The 2025 Criterion Episode

Summary

The Lonely Island & Seth Meyers Podcast

Episode: The 2025 Criterion Episode

Date: January 6, 2026
Guests: Questlove & Lin-Manuel Miranda
Main Theme:
A hilarious, deeply nostalgic, and music-savvy roundtable, the episode finds Seth Meyers joined by Questlove and Lin-Manuel Miranda to act as “Criterion judges,” helping determine which Lonely Island SNL Digital Shorts are worthy of the show’s so-called “Criterion Collection.” The all-star panel dissects each short for creativity, cultural impact, and sheer comedic genius, while sharing personal stories, SNL inside baseball, and love for the craft of both comedy and music.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction & Guests Arrival (00:00–03:07)
• SNL Backstories & Musical Connections (03:07–05:34)
• Defining the “Criterion Collection” (05:34–06:51)
• Laser Cats & The Art of SNL Digital Short Series (06:51–07:31)
• Lonely Island Era, Membership, and Voting Categories (08:27–09:13)
• Short-by-Short Judging: Key Discussions, Quotes, and Results (09:13–67:57)
  • Criterion Inductees
  • Songs, SNL Lore, and Favorite Gags
• Personal Stories & Musical Observations (21:05–23:47)
• The Influence of Music and Comedy Craft (26:11–28:22)
• Laser Cats, Trilogy Logic, and Recurring Bit Debate (31:39–34:10)
• Cultural Reach: “I’m on a Boat” & Similar Mega-Hits (32:33–34:08)
• Questlove’s Snare Drums & Craft Easter Eggs (50:10–52:00)
• Philosophy of Hits, Misses, and Anthology (70:17–72:04)
• Closing Camaraderie and Sign Off (72:04–73:49)

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<a name="intro"></a>

Introduction & Guests Arrival (00:00–03:07)

• Seth introduces the “Criterion Collection” episode, inviting judges Questlove and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Their comedic timing is immediately on display:
  • Questlove: “We wanted you to, you know, to feel alone for a second.” (00:43)
• Lin and Questlove admit their fandom for the podcast, with Lin revealing he’s a proud member of the “Quaid Army,” their tongue-in-cheek listener club.
• Anecdotes about Questlove’s famously overbooked and color-coded schedule—Lin once thought Quest was playing his Hamilton opening night party, only for Questlove to have no idea what was happening on Sunday.

<a name="snl"></a>

SNL Backstories & Musical Connections (03:07–05:34)

• Seth highlights Questlove and Lin’s SNL pedigree.
  • Questlove: “I’ve been on the show in every configuration except for the one that I really want to be on, which is music guest.” (03:17)
• Lin recalls his SNL hosting, noting he’s always ready for a Hamilton sketch.
• Both fondly mention other legendary SNL contributors, like Julio Torres, whose work Lin considers genius.

<a name="criterion"></a>

Defining the “Criterion Collection” (05:34–06:51)

• The “Criterion” is a best-of selection determined by fan votes, podcast consensus, and now this expert panel.
• Voting requires a high bar: “75%...we’re kind of going by Hall of Fame rules.” (09:02)

<a name="lasercats"></a>

Laser Cats & The Art of SNL Digital Short Series (06:51–07:31)

• Debate about “Laser Cats”: Should it be counted as a single entity since it tells an ongoing story?
  • Lin: “Why waste those slots when it’s really one long…like dividing a symphony into movements and judging each piece.” (06:21)
  • Questlove wonders if other trilogies (“Dick in a Box” guys) should be grouped; the group ultimately decides those are distinct enough.

<a name="criteria"></a>

Lonely Island Era, Membership, and Voting Categories (08:27–09:13)

• The group clarifies in-jokes and membership rules (“Any Lonely Island bit usually has Andy in it”).
• Listener voting categories: Criterion (essential), Kim’s Video (cult favorite/deep cut), Additional Reading (lesser/”no”).
• Lin: “If Will Forte takes over the video, it automatically goes to Kim’s Video.” (11:40)
• Seth jokes about having a subcategory just for Forte: “Will’s Videos, behind a curtain…” (12:02)

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<a name="judging"></a>

Short-by-Short Judging: Key Discussions, Quotes, and Results (09:13–67:57)

Detailed discussion and voting occurred for 36 digital shorts. Only the highlights and major debates are included here for clarity:

Criterion Collection Inductees

• Ross Trent:

  • Lin: “I played it for my kids…they didn’t have any reference point for it…But maybe it’s the THX 1138 that leads to Star Wars.” (13:09)
  • Questlove: “I still say for that 1.9 seconds alone [of code-switching], that’s my shit.” (14:15)
  • Result: Criterion

• Jizz in My Pants:

  • Unanimous Criterion.
  • Lin: “I have a collection of my favorite Lonely Island rhymes, and ‘grocery mostly’ is near the top.” (25:08)
  • Questlove rhapsodizes about Lonely Island’s musicality: “Music’s the corniest factor of most TV… This was far from your Fresh Prince of Bel-Air… hard enough for the Roots to want to rhyme over!” (26:11)
  • Quote: “They were going to jerk it out the pork—every time they jerked it out the pork.” (28:23; group laughter over “Mark/Mork/pork” lyrics)

• I’m On a Boat:

  • Considered a lock: “It’s what you sing when you get on a boat.” (32:34)
  • Seth: “It’s the most anthemic… and the number one song I think of when I think of boats, which have been around, you know, for really thousands of years.” (33:42)

• Like a Boss:

  • “Criterion.” — Lin & Questlove (36:58)
  • Questlove’s confession: “I heard the Lonely Island version first… These guys are too hard for their own good!” (37:24)
  • “Humor is the most underrated kind of character trait that hip-hop I love is missing.” (38:07)

• Mother Lover:

  • Lin: “I think the funniest of the platinum classics.” (39:01), with extra love for the “rewards repeated listening” ad-libs.
  • Seth argues it’s even hookier and more impressive than “Dick in a Box.”

• Threw It On The Ground:

  • Questlove’s personal favorite: “That is my all time favorite… If I want to get somebody addicted to The Lonely Island, that’s what I play them.” (46:42)
  • Lin: “Every kid’s favorite song. We have more broken toys because of Threw It On The Ground.” (47:21)
  • Questlove reveals the track features his own snare and clap sounds, sampled from D’Angelo’s “Chicken Grease.” (50:10)

• Two Worlds Collide (Reba):

  • Lin: “That’s criterion, baby. The escalation is so funny… these two different artists …escalates to this really specific thing of like, he’s in love with this man who found a wig and he does not care.” (53:19)
  • Questlove: “To me, that bit is one of the smartest, funniest bits ever.” (54:29)

• Shy Ronnie:

  • Questlove: “When I watch Shy Ronnie, I have to watch it with the audience laughing.” (56:48)
  • Lin: “If Shy Ronnie weren’t on this song, this would probably chart as a Rihanna song!” (57:53)

• Boombox:

  • Lin: “Music always bumps it to the top for me… the surprise of the third boiled goose makes me laugh so hard.” (65:20)
  • Group agrees the Julian Casablancas involvement is inspired.

Laser Cats:

• The group eventually decides the Laser Cats saga should be included in its entirety: “Criterion is its own box set inside.” (69:20)

Notables, Memorable Lines & Music-Obsessed Digressions

• Special Respect for Musical Craft: Questlove and Lin repeatedly marvel at the real musical skill involved in the Lonely Island shorts—often noting the music is as good as the jokes ("Not an accident...they work very hard to make these very dumb things." — Lin, 27:53).
• Questlove on SNL’s Early Rap Parodies: “Anyone who has ‘and I’m here to say’ as their second line…that’s it.” (26:27)
• Questlove’s Drums: “Two of my snare drums and claps are the drums for this song [Threw It On The Ground].” (50:10)
  • He describes how the “Chicken Grease” snare became ubiquitous in early-2000s hip-hop, and he’s both litigious and proud about its widespread use.

Kim’s Video and “No”s

Many digital shorts received Kim’s Video (cult/deep cut) or “no.” Notable consensus opinions:

• Space Olympics, Extreme Challenge: Kim’s video--fun, but didn’t permeate culture.
• Hey/Murray Hill, Jam the Vote, Cookies, Brenda and Sean: Resounding “no.”
• Many sketches with Will Forte are automatically considered for “Will’s Videos”—a wild card Kim’s subcategory.
• Shorts with only a single joke or premise that didn’t heighten (“Cookies”, “Cherry Battle”) were set aside as fun but not Criterion-worthy.

Memorable Tangents, Quotes & SNL Lore

• Lin: “Once you write Wells for Boys, what’s left to do?” (05:27)
• On Dick in a Box Guys: “They’re the Color Me Baddish guys.” (07:08)
• Criterion Requirements: “Has to be three Michelin Star, five stars across the board.” (64:53)

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<a name="stories"></a>

Personal Stories & Musical Observations (21:05–23:47)

• The panel shares college concert memories; Questlove recounts how The Roots became the backup band for spring flings every time Wu-Tang Clan canceled, describing a generation of “Ross Trent” types as the ones who kept The Roots employed and supplied weed.
• Lin recalls the Roots and Biz Markie playing his Wesleyan senior spring fling; “He played ‘Just a Friend’ five times.” (22:29)
• The tide of nostalgia prompts Questlove to note the lost magic of students seeing unfamiliar bands live at college.

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<a name="craft"></a>

The Influence of Music and Comedy Craft (26:11–28:22)

• Questlove and Lin agree SNL’s musical parodies usually “sound corny,” but Lonely Island set new standards.
  • “This was hard enough for the Roots to want to rhyme over.” (26:27)
  • “Music brings it to another level.” (28:00)
• The Lonely Island’s perfectionism and mutual high standard is evident.
  • “They never wanted to, like, not live up to their own standard or take any shortcuts.” (28:15)

<a name="trilogy"></a>

Laser Cats, Trilogy Logic, and Recurring Bit Debate (31:39–34:10)

• Further discussion about the best way to group recurring shorts or characters.
• Lin: “If you love Like A Boss, check out Party Guys.” (36:49)

<a name="culturalreach"></a>

Cultural Reach: “I’m on a Boat” & Similar Mega-Hits (32:33–34:08)

• “If you’re lucky enough to get on a boat, you put that on the playlist." (32:36)
• Seth tells a story about Andy Samberg being mistaken for Adam Sandberg at a Vegas club—humiliating but endearing.

