147 - Word Workout (w/ Carrie Aizley)

Summary

SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 147: "Word Workout" (w/ Carrie Aizley) Summary

Release Date: April 24, 2025

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Introduction

In Episode 147 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan, an Emmy-winning writer, teams up with regular contestant Sean Hayes and special guest Carrie Aizley to delve into a thrilling episode centered around word puzzles. The episode kicks off with a warm and humorous welcome, setting the stage for an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [00:52]: "Clueless. Welcome to SmartLess presents. Clueless, the only puzzle podcast that's part of a balanced breakfast."

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Recap and Setup

Elliott begins by revisiting the cliffhanger from the previous episode, prompting listeners to recall the title-based riddle involving movies like "Carly, All That," "You've Got Mail," and "Dupree." This seamless transition warms up the participants for the main event.

Notable Quote:

Sean Hayes [02:37]: "I know the answer are the world."

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Main Segment: Word Workout

The heart of the episode revolves around the "Word Workout" game, a brain-teasing segment where participants are challenged to manipulate words by removing a letter and rearranging the remaining letters to form a new word based on a provided hint. Elliott explains the rules with enthusiasm, setting up seven challenging puzzles.

Puzzle Breakdown:

1. Planets → Pastel

   • Clue: A soothing color scheme.
   • Solution: Remove 'N' from "planets" to form "pastel."
   • Quote:

     Elliott Kalan [06:11]: "Question number one. Remove a letter from planets to find a soothing color scheme."

2. Grovel → Lover

   • Clue: Someone who's more than a friend.
   • Solution: Remove 'G' from "grovel" to form "lover."
   • Quote:

     Keri Aizley [07:00]: "Lover."

3. Stamina → Mantis

   • Clue: A religious insect.
   • Solution: Remove 'A' from "stamina" to form "mantis."
   • Quote:

     Sean Hayes [07:23]: "Mantis."

4. Slither → Relish

   • Clue: A key ingredient of a Chicago-style hot dog.
   • Solution: Remove 'T' from "slither" to form "relish."
   • Quote:

     Elliott Kalan [07:38]: "You remove the T from slither and it becomes relish when you mix the letters around."

5. Payroll → Pallor

   • Clue: A deathly shade of pale.
   • Solution: Remove 'W' from "payroll" to form "pallor."
   • Quote:

     Sean Hayes [08:28]: "Yeah, it's pallor."

6. Clamor → Coral

   • Clue: A stationary marine creature.
   • Solution: Remove 'M' from "clamor" to form "coral."
   • Quote:

     Sean Hayes [09:03]: "Coral."

7. Postman → Tampon

   • Clue: Periodic help in a tight spot.
   • Solution: Remove 'S' from "postman" to form "tampon."
   • Quote:

     Elliott Kalan [09:47]: "It is once in a while help."

Elliott commends the participants on their performance, highlighting their ability to solve six out of seven puzzles correctly. The interaction is filled with playful banter, showcasing the camaraderie among the hosts and guests.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [10:14]: "Excellent work, both of you. You got six out of seven questions. Really good."

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Mega Clue Challenge

Building on the excitement from the Word Workout, Elliott introduces the Mega Clue, where listeners are invited to use the leftover letters from the removed letters in the previous puzzles to form a new word. The letters in play are N, G, A, T, Y, M, S.

Clue: "Arrange these letters into a kind of person who might compete at the Olympics."

Solution:

• Gymnast

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [10:50]: "Why don't you arrange them into a kind of person who might compete at the Olympics?"

The participants swiftly identify "gymnast" as the correct answer, adding a satisfying conclusion to the Mega Clue segment.

Notable Quote:

Sean Hayes [11:41]: "Gymnastics." Elliott Kalan [11:42]: "Gymnastics, yes. Gymnast. Very good."

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Cliffhanger Puzzle: Samesies Series

Elliott tantalizes listeners with a Cliffhanger Puzzle part of the new Samesies series. He presents three seemingly unrelated items and challenges the audience to uncover the secret connection that ties them together.

Clue:

• A straw
• The color blue
• A goose

Listeners are left pondering the mysterious link between these items, promised to be revealed in the next episode.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [12:03]: "What makes those three things samesies? You'll find out on the next episode of Clueless."

