112 - Bot Bops (w/ Scotty Icenogle)

Summary

SmartLess Presents ClueLess: Episode 112 - "Bot Bops" (w/ Scotty Icenogle) Summary

Release Date: December 23, 2024
Host: Elliott Kalan
Contestants: Sean Hayes and Scotty Icenogle

---

Introduction & Birthday Shout-Out (00:31 - 01:52)

Elliott Kalan kicks off the episode with a heartfelt birthday shout-out to Nancy, humorously wishing her the gift of a last name this year. The playful banter sets a warm and festive tone for the episode.

Elliott Kalan [00:31]: "Before we start today's show, I'd like to give a birthday shout out to Nancy. Happy birthday, Nancy. Maybe this year you'll get the thing you've always wanted. A last name."

Sean Hayes joins the conversation, adding his own quirky humor about the show’s title.

Sean Hayes [00:55]: "Clueless. That's Clueless."

Recap of Last Episode's Cliffhanger Puzzle (02:03 - 04:25)

Elliott revisits the cliffhanger puzzle from the previous episode, challenging listeners to decipher a seemingly incorrect rendition of the Alphabet song.

Elliott Kalan [02:29]: "Last episode, cliffhanger was a riddle that went like this. My daughter's been singing the Alphabet song a lot, but I think she's learned it wrong. Here's what? She keeps singing A, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, C, D, E, K. What is she actually listing in this song?"

Sean and his husband, Scotty, dive into solving the puzzle. They brainstorm various interpretations, struggling initially to connect the sequence of letters to a coherent answer. The tension builds as they consider numeric labels and potential codes.

Sean Hayes [02:31]: "Can I sing it back again? A, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, C, D, E, K. Right?"

Despite their efforts, Sean and Scotty find the puzzle challenging. Elliott eventually reveals the clever solution:

Elliott Kalan [03:51]: "My fictional daughter is singing are the 13 official vitamins according to the FDA. Vitamins A, C, D, K and the eight B vitamins."

Sean expresses surprise at the complexity of the B vitamins, acknowledging the educational twist of the puzzle.

Sean Hayes [04:07]: "Had no idea there was a regular just B. I didn't know there was a regular just B."

Main Game: Bot Bops Holiday Edition (06:13 - 11:04)

Elliott introduces the episode’s main feature: the Bot Bops Holiday Edition. In this game, a digital assistant presents modified versions of classic holiday songs, and contestants must identify them.

Elliott Kalan [06:13]: "Our main game, botbops Holiday Edition Bot Bops. In this game, we'll be using modern technology to make classic songs less disgustingly human."

Sean and Scotty compete to recognize the songs first, aiming to score points by correctly identifying each "bop." The competitive spirit is high as they listen to the bot's digital renditions.

1. First Bop:

   • Bot Voice [07:34]: "Come, they told me. Pa ram pum pum pom A newborn king to see."
   • Sean Hayes [07:41]: "The Little Drummer Boy."

   The correct answer earns Sean a point, but Scotty anticipates the response time advantage.

   Sean Hayes [08:06]: "My God, I feel like I'm in the squid game with that voice."

2. Second Bop:

   • Bot Voice [08:19]: "I do not care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree I do not need to hang my stocking."
   • Sean Hayes [08:26]: "All I want for Christmas is you."

   Sean nails another correct answer, refocusing on the game's rhythm.

3. Third Bop:

   • Bot Voice [08:53]: "My God. I thought you were someone to rely on me I guess I was a shoulder to cry on..."
   • Sean Hayes [09:20]: "Last Christmas."

   Scotty scores a point, keeping the competition evenly matched.

4. Fourth Bop:

   • Bot Voice [09:37]: "He led them down the streets of town. Right to the traffic cop."
   • Sean Hayes [09:42]: "Frosty the Snowman."

   Sean secures another point, increasing his lead.

