Bye Bye Bondi
Digest
The podcast opens with hosts welcoming guests Ben Platt and Jimmy Tatro, teasing segments on April's Fools' Day, and Passover. A significant portion delves into a report about Kristi Noem's husband's alleged payments to online sex workers and the political fallout. The discussion touches on Republican politicians' struggles with reality and a FEMA official's claims of involuntary teleportation. Trump's firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi is humorously discussed. Advertisements for Thrive Market and SimplySafe are featured. The hosts then explore Passover traditions, including the Seder meal and the story of Exodus. Ben Platt shares his experiences at Jewish summer camp, his wedding, and his musical aspirations, including playing Jewish characters. The conversation also covers the unique 20-year film adaptation of "Merrily We Roll Along" and Ben Platt's controversial opinion on its narrative structure. Vocal health for performers is discussed, followed by a segment on April Fool's Day news and pranks, including a Kit Kat heist and a Butterfinger-Ramen collaboration. The hosts also touch upon BJ's Pizuki, David Buster's closure due to a rat infestation, and recalled chocolate. Ben Platt's upcoming performances at the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall are promoted. Jimmy Tatro joins the discussion, sharing his role and early death in "Scream 7," his experiences with "Theater Camp," and his fitness journey with hot yoga and Pilates. A Passover quiz tests knowledge of traditions like the Afikoman and Seder plate items. The episode concludes with hosts reflecting on their "flubs, goofs, and boners," discussing engagement to Jewish women, and debating the effectiveness of segues.
Outlines
Introduction, April Fools' Teasers, and Guest Introductions
The show begins with a welcome to Los Angeles and introductions of guests Ben Platt and Jimmy Tatro. They preview upcoming segments on April's biggest fools, the significance of Pesach, and a "regret to go" wrap-up.
Kristi Noem's Husband's Scandal and Political Ramifications
The transcript details a report about Kristi Noem's husband, Brian Noem, allegedly paying over $25,000 to online sex workers for fetish experiences. Neighbors' reactions and potential blackmail are discussed, along with the political implications for Kristi Noem.
Political Missteps, FEMA Claims, and Pam Bondi's Firing
The episode critiques Republican politicians' struggles with reality, including Trump's economic claims and government funding disagreements. A FEMA official's claims of involuntary teleportation are also covered. Trump's firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi is humorously speculated upon.
Sponsor Segments: Thrive Market and SimplySafe
Advertisements for Thrive Market, an online grocery service offering discounts, and SimplySafe, a home security system with professional monitoring, are featured.
Passover Traditions and Jewish Holiday Significance
The hosts discuss Passover traditions, including the Seder meal, the story of the Exodus, and the significance of unleavened bread, explaining the historical context and miracles associated with the holiday.
Ben Platt's Career, Camp Experiences, and Wedding
The podcast promotes subscriber-exclusive content and introduces guest Ben Platt. They discuss his upcoming Hollywood Bowl performance, his experiences at a Jewish summer camp, and his musical roles, including "Oliver" and "Guys and Dolls." His wedding, featured in Vogue, and his musical aspirations are also covered.
Musical Characters, "Merrily We Roll Along," and Vocal Health
The discussion debates Jewish characters in musicals and Ben Platt's role in "Dear Evan Hansen." They explore Richard Linklater's 20-year film adaptation of "Merrily We Roll Along," including a controversial opinion on its narrative. Ben Platt also discusses vocal health and the challenges of performance.
April Fool's Day News, Pranks, and Food Debates
The segment "Fool's, Fool's, all of you" challenges listeners to distinguish real news from April Fool's pranks, discussing a Kit Kat heist and a Butterfinger-Ramen collaboration. They also debate BJ's Pizuki and kosher wedding food.
News, Recalled Chocolate, and Hollywood Bowl Performance
The news of David Buster's closure due to a vermin infestation is discussed, leading to a comparison of rat populations. Recalled chocolate containing Viagra and Cialis ingredients is mentioned. The experience of performing at the Hollywood Bowl is also noted.
Ben Platt's Performances and Jewish Representation in Musicals
Ben Platt's upcoming shows are promoted, and the scarcity of Jewish heroes in musicals is discussed, along with Platt's role in addressing this.
Sponsor Segments: Willys Remedy and BetterHelp
Advertisements for Willys Remedy, a THC-infused social tonic, and BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, are featured.
Jimmy Tatro: "Scream 7," "Theater Camp," and Fitness Journey
Comedian Jimmy Tatro joins the show, discussing his role and early death in "Scream 7." He shares insights on "Theater Camp" and his experiences with hot yoga and Pilates, noting the transition to gym workouts and the "buff, strong, gay guy era."
Passover Quiz and Jewish Traditions Deep Dive
A Passover quiz tests knowledge of traditions like Elijah's chair and matzah flour. They discuss items on the Seder plate, the largest matzah ball, and the meaning of the Afikoman. The "Offie Coleman" tradition is also explored.
