Hey Riddle Riddle Podcast - Patreon Preview #325: Dinosaucers! (and other stuff) with Thomas Sanders

Release Date: May 30, 2025

Introduction and Guest Appearance

In the latest Patreon Preview episode of Hey Riddle Riddle, Headgum's trio—Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan—welcome back their recurring guest, Thomas Sanders. This marks Thomas's fourth appearance on the show, where his enthusiasm shines as he hints at future episodes:

Thomas (00:07): "Thank you for having me back. This is, I think, my fourth appearance, and I can't wait for the next one where I join the Five Timers Club and I get my robe."

The hosts playfully compare their session to Saturday Night Live, joking about the promised robes:

Adol (00:17): "Yes. We're just like SNL in that. We'll have a very nice robe." ... Aaron (00:21): "It's less of a robe and more like a rash that everyone gets after being here five times. It's sort of like a disease."

Reviving the Real or Fake Game

Thomas introduces a nostalgic twist to the episode by reviving the beloved Real or Fake game, a favorite among Patreon subscribers. This segment has evolved over time, originally featuring anime and later superheroes. Today, Thomas brings a fresh theme:

Thomas (00:32): "I am bringing back the Real or Fake game... this time I am bringing to you real or fake Western animation, because apparently it doesn't have to be an anime for it to be something that you haven't heard of and for it to be very, very strange."

This version focuses on Western animations, primarily from the 1980s, an era Thomas finds particularly experimental and intriguing.

Nostalgia Dive: 1980s Western Animation

The conversation delves into a trip down memory lane, discussing iconic and obscure cartoons from the '80s. The hosts share their experiences and memories, highlighting the unique creativity of that decade's animation.

Adol (01:31): "Children, sit down and let Uncle Adol tell you of a little thing called street sharks." ... Thomas (01:09): "There was a very experimental era with cartoons, and it really took place in the decade of the 80s."

They reminisce about shows like Street Sharks, with Adol humorously describing the characters:

Adol (01:36): "They're like sharks in cutoff jean shorts. It was sort of the Ninja Turtle craze launched many ships."

Discussing The Snorks and The Wuzzles, they highlight the penchant for hybrid animal characters:

Adol (04:05): "They're all, like, hybrid animals. Like, they're all freaks."

Aaron (05:53): "This one's nightmarish. Absolutely fucking nightmarish."

Modern vs. Classic Cartoons

The hosts contrast the nostalgic '80s animations with today's children's shows, which they find overwhelmingly abundant and often perplexing.

JPC (01:47): "I was with a group of other parents, and they were, like, talking about the shows that their kids are watching... I've heard of, like Bluey."

Thomas (02:14): "Yeah, so many variations of cocoa melon. It's insane."

They humorously critique the proliferation of modern shows:

Adol (02:17): "But cocomelon. Peppa Pig."

Aaron (02:19): "Delicious."

The banter underscores the hosts' struggle to keep up with the ever-growing list of current animations, contrasting sharply with the more manageable lineup of the past.

Main Segment: Real or Fake Western Animation

Thomas transitions to the core of the episode—the Real or Fake Western Animation game. He explains the rules and sets the stage:

Thomas (04:15): "I think that might be the best way to go through it. But let's start out with this plot. In the near future, a mad scientist wants to conquer the Earth and turn everyone into robot slaves..."

The hosts engage in witty speculation, initially mistaking the plot description for a parody of familiar franchises:

JPC (04:53): "Is this the plot to Three Men and A Baby. It's Gutenberg Dancing Selleck."

Adol (05:00): "If only real. If I had a baby that turned into a Jeep. The dream obviously easily tips over, but that's fine."

Revealing Dinosaucers

The pivotal moment arrives when Thomas describes a show that blends elements of Captain Planet and GI Joe, only to reveal it's a real, albeit obscure, cartoon:

Thomas (07:58): "It's actually a bunch of dinosaurs from outer space. These teens team up with space dinosaurs in their war against other evil space dinosaurs."

Adol (08:38): "Adol's mind palace is talking to him correctly. This is a real cartoon."

The hosts express their surprise and amusement upon learning about Dinosaucers:

Thomas (08:45): "This one's called Dino Saucers. And believe it or not, this one came out before Captain Planet. Whoa."

Adol (09:00): "This is real."

They further delve into the show's unique features, such as the Dinovolving ability, drawing comparisons to pop culture icons:

Thomas (09:20): "Dinovolving, where they transform into their primitive dinosaur state while maintaining their intelligence and speech."

Adol (09:36): "Bruce Banner could never."

Humorous Banter and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with light-hearted jokes and reflections on the quirky nature of '80s cartoons:

Aaron (10:02): "Excuse me."

Adol (10:04): "Hey, Riddle."

JPC (10:05): "Riddle's Clue crew, listen to the rest of the episode. Now, by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com heyriddleriddle."

While the transcript ends abruptly, the episode effectively balances nostalgia with humor, offering listeners a delightful exploration of forgotten or lesser-known Western animations. The Real or Fake game serves as both an engaging activity and a conduit for the hosts to share personal anecdotes and comedic exchanges.

Key Takeaways

• Thomas Sanders brings a fresh theme to the Real or Fake game, focusing on Western animations from the '80s.
• The hosts reminisce about classic shows like Street Sharks, The Snorks, and The Wuzzles, highlighting their creativity and uniqueness.
• The revelation of Dinosaucers as a real cartoon predating Captain Planet surprises and amuses the hosts, sparking discussions about its blend of dinosaurs and futuristic warfare.
• The episode contrasts the experimental nature of past animations with the overwhelming variety of modern children's shows, underscoring a sense of nostalgic appreciation.
• Humorous banter and shared memories create an engaging and relatable atmosphere for listeners, whether they are longtime fans or new to these classic cartoons.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Thomas (00:07): "I can't wait for the next one where I join the Five Timers Club and I get my robe."
• Adol (01:31): "Children, sit down and let Uncle Adol tell you of a little thing called street sharks."
• Thomas (04:15): "But let's start out with this plot... it's just our podcast fusing with assault weapon systems known as Power Extreme. God."
• Thomas (07:58): "This one's called Dino Saucers. And believe it or not, this one came out before Captain Planet."
• Adol (09:36): "Bruce Banner could never."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the entertaining dynamic among the hosts and guest. Whether you're a fan of '80s cartoons or new to the genre, this episode offers a delightful glimpse into the whimsical world of Hey Riddle Riddle.