102 - Odd One Out (w/ Ali Wentworth)

Summary

SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 102: "Odd One Out" (w/ Ali Wentworth)
Release Date: November 18, 2024

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Introduction

In the latest episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliot Kalan welcomes returning contestant Sean Hayes and introduces the special guest, actress and comedian Ali Wentworth. The episode sets the stage for a series of engaging puzzles designed to challenge the minds of listeners, all while maintaining a light-hearted and humorous atmosphere.

Elliot Kalan [01:12]: "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes, and Sean Hayes."
Sean Hayes [01:25]: "Hey, thanks for making me."

Recap of Last Episode's Cliffhanger Puzzle

Elliot begins by revisiting the previous episode's cliffhanger puzzle, which involved the success of the energy drink Prime Hydration and its unique choice of gold and silver bottles. The puzzle required listeners to discern why gold and silver were chosen over materials like iron or tin.

Elliot Kalan [02:10]: "Why would gold and silver be appropriate for bottles for Prime, but iron or tin would not be?"

Sean attempts to solve the puzzle, linking the answer to the periodic table elements, albeit humorously misnaming it.

Sean Hayes [03:00]: "What is it called? What is it called?"
Elliot Kalan [03:10]: "It's called the periodic table of elements."
Sean Hayes [03:16]: "Pediatrician. Oh, periodic table."

The explanation reveals that gold (atomic number 79) and silver (47) are chosen because their atomic numbers are prime, whereas iron (26) and tin (50) are not.

Elliot Kalan [03:22]: "Gold has an atomic number on the periodic table of elements of 79, which is a prime number. Silver's atomic number is 47, which is also prime."

Despite the complexity, Sean humorously questions the relevance of such knowledge in everyday life, garnering laughter from Ali and Elliot.

Ali Wentworth [03:50]: "What the hell kind of show is this?"

Main Puzzle: Odd One Out

The episode transitions to the main attraction: the "Odd One Out" game. The premise involves a whimsical scenario where the five members of the Backstreet Boys attend a picnic, each bringing multiple items. The challenge is to identify which item doesn't belong based on a shared category.

Elliot Kalan [06:11]: "Odd One Out game starts with another story. The five members of the Backstreet Boys are meeting up for a picnic..."

Round 1: Kevin's Contributions

Items: Rockstar, Ghost, Crab, Monster
Correct Answer: Crab

Ali Wentworth [07:41]: "The ghost is the odd man out."
Elliot Kalan [08:21]: "The answer would be Crab because Rockstar, Ghost, and Monster are all energy drinks."

Sean initially overthinks the categories, leading to humorous exchanges about his thought process.

Sean Hayes [08:20]: "Oh, wait. Ghost is like a famous movie. Rockstar. Is that like..."

Round 2: Nick's Contributions

Items: Carpenter, Prince, Archer, Spears
Correct Answer: Archer

Ali Wentworth [08:56]: "Spears is the only inanimate object."
Sean Hayes [08:57]: "Yeah, it's Archer."

The team cleverly connects the items to famous personalities, identifying that "Archer" refers to the "Archer Twins" while the others are known singers.

Elliot Kalan [09:02]: "Sabrina Carpenter, Prince, Britney Spears."

Round 3: Howie's Contributions

Items: Rose, The Olsen Twins, Hedgehog, Axe
Correct Answer: The Olsen Twins

Sean Hayes [09:52]: "The Olsen Twins, because the others all have pointy or sharp physical aspects."

Elliot applauds Sean's reasoning, despite his initial hesitation.

Elliot Kalan [09:46]: "You're exactly right."

Round 4: Brian's Contributions

Items: Mustang, Ram, Bronco, Thunderbird
Correct Answer: Ram

Ali Wentworth [10:34]: "Ram is a truck. It's a truck."

Although Ali initially suggests Ram because it's a different type of vehicle, Elliot clarifies the intended category.

Elliot Kalan [10:43]: "Ram is a Dodge car. The others are Ford cars."

Round 5: AJ's Contributions

Items: Tiger, Scorpion, Leprechaun, Vampire
Correct Answer: Scorpion

Ali Wentworth [11:30]: "The Scorpion is the odd one out because the other three are on a box of cereal."

