, yeah, this is easy.
Adol Refai
Let's open up a.
John Patrick Cohen
Open up a restaurant on Ash Wednesday. That worked out, by the way, pretty well. I know when I started it, I didn't know where I was going.
Adol Refai
Ash Wednesday.
John Patrick Cohen
Now here's the. Here's the thing. I do not know if Ash Wednesday is even around lint, if it's part of lint or if it's a completely different time of the year, but I gotta say, pretty good. Pretty good.
Erin Keif
In this Cervantes adaptation, Don Quixote loves his green tea while fighting windmills.
Adol Refai
The man of La Mancha. The man of La Macha.
John Patrick Cohen
Man of La Macha.
Adol Refai
That's a good one.
Erin Keif
Quixote, the Lord of la macha.
Adol Refai
That's JPC's ringtone. What are the books you've consumed? I feel like you talk about that.
John Patrick Cohen
Wait, what? Hold on. What am I.
Adol Refai
Don't you talk about Don Quixote a lot as like you read it and it's funny.
John Patrick Cohen
What the fuck?
Adol Refai
Come on.
John Patrick Cohen
The fuck is going on? I've never. First of all, I've never read Don Quixote.
Adol Refai
You always mention who's the sidekick?
John Patrick Cohen
Sancho Panza.
Erin Keif
Yeah, you always talk about Santa Panza.
Adol Refai
You always talk about Sancho Panza.
John Patrick Cohen
This is the most gaslit I've ever been in my entire life.
Erin Keif
You're obsessed with Sancho Panza.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm obsessed with Sancho Panza.
Erin Keif
This is like the thing when we did the past life reading and you were like, I went to this lady and all she talked about was horses. And you're like, that's all you're fucking talking about.
John Patrick Cohen
Control F on the fucking scripts of when I've talked about Sancho Panza.
Erin Keif
Okay, if I. I'm gonna spend the.
Adol Refai
Next week finding control F. Is that just tantric?
John Patrick Cohen
I've got great F. Control. Can't control my D or my C. For. For shit.
Erin Keif
But my F. Jason Robert Brown's exploration of a marriage falling apart is now full of grizzlies.
Adol Refai
Five Bears later. No, what's the. Oh, shit.
Erin Keif
You got it. I know you know it.
John Patrick Cohen
What's the musical name? I can't help you out.
Adol Refai
I thought it was five years later, but I'm the Last Five Bears.
John Patrick Cohen
The Last Five Bears.
Adol Refai
I do want to see a scene.
Erin Keif
Okay, great.
Adol Refai
JPC and Aaron, you are a married bear couple and your baby bear. You like things one way, you like things another certain way. The baby's sort of a mix of the two of you, and you're having a meeting to discuss how your child's a little off.
John Patrick Cohen
I just think we have to be on the same page about these things.
Erin Keif
Oh, yeah. Okay, so when we get a call from the school that our kid is playing dice, playing cards, has a gambling problem.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay.
Erin Keif
What parent famously has a gambling problem?
John Patrick Cohen
I don't know. Well, okay, first of all, it's not a gambling problem if you win almost over half the time.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, Then it's actually a career.
Erin Keif
Right.
John Patrick Cohen
Would you say that someone who does a World Series of Poker has a gambling problem?
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, well, I didn't know that. Okay, so you would say that. Yeah, so that was my argument.
Erin Keif
And so like. But. And Then also for your first reaction to be, if they get kicked out of school, that's a win because I gambled away their college funds.
John Patrick Cohen
You think that part of it could be sending them to school and the only breakfast they've had is one hot pot of honey? Could that be part of it? Cause I would like to do, like, balanced breakfast. Salmon berry from tree.
Erin Keif
That's not always a problem.
John Patrick Cohen
Worm from log.
Erin Keif
Okay.
John Patrick Cohen
Just honey for breakfast. Maybe that's like a thousand, you know, grams of sugar.
Erin Keif
Okay. Maybe husband is too busy in Vegas. In the world. What is it called? Lazy River.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, why is I get a bear job on my birthday and Father's Day.
Adol Refai
We see the baby bear peeking around the corner, crying, tears in his eyes.
Erin Keif
You know what? I think that that's just right.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, you think that's just right?
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Well, maybe I gotta call up Goldilocks.
Erin Keif
I've been thinking and see what she does every time.
John Patrick Cohen
What's that?
Erin Keif
Yeah, I've been faking it every time. Remember when I told you I was hibernating? I wasn't hibernating. I was just trying to avoid having bear sex with you.
John Patrick Cohen
You spent four months avoiding having bear sex with me, pretending to be asleep. Yeah, I was hibernating. Maybe this is why you're such a bear bitch.
Erin Keif
Okay, justice for the bear.
Adol Refai
I put a pine cone in my ass and fake sleep for four months to get out of sex.
Erin Keif
We've all done. Okay?
Adol Refai
I lost 80 pounds to not have sex with you.
Erin Keif
Jason Robert Brown. Oh, we already did that. Oh, Aaron. Skip that one then.
John Patrick Cohen
Aaron, let's not do one that we've already done. Let's do a new one.
Erin Keif
As Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote. Don't online RSVP for me, Argentina.
Adol Refai
Evita.
Erin Keif
Yeah, and you love it.
Adol Refai
That rules. Rachel Zegler is Evita.
Erin Keif
This Rachel Ziegler playing Evita has reignited my love for the song Rainbow High. And now I'm listening to it nonstop. I have to get off of that. My Evita train and get back on my Jesus Christ Superstar train. Because we're seeing it.
Adol Refai
Yeah, we are.
John Patrick Cohen
Yes. Finally an in for me. Yes. Yes, we are seeing it. Soon we're seeing it.
Erin Keif
And you know that musical.
John Patrick Cohen
I know Jesus Christ Superstar very well. Is that gonna be one of them?
Erin Keif
Yeah, maybe. Or maybe maybe not.
John Patrick Cohen
I don't know. Evita. And Rachel Ziegler is in an Evita movie. Or she's on Broadway doing it.
Erin Keif
She's on the West End doing it. And it's getting a lot of Attention. Because.
John Patrick Cohen
Cause we're talking about it.
Erin Keif
Because we're talking about it. But she Don't Cry for Me, Argentina, which I'm sure you know that song too.
John Patrick Cohen
Don't cry from the Argentina.
Erin Keif
There you go. This production has her going outside the theater, like on top of the theater and sing on the balcony and singing it to the crowd, whatever crowd is out there for free during the show. And they film it.
Adol Refai
No. And some people are pissed cause they're like, I pay tickets to see the show and we don't get to see the show.
Erin Keif
But everyone I know who saw it said it worked really well. And then she does the reprise inside so they felt like that they weren't out.
Adol Refai
I saw Sunset Boulevard and one of the songs is the guy walking through Time Square sun. And they film him every night. They film him live. And we as an audience watch it on like a screen on stage. And it is really cool.
John Patrick Cohen
Are they watching it on a screen in the audience? Because it would be awesome if they just had to sit in silence for three minutes while she sings that. And they could kind of hear it.
Adol Refai
They're buying drinks and snacks.
John Patrick Cohen
If you go out to the lobby.
Adol Refai
You can hear it better song.
John Patrick Cohen
I know, but everybody rushes the lobby for that song so they could like hear it a little better. Concessions gets fucked.
Erin Keif
That's so funny. I don't know why this reminds me of this. I went to a wedding this past weekend and I thought I was like, if I still made sketches, I'd make this into a sketch. I was on the dance floor and dancing and I was like, I would love to hear what this sounds like. If the music audio came out and just us like sort of half singing the lyrics at each other and being like, woo. Because I think it would sound so embarrassing. And I'd say just be like, I don't care. Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Have you seen the I don't care.
Erin Keif
Woo. I love it.
John Patrick Cohen
It.
Adol Refai
There's a series on YouTube that's the.
John Patrick Cohen
Song, by the way, that you don't know the words to. I don't know the words. That's just.
Adol Refai
I don't care.
John Patrick Cohen
I love it. I don't care.
Adol Refai
And I drove my bridge over a car today.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, so here's the problem. Oh my God. How do you drive a bridge? I drove my bridge over a car today.