<a name="snare"></a>

Questlove’s Snare Drums & Craft Easter Eggs (50:10–52:00)

• Questlove identifies his snare and clap samples on “Threw It On The Ground” (from D’Angelo’s “Chicken Grease”) and marvels at their second life.
  • “If I were litigious, I could have made a pretty penny… But I was proud.” (51:39)
• Offers to send the sample for all future podcast use—a running gag about the inside baseball of drums, sampling, and SNL sound design.

<a name="philosophy"></a>

Philosophy of Hits, Misses, and Anthology (70:17–72:04)

• Questlove makes the case that the “misses” like “Daiquiri Girl” are just as vital for a complete anthology of Lonely Island—demonstrates the reality of creative weekly output.
  • “I don’t think something has to be perfect… Daiquiri Girl is what Lonely Island’s about—hits and misses.” (70:25)
• Seth: “Sometimes… the best they can do under time constraint is Daiquiri Girl. I think it’s a really nice thing to show young people… who are trying to get into being creative…” (71:46)

<a name="close"></a>

Closing Camaraderie and Sign Off (72:04–73:49)

• Heartfelt thanks and jokes about becoming officers in the “Quaid Army.”
• Lin bids for “Doogie Howser” to make Criterion, addressing younger listeners:
  • “Imagine Addison Rae 20 years from now… hosting SNL… and she sits at the piano… I’m painting the picture for you…” (68:47)
• Questlove is deeply moved by Lin’s poetic defense.
• Final running jokes: Laser Cats must be included as a box set, and Questlove claims a unique "Questlove's Pick" category for his beloved “Daiquiri Girl.”

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Final Criterion Collection (as judged by this panel, pending final Lonely Island input)

1. Ross Trent
2. Jizz in My Pants
3. I’m On a Boat
4. Like a Boss
5. Mother Lover
6. Threw It On The Ground
7. Two Worlds Collide
8. Shy Ronnie
9. Boombox
10. Laser Cats (as a box set)

In the wings: Doogie Howser (advocated for by Lin, not popular with younger listeners), and a potential “Questlove’s Pick” for Daiquiri Girl.

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Notable Quotes

• Questlove (on Threw It On The Ground):
  “That is my all time favorite. If I want to get somebody addicted to the Lonely Island, that’s what I play them.” (46:42)

• Lin-Manuel Miranda:
  “Music always bumps it to the top for me… the surprise of the third boiled goose makes me laugh so hard.” (65:20)

• Seth Meyers:
  “It is the number one song I think of when I think of boats, which have been around, you know, for really thousands of years.” (33:42)

• Questlove (on creative misses):
  “I don’t think something has to be perfect… Daiquiri Girl is what Lonely Island’s about—hits and misses.” (70:25)

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This episode is as much a comedy nerd’s delight as it is an insightful masterclass in comedy-songcraft, SNL backstage lore, and the importance of celebrating both hits and misses in creative life.

Transcript

[A]

It's a Lonely island and Seth Meyers Criterion Collection podcast episode. Hey, everybody. This is very exciting. This is our second Criterion Collection episode. And while we were graced with the presence of Mike Scher and Jake Tapper last time out, we have recruited two new judges this time. Please welcome to the pod for the first time, Questlove and Lin Manuel Miranda.

[B]

Hello. Hi, guys.

[A]

Until you guys talked, nobody was gonna believe you were actually here. So I like that you left a dramatic gap before actually revealing yourselves.

[C]

We wanted you to, you know, to feel alone for a second.

[A]

So now, did you. You guys were both kind enough to reach out and offer to do this, but did you actually think it would ever come to pass and we would take you up on it?

[C]

No, I always. I'm such a geek for the guys that I've learned early, if I show too much geek, then people will run away, so.

[A]

Oh, I see.

[C]

But every. Yeah, every day I listen in the car wondering, like, damn, I could offer commentary on, you know, this is my most listened to podcast according to my algorithms.

[A]

Oh, I'm very happy to hear.

[B]

Hard same. Hard same. Quade army over here.

[A]

Righteous Gill.

[B]

I knew I'd be free. I didn't think Quest would be free. Cause he is the only person I know busier than me. I'll tell you a story, Seth. It was like two days before Hamilton premiered, and I'd gotten word from our producers that the Roots were gonna play at our opening night party. And Quest came to the show just to see the show. And I was like, oh, man, so excited for Sunday. And he was like, what's Sunday? And I was like, oh, my God, was I wrong? Did they give me the wrong information? Is it the Roots without Quest? Somehow I was like, the party? Are you playing the party? And he was like, oh, Lynn, let me show you my schedule. And he pulled up this color coded schedule that was like hour by hour where he was DJ making a movie, Jimmy Fallon time.

[C]

24 hours at a time. 24 hours?

[A]

Yeah. So you just can't look that far ahead.

[B]

He just, like, wasn't up to Sunday yet. And I was like, what must it be like? And now I'm on the other side of Hamilton and I know what it's like.

[C]

If I have to pack or anything, then someone will warn me, like, four days ahead, you should pack because something's gonna happen on Monday.

[B]

Yeah. Which means there's a yellow line next to Seth Meyers and Lily island podcast in that schedule right now. And we are in it.

[C]

Oh, no, you Know what I should have been doing today, Lyn?

[B]

What?

[C]

This is how committed I am to Quaid Army. I should be locking film today. I kind of told a white lie, like, oh, guys, I'll be in at 6. I have a dentist appointment, so. I don't think anybody at Radical listens to you.

[A]

Oh, yeah, he didn't have to throw the burnout. I mean, I can admit I lied on this podcast.

[B]

John Kamen is not Quaid Army.

[C]

Those dweebs aren't Quaid Army.

[A]

Man, this is fantastic. I do want to just, like, before we get started, obviously you guys have some experience with SNL Quest. You performed with Toots of the Maytols.

[C]

Yeah, I've been on the show in every configuration except for the one that I really want to be on, which is music guest.

[A]

I think we can hopefully make that happen one day. You know, I don't have a vote, but I feel like it should happen.

[C]

It'll happen.

[A]

You were, of course, you made the. Ladies and gentlemen, the incredible documentary about SNL music.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Highly recommend.

[B]

The 8 minute intro. The greatest, truly the greatest montage in the history of documentary film.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I had to make my mark.

[A]

It's as good. It's a good for as like, the first eight minutes is like GoldenEye. You know what I mean? It's just like a crazy nonsense.

[B]

It's the Saving Private Ryan of Saturday Night Live docs.

[C]

My inspiration for it was actually up.

[A]

Ah.

[C]

Because really, up is the first 17 minutes.

[A]

Yeah, they are.

[C]

And then the movie's over after, you know.

[A]

Yeah. You never hear anybody be like, I love the middle of up.

[C]

I forgive the middle of up.

[A]

But no, of course, it's a classic. But it is.

[B]

The balloons do take the house away.

[C]

Right, Exactly.

[A]

And then, of course, you were in Tudor, the digital shirt that wasn't.

[C]

I made a bit that did not make it to air. And I tried.

[A]

And when you see some of the ones that did, it's really. It's unbelievable that you were in one that didn't.

[C]

I get it. You know, I. You know, unfortunately, I chose something that I don't think is either. Definitely not Criterion and definitely not Kim's video. So.

[A]

Yes. And then Lynn, you hosted and I've come back. Came back last year.

[B]

Yeah, I'm sort of. I'm sort of on call. My Hamilton costume is probably at 30 Rock for whenever they need it.

[A]

Yeah, you've made a terrible mistake, which is you're willing and.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. Well, you're in town anyway.

[A]

Lyn, you did A couple of pre tapes when you hosted a Crucible cast party, which is really funny and great, but also the really wonderful Julio Torres. Diego calls his mom.

[B]

Julio's a genius. I feel lucky to be in an early Julio.

[A]

It was. It's like, early Julio. That's a good way of putting it. And there wasn't a lot of late Julio, because he was one of those incredible writers at SNL who just realized, I think I've done what I've come here for. And you're like, what?

[B]

Yeah, he was on his own track.

[A]

I think. I left. And then three years after I left, I hosted, and he was already gone. We didn't overlap, and he had already. I was like, oh, I'm so excited to work with Julio. And I'm like, no.

[B]

Once you write Wells for Boys, what's left to do?

[A]

Yeah, what are you gonna do? You hit your ceiling.

[B]

Everything else is for you.

[A]

All right, so we have 36. That's exactly how many we went through last time. Okay, so I feel like we're gonna go through the 36, and then maybe if we have time, I'll go through the first 36 to see if you have any thoughts, because I kind of feel like. I don't know what we'll call it, like, save a friend. If there's something you feel like was an oversight for Criterion.

[B]

You know, I mean, we could start there.

[C]

Speak now or forever. Old gps.

[A]

Do you want to start? I mean.

[B]

All right, so I'll just say what the Internet is already saying, which is Laser Cats should be one Criterion collection in the Criterion slot.

[A]

Okay, so Laser Cats did not get 75%.

[B]

Wait, we can't judge. We can't judge installments.

[C]

Laser Cats as a concept, it's all one story.

[A]

So you're saying you are of my thinking of this, which is Laser Cats or Cats as a combination is criterion.

[B]

Yes. I think individually, it's Criterion, too. But it's like, why waste those slots when it's really one long? I mean, it's like dividing a symphony into movements and judging each piece.

[C]

Could I ask a question, though, please?

[A]

All right, so the lasers. The lasers shoot out of their mouths and then also their eyes sometimes.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

That's all your question?