Reflections, Regrets, and Podcast Transitions
The hosts reflect on their "flubs, goofs, and boners," including traumatic camp experiences and personal relationships. They discuss regrets about not providing a better Jewish primer and the effectiveness of segues between topics.
Keywords
Kristi Noem's Husband
Brian Noem, husband of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, was reportedly involved in paying sex workers and engaging in fetish activities, leading to public scrutiny and political implications for his wife.
Teleportation Claims
A FEMA official, Greg Phillips, claimed to have been involuntarily teleported multiple times, including ending up at a Waffle House miles away. This unusual claim was met with skepticism and humor.
Passover Traditions
Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Key traditions include the Seder meal, eating matzah (unleavened bread), and retelling the story of liberation.
"Merrily We Roll Along"
A Stephen Sondheim musical known for its unique narrative structure, which unfolds in reverse chronological order. A film adaptation is in production, shot over 20 years to reflect the characters' aging.
Vocal Health
Maintaining vocal health is crucial for singers and performers. It involves proper hydration, avoiding irritants like dairy and alcohol, and seeking medical attention for issues like vocal cord polyps.
April Fool's Day Pranks
April Fool's Day is a tradition of playing pranks and spreading hoaxes on April 1st. This segment distinguishes between genuine news and fabricated stories presented as jokes.
Seder Plate
The Seder plate is a ceremonial dish used during the Passover Seder, holding symbolic foods that represent aspects of the Exodus story, such as a shank bone, bitter herbs, and charoset.
Afikoman
The Afikoman is a piece of matzah broken early in the Passover Seder and hidden. Finding it at the end of the meal is a tradition, often involving a prize for the finder.
Offie Coleman
A Passover tradition where a hidden item, often a "pizza matza" in a sleeve, is searched for by children. It serves as entertainment and can have different prize structures (one winner or everyone wins).
Jewish Primer
An introductory explanation or guide to Jewish culture, traditions, or beliefs. In this context, it refers to sharing knowledge about Judaism with someone unfamiliar with it.
Q&A
What was the scandal involving Kristi Noem's husband?
Brian Noem, Kristi Noem's husband, was reported to have paid over $25,000 to online sex workers for fetish experiences, including wearing feminine outfits and fantasizing about large breasts. This revelation led to public scrutiny and political implications.
What unusual claims did a FEMA official make?
Greg Phillips, a FEMA official, claimed he was involuntarily teleported multiple times, once ending up 50 miles away at a Waffle House. He compared doubters to those who questioned Jesus' resurrection.
What is the significance of Passover traditions?
Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, celebrating freedom from slavery. Traditions like the Seder meal, eating matzah, and retelling the story emphasize remembrance, liberation, and the passing down of history.
What is controversial about the film adaptation of "Merrily We Roll Along"?
The controversial opinion is that the musical, which famously tells its story in reverse chronological order, might be better if presented in a traditional, forward-moving timeline.
What are the key aspects of maintaining vocal health for performers?
Maintaining vocal health involves consistent hydration, avoiding irritants like dairy and alcohol, regular warm-ups, and rest. Serious issues like vocal cord polyps require medical intervention and extended periods of silence.
What is the Afikoman and its role in the Passover Seder?
The Afikoman is a piece of matzah broken during the Seder. It is hidden and then searched for by the children at the end of the meal, with the finder typically receiving a prize, symbolizing the culmination of the Seder.
What are some common Jewish traditions related to holidays?
Jewish holidays often involve specific rules and symbolic foods. For Passover, there's matzah and the Seder plate. Hanukkah involves chocolate coins, and Rosh Hashanah features apples and honey for a sweet new year.
What is the "Offie Coleman" and its purpose?
The "Offie Coleman" is a hidden item, often a matza in a sleeve, used during Passover to entertain children. It's typically hidden in places like between books or under cushions, and finding it can be a game with different prize outcomes.
What kind of regrets did the hosts discuss?
Hosts discussed regretting sharing traumatic camp experiences, asking personal questions about relationships, telling embarrassing stories involving cheese, and not providing a better "Jewish primer" for a guest.
What are the different theories about the "Offie Coleman" prize distribution?
One theory is that there is a single winner who receives a prize, while others are considered "losers." The other theory is that "everybody wins," implying equal prizes or participation rewards for all.
Show Notes
Pam Bondi slinks off to the private sector, Lindsey Graham escapes to Space Mountain, and Kristi Noem’s husband has something big to get off his chest. This week, Ben Platt answers our burning theater kid questions and does his best to sort the real fools from the April Fool’s. Then Jimmy Tatro joins to put his Passover and/or Rugrats fluency to the test. And of course, we wash down those bitter herbs with a sweet glass of Second Thoughts.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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