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Conclusion and Teasers

Elliott wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude towards Carrie Aizley for her participation and Sean Hayes for his consistent contributions. He also teases future content, including more Samesies puzzles, ensuring that listeners stay engaged and eager for the next installment.

Notable Quote:

Elliott Kalan [13:00]: "Join us next episode for more SmartLess Presents Clueless. Until then, I've been your host, Elliot Kalen, reminding you that all we are is dust in the wind, especially if we don't bathe very often."

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Overall Insights and Highlights

• Engaging Gameplay: The Word Workout segment effectively combines fun and challenge, encouraging listeners to think critically about word manipulation.

• Interactive Dynamics: The chemistry between Elliott, Sean, and Carrie adds a layer of entertainment, making complex puzzles accessible and enjoyable.

• Educational Element: Beyond entertainment, the episode subtly educates listeners on word structures and vocabulary enhancement.

• Teasing Future Content: The Cliffhanger Puzzle introduces a new series, Samesies, promising fresh and intriguing challenges in upcoming episodes.

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Final Thoughts:

Episode 147 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess delivers a balanced mix of humor, intellect, and camaraderie. Through its thoughtfully crafted puzzles and engaging discussions, the podcast not only entertains but also stimulates the mind, making it a must-listen for puzzle enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Representative]

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[Will Arnett]

Smart less mediocre.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Remember, there's no I in team or peppercorn or esophagus or like a million other words. This is clueless.

[Will Arnett]

Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Clueless. Welcome to Smartless presents. Clueless, the only puzzle podcast that's part of a balanced breakfast. If you're eating breakfast right now. I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin, and I'm not afraid to tell you the truth about your new haircut. It looks great. Now please welcome the product of 4 billion years of evolution, Sean Hayes.

[Sean Hayes]

Boy, is that sad. Yeah, just Google me and you can see it's the truth. Thank you for having me, Elliot. This is always such a pleasure to be here. I love games. I love playing with you. I love this show. And I love Keri Aisley, who's joining us today. The beautiful, the funny, the smart, the tal. The girl's always keeping me in stitches with her comedy routines.

[Keri Aisley]

So many adjectives. Thank you for having me.

[Sean Hayes]

You're welcome. You look gorgeous today.

[Keri Aisley]

Oh, thanks, John. So do you. I like your hair.

[Sean Hayes]

I like your buttons. Oh, thank you, thank you.

[Keri Aisley]

I like your style.

[Elliot Kaelin]

The basis of any good friendship is constant game playing. Now, let's.

[Keri Aisley]

That's true.

[Sean Hayes]

This is true.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. Now, we could dive into the deep end of the puzzle pool today, but the puzzle pool, it's kind of chilly this time of year, so I prefer to ease in and get acclimated by answering last episode's cliffhanger puzzle. Now, you may remember this was a title based riddle that goes, carly, all that got mail are the world and Dupree. What is missing from these titles? There's the same thing missing from each of these titles. You mean like a word is missing or possibly. And those titles are Carly all that.

[Sean Hayes]

I know the answer are the world.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And Dupree and Sean. What is the answer? What is missing?

[Sean Hayes]

Well, I'll do the titles and then I'll tell you what's missing. Okay, I, Carly, she's all that. You've got male we are the world. Me and Dupree. They're all pronouns.

[Keri Aisley]

Pronouns.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Exactly right. They're all missing personal pronouns.

[Keri Aisley]

Pronoun party.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Technically, I think it's you, me, and Dupri, but there's still oh, you, me.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, that's right. You, me, and Dupree.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Without these pronouns, we would never know who was all that or who got mail. So why not take a moment today to thank pronouns, an underappreciated piece of grammar? You'll be glad you did.

[Sean Hayes]

All right. Firehouse Subs has partnered with Hot Ones on the bold new Zesty Garlic Cooking Ladder sub packed with garlicky flavor. Try the new Zesty Garlic Hookin Ladder today only for a limited time at participating Firehouse Subs restaurants.

[Elliot Kaelin]

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[Devin Tory Bryant]

When life brings the blah, Add more Yabba dabba doo with some tasty fruity Pebbles early morning meeting Blah. Someone brought the Pebbles Yabba dabba doo. Run errands Blah. Head to the store for Pebbles Yabba dabba doo Fruity Pebbles Less blah, more yabba dabba doo Pick up Pebble cereal today Yabba dabba doo and the Flintstones and all related characters and elements Copyright and trademark Hanna Barbera.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Listeners at home. Did you get the answer? If so, you are living my dream. Literally. I dreamed about you getting that answer last night. But my nocturnal visions had nothing to say about how you do in today's main game. It's called word workout.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Word workout. Word sound. Word workout. No, ain't no pain.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Like for sure.

