107 - Tone Note (w/ Scotty Icenogle)

Summary

SmartLess Presents ClueLess Episode 107: Tone Note (w/ Scotty Icenogle) Release Date: December 5, 2024

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Introduction

In Episode 107 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan welcomes the ever-charming Sean Hayes, who surprises listeners by bringing along his husband, Scotty Icenogle, for the first time. This episode delves into the engaging puzzle game "Tone Note," where the trio challenges each other's wits through a series of anagram-based brainteasers.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [01:09]: "Hello, podcast friends, and welcome to this episode of SmartLess Presents Clueless, the only puzzle podcast that delivers the complete USDA recommended amount of Sean Hayes."

Welcome and Setup

Elliott sets a playful tone by introducing the dynamic between Sean and Scotty, highlighting Sean's growing affinity for the show's puzzles.

Notable Quotes:

Sean Hayes [01:28]: "I have to tell you, the more we play and the more episodes we do, I'm getting it. Like, my game brain part is turning on and I'm getting it more." [01:55]

Scotty Icenogle [02:08]: "Yep, let's see. Let's set him up only to disappoint."

Elliott explains the premise of the main game, "Tone Note," an anagram challenge where clues lead to two-word phrases with each word being an anagram of the other.

Main Puzzle: Tone Note

How It Works

Elliott introduces the rules of "Tone Note," emphasizing the importance of noting the first two letters of each correct answer to uncover a hidden theme—the game's "mega crew."

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [05:58]: "That's fine. In addition to this main game, pay attention to the first two letters of each correct response. You might even want to write them down, because if you do, you may spot a theme in the first two letters of each response that I'll ask you about at the end of the game."

Clues and Solutions

1. Clue: A canine deity
   Solution: "Dog God"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [06:26]: "The first clue is a canine deity."
   Sean Hayes [06:07]: "A God dog."

2. Clue: Prize filled cabinet compartment
   Solution: "Reward Drawer"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [06:47]: "Prize filled cabinet compartment."
   Sean Hayes [07:32]: "Reward Drawer."

3. Clue: Rocket propelled weapon comparisons
   Solution: "Missile Simile"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [07:50]: "Number three, rocket propelled weapon is like comparisons."
   Sean Hayes [08:04]: "Missile simile."

4. Clue: Three Greek sisters of destiny having a big meal
   Solution: "Fates Feast"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [08:21]: "Three Greek sisters of destiny having a big meal."
   Sean Hayes [09:01]: "Fates Feast."

5. Clue: Serious, dignified citruses
   Solution: "Solemn Lemons"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [09:31]: "Serious, dignified citruses."
   Sean Hayes [09:50]: "Solemn."

6. Clue: A sheep soothing salve
   Solution: "Lamb Balm"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [10:03]: "A salve for soothing sheep."
   Sean Hayes [10:22]: "Lamb Balm."

7. Clue: A detergent pod eating plan
   Solution: "Tide Diet"
   Quote:

   Elliott Kalan [10:43]: "A detergent pod eating plan."
   Sean Hayes [11:00]: "Diet."
   Scotty Icenogle [11:03]: "Tide Diet."

Throughout the game, the camaraderie and friendly competition between Sean and Scotty add a lively atmosphere. Elliott guides them with hints when necessary, ensuring the game remains both challenging and entertaining.

Notable Interaction:

Sean Hayes [06:33]: "Are we playing against each other or with each other?"
Elliott Kalan [06:37]: "No, you are playing with each other. You are collaborating."

Mega Crew Reveal

After solving all the clues, Elliott prompts Sean and Scotty to identify the theme based on the first two letters of each answer: "Dog God, Reward Drawer, Missile Simile, Fates Feast, Solemn Lemons, Lamb Balm, Tide Diet." The initials spell out "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti," the solfège syllables representing musical notes.