Adol Refai
There's a YouTube series from like 15 years ago. Casey knows it where it's like not. Maybe not popular, but they take music videos and stuff and take out the the track and add in what they Thought it sounded like, live on. So it's like the Beach Boys singing I get around, and they're clapping and all you hear is, like, the offbeat clapping. And then they're like, it's.
Erin Keif
That's so fun.
Adol Refai
It's a laugh every time. I never don't laugh.
John Patrick Cohen
That's basically how Aaron sings every song.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
Adol Refai
Wait a minute.
Erin Keif
Yeah, you guys, I'm a vibes person. I don't know about the nitty Gritty. I don't know about these lyrics that you guys keep claiming.
Adol Refai
You're like Weird Al but mumbling.
Erin Keif
Yeah, and where is my millions of dollars, huh?
John Patrick Cohen
This is actually a pastiche, Mumble. It's not a parody.
Adol Refai
Mumble. I think you should mumble in the style Mumbling Sons. Aaron, I think you should do weddings and you should be like, dan banned or something. Where it's like, you do covers, but the way your signature is like, right, Aaron. You just do that for every song.
John Patrick Cohen
I think that'd be a hit. Aaron. You only do request, so you just. The band knows the songs, but you just pull a thing out of the thing. You go, okay, we're gonna do Total Eclipse of the Heart by Pat Benatar. Whoever sings, that's not Pat Benatar, is it?
Erin Keif
Yeah, I think it is.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay. It could be.
Erin Keif
Give me inner Crest. I could do it.
John Patrick Cohen
I thought it means.
Adol Refai
If you do, but you drive me crazy.
Erin Keif
I don't know that song.
Adol Refai
How about.
John Patrick Cohen
Well, you have to say the name of the song. Don't you do. Don't just do the thing that she's.
Adol Refai
Supposed to do, Aaron. Toxic by Britney Spears.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, that's part without lyrics, Aaron. That part doesn't even have lyrics.
Adol Refai
Hold on. She's onto something. She's onto. I can't stress enough if someone can do the Star wars scroll crawl credits, but with what Aaron just did.
Erin Keif
I just put this over the music video.
John Patrick Cohen
Now I like it better Now I like it better that Aaron singing the melody of the song, not the lyrics. She's like. She gets under pressure. She's like.
Erin Keif
The best compliment I get. The best compliment I get from doing hey, Riddle. This was like, seven years ago is I did the Pretty Little Liars theme song. I did my best attempt at it, and people are like, that is the lyrics I still hear.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, interesting.
Adol Refai
That's the lyrics again.
Erin Keif
And a secret and I lock it and this time I stay and you put it in your pocket and this girl's in a grave. Nailed it. Okay. Yeah, you can come see my production of Mumbling Evita in Winnemac park this week. 1:30 in the morning.
John Patrick Cohen
It was a couple weeks ago.
Erin Keif
Please bring me boxed wine.
John Patrick Cohen
Boxed wine.
Erin Keif
Okay. In this Elton John and Tim Rice musical. Simba is into some freaky stuff.
Adol Refai
The lion kink.
Erin Keif
Yeah, you got it. See, you can participate in this.
John Patrick Cohen
Kingy Boots.
Erin Keif
I'd like to finish. You're both Timon and Pumbaa. You can decide who is who.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay?
Erin Keif
And one of you is gonna reveal to the other. That you have some, like, maybe unusual kinks that the other didn't know about.
Adol Refai
Oh, I feel so dirty. I was wallowing in the mud. I feel so. So I should. I should probably wash this off, right?
John Patrick Cohen
I mean, wash it off. If you want to wash it off.
Adol Refai
I mean, if it's just between you and me. If we're just in the watering hole.
John Patrick Cohen
Nathan Lane. Nathan Lane.
Adol Refai
I actually don't. Other guy. The guy who played Pumbaa.
John Patrick Cohen
No, you'll never pull it. You could have pulled Lane. You could have pulled Lane, but you'll never pull Pumbaa.
Adol Refai
It's probably the same guy who played Gimli, right? Probably.
John Patrick Cohen
Scene is a mess. John Rees Davies.
Adol Refai
But I think, actually, I might just leave the mud on because it makes me feel sexy.
John Patrick Cohen
Pumbaa, if you want to leave the mud on because it makes you feel sexy, you should leave the mud on.
Adol Refai
Okay?
John Patrick Cohen
But if you feel like you need to take the mud off. And you want to put it in this little cup. And then not care what happens to the little cup. Even if someone's very thirsty, you don't ask what happens to the little cup. You can do that as well.
Adol Refai
Writes on a piece of paper.
John Patrick Cohen
What the fuck?
Adol Refai
Writes on a piece of paper. Come on, my titties. Shows it to Aaron. Waits for her reaction. Puts a question mark. Aaron, is that okay? If I sing that?
Erin Keif
I slide back a piece of paper. It says $10 million.
Adol Refai
I look at it. I nod.
Erin Keif
Whoa.
Adol Refai
Won't do the song. Won't sing her. Come on my titties Grabs the piece of paper.
John Patrick Cohen
Come on, my titties what a wonderful phrase. Scene.
Adol Refai
Eight colors per scene.
John Patrick Cohen
I can say scene.
Erin Keif
Keep going.
John Patrick Cohen
Do. All right. Scenes for real. Scene. Do Nathan Lane. Someone do Nathan Lane.
Erin Keif
Oh, hold on.
Adol Refai
Oh, no. The bird cage. Oh, it's the birdcage. I'm Nathan Lane.
John Patrick Cohen
Is this Nathan Lane?
Adol Refai
I was in the Producers.
John Patrick Cohen
Does he have the warbler?
Erin Keif
When you see a gara screech for stars in the sky. You can bet that she's doing it for some Doll.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, but do. But do Nathan Lane without singing.
Erin Keif
Ugh.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah. Cause that's Timon. Timon is Nathan Lane without singing.
Erin Keif
Why didn't I just draw them a map? That's pretty good.
Adol Refai
Wait, can we do the scene over and we'll do Timon as Seth Rogen? Wait, I'll be Seth Rogen. And then who played the Billy Eichner?
Erin Keif
Billy Eichner. Hey. Actually, no, thank you. Did you know what that felt like? You know the scene in Community where Troy goes to get the pizza?
Adol Refai
No.
Erin Keif
And he comes back and the room's on fire and someone's been shot, and he's like, yeah, yeah. That's how that felt coming. I, like, felt like I turned around for one second and then you guys had made a mess of that scene.
Adol Refai
Masterpiece. Oh, what'd you say?
John Patrick Cohen
Billy Eichner would be a good Timon.
Erin Keif
I come on my titties. What a wonderful friend.
Adol Refai
Seeing that Casey kept on.
John Patrick Cohen
I think you. What a wonderful phrase.
Erin Keif
No passing crazy. It means I'm horny.
Adol Refai
Tim Rice is rolling over in his bed.
John Patrick Cohen
It means I'm horny in a very specific way.
Erin Keif
It's our problem. Free philosophy.
John Patrick Cohen
Come on, you gotta change more words.
Erin Keif
No, I don't.
John Patrick Cohen
You do. You need to.
Erin Keif
Come on. I don't have to change any words. I think it works just fine. Don't start cumming my titties and get mad when I start having fun.
John Patrick Cohen
You come on my titties.
Adol Refai
Aaron, if we write the lion come.
Erin Keif
Period, they'll fall in love. And here's the bottom line. They're coming on their titties. Huh?
Adol Refai
I'm gonna come. Not yet.
John Patrick Cohen
Sitting down to write the lion come and then being like, okay, so they're kids for the first 40 minutes of this.
Adol Refai
I'm gonna bust a mighty load.
Erin Keif
This is bad. This is bad.
Adol Refai
Well, I' cocker balls with quite so little hair. Aaron, is this good?
Erin Keif
Hi. Hi, you guys. I keep.
John Patrick Cohen
Keep a towel by the side of the bed. Be prepared.
Adol Refai
Aaron, we just got nominated for a Tony. Aaron, we got a Nominated for Tony.