Elliot Kalan [11:31]: "They're all signs of the Zodiac."

Mega Clue and Final Answer

After successfully navigating through the rounds, Elliot presents the "Mega Clue," requiring listeners to identify the common category among all the previous answers.

Elliot Kalan [12:02]: "What category do all this?"
Sean Hayes [12:21]: "You really don't know it?"
Ali Wentworth [12:26]: "Easy peasy. Go."
Sean Hayes [12:27]: "Yeah. It's a horoscope."

The team concludes that all answers correspond to the twelve signs of the Zodiac, tying together the puzzle seamlessly.

Elliot Kalan [12:31]: "They're all signs of the Zodiac."

Cliffhanger Puzzle

Elliot introduces the episode's cliffhanger puzzle, a riddle combining fractions and animal names, challenging listeners to decode its meaning until the next episode.

Elliot Kalan [13:23]: "What is three sevenths, chicken, two thirds cat, and 2 fourths goat meatloaf?"

Sean humorously attempts to grapple with the perplexing nature of the puzzle, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the solution in the subsequent episode.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Elliot thanks Ali Wentworth for her participation and humorously alludes to the complexities of friendship within the show.

Elliot Kalan [14:27]: "We will find out the answer on our next episode. Until then, Allie, thank you so much for being here."

The production credits roll, highlighting the talented team behind the scenes, but adhering to the summary's focus, these are glossed over briefly.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Elliot Kalan [01:12]: "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes, and Sean Hayes."

• Ali Wentworth [07:41]: "The ghost is the odd man out."

• Elliot Kalan [08:21]: "The answer would be Crab because Rockstar, Ghost, and Monster are all energy drinks."

• Sean Hayes [09:52]: "The Olsen Twins, because the others all have pointy or sharp physical aspects."

• Ali Wentworth [11:30]: "The Scorpion is the odd one out because the other three are on a box of cereal."

• Sean Hayes [12:21]: "It's a horoscope."

Conclusion

Episode 102 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess masterfully blends challenging puzzles with comedic banter, featuring stellar performances from Elliot Kalan, Sean Hayes, and guest Ali Wentworth. "Odd One Out" not only entertains but also engages listeners in thought-provoking scenarios, ensuring both fun and mental stimulation. The episode culminates with an intriguing cliffhanger that promises to keep the audience eagerly awaiting the next installment.

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For those who missed this episode, SmartLess Presents ClueLess offers a delightful mix of puzzles, humor, and charismatic hosts, making it a must-listen for fans of brainteasers and light-hearted competition.

Transcript

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[Elliot Kalin]

Smart less me. Ah, you finally made it here from the Smartless feed. We were just about to start, but I told everyone. Hold on, hold on. Let's give them another couple of minutes in case they're running late. Let me take your hat and coat. Why not fix yourself a drink? Take a seat on that elephant. This is Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless. Clueless. I'm Clueless.

[Elliot Kalin]

Top of the. Whatever time you're listening to this, it is to you. Welcome to Smartless presents.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless.

[Elliot Kalin]

I'm your host, Elliot Kalin, and I'd like to begin today's show with a quote from Benjamin Franklin. In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death, taxes, and Sean Hayes. Sean, thank you so much for being with us again on your own show.

[Sean Hayes]

Hey, thanks for making me.

[Elliot Kalin]

So much time in the lab late at night building a Sean. Unless you're saying making you be on your own show, which is a different thing than making you physically out of fun parts.

[Sean Hayes]

I meant both. I came out of my mouth and I meant both.

[Elliot Kalin]

Now, it's no secret, Sean, that none of us expects you to solve these puzzles on your own. You are in desperate need of adult supervision. So would you please introduce your special guest for today.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, my gosh. It's the lovely. It's the gorgeous Ali Wentworth.

[Ali Wentworth]

Oh, I'm so happy to be here and happy to be the brains behind this little show. Oh, honey, I know. Believe me, I've had dinner with you. I know what I'm up against.

[Sean Hayes]

She makes the best food I've ever eaten in my whole life.

[Ali Wentworth]

Well, you're the sweetest.

[Sean Hayes]

Shall we begin the game?