Notable Quotes:

Elliott Kalan [11:22]: "Now, were you able to keep track of the theme in the first two letters of each answer? It spells out the scale: Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti."
Sean Hayes [12:22]: "Do, re, mi, fa, so Lati do you?"

This revelation ties the puzzle game to a musical theme, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for the listeners who tracked along.

Cliffhanger Puzzle

Elliott concludes the episode with an "odd one out" puzzle to keep listeners engaged until the next episode. The puzzle list includes: a pie, an axe, a picnic basket, a broom, and a tail.

Quiz Prompt:

Elliott Kalan [13:11]: "Listen to the following list of objects and figure out which one doesn't belong and why. A pie, an axe, a picnic basket, a broom and a tail. Which of these items does not belong with the others and why not?"

Sean and Scotty humorously express their uncertainty, leaving listeners to ponder the solution until they return next week.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [13:57]: "This has been Clueless and I'm Eliot Kalin giving you official permission not to do any more thinking this week."

Conclusion

Elliott wraps up the episode with gratitude towards the audience, teasing the next episode's puzzle, and reiterating the fun and challenges presented by ClueLess. The interplay between Elliott, Sean, and Scotty provides both humor and insightful moments, making the episode both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [14:11]: "Clueless."

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Final Thoughts

Episode 107 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess offers a delightful blend of puzzles, humor, and engaging interactions between the hosts and guests. "Tone Note" serves as a testament to the show's ability to entertain while challenging the minds of its listeners. With Scotty Icenogle's first appearance adding fresh dynamics, this episode stands out as a memorable installment in the series.

Transcript

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[Elliot Kalin]

Smart. Bless me up. Here's a classic riddle for you. What has a mouth but never eats? Has a bed but never sleeps. Always runs and never walks? Always babbles but never talks? Give up. It's a hungry, inarticulate insomniac in a hurry. Kinda obvious, really. This is Clueless. Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless. I'm Clueless.

[Elliot Kalin]

Hello, podcast friends, and welcome to this episode of Smartless Presents Clueless, the only puzzle podcast that delivers the complete USDA recommended amount of Sean Hayes. I'm a guy who sounds, looks and acts just like your host, Elliot Kalin. On today's episode, we're joined by the one, the only, the amazing. Oh, it's Sean Hayes. Hey, Sean. Hey, how's it going?

[Sean Hayes]

Hey, what's going on?

[Elliot Kalin]

Please tell me that today you'll be joined by your husband, Scotty. Isa. I only ask because I like him so much more.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes. No, I get it. Get in line. I'm gonna see if he's available. Scotty, are you there?

[Scotty]

Hello?

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, you just showed up. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Are you ready?

[Scotty]

It's you.

[Sean Hayes]

It's me.

[Scotty]

And you're there.

[Sean Hayes]

And you were there.

[Scotty]

And you were there.

[Elliot Kalin]

How are you guys feeling? How are you feeling in this episode today? Are you ready for some puzzles? What's the status?

[Sean Hayes]

I have to tell you, the more we play and the more episodes we do, I'm getting it. Like, my game brain part is turning on and I'm getting it more. Cut to. I'm horrible this episode, but let's see what happens.

[Scotty]

Yep, let's see. Let's set him up only to disappoint.

[Elliot Kalin]

I like that attitude, though. I like that enthusiasm. And that's enough small talk for now.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, great.

[Elliot Kalin]

Let's get to a small puzzle instead.

[Sean Hayes]

I love it.

[Elliot Kalin]

At the end of the last episode, we left you with our cliffhanger puzzle. And you may remember that it was a song lyric that went like this. First we need to haul, then we need to turn. Then we just have to and the missing piece is you. Leading to the question, how do you spell the last word in that verse?

[Sean Hayes]

You like the letter U?

[Elliot Kalin]

You got it, John. You got it. The cliffhanger puzzle is your is just where you excel. It's just the thing you do best.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, well, it wouldn't be E. W.