John Patrick Cohen
A Casey Tony, which is worth nothing. Casey, Tony's nominating us for mini Casey. Tony.
Adol Refai
Arabian Nuts.
John Patrick Cohen
No, wait.
Adol Refai
Come ladden cum laudin Arabian night.
John Patrick Cohen
I just came. I'm gonna come.
Adol Refai
You ain't never gonna come on me.
John Patrick Cohen
Commercial, commercial, Commercial break. We gotta go on a break. All right. Bon voyage, Aaron.
Adol Refai
Geez.
John Patrick Cohen
Can you believe this?
Adol Refai
Have fun.
John Patrick Cohen
A steamship to Antarctica.
Adol Refai
Yeah. Wild. It's weird that she packed a suitcase just full of penguins. You think she'd bring clothes.
John Patrick Cohen
But yeah, it is it. I can never remember is it they have those there or that's the place that they don't have.
Adol Refai
Oh, maybe they don't have them and she's trying to bring them there.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm not quite seed them or something. Yeah, I didn't read her email. It's something about finding a medicine for the blah, blah, blah, blah, blah or something for her blah blah, blah condition.
Adol Refai
Or something for penguin psychosis. Anyway, I'm getting pretty hungry and I could use some food. Maybe we should have some Tempo.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, yeah. I mean, we should definitely have some Tempo because Tempo's perfectly portioned. Lunches and dinners take the guest work out of eating well and are fully prepared and can be heated in the microwave in just three minutes.
Adol Refai
And with new recipes each week that are made with real ingredients and nutrient rich, they make it easy to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Jbc this week I had Tempo's filet mignon and creamy mushroom sauce. Mm, mm, mm. Absolutely delicious. Also, I've been loving their spicy chipotle beef and sweet potato bowl. Spicy chipotle beef and sweet potato bowl.
John Patrick Cohen
That's the kind of meal that could completely make me forget about my friend who's going to a place with a thing with a suitcase full of something for some reason. Also, speaking of reasons, you know that Tempo is the official partner of the 2025 CrossFit Games. They deliver fresh chef crafted dietitian approved meals right to your door. Plus, they're packed with protein and their delicious meals help keep you fueled and ready for your next workout. Aaron probably should have packed some Tempo.
Adol Refai
Meals before I slip some into her bag.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, perfect. Those penguins are going to be ravaging those Tempo meals.
Adol Refai
For a limited time, Tempo is offering our listeners 60% off your first box. Go to tempomeals.com riddle that's tempomeals.com riddle for 60% off your first box, tempomeals.com riddle rules and restrictions may apply.
John Patrick Cohen
I also think that there are rules and restrictions for getting on that boat because it seems sort of like a big science vessel and. And Aaron will be okay.
Adol Refai
Yeah. Or it might turn into like the thing.
John Patrick Cohen
The thing is what I was thinking.
Adol Refai
Yeah. Oh, gpc. I feel so silly. Aaron went to go visit her Aunt Arctica. You know how in Boston they all have crazy names?
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, yeah. And crazy accents. I can barely understand a word she says.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay.
Adol Refai
Anyway, her aunt lives in Antarctica and that makes sense. Seems like Aaron is having a bit of the thing situation going on, but I feel very relaxed because I have been dabbling in some Schedule 35. Have you heard?
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, Schedule 35. Now, I had heard Adol, that there's an emerging movement around psilocybin is proven to help with mental health, ptsd, anxiety, and depression. And I can see how you'd have a little anxiety and depression about, you know, our co host just going to her aunt's Antarctica or whatever.
Adol Refai
Yeah. And she might be like a thing, like one of those. Anyway, Schedule 35 sends you precisely measured microdoses of psilocybin that you can take daily to enhance your day. Especially if, like, your friend's going through a stressful time and keeps kind of leaning on you and you're like, I don't know, man.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah. And schedule 35 ships all across Canada and the US and is the most notable brand currently in the space. Speaking of ships, the ship that she took to do her, like, whatever, the thing thing. And I think it's better that it's becoming a the thing thing, because honestly, she could meet Kurt Russell.
Adol Refai
Oh, yeah, right.
John Patrick Cohen
Kurt Russell. Right. I'm not wrong about that. Right.
Adol Refai
Yeah. And Erin's a bit of a Goldie Hawn type, so we'll see how that plays out. But I feel better than ever. I feel like anytime I take schedule 35, I feel relaxed, I feel creative, I feel sort of on top of my game. So it's been a real treat. No offense, Aaron.
John Patrick Cohen
All products come with guides that make microdosing easy to understand. All customers need to be age verified. And once you're age verified, 19 plus in Canada, 21 plus in the United States, you will receive an invite code. And for all of the products to get an invite code, visit www.schedule35co.
Adol Refai
Hey, boys, it's me, Kurt Russell. Get 15% off with code RIDDLE at schedule35co. That's 15% off at schedule35co. And use code riddle and enjoy my son in this summer's movie.
John Patrick Cohen
You know what? I don't hate your son. I think he's fine.
Adol Refai
Yeah, he's actually. He always plays like kind of a. You know, I don't kind of.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah. Of all the sons of the famous things, I think there's really. He's. I don't mind him. Yeah, agreed, agreed. From his dad. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp.
Erin Keif
Okay, guys, now I can hang out. I just sat in the sun for a little while. Whoa. Drinking water.
John Patrick Cohen
Yikes.
Erin Keif
No, I look fantastic. I just normally look very sick. And that's why you're Confused. But I'm taking care of myself this summer.
John Patrick Cohen
This is you healthy?
Erin Keif
Yeah. Me healthy?
John Patrick Cohen
I gots to have.
Erin Keif
Yeah, well, it's not just my outer health. It's my inner health as well.
Adol Refai
Oh, like your guts and your tummy? Carrots. Eating carrots?
Erin Keif
No, no, my brain. My brain. I've been using BetterHelp, which is online therapy. And you know what? It's so nice to be able to message my counselor anytime, even during the summer. I'm prioritizing myself. Think I'm getting everything in order.
Adol Refai
Well, Erin, your gray matter is looking gorge.
Erin Keif
Thank you.
Adol Refai
And also, I know with BetterHelp they have over 30,000 therapists. BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally.
John Patrick Cohen
And there is nothing like talking through your issues with a professional. It can give you, like, new perspective. I really benefit from therapy and just kind of like having a moment for self reflection and a time scheduled every week where I can explore that self reflection with someone who is trained to kind of help guide me through that.
Adol Refai
Oh, yeah, and Aaron, I've heard it's like supes convenient too. You can join a session with a therapist at the clinic.
Erin Keif
That's cool. That's cool. Way to talk.
Adol Refai
I actually got younger by using BetterHelp. I'm like 22 now. It's soup's convenient. You can join a session with a therapist at the click of a button, which for my generation is like, like pretty primo. I think we say helping this helps you fit therapy into your busy life. And I'm supes biz plus switch therapists at any time. We call that a switcheroo.
Erin Keif
As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Unwind from work. With BetterHelp, our listeners can get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp. Help.com Riddle that's BetterHelp. H-L-P.com Riddle R I D D L E Based.
Adol Refai
Honestly based.
John Patrick Cohen
You slayed with that one, Aaron. Dab.
Erin Keif
I need to go back to therapy.
Adol Refai
And we're back. We wrote the script, we pounded it out. I think we're.
Erin Keif
Then we put pen to paper.
Adol Refai
We pounded it out, then we wrote it. The Lion Come will open on the West End, and we changed it from.
Erin Keif
The Lion King to the Lion Come. Sorry, that was draft three or four.
Adol Refai
We're opening on the West End, which is what I call la next year, next August. So we're excited.
Erin Keif
So if you want to hunt and kill us? You know where you're coming. That zapped me. I feel like that aged me 100 years. When we were in break, I said that I kept swinging between just intense hatred for that bit and loving it so much. I mean, you saying be prepared, really.
John Patrick Cohen
Fucking, you know, it's the opposite of love is not hatred. It's indifference. So you were kind of horseshoed along there, Aaron. You were close to them both.