[C]

That's all I wanted to know. Seth, I appreciate it. No, no. Okay, so I'll put it this way, then if. And the thing is, I absolutely agree that Laser Cats as a concept, should be an entry.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, in Criterion, however, does that also mean that the. The. Wait a minute. What do you call those guys the trilogy? The.

[A]

Oh, the Dick in the Box guys? Yeah, I think we. I don't know if they actually have.

[C]

Do they have a name? Do they have a title?

[A]

No, not really.

[B]

They're the Color Me Baddish guys.

[A]

Yeah, I feel like they're. I feel like they're different, but.

[C]

Yeah, but wouldn't those. Wouldn't. Would those three count as a trilogy then? Because.

[A]

No, I feel like they're individual enough because each one has a song that you remember the song right away. Whereas, like, even those guys, I bet if you were like, which one is laser cut 5? They couldn't answer until they rewatched.

[C]

Gotcha.

[A]

Okay. And by the way, no judgment. I couldn't either. And Jorma definitely couldn't. Jorma probably couldn't even tell you which one Dick in the Box was.

[C]

Got it. But wait, question. Did any of the guy number one, guy number two bits make it to Criterion?

[A]

They never were snl. You're like the. We like sports guys. Yeah, that was sort of predated snl. Also, that was Akiva and Yorma and not Andy. And I think Lauren would have rather canceled the show than put that on.

[C]

Really? I got it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Once Lauren decided that Andy was the one who was going to be on camera, he didn't. He kind of felt like the rest of the world should agree with him forever.

[C]

So you say that every bit has Andy in it? Every Lonely island bit has Andy in it?

[A]

Yes, I think so. I can't think of a lonely. I mean, they did maybe.

[B]

Well. Virginia Horston.

[A]

Yeah. Virginia Horson. Yeah. Virginia Horse. And we counted Body Fusion, no Andy. So I guess there's a couple.

[C]

Got it.

[A]

Yeah. Mostly, though, you're going to. You're going to get Andy. I'm going to go through them and obviously, as many thoughts as you have, and I also. We've had our listeners vote. We had a great many more listeners voted for this 36th and last one, so thanks to them. And we also added the category of Kim's video for our listeners, so.

[C]

Got it.

[B]

So wait, the categories are Criterion, Kim's Video, and Additional Reading.

[A]

We just did the third category. We called no. And by the way, our listeners seem to know exactly what that meant based on the voting.

[B]

Got it. Okay.

[A]

And we sort of have said, like, for Criterion, it's not a. What do you call it? It's not a plurality, it's 75%. We're kind of going by like, hall of fame rules, so Space Olympics.

[B]

I've got that in Kim's video. For me, Kim's video is really makes me laugh hard, but has not, like, permeated global culture in the same.

[A]

You're like, you could live a full life without seeing Space Olympics and never, like, embarrass yourself at a dinner party. At a dinner party.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. But my kids laughed so hard at Space Olympics. I was watching sort of the Dropbox with my kids this morning, and they actually changed some of my decisions.

[C]

Yeah. I will say that's Kim's video.

[A]

The audience agrees. They also said Kim's video. I will a lot of times. And why I've been a terrible bellwether over the years. The hardest I've laughed when I heard the song first. End up being a little bit more Kim's video than Criterion. Like, the first time they played me Space Olympics. Like that thing of Andy just like, things keep going wrong. Songs are my favorite.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's my favorite kind of Andy comedy. Especially when he's singing sort of full throatedly.

[B]

And what you all dissected is what I love about it is it takes so long to get going. It's like, not till three minutes. You realize that Space Olympics are not in great financial shape.

[A]

Yeah. And it's also, like, the way it looks and starts. I think people are very excited for a different idea. You know what I mean? Like, it looks like it's gonna be this big positive thing. And again, it was like coming out of the Olympics and it was just financial troubles.

[C]

Smart, though.

[A]

So. All right. Hey, was the next one, which even now I kind of can't quite remember. I think it was the sort of.

[C]

Hey, what is hey?

[B]

Was that on the Dropbox?

[A]

Hey, is. Feel free to jump in, Kevin, if we can't quite remember. But is hey. The very quiet, like, Gossip Girly one.

[B]

Oh, I have that named. I think the video had a different name. It was Murray Hill.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Murray Hill is what it's called. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think we can just, based on everything that's happened so far, just jump to no.

[B]

That's a no.

[A]

Yeah. I will say it also had the fewest yes votes of any. That we're going to do.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

55 out of 5,000 listeners were like, criterion 100%.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, wait a minute.

[C]

Was that. Was that ever reviewed on the podcast, though?

[A]

I think it was, but I think we might have. I. So we actually have.

[B]

I think they didn't love the way it ended and they kind of sped through it.

[A]

I think we maybe sped through three in a Row. Because coming into this section, we have some. And again, they'll heat up later in this run. But we also have Extreme Challenge and Jam the Vote. And I think we might have done those all in one episode.

[B]

Right. I put extreme challenge in CIB's video. That really makes me laugh.

[A]

Extreme Challenge has some nice stuff. It definitely had a majority no vote.

[B]

But generally, if Will Forte. If it, like, pivots to Will Forte taking over the video, it automatically goes to Kim's video.

[A]

Or maybe it's just. We have a secondary. There's a section in Kim's video called Will's Videos.

[B]

Will's videos. And it's behind a curtain. Like the X rated videos.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Like, you have to go over here to see them.

[A]

And Will's always there and he's like, hello.

[B]

And he's naked and crying. Don't look at me.

[A]

Jam the Vote. I only have. Andy loves throwing up. I hate throwing up comedy. It's why it's a no.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That's a no.

[B]

It's a no. It was of its time because I remember those Rock the Vote ads were inescapable, but it's very.

[A]

Where are they in 2008? I feel like Rock the Vote was like. Like a previous era.

[C]

Oh, no. Rock the Vote was definitely like 2004 during the.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

The second half of Bush to yeah.

[B]

Era when Eminem was writing Mosh.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

That's your timeline.

[A]

They thought they needed to rock the Vote because it was. It was John Kerry.

[B]

There was. There's a world in which Eminem's Mosh changed the fate of.

[C]

Hey, nerd.

[B]

Nerd.

[A]

All right. I'm very excited mostly just to hear thoughts from two people who are very adept and informed about music, because the next one up is Ross Trent.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Okay, so here's one. I went in thinking, this is Criterion. It's probably one you guys quote most on the podcast.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I played it for my kids. They didn't have any reference point for it. Like, they don't know white Rasta guys.

[A]

Oh, right.

[B]

Like, they listen to reggae music. They don't know what they didn't like. There was no way in for them. I laugh my head off at it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And maybe it makes Criterion just because it's what makes Rihanna say yes and leads to Shai Rani.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, no, that's true.

[B]

You know, I mean, it's sort of.

[A]

It's definitely. So you're saying it's definitely not Kids video with a D. It's not good.

[B]

They did not I'm laughing my head off and they were just like blinking at it. But Maybe it's the THX 1138 that leads to Star Wars.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I believe the best joke of that whole bit is it goes by in three seconds, which is kind of the.

[B]

I know what you're going to say. The.

[C]

The. The code switching of. Of Ross Trit.

[B]

Yeah. When he turns into Shironi, talking in.

[C]

A low voice in front of the brothers. Like, to me, when I saw that the very first time, that was an instant. But it. It's. It's like blinking. You missed it. Yeah, yeah, I. I still say for that 1.9 seconds alone, that's. That's my shit.

[A]

I'm happy to say that the voters were a big yes on Ross Trent.

[B]

All right, then I revised my opinion. We can kick that up to Criterion. Excuse.

[D]

I pour my skanking gifts and praise. We toil part time at jack holstone.

[A]

Creamery.

[D]

Roller a dvd of cool renmin murder she rose. Yeah.

[A]

But I will say, not even being a young person when I saw it, I also did not get the sort of the granular observation about, you know, sort of Rasta ska music. And so this was maybe my favorite episode of the pod to hear those guys explain all the reference points where.

[C]

You learn the most.

[A]

It was maybe. And again, I remember, you know, Keev being like, we should just stop, start. And I was like, I don't think. And I was like, oh, this is really.

[B]

Yeah, this needs footnotes.

[A]

Those guys are a lot of things to me. They're rarely interesting. And yet that day, man.

[B]

Also, the nugget that Joanna Newsom is singing backup.

[A]

I know. There you go. Pretty good nugget.

[B]

That alone, it's like, all right. This is an early classic.

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Support comes from Grow Therapy the new year brings advice from every corner. Your feed, your group chat, your fellow podcast hosts. I got plenty of advice. Those guys. Everyone thinks they're a therapist. But here's the thing. Advice isn't therapy. Grow Therapy, on the other hand, connects you to licensed professionals who actually get you. Whether it's your first time in therapy or your 50th, grow makes it easy to find a therapist who fits you, not the other way around. They connect you with thousands of independent licensed therapists from across the US offering both virtual and in person sessions, nights and weekends. I can tell you I found therapy very rewarding during my time at SNL when I realized that I could continue to complain to every single person that I called a friend or I could actually find a professional to complain to in exchange for currency, which seemed more fair than what I was doing to the people closest to me. Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Sessions average about $21 with insurance and some pay as little as zero depending on their plan. Visit growththerapy.com island today to get started. That's growththerapy.com island growththerapy.com island availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan support comes from Home Chef as the new year kicks off, me and my children, you know, we're trying to simplify everything we can and now's a good time to say that. I wish, you know, like Akiva, my kids would join for the ad reads but they unionized so it's a no go. With work routines starting back up and long winter evenings, having Home Chef deliver fresh pre portioned meals takes a huge weight off my plate. It's the easiest way to start the year feeling organized, well fed and way less stressed. Home Chef is rated number one by users of other meal kits for quality, convenience, value, taste and recipe ease. And now with dishes co created alongside celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, you can enjoy restaurant quality meals at home, whatever kind of day it is. Classic recipes with fresh ingredients, 30 minute meals, oven ready trays or quick microwave lunches, Home Chef has you covered. There's even a dedicated family menu for hassle free four or six serving dinners. We're a family of five, so either someone's not getting anything or someone's getting two. And it's not one size fits all. Home chef has over 30 meal options each week with choices for different diets and tastes. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering our listeners 50% off and free shipping for your first box, plus free dessert for life. Go to homechef.com island that's homechef.com island for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life. For life. I tell you, homechef.com island must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. Up next is Paul Rudd. Everyone's a critic.