[Elliot Kalin]

E. No, probably not. No. Maybe there's a company that moves female sheep called U. Haul. Yeah, E, W, E. But you're exactly right. It's just the letter U. Haul. U. Turn U. Two listeners at home, if you didn't get it right the way Sean did, here's a pro tip. Just rewind the episode to the beginning and then when we get to this part, say the answer before Sean does. You'll feel really good about yourself.

[Sean Hayes]

That's such good works. Yeah, that's such a good tip for life.

[Elliot Kalin]

Exactly.

[Scotty]

Well, it's how I work through our arguments.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure.

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[Elliot Kalin]

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[Elliot Kalin]

Sean Scotty, are you ready for today's main puzzle?

[Scotty]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

Nobody needs me to pull the show over so you can use the bathroom before we do it.

[Scotty]

No, no.

[Elliot Kalin]

Because once we get. There's no exits. Once we get into the puzzle, then we can't stop.

[Sean Hayes]

No, I'll just go on my pants. Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

Okay, good. As long as you're ready for that. Great. This game today is called Tone note. Tone. Tone Note. Tone.

[Sean Hayes]

Tone.

[Elliot Kalin]

Tone Note.

[Sean Hayes]

Beautiful.

[Elliot Kalin]

That sing was so much cooler than I feel like I can support as the host of this show.

[Sean Hayes]

That was really cool.

[Scotty]

Yeah, it's a bop.

[Elliot Kalin]

So, Tone note. Our game today is an anagram game. I'm going to give you a clue and the answer will be a two word phrase in which the two words are anagrams of each other. So I will say a description, a descriptive phrase. You're going to answer with a two word phrase. The two words are anagrams. For example, if I say beneath an arm joint, you would answer elbow.

[Scotty]

And below.

[Sean Hayes]

Below. Oh, that's good. You got that so fast.

[Elliot Kalin]

And give it to me as a phrase. Give it to me as a phrase. Below.

[Scotty]

Elbow.

[Elliot Kalin]

That's fine. In addition to this main game, pay attention to the first two letters of each correct response. You might even want to write them down, because if you do, you may spot a theme in the first two letters of each response that I'll ask you about at the end of the game. And that will be this game's mega crew.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Scotty]

Ready? Ready.

[Elliot Kalin]

Okay. Are you ready to begin?

[Sean Hayes]

I'm ready.

[Scotty]

Yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

The first clue is a canine deity.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I got it.

[Scotty]

A God dog.

[Elliot Kalin]

Wow. I like how Sean was like, I got this one. And Scotty goes, nope. And just sniped right away.

[Scotty]

Yep. Step aside.

[Sean Hayes]

Are we playing against each other or with each other?

[Elliot Kalin]

No, you are playing with each other. You are collaborating.

[Sean Hayes]

I meant in our marriage.

[Scotty]

Oh, I see.

[Sean Hayes]

Wow.

[Elliot Kalin]

That's a question I can't answer. Let's move on to the next clue.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

Prize filled cabinet compartment.

[Sean Hayes]

Prize filled.

[Scotty]

Thinking.

[Elliot Kalin]

Prize filled cabinet compartment.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh. Botox and toy box. I'm kidding. Wait.

[Elliot Kalin]

Cabinet compartment.

[Sean Hayes]

A cabinet compartment would just be a drawer. A drawer. Right. But that's too many letters.

[Elliot Kalin]

Or is it? Or is it? He hinted nudgingly.

[Sean Hayes]

Prize. A war.

[Elliot Kalin]

Oh.

[Scotty]

Oh, yeah. Awarded. No.

[Sean Hayes]

Award.

[Scotty]

Awarded. Award. Drawer.

[Sean Hayes]

Award. Award. Drawer.

[Elliot Kalin]

Well, you know what? I'll give you a 3/4 credit. Reward. Drawer. Reward.

[Sean Hayes]

That's what I said.

[Scotty]

Oh, reward.

[Podcast Production Voice]

Reward.

[Sean Hayes]

Is this not clear? It's not coming through. I said reward.

