SmartLess Presents ClueLess: Episode 144 - Bot Bops (w/ Jeff Max) Summary

Release Date: April 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 144 of "SmartLess Presents ClueLess," host Elliott Kalan teams up once again with the ever-competitive Sean Hayes and special guest Jeff Max. This episode delves into solving last episode's cliffhanger and introduces the main event: the engaging game of Bot Bops. True to the podcast's format, listeners are taken on a journey filled with puzzles, banter, and playful competition, all encapsulated within a lively 12-minute runtime.

Cliffhanger Puzzle Recap and Solution

Elliott begins by addressing the unresolved cliffhanger from the previous episode:

“Last episode's cliffhanger was about celebrities, and it went thusly. Chef Alton Brown, author Charles Dickens, and singer Ella Fitzgerald are going on vacation together in Palm Springs. But they have room for one more person in their yurt. Take a look at who's already going and tell me who would be the right person to go with them and why.” (02:05)

Sean immediately dives into the puzzle, suggesting potential candidates based on the initials "GH":

“I think A, B, C, D, E, F. We need a star... George Hamilton.” (02:32)

Elliott confirms Sean’s answer, highlighting multiple possible solutions with the initials "GH":

“George Hamilton. Is exactly right... you could do George Harrison, Goldie Hawn, George Gershwin.” (02:41)

Sean humorously laments that most listeners might not recognize George Hamilton, adding a light-hearted touch to the discussion.

Main Game: Bot Bops

Elliott introduces the main game segment, Bot Bops, where a digital bot performs snippets of songs, and Sean competes against Jeff Max to identify them.

“In this game, botbops, our digital robot assistant has selected five songs to perform for you in its cold, emotionless, human, yet somehow beautiful voice. Your job is to name the song and its original artist first.” (06:08)

Round 1: Footloose by Kenny Loggins

The bot begins with lyrics from "Footloose":

“Been working so hard I'm punching my card... Footloose by Kenny Loggins.” (07:03)

Sean quickly identifies both the song and artist, earning him two points.

Round 2: Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen

Next, the bot presents lyrics from "Hungry Eyes":

“I've got this feeling that time's just holding me down... Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen.” (08:20)

Sean attempts to guess, initially mistaking it for Patrick Swayze’s rendition but later corrected by Elliott. Jeff is unable to secure points for this round.

Round 3: Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette

The third bop features lines from "Hand in My Pocket":

“I never really knew that she could dance like this... Hand in My Pocket by Alanis Morissette.” (09:01)

Sean struggles initially, but Jeff successfully identifies the song, narrowing the score gap.

Round 4: Hips Don't Lie by Shakira

The bot continues with "Hips Don't Lie":

“When you talk like that you make a woman go mad... Hips Don't Lie by Shakira.” (10:11)

Sean successfully names both the song and artist, extending his lead.

Round 5: With Arms Wide Open by Creed

The final bop echoes "With Arms Wide Open":

“Well, I just heard the news today it seems my life is going to change... With Arms Wide Open by Creed.” (12:00)

Sean nails the song and artist, cementing his victory with a final score of three to Jeff's two.

Mega Clue: Commonality Among the Songs

Elliott poses the Mega Clue to determine what ties all the identified songs together:

“Which one of you can tell me what do all of these songs have in common?” (14:15)

Sean quickly responds:

“They're all parts of the body.” (14:33)

Elliott confirms the accuracy, attributing the common theme to body parts featured in each song title.

Cliffhanger Puzzle Presentation

To wrap up the episode, Elliott presents a new cliffhanger puzzle:

“Sean Hayes is escaping from a labyrinth. And there are three exits. Exit A leads to an inferno. Exit B leads to an assassin. Exit C leads to a lion that hasn't eaten in three years. Which exit is best for Sean to pick?” (15:17)

Sean humorously quips:

“D my career.” (15:44)

Elliott promises to reveal the answer in the subsequent episode, maintaining listener engagement and anticipation.

Conclusion

Elliott closes the episode with gratitude towards Jeff Max and Sean Hayes, emphasizing the unique dynamics each brings to the show. The playful interactions and competitive spirit leave listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment.

“...I'd like to thank Sean Hayes for making us feel kind of weird inside.” (16:16)

Notable Quotes

• “That's good. Clueless. I'm Clueless.” – Sean Hayes (00:32)
• “I love it. That's a new flavor.” – Elliott Kalan (00:46)
• “Sean, that is hysterical.” – Elliott Kalan (10:26)
• “Do you like to buy everything? Well, I can't help you with that, but Monopoly can.” – Sean Hayes (Ad segment, skipped)

Final Thoughts

Episode 144 of "SmartLess Presents ClueLess" masterfully combines humor, competition, and intellectual challenges, making it a captivating listen for both regular fans and newcomers. The interplay between Elliott, Sean, and Jeff, coupled with the innovative Bot Bops game, ensures an entertaining and thought-provoking experience.

Timestamp Reference

• [00:00] to [05:20]: Advertisements and introductions (skipped per instructions)
• [05:52] onward: Main content begins