[Sean Hayes]

Like for sure.

[Keri Aisley]

Like for sure.

[Elliot Kaelin]

New Year's Day was months ago, but I've got seven words right here who are sticking to their resolutions even this far into the year. The resolution to slim down. And we're going to help them do it. For each clue, I'll give you a word and then I'll ask you to remove one letter and rearrange the remaining letters to create a new svelter word. I'm also going to give you a hint for what that new word would be. So, for example, if the clue was remove a letter from ladder to get a feeling of fearful anticipation or apprehension, the answer would be.

[Keri Aisley]

Dread.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, exactly.

[Sean Hayes]

Nice.

[Elliot Kaelin]

The L and scramble letters, you get dread. So we're going to do that with each of these words. Are you ready to send these words to the gym?

[Sean Hayes]

Yes. This is a good game.

[Keri Aisley]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Word workout.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number one. Remove a letter from planets to find a soothing color scheme.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, it's, it's, it's like easy, like Easter colors. What is that called? They're like. I'm looking at the word. I can't think of it.

[Keri Aisley]

They're Easter colors.

[Sean Hayes]

No. Yeah. Like, like light colors. Like light blues and light green.

[Keri Aisley]

Pale.

[Sean Hayes]

No, they're, it's called. What's that word?

[Keri Aisley]

Pastel.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. Pastel. Exactly.

[Sean Hayes]

Figure it out. It's pastels. Pastel.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Pastel. Yes. Take the N out of planets and rearrange it and you get pastel. Question number two.

[Sean Hayes]

Pedro. Pastel.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number two. Remove a letter from grovel to find someone who's more than a friend.

[Keri Aisley]

G, R, O, V, E, L. Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

Lover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Lover. Exactly right, John. Question number three. Remove a letter from stamina to find a religious insect.

[Sean Hayes]

Stigmata. No. Stamina.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Letter from stamina to find a religious insect. Think about insects.

[Sean Hayes]

Yep. Yeah. Mantis. Praying mantis.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes.

[Keri Aisley]

Mantis.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Very good. Question number four. Remove a letter from slither like a snake. Slither. To find a key ingredient of a Chicago style hot dog.

[Keri Aisley]

A hot dog ingredient, specifically in a Chicago dog.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well, I mean, you can have it other places too, but in Chicago, they, they, they put a lot on.

[Keri Aisley]

Mustard. Relish.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. You remove the T from slither and it becomes relish when you mix the letters around. Question number five. Remove a letter from payroll to find a deathly shade of pale. Remove a letter from payroll like, you know, the payroll got stolen from the factory to find a deathly shade of pale. Talk it out together. Maybe you can think. Maybe together you can figure out the deathly shade of pale.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, deathly shade of pale means you're like. You're pale.

[Keri Aisley]

You're super.

[Sean Hayes]

Like, when someone's dead, they have that look to them, like. Is that right?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, it's the fancy name for that.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, it's pallor.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, pallor. Very good.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, I've never heard of it.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Pallor. You remove the wine, you get pallor. It's the kind of word that you see a lot in kind of old ghost stories. Everything always has a deathly pallor.

[Keri Aisley]

I'll tell you about it later, Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, thank you.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Question number 6. Remove a letter from clamor. C L A M O R. To find a stationary marine creature clamor. They gotta remove two letters for clan. But that's close, right? What's another thing that lives underwater that stays under.

[Sean Hayes]

Coral.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, coral. Very good. Which is also kind of a pastel type color.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So everything's. Everything's tying together on this one, like, for sure. Question number seven. Our last question for the round. Remove a letter from postman to find periodic help in a tight spot. This one's a little cheeky. Remove a letter from postman to find periodic help in a tight spot.

[Sean Hayes]

Periodic help in a tight spot. Like occasional help when you jam.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And there might be a double meaning to the phrase periodic help.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, like in a library, Right?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Not exactly.

[Keri Aisley]

Or once in a while help.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It is once in a while help.

