Patreon Preview #374: The Focus Group

Summary

Hey Riddle Riddle – Patreon Preview #374: The Focus Group

Date: May 8, 2026
Hosts: Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, John Patrick Coan
Platform: Headgum

---

Episode Overview

This episode—“The Focus Group”—puts a comedic spin on a classic creative process: a focus group test screening. The hosts role-play as zany, clueless, and quirky participants in a faux focus group being asked for their very candid thoughts on a new sitcom pilot, “Passing Through.” As always, riddles, references, ridiculous tangents, and genuine improv hilarity ensue, with the episode barely sticking to the ostensible topic of riddles but providing non-stop laughs.

---

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. The Focus Group Setup (00:17–02:53)

• Premise: The cast welcomes participants to a focus group, joking about the “two way mirror” and being observed by “high-level names.”
• Character Interactions:
  • Trish (Erin) is angling for acting gigs:

    “I am an aspiring actor. I would love to be considered for any future projects.” (01:00, A)

  • Another guest expects complimentary melon and is outraged to find only honeydew, which is declared “legally a melon.” (01:13, B & C)
  • Inventive snack suggestions evolve: “Honeydew s’mores” made with graham crackers, honeydew, and Nerds clusters.

Notable Moment:

“Honeydew is legally a melon. Legally.” (01:10, B)
“Guests will do honeydew s’mores.” (01:19, C)

2. Paul Blart: Mall Cop Tangent (02:21–03:47)

• The focus group veers off script discussing changes they’d make to Paul Blart: Mall Cop:
  • Erin: “I can't stand Kevin James.” (02:34, C)
  • Pitch: “Daddy’s Home 2” is suggested as a replacement title, causing confusion about originality.

Memorable Exchange:

“If you say Paul Blart Mall Cop should be called, you know, Godfather, I have to step in and let people know. That’s already a thing.” (03:07, B)

3. Sex Appeal and Butthole Talk (03:47–04:37)

• Trish (Erin) insists the film needed “more sex appeal,” including shirtless scenes and “Butthole, not even once.”
• Hilarious elbow demonstration about how to simulate a butt:

  “You can do a trick where you take your elbow and you squeeze it together...” (04:05, C) “Whoa. That looks like a butt.” (04:12, A)

4. Mannequin Melodrama (04:37–05:23)

• Gary the assistant is about to bring out a mannequin for mysterious reasons, before admitting he role-plays it as his “dead wife.”
• Comparison to Lars and the Real Girl:

  “Well, Lars and the Real Girl was kind of 35% of what I just said.” (05:13, B)

5. New Sitcom: “Passing Through” – The Focus Group Goes to Work (09:39–14:14)

• Officially, the group is watching a sitcom pilot for a “situational comedy”—explaining the term to the less media-savvy participants.
• Premise Reveal:
  The sitcom “Passing Through” is about people working at a truck stop.
• Title Feedback:
  • Trish says the name reminds her of “eating things you’re not supposed to eat,” implying bathroom humor:

    “The doctor says they have to pass through you.” (10:58, A)

  • Discussion devolves into coin-eating, “old wives tales,” and the possibilities of chocolate coins.

Memorable Exchange:

“So it makes you think of buttholes?” (11:11, B)
“Yeah, it makes me think of like having to wait for all the coins to come out of your butt sometimes.” (11:12, A)

• Personal Asides:
  • A participant laments: “It’s nice to be respected. I don’t get it a lot at home.” (11:49, C)
  • Others gently sympathize, keeping up the improv energy.

6. Watching the Sitcom Clip (12:45–14:14)

• The in-universe viewing of “Passing Through”:
  • Classic sitcom set-up: customer returns to truck stop for coffee/pie, wins the lottery.
  • Exposition: truck stop is for sale, could now be bought by a newly-rich “dumbest trucker.”
  • “Rag to riches” story appreciated by the focus group.

Quote:

“That would be pretty crazy if it was one of the dumbest truckers that we know became our new boss.” (14:04, B)

• Instant critique follows:

  “What am I watching here?” (14:14, C)

7. Outro & Teaser for Patreon Listeners (14:43–14:59)

• Episode closes with an abrupt, comedic chant:

  “1, 2, 3, 4, Hate riddle riddles. Clue crew, listen to the rest of the episode...” (14:43, C)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Focus Groups:

  “Your input helps change movies and TV forever. How about that?” (01:59, B)

• On Industry Jargon:

  “Sitcom… I was using industry term. The situational comedy.” (09:51, B)
  “You’re gonna have to dumb everything down for me, because I am not a college graduate.” (09:59, C)

• Comedic Repetition:

