141 - Bizarro TV Guide (w/ Scotty Icenogle)

Summary

Podcast Summary: SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 141: Bizarro TV Guide (w/ Scotty Icenogle)
Release Date: April 3, 2025
Host: Elliott Kaelin
Contestant: Sean Hayes
Guest: Scotty Icenogle

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Introduction and Episode Overview

In Episode 141 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kaelin welcomes renowned guest Scotty Icenogle to guide listeners through a series of engaging puzzles and brainteasers. The episode, titled "Bizarro TV Guide," blends intellectual challenges with entertaining banter, showcasing the dynamic chemistry between Elliott, Scotty, and contestant Sean Hayes.

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Cliffhanger Puzzle: Words with All Five Vowels

Timestamp: 01:02 – 04:05

The episode kicks off with Elliott revisiting a previously introduced cliffhanger puzzle. Participants are tasked with identifying which word from a given list fits a common category shared by other provided words. The initial list includes:

• Education
• Tambourine
• Sequoia
• Miscellaneous
• Multimillionaire

The choices for the additional word are:

• Automobile
• Buttermilk
• Weightlifter
• Undergarment

Discussion Highlights:

• Scotty Icenogle (02:21): Explores various attributes of the words, initially considering physical characteristics like growth and shape.

• Devin Tory Bryant (02:25): Suggests that the commonality might be their roundness.

• Elliott Kaelin (03:11): Encourages the contestants, confirming they are on the right track.

• Scotty Icenogle (03:18): Analyzes the vowel composition of the words, identifying that all provided words contain all five vowels (A, E, I, O, U).

Conclusion:

The correct answer is "Automobile" (03:45), as it's the only word among the choices that contains all five vowels, aligning with the established category.

Notable Quote:

“We do not consider why a vowel on clueless. We never will.” – Elliott Kaelin [03:46]

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Bizarro TV Guide Game Segment

Timestamp: 06:58 – 12:19

The main segment of the episode introduces the "Bizarro TV Guide" game, a twist on traditional TV show titles set in the fictional "Bizarro Land," where everything is the opposite of the real world.

Game Mechanics:

Participants receive Bizarro versions of acclaimed TV show titles and must deduce their real-world counterparts. For example:

• Bizarro: Repairing Good
• Real World: Breaking Bad

Questions and Answers:

1. Bizarro: The Bases
   Real: The Sopranos
   Scored Correct: 8/10

2. Bizarro: The Canadians
   Real: The Americans

3. Bizarro: Chug, Loosen, Tuck, Nip, Tuck
   Real: Nip/Tuck

4. Bizarro: Depression
   Real: Euphoria

5. Bizarro: The Fresh Food
   Real: The Leftovers

6. Bizarro: Or
   Real: Andor

7. Bizarro: Live Metal
   Real: Deadwood

8. Bizarro: You Will Preserve Me
   Real: I May Destroy You

9. Bizarro: The Imbalancer
   Real: The Equalizer

10. Bizarro: Daughters of Stability
    Real: Sons of Anarchy

Mega Clue Challenge:

Participants are provided with the first letters of each correct Bizarro title's main words: S, A, N, E, L, A, D, I, E, S. They must unscramble these letters to uncover one final Bizarro TV title and identify its real-world counterpart.

• Clue Solution:
  Bizarro: San Aladies
  Real World: Mad Men

Notable Quote:

“Every game ends in a mega clue.” – Elliott Kaelin [11:32]

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Interactive Elements and Listener Engagement

Cliffhanger Puzzle:

Elliott presents a calendar-based riddle:

"Since Valentine's Day was on a Friday this year, which of these dates can't fall on a weekend? March 1, April 31, May 17, or May 18?"

Listeners are encouraged to solve this puzzle and await the answer in the next episode.

Notable Interaction:

“Wait, shoot. Did I just cheer for myself? Thank you.” – Scotty Icenogle [00:35]

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Behind the Scenes and Acknowledgments

Towards the end of the episode, Elliott and the team acknowledge the hard work behind the scenes, crediting producers, writers, and technical staff. This segment reinforces the collaborative effort that makes each episode engaging and seamless.

Notable Quote:

“Very, very exciting, very innovative.” – Elliott Kaelin [14:33]

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Elliott wraps up the episode by praising Scotty Icenogle for his positivity and humorously contrasts it with Sean Hayes' "negativity." He thanks the listeners for their continued support and invites them to engage with the next puzzle in future episodes.