[Elliot Kalin]

Oh, sorry. I said I thought you were thinking of your own award drawer at home. That's full of your many.

[Sean Hayes]

I really did. While you're drinking a joke.

[Elliot Kalin]

But it's. It's the reward drawer. You got it.

[Scotty]

Reward drawer. That's true.

[Elliot Kalin]

I knew you could do it.

[Sean Hayes]

That's a hard one when it's that long.

[Elliot Kalin]

Number three, rocket propelled weapon is like comparisons. Or you could also say is like comparisons involving a rocket propelled weapon.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I got it. I got it, I got it. Do I say it?

[Scotty]

You got it.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

No. You go. Missile simile.

[Elliot Kalin]

Great. Missile similes. I'll take the missile simile. I'm not going to be a stickler about that. Clue number four. Three Greek sisters of destiny having a big meal.

[Sean Hayes]

Having a big meal.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes.

[Scotty]

Oh, gosh.

[Elliot Kalin]

Three Greek sisters of destiny having a big meal.

[Sean Hayes]

Feast.

[Scotty]

Something about a feast, I think.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

How well do you know your ancient Greek?

[Sean Hayes]

Not at all. I know Aphrodite. That's it.

[Elliot Kalin]

Okay. That's the wrong one.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Oh, well. Clash of the Titans. You got Zeus. You got Aphrodite. That's it. That's all we have.

[Elliot Kalin]

I kind of want to just watch both of you do Clash of the Titans right now. Sure.

[Sean Hayes]

I don't know.

[Elliot Kalin]

All right. Fates Feasts. The Fates were the three Greek sisters who decided the lives of mortals.

[Scotty]

Oh, that's great.

[Elliot Kalin]

You were so close. All you needed to do was crack open Bullfinch's mythology. You would have had it. Some light reading over time and I think you got in there.

[Sean Hayes]

Light reading.

[Scotty]

Stay in school.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah. Let's go to the next clue. Serious, dignified citruses. Serious, dignified citruses. What are some citruses? You can think of limes, oranges, lemons.

[Sean Hayes]

Lemons or limes. It's gotta be lemons or limes or limes. Yeah, but limes is smile.

[Elliot Kalin]

But that's. That would be the opposite of it, right?

[Sean Hayes]

That's the opposite.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

So lemons would be melons, but that's not serious or dignified.

[Scotty]

Yeah, yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

I'm gonna give you. I'm gonna give you a hint just out of pity. Lemons. Stick with lemons.

[Sean Hayes]

Solemn.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes. You got it.

[Sean Hayes]

Solemn.

[Elliot Kalin]

Put them together. Put them together.

[Sean Hayes]

Lemon. Solemn lemons.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes. Solemn. Lemons. Perfect. You did it with a fair amount of. Yeah, let's. A huge amount of help.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kalin]

Toad.

[Sean Hayes]

Toad.

[Elliot Kalin]

Note clue number 6. A sheep soothing salve. A salve for soothing sheep.

[Sean Hayes]

Uh huh. Sheep soothing salve.

[Elliot Kalin]

I think you're finding a good strategy of finding one word that is not too difficult to word and then rearranging it.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I got it.

[Scotty]

You have it already.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes, I have it. Lamb and balm.

[Elliot Kalin]

You got it.

[Sean Hayes]

Lamb balm.

[Elliot Kalin]

Perfect. Lamb balm. Yes.

[Scotty]

Wow.

[Elliot Kalin]

Lamb balm. If you've got an irritated lamb, this is the only way to get it to feel better. Sold at better farm supply stores. And finally, for our final clue for this game, a detergent pod eating plan.

[Sean Hayes]

A detergent pod eating plan.

[Elliot Kalin]

An eating plan for detergent pods.

[Sean Hayes]

So you do. Well, not tied would be edit.

[Scotty]

Right.

[Elliot Kalin]

Well, there's also a thing that there's more than one way to rearrange the word tied.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, it's.