  “How gay are you? … She cannot ask.” (10:22–10:28, A & C)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17–02:53: Focus group set up, mirror jokes, melon s’mores
• 02:21–03:47: “Paul Blart” changes & film critique
• 03:47–04:37: Sex appeal, butthole, and body positivity
• 04:37–05:23: Mannequin as tragic spouse
• 09:39–11:49: Sitcom “Passing Through” pitch, truck stop premise, passing coins
• 12:45–14:14: In-universe sitcom clip & group reactions
• 14:43–14:59: Credits and teaser for Patreon listeners

---

Style & Tone

The episode is a prime example of Hey Riddle Riddle’s improv-heavy, referential, and absurdist humor, with a focus on character-driven bits, odd tangents, and meta-commentary on pop culture and television. The hosts keep the tone irreverent, playful, and quick-witted.

---

Summary Conclusion:
“The Focus Group” delivers exactly what Hey Riddle Riddle fans crave—unstructured chaos, relentless riffing, and characters joyfully derailing the concept of a focus group at every turn, while lampooning everything from sitcoms to snack choices to industry lingo and bathroom humor along the way.

For the rest—subscribe to the Clue Crew on Patreon!

Transcript

[A]

Are you really buying a car online on Autotrader right now? Really? I can get super specific with dealer listings and see cars based on my budget. You can really have it delivered or pick it up.

[B]

Mommy's walking.

[A]

I think kid is walking up the slide. Really? Autotrader, Buy your car online. Really?

[B]

Okay, everyone, thank you so much for coming in today. We're very excited to have you. Thank you for signing the release forms. You will get $100 at the end of this.

[A]

And all these people are behind a mirror. There's a bunch of people behind a mirror. That mirror right over there, is that a two way mirror?

[B]

Yes. Your forums probably said something to the effect of there are some high level names behind the mirror. I want to be careful with how I phrase this, but we prefer you don't point. Ma', am, could you not cup your hands up against the.

[A]

I'm just trying to see. I am an aspiring actor. I would love to be considered for any future projects. My name is.

[C]

My form, I believe my form that I signed said that there would be melon. Complimentary melon. This is honeydew.

[B]

Honeydew is legally a melon. Legally.

[C]

This is all there is. This is all there will be.

[A]

Honeydew.

[B]

Well, we also.

[C]

Honeydew is honeydew.

[B]

Graham crackers. If you want to make yourself a

[C]

little honeydew, guests will do Honeydew s'. Mores. What do you have for the egg?

[B]

For the egg we have for the

[C]

part of s' mores that is egg. What do you have for that? Because it's graham crackers and honeydew.

[B]

We have nerds clusters.

[A]

Yeah, that'll do.

[B]

Take yourself some graham crackers, add some honeydew, put a nerds cluster on top.

[C]

I'm letting mine warm up. So no one touched mine. I'm letting it warm up.

[B]

While you're doing that, let me go ahead and again welcome you all to this focus group. We're so excited to have you. We al give yourself a round of applause.

[C]

No.

[B]

Okay. Just the one. We value your input. Famously, some of the best TV shows of all time went through a focus group. Some of the best movies of all time went through a focus group. And your input helps change movies and TV forever. How about that?

[C]

I just watched Paul Blart. Could we change that?

[A]

Well, yeah, I would love to change some stuff about Paul Blart. Mall Cops.

[B]

Hey, I'm on your side. We all want to change stuff about Paul Blart. Mall.

[C]

I can't stand Kevin James.

[A]

A couple people get up to leave because they want to talk about Paul Blart Mall Cop. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[B]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. Hey, hey, hey. No one leave. Hey, let's start off and let's talk about what we would change about Paul Blart Mall Cartoon. What do we think? What will we change? Yes, yes.

[C]

Has to go.

[B]

Yes, absolutely.

[C]

Here's a title. Daddy's Home 2.

[B]

Okay, now, I think that might already be a movie, but we can check.

[C]

Is there a rule about naysaying people's good ideas?

[B]

Well, I'm not naysaying. I just have to, you know, if you say Paul Blart Mall Cop should be called, you know, Godfather, I have to step in and let people know. That's already a thing.

[C]

Now, that's a name.

[A]

That's a good name for it.

[C]

That does something that reminds me of a famous movie I've seen. So that would be good.

[B]

Well, there's a reason I have the job. So, yes, I do know the answer to feedback, so we'll take yours. So what else would we change about Paul Blart Mall Car?

[C]

Now, my melon S' More is too hot. I'm gonna need a new one.

[B]

Okay, so I'm gonna say there's one

[C]

spot in the room that has good sun, and I left it there for too long, and it got too hot.

