"This Is Important" – Ep 266: Dinner Time Live Digest
Podcast by iHeartPodcasts | September 30, 2025
Hosts: Adam Devine, Anders "Ders" Holm, Blake Anderson, Kyle Newacheck
Overview
In this lively episode, the TII crew recaps their appearance on David Chang’s “Dinner Time Live.” Food is at the heart of the conversation, but the discussion bounces through personal stories, comedic debates about circuses and zoos, improv memories, their midwestern roots, and unexpected obsessions with ham and serial killers. The chemistry and riffing between Adam, Ders, Blake, and Kyle lead to a sprawling, funny, and candid hour-plus full of memorable anecdotes and quick-witted banter.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. David Chang’s Dinner Time Live Experience
[04:53–13:11]
- The guys discuss their visit to celebrity chef David Chang’s "Dinner Time Live," reliving the experience and the unexpectedly generous portions.
- Adam: "Out the gate, they gave us a full gigantic cheeseburger." [05:59]
- Ders: "Hoagie style stretched burger, and it was the best." [06:05]
- Adam: "The spice was so nice." [06:11]
- Debate on Proper Course Order:
- Adam thinks the soup should've come first, then biscuits and gravy, ending with the burger.
- Adam: "Do us a favor. The soup should have came out first…That's a first type of…like a miso soup." [06:23]
- Blake and Adam lament not being able to go back for second helpings, especially the burger and pancakes.
- Ders: "The fucking pancakes were out of control." [07:37]
- Adam thinks the soup should've come first, then biscuits and gravy, ending with the burger.
- Appetizer Talk: Noted the standout of a fancy Iberico-style ham shank that kicked off the meal.
2. Obsessions: Ham and Childhood Food Memories
[08:54–12:30]
- Adam professes a new love for high-quality ham, recounting his recent deli purchase.
- Adam: "I don't buy ham ever…And it was so good. It was just like that." [09:02]
- Connection to family: Adam’s title card on an old show was his mom offering a "ham sandwich."
- Adam: "My title card at the end was my mom going, 'You want a ham sandwich?'" [11:32]
- Debate over the nostalgia and "psychological humdinger" of cheap, packaged ham.
3. Fame, Kids, and the Illusion of Being a Celebrity Parent
[13:55–16:17]
- Adam shares the surreal feeling of seeing himself on TV, then wonders when his kid will recognize him as more than just "Dad."
- Adam: "Now my kid…The Price Picks commercials are airing all the time. Also, he was watching Dinner Time Live with Chloe." [14:00]
- Speculates about parents tricking their kids into believing they’re famous.
- Ders: "You could trick your children into thinking you're a celebrity. That's fucking cool." [15:03]
- Adam: "Yeah, there’s absolute sociopaths out there, for sure." [15:09]
- Riffs on how celebrity culture feels less special to today’s children.
4. Fashion & “Going for a Look”
[17:14–18:12]
- Blake admits to wearing eyeglass frames with no lenses purely for style.
- Blake: "I'm really bummed on it. I want my vision to start to deteriorate…because they look fucking cool, dude. It's like kind of like Jeffrey Dahmer chic." [18:08]
- Adam appreciates Blake’s boldness.
- Adam: "That's what I love about you. You're not afraid to go for a look." [17:54]
5. Serial Killer & Crime Fascinations: Morally Complex Laughs
[18:22–21:26]
- Blake reveals a childhood interest in serial killer encyclopedias, leading to good-natured ribbing.
- Blake: "My aunt Arlene had this book…Encyclopedia Serial Killer. Very weird." [18:52]
- Adam distinguishes between his affection for "thieves, bank robbers," versus serial killers.
- Adam: "Serial killers aren’t cool." [19:45]
- Discussion on the moral lines in fictional and real-life crime preferences.
6. Traffic Tales & Brush with Catastrophe
[21:48–26:38]
- Adam recounts two recent harrowing encounters involving cars: people driving the wrong way and almost crashing a golf cart.
- Adam: "It screeches to a halt, I swear to God, three inches from crushing the back of this Mercedes Benz SUV." [24:22]
- Discusses the sensation of life slowing down during an accident.
- Adam: "You have so much... Weirdly your brain has time to really think." [25:15]
- The group agrees on the strange sensation when in or near accidents.
7. Improv/Class Memories & Bad Comedy Appreciation
[33:36–37:51]
- Reminisces about seeing improv at UCB, the thrill (and sometimes the horror) of bad or awkward performances.
- Adam: "What I really enjoy even better than really good stand up…is really bad of both." [34:10]
- Discussion about Rick Glassman’s chaotic early improv style and transition to stand-up.
