142 - Odd One Out (w/ Jeff Max)

Summary

SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 142: "Odd One Out" Featuring Jeff Max

Release Date: April 7, 2025

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Introduction

In Episode 142 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kaelin teams up with recurring contestants Sean Hayes and Jeff Max for an engaging session of puzzles and brainteasers centered around the theme "Odd One Out." The episode promises a blend of humor, quick thinking, and camaraderie as the trio navigates through various challenges to determine who is quicker at solving conundrums than contestant Sean Hayes.

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Recap of the Previous Episode’s Cliffhanger Puzzle

[01:08] Elliott Kaelin:
"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?"

The previous episode left listeners hanging with a date-related puzzle, prompting fans to ponder which listed date is impossible to occur on a weekend.

[02:33] Jeff Max:
"April 31st."

The answer was unveiled as April 31st, a date that doesn't exist, humorously highlighting the trickiness of calendar-based puzzles.

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Main Game: Odd One Out – New Kids on the Block Edition

The core of Episode 142 revolves around identifying the outlier among groups of items each brought by members of New Kids on the Block to an 80s music convention.

Question 1: Jordan’s Items

• Items: Putting green chapstick, bowling ball, Swiss cheese
• Odd One Out: Chapstick

[07:27] Elliott Kaelin:
"What’s the odd one out in the group?"

[07:43] Sean Hayes:
"Bowling ball. So chapstick."

[07:52] Elliott Kaelin:
"The answer is chapstick. Good job."

Insight: The reasoning revolved around identifying common characteristics, ultimately pinpointing chapstick as the item that doesn’t fit with the others associated with holes.

Question 2: Jonathan’s Items

• Items: Mushroom, flower, band aid, star
• Odd One Out: Band Aid

[08:13] Elliott Kaelin:
"Jonathan brought a mushroom, a flower, a band aid, and a star."

[08:24] Jeff Max:
"Band aid."

[08:38] Elliott Kaelin:
"All those are items in the Super Mario games except for a band aid."

Insight: Initially, participants considered elements like blooming, leading to band aid as the outlier, though the ultimate reasoning tied it to brand-specific items in the Super Mario universe.

Question 3: Donnie’s Items

• Items: Jell-O clams, paper, bread
• Odd One Out: Jell-O

[09:33] Jeff Max:
"Money on paper is money. Jell-O."

[10:01] Elliott Kaelin:
"The answer is jello because the others are all synonyms or slang terms for money."

[09:52] Sean Hayes:
"Lettuces too."

Insight: The focus was on slang terminology for money, identifying Jell-O as unrelated to the monetary theme.

Question 4: Danny’s Items

• Items: Freight train, date shake, playmate, popsicle
• Odd One Out: Popsicle

[10:38] Elliott Kaelin:
"Popsicle is the odd one out."

[11:00] Sean Hayes:
"No a sounds at all."

[10:59] Elliot Kaelin:
"All the other ones have two long a sounds in them."

Insight: The differentiation was based on phonetic patterns, with popsicle lacking the long 'a' sound present in the other items.

Question 5: Joey’s Items

• Items: Wrench, knife, scotch tape, rope
• Odd One Out: Scotch Tape

[11:37] Sean Hayes:
"Scotch tape. Because all the other ones are in the game Clue."

[11:41] Elliott Kaelin:
"Exactly right, Sean. Game recognizes game."

Insight: The recognition was based on items appearing in the classic board game Clue, with scotch tape being unrelated.

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Megaclue Revelation

Post the main game, Elliott introduces an additional challenge called the "Mega Clue," asking participants to identify a commonality among all the odd items identified:

• Odd Items: Chapstick, Band Aid, Jell-O, Popsicle, Scotch Tape
• Commonality: All are trademarked brand names that have become generic terms.

[12:31] Sean Hayes:
"They're all the brand names."

[12:36] Elliott Kaelin:
"Yes, exactly right. They're all trademarked brand names that have become generic words."