Notable Quote:

“I really appreciate that you've been listening to Smartless presents Clueless.” – Elliott Kaelin [14:33]

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Key Takeaways and Insights

• Engaging Format: The episode skillfully balances challenging puzzles with lighthearted interactions, making it both intellectually stimulating and entertaining.

• Collaborative Chemistry: The dynamic between Elliott, Scotty, and Sean enhances the listening experience, fostering a sense of camaraderie and fun.

• Interactive Challenges: By incorporating interactive segments like the Bizarro TV Guide and the cliffhanger puzzle, the podcast encourages active listener participation and engagement.

• Creative Content: The innovative approach to reimagining TV show titles in a Bizarro context showcases the show's creativity and ability to keep content fresh.

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SmartLess Presents ClueLess continues to deliver bite-sized intellectual entertainment, perfect for listeners seeking a quick yet enriching podcast experience. Episode 141 stands as a testament to the show's ability to blend puzzles, humor, and engaging discussions seamlessly.

Transcript

[Elliot Kaelin]

Today's episode of Clueless is sponsored by Monopoly, and their three brand new expansions get faster gameplay and fresh twists with free parking. Jackpot. Go to jail and buy everything available now. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro Smart Blast Media. Did you know a baby horse can walk only two hours after birth? Sounds impressive. Until you realize a horse's ambition pretty much ends right there. I dare you to show me a horse with a degree from a reputable junior college. This is Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Clueless.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

I'm Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Welcome to Smartless Presents. Clueless, the puzzle podcast that's so good, it should be called Clue. More. I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin, and I'm in your closet right now trying on all your clothes. Now, please welcome the man of the hour, or more accurately, the man of the next 12 to 15 minutes, Sean Hayes. Sean, thank you so much for being here with us today.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh, wait. Shoot. Did I just cheer for myself? Thank you. Thank you for having me. Someone's got to thank you for having me. Today we're joined by the affable, the lovable, the incredible, handsome, intelligent. Did I say this on the previous episode? Scotty Eisenogle.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Oh, you're talking about me. Oh, that's so nice.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Why don't you tell everybody how you know me.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

How I cheer for you?

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah, exactly. I'm still working on last episode's cliffhanger.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well, you're still working on it. Well, you're running out of time because, Sean, Scotty, as the host of this show, I'm also kind of your boss. So I think it's time for me to say, break's over. Back to work. These puzzles ain't gonna solve themselves. Let's get to it, everybody. Factory whistle sound. Factory whistle sound. Okay, clock in. So let's start. Let's get that cliffhanger puzzle solved. To remind you, the puzzle went thusly. I gave you a list of words that all have something was to provide another word from some choices that fits in the same category. Now, the words with something in common were education, tambourine, sequoia, miscellaneous, and multimillionaire. And your choices for the word to add to those words were automobile, buttermilk, weightlifter, and undergarment. Sean, Scotty, do you have it? Do you know which word goes with the other words?

[Scotty Eisenogle]

So education, tambourine, sequoia, miscellaneous, and multimillionaire all have to be. Have something in common. And then we think of those other four. Well, sequoia is a big, big, big tree, right? Like in Northern trees. And it keeps growing. So education, you know, if you're smart, that should keep growing. Tambourines don't grow, okay? So that doesn't work. Tambourine shakes and shakes and rattles.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

It's round. Is round.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

It's round. The sequoia basis of the sequoia is round.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

That is true education.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

You get around a lot of millionaires.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Around because they're fat.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah, well, miscellaneous is. So that's the one that's throwing me. Because miscellaneous is a lots of things because it's miscellaneous. So it makes me think it has something to do with the word or the way the word is constructed or the letters within the word.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I can neither confirm or deny that you are on the right track. Okay, but you are.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

These are tricky.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Wait, Sequoias. S E, Q, U, Q, U, I.

[Elliot Kaelin]

A, S E, Q U, O, I.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

A, U, O, I, A. Okay. S E, Q, U. So O, A, E, I, O, U. They all have every vowel. A, E, I, O, U. So now we go down to automobile. A, E, I, O, U. Automobile.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Automobile.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. The correct answer is automobile. That's right. The category is words that contain all five vowels. Education, tambourine, sequoia, miscellaneous, multimillionaire. They've all got all five vowels. We do not consider why a vowel on clueless. We never will. And automobile, of those options is the only one with all five vowels in it. So how about that?

