SmartLess Presents ClueLess - Episode 113: “It’s A Numbers Game” (w/ Scotty Icenogle)

Release Date: December 26, 2024
Host: Elliott Kalan
Guest: Scotty Icenogle

Introduction

In Episode 113 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan welcomes listeners to another engaging installment where puzzles and brainteasers take center stage. Joining him is the ever-quick-witted Sean Hayes and his puzzle-solving partner, Scotty Icenogle. Elliott sets the tone with his signature humor, comparing himself to a "reverse Santa Claus" while introducing the dynamic between Sean and Scotty.

Guest Introduction: Scotty Icenogle

Elliott introduces Scotty as Sean’s husband and the true puzzle maestro behind their nightly “Crosswits” sessions. Sean humorously admits, “[...] I cannot take a hint. [...] I’m not great at solving puzzles.” (01:36) However, Scotty quickly counters, emphasizing their collaborative efforts in tackling puzzles like the New York Times crossword, Wordle, Connections, and Strands (02:00). This segment underscores Scotty’s prowess and sets the stage for the episode’s main challenge.

Revealing the Previous Episode’s Cliffhanger Puzzle

Before diving into new puzzles, Elliott revisits the cliffhanger from the last episode:
Cliffhanger Puzzle: “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 attempts to unravel the riddle, connecting activities to the letter "X" (03:15). With Scotty’s assistance, Sean deduces that all elements relate to "Xmas," as highlighted by the recurring theme of "X’s" (04:02). Elliott commends their success, noting, “You did it” (04:08), and playfully teases listeners who might have struggled with the puzzle.

Main Segment: “It’s A Numbers Game – 12 Days of Christmas Edition”

Elliott introduces the main puzzle segment, aptly titled “It’s A Numbers Game” with a festive twist inspired by the classic “12 Days of Christmas” song (06:21). The rules are straightforward yet challenging:

• Objective: Solve math equations by substituting the numerical values with corresponding gifts from the song.
• Example: “turtle doves plus turtledoves” translates to 2 + 2, resulting in 4.

Puzzle Breakdown and Solutions:

1. Drummers Drumming minus Swans a Swimming

   • Elliott: “Drummers drumming minus swans a swimming equals...”
   • Solution: 12 (drummers) - 7 (swans) = 5
   • Sean: “Five golden rings.” (08:36)

2. French Hens plus Turtle Doves

   • Elliott: “French hens plus turtle doves equals...”
   • Solution: 3 (French hens) + 2 (turtle doves) = 5
   • Sean and Scotty confirm the answer. (08:54)

3. Ladies Dancing minus Calling Birds

   • Elliott: “Ladies dancing minus calling birds equals...”
   • Solution: 9 (ladies) - 4 (calling birds) = 5
   • Sean: “Five golden rings.” (09:15)

4. Lords a Leaping minus Golden Rings

   • Elliott: “Lords of leaping minus golden rings equals...”
   • Solution: 10 (lords) - 5 (golden rings) = 5
   • Sean: “Five golden rings.” (09:41)

5. Pipers Piping minus Geese a Laying

   • Elliott: “Pipers piping minus geese a laying equals...”
   • Solution: 11 (pipers) - 6 (geese) = 5
   • Sean: “Five golden rings.” (10:00)

Throughout the segment, Sean and Scotty collaborate, showcasing their problem-solving synergy. Elliott highlights their consistent success, remarking, “You got it all.” (10:12) The unanimous answer of “5” emphasizes the recurring theme of the number five in the puzzles.

Mega Clue Question

Building on their flawless performance, Elliott presents the Mega Clue:
Mega Clue: “Add up all the answers from today’s game and then subtract the number of days of Christmas you would have in two consecutive years. Provide the number's corresponding gift from the song.”
With all five answers adding up to 25, and subtracting 365 days × 2 years (calculated humorously by Sean as “one”), the final answer lands back on the iconic fifth day gift. Sean and Scotty triumphantly solve the Mega Clue, reinforcing their mastery of the episode’s challenges (11:07).

Cliffhanger Puzzle for Next Episode

As the episode draws to a close, Elliott introduces a new cliffhanger puzzle to entice listeners:
Cliffhanger Puzzle: “If Prancer had seven, Dasher had six, and Vixen had five, how many did Rudolph have?”
This riddle blends numerical logic with a playful nod to the beloved reindeer, setting up anticipation for the next episode's reveal (12:34).

Conclusion

Elliott wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Scotty for his puzzle expertise and Sean for maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere. He encourages listeners to engage with the puzzles and hints at more brainteasing content to come. The episode concludes with credits, acknowledging the production team and encouraging audience interaction through subscriptions and reviews (13:04).

Notable Quotes:

• Elliott Kalan (01:02): “Hello and welcome to Smartless presents Clueless, the first podcast where you get to solve puzzles alongside Sean Hayes.”
• Sean Hayes (06:11): “That’s the creepiest way to say that.”
• Elliott Kalan (06:41): “Number One. The first question is drummers drumming minus swans a swimming equals.”
• Sean Hayes (12:37): “I can already feel my pants bursting.”

Key Takeaways:

• Collaborative Puzzle-Solving: The dynamic between Sean and Scotty highlights the importance of teamwork in tackling complex challenges.
• Engaging Content: The festive “12 Days of Christmas” theme adds a seasonal flair, making the puzzles both relevant and entertaining.
• Listener Engagement: Cliffhanger puzzles effectively tease future content, encouraging continued listener investment.

For those who haven't tuned into SmartLess Presents ClueLess, Episode 113 offers a delightful mix of humor, intellect, and holiday spirit, demonstrating why Elliott Kalan and his guests are masters of their craft.