Hey Riddle Riddle – Patreon Preview #344: King Mumbles pt. 2 w/ Brooke Breit
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Guests: Brooke Breit
Main Theme:
The Hey Riddle Riddle crew—Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, John Patrick Coan (JPC)—continue their comedic medieval quest, accompanied by guest improviser Brooke Breit. The episode is a blend of fantastical adventure, character-driven improv, and playful riffing, providing a whimsical riff on “quest” tropes, while poking fun at riddles and their own penchant for not actually focusing on traditional puzzle-solving.
Episode Overview
The group finds themselves navigating an absurd medieval landscape, seeking an audience with King Mumbles. Along the way, they encounter odd roadblocks, including a chocolate sign, discussions about deodorant and hygiene in the olden days, and a forlorn bridge master named Kevin (played by Brooke Breit). The session lampoons both fantasy quest conventions and their own podcast’s tenuous relationship to actual riddles.
Key Discussion Points & Segment Breakdown
1. Opening Banter & "Quest" Setup
(00:03–01:35)
- Erin confesses to not wearing deodorant, leading to a riff on medieval hygiene and social norms.
- They encounter a sign made of chocolate, with jokes about the “Dark Ages” and a digression about signage and directionals.
- The party establishes their “quest” structure: go to the king, complete a test, and return home.
Notable Quote
“I guess that’s why they call it the Dark Ages, because we didn’t know that they made signs out of chocolate.”
—Erin (01:15)
2. Arrival at the Bridge & Meeting Kevin, The Bridge Master
(01:35–10:03)
- The party reaches a bridge, where they're confronted by Kevin, the humorously curmudgeonly bridge master (Brooke Breit).
- Kevin is immediately and comically bad with names, claiming he’d know their dog’s name before their own.
- The group riffs on the tradition of bridge keepers and “elevator pitches,” which Kevin redefines as an “evader”—a tactic to get away from people.
Notable Quote
“If you had a dog, I’d know your dog’s name before I’d know your name, and I prefer it to be that way.”
—Kevin/Bridge Master (03:21)
- Extended banter about the logistics of elevators and trains in medieval settings, including a Train band reference, blending anachronism and absurdity.
“Do you know the band Train?”
—Kevin (10:19)
“I don’t know them, but I’m a huge admirer.”
—Brooke/Erin (10:22)
3. The Temptation to Fix Kevin's Sad Life
(10:03–12:38)
- Erin pulls the crew aside, warning them not to get attached to Kevin and his “sad backstory.”
- Hilarity ensues as they acknowledge how easily they fall into wanting to fix side characters' woes.
- With the revelation that it’s Kevin’s birthday—and that bridge mastering may lead to an untimely demise—there is mock pathos and attempted emotional detachment.
Notable Quote
“He just said he never has really good times. It’s going to be tempting to sort of fix it.”
—Erin (11:20)
“Imagine spending your whole life trying to learn how to master bridges, and the minute you master a bridge, you die on your birthday. Probably.”
—Adal (12:23)
4. The Not-a-Riddle Riddle
(12:38–14:44)
- Kevin claims the party must answer a riddle to cross, but instead delivers a “riddle” about his failed marriage, seeking life advice.
- The crew protests that “riddles aren’t really our whole thing,” continuing the show’s running meta-gag.
- The riddle devolves into a story about Kevin’s awkwardness and failed intimacy, with ridiculous detail and empathetic groans from the group.
Notable Quote
“The riddle is, can you explain to me what went wrong in my marriage? Oh, ‘cause I can’t figure it out. It is. It’s a stumper.”
—Kevin (13:27)
“Kevin, give us the elevator pitch. Give us the broad strokes of what...I mean, what was going on in the marriage?”
—JPC (14:06)“I didn’t know how to touch her. We’re talking about broad strokes.”
—Kevin (14:13)
5. Recurring Gags, Character Dynamics & Quippy Moments
Throughout
- Recurrent bits about podcasting with little to no riddle content.
- Frequent improv “yes-and” energy and character breaking (“Bing, bam, We’re at the castle,” Adal, 02:45).
- Overlapping quips, interruptions, and direct meta commentary on the conceit of their own show.
- JPC’s ongoing “chaotic neutral” alignment joke.
“JPC is chaotic neutral. Just because he knows how to do his taxes doesn’t mean he’s making society any better.”
—Adal (04:57)
6. Memorable Quotes Recap
- “You smell amazing, I feel like an idiot.”
—Erin (00:16) - “Take a bite, mister. Bite.”
—JPC (01:09) - “I guess that’s why they call it the Dark Ages, because we didn’t know that they made signs out of chocolate.”
—Erin (01:15) - “If you had a dog, I’d know your dog’s name before I’d know your name, and I prefer it that way.”
—Kevin (03:21) - “JPC is chaotic neutral. Just because he knows how to do his taxes doesn’t mean he’s making society any better.”
—Adal (04:57) - “The riddle is, can you explain to me what went wrong in my marriage? Oh, ‘cause I can’t figure it out. It is. It’s a stumper.”
—Kevin (13:27) - “I didn’t know how to touch her. We’re talking about broad strokes.”
—Kevin (14:13)
Tone & Language
- The episode is heavily improvised, with a tone best described as irreverent, playful, and occasionally absurd.
- Banter is rapid-fire, with frequent asides, sarcasm, and in-character self-awareness.
- The improvisers often break character to comment on each other’s bits and the meta-podcast nature of their adventure.
Summary for Listeners
This episode of Hey Riddle Riddle is quintessentially goofy, prioritizing ensemble chemistry and scene craft over puzzle-solving. The “adventure” is a loose framework for improv, with guest Brooke Breit as the lonely bridge master Kevin—whose biggest riddle is his own emotional baggage. Listeners can expect meta-jokes about the show’s reputation with riddles, rich character work, and affectionate ribbing between the hosts.
If you enjoy comedic world-building, loosely constructed quests, and a heavy dose of self-mockery regarding riddle-solving, this episode—especially with Brooke Breit’s contributions—is on-brand and memorable.
[Note: Advertisements and sponsor segments have been omitted from this summary.]