Patreon Preview #323: IMDb(itch) V

Summary

Podcast Title: Hey Riddle Riddle
Host/Author: Headgum
Episode: Patreon Preview #323: IMDb(itch) V
Release Date: May 16, 2025

---

Introduction to the Episode

In the May 16, 2025 episode of Hey Riddle Riddle, the hosts Adol Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan delve into a playful yet insightful exploration of Robert De Niro's illustrious acting career. The episode blends their signature humor with a structured game format, engaging listeners in a dynamic discussion about one of cinema's most celebrated actors.

---

Movie and Actor Guessing Game

The episode kicks off with Adol setting up a classic guessing game: presenting movie titles to the hosts, who must identify the actor associated with them.

Adol (00:02): "So I'm gonna give you some movies. And then you guys are movies or TV shows. It could be both. And then you guys are gonna try to guess the actor. Whoever gets it first wins a very big cookie."

The first movie presented is "Shark Tale." Erin promptly guesses Robert De Niro, a correct identification confirmed by Adol.

Eren (00:17): "Is it De Niro?"
Adol (00:18): "It's De Niro."

This segment sets a competitive yet friendly tone, highlighting the hosts' camaraderie and quick wit.

---

Exploring Robert De Niro's Filmography

Transitioning from the initial guessing game, the conversation deepens into an analysis of Robert De Niro's most notable films. Adol introduces the concept of IMDb's "Known For" box, which typically showcases an actor's top four titles.

Adol (01:04): "Can you tell me what you think the four movies that Robert De Niro is known for are?"

Aaron suggests a mix of classics, including "Meet the Parents", "Goodfellas", and "Taxi Driver."

Aaron (01:36): "Is known for number one with a bullet. I mean, sorry, not number one. The number one I think of because of UJPC has got to be Meet the Parents."

Eren adds another layer by mentioning "Raging Bull."

Eren (01:36): "Raging Bull."

Adol acknowledges their accurate guesses while expressing his own uncertainty about the selection process.

Adol (02:21): "So what's fun about this Known for thing is I have no idea how it picks what Robert De Niro is known for."

This segment showcases the hosts' collective knowledge and varying perspectives on De Niro's impactful roles.

---

Determining De Niro's Top Grossing Films

The discussion evolves into identifying De Niro's top-grossing movies, with Adol emphasizing the prominence of blockbuster films in an actor's recognition.

Adol (02:49): "But this is not Analyze this. Meet the Fockers or Meet the Parents, I would say is one of his most top grossing movies."

Aaron and Eren contribute by listing additional films like "Cape Fear" and "Dirty Grandpa."

Aaron (03:24): "And Analyze the reason I'm saying this is not Analyze this. Meet the Fockers or Meet the Parents, I would say is one of his most top grossing movies."

Their collaborative effort highlights the widespread appeal and commercial success of De Niro's projects.

---

Unveiling De Niro's First Movie Role

Adol shifts the focus to De Niro's earliest work, sparking a challenging segment as the hosts attempt to recall his debut film.

Adol (04:43): "But this is not like a lit. These are like, I would have to Go and do, like, actual research for this."

The trio grapples with identifying De Niro's first role, ultimately stumbling upon "Greetings" (1968), leading to humorous confusion.

Adol (05:02): "This movie that we're doing today came out in 1968."
Aaron (05:25): "I know he cast him as Bobby Milk."
Eren (05:49): "Absolutely not."

Despite initial missteps, their perseverance underscores the depth of De Niro's career and the complexities of his filmography.

---

Humorous Greeting Cards Skit

Injecting their characteristic humor, Adol and Eren engage in a playful skit simulating a rivalry over greeting cards, parodizing the competitive nature of the greeting card industry.

Adol (07:54): "This feels like it could very easily be sold to Netflix a la the Pop Tart movie."

Eren crafts a mock greeting card filled with biting remarks, reflecting the exaggerated competitiveness they've devised.