[C]

Oh, wait a minute.

[B]

I made the mistake of showing this to my kids.

[C]

I remember you guys doing that episode and I wasn't familiar with it. And when I watched it again, I remember changing my mind about it. I think I told the guys it was Kim's video.

[B]

Yeah, I think it's Kim's video.

[A]

I would also concur with Kim's video.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And Quest. I've seen the painting. Rudd keeps it in a closet in his house.

[A]

Have you been to his house?

[B]

I've been to his house.

[A]

I went to his house recently and he brought the painting out.

[B]

Yeah. Keeps it in his basement. Keeps everyone safe by keeping it in his basement in the closet.

[A]

Yes. But it was. It was a party. It was sort of like a karaoke night at Rudd's house. And definitely not a lot of members of Quaid army there. And so when he brought out the painting, it was a real, like, people are like, what? And you're like, don't. They're like, what's this? And it's like, it would take way too long to explain. Oh, real quick, just cause. Do you think Quest.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Do you think Toots and the Maytols would enjoy Ross Trent?

[C]

No. I'm telling you, sport. Okay. Being as though my entire livelihood depended on every spring fling and spring college concert, I mean, the Roots would do like at least 150 spring flings.

[B]

The Roots played my senior year, Spring fling Quest.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. And there were at least 30 Ross Trent's. Yeah. In the car. It's just, I went to Wesleyan, guys.

[C]

And the real reason is because Wu Tang would cancel at the last minute and we'd be at home waiting. Can you guys come to Dartmouth University? Meep me. That's literally how we played every college. Because somebody from Wu Tang was messing up.

[A]

That's the best. So then when you. When you booked Wu Tang, they would also go, and here's just a phone number that you're going to need the day before.

[C]

They automatically know, like, no, I'm not lying. Like, my first house was purchased on even the Rage Against Machine Wu Tang Tour that, like, my first house was purchased because of Wu Tang, so I'm like the 12th member. But I will say that just my existence on a college campus between 93 to about, you know, 2008, Ross Trent would basically drive the 15 passenger van that would pick us up from whatever city we were just in. He's usually the weed provider.

[A]

Sure, sure.

[C]

Smells like both underarm and patchouli at the same time, you know, and. And listens to either definitive jux rap or just the deepest drum and bass. Like something from 96. Yes, I'm very familiar with all the Ross trends of the world.

[A]

And do you have affection for the Rouse trends?

[C]

I mean, you know, it's hard for me to bite the hand that fed me.

[A]

That drove you.

[C]

Yeah. But I'm also the meditative Root, so, you know, my dressing room is very silent, very Zen, very dark. So I didn't have to deal with them too much.

[A]

Do you remember the Roots show at Wesleyan? Well, Lynne?

[B]

Very well. It was huge. Bismarckie Rest in Peace opened.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

He played Just a Friend five times.

[A]

I was gonna ask what the.

[B]

And then the Roots came out and I'm decimated because, I mean, that's the secret magic trick is like, they can play anything. And they did. And it's. Yeah, it was incredible.

[C]

Thank you. I appreciate that, Lynn.

[A]

I would imagine the Roots more than a lot of college bands. And I hear now, like, when I go do standup colleges, they say one of the hardest things is, like, people don't take a risk and go see a band they don't know at a college anymore.

[C]

I feel like we are the last. Like, one of the last. I mean, of course there's people. I mean, there's now Robert Glasper, Thundercat. Like, there's still people under the generational umbrella that we were part of. But yeah, I do find that as you're. As the years go by, it's hard for people to just really channel in what's in their hearts as far as, like, finding out something that's not popular, you know, so.

[A]

Yeah. And I would imagine, though, like, the great reveal of, like, oh, I'll check out the Roots is realizing, like, all genres, knowing exactly what the audience wants at any given time.

[C]

They wouldn't be too. None of the colleges were for it. Like, all those students would actually think it's Wu Tang time until the very last minute where, like, the dean comes out, like, is this thing on?

[B]

Hello.

[C]

Hello, graduating class of Dartmouth University. Welcome to Da Da Da. Now, as you May have heard Raekwon and Ghostface could not make it. And so on from Philadelphia, the Roots. Oh, man, that's how it would happen.

[A]

So every white dean's nightmare is telling an auditorium that the Raycon didn't make it. Yeah, but they don't teach that in deep school.

[C]

No, we. We knew we have five minutes to make an impression or, you know, or else Miranda's going back to his dorm. So we have five minutes to make the point. So.

[A]

All right, here's another. I mean, this is an actual. Well, slam dunk, right? Jizz in My Pants.

[C]

Oh, God, yeah. That is probably my fourth favorite. That's Criterion.

[B]

Lights Flash, need to get away, need to make a dash. A song comes on that reminds me of you and I chiz in my bed Next day my alarm goes off and I chiz in my pants Open my window and a breeze rolls in and I chiz in my pants.

[A]

Bruce Willis was dead at the end of 6 cents.

[D]

I chizzed in my pants.

[B]

I just ate a grape and I chizzed in my pants. I went to.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

I have a collection of, like, my favorite Lonely island rhymes. And Grocery Mostily is near the top of that.

[A]

That's a real good one.

[C]

Grocery.

[B]

A lot of them are from the Netflix thing. What, the Jose Canseco?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Hit a ding dong doodle with my ding dong bat Hit a tater out the stadia. I mean, there's just insane things those boys write.

[A]

My name is Mark. No, it's not Mork. And I like to eat pork because it's tasty on my fork.

[B]

Yes. But I jork it out the pork.

[A]

It out the pork. The fact of, like, in a rap, saying what your name is and then correcting people on a name nobody ever thought it was. Nobody ever thought it was Mork.

[B]

Don't confuse me with Mork.

[A]

Like, before you even say it's Mark, you're like, yeah, yeah, we know. You know, because you guys are so gifted musically as well. When you first hear a song, are you still, though, do you love it for the comedy or the music or just the fact that they're doing both so well?

[C]

You know, it's weird. Normally for television, music's the corniest factor of most background music and whatnot. So even with Lazy Sunday, I specifically remember having us. And this is like, when I first got TiVo.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So I TiVo'd SNL. I was doing double duty. I was probably, like, taking a shower, but I had the volume up, like, super loud in the other room. And I remember, like, I was in the bathroom and I heard this hard ass beat. And in hip hop jargon, if someone says, yo, that's hard. That's like your three Michelin star compliment. And I just remember thinking, like, yo, I don't remember snl. Like, I've watched many an SNL rap parody, and it always sounds like whatever Barney Rubble rhymes to on the fruity Pebbles. Like, the second line is always. And I'm here to say, like, anyone that has. And I'm here to say, as they're saying, second line. That's it.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So this was far from your Fresh Prince of Bel Air interstitial music. Like, yeah, this is, like, hard enough for, like, the roots to want to rhyme over. So then I watched it again, and I was like, wow, I never remembered an SNL bit that I would deem dope enough for me to want to listen to. Like, just to listen to it. Not like, hey, this is funny. So, yeah, the music. The music element. And, you know, shout out to Yorm and all the producers that contribute to there. Like, they put extra, extra thought behind the music. And that, to me, was, like, the most impressive part of it.

[B]

Agreed. It's not an accident. When I look at my Criterion Collection, it's almost all songs.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Like, it's. It's that alchemy of, like, they work very hard to make these very dumb things.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And the music brings it to another level.

[A]

They also, you know, working with them, they were so. The three of them were so supportive of the rest of the cast, the rest of the writers. They were fans of other people's work. They were not snobby towards other people, but they had this internal snobbiness about their own work.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Like, they never wanted to, like, not live up to their own standard or take any shortcuts. And I think it's like, one of the reasons.

[B]

Yeah. They were going to jerk it out the pork.

[A]

Every time they jerked it out the pork. Here's one. This is one where, unlike Mark McGuire, it's Virginia Whoreson. I always get this wrong. So that's one where you do have to clarify Virginia Horson's Pony Express.

[B]

Every time I think about her playing the other characters and being turned on by Virginia, like eyebrow waggles, I just start laughing all over. This is an instant Kim's video for me.

[C]

Yeah, wait, this is where Wig.

[B]

Where Wig delivers the mail for you, but you have to send her the mail for her to deliver the mail.

[A]

And she's like, hey, howdy, partner. It's a lot of weird, like a lot of green screens.

[B]

The wiggiest wig.

[C]

Yeah, I was going to say, I remember all of our horse travels being green screen.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. It's total Kim's video and a full delight.

[B]

Yeah, it's like concentrated wig. It's the best.

[A]

Cookies is basically a film sketch that's Fred eating cookies in the middle of a conference room.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Very nice Fred performance. But that's a no. Yeah, it's a yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Because there's only one joke in it, really.

[A]

And, you know, I will say they did a really nice job. And again, this speaks to, like, they would, I think on weeks where maybe they had not been inspired to have one of their incredible multi platinum songs, they would see something at the table, read and be like, oh, that would be a fun thing to shoot. And then it was. And it was very nice in the show, but Doogie Howser theme.

[B]

See, this is Criterion for me.

[A]

Really?

[C]

Yeah. I love.

[B]

I am moved.

[A]

It is moving.

[B]

It's one of the only truly moving Lonely island sketches. Cause the whole cast gets to play and it's like him honoring his youth. It's so beautiful.

[A]

It is really beautiful.

[B]

I find it genuinely touching that he can play that on the piano. I can't play half my Hamilton shit.

[A]

It was. I mean, I think that was truly impressive. I mean, Neil Patrick Harris is someone who is constantly capable of impressing you beyond what you would think his already impressive talents are. But where do you land Quest?