Erin Keif
Well said. We have a few more of these from Lauren. Thank you, Lauren, for writing these. I could use a thousand more of these if people are interested in.
John Patrick Cohen
There can't be a thousand musicals, though.
Erin Keif
I think so. There's probably that many. These dancers sing, God, I hope I get it. But with the help of vitamin C, they won't get scurvy.
Adol Refai
Okay.
John Patrick Cohen
Vitamin C is in the grudge.
Adol Refai
Oh, God, I hope I get it. I hope I get it. This is a chorus. Wait, a chorus lime.
Erin Keif
A chorus lime.
Adol Refai
Coarse lime.
Erin Keif
You get the point.
John Patrick Cohen
What? Oh, well, hold on now. Now, hold on now. The only way.
Adol Refai
We'Re in Southern Court all of a sudden.
John Patrick Cohen
The only way I could possibly win this game is if someone tells me the musical.
Erin Keif
Where did you get that seersucker suit?
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, I must. Seersucker suit.
Adol Refai
Wait, is he saying your Honor? Because I'm hearing yawner.
Erin Keif
Yawn, yawner.
John Patrick Cohen
I was watching a movie late last night, and I was a bit of.
Erin Keif
A yawner, you guys.
Adol Refai
What?
Erin Keif
I got more texts when Karen Reid was found in the Sacrifice than I did on my birthday.
John Patrick Cohen
I'll tell you what, Aaron. I got more texts when Karen Reed was found innocent from you than I normally get. I got one text that said Karen Reed was found innocent.
Adol Refai
Aaron, did you cry?
Erin Keif
I don't want to say she did. Yeah, I just. I could not believe it. I was so. I did call my mom right away.
John Patrick Cohen
It does seem likely that you got a lot of texts, because it does seem like I talked about it too much. You talked about a lot. I definitely think it was maybe the first. Was it a lot of the first conversations you were having with people? They were like, how's it going? You're like, great. Let me tell you about the Carol Reid trial.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
I sort of was looking for any opportunity and moment like. Like, I just wanted anyone to bring up anything tangential so I could go off.
Adol Refai
Anything to do with cars. Yeah, anything Women or terror read people.
Erin Keif
Yeah, anything like that. Sharknado, also A Chorus Line, I think is. Is the Broadway cast album. I'VE listened to the most in my life. During my summer vacation, I used to lay on my trampoline and listen to it, like, eight to 10 times in a row, like, full.
John Patrick Cohen
Aaron famously on the show, I don't know dick about shit. But his chorus line, is this a More like a dance musical? Cause it sounds like a dance musical.
Erin Keif
It is, but it is based on real interviews with dancers. So they like, I've talked to some.
John Patrick Cohen
Dancers, and I gotta say, that sounds boring as shit.
Erin Keif
Well, they will.
John Patrick Cohen
Hey, if you want to hear. If you want to talk about dance, talk to a dancer, sir.
Erin Keif
They.
John Patrick Cohen
You want to talk about literally anything else. I would avoid conversations with each of.
Erin Keif
Their songs is sort of like they talk about their origin story or it was like. Like, one of them is, like, being not confident in their acting. One of them is feeling, like, not attracted enough. And then they did a song based on.
Adol Refai
They hold up their headshots. The. I've seen the YouTube video of the guy. Maybe it's from, like, a documentary. But it's a guy auditioning for Chorus Line.
Erin Keif
Oh, that Chorus Line documentary is so.
Adol Refai
The casting directors are.
Erin Keif
Oh, he's so good in that. But the. There's a.
John Patrick Cohen
Why are they crying? Wait, what?
Erin Keif
Because there's a famous monologue in A Chorus Line that one of the dancers does where he didn't feel safe enough being vulnerable around other people. And the musical takes place in the 70s, and it's him talking about being gay and what he had to deal with in that. And the guy who did the monologue, I think it hit a little close to home for him. The guy who ended up getting the part got it. And when they showed his full audition. But also the part of that documentary that is, like, so raw and hard to watch is there's a part where a woman has to sing a really high note. And they played a montage of all the women trying to hit that note in the auditions. And it is. It's too vulnerable. It's too hard to watch. So skip that.
Adol Refai
Can you give us a little impression?
Erin Keif
I will blow out your ears.
John Patrick Cohen
Garen, I got a question for you.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Do you go into that audition thinking, I know I can't hit the note, but I can get close, or do you think that they. All of the people that went into that audition said, I can hit this note. I've hit this note in practice. I'm able to hit this note, and then couldn't do it under the pressure.
Erin Keif
I think that they go, it's probably physically possible for me to hit this note, and on my most calm, collected day, I could probably do it.
John Patrick Cohen
I could do it.
Erin Keif
But they showed the final callbacks, so I think the stakes are too high. And it's the end of at the ballet. Ballet. The ballet. The ballet.
John Patrick Cohen
And it's like, yeah, big note.
Erin Keif
It's a big note.
John Patrick Cohen
I just. I can't see a situation where I'm, like, going into the interview and they're like, okay, so it says here that I have to know C. Now. I don't know programming at all, but I think I'm gonna wing it for the interview. Like you. You must. I think it's fair play to play the clips because it's like, hey, man, you knew that the song was coming in the interview, right? Like, you knew it was coming.
Adol Refai
I think there's a certain amount. There's a certain percentage of, as the kids say, delulu from Broadway actors. There's a confidence they have to use as armor that won't allow them to back down from a challenge.
Erin Keif
Yeah, you gotta be like. You gotta hype yourself up and do a Persona of your most confident self in order to do that. God bless him.
John Patrick Cohen
Do you think Lin Manuel Miranda would have gotten cast as Hamilton if he hadn't?
Erin Keif
I don't know.
John Patrick Cohen
If he had to read that by somebody else.
Adol Refai
I know, I know, I know, I know.
Erin Keif
How can this sad teen wave through a window with such big ursine. Is that the. How you say it? Pause.
Adol Refai
Bare Evan Hansen.
Erin Keif
Yep.
John Patrick Cohen
Bare Evan Hansen.
Erin Keif
Is it ursine?
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Adol Refai
Ursine. Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
And porcine.
Erin Keif
In this cold quarter, nautical musical feet are delightful, delicious and deluvely. This is my favorite.
Adol Refai
Sorry, Erin, can you repeat it? I missed the first part.
Erin Keif
In this Cole Porter. Nautical musical. Feet are delightful, delicious and delightful.
John Patrick Cohen
Nautical musical. Parts of blows, parts of potatoes, Anything. Wait, is it really Anything Goes?
Adol Refai
Delightful. The what?
Erin Keif
And it's the feet part is what you're focusing on.
Adol Refai
Anything, toes. Anything Toes.
Erin Keif
Anything toes.
Adol Refai
The best opening to any Indiana Jones movie is that song. And then also, I saw Anything Goes.
John Patrick Cohen
What? Which movie is that? Oh, is that the.
Adol Refai
It's the one where he.
John Patrick Cohen
Is that the second one where he's at the club or whatever, where Kate.
Adol Refai
Capshaw, formerly Mrs. Spielberg, sings anything?
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, no.
Adol Refai
Yeah. They broke up 25 years ago. No, wait, he married. Was he with Kate Capshaw?
John Patrick Cohen
Wait, wait, wait, wait. No, no, no. He's still with her.
Adol Refai
Okay. But he marries with the woman from the first Indiana Jones Third.
John Patrick Cohen
What? No, no, no. He left the first wife to be One with Kate Capshaw, but it wasn't on the set. It was like seven years after. Well, I mean, who knows?
Adol Refai
E.T. bone down, but I saw Anything Goes with Sutton Foster and Joel Gray.
John Patrick Cohen
E.T. bone down. I don't understand what that. E.T. bone down.
Adol Refai
Steven Spielberg directed E.T.
John Patrick Cohen
E.T.
Adol Refai
Phone home turns into E.T. bone down. I can't walk you through everything.
Erin Keif
I think you're burning more calories in your brain than that.
John Patrick Cohen
But Home to Down. My only problem is Home to Down.