Eren (08:35): "Roses are red, violets are blue. You stink. I can smell you from over here."
Adol (08:37): "You should absolutely send something back."

The skit culminates in a humorous exchange of antagonistic messages, highlighting the hosts' improvisational skills and comedic timing.

---

Conclusion and Patreon Teaser

As the episode wraps up, Adol invites listeners to continue the fun by subscribing to their Patreon for exclusive content.

Adol (10:21): "Listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com/heyriddleriddle."

---

Notable Quotes

• Adol (00:02): "Whoever gets it first wins a very big cookie."
• Eren (08:35): "Roses are red, violets are blue. You stink. I can smell you from over here."
• Adol (07:54): "This feels like it could very easily be sold to Netflix a la the Pop Tart movie."

---

Final Thoughts

This episode of Hey Riddle Riddle masterfully blends game-based interaction with insightful discussion, all while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous atmosphere. Through their exploration of Robert De Niro's career and their creative skits, Adol, Erin, and John Patrick Coan offer listeners both entertainment and a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of acting legacies.

For those seeking more exclusive content and weekly bonus episodes, the hosts encourage joining their community on Patreon.

Transcript

[Adol]

So I'm gonna give you some movies. And then you guys are movies or TV shows. It could be both. And then you guys are gonna try to guess the actor. Whoever gets it first wins a very big cookie. Shark Tale.

[Aaron]

De Niro.

[Eren]

Is it De Niro?

[Adol]

It's De Niro.

[Aaron]

Is it really?

[Adol]

It is De Niro. What?

[Aaron]

In my head, I'm like. I'm like, who is the funniest person you could pull from Shark Tale? Robert Didero. As, like, a shark. I think him and Martin Scorsese are sharks or something.

[Adol]

I can't believe you remember a single thing about Shark Tale.

[Aaron]

I've never seen it. I just remember after it came out, I remember seeing somebody post about it and they mentioned De Niro and I'm like, de Niro's in this? And then I looked it up and him and Scorsese have cameos.

[Adol]

I know that Scott Aukerman helped write Shark Tale. So that is the only lore about Shark Tale I know is that every once in a while it will come up on Comedy Bang Bang. That he worked on Sharktail.

[Eren]

I remember the song Car Wash was in that movie at the car wash.

[Adol]

Okay, so you got it. You absolutely got it. That makes sense. Cause they're under sea, they're in the water. But the component that I think I said, Scott Ackerman that I heard in an episode of threedom is. Is now for bonus points, can you tell me at IMDb there's a known for box, and it is a box that usually has four movies in it or four titles that this actor is known for. Can you tell me what you think the four movies that Robert Downey. Robert Downey Jr. That Robert De Niro.

[Aaron]

Is known for number one with a bullet. I mean, sorry, not number one. The number one I think of because of UJPC has got to be Meet the Parents.

[Adol]

Interesting.

[Aaron]

And then I'd say Goodfellas. And then I'd say Godfather two. And then I would say Taxi Driver, Adol.

[Eren]

Wait, you're blowing through all of them?

[Adol]

Well, hold on.

[Eren]

Raging Bull.

[Adol]

Aaron. Aaron. You do your guesses. You do your guesses. I know how many Adol got right.

[Eren]

I was going to say Gofelas, Raging Bull. M. Silver Linings, Playbook, Mad Dog, Ingloria, Godfather. No.

[Adol]

So what's fun about this Known for thing is I have no idea how it picks what Robert De Niro is known for. I also tried to do it the other way. Adol. And. But this is not like a lit. These are like, I would have to Go and do, like, actual research for this. But I wanted to know, like, what were their top grossing films? And like, anyone who's ever been in a superhero movie, like a Marvel movie in the last 20 years or whatever, those are obviously like, the top grossing ones or whatever. It just hits blockbusters. Really big.

[Aaron]

Dirty Driver, I guess his biggest grossing is either Meet the Parents or Analyze this.

[Eren]

What's the movie he did with Anne Hathaway where he played an old guy who's trying to go back to work?

