SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 115: "Tone Note" Featuring Ali Wentworth

Release Date: January 2, 2025

In the 115th episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan teams up with his usual contestant Sean Hayes and introduces a special guest, the vibrant actress Ali Wentworth. This episode, aptly titled "Tone Note," dives deep into a series of engaging puzzles and anagram challenges centered around a New Year's Party theme. Here's a detailed breakdown of the episode's key moments, discussions, and conclusions.

1. Warm Welcome and Guest Introduction

[00:57] Elliott Kalan kicks off the episode with his signature humor, stating, “Welcome to SmartLess presents Clueless, the podcast that makes you feel smart by making Sean Hayes feel dumb.” He warmly introduces Sean Hayes and welcomes Ali Wentworth to the show.

[01:12] Sean Hayes humorously shares his experience with a family tree, saying, “I did that family tree and it just came up me. I just. It was like alien. I just gave birth to myself. It was wild.”

[01:21] Sean continues with playful compliments towards Ali: “I have the very gorgeous, the very beautiful inside and out. I love her face. I love her body. I love her hair. I love the way she treats me. I could marry her if I wasn't gay and already married.”

[01:35] The playful banter continues as Elliott gently teases Ali about her unexpected revelations, setting a light-hearted and engaging tone for the episode.

2. Small Business Guessing Game

[02:19] Elliott recalls the previous episode's cliffhanger: “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?”

The trio engages in a lively guessing game, with Sean initially mistaking Elliott's business for selling champagne:

[02:55] Sean guesses, “Champagne.”

[03:00] Allie chimes in, “Is it a champagne?”

[03:02] Elliott reveals the correct answer: “New Year's Eve novelty glasses shaped like the New Year, where the two middle digits go over your eyes like you see people wearing on New Year's.”

[03:58] Elliott commends Sean for his effort, emphasizing the visual aspect of the puzzle: “That was a tough one. It involved a lot of thinking visually with words, which is not the easiest thing to do.”

This segment not only showcases their problem-solving skills but also highlights the camaraderie and humor among the hosts and guests.

3. "Tone Note" Anagram Puzzles

[05:22] Transitioning smoothly, Elliott introduces the main segment: “Tone Note New Year's Party Edition.” He explains that Tone Note is a game of anagrams, where players must decipher two-word phrases containing the same letters rearranged differently.

[06:02] The first puzzle is presented: “An alcoholic fruit drink that was brought to tears.”

• [06:22] Sean struggles initially but, with Allie's assistance, arrives at the correct answer: “Cider Cried” ([07:00]).

[07:23] The second challenge: “Delicately colored flat dishes for eating.”

• [07:33] Allie swiftly identifies the answer: “Pastel Plates” ([07:45]).

[08:38] The third puzzle: “Wizard sport.”

• [09:57] After some deliberation and hints, Sean successfully solves it as “Mage Game” ([09:57]).

[10:13] The fourth puzzle: “Long decorative party strips, now with improved sound quality.”

• [10:35] The answer emerges as “Streamers Remasters” ([10:35]).

[11:05] The fifth and final puzzle before the mega clue: “Besties locator.”

• [11:27] Allie triumphantly answers, “Find Her” ([11:27]).

Throughout the segment, the interplay between Elliott, Sean, and Allie is both entertaining and insightful, demonstrating their collective problem-solving prowess and maintaining an engaging pace.

4. Mega Clue and Final Cliffhanger Puzzle

[11:39] Elliott introduces the Mega Clue, a more complex puzzle that ties all previous clues together: “Manages what things will be hung up to beautify the party.”

• [12:38] After thoughtful discussion, the trio deciphers the anagram as “Coordinates Decorations” ([13:00]).

[13:21] As the episode nears its end, Elliott presents the final cliffhanger puzzle: “Sir Anthony Hopkins invited you to his combination New Year's Eve birthday party. He was born on December 31 and asks you to bring a circular cake. He wants to give his eight guests each a piece of cake, exactly the same size, using only three cuts. Can you achieve this?”

• [14:30] Sean hints at the solution with a playful nudge: “Yes. By the way, I bet you that's one of the hints. I bet you that's a good hint, the bunt.” This suggests strategic cutting techniques to solve the puzzle.

Elliott leaves listeners with a tantalizing challenge to ponder until the next episode, fostering anticipation and engagement.

5. Closing Remarks and Credits

[15:29] The episode concludes with producer Devin Tory Bryant delivering the credits, acknowledging the team behind the scenes and encouraging listeners to follow, subscribe, and review the podcast.

Elliott wraps up with a humorous note about forgetting to mention something important, ensuring the episode ends on a light-hearted and memorable tone.

Notable Quotes

• Elliott Kalan [02:19]: “But I really can't wait for 2060. That's gonna be my year again.”

• Sean Hayes [01:21]: “I could marry her if I wasn't gay and already married.”

• Elliott Kalan [03:58]: “That was a tough one. It involved a lot of thinking visually with words, which is not the easiest thing to do.”

• Allie Wentworth [11:27]: “Find Her.”

• Sean Hayes [14:30]: “Yes. By the way, I bet you that's one of the hints. I bet you that's a good hint, the bunt.”

Episode 115 of "SmartLess Presents ClueLess" successfully blends humor, camaraderie, and intellectual challenge, making it a standout episode for fans of quick-witted puzzles and engaging conversations. Whether you're a seasoned listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode offers a delightful mix of entertainment and mental stimulation.