[Scotty]

Oh, got it.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, diet.

[Scotty]

A tide diet.

[Elliot Kalin]

You got it. It was adorable how you both. You both. I saw the spark of comprehension in both of your eyes at the same time. That was very sweet.

[Scotty]

Yeah, it was right there.

[Sean Hayes]

A tide die.

[Elliot Kalin]

So you know what? You need a little bit of help, but that's okay. We all need somebody to lean on. Yes.

[Scotty]

Yes.

[Elliot Kalin]

And now it's time for our mega.

[Scotty]

Clue Mega clue question.

[Elliot Kalin]

Now, were you able to keep track of the theme in the first two letters of each answer? Dog, God, reward, drawer, missile, similes, fates, feast, solemn lemons, lamb balm, tide diet. There's a theme in the first two letters in each of those answers.

[Sean Hayes]

Can you do it again?

[Elliot Kalin]

Dog, God, dog, God, reward, drawer, missile, similes, fates, feast, solemn, lemons, lamb balm, and tide diet.

[Scotty]

The first two letters.

[Elliot Kalin]

First two letters.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Do, Armifa. So lati do.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yes. It's the scale. It's the scale. You did it Great. And the audience was only probably like a couple hundred steps ahead of you. I think it was very convenient.

[Scotty]

They've already arrived at work.

[Sean Hayes]

Do I get extra points? Do I get extra points if I say do, re, mi, fa, so Lati, do you?

[Elliot Kalin]

Do you got 10 extra points for that? Unfortunately, the game is over, so no points matter anymore.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, shoot.

[Elliot Kalin]

Time, home audience, did you do better than Sean and Scotty? If so, give yourself a big thumbs up if you didn't still give yourselves that thumbs up. Because as a wise man once said, in failure, there is no disgrace. There can be but one ultimate shame. The cowardice of not having tried. That wise man was, of course, the Silver Surfer from Marvel Comics. Sean. Scotty.

[Sean Hayes]

Nice, nice, nice, listeners.

[Elliot Kalin]

That's the end of today's episode is what I would say if we didn't also have our end of the episode cliffhanger puzzle. The cliffhanger puzzle. It's just a little something to keep you, the listener, off the streets until next episode. Today's cliffhanger it's an odd one out puzzle.

[Sean Hayes]

I love these.

[Elliot Kalin]

Listen to the following list of objects and figure out which one doesn't belong and why. A pie, an axe, a picnic basket, a broom and a tail. I'll tell you again, a pie, an axe, a picnic basket, a broom and a tail. Which of these items does not belong with the others and why not? Sean? Scotty, are you going to get anything done this week with that one rattling around in your brain?

[Sean Hayes]

No.

[Scotty]

Zero.

[Sean Hayes]

All right, I'll see you next week then.

[Elliot Kalin]

I guess you've got until next episode to figure it out. I know I'm going to be thinking about this until next episode and I already know the answer. That's all the puzzles we have for you this episode. Sean, Scotty, one of you is my favorite and I cannot wait to see that one of you next time. Until then, thank you so much.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, I hope it's me.

[Elliot Kalin]

Yeah, well, maybe we'll find out. It's another cliffhanger puzzle for everybody. Which one is my favorite? Until then, thank you so much to our audience for listening. This has been Clueless and I'm Eliot Kalin giving you official permission not to do any more thinking this week.

[Sean Hayes]

That was fantastic.

[Elliot Kalin]

Clueless.

[Podcast Production Voice]

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, who does Scare easily. Your producer, editor and engineer is Devon Torrey Bryant, who is me. I also write all the music and sound effects assistant engineer Kyle McGraw. Today's puzzles were written by Kevin Leman and Matthew Broussard. 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 Courson and Bernie Kaminsky. Remember to follow subs, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you again for more.

[Elliot Kalin]

Smart. Bless me.

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[Sean Hayes]

Let's go.

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