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Yeah, I know.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Excellent.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Hey, clueless listeners. Sean Hayes here. Do you like to buy everything? Well, I can't help you with that, but Monopoly can. With the new Buy Everything expansion for Monopoly, you can literally buy anything on the board. That means you can buy jail, you can buy free parking, community chest. Everything on the board is up for grabs. Yep, every single space is for sale. And that means no more waiting for your turn to land on something good. Add the expansion to any classic Monopoly board, roll the Buy D, grab more abilities, and unlock ways to win faster. The game ends when all properties are owned, but you, you could end it way sooner if you're playing smart. I've been playing Monopoly my whole life, as you know. That's why I'm on this podcast is I'm a huge gamer. I love all kinds of games, and Monopoly is one of my favorite games of all time. And why not add the Buy Everything pack? Because, you know, my husband Scotty likes to buy everything, and it's super fun when we play with that add on for Monopoly. So if you want to own everything, get your hands on this expansion. May Spinning for big cash or playing dirty with Corruption cards is more your speed. However you play, Monopoly has three new expansions for you to explore. And if you're a person who likes to buy everything, you'll probably want all three expansions, which are all available now on Amazon. A classic board is required to play, but you can buy that on Amazon too. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro.

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[Elliot Kaelin]

Listers @ Home did you get the answer? If not, just say you did. It's okay, nobody's gonna tell on you. Like it doesn't matter. Just try your best though, to stay honest with today's main game. Bizarro TV Prestige TV Edition Bizarro Bizarro.

[Sean Hayes]

TV Guide TV Guide what's on now?

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Ah, did we get Depeche Mode to record that?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, we did. The game came in very expensive, but it was worth it. It's all up there. Wow, you recognize them right away. Now this game is a twist on a clueless classic. Instead of reality TV, we found 10 critically acclaimed prestige TV titles that are popular in Bizarro Land, the world where everything is the opposite of our own normal world. Normal from our point of view, that is. So each of the titles I'm going to give you is the opposite of a TV show title from our universe, and you've got to figure out the real world counterpart. For example, this is the example in Bizarro Land, Repairing Good is a popular prestige show. In our world, we know it as Breaking Bad. That's right, Breaking Bad. So are you ready to play? In Bizarro World, they would say no, but that would mean yes.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

So are you ready?

[Elliot Kaelin]

But in Bizarre World, that would mean no. You know what? We'll just assume you're ready. We'll just assume. Okay.

[Sean Hayes]

Bizarro TV Guide.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number one. The bases.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

The bases. Like B, A, S, E, s or B A, S?

[Elliot Kaelin]

I, S. Good question. B, A, S, S, E, S. Oh, bases.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

The bases. The Sopranos. The Sopranos.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yes, the Sopranos. Nice, nice, nice.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Very good. Question two. Similarly, the Canadians.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

The American. The Americans.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, the Americans. The exact opposite of Americans. Canadians. Question number three. Chug, loosen, tuck, nip, tuck. Yes. Nip, tuck. Very good.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Nice.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number four. Depression.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Happiness.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Happiness.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Depression.

[Elliot Kaelin]

What would be the extreme opposite of deep depression, which is also the name of a television show?

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Oh. Oh.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah, I didn't see it. It's called Joy. Or it's just like, depression, joy, happy. I don't know.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Would you like to know the answer? Yes. Euphoria.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Euphoria.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Oh, gosh.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Euphoria. Yes. Yes.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Well, in Bizarro Land, happiness could all.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I'm gonna know a show. I don't know a show called Happiness, but if there is one, then. So I'm gonna. So let's. We're gonna have the judges look into that one. We'll see if you get that point. Question number five. The fresh food.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Fresh, spoiled. Opposite is spoiled.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Or bad.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Or bad.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Think of fresh food as one phrase that you'd find the opposite of.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh, fresh food. Oh, I see.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Fresh food.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Leftovers.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, the leftovers. Very good.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Well done, Sean. Well done.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number six.

[Unknown]

Or.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh, yeah. Andor.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yep. Andor. You got it. It's both an opposite and reversal.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Well, we love that show.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

We love that show.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's one of the top Star wars spy shows on television.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Name a better one. Question number seven. Live metal.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Live metal. Dead.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

A metal. What's the opposite of metal?

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Oh, Deadwood.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah, Deadwood.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. Dewood. Very good. Live metal is dead wood. Number eight. You will preserve me.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Oh, God.

[Elliot Kaelin]

What is the opposite of you will preserve me in prestige TV terms means I won't something.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

You.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

You will preserve me. Then it would be you. Me?