5. Final Bop (Tie Breaker):

   • Bot Voice [10:26]: "The fire is slowly dying and dear, we're still goodbyeing Let us know."
   • Sean Hayes [10:35]: "Let it Snow."

   Despite Sean's quick response, the game ends in a close score of 3 to 2, highlighting the spirited competition.

Mega Clue & Cliffhanger Puzzle (11:04 - 14:15)

As the game concludes, Elliott presents the Mega Clue, prompting both contestants and listeners to identify the common theme among the songs showcased during the game.

Mega Clue Voice [11:41]: "Mega Clue question."

Elliott Kalan [11:55]: "As a special holiday gift for this, the most joyous time of the season, this might be the easiest Mega Clue ever. So all you have to do is tell me, what theme do those songs have in common?"

Scotty quickly identifies the theme:

Scotty [11:55]: "They're Christmas."

Elliott confirms the answer, solidifying the festive nature of the episode.

Following the Mega Clue, Elliott introduces the cliffhanger puzzle designed to keep the holiday spirit alive post-episode.

Elliott Kalan [12:26]: "This year, I'm celebrating Christmas by going on Twitter, doing my times tables, blowing kisses, and finding buried treasure. What connects all these activities that makes them appropriate for the Christmas season?"

Sean and Scotty engage in a playful discussion to unravel the puzzle's connection, eventually deducing that the activities are all related to the concept of "gifts."

Sean Hayes [13:30]: "The charity work is called gifts. Giving gifts. That's my charity work."

Conclusion & Final Remarks (14:05 - 15:36)

Elliott wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Scotty for being an excellent guest and teasing future episodes.

Elliott Kalan [14:05]: "Thank you, Scotty, for being a great guest and for not telling Sean the truth about Santa."

He also extends thanks to Sean for his participation and hints at upcoming content.

Elliott Kalan [15:36]: "Remember to follow, subscribe, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you again for more."

The episode concludes with production credits and an unexpected voiceover from the Mega Clue Voice, leaving listeners intrigued for future puzzles.

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Key Takeaways:

• Engaging Puzzles: The episode featured intellectually stimulating puzzles that blended humor and holiday cheer.

• Competitive Spirit: Sean and Scotty's friendly rivalry kept the listeners entertained, emphasizing quick thinking and knowledge of classic holiday songs.

• Festive Themes: All content was centered around Christmas, enhancing the seasonal vibe and making it relatable for holiday listeners.

• Interactive Elements: The inclusion of Cliffhanger Puzzles and Mega Clues encouraged audience participation beyond the episode.

This episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess successfully combines wit, competition, and holiday spirit, making it a delightful listen for fans of puzzles and festive entertainment alike.

Transcript

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[Elliot Kaelin]

Smart Bless media. Before we start today's show, I'd like to give a birthday shout out to Nancy. Happy birthday, Nancy. Maybe this year you'll get the thing you've always wanted. A last name. This is Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless. That's Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Welcome to Smartless presents. Clueless, the only Sean Hayes puzzle podcast that's okay to throw in the washing machine even though the tag says dry clean only. I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin. I'm proud to say I'm made out of 100% recycled food. And joining me to play today's game, as always, is the man who thinks a zebra is what happens when a horse has a baby with a price tag, Sean Hayes. Welcome, Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes. By the way, it's news to me that it isn't that a zebra isn't made that way, but yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Conversation. We have to have a talk about this.

[Sean Hayes]

I'm happy to be here, as usual. And joining me today is the lovely better half of my life. He's my husband and my partner in crime, and his name is Steve.

[Scott]

Scott.

[Sean Hayes]

Scott. Scotty.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Scotty.

[Sean Hayes]

Scotty. Scotty. Scotty. Scotty. Scotty. Scott.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It was such a beautiful, touching testament to love right until the very end.

[Sean Hayes]

What are you talking about? Scotty. Hi. How are you?