[C]

I believe that that's Criterion. But let me ask you, how many slots are in Criterion?

[A]

Well, you know what? We're not going to, like, cap it, but I will say, like, of the first 36, we had six, criterion, it seems like one of six, tends to break through. And that's where the voters landed this round as well. Now, I will say the voters do not agree on Criterion for Doogie Howser.

[C]

Really?

[A]

And it might just be because they're younger and they don't have an emotional connection to that young doctor that helped us through the 90s. Yeah. Couple of Homies is a couple of homies. Which one's that, Kev? Is that them at a party?

[B]

No, that's the one that starts with them high fiving and ends with Will Forte singing in a booth.

[A]

Oh, yeah, that's. So that's a. That's Will's video again.

[B]

I bumped this to Kim because it belongs in that category of. It starts with that one thing. It ends with being about Will Forte being amazing.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

All right. I'LL ride with Lynn on this one. I haven't seen it enough for me to actually weigh in.

[B]

And it weirdly has a beginning, middle and end. At the end there's like a wrap up where it's like it started by slapping five. Oh, yeah.

[A]

It does seem like this one. Maybe they. This. This is what you come up with when you haven't come up with anything. Yeah, but not a bad execution. All right, then we have Laser Cats forever. See, I'm gonna prove my own point and immediately forget which one. Laser Cat.

[B]

Steve Martin.

[A]

Steve Martin. Yeah. That's what I mean. That's really fun.

[C]

Wasn't the fourth one the best one, though?

[A]

I laser Cat's 5 with Sigourney and that had all the other stuff.

[C]

You're right, that. That is the best one.

[B]

But this one does have. It also has the wonderful Darth Vader turn of. It's Keenan the whole time. And then they take his mask off and it's Steve Martin. He goes from a black guy to a white guy. Like we've been hearing Darth Vader and then suddenly we see a pasty white guy when the mask comes off, which is so inside baseball and so funny.

[A]

This one completely split the audience. Who the most people said it was criterion, but not enough to actually get to 70. But a lot of people thought it was Kim's. A lot of people thought it was. No, I think that's kind of what Laser Cats is. It sort of spreads it around as far as where you land on it. Then we have. I believe this is the only one under a hundred people said it was Kim's. Under a hundred said it was. No. And everybody else said I'm on a boat is criterion.

[C]

Yeah, no doubt.

[B]

It's what you sing when you get on a boat.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like that's how much it's permeated. Right. If you're lucky enough to get on a boat, you put that on the playlist.

[A]

Right.

[D]

I'm on a boat. Take a good hard look at the mother boat. Yeah, I'm on a. Oh, take a look at me straight floating on a boat on the C2C busting fine, whipping at my coat. You can't stop me. Drinking Santana Sh. Cuz it's so crisp. I got my swim trucks and my flipping floppies. I'm flipping burgers. You at Kinko straight flipping cabbage.

[C]

So will these all be ranked or will they just be grouped in?

[A]

I think we're going to group them into. I don't think we're ever going to do a full rank. Yeah.

[C]

Because the thing is, I agree that it is criterion. However, whenever I look at any poll of Lonely island videos, the only thing I disagree with is most people unanimously make I'm on a Boat the number one video, like, way above Digging a box way.

[B]

I don't think it's the number one video by a long shot.

[A]

I think it's the most fun, it's the most anthemic to sing. And it did make. It is the number one song I think of when I think of boats, which have been around, you know, for really thousands of years.

[B]

It displaced Rio by Duran Duran. If you're an 80s baby like me, you listen to Rio because Duran Duran's on that boat.

[A]

It's crazy that. I mean, I feel like everybody was like. It was the kind of song that everybody was bummed they didn't think of, like, why didn't we make a boat anthem?

[B]

Right.

[C]

Yeah, you're right.

[A]

And I said it when we talked about it, but we were at a club in Vegas for Andy's bachelor party, and the DJ played it, and it was the saddest I've ever seen. And that's not what.

[B]

Not like this. No.

[C]

Discovered he's a fake rapper getting love in the club.

[A]

Well, it also didn't help that the DJ said, give it up for Adam Sandberg. So it was. A lot went wrong. A lot went wrong. To be honest, it's pretty cool that Joanna still married him after he got right shamed like that.

[C]

And actually, will this be the first episode in which we won't mention our New York Times game status at all?

[A]

Unless you guys play and want to throw it out.

[C]

I think it's absolutely diabolical when someone gets that many queen bees in a row.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I think that he's a serial killer, like Ryan Murphy will be doing.

[A]

Oh, you think it's going to be a Ryan Murphy?

[C]

I believe Ryan Murphy will be doing an Andy Sandberg story if he gets one more queen bee monster.

[B]

The end of the Adam Sandberg story.

[A]

Queen. It's going to be queen bee, black widow.

[C]

Yo. Someone that's smart for their own. Yeah, he's too smart for his own good, man. And he'll let me know, like, at zero in the morning, like, the second he gets queen bee. And it's all right.

[A]

Wait, you're on the B list as well?

[C]

I mean, I'm. I have my own lonely chain. And he'll let me know. Like, I was just keeping it. Yeah, you know, I was keeping it. Wordle.

[A]

He loves telling people.

[C]

They just laugh at Wordle. Like, oh, that's so three years ago. You know, like, I'm trying to keep fetching alive or whatever. But yeah, he. He's never solved a queen bee before. Like 10:00am East coast time.

[A]

So, yeah, it is weird. It's full savant. I thought he was kind of a savant. But I like that your theory is that he's just like a serial killer who hasn't figured it out yet.

[C]

No, that's serial killer.

[B]

This is the gateway.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Property of the queen. That's the Jonas Brothers, where we sort of old songs of theirs on.

[B]

This is a no for me. Although I think all of the Saturday Night Live cast look really hot as rockers. Like, they look really authentically 80s. Yeah.

[A]

Party guys is where they're like, oh, look at that serial rapist. And Forte's having sex with a Alphabet box of zero. Yeah, specifically some nice jokes, but it's a no. I think parties.

[C]

Wait, Party guys isn't even a Kim's. Kim's.

[B]

I have it under Kim's because.

[A]

Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't jump there.

[B]

Of the escalation. You know what?

[A]

We had a lot of votes for Kim's. I should not blow right by Kim's as a potential answer for party guys.

[C]

Yeah. I think party guys is the least Kim.

[A]

Yeah. I think if you're like a deep cut. I mean, again, Kim's like, oh, you love, like. It's like the thing you say, like, oh, you love like a boss. Check out party guys, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What about this is now, you know, they're. They're on a red hot streak right now. So I'm on a boat and then three shows later, Like a boss.

[B]

Yeah. Criterion.

[C]

Criterion.

[D]

Promote synergy, Hit on Deborah. Get rejected. Swallow sadness. Send some faxes. Call a sex line. Cry deeply, demand a refund. Eat a bagel. Harassment lawsuit. No promotion. 5th of vodka on Deborah's desk. Buy a gun in my mouth.

[C]

Oh, crap, man. I can't ever do it. All right, here's. Here's where I lose all my credibility. I will admit that I heard the Lonely island version first.

[A]

Wow. So you went to them and you were like, guys, shit on Deborah's desk. Slim Thug ripped you off.

[C]

No, it was once when I heard the Slim Thug version, I was like, oh, that's where they got that from. Because by that point, I was like, yo, man, these guys are too hard for their own good. Like. Like, I like my funny rappers funny, not like a threat. To me.

[A]

So was there relief when you heard the. When you heard.

[B]

Oh, thank goodness.

[C]

I gotta admit. Yes, yes. I gotta admit, like humor. Humor for me is the most underrated kind of character trait that I think the hip hop that I love is missing, you know.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

De La Soul was humorous, believe it or not. Sometimes NWA was humorous. Like.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Humor to me is the, the angle. Like Biggie was charming and humorous. He had a lot of funny double entendres and you know, get it jokes and all those things.

[A]

So it is another very fun one. Like I'm on a boat. A very fun one to scream along with.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

And then, you know, Mother Lover, which is the first time I feel like they really had to follow a hit with another hit after Dick in a Box because you know, Dick in a Box could have been one and done and it would be like I'm on a boat and you would love it forever. And the fact that they ran it back is so impressive to me.

[B]

And really funny. Like I think the funniest of the like platinum classics.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

In this criterion, I'mma make your mama do a million posts. Like there's so many just weird funny camomile. Like there's so many weird funny turns of phrase in it.

[C]

I was going to say Mother Lover has probably the best subliminal ad libs.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Yeah, like a blink and you miss it. Like Mother Lover to me it's.

[B]

It rewards repeated listening.

[C]

We both love our moms. Women with grown women needs.

[A]

I say we break them up, show.

[C]

Them how much they really mean. Cause I'm a mother lover.

[A]

You, you're a mother.

[D]

Love each other's mothers. Each other's.

[A]

Crazy.

[C]

But here's the thing also. Is this the definitive criterion list and never to be rethought of again or.

[A]

Well, we're going to run it by the guys and then we will, we will officially stamp it.

[C]

Yeah, got it. I'm only asking because for me I have so many other favorites. But it's like I get the point and I'm not saying the whole like laser cats, like they should all be under one category under whoever those guys, the Dick in the Box guys. But yes, Mother Lover and subsequently the three way one are to me a level lonely island prime comedy. But I would actually want to make space for two. But you, you feel as though those songs on their own have enough merit and humor for it actually to justify Mother Lover.

[A]

For me, I enjoy more than Dick in a Box.

[C]

Really.

[A]

I think it's hookier and I'VE said this before. Like, I also thought because they had to outdo themselves. You know, there's that trap of SNL recurring characters, which is, are you just, like, going back to the well and the fact that they were like, no, it's going to be a whole new thing, whole new stuff.

[B]

Now this guy's next to the making copies guy.

[A]

Yeah, right, right.

[C]

Okay, I can take that. But the thing is also, you didn't know what you were going to get with Dick in the Box, though.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So my heart, my laugh was genuinely harder because I didn't know what the hell was happening.