Adol Refai
Not every song scans jbc. But I saw Anything Goes with Sutton Foster and Joel Gray. And I was like, oh, my gosh, Joel Gray, legend. And he had to wear an earpiece and he was being fed his lines. So anytime someone talked to him, there'd be three seconds of silence and then him saying a line. It was kind of sad.
John Patrick Cohen
Hey, it sounds like you're complaining, but the name of the fucking show is Anything Goes. So anything he did was within the parameters of the show. Huh.
Adol Refai
I never thought about like that.
Erin Keif
I was in Anything Goes.
John Patrick Cohen
Anything Goes. I'm not gonna learn my lies. I'm not gonna sing any songs. Anything Goes. You paid for the ticket, dumbass.
Adol Refai
Aaron, who'd you play?
Erin Keif
No one. I was just in the ensemble. That was the first time in many years, though. I think I got to play a woman in my summer theater program. I was in all the boy ensembles.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, they did reverse Shakespeare roles.
Erin Keif
Yep. I had to.
John Patrick Cohen
No, I guess that would just be.
Erin Keif
I was a pirate in Pirates of Pennsylvania.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
And then I was a sailor in South Pacific. And my line as a 12 year old girl in Nothing Like a Dane was, we've got every kind of feeling, but the feeling of relief, like, we're not getting fucked.
John Patrick Cohen
This is a preparation AIDS commercial.
Erin Keif
Yeah. I'm like, I just. My line was about being horny. We got every kind of feeling, but the feeling of relief.
John Patrick Cohen
We've got every kind of feeling because.
Erin Keif
The chorus of the song is, there is nothing like a dame. Nothing in the.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm missing the context of the chorus.
Erin Keif
There is nothing you can name that is anything like a dame. And then we're like, we really miss the girls. The girls are really cute.
John Patrick Cohen
I do like the idea of a guy who can feel everything but horny.
Erin Keif
Well, he's horny, but he doesn't feel the relief from horniness. He wishes he was in the Lion King. He wants to come, but he can't. Yeah, I was a 12 year old girl. Girl. Talking about being a World War II sailor. It's fine. I turned out okay.
John Patrick Cohen
The thing we do for children to make their art.
Erin Keif
Yeah. So these are written by my friend Michael. Thank you, Michael. These riddles were originally. He thought of these because, hypothetically, I might be planning an episode that is meant to drive JPC crazy.
John Patrick Cohen
These riddles were original. Hypothetically, he thought, okay, okay, I couldn't track the thing.
Erin Keif
Good.
Adol Refai
Trying to drive JPC crazy is like getting in your car. If we went outside, gotten my car, and said, let's go to Chicago, you're right.
Erin Keif
So it's like a hat on a hat. It's a little redundant is what you're saying. Like, if I add more crazy to his plate, he gets normal.
Adol Refai
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Getting in your car and saying, let's.
Adol Refai
Drive to Chicago, it's like saying, let's make Jesus Christ. Like, yeah, yeah.
Erin Keif
Don't agree with us.
John Patrick Cohen
No, no. Yeah. I'm tracking with this. This definitely tracks to me.
Erin Keif
Yeah, that's like the always sunny joke where Charlie's like, he doesn't even get us, man. And they're like, we're talking about you. Okay. All right.
John Patrick Cohen
It's like driving to a drive through and then asking them for their order.
Adol Refai
It's like rain, but they make it about cum.
Erin Keif
It's like being a natural blonde and going to the hair salon and asking for blonde hair.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, well, that's actually a blonde joke. And that' very funny.
Erin Keif
He's already too crazy. I can't add any more, but these are. They were meant you were going to be sort of a sacrificial lamb in this saddle, and I'm so sorry.
Adol Refai
No. I'm hungry.
Erin Keif
I only like lamb when it's been sacrificed. But these were. I wanted to sort of drive you insane and kind of gaslight you. So all of these riddles technically have two answers.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, okay. I like that.
Erin Keif
And one of them is a little bit more literal, and one of them is a little bit more metaphorical. Now, these are hard. So I'd say between me and Michael's, maybe only two of these I think work well.
John Patrick Cohen
Is this the Michael I know?
Erin Keif
Yes.
John Patrick Cohen
Cool. Gonna fire off a quick text. Real quick.
Erin Keif
Yeah, do it.
John Patrick Cohen
Just gonna say, fuck you, Aaron.
Adol Refai
Do we need a piece of paper or anything?
Erin Keif
No, I think just turn your listening ears on. Keep your heart open. What do you think? Do you have a chakra that you think is blocked? What chakra of yours do you think is.
Adol Refai
What are chakras again?
Erin Keif
They're like energy, where energy emits from your body. This is like top of the head.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
Erin Keif
Blocked third Eye blocked.
Adol Refai
Keep going.
Erin Keif
Throat blocked. Heart blocked. Stomach blocked. And like, root blocked. Yeah. Okay.
John Patrick Cohen
And Adel, you were telling me earlier that you chakra'd the monkey, right?
Adol Refai
All holes filled is what I said.
Erin Keif
Oh, God.
Adol Refai
Airtight, my chakra.
John Patrick Cohen
You were at that New Year's.1 billion served. All holes filled.
Adol Refai
I'm clipping that.
Erin Keif
No, don't. No.
John Patrick Cohen
Casey, live clipping. Casey, live clipping of this episode.
Erin Keif
Yeah, so I don't know. I think Michaels are better than mine, at least. So let's get these straight.
Adol Refai
Well, actually, let me hear him first.
Erin Keif
Okay, just.
John Patrick Cohen
Just for clarification, I did text Michael you. And the last thing that we had texted about was when he was going to be in town getting breakfast. So that fuck you should come out of nowhere.
Erin Keif
Yeah. Or he should be like, what happened at that breakfast? I hold things together without any glue. I come in all shapes, sizes and hues. Soon tie the knot. Or let me extend. Pull me too tight and I might just end.
John Patrick Cohen
Pull me too tight and I might just end. Is this a knot?
Erin Keif
Sounds like that's close.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
What's a knot made up?
John Patrick Cohen
Yarm.
Erin Keif
Yeah, that works.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, but.
Erin Keif
So that's one of the answers.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, so if.
Erin Keif
If I had been driving you crazy, I'd been like, nope. And then would have waited for the other answer.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, oh, okay, okay.
Erin Keif
But I'm nice.
John Patrick Cohen
So. So give me the vernal again. I want to get both answers because I'm a completionist and I want to platinum this thing.
Erin Keif
I hold things together without any glue. First of all, I got dinner with Michael last night, and then he was like, giving the table these example, like these riddles to show them, and someone asked him to read it again, and he was like, ugh. And I went, so now you know. And now you know how it feels. I hold things together without any glue. I come in all shapes, sizes and hues. Soon tie the knot and let me extend. Pull me too tight and I might just end.
John Patrick Cohen
And so I said rope. And that was. That worked.
Erin Keif
Yeah. So that one is. Remember, it has two answers. So string. I'm string.
John Patrick Cohen
And rope is the same, so, yeah, sure.
Erin Keif
And the other one is more of like a metaphorical. Like, this is like a flowery way to explain this thing.
Adol Refai
And Aaron, do the two words like rhyme or connect. Okay.
Erin Keif
They're totally different.
John Patrick Cohen
Hmm. Is it like patience?
Erin Keif
No.
Adol Refai
Pull me too hard and I might. What was it?
Erin Keif
Pull me too tight and I might just end.
John Patrick Cohen
Pull me too.
Erin Keif
Maybe someone with anxious attachment style would pull something too tight.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, their hair.
Erin Keif
No.
John Patrick Cohen
Their leg hair. No, Aaron. Don't make me guess the other hair.
Adol Refai
Pull me. Too tight.
Erin Keif
Damn. Do it. Say it.
John Patrick Cohen
What's butt pubic hair called?
Erin Keif
Oh, my God. Casey.
Adol Refai
Blue book hair.
Erin Keif
It's your home. Kick him out.
John Patrick Cohen
Is it blue book hair?
Erin Keif
No.
Adol Refai
Michael. Boo. Blublic hair.
Erin Keif
Don't.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay.
Erin Keif
It's something there and we don't have the time.
John Patrick Cohen
Is it a concept?
