SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 114: "Word Centipede" (w/ Scotty Icenogle)
Release Date: December 31, 2024

Introduction

In the vibrant season finale of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kaelin welcomes back the charismatic Sean Hayes, alongside his insightful husband, Scotty Icenogle. The episode kicks off with Elliott presenting a playful yet challenging puzzle, setting the stage for an engaging interplay of wit and intellect.

Recap of Previous Episode's Cliffhanger

Elliott revisits the suspense from the last episode with the riddle:
“If Prancer had seven, Dasher had six, and Vixen had five, how many did Rudolph have?”
Sean humorously deliberates before uncovering the solution:

Sean Hayes (04:03): "That's the number of letters in their names. Rudolph has seven."

Elliott commends Sean for cracking the puzzle, highlighting his quick thinking:

Elliott Kaelin (04:18): "John, you got it exactly right. I'm so impressed."

Main Puzzle: Word Centipede – New Year's Edition

Elliott introduces the episode's centerpiece, Word Centipede, tailored for the New Year's celebration season. The game challenges Sean and Scotty to form compound words by adding a common word either before or after a given set of three words.

Rules Overview:
Elliott explains:

Elliott Kaelin (06:47): "In this game, I will give you three words and you must tell me what other word can be added to each of those words either before or after it to make a whole new compound word."

Round 1: Our, Sun, Fiber

Clue Word: Glass

• Hourglass
• Sunglasses
• Fiberglass

Scotty swiftly identifies the connecting word:

Scotty Icenogle (08:10): "Glass."

Round 2: Sub, Rots, Aid

Clue Word: Parade

• Subpar
• Parade
• Aid

After some deliberation, Scotty nails the answer:

Sean Hayes (08:57): "Parade."

Round 3: Gaunt, Gob, Ting

Clue Word: Let

• Gauntlet
• Goblet
• Letting

Elliott commends their progress:

Elliott Kaelin (09:35): "You got it. Let is the word."

Round 4: Count, Touch, Grade

Clue Word: Down

• Countdown
• Touchdown
• Downgrade

Scotty seamlessly connects the dots:

Scotty Icenogle (10:18): "Countdown, touchdown, downgrade."

Round 5: Fly, Works, Wild

Clue Word: Fire

• Firefly
• Fireworks
• Wildfire

With a hint from Elliott about ancient Greek philosophers, Scotty arrives at the solution:

Sean Hayes (11:41): "Fire."

Mega Clue: Connecting the Rounds

Elliott elevates the game with a Mega Clue, prompting Sean and Scotty to discern the common theme linking all the clue words from each round:

• Hourglass
• Parade
• Goblet
• Countdown
• Fireworks

After thoughtful consideration, Scotty identifies the theme:

Scotty Icenogle (12:38): "New Year's."

Elliott affirms the correct association, tying the puzzle neatly to New Year's celebrations:

Elliott Kaelin (12:44): "They're all things you could use to celebrate New Year's."

Cliffhanger Puzzle

Before wrapping up, Elliott teases the next episode with a thought-provoking cliffhanger puzzle:
“My small business has had a lot of ups and downs. It did incredibly well from 2000 to 2009, then completely fell off during the 2010s. The 2020s have been okay, but I really can't wait for 2060. That's gonna be my year again. Can you guess what product I sell?”
He leaves listeners pondering the riddle, promising to reveal the answer in the future:

Elliott Kaelin (13:57): "We'll find out the answer next time, folks."

Conclusion

Elliott wraps up the episode with heartfelt thanks to Scotty and Sean for their participation and to the listeners for their continued support. The episode concludes with a playful countdown, seamlessly blending humor and intrigue, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Notable Quotes:

• Elliott Kaelin (01:26): “I always feel like it's a special surprise, a special wonderful gift when you're here.”
• Sean Hayes (04:03): “That's the number of letters in their names. Rudolph has seven.”
• Elliott Kaelin (06:47): “You can work together on it.”
• Scotty Icenogle (08:10): “Glass.”
• Sean Hayes (11:41): “Fire.”
• Scotty Icenogle (12:38): “New Year's.”

SmartLess Presents ClueLess continues to blend humor, wit, and intellectual challenges, making it a must-listen for puzzle enthusiasts and fans of engaging conversational podcasts alike. Tune in biweekly for more brainteasers and delightful banter.