[A]

Right.

[C]

But with Mother Lover, though, it was like, so much pressure, like, okay, this better be just as good. Or, you know, I mean, sometimes that happens.

[B]

Yeah. I also feel like Dick in the Box was like a dead on spoof of a certain kind of 90s R&B, especially when they start outlining the steps. So it's funny on, like, that parody level. And then I think with Mother Lover, they, like, kind of created their own genre.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Like, what is Mother Lover a spoof of, other than the insane concept inside it? And it's a great song and they sing the shit out of it.

[A]

And also it's like double or, like three times the lyrics to Dick in a Box. You know what I mean? It's because it's so. The staccato rhythm of it is like, so they get so much more into it.

[C]

It's like an Eminem album. Like, I have to listen to Eminem on slow speed and I'll rewind a lot. Like, I've not listened to an Eminem album. Just, like, casual. You have to study it. Yeah.

[B]

You don't have it on while you do other stuff.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

The other thing I liked is I feel like Dick in a Box. My takeaway from those characters is they were perverts. And then in this one, I'm like, oh, they're also stupid. I like the comedy was like, oh, these are also really just dumb guys. And I liked just their, like, sort of vacant stare while they were also, like, doing these. Verbal gymnastics is one of my favorite movies.

[B]

Yes, it's true.

[A]

The date is the date. Forte and Megan Fox.

[B]

Yes. And I kill the sheep. And I have nightmares and then I have to do swat. It's a no for me, but it's a great Forte performance.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. It's funny, but it's a no yeah.

[A]

For me, personally, I would say, you know, it's in my top 10 rewatches because it's like all the weird turns that Forte makes. I would resoundingly choose to put it in Kim's video.

[B]

Yeah, and you know what? The ending's a bummer. I want them to be happy.

[A]

You know what? I kind of agree with you.

[B]

I think it's a little like she, she loves this sheep murdering SWAT team man.

[A]

It's a little sad like let, let.

[B]

Her find love and she looks so beautiful and her hair is blowing because.

[A]

I, I was rooting for him.

[B]

I wish they ended up together.

[A]

Yeah. Megan's roommate is another. No, that's when her roommate is Optimus Prime.

[B]

This one I put in Kim's video just because the transformation really made me laugh.

[A]

Oh yeah, that's. I'm, I'm forgetting that that was a.

[C]

No for me, but this is pro linebacker TJ Watt.

[A]

And I'm back with YPB by Abercrombie for another activewear drop. My second co design collection has new shorts and tanks that keep up with all my in season workouts. And their new Restore collection is a game changer off the field too, because even pro athletes like me need rest days. Shop YPB by Abercrombie in the app, online and in stores because your personal.

[C]

Best is greater than anything. New year.

[A]

Same extra value meals at McDonald's. So now get two snack wraps plus fries and a medium soft drink for.

[D]

Just $8 for a limited time only.

[A]

Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher in Hawaii, Alaska and California. And for delivery Support comes from AG1. There's no right time for better health, but could we have New Year's? You know, if we're talking about a best time, but now is really truly the best time. AG1 is the easiest, most impactful habit you can implement this year. Sustainable health is about consistency, not perfection. Simplify your nutrition with AG1 multivitamin, pre and probiotics, superfoods, antioxidants in one scoop. I enjoy this. Started using it every day and what I like the most about it, different flavors, Original Citrus, berry and Tropical. Sound off in the comments and tell us which one of our four hosts you think is Original Citrus, who is berry and who is tropical? And guys, I'm totally fine with being original. AG1 has over 50,000 verified 5 star reviews and comes with a 90 day money back guarantee. Go to drink ag1.com island to get their best offer. For a limited time only, get free AG1 duffel bag and a free AG1 welcome kit with your first subscription. Order only while supplies last. That's drinkag1.com island drink ag1.com support comes from Rocket Money. Hey, I think this is a really good time to just kind of, you know, organize your finances. Take a look at how things are going. Obviously we have money pouring in from the Lonely Island Seth Meyers podcast But Rocket Money makes it easier for you because Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions, monitors your spending and helps lower your bills so you can grow your savings. Like I feel like Andy, well, he'll often confide to me that he still subscribes to that Pokemon Go thing and I think it might have been free, but Andy was paying upwards of thousands of dollars a month trying to catch them all. With Rocket Money, you can set budgets and goals. You can get personalized insights, regular reports, receive real time alerts for large transactions, upcoming bills, refunds and low balances. Plus, the app consolidates checking, savings, loans and investments into a single dashboard to give users a clear view of their financial picture. He told me not to let anybody in on it, but Yoram's shopping around for angel investors. He has a new app idea where you can press a button and within three seconds it puts a mattress at the bottom of your ladder. Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. [e-mail] island that's RocketMoney.com Island RocketMoney.com/ island threw it on the ground.

[C]

That is my all time favorite.

[A]

I love it.

[C]

Like if I want to get somebody addicted to the Lonely island, that's what I play them.

[B]

Yeah, it's actually the first thing you play. Someone.

[D]

Yeah, with my so called girlfriend. She hands me her cell phone, says it's my dad. Man, this ain't my dad. This is a cell phone. I threw it on the ground. What, you think I'm stupid? I'm not a part of this system. My dad's not a phone.

[B]

I mean, and you've talked about it on the show, but it's every kid's favorite song. We have more broken toys because of Threw it on the Ground.

[C]

Oh, I'm about to say what's the kid effect on Threw it on the Ground?

[B]

Oh yeah.

[C]

Woopa.

[A]

That's so great. I haven't even, you know, it's so funny. I haven't. Cause I've like, I've played my kids like I'm on a boat and Captain Jack Sparrow because of just like them liking boats in those movies. But you're right. Threw it on the ground. I can't believe I haven't Done it yet.

[B]

And we also, by the way, I let my kids listen to your podcast episode about threw it on the ground.

[A]

Oh, great.

[B]

And now the alternate lyric is like. They're like. It should have been that.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[B]

The moral of the story is, your.

[C]

Kids really know this.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Don't let them taser your butthole.

[C]

Oh, my God. More nerds.

[A]

How old are your kids, Lynn?

[B]

They are 7 and 11. And I know. Don't write me letters. I know.

[A]

That's fine. Look, they're already your kids. Like, they're gonna. Come on. It's great. And I will say again, it's like, when we're gonna get to it a little bit. Like Andy's face during Boiled Goose. Like, Andy's face is in this. I just never get by the way.

[C]

Andy's character is another person that I'm very familiar with in terms of the Ross Trent of my life.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

This is a very specific guy.

[C]

That guy.

[B]

The narrator wants to.

[C]

Wants to have a cipher.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes. He likes conscious rap, but he's not very bright.

[C]

He wants to spit for us. Right, Exactly.

[A]

It's true. And I will say, like, Rostran felt more while it was there. I feel like they had the most specific observation on it. It felt way more familiar to me than this guy who I feel like less people had ever shown you this guy. And the minute you see him and threw it on the ground, you realize you do know a dude like that. But they were the first, I feel like, really good comedy take on that kind of guy.

[C]

Yeah. Every guy I've ever seen. My first year opening for the Beastie Boys on tour was this guy just disillusioned with the system.

[B]

Yeah. My dad's not a phone.

[C]

But my favorite part is still when what's her name sort of eyes him.

[A]

Oh, Jenny Slate.

[C]

Yeah, Jenny Slate. I fell in love with Jenny Slate just for that one. That. Ooh, motherfucker. Like, just perfect. That and the table. Ground, interruption. SNL has taught me the power of timing as far as, like, repetition.

[A]

Oh, right.

[C]

The cut to the joke. So I always wonder, was there another setup punchline before?

[B]

Yeah, it escalates perfectly. Like threw on the ground the first two times. Happy birthday. To the ground and then just ground.

[C]

Yes. This is my all time favorite.

[A]

They did never, ever let anybody get ahead of them. Yeah, that would be. They would be so insulted with their own work if people got ahead of them.

[C]

And most importantly, two of my snare drums and claps are the drums for this song.

[A]

Get Out.

[C]

And that's when the Lonely island guys thought that I was a serial killer, that I knew the texture and the tones of my hands.

[A]

So where did they get it, and how did you know it was yours?

[C]

You know, I'm a drummer and kind of in hip hop. The best crumbs you could leave on the floor are any open snares, any open kick drums. So I'm notorious for not really giving much to hip hop fans. Yo, how come you never let a drum break on your album? I'm famous for that. However, when I worked on the late d' Angelo's Voodoo album, there's a song called Chicken Grease. And that snare drum from Chicken Grease was the snare sound of a niche 50 cent era. G Unit, Rockefeller Jeans, Sean jorn, like, from 2001. A very specific. You know, when T shirts were like, 8X and people that should be wearing size 32 jeans are wearing, like, baggy, you know, size 48. But the clap from that song has fed. Like, if I were litigious, I could have made a pretty penny off of just nabbing people with a radar gun for stealing that snare drum. So.

[A]

Oh, my God. I hope we can isolate it.

[B]

And.

[C]

And I was proud, though. I mean, that was. That's one of my.

[A]

I hope, though, for our listeners, we would be great if we could take the chicken grease sample.

[C]

I'll give it to you.

[A]

All right, great.

[B]

Play it over Quaids.

[A]

Later, Quaid, and then we'll hear it. They're later. Quaid's are going to hear the snare.

[B]

Great.

[A]

All right, fantastic. Now we kind of slow down a little bit. Not slow down. It's Brenda and Sean, which was Drew Barrymore and Fred as magicians. Another one without Andy.

[C]

That was a no.

[A]

Yeah, that's a no. Firelight, the Twilight parody with Taylor Swift.

[B]

They all look very beautiful in the Frankenstein makeup, but it's a no.

[A]

It's Criterion for the makeup department, for Louis Zakarian and everybody. That's an el makeup.

[B]

Please. Your work has not gone unnoticed.