- Adam: "Rick Glassman and I were in a UCB class…He would come in and just take over a scene…Now he’s a fantastic comedian." [36:50]
- Reflect on their own history of pushing comedic boundaries with audience plants and sketch misdirection.
8. Circus, Zoos & Society’s Changing Relationship with Animals
[41:02–46:43]
- Riffs on the weirdness of modern circuses (Cirque du Soleil), with complaints (and jokes) about their "horny French" energy and lack of animals.
- Ders: "Have you guys seen Cirque du Soleil? Oh, I saw Cirque du Soleil a few years ago. It's a little sexual." [39:13]
- Reminisce about old-school circuses with (problematic) animal acts.
- Adam: "I liked going to the circus as a kid and seeing all the animals perform tricks." [43:38]
- Debates on the future (and ethics) of zoos.
- Ders: "Even going to the zoo now. I'm like, what is the clock on this? This is over." [44:30]
- Adam: "The Omaha Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country…It was the temperature of the rainforest." [44:41]
- Mention of billionaire-run “mega sanctuaries” and their ethical role.
9. Nebraska Football & The Iconic Corn Hat
[52:00–56:15]
- Adam reveals a connection with star Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and details about upcoming football games.
- Adam: "Dylan Raiola, the quarterback…He’s a fan. He reached out…He’s giving me tickets to the game." [52:00]
- Shows off a wild, crocheted corn husk “stocking cap,” drawing comparisons to ‘Pizza Face’ from All That and Total Recall.
- Adam: "Do we even explain what it is? It's a crocheted corn husk. Like, corn head. And it looks insane." [56:34]
- Ders: "It also looks similar…You look like Arnold from Total Recall." [56:01]
- Discusses plans for the “Round the Bend” steakhouse (home of the "testicle festival") and making the most of Nebraska traditions.
- Adam: "It's the home of the testicle festival." [62:47]
10. Shout-outs and Appreciations
[59:38–62:34]
- Shout out to David Chang for his chef skills and hospitality.
- Blake: "Shout out David Chang. The dude makes really awesome dishes look so easy." [59:43]
- Adam tries to clarify the budding "friendship" status with Chang.
- Adam: "I hope we're friends now." [61:29]
- More Nebraska pride, appreciation for unique college football traditions.
- The group lightly laments the loss of circuses/zoos as they were, but acknowledges societal changes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the wild cheeseburger:
"Out the gate, they gave us a full gigantic cheeseburger." — Adam [05:59] -
Improper course order at dinner:
"Do us a favor. The soup should have came out first…like a miso soup." — Adam [06:23] -
Pancake surprise:
"The fucking pancakes were out of control." — Ders [07:37] -
On Adam's ham enthusiasm:
"I don't buy ham ever…And it was so good. It was just like that." — Adam [09:02]
"My title card at the end was my mom going, 'You want a ham sandwich?'" — Adam [11:32] -
On the illusion of fame with his kid:
"Now my kid…The Price Picks commercials are airing all the time. Also, he was watching Dinner Time Live with Chloe." — Adam [14:00]
"You could trick your children into thinking you're a celebrity. That's fucking cool." — Ders [15:03] -
Fashion priorities:
"I'm really bummed on it. I want my vision to start to deteriorate…because they look fucking cool, dude. It's like kind of like Jeffrey Dahmer chic." — Blake [18:08] -
Improv vs Stand up:
"What I really enjoy even better than really good stand up…is really bad of both." — Adam [34:10] -
Nebraska pride:
"It's a crocheted corn husk. Like, corn head. And it looks insane." — Adam [56:34]
"It's the home of the testicle festival." — Adam [62:47]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Dinner Time Live recap & food stories: 04:53–13:11
- Ham obsession & nostalgia: 08:54–12:30
- Kids, TV, and fame: 13:55–16:17
- Fashion/glasses bit: 17:14–18:12
- Serial killer/comedy riffing: 18:22–21:26
- Traffic/accident anecdotes: 21:48–26:38
- Improv/class memories: 33:36–37:51
- Circus, zoos, animal ethics: 41:02–46:43
- Nebraska football/corn hat: 52:00–56:15
- Shout-outs & appreciations: 59:38–62:34
Tone & Final Impressions
The episode keeps the classic "This Is Important" comedic, irreverent, and off-the-cuff energy going strong. There’s a perfect blend of candid stories, sharp observations, and nostalgic Midwest pride. Their affection for each other and willingness to poke fun at themselves—or each other—makes it an entertaining and accessible listen, whether you’re a long-time fan or just dropping in.
TL;DR: If you want a laugh-packed, food-obsessed hangout with four guys riffing on everything from fancy dinners to childhood trauma to the best (and worst) of live comedy, this episode delivers. The energy is high, the stories are wild, and the corn hat is legendary.