SmartLess Presents ClueLess Episode 123: Odd One Out (w/ Sean Hayes and Scotty Icenogle) Release Date: January 30, 2025

SmartLess Presents ClueLess, hosted by Emmy-winning writer Elliott Kaelin, invites listeners into a world of puzzles, brainteasers, and conundrums in a fun and engaging biweekly format. In Episode 123, titled "Odd One Out," Elliott welcomes recurring contestant Sean Hayes and guest Scotty Icenogle for an episode filled with challenging riddles and lively discussions.

1. Welcome and Introduction

[01:18] Elliott Kaelin:
Elliott opens the episode by setting the stage for a friendly yet competitive puzzle-solving showdown between the listeners and Sean Hayes. He humorously notes his new haircut, immediately engaging the audience with his vibrant personality.

[01:57] Elliott Kaelin:
Introducing Sean Hayes, Elliott highlights Sean's impressive credentials: "the man who's got an Emmy, a Tony, and a Scottie." Sean's warm and humorous response, "[01:45] Sean Hayes: That's really funny. Hi. Thank you for having me today. This is incredible," sets a welcoming tone for the episode.

2. Resolving the Previous Cliffhanger Puzzle

[02:37] Elliott Kaelin:
Elliott revisits the previous episode's cliffhanger puzzle, a math-related riddle: "If 1 and 1 equals 6 and 1 and 3 equals 8. What do 1 and 4 equal?"

[03:00] Sean Hayes:
Sean ventures a guess at 9, based on adding the numbers mathematically, stating, "[03:04] Sean Hayes: I hope I'm right. Is it nine?"

[03:26] Elliott Kaelin:
Elliott reveals the correct answer is 7, explaining, "[03:26] Elliott Kaelin: The correct answer in this case is seven. Because you're adding up the numbers of letters. There's six letters in one and one... seven letters in one and four." This twist from a mathematical to a linguistic approach showcases the podcast's creative puzzle designs.

[03:50] Sean Hayes:
Sean appreciates the unique solution: "[03:50] Sean Hayes: That’s good. That’s good."

3. Introducing the Main Puzzle: Odd One Out

[06:33] Elliott Kaelin:
Transitioning smoothly, Elliott introduces the episode's main game, Odd One Out, framed within a rock and roll dream scenario involving a Guns N' Roses reunion. He explains the setup where each band member must decide which item to leave behind during their soundcheck.

[07:44] Sean Hayes:
Elliott presents the first scenario for Izzy: "cream, a goat, a cottage, and a clover." Sean quickly identifies the odd one out.

[08:18] Sean Hayes:
"Clover. Here's why. The goat cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese. There's no clover cheese."
Elliott commends Sean’s quick thinking, highlighting the category-based reasoning.

4. Collaborative Puzzle Solving

Throughout the episode, Elliott, Sean, and Scotty engage in dynamic interactions as they tackle each Odd One Out puzzle:

• Steven's Items: "a tiger, a ladybug, a candy cane, and a referee."
  Scotty Icenogle: "Ladybug."
  (09:09)
  Scotty correctly identifies "ladybug" as the odd one out, linking the others to striped NBA teams.

• Duff's Items: "a horseshoe, a jazz record, a rocket, and the sun."
  Scotty Icenogle: "Horseshoe."
  (09:36)
  Scotty reasons that "horseshoe" doesn't align with NBA team names like Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, and Phoenix Suns.

• Slash's Items: "a penny, an eel, a guitar, and a toothbrush."
  Sean Hayes: "Penny."
  (10:21)
  Sean discerns that "penny" doesn't fit the electric theme of the other items.

• Axel's Items: "a piano, a wishbone, a toolbox, and an ear."
  Scotty Icenogle: "Wishbone."
  (11:58)
  Scotty notes that "wishbone" is the odd one out as the others contain a hammer component.

5. Mega Clue Question

[12:44] Elliott Kaelin:
After solving the individual puzzles, Elliott poses a mega clue: "Why did the band go on a losing streak after the concert?"
He hints that the answer relates to the items they left behind: "clover, ladybug, horseshoe, penny, and wishbone."

[13:03] Scotty Icenogle:
Scotty quickly connects the dots, stating, "Aren’t these all symbols of luck?"

[13:05] Elliott Kaelin:
Elliott confirms, "Exactly right. They left their luckiest items behind." This reinforces the thematic consistency of luck-based puzzles throughout the episode.

6. Introducing the New Cliffhanger Puzzle

[13:19] Elliott Kaelin:
As the main game concludes, Elliott introduces a new cliffhanger puzzle to keep listeners intrigued until the next episode:
"My overly specific friend insists the mars taco he just bought will help him get stronger. I keep asking him what he's talking about and he just keeps saying mars taco knowingly and flexing his guns at him. What's another word for a mars taco that's less inappropriately specific?"

[14:21] Elliott Kaelin:
He admits the complexity: "This is the most confusing one I think we've ever had." Encouraging listeners to ponder the riddle, Elliott ensures continued engagement.

7. Closing Remarks and Credits

[15:14] Devin Tory Bryant:
Producer Devin wraps up the episode with credits, acknowledging the team's contributions and encouraging listeners to follow, subscribe, and review the show.

[15:05] Elliott Kaelin:
Elliott signs off with his signature flair: "reminding you that a mind is a terrible thing to wash."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Elliott Kaelin:
  "[02:37] I think a mathematician would say Sean is right and that we are wrong. So I think that's okay."

• Sean Hayes:
  "[13:05] Nice."
  "[11:58] A piano, a toolbox, and an ear. They all have hammers in them."

• Scotty Icenogle:
  "[13:03] Aren’t these all symbols of luck?"
  "[07:57] Ladybug."

Insights and Highlights

• Interactive Problem-Solving:
  The collaborative dynamic between Elliott, Sean, and Scotty showcases different thinking styles, making the puzzle-solving process engaging and educational.

• Theme of Luck:
  The recurring motif of luck in the mega clue not only ties the puzzles together but also adds a layer of thematic depth to the episode.

• Humorous Banter:
  Light-hearted exchanges, such as Scotty's joke about his SAT scores and Sean's playful comments, keep the atmosphere fun and relatable.

• Cliffhanger Engagement:
  Introducing a complex new puzzle at the end ensures that listeners remain curious and eager for the next episode, fostering a loyal and interactive audience base.

Conclusion

Episode 123 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess masterfully blends humor, intellect, and camaraderie. Through a series of well-crafted puzzles and lively discussions, Elliott Kaelin, Sean Hayes, and Scotty Icenogle create an entertaining and mentally stimulating experience. Whether you're a puzzle enthusiast or a casual listener, this episode offers something for everyone, encouraging critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where the new cliffhanger puzzle awaits resolution, promising more fun and challenges in the quest to be faster than Sean Hayes!