[A]

Get out is. You know, it's not the most memorable. That's the one where they keep. Fred keeps walking in on Andy in the bathroom on the toilet. It's a great, like, one joke where they heighten it really well. I never get tired of watching it, but I think it's probably a no.

[C]

Or where he's on the toilet. Yeah, yeah, I like that.

[B]

I like thinking about him filming outside 30 Rock on the toilet and in the elevators at 30. Like, I enjoyed Imagining how they made it more than I enjoyed watching it.

[A]

Yes. And it is like the mirror with Elliot Page is the other one where Andy gets walked in. And like, I think Andy, like, loves. Like, there's something very. I think it probably comes from Andy's deep seated fear it's gonna happen in real life of somebody walking in on him while he's sitting on the toilet. All right, so this was not as resounding for our audience as it is for me, because this is my favorite of all time, which is two worlds collide.

[B]

That's Criterion, baby.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Hang him like my nuts.

[D]

No doubt. Flash back to when I first met Reba. Sitcom dressing room, puffing on Chiba said I was a fan. She said Ruben dropped her denim skirt and said, hop to it. They love all night. More like with kids banging on the door, trying to interrupt. But them autographs can wait. Cause this is way too strong. I can't leave it alone because is the bomb.

[C]

Okay, let me tell you something. I got denied. I got denied permission to make that Reba's Walk on song.

[A]

If it's a night show at the.

[C]

Tonight show about four weeks ago, five weeks ago.

[B]

Who.

[A]

Who denied? Was it from. From Team Reba.

[B]

I just want to talk.

[C]

No, no, it wasn't that. But it's also, you know, let's just say that in my 16, 17 year history of being at the show, my. My Walk on song choices sometimes range from D cups. Sometimes it's a total victory. I will get a good snark in there.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And you won't know it, but we got busted a few times for ruffling some feathers, mainly from publicists that'll be like, why? Why did they choose that song? So that bit, to me is one of the smartest, funniest bits ever.

[A]

So it's the best.

[B]

I mean, the escalation is so funny.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Cause it also starts with a trope. It starts with, like, these two worlds, these two different artists, and then escalates to this really specific thing of, like, he's in love with this man who found a wig and he does not care.

[C]

He's in love or he doesn't know.

[A]

Also, the man with the wig is not trying to fool him anymore. Like, my favorite line is, your friends are right or your friends are smart.

[C]

Your friends are smart. Exactly. Wait, do you specifically remember, like, when jokes are super visual and rely on quick punchlines and all those things, how is it presented in the room? Is it presented in the room in front of the entire cast?

[A]

No. Like, that was the magic of these guys. It was very rare for you to have any sense, like, if you were lucky enough to walk in while they were working on it on like a Tuesday night. But it was, you know, there were a lot of times they weren't even. They hadn't even cracked it by Tuesday night.

[B]

That's wild.

[C]

Oh, so they don't have to clear it ahead of time.

[A]

No, they had.

[B]

They had their own little fiefdom inside.

[A]

They really were. They got an early fiefdom based on, you know, they earned like laser cats inside.

[B]

The criteria must be nice.

[A]

Okay, but again, lazy. I mean, again, the first, you know, for second one they did was lazy Sunday. So there was no reason to think they had to have a check on what they were doing. And it was really nice listening to them talk about how hard Lauren laughed at that one because, you know, Kenan wasn't.

[B]

He laughed.

[A]

Lauren loved this one. Lauren loves Kenan. He also loves Andy. But there was something too about, you know, obviously they'd established themselves as being, you know, dick in a box, dirty. Right. Like they were gonna be, you know, without cursing. They were gonna be. And so this one, the speed in which this is like, oh, fuck. Like, it's so audacious in a way that delights me to this day.

[B]

Yeah. Classic.

[C]

Well, I think it's Criterion.

[A]

It's Criterion.

[B]

Yeah, it's Criterion.

[A]

And then, I mean, talk about an incredible back to back weeks here then. Shy Ronnie.

[B]

Shyrani.

[C]

Ah, okay. You know, it's weird. It has to be Criterion. However, when Criterion is done, yes, you're.

[B]

All about ranking inside of Criterion.

[C]

But here's the thing, though. When I watch Shy Ronnie, I have to watch it with the audience laughing.

[A]

I got that.

[C]

I watched it without the audience laughing and I was like, all right. My patience is like, okay, I get the point.

[A]

But interesting.

[C]

I so when this is presented on Criterion, it has to have the audience.

[A]

Laughter with it, which is a really. I, I. We've never made that distinction. But that makes a lot of sense when you're talking about Shy Ronnie. Yeah.

[B]

I just think her ad libs are so funny.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, they're very Rihanna.

[B]

Ish. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, that's the thing is, like, if Shy Ronnie weren't on this song, this would probably chart as a Rihanna song. Like, like, musically, it's just successful in the Rihanna verse. Like, it sounds like an early aughts Rihanna tune. Like, you could put this next to, you know, live your life or whatever. Like, it just, like it's a great beat. And then just the fact that it's like every, you know, mom encouraging their shy child. Yeah, speak up.

[C]

But this. This also makes me kind of sad that Saxman really wasn't brought to the light. Because as a musician, especially a musician that's always yelling, yo, give me a solo. You know, for. I will say Saxman is probably the Roots inside joke, right? So I'm known for a last minute 11th hour. Like, I have two microphones. So if something will happen, I'll just say, Kirk, give me 32 bars real quick, good solo, and he'll be deer in headlights. And then don't let Tariq just be like, kick his ax, man. Like, literally, it will just become its own inside joke with the 11 of us on stage while the flustered soloist is trying to get it together.

[A]

But it makes me happy that, like, Saxman, I mean, I think the absolute pinnacle for Saxman is that it is the inside joke for the Roots. Like, this perfect landing spot there.

[C]

Oh, my God. Don't let someone mess up or get shy on a microphone. I will be for, like, an hour.

[A]

And Jack Black is the perfect person for Saxman as well.

[C]

Just like, I love shy Ronnie, but, like, Saxman crawled so that shy Ronnie could run.

[A]

Also a thing that helps Shy Ronnie. And I said it when we did this episode, and I will say it again. I truly think it might be the most beautif has ever looked on camera.

[C]

I mean, genuinely agreed.

[A]

Tizzle wizzle show. That's the James Franco kids in pajamas who all end up.

[B]

Yeah, no, you know where it's going from Jump. That's a no.

[C]

That's a no.

[A]

Yeah, there was some. There was some. Kim's love for that from the crowd. But I think you could argue today. Booty call with Alicia Keys.

[B]

Oh, I didn't see that one.

[C]

It was cool.

[A]

Yeah, she's great. You're super happy to see the two of them together. It more than served its purpose that week. But I will say, like, even when I was like, oh, I have no memory of this, which I think is sometimes when, you know, it's not criterion.

[C]

But again, when you guys did a thorough review of it, like, it made me almost reconsider again, because I know that the basis is based on the. The monologue she does at the end of you don't know my name, where she does her sexy. Hey, you know, whatever her seductive monologue thing is. And of course, Sandberg is the opposite of it. Like, I like it. I don't know. See, you Might need an. You might need an other.

[A]

Yeah. Where would it land?

[C]

So this is. This is a no for you, Lynn.

[B]

This is no for me.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Ah, damn it. Okay. Yes. Yeah, you gotta be.

[A]

It had some Kim's love, but it doesn't quite feel like Kim's because it's not like.

[C]

Yeah, you gotta.

[A]

It's more like everybody's really. The writing is good, the performance is good, and it just doesn't feel like it's.

[C]

You're right.

[A]

I don't know. Okay, then laser cats 5, which is Sigourney. I mean, we've talked about Laser Cats. This one has a ton of good jokes.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

I'm still voting for like, you know, it's like the Jacques Tati box set in Criterion Collection is Laser Cats. Yeah. The Curse. Sergio, Jon Hamm.

[B]

I mean, if they hadn't broken the line.

[A]

I know, right? So heartbreaking. That's gonna cost a Criterion.

[B]

That's gonna cost a Criterion.

[A]

Well, I think if it gets in Criterion, Keev is just gonna cancel his Criterion fucking membership.

[B]

No, I think actually the breaking the line makes it Kim's video because arthouse movie.

[C]

Yeah, they broke on this.

[A]

They know they broke the line. Keeva wasn't there, so he, to this day feels like the filmmaking is shoddy.

[C]

Got it. Okay.

[B]

Yeah, it's one of Keev's peeves.

[A]

It's Keef. Peeve, personally for me is like on the non musical digital shorts, this is about as good as it gets. I know I'm probably forgetting something, but. Oh, like Dear Sister and the Curse are kind of my 2 favorite. Not song based.

[C]

I consider Dear Sister a song.

[A]

That's true. That has. Right? That has. This has.

[B]

You know, I've watched this so many times that anytime I'm on social media, like it tries to sell me a Sergio mug off Etsy.

[A]

So it's your. It's Criterion for you?

[B]

Yeah, it's selling me Sergio merch. Because I watched it.

[C]

Was the history of this based on the guy, you know, the guy that used to come into public places and start playing the sax. Intro to Careless Whisper by Wham.

[B]

Isn't it like solo from Lost Boys or something from some 80s movie?

[A]

There's a band. There's a music scene in Lost Boys where there's a band playing and they cut to this guy really jamming on the sax with his shirt off and they just kind of linger on it too long. And I guess this is something that Jorma had observed years ago and was the inspiration for this product because do.

[C]

You guys remember the Careless Whisper guy where he would go into a mall and they kick him out the mall and then he went to a church.

[A]

When was this. When was this awesome guy doing this?

[C]

He was the. The second viral Internet guy that we had sit in with the Roots. The first guy was, if you remember the V. The guy that had the golden voice. He sounded like.

[A]

I remember that.

[B]

Right.

[C]

The golden voice guy was the first. Like, he would just talk while the Roots played. That was sitting in.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Back in 2009.

[B]

Yep. Did you guys ever play with taz on day? Mr. Chocolate Rain himself?

[C]

We tried.