Insight: This highlights the phenomenon where brand names become so ubiquitous that they enter common vernacular (e.g., “Band Aid” for adhesive bandages).

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Cliffhanger Puzzle

The episode concludes with a teaser puzzle to engage listeners until the next episode:

Cliffhanger Puzzle:
"Go fish. Scrabble, Catan, Minecraft, and Frogger. Which is the odd one out and why?"

[13:58] Sean Hayes:
"It might be the next episode."

Listeners are encouraged to ponder this puzzle, which revolves around identifying the standout game that doesn't fit the common theme.

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Conclusion and Credits

Elliott wraps up the episode with gratitude towards guests Sean Hayes and Jeff Max, and acknowledges the production team behind ClueLess. He humorously encourages listeners to interact with their workplaces about their participation and hints at future puzzles to keep the audience engaged.

Notable Closing Quote:

[14:02] Sean Hayes:
"Good night, everybody."

[14:04] Elliott Kaelin:
"There's no place like the end of the episode."

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Key Takeaways

• Engagement Through Puzzles: The episode effectively uses themed puzzles to engage listeners, promoting interactive thinking.
• Humor and Camaraderie: The dynamic between Elliott, Sean, and Jeff adds a layer of humor and relatability.
• Brand Phenomenon: The Megaclue segment provides an insightful look into how brands can become part of everyday language.
• Teaser for Future Engagement: The cliffhanger puzzle ensures listeners return for the next installment, maintaining a loyal audience base.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Elliott Kaelin [07:27]:
  "What's the odd one out in the group?"

• Sean Hayes [08:24]:
  "Band aid."

• Elliott Kaelin [10:59]:
  "They're all trademarked brand names that have become generic words."

• Sean Hayes [13:58]:
  "It might be the next episode."

• Elliott Kaelin [14:04]:
  "There's no place like the end of the episode."

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SmartLess Presents ClueLess continues to deliver concise, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating content, making it a favorite among puzzle enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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 less meow. This episode of Clueless is sponsored by the planet Earth. Earth, one of Universe magazine's 5 billion under 5 billion. If you inhabit just one planet capable of supporting life this year, make it Earth. This is Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless. Clueless. I'm Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Beautiful rendition. Welcome to Smartless presents. Clueless, the puzzle podcast that only wants to entertain you. For crying out loud. I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin, and I'm running late because I'm stuck in traffic. Now, please welcome the star of our show, the master of mental machinations, the grandee of gaming, the pasha of puzzles, the man who needs no introduction, so I don't know why I'm giving him such a long one, Sean Hayes. Thank you for being here, Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

Very good, Elliot. Thank you so much. I'm excited to be here today to play a game with you and somebody else. Who could that be? Oh, it's our friend, probably the gayest man on the face of the planet. His name is Jeff Max. We go way, way back, but not that back, if you know what I mean, Jeff.

[Jeff Max]

Well, I know what you mean.

[Sean Hayes]

Hello, everybody. We'll see if j. Jeff's catchphrase comes out today or not.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Oh, that's right. Jeff had two catchphrases. I believe if I'm remembering correctly, I.

[Sean Hayes]

Don'T remember what they were, but I.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Don'T remember what they were.

[Sean Hayes]

Or he might start a third one. Who knows?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Oh, that would be. This would be a moment in history.

[Jeff Max]

It's always a crapshoot. It's always a crapshoot.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, there you go. That's a good one.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I was just gonna say the same thing. That is a good one, Jeff. You're like a catchphrase machine. It's amazing. Thank you so much for joining us again.

[Jeff Max]

My pleasure. I'm so glad to be back in Oz.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, geez. Did I tell you? I told you.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Living up to the reputation. Oh, and Jeff Max is here. But look what else has decided to show up. It's our cliffhanger puzzle. After being out doing God knows what, who knows where ever since last episode, scaring us all half to death, now the cliffhanger puzzle stumbles through the door, and we're supposed to just reveal its answer as if nothing's wrong. Well, we'll talk about this later. Cliffhanger puzzle. After I remind our listeners that the puzzle from last episode went thusly. 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?

