Hey Riddle Riddle — Patreon Preview #333: Hot Takes

Release Date: July 25, 2025

In Patreon Preview #333 titled "Hot Takes" from the Hey Riddle Riddle podcast, hosts Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan delve into a fiery discussion sparked by listeners' submitted opinions. This episode pivots away from traditional riddles and puzzles, instead exploring the often contentious and passionate world of hot takes. The conversation touches on personal opinions, popular culture, and the subjective nature of taste, all delivered with the hosts' characteristic humor and camaraderie.

1. Episode Context and Introduction (00:02 - 01:32)

The episode kicks off with Adal Rifai questioning the purpose behind their current episode, reminding listeners that they've invited submissions of "Hot Takes." The hosts clarify that the episode is dedicated exclusively to reviewing these bold opinions, evaluating agreement, and potentially inspiring their own spicy viewpoints.

Notable Quote:

• Adol (00:34): "So what we're gonna do is we're gonna review some of people's Hot takes, see if we agree with them and if they maybe spur some hot takes of our own."

2. Personal Hot Takes and Branding Ideas (01:32 - 03:22)

Casey introduces a branding concept intertwining hot takes with the intensity of hot wings, suggesting that both could escalate in spiciness simultaneously. The idea is met with enthusiasm from Adal, who even muses about extending the brand to YouTube and involving celebrities and influencers like Sean Evans from Hot Ones.

Notable Quotes:

• Casey (01:32): "I think we should eat hot wings. They get progressively spicier while the hot takes get progressively spicier."
• Adol (00:54): "Adol. That is such a good idea."

The hosts also share personal hot takes that have stirred reactions. Aaron admits his fondness for M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs," a stance that Adal counters by expressing his general disdain for Shyamalan's later works, highlighting a divergence in their cinematic tastes.

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron (01:43): "For mine, I know that me loving the movie the Village makes people feel insane."
• Adol (02:24): "He made Sideways. He made Lady in the Water. It's basically fables, but terrible."

3. Listener's Hot Take: "Cookies and Cream vs. Oreo" (04:12 - 09:46)

The focal point of the episode is a listener-submitted hot take asserting that "Cookies and Cream and Oreo are not the same goddamn flavor. And Oreo mashed into something is not cookie and cream." The hosts embark on a spirited debate to dissect this claim.

Key Discussion Points:

• Minty vs. Sweet Flavor: Aaron contends that Oreo cookies have a subtle minty undertone, which distinguishes them from the broader "Cookies and Cream" flavor often found in ice creams. However, Adal and Casey challenge this, arguing that regular Oreos lack a pronounced mint flavor unless specified (e.g., mint-flavored Oreos).

  Notable Quotes:

  • Aaron (05:04): "It's just sweet in there."
  • Casey (05:33): "I don't find it minty."

• Dark Chocolate Undertones: Aaron further argues that Oreos possess a dark chocolate bitterness absent in standard Cookies and Cream flavors. Adal counters by clarifying that while Oreos are dark in color, he doesn't perceive a significant dark chocolate taste, emphasizing his preference for high-quality dark chocolates over mass-produced versions.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Aaron (07:04): "The wafer part of Oreos have a slightly like waffle... [with] a bit of cocoa like taste from the dark chocolate wafers."
  • Adol (08:03): "I love dark chocolate and I love bitter dark chocolate. And I just am not getting any of those hints when I'm eating an Oreo."

• Subjectivity of Taste: Adal acknowledges the subjectivity inherent in taste perceptions, likening the Oreo debate to contentious opinions like everyone's experience with cilantro.

  Notable Quote:

  • Adol (06:30): "But you know, taste is subjective, right? Like people's taste buds taste different..."

• Exploration of Oreo Variants: The conversation briefly touches on specialized Oreo flavors like Selena Gomez and horchata, with Adal expressing interest in trying limited editions to potentially resolve his confusion regarding the flavor profiles.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Adol (09:15): "Aaron, get the Selena Gomez ones. So Aaron, get the Selena Gomez ones."
  • Casey (09:26): "They’re like horchata flavored or something. I want to try Selena Gomez."

4. Navigating the Heated Discussion (09:46 - End)

As the debate intensifies, the hosts recognize the potential for an influx of listener feedback challenging Aaron's assertions about Oreo flavors. Adal suggests moving forward to explore more hot takes, indicating that the current discussion might be too polarizing.

Notable Quote:

• Adol (09:46): "All right, let's move on because I think that one was too hot."

5. Conclusion and Call to Action (09:49 - End)

The episode wraps up with a playful sign-off from Adal, directing listeners to continue engaging with the content and teasing future discussions. While the main content centers around the "Cookies and Cream vs. Oreo" debate, the episode exemplifies the hosts' ability to turn a simple opinion into a lively and entertaining conversation.

Notable Quote:

• Adol (09:49): "Hate riddle. Riddles. Clue crew, listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com/heyriddleriddle."

Summary:

In "Hot Takes," Hey Riddle Riddle shifts its focus from traditional puzzle-solving to engaging in a lively debate over a listener-submitted opinion about Oreo flavors. The hosts navigate personal preferences, subjective taste perceptions, and the challenges of reconciling differing viewpoints. Through humorous exchanges and spirited discussions, the episode underscores the podcast's versatility in handling diverse topics beyond riddles, all while maintaining an entertaining and relatable dialogue for its audience.