[Aaron]

Dirty Grandpa.

[Adol]

The Intern.

[Eren]

The Intern or something.

[Adol]

Dirty Grandpa. Analyze. The reason I'm saying this is not Analyze this. Meet the Fockers or Meet the Parents, I would say is one of his most top grossing movies. I did look that up. But Adol, you got one right. And Aaron, you got one right. Or I think maybe Aaron got one right because she said one that Adol said. But Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

[Eren]

Oh, nice.

[Adol]

Are two that he has are two of his top four. Any guesses as to what those other two are?

[Eren]

Tax E Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Godfather two, Deer Hunter.

[Adol]

Deer Hunter.

[Eren]

Deer Hunters one.

[Adol]

Yep.

[Aaron]

Nice.

[Eren]

King of Comedy.

[Adol]

No.

[Eren]

Oh, it's not Goodfellas on this one.

[Adol]

1991.

[Aaron]

91. That's when Goodfellas came out, right? Did Goodfellas come out in 91, 91 or 92?

[Adol]

This is directed by Scorsese.

[Aaron]

Casino.

[Eren]

Casino. Cape.

[Aaron]

Cape Fear.

[Adol]

Cape Fear.

[Aaron]

Nice one, Aaron.

[Eren]

I didn't know the. I knew it was Cape something. Yeah. What is that movie about?

[Aaron]

It's a guy in prison who gets out and stalks a family or something. Stalks a family's daughter, played by Juliet Lewis.

[Adol]

Yeah, those are the four. I don't know. I mean, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull make sense to me. Cape Fear, I guess. But I feel like the Deer Hunter. Well, you know, different structure. I don't know. Like, Goodfellas isn't on there.

[Aaron]

You know, he's mostly Goodfellas.

[Eren]

Not on there.

[Aaron]

Is crazy for Godfather 2, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, I would gander.

[Eren]

I think that's the better.

[Adol]

But that's not the way we play this game. Because the way that we play this.

[Eren]

Game, no one knows how we play this game.

[Adol]

No one knows. Now that we got De Niro, we are going to De Niro's absolute first movie role that he ever did. And again, some of these are, like, made for TV movies, which don't count. Some of them are. It's unclear if it was a movie that had a studio release. So if I. If I don't get it. Exactly right. Don't sue me if this is absolute first one, but is it him playing.

[Aaron]

Bobby Milk in Mean Streets?

[Adol]

I don't think so. Let's see. Do you know what year that is?

[Aaron]

It's gotta be mid-80s, like 86 or something. But I believe that was Scorsese's first film. And I know they knew each other. They grew up together and Bobby. And Robert De Niro was known as Bobby Milk because he had a pale complexion. So I know he cast him as Bobby Milk.

[Adol]

This movie that we're doing today came out in 1968.

[Eren]

Whoa, whoa.

[Aaron]

I didn't realize.

[Eren]

Okay, I guess that makes sense If Godfather was early 70s, right?

[Aaron]

Yeah, that doesn't make sense.

[Adol]

Yeah, I'm looking through that.

[Eren]

Would we know this movie?

[Adol]

No. This movie. I don't think so. I will tell you the name of this movie. This movie is called Greetings. Does that ring any bells?

[Eren]

Absolutely not.

[Aaron]

Season Greetings.

[Adol]

This is a Robert De Niro movie that came out in 1968, and it's called Greetings. It was one of his first films. Are there any other people that you would know? Not even a lot of people have, like, pictures here. So I'm thinking that it's not a lot of other people that you might know. So does anyone have a guess as to what? Oh, and I can also, if you want, I can give you the tags, because there are, like, tags on. Oh, yeah, IMDb that it's tagged with. So these are maybe genres. Satire, comedy, and drama.

[Aaron]

Whoa. What?

[Eren]

Huh?

[Adol]

It's called greetings from 1968. Satire, comedy and drama.

[Aaron]

Satire, comedy, drama.

