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

Release Date: April 7, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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."

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.

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."

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