[B]

The good sun, I think. Macaulay Culkin.

[A]

I wanted it to have more sex appeal. I was pretty horny for Paul Mall Cop, but I wanted there to be more shirtless scenes, more sex scenes. I didn't see Butthole, not even once. Did anyone else see Butthole? Did I blink? I tried not to blink the whole time, but I didn't see Butthole, not even once.

[C]

It doesn't have to be butthole. You can do a trick where you take your elbow and you squeeze it together. And the little part.

[A]

Whoa. That looks like a butt.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

Okay, now let's just slow down slightly. Trish. Is that what your name tag says?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

So, Trish, you said something that I found very interesting. You said, I want to see more shirtless scenes, and then you mentioned buttholes.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Where do you. And we are going to bring in a mannequin.

[A]

It's in between both butt cheeks. Wait, what was your question?

[B]

Asked and answered. Okay, let's. Hey, Gary, get this mannequin out of here. We don't need it. Never mind. Okay, so this.

[C]

I can keep this?

[B]

I didn't say that. I said, get it out of here. Get it out of the room.

[C]

Just Leave it in the hallway.

[B]

That's like an $800 mannequin.

[A]

What were you gonna do with it? What was that guy gonna do with it?

[B]

Gary, don't tell them.

[C]

Don't tell them.

[B]

Gary was going to put a dress on it, prop it up at his dinner table, and pretend that it's his dead wife.

[A]

I'd watch a movie about that.

[B]

Well, Lars and the real girl was kind of 35% of what I just said.

[C]

If no one claims it by Friday, can I have it?

[B]

Obviously.

[A]

Hey, guys, I'm playing hide and seek with Adeline jpc. And so I'm hiding, so just bear with me. Do you know that Mother's Day is coming up? And let me guess, you're gonna go for the same old, same old. You're gonna get your wife or your mom flowers, brunch, a gift card, fluffy robe that you already got her last year. What if you got her an aura frame? If your mom is anything like my mom, she will send you screenshots of photos from six years ago in the middle of the day on a Tuesday. Because moms love looking at photos. That's like their number one thing that they love to do. The aura frame has free unlimited storage. You can add as many photos or videos as you want. You can even preload photos before it ships, maybe adding inside jokes, all the photos that she's been screenshotting. And then she'll send you a screenshot of a screenshot of a screenshot of a photo and you can include those on there. You can personalize your gift. That can be messages that you can have. A gift box. Every frame comes packaged in a premium gift box with no price tag. Just download the free Aura app and text photos straight to the frame. The aura frame reached number one in the App Store on Christmas Day in 2025. Because moms love the Aura frame named number one on Wirecutter, you can save on the gifts moms love by visiting auraframes.com for a limited time. Listeners could get $25 off their best selling Carver mat frame with code RIDDLE. That's Aura A U R A frames.com promo code RIDDLE R I D D L E. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Oh my gosh. I forgot to whisper. Do you think they're looking for me? It's been like six and a half days, but I bet they're really excited to find me. 999 1000. Ready or not, here I come. Oh, hey, everybody. I'm just Playing a game of hide and seek with Adol and jpc. So you keep an eye out for them while I talk to you about quints. This past weekend I was out and about with my new Italian suede slouchy midnight blue bag. And I kid you not, several of the most beautiful, cool looking women asked me where I got it and I got to go. Quints. It's super affordable. I want my everyday items to be classic and timeless and comfortable and easy and affordable. And that's why I shop at Quince. Quint's has all the wardrobe staples for spring. Think 100% European linen shorts and shirts from $34. Lightweight, breathable and comfortable. But you're still going to look put together and clean. 100% prima cotton tees with a softness that has to be felt. Everything is priced 50 to 80% less than what you'll find at similar brands. Quince works directly with ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen. So you're getting premium materials without the markup. I love everything I have from Quince. I recently got sandals from them. I'm obsessed with their home stuff. If you're looking for basics like rugs or curtains, truly just the most timeless, classic, well made items are over there at Quint's. So check it out. Still not seeing Adler gpc. Starting to worry that they went to the movies or something. No, they're around. We'll find them. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.comriddle for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Quince. Q U I n c e.com riddle r I-d l e for free shipping and 365 day returns. That's a full year. Year. If it's a full year, you can decide if you like it. You're gonna like it. Quints.com Riddle I found you. Oh, no, sorry. False alarm. Those are just two scarecrows eating dessert waffles. Onward and upward.

[B]

Okay, so the sitcom that we are honored looks right at the mirror. Honored to do.

[C]

I'm not an insider. I'm not an insider. Can we not use lingo?

[B]

Oh, yes, of course. A sitcom. I was using industry term. The situational comedy.