[Scott]

I am well. Thank you so much for having me back.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure. What part of the house are you in today?

[Scott]

I am in my music studio.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, wonderful. Yes. Is that on the property or.

[Scott]

It's on the property.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, wonderful. Look for it. I'll have to look for you and.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It for a guest this great. And, Scotty, truly, you are the greatest of all guests. I feel like we've got to do something extra special. What do you say we let our hair down and reveal the answer to last episode's cliffhanger puzzle?

[Sean Hayes]

Yes. Yes. I can't get.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Last episode, cliffhanger was a riddle that went like this. My daughter's been singing the Alphabet song a lot, but I think she's learned it wrong. Here's what? She keeps singing A, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, C, D, E, K. What is she actually listing in this song? Because that's not the regular Alphabet. Right? Am I wrong? But that's not the regular Alphabet.

[Sean Hayes]

Can I sing it back again?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

A, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, B, C, D, E, K. Right?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, so here's my thing. I'm going to talk it out. Scotty.

[Scott]

Yeah?

[Sean Hayes]

Let's label A one because that's the first letter of the Alphabet.

[Scott]

Okay?

[Sean Hayes]

Am I close? Elliot?

[Elliot Kaelin]

I mean, that's. That is a true thing. You're not. I don't know where you're going with it, so I don't know if you're quite closer to the answer. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. There's eight Bs. C, D, E, F, G, H, I. I don't know. This is too hard. I have no idea.

[Scott]

I'm not sure. I don't know what this one is. Unless it's code.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, it has to be code. It has to be code.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, in a way it is. And in a way it is not at all. What my fictional daughter is singing are the 13 official vitamins according to the FDA. Vitamins A, C, D, K and the eight B vitamins.

[Sean Hayes]

Wait, there's eight B vitamins.

[Elliot Kaelin]

There's a lot of B vitamins.

[Scott]

Well, B 12 and. Yeah, I mean there's all sorts.

[Sean Hayes]

10 and nine and eight and seven and six. Like, I did not know that. I thought there was like B12 was like a standalone B. I didn't know there was a regular just B.

[Elliot Kaelin]

There's a. There's a. Just a regular B. There's a bunch of other Bs. All the vitamins want to be Bs. Eventually they'll all be Bs. They'll just relabel them all as Bs and it'll be B, B, B, B, B, B. But until then, those are the vitamins. Do you feel healthier knowing that?

[Sean Hayes]

I do.

[Scott]

I feel extremely healthy.

[Sean Hayes]

I'm gonna Google B vitamins.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah. See what they.

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[Elliot Kaelin]

Listeners at home, did you get the answer? If not, that's okay. You've been under a lot of stress lately. So much stress. Besides, that's not the cold wind of defeat you're feeling. It's the seasonably frosty chill of this episode's main game. Are you guys ready for it? Yeah.

[Scott]

We are so ready.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Our main game, botbops Holiday Edition Bot Bops.

[Bot Voice]

I am the bot and these are my bops.

[Sean Hayes]

I am a bot and these are my bots. They're the bops.

[Elliot Kaelin]

These are.

[Sean Hayes]

That's hysterical.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Or bops. In this game, we'll be using modern technology to make classic songs less disgustingly human. I've asked my digital assistant brand not mentioned to sing a few favorite holiday ditties, and you will have to identify them, of course. The thing is, this is a competitive game. You're not working together. You're trying to be the first one to name the song. So call it out. You'll get a point for recognizing it, and obviously you will not get a point for not recognizing it.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, I got to write those down. I got to write those. Those instructions down.

[Scott]

That's score keeping down. Let's get it.

[Sean Hayes]

So one if you get it right, one none if you get it wrong.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And none if you get it wrong.

[Scott]

Got it?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Got it.

[Scott]

Got it. Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's it. It's this complicated? Do you need me? Do you want me to go over it again? Or do you need to do any last minute Shopping.