[Elliot Kalin]

Let's do it. I mean, it's interesting that you mentioned food because this is the time in the show when we reveal the answer to last episode's cliffhanger puzzle. Let's remind the audience and Sean and tell Allie for the first time what last episode's cliffhanger puzzle was. It was a story that went as follows. It seems that the energy drink prime Hydration has been so successful that the company celebrated by creating two solid gold prime bottles. The gold bottles are an appropriate vessel for the drink. Silver bottles would also be appropriate, but iron or tin bottles would not be appropriate. Why is that? Why would gold and silver be appropriate for bottles for prime, but iron or tin would not be?

[Sean Hayes]

I don't know. That's a really hard one. Does it have to do with the periodic table charts or whatever?

[Elliot Kalin]

Oh, Jesus. You're on exactly the right path. Yes, it does have to do with the periodic table of charts, which is not really what it's called, but you know that. You know what we're talking about.

[Sean Hayes]

What is it called? What is it called?

[Elliot Kalin]

It's called the periodic table of elements.

[Sean Hayes]

Pediatrician. Oh, periodic table.

[Elliot Kalin]

It's the pediatric table of elements. Yeah. These are all the elements you find in your average child.

[Ali Wentworth]

Is it because gold and silver don't have metallic debris?

[Elliot Kalin]

No. Why don't you think about. What is another use of the word prime?

[Sean Hayes]

Amazon.

[Elliot Kalin]

You're right. The golden silver you can get from Amazon tin and I cannot. No, I'll just. You are on the right track, but I'll just tell you what it is. Gold has an atomic number on the periodic table of elements of 79, which is a prime number. Silver's atomic number is 47, which is also prime. Tin and Iron's atomic numbers 50 and 26, respectively, are not prime numbers.

[Sean Hayes]

Who in the world is going to get that?

[Ali Wentworth]

What the hell kind of show is this?

[Elliot Kalin]

Chemists. We have a lot of chemists in the audience. We have a lot of physicists in the audience.

[Sean Hayes]

Clearly.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah.

[Ali Wentworth]

Oh, my God.

[Sean Hayes]

I mean, who is driving around right now going, you know what? I know exactly the numbers of all the pediatrician elements.

[Ali Wentworth]

Not us, that's for sure.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay.

[Elliot Kalin]

It's all right. That's why it's a cliffhanger, because you have extra time to think about it. Clearly, Sean, that time was not used by you. But that's okay. You're a very busy man, I'm sure.

[Sean Hayes]

I know. I should. I should have. Clearly, that cliff is about 800,000ft and.

[Ali Wentworth]

We just jumped off it.

[Elliot Kalin]

That was. Yeah, that was less of a cliffhanger, more of a cliff drop. But that's okay. That's okay. There's a lot more games left to go.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, I can't wait.

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[Elliot Kalin]

Are you ready to move on to the main puzzle?

[Ali Wentworth]

Yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

Do you need a moment to speak to the spiritual advisor of your choice?

[Sean Hayes]

Did it this morning at church already.

[Elliot Kalin]

Okay, wonderful. Great. You took care of it. Let's move on to the main game which is called Odd One Out. Odd one Out.

[American Express Advertiser]

Which one's the odd one out?

[Sean Hayes]

Get out. Oh I like that one. Get out. I like that one a lot.

[Ali Wentworth]

Get out.

[Sean Hayes]

Get out.

[Elliot Kalin]

Today's Odd one Out game starts with another story. The five members of the Backstreet Boys are meeting up for a picnic. It's a potluck and everyone is bringing something. Unfortunately, all of the boys are over shoppers and they brought way too much stuff. You have to tell each Backstreet Boy which of the four things they brought should be left behind because it doesn't belong in the same category as the others. So for example, if one of the Backstreet Boys brought a badger, a ferret, a mink, and the late Olivia de Havilland, the answer of the on one.

[Sean Hayes]

Out would be a mink.

[Ali Wentworth]

Minx.

[Elliot Kalin]

Oh boy, this is going to be a tough game. It's going to be a hard one. No, the answer would be Olivia de Havilland because the other items fit in the category. Small mammals that never co starred with Errol Flynn.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, very good. Well, that's a stretch, but, yeah, it's.

[Elliot Kalin]

A very specific category.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

So something I'll ask you to do is keep track of the answers to each of these questions because, of course, they all point to the final mega clue of this game. But I can also remind you before the mega clue. Are you ready to play?