[Sean Hayes]

Man stop.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

Man stop.

[Keri Aisley]

Man stow, man. Pot. Pot, man tan. Tam. Tampon.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, tampon. Very good. Exactly.

[Keri Aisley]

Sean would never get that.

[Sean Hayes]

I actually, swear to God, when you said periodic, I was like. And I said library. And then I was going to say menstrual or something.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's a tough one. That's a really tough one.

[Will Arnett]

Word workout.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Excellent work, both of you. You got six out of seven questions. Really good.

[Sean Hayes]

Thank you, Ellie. Do you want to talk about tampons more or no?

[Keri Aisley]

I would like to.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well, I mean, if anyone's listening. With their families gather around the children, it's time for them to find out about these things. You know, the more we know about the world and about ourselves. That's right. The better we're gonna be at just living.

[Keri Aisley]

And there's so many fun tampon stories to tell.

[Sean Hayes]

Yes, that's true.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Of course. We here at Clueless believe in recycling. So We've gotta find something to do with all the letters we just removed from those words. Luckily, we also believe in the mega clue.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, Mega clue question.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So, for today's mega clue, I want you to take the leftover letters and rearrange them into a word. And I'm going to remind you what those letters are that we've removed. Those letters were N as in no, G as in go. A as in Aisley. Carrie Aisley, our guest today. T as in today. Y as in yes. M as in maybe. And S as in Sean as in Sean. Yeah, yeah, that's right. We have. We have someone whose name starts with S right here, as in Sean, N, G, A, T, Y, M and S. Can you arrange those letters into a word? And I'll give you a clue. Why don't you arrange them into a kind of person who might compete at the Olympics?

[Sean Hayes]

Gymnastics.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Gymnastics, yes. Gymnast. Very good.

[Sean Hayes]

I just got it.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Great job, Carrie. Excellent.

[Keri Aisley]

I always think that if there's a Y in a word, it's the last letter.

[Sean Hayes]

You know what? You're not the only one. That's interesting.

[Keri Aisley]

Right?

[Sean Hayes]

Congratulations, Carrie.

[Keri Aisley]

Thanks so much, Carrie.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You're our MVP for that game. Listeners at home, did you do as well as Sean and Carrie? If not, that's okay. I'll still take you to my cousin's wedding. I don't want to show up alone. My ex is going to be there. Speaking of letters I had to drop. But I don't have time to pour out my relationship troubles today. We've got to get to today's cliffhanger puzzle. The cliffhanger puzzle is the puzzle equivalent of hugging you too long when you're worried you'll miss your flight. And today's cliffhanger is part of a new sub series of cliffhanger games called Samesies. It's one of our Samesies series of cliffhanger puzzles. You'll see more coming up in future episodes. I'm going to give you three seemingly unrelated things. You tell me what secret thing makes them Samesies. Ready? Those three things are a straw, the color blue, and finally, a goose. That's right. A straw, the color blue, and a goose. What makes those three things samesies? You'll find out on the next episode of Clueless. Well, it's time for us to make like a tree and end the episode. But before we go, I'd like to thank Carey Aisley for giving us someone to look up to. I'd like to thank Sean Hayes for giving us someone to look out for and I'd like to thank you, the listener, for looking at us with your ears. Join us next episode for more Smartless Presents Clueless. Until then, I've been your host, Elliot Kaelin, reminding you that all we are is dust in the wind, especially if we don't bathe very often.

[Will Arnett]

Clueless, you have been listening to Smartless Presents Clueless, a Smartless Media production in association with SiriusXM. 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 Josh Richmond and Kevin Lehman. Talent producer is Anne Harris Associate Producer Mad 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 Kaminski. Remember to follow subscribe, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you again for more Smart Bless me.

[Sean Hayes]

If you've been having your McDonald's sausage.

[T-Mobile Representative]

McMuffin with an iced coffee from somewhere else, now is a great time to reconsider.

[Keri Aisley]

In the Pacific Northwest, it's never too.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Cold for an iced coffee in the morning.

[Sean Hayes]

Warning.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Grab yourself a medium caramel, French vanilla or classic iced coffee for just 2 29. Warning.

[Keri Aisley]

Beverage may cause craving for McMuffin or hash browns. Prices and participation may vary.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Cannot be combined with any other offer or combo meal.