Erin Keif
No, it's like kind of. It's like a thing. If you have anxious attachment style in what is. Where does that show up in your fingernails? No, it's not.
Adol Refai
Everyday life, literally. Interpersonal relationships, friends.
John Patrick Cohen
These are friendships. You said relationships.
Erin Keif
Yeah, relationships. Oh, I'd like to see a scene Adol. You were breaking up with JPC because JPC has gotten like a little too attached and a little too clingy.
Adol Refai
Oh, that's fine.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, my God. We totally fit in this sweater.
Adol Refai
No, that's fine.
John Patrick Cohen
We totally both fit in this sweater.
Adol Refai
Yeah. I'm gonna take my.
John Patrick Cohen
You were so wrong.
Adol Refai
Okay. Yeah. You really just kind of swooped in there.
John Patrick Cohen
You were so wrong. We both fit in this while we. No, you should win. It looks better. It looks better on you.
Adol Refai
Our necks are pressed together so tight. Josh, I thought we just like a sweater. You know how sweaters come undone.
John Patrick Cohen
Aw. We're gonna go see Weezer. You got Weezer tickets?
Erin Keif
Aw, no.
Adol Refai
That's my least favorite band. I told you. Maladroit's the only good album and I hate everything else.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, on SeatGeek, they have one ticket. Do you think we could split one ticket if we both sat on in with.
Adol Refai
I would say you should snag it. And then I'm gonna keep talking. Josh, I feel like much like Weezer. I feel like.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, someone didn't like Weezer and now they much like Weezer.
Adol Refai
The only way I can get through.
John Patrick Cohen
To change your mind on a dime.
Adol Refai
Okay, Josh, you have to take off that Guitar Hero controller. It's not attached to anything. You can't attach to me.
John Patrick Cohen
You're like, oh, this is so us.
Erin Keif
Aw.
Adol Refai
This is like when a five year old puts out their first Halloween costume and then they wear it for three months.
John Patrick Cohen
A five year old? I guess I'd have a baby with you.
Adol Refai
I'm not. You have three kids from a previous. Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, my God. What I love about kids is they tie you to someone forever. Forever.
Adol Refai
How do I say this in a way that you'll understand? You can't this bottle of seagrams and.
John Patrick Cohen
You shan't this Bottle of Seagrams.
Adol Refai
My icebox. Wait.
John Patrick Cohen
Awakens ancient feelings.
Adol Refai
Yes, but ancient in terms of. You know, how people used to die when they were like 27.
John Patrick Cohen
Oh, my God. How romantic.
Adol Refai
I think our relationship.
John Patrick Cohen
For us to die together. I want to be thinking about you as I die.
Adol Refai
I hope that's not what you think of. I hope you're at a Weezer concert when you die. Not this one. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying I hope they play forever. Two pals.
Erin Keif
Oh, my God. I. I love your sweater.
John Patrick Cohen
Thank you.
Erin Keif
What a cute couple.
John Patrick Cohen
Would you believe this is a sweater for one?
Erin Keif
But two people are in there.
John Patrick Cohen
But two fit.
Erin Keif
You guys are so cute together. Have a good one.
John Patrick Cohen
Two fit. So many sweaters. Oh, my God, I miss her. She was so nice.
Erin Keif
See? Perfect. We might actually only get through the ones that Michael wrote. Thank God, because mine are significantly work.
Adol Refai
And now I want to hear one.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Why don't we do 101? Why don't we go switch on 101?
Erin Keif
I literally realized this is for the. I'll do one of mine.
John Patrick Cohen
Aaron, sometimes you say, like, oh, I did this thing and it's not very good. And most of the time, you're right. I mean, it is 100%. You called it. You know yourself better than I know you. But sometimes, Aaron, you surprise yourself.
Adol Refai
You say, I phoned in this riddle. Didn't spend all night writing a good one. Why didn't you keep it tight?
John Patrick Cohen
Bet on yourself for once? Aaron. I always do.
Adol Refai
Draft queen.
Erin Keif
I live in locks and treasure chests. I keep things safe and cause unrest. Without the right match, I won't give way. But once I do. You might betray Sierra.
Adol Refai
This is what we're talking about.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah. I've been wrong before.
Erin Keif
Yeah. So I'll go back to Michaels.
Adol Refai
I live in locks.
Erin Keif
I see. I don't even care about tapers. No. What goes with the lock?
John Patrick Cohen
Key.
Adol Refai
Tapers?
Erin Keif
Yeah, a key.
Adol Refai
Messy.
Erin Keif
And then what do you portray?
John Patrick Cohen
Everyone. My friends and family. People hold secrets.
Erin Keif
You've betrayed my confidence.
John Patrick Cohen
Trust.
Erin Keif
There you go. You got it. Key and trust. Back to Michael's Key and trust.
Adol Refai
Such a good sketch show.
John Patrick Cohen
Speaking of confidence.
Erin Keif
I mark the start, I note the end. I pass around but rarely bend. I'm a part of life like stars and rain but when I'm gone none can remain.
Adol Refai
The sun light.
John Patrick Cohen
But when I'm gone none can remain. Well, the sun would be great there.
Erin Keif
Right the way Michael said that he wrote these water. No, by he looked up existing riddles. And saw some of the words and then went, what is something else that could describe? And he took some of those words.
John Patrick Cohen
Work smart, not hard.
Erin Keif
Yes.
John Patrick Cohen
I think I owe Michael an apology.
Erin Keif
I think you already said.
John Patrick Cohen
Do you think if I text someone, fuck you, I owe them an apology? I don't think so. You're right. Quick check that's not texted back.
Adol Refai
Just follow up with ha ha.
Erin Keif
I mark the start, I note the end. I pass around but rarely bend. I'm a part of life like stars and rain and when I'm gone, none can remain.
John Patrick Cohen
I'm a part of life like stars and rain.
Adol Refai
This is like a letter in the word life.
Erin Keif
No. So, like, what?
John Patrick Cohen
This is like part of everyday life, like breathing. Oxygen.
Erin Keif
Breath.
John Patrick Cohen
Breath.
Erin Keif
You guys got it?
John Patrick Cohen
Okay.
Erin Keif
And so that's one. And then the other one is a little bit more like. I mark the start, I note the end, I pass around, but rarely bend. What's something that passes?
Adol Refai
Gas. Time.
Erin Keif
Adol. And I just made eye contact. Were you in there for 40 years as well?
Adol Refai
I was trapped.
Erin Keif
Yeah, I'm back here. And we're the same age. We aged in there. Yeah. It's time and breath.
John Patrick Cohen
Time and breath. Do you remember the character from Inception? Does anyone remember the woman's name?
Erin Keif
The. The top?
John Patrick Cohen
Well, yes, Aaron, the top. That's Inception, correct?
Erin Keif
Yes.
Adol Refai
Just like a woman to talk about the character's top. Her blouse. Aaron, you mean her blouse.
John Patrick Cohen
It's Marian Cotard. Marianne Coitard.
Erin Keif
Marion Cotiar.
John Patrick Cohen
Her name is like mom or something. She's got. She's got. Got some horrible name. That's not a real name.
Erin Keif
Oh, yeah, Ma.
John Patrick Cohen
It's like Mal. Mal. Mald. Mab.
Erin Keif
Mal.
John Patrick Cohen
Malb. The character from Inception's name is Mar. Mar. Sounds right.
Erin Keif
I'm gonna look it up.
John Patrick Cohen
Okay, we have to look it up. Cause I need to know the character from Inception's name.
Erin Keif
Michael, I'm gonna do more of your riddles later. Maybe in the actual episode that's meant to destroy jbc.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, I do wanna see a quick scene while Aaron looks us up. She's gonna be in the scene, so I don't know. It's not really a. It would be.
Erin Keif
I can do both.
John Patrick Cohen
It would be a while. I look it up. You guys are in that thing where it's Aaron and Adol. You got trapped in each other's eyes for that moment. That moment lasted 40 years. And you guys are like 38 years into the 40 year moment with no indication of when it will end.
Erin Keif
I spy when my Little eye.
Adol Refai
Me. It's probably me again. It's been me the last 1400 times.
