SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 106: Word Centipede (w/ Scotty Eisenogle)
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Host: Elliott Kalan
Contestants: Sean Hayes & Scotty Eisenogle
Duration: 12 Minutes

Introduction

In Episode 106 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan welcomes guests Sean Hayes and Scotty Eisenogle for a stimulating session of puzzles and brainteasers. The episode is aptly titled "Word Centipede," where listeners are challenged to test their word association skills against Sean and Scotty’s quick thinking.

Guest Spotlight: Scotty Eisenogle

Elliott introduces Scotty Eisenogle, highlighting his prominence in the show business. Scotty expresses his appreciation for the proper introduction, setting a positive and friendly tone for the episode ([01:27] Scotty Eisenogle: "I'm doing well. Thank you for the proper introduction. I really appreciate that.").

Light-hearted Banter: The Dessert Debate

Before diving into the main puzzle, the trio engages in a light-hearted discussion about desserts, specifically macaroons. Both Sean and Scotty share their disdain for macaroons, describing them humorously:

• Sean Hayes ([02:09]): "You bite it, it tastes like you're biting drywall."
• Scotty Eisenogle ([02:20]): "It actually, to me, looks like an accessory to a Barbie and Ken's house."

This segment adds a relatable and humorous touch, showcasing the camaraderie between the participants.

Recap of Previous Puzzle

Elliott briefly revisits the previous episode's cliffhanger puzzle—a riddle:

"I'm an odd number. Take away two, now I'm even. What number am I?"

Sean initially guesses "11," which Elliott clarifies is correct but explains it as a wordplay rather than a numerical solution:

Elliott ([03:15]): "The answer is 11 because you take away the first two letters off the word 'eleven' and you get the word 'even.'"

Sean humorously reflects on being tricked by the puzzle:

Sean Hayes ([03:46]): "Can I tell you something? It's how I got through life is by pure accident."

Main Segment: Word Centipede Game

Game Mechanics

Elliott introduces "Word Centipede," explaining the rules:

• Elliott ([05:29]): "I'm gonna run Sean and Scotty through today's puzzle while you, the listener, are listening."

The objective is to add a common word either before or after each of the given three words to form new compound words. Additionally, one of these new words per round serves as a clue to a famous person's identity.

Round-by-Round Gameplay

1. Round 1: Ladder, Side, Brother

   • Scotty ([07:40]): "Step, ladder, step, side, brother, sidestep, sidestep."
   • Elliott ([07:45]): "And got it. Great."
   • Solution: Step (Stepladder, Sidestep, Stepbrother)

2. Round 2: Visor, Star, Model

   • Scotty ([08:00]): "Shining. Star, shining."
   • Sean ([08:05]): "No, I don't know what visor. Visor is."
   • Elliott ([08:13]): Guides them to "Super."
   • Solution: Super (Superstar, Supermodel, Supervisor)

3. Round 3: Break, Turn, Hill

   • Sean ([09:07]): "Break up. Turn up. Uphill."
   • Elliott ([09:19]): Encourages finding a common word.
   • Solution: Up (Breakup, Turnup, Uphill)

4. Round 4: Hop, Cow, Door

   • Sean ([09:55]): "Doorknob, Cow."
   • Scotty ([10:07]): Suggests "Bell."
   • Solution: Bell (Hopbell, Cowbell, Doorbell)

5. Round 5: Hole, Crafts, Anchor

   • Elliott ([10:37]): "Or just H. Just H."
   • Sean ([11:09]): "Manhole Craftsman. Anchorman."
   • Solution: Man (Manhole, Craftsman, Anchorman)

Mega Clue and Conclusion

After completing the five rounds, Elliott reveals the "mega clue" constructed from the compound words: Steppbrother, Superstar, Uphill, Cowbell, and Anchorman.

• Elliott ([11:39]): "The mega clue is Will Ferrell."

Sean and Scotty arrive at the correct answer based on iconic movies and sketches:

Elliott ([11:48]): "Appeared in Downhill, Superstar, Stepbrothers, the cowbell sketch."

This segment effectively ties together the word associations with a popular cultural reference, providing a satisfying conclusion to the puzzle.

Cliffhanger Puzzle

To wrap up, Elliott presents a cliffhanger puzzle in the form of an incomplete song lyric:

"First we need to haul, then we need to turn. Then we just have to. And the missing piece is you."

Listeners are challenged to deduce how to spell the last word of the verse, encouraging engagement and anticipation for the next episode.

Notable Quotes

• Elliott Kalan ([01:02]): "What do you get when you cross an elephant, an 18 wheeler and President Rutherford B. Hayes?"
• Sean Hayes ([03:46]): "Can I tell you something? It's how I got through life is by pure accident."
• Elliott Kalan ([06:11]): "Word Centipede is kind of like a human centipede except with words. So there's a lot less mess. Pretty much."
• Scotty Eisenogle ([10:51]): "Anchorm..."

Conclusion

Episode 106 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess delivers an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience. Elliott Kalan masterfully balances humor and challenge, while Sean Hayes and Scotty Eisenogle provide lively participation. The "Word Centipede" game not only entertains but also encourages listeners to enhance their word association skills, making it a standout episode in the series.

Stay tuned for the next installment, where the cliffhanger puzzle will be resolved, and new challenges await!

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