[A]

Really?

[B]

That's a missed opportunity.

[C]

Wait, how do you know his name? Lynn.

[B]

Oh, I went all the way down the rabbit hole to. To find out what Tae On Day was up to in 2020. God. Dude, listen, procrastination takes many forms.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Anyway, so we found the guy that was causing a ruckus. He would just. Just, like Jon Ham's character with no shirt with just suspenders on, would just run into, like, airplanes mid flight until he gets kicked out or arrested. And so on his way to the Tonight show, he actually got arrested for doing it in the airport.

[A]

So he couldn't even wait till he got to the Tonight Show? No, he had to do it in the airport.

[C]

Nah, he had to do it. So.

[A]

So it was maybe a problem.

[C]

Yeah. But I was wondering if this was based on that guy.

[A]

No, this was. I'm starting to think maybe. Well, no, he was. He. It seems like he predated this one.

[C]

Got it. Okay.

[A]

Okay. Oh, wait. Where did you guys land? I didn't get. Where do you land? I like the curse enough for me. Criteria.

[B]

And I. And I think it's Kim's video. Like, it is a. All right, so Kim, like, threw on the ground. Let me play you some Sergio.

[A]

Gotcha.

[C]

All right, I'll. Kim's video it. Okay, so Criterion has to be three Michelin Star, five stars across the board.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I think there's a pop culture element to it.

[C]

Got it.

[A]

Okay, then we got Flags of the World. That's just like.

[B]

That's at the top of my Kim's video list.

[A]

Yeah, it's real Kim's just for the.

[B]

Hottie and the naughty flag.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Yep.

[A]

Zach drops by the set. That's Zach Galifianakis just sort of walking into frame.

[C]

Oh, where he interrupted Law, Law and Law and Order. Yeah, I think that's a Kim's.

[B]

I think it's a Kim's.

[A]

I think it's Kim's too. It's got. It's got good Kim's side boombox. Where do you guys land on boombox again?

[B]

Like, music always bumps it to the top for me. This is such a beautiful. Like that surprise of the third boiled goose makes me laugh so hard. I know it's coming and I still laugh every time. It gets me every time. It's in the Criterion for me.

[A]

Every demographic was represented. It was a rainbow coalition of dancing.

[D]

Everyone was wearing fingerless gloves. I saw Smash Guy doing the Bartlett.

[B]

It's also like the beginning of them, like, working with the Strokes. And that's a whole, like, fruitful partnership on its own.

[A]

It's. Yeah, it's Julian Casablancas and Andy. I needed to. It was not Criterion for me, but the rewatch has sort of pushed me more. More to that.

[B]

You saw a Spanish guy doing the Bartman.

[A]

That was kind of. That was a tipping point for me.

[B]

There's a point where Fred Armisen's just in the. Just to hear Julian, like, the coolest voice in rock music being like, I saw as bad as Guy doing the Bart man. It's like. It's so insane.

[A]

And by the way, that is. I think when you're Julian and you agree to do a Lonely island digital short, you're hoping they're gonna give you that kind of goal, right?

[B]

Yeah, Yeah, I guess so.

[A]

You're like, I'm bringing the voice. Try to write something for me. I'd never say. And that certainly is that.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

The other man is Ryan Phillippe, and that's Andy Plain, sort of like a weird Swedish guy.

[B]

I mean, I put it in Kim's just. Cause the Andonio Sam Darris voice, which is a term I'm coining that no one's gonna ever use.

[A]

I like it.

[B]

Andonio Sam Darris.

[A]

Oh, my God, it's really good. Andomio Sam Darris.

[B]

Yeah. That's the portmanteau I've invented for this.

[A]

Thank God this podcast exists, Lynn, because I don't think you'd get a lot of traction on that outside of this.

[B]

You know Antonio Sanderos. Yeah, it's Kim's for me. But I also know it's not one of the more memorable to the world.

[A]

So it's got some nice Kims and then Gabor Sidibe and Cherry Battle was the last one we did, which uses the. Threw it on the ground camera for the very slow motion, spitting cherries back and forth.

[C]

That's a no.

[B]

Yeah, this was a no for me. Although they're Both adorable. It's sort of just one move.

[A]

They're fun, nice people to watch.

[B]

Yes. And I like their bow at the end, but it's a no for me, so.

[A]

Welcome to Criterion. Ross, Trent. Jizz in my pants. I'm on a boat like a boss mother lover threw it on the ground. Two worlds collide. Shy Ronnie and Boombox.

[B]

So, oh, did Doogie Howser not make the cut?

[A]

Is that just me? Just keep looking at it. You guys both said yes. Only 349 people like less than 10% of our listeners.

[B]

All right, Gen Z, you kicked Doogie out the top spot.

[A]

Oh, man.

[C]

Come on.

[A]

Well, I'll look. I'll bring it to the guys. I think it's 2 out 3 of if 2 out of 3, we have our listener voters, we have our expert panel, which is you guys, and then we have the actual Lonely Island. So if two out of three. But I bet Lonely island is also not gonna push for Doogie to make.

[B]

It in Gen Z. Younger listeners, can I make my plea? Imagine Addison Ray 20 years from now hosting Siren Live, and she sits at the piano and she plays Diet Pepsi and the whole band joins in and it's like, it takes you back to.

[A]

You and it's here. And then the fear goes down.

[B]

Like, I'm trying to paint the picture for you for how this lands on the geriatric millennials.

[C]

That was beautiful, Lynn. That was poetic.

[A]

I don't know if you're not. You guys, I know this isn't a video podcast. Quest is crying so hard right now.

[C]

Yeah. Like, I was like, wow, Lynn, you're the king of explaining stuff.

[A]

You were just. You weren't crying at the emotion. You were just, like, crying that. You're never going to be able to explain stuff as well as Lynn, we also.

[C]

What's the deal with laser cats? I believe laser cats should be in.

[B]

Criterion is its own box set inside.

[A]

Yeah. Again, I know Jake Tapper has a real stick up. Is. You know what about this? But yeah, they're all in.

[B]

He's gonna draw us all his cubes.

[A]

If you went and bought like a Criterion collection of Lonely island and you got home and you realized there were no laser cats in there, you'd be furious. And if there were only three in there of the seven, you'd also be furious. Cause you wanna watch. Anybody who watches.

[B]

This is the second disc. It's the second disc.

[A]

Criterion's not gonna do two of the Star wars movies.

[B]

You know, if you buy the DA Pennebaker Making of Company As a supplemental material. You get co op the musical.

[A]

You do get co op. You do.

[B]

So that's what it is. Yeah.

[C]

So I know this is curated and whatnot, but I also believe that eventually one day, I want a complete anthology of the Lonely Island. Yeah, complete anthology. Like the hits and the misses. Here's an example. I know that you guys voted thumbs down for what's the apartment Bit. That they didn't have anything that week.

[A]

Oh, yeah. See, to me, please do not defend Daiquiri Girl, dude.

[C]

I don't think something. I don't think something has to be perfect. I don't think it has to be executed perfectly for it to fit the criteria. Because the Daiquiri Girl, to me, is what the Lonely Island's about. Hits and misses.

[A]

100%. Yes.

[C]

This is my example. This is my Addison Re example.

[B]

Explain it to me.

[C]

James Brown. James Brown. In my opinion, his canon falls either under two things. Either his creations will change your life because they're so revolutionary as a pioneer in something you never heard of before. Idea wise. Or the idea so horrible that it's amazing. Like Showgirls. Like, you know when something's so bad that you love it.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And to me, I feel like. I don't know. I believe that Daiquiri Girl is. You know, it would have. It would have played well at Andy Warhol's, like, Factory.

[A]

Like. Yeah, I. Well, I will say what I like about and what's so fun to go through them is, like, realizing that the same guys who can come up with, let's say I'm on a boat, like, a few weeks later or a few weeks in the future, like, the best they can do under that time constraint is Daiquiri Girl. I think it's a really nice thing to show young people who are trying to get into being creative, which is like, oh, man, it does.

[B]

That's what a weekly deadline looks like.

[A]

Yeah, like, sometimes. And by the way, but the great thing about Daiquiri Girls, it's like, there's still like, four or five really fun things in it that only those guys have come up with. So it's not a complete failure or anything, but I like showing the gaps.

[C]

Okay. Yeah. But I believe that Daiquiri Girl deserves, like, you have to show the totality of.

[A]

Well, guess what? I'm gonna create a fourth category called Questlove and only Questlove. It's Questlove's pick to click Daiquiri Girl.

[C]

Yes. Just one video and one video only.

[A]

And tutor. You can have tutor for that, too.

[C]

No, I'll take that. I want to redo, man. I want to redo.

[B]

Yeah, I know.

[A]

It's. They did you so dirty. I can't believe they used your. Your snare. And then the best they would offer you as a part was.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, so I think they did get a little hotter in their next 36 digital shorts. They went from six to what looks like nine.

[C]

I feel satisfied.

[B]

And there's some crazy weekly runs inside of that, too.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, it really is. They're the best in the world. This has been fantastic, you guys. I can't believe you made time for us.

[B]

What an honor.

[C]

Dreams come true. And I appreciate you letting me get on your space, Lynn, because I know with you alone, this episode would have went way further.

[B]

No, listen, this is if you were.

[C]

With the other three, but then we.

[B]

Would not have had a passionate defensive dagger girl, and where would we be exactly?

[A]

So we would have been exactly where everyone else is. All right, you guys, so you are now commissioned officers in Quaid Army. A couple of lieutenants.

[B]

Let's see if Doogie Howser makes it. Hit us in the tittis if you.

[A]

Have questions, comments, concerns. And very excited. That quest will allow us in perpetuity to use his snare.

[C]

I will send you the snare hit. Yes, I will.

[A]

And so in that case, I would just like to say I love you guys.

[C]

I love you guys, too.

[B]

Love you.

[A]

And do you want to say goodbye to Lynn? Why don't you say goodbye?

[B]

Later, Arnold.

[D]

Later, Kuwait.