[Sean Hayes]

March 1. April 31. May what?

[Elliot Kaelin]

May 17 or May 18.

[Jeff Max]

Okay, so February 14 is a Friday. That means February 28 is a Friday. That means that. Wait, is it a regular year?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, good question.

[Jeff Max]

So that means March 1st is a Saturday. So that's one. And there is no April 31st.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, there you go. April 31st.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's the answer. You're right. It was no map necessary.

[Sean Hayes]

I know. Here I am like, oh, God, let's see. March 1st. Well, April 31st, that's pretty. There's no April.

[Jeff Max]

May 17th. I was going to continue to.

[Sean Hayes]

But you didn't even have to do as far as your brain just started. You just have to go, there's only 30 days in April.

[Elliot Kaelin]

There's only 30 days in April 31. April 31 can't fall on a weekend because it does not exist. That was. I loved how you were still ready to go to barrel right through the week.

[Sean Hayes]

I was going to go straight through.

[Jeff Max]

And then. So April 30, that means Monday is May 1. I was going to keep going.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, no, that's okay.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah, I know.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's okay. Excellent job. Nice job. Hello, listeners. Elliot Kaelin here, and I just want to say thank you to our sponsor, Monopoly for finally making it fun to go to jail. Listener, we're just talking about Monopoly jail. We're not promoting actually committing a crime and going to jail. Our lawyers need us to be super clear here. Please do not go to jail. Jail. With the new Go to Jail expansion pack, which you can add on your classic Monopoly board, landing in jail isn't a penalty. It's your secret weapon. No more sitting in a corner waiting to get out. You don't have to cash in that get out of jail free card or roll any doubles. Now you're pulling corruption cards and getting advantages over the other players. Bribing, stealing, and getting away with board game crimes ends up paying off in Monopoly. Go to jail. This is a game that we have been playing a lot lately. I have two sons. They love the idea of sending me to jail, but they don't love that it now help me. In the past when we played, they really liked it, but now it's helping me out. Now when I go to jail, it's like I can pull off a heist I can do whatever I want. It's like any movie where the bad guy wants to get to jail because it's part of his plan. That's what you can do with Monopoly now. It's really fun. The new Go to Jail expansion pack is available now. Embrace the chaos and let's see how you play the system. But if you're too good for crime, as so many of us are, there are also two other expansions you may like. For the big spenders, look for the Buy Everything expansion. For the Risk seekers, go for the Free Parking Jackpot expansion expansion. All is fair with Monopoly expansions. Choose your expansion pack or get all three available on Amazon now. A classic board is required to play, but you can buy that on Amazon too, if you don't already have one. Monopoly is a trademark of Hasbro. Firehouse Subs is partnered with Hot Ones. Grab the Zesty Garlic Hook and Ladder with Crispy Garlic Chips and the Spicy Dill Hook and Ladder with Last Dab Reaper Marinated Pickles only at Firehouse Subs. Individuals sensitive to spice or the Carolina Reaper Pepper should not consume the Spicy Dill Hook and Ladder. Limited time at participating Firehouse Subs restaurants Are your kids struggling with homework? IXL is an online learning program that covers math, language arts, science and social studies with interactive practice problems for kids from pre K all the way up to 12th grade. Using advanced algorithms, IXL's questions adjust to the right level of difficulty for each different student as they practice, whether it's on the computer or using the app on a phone or tablet, and membership starts for only $9.95 a month. IXL sent me a login to use with my own kids and I am really excited about using this. My older son recently had a science test that he did pretty well at, but not as well as he wanted to do at, and IXL is going to help him get to the place that he wants to be. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and SmartList presents Clueless listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com clueless Visit ixl.com clueless to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Listeners at home did you get the answer? If not, maybe it's because your birthday is on April 31, in which case you don't exist. So you've got bigger problems than getting a puzzle wrong, especially because we've got another puzzle coming up right now that I think you're gonna do great at. It's today's main game. Odd one out. New Kids on the block edition.