[Sean Hayes]

Ready to play?

[Ali Wentworth]

My head is pounding.

[Elliot Kalin]

Let's dive into this picnic. It's going to be great. Odd 1 Number one, your first question. Kevin brought a rock star, a ghost, a crab and a monster. Which of those is the odd one out?

[Ali Wentworth]

Rockstar, Ghost, crab and monster.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes.

[Ali Wentworth]

The ghost is the odd man out.

[Sean Hayes]

Why?

[Ali Wentworth]

Because he doesn't have nails.

[Sean Hayes]

No.

[Elliot Kalin]

Wait, but you're assuming this is a monster with nails, right?

[Sean Hayes]

Rockstar, ghost, crab, monster, monster, mash. Crab mash. No. Oh, wait. Ghost is like a famous movie. Rockstar. Is that like. Is that.

[Elliot Kalin]

Oh, yeah.

[Ali Wentworth]

They're all movies, so crab is the odd one out.

[Elliot Kalin]

You know what? You have the right answer for the wrong reason. I'm gonna give you the point on that one.

[Sean Hayes]

Ooh.

[Elliot Kalin]

Because you know what? It works. Those are all movies. But we were thinking they are also all energy drinks, except for crab. Rockstar, Ghost and Monster are all energy drinks.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, nice, nice.

[Ali Wentworth]

Wait a second. I just thought of another one. Rockstar, Ghost, monster and crabs. These are all things that Sean's had.

[Sean Hayes]

That's right.

[Elliot Kalin]

Question number two. Nick brought a carpenter, a prince, an archer, and some spears.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, those are all singers. Carpenter, Spears, Britney Spears, Carpenters. Wait, what's the sam again? Carpenter. What?

[Elliot Kalin]

A carpenter, a prince, an archer, and some spears.

[Ali Wentworth]

Well, spears is the only inanimate object. The rest are people.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, it's archer.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah, it's archer. Exactly. Sabrina Carpenter, Prince, Britney Spears. Those are all singular spears.

[Sean Hayes]

Of course. I went to the carpenter, Karen Carpenter, because that's how old I am.

[Ali Wentworth]

Okay, but spears are the only inanimate object.

[Sean Hayes]

You know what? Ellie, can I talk to you again?

[Ali Wentworth]

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I was a Rhodes scholar. What?

[Elliot Kalin]

Number three. Howie brought a rose. The Olsen twins, a hedgehog and an axe. Between a rose. The Olsen twins, a hedgehog and an axe.

[Sean Hayes]

An axe.

[Elliot Kalin]

Think about what are some of the things that those objects might have in common, except for one of them, which does not common.

[Sean Hayes]

A rose has thorns. An ax is sharp. A hedgehog has sharp, like.

[Ali Wentworth]

No, that's a porcupine.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, but a hedgehog is the same thing almost. I'm going to say the Olsen twins because they all have, like, pricky, prickly Things.

[Elliot Kalin]

You're exactly right. It's the Olsen twins. Because though they have, I'm sure, a cutting style, you know, the others all have pointy or sharp physical aspects to them. You're exactly right. This is.

[Ali Wentworth]

Oh, obviously you've never met an Olsen twin.

[Elliot Kalin]

I haven't. That's a good point. Question four.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

Brian brought a Mustang, a Ram, a Bronco and a Thunderbird.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, come on. That's easy. Those are all cars. Wait, say it again. Mustang. What?

[Elliot Kalin]

A Ram, a Ram, a Bronco and a Thunderbird.

[Ali Wentworth]

Although a Ram is the odd one out because it's not a horse.

[Elliot Kalin]

Once again, you've got the right answer but the wrong reason. What doesn't connect a Ram to a Mustang, a Bronco and a Thunderbird. Someone mentioned cars before I did.

[Sean Hayes]

That was me. That was the male voice. Although it's questionable. Mustang. Wait. Mustang, Bronco and Thunderbird. But Ram is also a car, just so you know.

[Ali Wentworth]

Ram is a truck. It's a truck.

[Elliot Kalin]

Ram is a Dodge car. The others are Ford cars. They're different car makers.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, Allie. But see, look, we're a great team because she gets them right for the wrong reasons, and I get them wrong for the right reasons.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah.