[Scotty Eisenogle]

I don't know any TV show that starts with I. I literally got.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

I not kill you.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yeah, perfect.

[Elliot Kaelin]

To her. You're getting closer. I'll tell you the answer. To this one. It's called I may destroy you. To show a couple years ago I.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Made sure I never heard of it.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Oh, I haven't seen that.

[Elliot Kaelin]

If you had, it would be much sadder if you didn't get it. But see. Yeah, that's okay. Number nine, the imbalancer.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

The equalizer.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Equalizer. Yes. And number ten, daughters of Stability.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Oh, Sons of Anarchy.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, Sons of Anarchy. Very good. Excellent work, you guys. That's 8 out of 10 Bizarro TV guide answers that you got right. Of course, there's one thing that's the same in both the bizarre land and our own. Every game ends in a mega clue.

[Unknown]

Mega clue question.

[Elliot Kaelin]

To solve today's mega clue, you're going to take the first letters of each of our title's main words in order to spell one last bizarro TV title and then you'll tell me what it is. If you need a reminder, I can give you those letters if you would like, please. Yes, those letters are S, A, N as in nip, E, L, A, D, I, E, S. Put those letters together as they in that order and then tell me what is the real world opposite of that bizarro title?

[Scotty Eisenogle]

San Aladies.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Sane Ladies.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh, Sane ladies.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

So it would be men.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Mad Men.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, Mad Men.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Mad Men.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

The opposite of Sane Ladies. Very good. That was our megaclue. So 8 out of 10. Fantastic work. That was great. And you got the mega clue.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Better than any score I ever got in college. Go ahead.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Listeners at home, did you do as well as Sean and Scotty? Not in college, I mean, but just did you do as well in this game? If so, your check is in the mail. Not money, just a person from the Czech Republic. And while you're waiting for them to arrive, why not try your mind on this episode's cliffhanger puzzle? The cliffhanger puzzle is the puzzle of the future today. And today's is another calendar based riddle that goes, since Valentine's Day was on a Friday this year, which of these dates can't fall on a weekend? March 1, April 31, May 17 or May 18? And I'll say that again, since Valentine's Day was on a Friday this year, which of these dates can't fall on a weekend? March 1, April 31, May 17 or May 18.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Got it.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Consult your calendars. You got time to do it because we won't find out the answer till the next episode.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

That sounds hard.

[Elliot Kaelin]

This is a hard one. Yeah, it's very hard. Well, it's a cliffhanger you know, you got extra days, you got extra time.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

I have to look up what Valentine's Day is, what that means.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah. Oh, the feast of St. Valentine. You're gonna like it. You're gonna like it. It's one of the better of the Christian martyr feasts.

[Scotty Eisenogle]

Oh, I'll read it. I'll read it in bed.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, that's perfect, right? Yeah. Well, time flies when you're having fun and flies time when they hold little miniature stopwatches at insect track meets. While you're figuring that one out, it's time for us to leave. But first, I'd like to thank Scotty Eisenachal for exemplifying amazing positivity with his can do spirit. I'd like to congratulate Sean Hayes on discovering a new level of negativity with his can't don't spirit. Very, very exciting, very innovative. But most of all, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate you listeners for never giving us the cold shoulder. Your shoulders remain as comfortingly warm as the day we met, and I really appreciate that you've been listening to Smartless presents Clueless. Unless you stopped paying attention 10 minutes ago, in which case this is Elliot Kaelin saying, hey, wake up. You missed the show. Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

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 Kevin Lehman, Josh Richmond and myself. Talent producer is Anne Harris. Associate producer Matty McCann. Social media producer, Tommy Galgano. Executive producers are Elliot Kaelin, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett and Jason Pinkman. Executive producers for Smartless Media are Richard Corson and Bernie Kaminski. Remember to follow, subscribe, rate and review the show. It really. That's all for now. We will see you again for more.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Thank you to our partner Monopoly for supporting today's episode. Just like Clueless is a shorter, faster show from Smartless Media. Monopoly is introducing three new expansion packs that you add on to classic Monopoly for fresh twists, faster gameplay and a modern take on the game you love. I'm talking about Monopoly. Look out for the all new buy everything, go to jail or free parking jackpot expansions to spice up your next game night, pick your expansion and level up your game. Available now on Amazon. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro Smart.

[Sean Hayes]

Less medium.

[Unknown]

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