[Adol]

And I do have a fun piece of trivia, but I can't reveal it yet. We'll have to reveal it when we move on to the next actor.

[Aaron]

Okay.

[Eren]

I think Greetings is about two neighbors that are saying hello to each other in the morning, and it gets more and more passive aggressive, and then it turns to aggression. And it's sort of a black comedy where we see what can happen between people who are, like, sort of living in close proximity to each other and how it can boil over into murder.

[Adol]

Oh, I guess. Yeah. If it's a black comedy, there has to be some murder in it there.

[Eren]

Murder.

[Aaron]

Aaron, I think you just perfectly described the summary for the John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd comedy Neighbors.

[Eren]

Ah, okay. So you're telling me I accidentally wrote Neighbors again. That's fine. I'm doing another cracker.

[Adol]

This time it wasn't the Seth Rogen one. So you're fine.

[Eren]

All right. That's fine, though.

[Adol]

You're getting better.

[Eren]

We're on the up and up.

[Adol]

You're at least writing Worst Neighbors.

[Aaron]

I'm going to say Greetings is about two rival greeting card writers. One works for Shoebox, one works for Hallmark.

[Eren]

That's better than mine, Aaron.

[Aaron]

It is. They keep kind of one upping each other with, like, the hot new greeting card until they start to just, like, snap. And the inside of the card is just, like, lambasting the other person.

[Adol]

Yeah.

[Aaron]

So it just becomes, like, digs at the other person kind of thing.

[Adol]

This feels like it could very easily be sold to Netflix a la the Pop Tart movie, where they're just like, hey, Hallmark gave us the rights to the brand and we could do. Okay, I do want to see. I do want to see that scene. And the way that we're going to engage with this scene is it's going to be adol, you and Eren, and it's going to be a series of letters. But they're greeting cards that you're, like, writing to each other. So it's just gonna be you opening the greeting card from your rival and reading it.

[Eren]

Roses are red, violets are blue. You stink. I can smell you from over here. Come on. That's lazy. That doesn't even rhyme. Oh, I have half a mind to send another one back.

[Adol]

You should. You should absolutely send something back.

[Eren]

Thank you.

[Adol]

That's. I mean, you can't even put that on shelves, right? Like, who's gonna buy that?

[Eren]

No, that's terrible. All right, I'm gonna send this back, and this will show him.

[Aaron]

I got a card from Grace. Great. Let's see what we have here.

[Adol]

Grace from Hallmark.

[Aaron]

Yeah. Yeah, mom, it's Grace from Hallmark. Let's see what she has to say.

[Adol]

Mashed potatoes. Almost done.

[Aaron]

Oh, good, Mom. Good, good, good. Yeah, I just heard the microwave ding. Let's see here. Happy birthday. A little birdie told me you just turned 100. That's rude. Let's open it up here. I can't believe you're still alive, bitch. You're like a hundred or something. How are you still alive? Shouldn't your organs have failed by now? But happy birthday regardless. What the fuck?

[Adol]

What? This is a greeting card, like someone would put in a store.

[Aaron]

Yeah, Mom, I guess so. But let me just grab one of my prototypes here, then put that in the mail. That's Big Lick.

[Adol]

Potatoes are too hot.

[Aaron]

Yes, Mother.

[Eren]

A mother is a friend. A mother is a confidant. A mother is your first cheerleader.

[Aaron]

Sorry I sent you that. I wrote a little note for my mom to encourage her. Can I get that back? And then I can mail you, like, a shitty card or something?

[Eren]

Yeah, sure. I just want to read the inside of this.

[Aaron]

Yeah. I just love my mom so much.

[Eren]

But you'll never be a mom because no one will ever love you. Oh, you got me. You got me. You got me, bitch.

[Aaron]

Same.

[Eren]

Wow.

[Adol]

You got me, bitch.

[Eren]

You got me, bitch.

[Adol]

1, 2, 3, 4. Hate Riddle.

[Eren]

Riddle's clue crew.

[Adol]

Listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com heyriddle riddle.