[Ali Wentworth]

We are the shields and yarnell of this whole game.

[Sean Hayes]

For those of you under 80.

[Elliot Kalin]

Out, let's go to the final question in the rounds. This is question five. AJ Brought a tiger, a scorpion, a leprechaun and a vampire. Which of these is the odd one out? A tiger, a scorpion, a leprechaun and a vampire.

[Ali Wentworth]

I know, I know. The Scorpion is the odd man out because. Because the other three are on a box of cereal.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes, exactly right.

[Sean Hayes]

They're walking out of town. That's right.

[Elliot Kalin]

Exactly right. That's great. This is fantastic. What an unbeatable team. You two really should be friends in real life and not just pretend friends on this podcast.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, let's see how it goes.

[Ali Wentworth]

Let's see. We're just being scripted friends right now.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes. So let's move on to the Mega Clue for this game.

[Carl's Jr. Advertiser]

Mega Clue question.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

So we're gonna take the answers to those questions and you're gonna tell me what category do they all fit in? I will remind you, the answers were Crab, Archer Twins, Ram and Scorpion. What category do all this?

[Sean Hayes]

You know it, Allie. I know it well.

[Ali Wentworth]

Oh, of course. You go first.

[Sean Hayes]

You really don't know it?

[Elliot Kalin]

I know.

[Ali Wentworth]

Easy peasy. Go.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. It's a horoscope.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes, you're right. They're all signs of the Zodiac. That was the sound of total perfection in puzzle correctness. That was. What a beautiful game playing today.

[Sean Hayes]

See, that's fun. That's fun.

[Ali Wentworth]

That's good, clean fun. And by the way, I'm up to $65,000. Right?

[Elliot Kalin]

We're gonna talk about it after the game. Yeah. Those are Smartless presents Clueless books, which are only usable at the company store, which isn't there yet. So, listeners, did you do as well as Sean and Allie? If you did, that's great. If you didn't, maybe think of this as the final wake up call to get your life in gear and stop failing to live up to your potential. And when you're a big success someday, just remember it was Clueless that got you there. I like to have a little moment of affirmation and also with the opposite of affirmation.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, Criticism, defamation.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah, a little bit of defamation.

[Ali Wentworth]

It's a little defamation. Yeah, it is.

[Elliot Kalin]

But, listeners, before you go out and take on the world first, let's take on this episode's final game, our cliffhanger puzz. The cliffhanger puzzle started as kind of an ominous mystery and then turned into more of a beach jam. That's all right. Today's cliffhanger is kind of a riddle and kind of not a riddle. And it goes like this. What is three sevenths, chicken, two thirds cat, and two fourths goat? To ask you again.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

What is three sevenths chicken, two thirds cat, and 2 fourths, goat meatloaf? Depending on the household. Yes, Sean, Allie, you don't have to answer right now. Try not to let this cliffhanger puzzle dominate your life until the next episode. Try to think of something else. I don't know if you'll be able to, but try to as best you can.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, thank you.

[Elliot Kalin]

We will find out the answer on our next episode. Until then, Allie, thank you so much for being here.

[Ali Wentworth]

Thank you, Elliot.

[Elliot Kalin]

Sean, thank you as well, but slightly less than. I thanked Allie. And then take both of those thank yous, combine them for our audience. Audience, thank you so much for listening. This has been Clueless, and it's time I stopped denying the fact that I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin. We'll be back next episode whether you like it or not. Thank you, Clueless.

[Podcast Producer]

You have been listening to Smartless presents Clueless, a Smartless media production in association with SiriusXM. Your host is Elliot Kalin, who also writes our scripts. Your constant contestant is Sean Hayes with those blue, blue eyes. Your producer, producer, editor, and engineer is Devin Tory Bryant. Who is me. I also write all the music and sound effects assistant engineer Kyle McGraw. Today's puzzles were written by Josh Richmond and Kevin Lehman. Talent producer is Anne Harris Associate Producer Maddie McCann Social Media Producer Tommy Galgano. Executive producers are Elliot Kalin, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman. Executive producers for Smartless Media are Richard Corson and Bernie Kaminsky. Remember to follow, subscribe, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you in again for more.

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