[Sean Hayes]

Do you mind? Do you mind going over it one more time?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay. Give me your first bot. Bop.

[Bot Voice]

Come, they told me. Pa ram pum pum pom A newborn king to see.

[Scott]

When do we yell out Little Drummer Boy?

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, well, I mean, I was waiting.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You can't wait when it comes to botbops. You gotta yell it out. You gotta yell it out.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay. All right. Well, I knew it. Right after.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Come, they told me you can yell it out and don't wait for anything.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, Wonderful.

[Elliot Kaelin]

We'll say bot. Bot. Wait. Was Scotty right?

[Bot Voice]

The Little Drummer Boy by Frank Sinatra, among others.

[Sean Hayes]

My God, I feel like I'm in the squid game with that voice. I totally, totally playing squid game.

[Scott]

Absolutely.

[Sean Hayes]

Gotta hope we're alive at the end of this.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Bot. Please play us the second bop.

[Bot Voice]

I do not care about the presents Underneath the Christmas tree I do not need to hang my stocking.

[Sean Hayes]

All I want for Christmas is you.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Let's see. Sean says, all I want for Christmas is you. Bot, is that the right bop?

[Bot Voice]

All I want for Christmas is you. Buy Mariah Carey.

[Sean Hayes]

All right. There we go.

[Scott]

Wow.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Mastery of Mariah Carey lyrics. And also the way to answer in the game.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes. Now I know the rules.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Now that you know it, let's go on to bop number three. Bot. Bop away.

[Bot Voice]

My God. I thought you were someone to rely on me I guess I was a shoulder to cry on A face on lover with a fire in his heart. A man undercover. Yeah, but you tore me apart. Ooh, ooh, Now I've found a real love. You'll never fool me again. Blank, blank, muss. I gave you my heart Last Christmas.

[Sean Hayes]

Last Christmas, Last Christmas.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Wait, let's see, let's see. Scotty in the photo finish just ahead, but bop. Is that the right bop? What's the name of this bop?

[Bot Voice]

Last Christmas by wham.

[Sean Hayes]

By wham.

[Scott]

That means I got a point.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All right, Scotty pulling ahead, but it's still a very close game. Let's go to bop number four.

[Bot Voice]

He led them down the streets of town. Right to the traffic cop.

[Sean Hayes]

Frosty the Snowman. Frosty the Snowman.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Wow. Fast, fast answer, bot. Is that the right bop? What's the answer?

[Bot Voice]

Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, Gene.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Wow.

[Scott]

This is tight. This is tight. Tight.

[Sean Hayes]

2, 2, 2, 2.

[Elliot Kaelin]

There's only one more left. That's right. So this is the tie breaker. Whoever gets this wins all the glittering prizes that come.

[Sean Hayes]

You're gonna know it, Scotty. So should I just give it to you?

[Scott]

What you know it.

[Sean Hayes]

No, I'm gonna. I'm gonna know it. That's what I'm saying.

[Scott]

Sure. Yeah. Okay. Just like you knew the last two I got.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, Very good.

[Elliot Kaelin]

A chivalrous gesture. I have a tear in my eye about it. Let's go to the final bop.

[Bot Voice]

The fire is slowly dying and dear, we're still goodbyeing Let us know.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Let us know.

[Mega Clue Voice]

Let us know.

[Sean Hayes]

Sorry, couldn't hold it in. Couldn't hold it in.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You said. You know what? I'm going to be a gentleman about this. I'm going to let Scotty have it. Then you immediately just completely lulled him into a false imperator. He could ambush him. But bop, maybe. Maybe Sean was too quick on the trigger bot. What was the name of that bop?

[Bot Voice]

Let it Snow. Let It Snow. Let It Snow by Doris Day and others.

[Sean Hayes]

And others.

[Scott]

Others.

[Sean Hayes]

I'd like to meet those others.

[Elliot Kaelin]

We'll never know, sadly.