Erin Keif
A bottomless voice.
Adol Refai
Yeah, I see it too.
Erin Keif
You see it too?
Adol Refai
I see it too.
Erin Keif
Would you rather.
Adol Refai
The first one? Whatever the first one is. Because you always say the first one and then it's always 30 weeks and then you say the second one and I can't wait 30 weeks. I mean I have to wait 30 weeks. I have to wait.
Erin Keif
Why are you so upset? Did I forget your birthday again?
Adol Refai
Time is nothing. Birthdays are nothing.
Erin Keif
Can I tell you what kind of hurts my feelings? I. This is something new. We haven't said yet why we've been in here 38 some odd years, something like that. You haven't fall. You haven't even fallen in love with me. Not even once. Like how do you not? 38 years is so long you have to be endeared to a person. You should at least be trauma bonded to me by now. You know what I mean?
Adol Refai
Yeah.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
You didn't even, even fall in love. Not even once. You're don't.
Adol Refai
Here's the thing.
Erin Keif
You're two more years with me in here.
Adol Refai
You're 511 and I can't date tall women.
Erin Keif
I'm 5 8.
Adol Refai
You give 5 11.
Erin Keif
You're like 6. It just taller than me. You're famously taller than me.
Adol Refai
I can't date tall women.
Erin Keif
Is this your wife?
Adol Refai
Are you stunning? Yes. Are you everything I want in a partner? Yes. Are you matching be wit for wit, tit for tat, thought for thought? Yes.
Erin Keif
If I was my little eye a liar.
Adol Refai
If you were just three inches shorter, we would be soulmates.
Erin Keif
Liar says what?
Adol Refai
What?
Erin Keif
I know. Fucking fuck you. Fucking hate you. I'm grateful you're not jpc and I think about that every day. That's.
Adol Refai
I'm grateful you're not jpc.
Erin Keif
That's what sort of links me back to gratitude and reality. Could have been here with jpc.
Adol Refai
If I was here with jpc, I feel like I. I feel like his mind would have absorbed me 36 years ago.
Erin Keif
This would have turned into like a Mad Max situation somehow.
Adol Refai
It would have turned into an FX's legion. Yes, it would have been an FX legion situation.
Erin Keif
Yeah.
Adol Refai
Yeah.
Erin Keif
Wait, who is that? JBC?
Adol Refai
Is that JBC?
John Patrick Cohen
Wait, you guys can see me?
Adol Refai
Oh no.
Erin Keif
How long have you been here?
John Patrick Cohen
Just got here.
Erin Keif
No, you have not been here the 38 days.
Adol Refai
Do you have cobwebs on?
John Patrick Cohen
Oh these? Yes, cobwebs from spiders. Don't get too close. And don't smell. Wait, these are cobwebs from Spiders.
Erin Keif
It's cum.
John Patrick Cohen
Cum on my titties.
Adol Refai
See, that's Nathan Lane.
John Patrick Cohen
Cobwebs from Spiders.
Erin Keif
Her name was Mal.
John Patrick Cohen
Mal. Like shopping mall, Dark mall.
Erin Keif
Here is a voicemail theme and then a voicemail. Hit it, Case.
Adol Refai
That was fun. That was like city pop.
Erin Keif
That was amazing.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, that one, I think is from Davey. Paul and Davey says they're releasing an album, a future album this year. So, you know, check out Davey wherever you might check. They didn't include where to check it out or what the album was called.
Erin Keif
But I like a challenge.
John Patrick Cohen
Good luck.
Erin Keif
I'll find you.
John Patrick Cohen
Casey, we got a voicemail.
Erin Keif
Hi, Erin, Adeline, jpc. My name is Taylor and I'm at a point. I'm in my mid-20s where I'm working in school and just have a lot on my plate and I love, love what I'm doing, but I'm just exhausted all of the time. I feel like as creatives you can probably relate. So how do you keep at it instead of burning out? I love all the content that you guys make. Bye, Taylor. Okay, first of all, feeling for you, Taylor. I want to scoop you up. I want to buy you some ice cream. Taylor, you're so sweet. I don't know if I have good advice. I'm burnt out all the time and I'm scared all the time.
Adol Refai
Yeah, same.
Erin Keif
I think that's like it. I think doing it scared is a lot of it's good.
John Patrick Cohen
I love doing it scared.
Adol Refai
I think realizing everyone's going through something.
Erin Keif
Yeah, I think. Well, I've said this before, but the mantra I do before I have to do anything creative or like a podcast or improv show or anything like that is I just go. All I have to do is breathe and enjoy the people that I'm around. And that usually is enough to get me to at least go, yeah. But yeah, I think also, yeah, knowing that it's part of it and folding it in is, I think, half the battle.
Adol Refai
Absolutely. Something I've tried that works sometimes is like taking a break from stressing or from doing whatever is stressing me out and consuming something maybe. I normally wouldn't consume Hemlock.
Erin Keif
Hemlock, Meth.
Adol Refai
Meth.
Erin Keif
Wait, you wouldn't normally.
Adol Refai
Black licorice. Yeah.
Erin Keif
Never mind.
John Patrick Cohen
Taking a break from the hectic everyday hustle and bustle of life. Smoking meth.
Adol Refai
Try it out. Who knows where you end up next?
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, I would say. I didn't know if you said in the voicemail if you do have a child. But I would say definitely have a child because then nothing's insurmountable. Everything is kind of like easy mode compared to that.
Adol Refai
You stop thinking about your problem.
John Patrick Cohen
Exactly.
Adol Refai
You got a new problem. Yeah, it's a constant riddle.
John Patrick Cohen
You'll approach anything things that you didn't like doing before. You'll approach it with a new vim and Vicker being like okay, let's do it.
Erin Keif
Also something I would do in my 20s that I think I regret doing now is I would like but I would sort of like hover above rock bottom. Like I would just be like just I would make like white knuckle keeping it together.
John Patrick Cohen
You Tom Cruise Mission Impossible laser right over the floor.
Erin Keif
And I wish I had just gone like when you get to that point where you're doing like 18 hour days and you're tired and you have a cold and you have homework and stuff like that. Maybe just like let yourself cry for an hour.
Adol Refai
Trip the laser.
Erin Keif
Yeah, just go, you know what? I'm at a rock bottom point. Because if you stay at like you just need that kind of like release or like ask for help or whatever. Because I would just be like nope, I got this.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
If you need throw up down my.
John Patrick Cohen
Shirt, ask for help getting a release. No, definitely do it. You know what I'm saying? Because you can release. You can release yourself but it's always a little better if you can get afraid to help you out.
Adol Refai
Circle jerk of life.
John Patrick Cohen
Yep.
Erin Keif
Anything you'd like to plug or promote or talk about?
Adol Refai
Mostly the line come coming next August. But also check out our tour going on this year. We're very excited. We're playing a lot of cities. You can go to heyriddle riddle.com tour.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah it's live and I think so coming up at the end of this month we have Portland which is almost sold out and it might be sold out by the time this comes out. So jump on those Portland tickets. Seattle, which is also very close to selling out but there's a possibility we got a second show in Seattle. We don't know. We don't know. We don't know.
Adol Refai
And this is Portland, Oregon.
John Patrick Cohen
This is Portland, Oregon. Yeah, we go to Portland, Maine and we're flying Seattle for the next night.
Adol Refai
I've heard they're making moves.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah.
Erin Keif
So excited for the Portland and Seattle shows. I've never been to either place and I'm genuinely thrilled.
John Patrick Cohen
And then LA on August 1st and the LA show is live streamed so I think we still have some Tickets available for in person. But you can definitely, if you're anywhere else in the world, you can get live stream tickets to that show. And that's the only live stream one that we're doing this whole.
Adol Refai
And we should say for Portland and Seattle, we will have our fourth host, Janet Varney.
John Patrick Cohen
And in la, unfortunately we don't know anyone. So it's going to be where we're not going to be able to get a guest because we just don't know who it is going to be. And we'll have a guest.
Erin Keif
Zorp is going to be at that Portland live show. I think that's going to be his first ever live show.
John Patrick Cohen
Zorp coming to la?