[Sean Hayes]

Odd one. Which one's the odd one?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Get out.

[Sean Hayes]

Get out. I love that. Get out.

[Elliot Kaelin]

In today's odd one out, the members of New Kids on the block are all reuniting to sign autographs at an 80s music convention. They're so excited to meet the fans that they've gone ahead and brought a few too many things with them to the convention center. Now, each member of the group has to leave one item behind. I'm gonna tell you what they each brought. You tell me which item doesn't belong in the category of items they have. What's the odd one out in the group? Are you ready to play?

[Sean Hayes]

I love this one. I love this one. Yes. One out.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All right, our first question. Jordan brought a putting green chapstick, a bowling ball, and Swiss cheese. Again, A putting green chapstick, a bowling ball, and Swiss cheese.

[Jeff Max]

Oh, well.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, putting has a hole, and so does swiss cheese. Cheese, and so does a bowling ball.

[Jeff Max]

Bowling ball. So chapstick.

[Sean Hayes]

You're right. It's chapstick. Yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That was an intent level of intensity in the. In the answer I didn't expect. But the answer is chapstick. Good job. Question number two. Jonathan brought a mushroom, a flower, a band aid, and a star. A mushroom, a flower, a band aid, and a star.

[Jeff Max]

Okay. Well, do they. Does a mushroom bloom? Flower bloom, a star?

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, kind of, you know. Yeah, like they burst, right? Yeah, I think it's band aid. I think you're right.

[Elliot Kaelin]

The answer is Band aid. But your reasoning is wrong. It's wrong, but you got to the right answer, so it doesn't matter. All those are items in the Super Mario games except for a band aid mushroom flower stomp. But he doesn't use band aid, although he should because he's hitting his head on bricks a lot of the time.

[Sean Hayes]

He should use a band aid.

[Jeff Max]

You might have the wrong age group.

[Sean Hayes]

Nope, not for me. I love it.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Not for the master of side scrollers, Sean Hayes.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Let's go on to question three. Donnie brought Jell O clams, paper, and bread. Jell O clams, paper and bread.

[Sean Hayes]

Jello clams, paper, and bread. We have a loaf of bread, a.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Stack of paper, a hill of clams.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah, and do they wiggle? Do they set? Do they.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, Jell O is. Isn't. Is a brand name actually correct for bread? I don't know. You know, like Kleenex. People say Kleenex, but it's actually a brand name. It's just tissue.

[Jeff Max]

Like Band Aid.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Jello is jell O. Clams are clams. Papers. Paper.

[Jeff Max]

Well, you could. You could clam up like Shut.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Oh, show me. Like bread is money. Sometimes.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah. Oh, clams, clams. Isn't that money? Isn't bread.

[Sean Hayes]

Money on paper is money. Jell O. That's why I said jello.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You're right, it's jello. Because the others are all synonyms for money or slang terms for money.

[Sean Hayes]

Lettuces too.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, lettuces too.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah, Give me some lettuce.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Cabbage. Never heard it. Anything.

[Sean Hayes]

Never heard it.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Cheddar. You haven't been hanging out with the right gangsters.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You haven't been hanging out with the right 30s gangsters that I hang out with.

[Jeff Max]

Wow.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

But great. You got there. You got there eventually. Wonderful. Question number four. Danny brought a freight train, a date shake, a playmate and a popsicle. A freight train, a date shake, a playmate and a popsicle.

[Jeff Max]

Well, they're all two words except for popsicle.

[Sean Hayes]

Right. But that sounds that. I feel like that'd be too easy.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You're thinking along the right lines. You're thinking along the right lines.

[Sean Hayes]

So popsicle is. Well then it's popsicle this. Freight train. Right.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And why? It's popsicle. But what's the reason? Can you think of the reason?