[Scott]

The Others with Nicole Kidman.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah. Oh, what a great holiday movie. I mean, not Christmas, some holiday holiday for ghosts, you know, but scary holiday. I don't know what those. What that would be, but these are my bops. That was a fast and furious game of bop bops. The score right now, 3 to 2. Sean is in the lead. But that's not the whole game. There's one more question in your stocking alongside a little bit of coal for jumping in and stealing that answer from Scotty at the very end. It's today. Don't thank me. Thank whoever puts the coal in the stockings. It's today's Mega Clue.

[Mega Clue Voice]

Mega Clue question.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And as a special holiday gift for this, the most joyous time of the season, this might be the easiest Mega Clue ever. So all you have to do is tell me, what theme do those songs have in common?

[Scott]

The.

[Sean Hayes]

Can you read them again?

[Scott]

They're Christmas.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You got it, Scotty. They're Christmas songs. Yes. Not a single Hanukkah jam in the bunch.

[Sean Hayes]

That was the Mega clue.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It was. It was an easy one. Because it's the holidays.

[Sean Hayes]

It was that. It was the Christmas episode that we're doing. And what is the. The mega clue is what are these songs having come. They're all Christmas.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes.

[Scott]

Themed.

[Elliot Kaelin]

The trickiest clue of all. Because you don't expect it to be that dumb.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, that's right. And by the way, didn't get it. Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

If we count the Mega Clue, then it becomes a tie game. Marital peace reigns in the household once again. And I can't. I'm just so happy to see it can't say it enough listeners at home. Did you do better than Sean and Scotty? If not, you better not pout. You better not cry because you're an adult. Come on. You're gonna cry over a puzzle podcast? Please, Come on. Please. Especially. We've still got one puzzle left. Our cliffhanger puzzle. The cliffhanger puzzle is an extra brain tickler to keep the holiday spirit going after the show ends. It's like Boxing Day, but for riddles. And today's goes thusly. This year, I'm celebrating Christmas by going on Twitter, doing my times tables, blowing kisses, and finding buried treasure. What connects all these activities that makes them appropriate for the Christmas season? Sean, Scotty, I give you permission to focus on this puzzle, even if it means skipping your regular holiday charity work.

[Sean Hayes]

No, I want to do both. I would never. I want to do both. The charity work is called gifts. Giving gifts. That's my charity work.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

The holidays. Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah. And sometimes receiving gifts can be charitable act of appreciation for someone else. So let's not discount that.

[Sean Hayes]

You say, oh, my God. Thank you. Do you have the receipt? Yeah, that's the cherry.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well, tis the season to be ending this episode of the show. I want to thank Scotty for being a great guest and for not telling Sean the truth about Santa. He's just not ready for it yet. And thank you, Sean, for playing a great game and not to me, thank you for resisting that urge to.

[Sean Hayes]

What are you talking about, Santa?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Scotty will tell you about it later. And for you, the audience, I've already sent a local street urchin to the market to buy the biggest Christmas goose they have and bring it right to your door. This has been Clueless. I'm Elliot Kaelin, your host of Christmas Present. I'll also be your host of Christmas Future next episode. And when this show is over, I'll have been your host of Christmas Past. Join us next episode because we lost the receipt and we cannot return it.

[Sean Hayes]

Nice.

[Production Credits Voice]

Clueless, you have been listening to Smartless presents Clueless, a Smartless media production in association with Sirius xm. Your host is Elliot Kaelin, who also writes our scripts. Your constant contestant is Sean Hayes, with those blue, blue eyes. Your 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 Kaelin, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman. Executive producers for Smartless Media are Richard Corson and Bernie Kaminski. Remember to follow, subscribe, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you again for more.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Smart Voice.

[Mega Clue Voice]

The wrongs we must right. The fights we must win. The future we must secure together for our nation. This is what's in front of us. This determines what's next for all of us. We are Marines. We were made for this.