Erin Keif
Yeah, Zorp lives in la.
John Patrick Cohen
Are they going to go to the show?
Erin Keif
I'm going to say you don't have to do that because they will have just gone to the.
John Patrick Cohen
You don't have to. Nobody has to.
Erin Keif
He will be. He's so nice and offers to go to everything. And I try to be like, you don't have to.
John Patrick Cohen
If Zorp wants to have a fucking fun night. Comedy. Maybe Zorp goes to the show. Here's what I'll say.
Erin Keif
But I am taking up his next night going to Jesus Christ Superstar. I'm sort of making the whole weekend.
John Patrick Cohen
Hey, Zorp, I will not talk to you in Portland. If you want to talk to me, we can talk in la.
Erin Keif
That's so funny. This is me being. Trying to get. He wants to go so bad and he's getting roasted for this.
Adol Refai
Does Zorp improvise? Yes, maybe. Maybe we do a herald with him to end the show.
Erin Keif
He. First of all, he got comedy trained in New York, so who knows how good of a mod.
Adol Refai
I'm sorry, a mod.
Erin Keif
He's very funny. Maybe he could sell riddles on a live show with us one day. He'd be very good at it.
John Patrick Cohen
Yeah, we'll see if he's good at it.
Adol Refai
Aaron, anything to plug or promote, I would say.
Erin Keif
Check out our Patreon. Patreon.com patreon.com Heyriddle Riddle. We have a lot of great fun improv stuff happening over there and I love it. I love our Patreon episodes. Jbc anything. A review to read or something to play plug.
John Patrick Cohen
Hey, this is JPC cutting in from the future, which is actually my present, but the past for when you're hearing this future from when we recorded the episode that you heard. It doesn't matter. I have a tour update for everybody. Our first three shows were awesome. We, we went to Chicago and the Twin Cities. Those shows, we did get audio recordings from them. But I know some people don't like live shows so you don't have to worry. They're not going to be coming on the main feed. We will probably be putting them up on the Patreon later this year. Secondly, we sold out our Nashville show so we have added a second show. It's just going to be a late night show that same night. So that's Tuesday, October 7th. That's going to be a 9pm show still at Third Coast Comedy. You can get tickets to that@heyriddle riddle.com live. Also, we are doing tour limited time specific merch for every show that we do this tour. So if you want to get the tour merch for Chicago or the Twin City shows, these are. Well, they're inside jokes. You'll get them when the episodes come out or if you were actually there. So very limited use case for these. I don't know why I'm not selling you on the merch, but you can find them in our merch store, heyroadivertle.dashery.com or by clicking the link in the episode description. We also have our tour poster that we've been selling at live shows. We have turned that into a shirt so it's like a tour style shirt. It's got the poster on the front and then all the cities that we're seeing on the backside. So that's awesome. And that's out there now. So I hope you pick that up. Okay, back to you. JPC and Adol and Aaron from the past.
Erin Keif
Jpc anything a review to read or something to plug?
John Patrick Cohen
No.
Erin Keif
Okay Jupiter. Bye everybody.
John Patrick Cohen
And Johnson, Patrick Cohen, Casey Tony did the editing and Marty Perrin did the music logo created by Emily Cardamus and Emily Naporus. Hey there bounce houses and hot dogs. If you like that, you are going to love this week's Patreon Patreon. It's improv from a block party. You can listen to that plus our entire back catalog@patreon.com HeyRiddleriddle by joining the clue crew for $5 a month. Or start your 7 day free trial with a review crew for $8 a month. Plus you get those ad free episodes. See you there.
Erin Keif
That was a headgum podcast.
Podcast Summary: Hey Riddle Riddle – Episode #364: "What a Wonderful Phrase"
Release Date: July 9, 2025
In episode #364, titled "What a Wonderful Phrase," the hosts of Hey Riddle Riddle—Erin Keif, John Patrick Cohen, and Adol Refai—return to recording in person amidst an unusually sweltering Chicago summer. Balancing their trademark humor with creative riddles and improvisational scenes, the trio delivers an engaging and entertaining episode that delves deep into their improvisational prowess and collaborative spirit.
The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing the challenges and absurdities of recording live in the intense Chicago heat.
Erin Keif shares her experience about braving the heat: "I decided to come at the hottest time of the year where there's, like, a heat warning every day. My phone keeps being like, don't go outside, please." (01:43)
John Patrick Cohen humorously exaggerates the temperature: "It is 1 million degrees outside." (01:37)
Adol Refai adds to the banter: "I'm in my slut summer, my slummer, if you will." (14:57)
Their lighthearted exchange sets the tone for an episode filled with camaraderie and witty remarks.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to presenting and solving original Broadway-themed riddles crafted by Erin Keif and her friend Michael. These riddles challenge the hosts to think creatively, often resulting in humorous improvisational scenes.
Erin Keif introduces the segment: "I have some original riddles that have a new riddle format written by my friend Michael that I also wrote some as well." (13:47)
The riddles are designed to have dual answers—one literal and one metaphorical—adding layers of complexity and humor.
Notable Quote:
Following the riddles, the hosts engage in improvisational skits that bring the riddles to life, particularly drawing inspiration from Broadway musicals.
Adol Refai suggests a playful scene: "JPC and Aaron, you are a married bear couple and your baby bear..." (19:12)
The trio enacts humorous scenarios, such as a Shakespearean courtroom scene and reinterpretations of classic musical moments, blending absurdity with theatrical flair.
Notable Quote:
The episode features a heartfelt voicemail from a listener named Taylor, who shares her struggles with burnout—a topic that resonates deeply with the hosts.
Taylor's Voicemail: "I'm in my mid-20s where I'm working in school and just have a lot on my plate and I love, love what I'm doing, but I'm just exhausted all of the time..." (65:07)
The hosts respond with empathy and share their personal strategies for coping with burnout, emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care.
Notable Quotes:
Erin Keif on her mantra: "All I have to do is breathe and enjoy the people that I'm around. And that usually is enough to at least go, yeah." (66:11)
John Patrick Cohen on therapy: "There is nothing like talking through your issues with a professional. It can give you, like, new perspective." (38:47)
Throughout the episode, the hosts discuss their creative processes, particularly how they craft riddles and collaborate on improvisational content.
Erin Keif explains the origin of the riddles: "Michael, I have some original riddles that have a new riddle format written by my friend Michael..." (14:00)
They explore the balance between structure and spontaneity, highlighting how their collaborative efforts enhance the show's dynamic.
Notable Quote:
The episode wraps up with the hosts discussing upcoming shows and projects, maintaining their engaging and humorous rapport.
John Patrick Cohen announces tour details: "We went to Chicago and the Twin Cities. Those shows, we did get audio recordings from them." (72:28)
They also promote future episodes and encourage listeners to join their Patreon for exclusive content.
Notable Quote:
Creative Collaboration: The synergy between Erin, John, and Adol showcases the importance of teamwork and diverse creative inputs in producing engaging content.
Mental Health Awareness: By addressing burnout through listener interaction, the hosts highlight the significance of mental well-being, especially in creative professions.
Humor and Improvisation: The blend of humor with improvisational skits based on riddles adds a unique flavor to the podcast, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
"I could touch Adol's arm right now. I can kick GBC in the shins." — Erin Keif (01:18)
"It is 1 million degrees outside." — John Patrick Cohen (01:37)
"We kept talking over her. She wanted to get in on that Star wars bit." — Erin Keif (13:47)
"I mark the start, I note the end. I pass around but rarely bend. I'm a part of life like stars and rain but when I'm gone none can remain." — Erin Keif (58:33)
"All I have to do is breathe and enjoy the people that I'm around. And that usually is enough to at least go, yeah." — Erin Keif (66:11)
Episode #364 of Hey Riddle Riddle seamlessly blends humor, creativity, and meaningful discussions, offering listeners a memorable experience. Whether it's tackling challenging riddles, engaging in theatrical improvisations, or addressing real-life issues like burnout, the hosts deliver content that is both entertaining and relatable. This episode exemplifies the show's unique approach to intertwining puzzles with improvisational comedy, making it a standout installment in their series.
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