[Sean Hayes]

What Jeff just said. Because they're all. They're all. They're all. What are they called? Phrases. No, when you put them together. Yeah. Compound words.

[Elliot Kaelin]

They're not exactly compound words, but the freight train is a two word phrase and date shake is two words and playmate is one word. But would like me to tell you what the. Why. Why popsicle is the right answer?

[Sean Hayes]

Yes, sure.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All the other ones have two long a sounds in them. Freight train, date shake, playmate, and then popsicle.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, No a sounds at all.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I'm going to give you half credit for that one.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And your permanent record.

[Sean Hayes]

We got three. Right. For absolutely no.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

No reason.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well. And you've got one more I'd like to see, actually. You know what? If you shoot the moon and you get all the right answers for all the wrong reasons, I'll give you 100 bonus points.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So let's go to the final question number five. Joey brought a wrench, a knife, scotch tape and a rope.

[Sean Hayes]

I know what it is. Yes, Scotch tape. Because all the other ones are in the game. Clue.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You got it exactly right, Sean. Game knows game. Game recognizes game. In this Case Sean recognizes a game clue. I won out. Out of five questions. You got three and a half. Using the kind of peculiar, unique logic that is a Haze Max production.

[Jeff Max]

That is us.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, but I hate to admit it, I actually brought something extra to this game as well. An extra question that I call the Mega Clue.

[Jeff Max]

Mega Clue question.

[Elliot Kaelin]

For this Mega clue, I want you to tell me what all the extra items from today's game have in common. To remind you, your odd items out were Chapstick, Band Aid, jello, popsicle, and scotch tape. What do they all have in common? Hint you already solved this Mega Clue during the game without realizing it.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, wow. Oh, Chapstick. Oh, yes. They're all the brand names.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, exactly right. They're all trademarked brand names that have become generic words. Hopefully, the same thing will happen to Clueless someday. And when people want to hear a puzzle podcast, they'll just say, press play on that Clueless. Then we'll be famous. Finally.

[Sean Hayes]

Can't wait.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Wonderful job. So with the Megaclue, that's another. That's like an. Well, actually, I'm only gonna give you a few points because you got the right answer for the right reasons. Slightly less impressive listeners at home. Did you do as well as Sean and Jeff? If so, I'm officially naming you employee of the month. Wherever it is that you work. Talk to your boss about it. But just so she doesn't think you're listening to podcasts at work, talk to her about it after today's cliffhanger puzzle. The cliffhanger puzzle is our way of saying, you haven't seen the last of us, Batman. And today's cliffhanger is yet another odd one out, because apparently we've been buying odd one outs in bulk lately. So the odd one out goes thusly. Go fish. Scrabble, Catan, Minecraft, and Frogger. Which is the odd one out and why? I'll repeat that. Go fish. Scrabble, Catan, Minecraft, and Frogger. Which is the odd one out and why? You'll find out on a future episode of Smartish Presents Clueless.

[Sean Hayes]

It might be the next episode. Even.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Possibly even the next one.

[Jeff Max]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Good night, everybody.

[Elliot Kaelin]

We're so quiet. I know. I'm so nervous. As we. As we. We're either lulling them to sleep or else setting them up for a huge surprise. Well, folks, nothing lasts forever. And that's especially true for 12 minute puzzle podcasts. But before I call it a day, I'd like to thank Jeff Max for making this a show to remember And I'd also like to thank Sean Hayes for making this a show he'd probably already forgotten. But we never forget to thank you, the listener, for not calling security on us. Until next time, this has been Smartless presents Clueless and I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin. Clicking my heels together three times and saying, there's no place like the end of the episode. There's no place like the end of the episode. There's no place like the end of the episode.

[Sean Hayes]

Ah, very good, Clueless.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

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

[Sean Hayes]

Clueless.

[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 Less Auto insurance can all seem the same until it comes time to use it. So don't get stuck paying more for less coverage. Switch to USAA auto insurance and you could start saving money in no time. Get a quote today restrictions apply.