[C]

Oh, okay, you're gonna have to dumb everything down for me because I am not a college graduate.

[B]

Oh, good to know.

[C]

I shouldn't have to say and I'm a little mad that I had to.

[A]

Yeah, you can't just ask that.

[C]

You cannot ask that. You Cannot ask how old I am. You cannot ask how gay I am. You cannot ask if I am.

[A]

How gay are you?

[B]

Well, hold on now.

[A]

How gay are you?

[C]

She cannot ask.

[B]

You have.

[C]

She cannot ask.

[B]

Somehow stumbled upon one of the catchphrases from our situational comedy.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

Which is about a group of folks working at a truck stop. Now the name of the situational comedy, as of now, it's temporary, is called Passing Through. And that's kind of what people in cars do at a truck stop, is that they're sort of passing through.

[A]

It reminds me, can I talk about the title of. Can I say something about the title?

[B]

Absolutely. Trish.

[A]

Sometimes you eat things you're not supposed to eat. Like coins? Me? No, just some hypothetical people. And then you have to wait. The doctor says they have to pass through you. So that's what that title makes me think of.

[B]

So it makes you think of buttholes?

[A]

Yeah, it makes me think of like having to wait for all the coins to come out of your butt sometimes.

[B]

How do we get back here?

[A]

Well, here's the thing. Sometimes. Sometimes people tell you an old wives tale that investing is eating coins and then it turns into more money inside you. And so sometimes you eat a lot of coins and then you have to wait for them to pass through you and then they come out in that spot between your butt cheeks.

[C]

And what about chocolate coins? Have we considered chocolate coins? People might eat coins by mistake. Could that be part of the show?

[A]

That's really brave.

[B]

Well, we'll add that to the list. We'll add that to the suggestions.

[C]

Okay. Okay. It's nice to be respected. I don't get it a lot at home.

[A]

Oh, wow, that's sad.

[C]

I don't get it at all.

[A]

I can't ask about that though.

[B]

How gay are. Well, no, I can't ask that. So what we're going to do is we're going to show you a clip from the pilot episode of Passing Through. It's just a couple minutes long.

[C]

The what? Oh, sorry, is this another industry term?

[B]

Pilot is short for pilfering lottery.

[A]

We're all nodding, we're all nodding.

[B]

Big thumbs up to the double mirror.

[C]

Something I understand for once.

[B]

So let me just. Okay, Gary, just put tv. Gary. Gary. Okay, just plug that. Okay. Oh, here and here. Man, it is too early in the morning to function.

[A]

Wow, it's good to see you passing through here again, Carl. Another flat tire. Are you here to get my famous coffee and pie?

[B]

Your famous coffee and piece. Famous where? Overseas,

[A]

you old so and so. Get in here and get some free pie. How's been the journey so far?

[B]

How's been the journey? It's been good. Well. Well, can I get 10 scratch offs?

[A]

Yeah, you can get 10 scratch offs. And here's the coffee and pie for free. Whoa.

[B]

I won a million dollars.

[A]

Wait, what? That's crazy.

[B]

You'll never see me again.

[A]

Wait, wait. Before you go. Hold on. Before you go. That's crazy because we just went. The whole truck stop just got put up for sale expositionally. We're about to all go out of business. Everything here, every business at the truck stop. We were hoping that some sort of angel investor could come in, be our new boss. That would be pretty crazy if it was one of the dumbest truckers that we know became our new boss here at the truck stop after winning the lottery.

[B]

Dumbest truckers. I'll do it. Okay, so let's stop there.

[C]

What am I watching here?

[B]

Well, you're watching the pilot episode of Passing Through.

[C]

That's what that is.

[B]

It's a quote unquote comedy, okay. About a idiot trucker who wins a billion dollars on the scratch off and buys a truck stop.

[A]

I like it. I like that it's a rag to riches. I like that it's a rag to riches story.

[C]

1, 2, 3, 4. Hate riddle riddles. Clue crew, listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com heyriddle Riddle.

[A]

Hi, I am Mandy Moore.

[B]

Sterling K. Brown. And I'm Chris Sullivan. And we host the podcast that was us now on Headgum.

[A]

Each episode, we're gonna go into a deep dive from our show. This is us.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

We're gonna go episode by episode. We're also gonna pepper in episodes with different guest stars and writers and casting directors.

[B]

Yeah. Are we go. Yes, a little bit. Are we gonna laugh a lot?

[C]

A whole lot.

[B]

That's what I'm hoping, man. Listen to. That was us on your favorite podcast app. Or watch full video episodes on YouTube or Spotify. New episodes every Tuesday.