SmartLess Presents ClueLess: Episode 149 - Odd One Out (w/ Jon Gabrus) Summary

Episode Overview

In Episode 149 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, titled "Odd One Out," host Elliott Kaelin teams up with returning contestant Sean Hayes and guest Jon Gabrus to tackle a series of intriguing puzzles. This biweekly, bite-sized episode delves into brainteasers and conundrums designed to challenge listeners' quick-thinking abilities, all while fostering engaging and humorous interactions among the hosts. Released on May 1, 2025, the episode centers around the "Odd One Out" game and introduces a cliffhanger puzzle, maintaining the show's signature blend of wit and intellectual stimulation.

Introduction and Setup

The episode kicks off with Elliott Kaelin's quirky weather forecast joke, setting a playful tone (00:14). Sean Hayes humorously embraces the "clueless" theme, creating an immediate rapport with the audience (00:30). Elliott introduces Sean Hayes and Jon Gabrus, highlighting Jon's comedic prowess and his involvement with the "Stayin' Alive" podcast (00:43).

Sponsor Messages and Ads

Throughout the early minutes, the episode includes brief advertisements for Firehouse Subs, Rula mental health services, and Spectrum Business internet solutions. These segments are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the flow of the main content.

ClueLess Puzzle Recap

Elliott revisits the cliffhanger puzzle from the previous episode, emphasizing its importance and the stakes involved (01:22). The puzzle challenges listeners to identify what is unusual about a given list of words, a task that Sean and Jon attempt to solve collaboratively.

Solving the Cliffhanger Puzzle

The hosts analyze the words: Revive, Banana, Grammar, Voodoo, Assess, Potato, Dresser, and Uneven. Sean initially suggests that the words contain double consonants (03:01), but Elliott steers the conversation towards a more nuanced linguistic pattern. After some back-and-forth, they deduce that each word can be modified by moving the first letter to the end, resulting in a palindrome-like structure (04:01). This teamwork highlights the collaborative and analytical spirit of the show.

Main Game: Odd One Out

Transitioning to the main segment, Elliott introduces "Odd One Out," a game where the original members of Huey Lewis and the News must identify which item among a group doesn't fit (07:32). The premise involves selecting dinner items from each band member that breach the restaurant's peculiar possession policy.

1. First Round: Sean Hopper's Items

   • Items: Tape, Dynamite, Sushi, Fabric
   • Solution: Dynamite is the odd one out because, unlike tape, sushi, and fabric (which come in rolls), dynamite comes in a different form (09:23).
   • Notable Quote: Sean humorously remarks, "Oh, that's wild" after identifying the correct answer (04:46).

2. Second Round: Bill Gibson's Items

   • Items: Treasure Chest, Headphones, Cigarette Butt, Photograph
   • Solution: Photograph is the odd one out as it doesn't contain a body part in its name, unlike the others (10:30).
   • Notable Quote: John guesses correctly, "Photograph doesn't fit" (10:24).

3. Third Round: Johnny Cola's Items

   • Items: Top Hat, Thimble, Balloon, Iron
   • Solution: Balloon is the odd one out since the other items are original Monopoly playing pieces (11:05).
   • Notable Quote: Elliott confirms, "It's the balloon for exactly that reason" (11:21).

4. Fourth Round: Mario Cipollina's Items

   • Items: Pool Noodle, Dollar Bill, Free Beer, Massive Star
   • Solution: Massive Star is the odd one out because it lacks double letters present in the other items (12:14).
   • Notable Quote: John humorously reflects on his memory skills: "I'm not that much of a pothead that I was able to remember the first game from six minutes ago" (12:24).

5. Fifth Round: Frontman Huey Lewis's Items

   • Items: Cell Phone, Door Hinge, Matchbook, Coffee Grinder
   • Solution: Cell Phone is identified as the odd one out since the other items reference dating apps (Doorhinge, Matchbook, Coffee Grinder), whereas "Cell" lacks such a connection (13:59).
   • Notable Quote: Elliott acknowledges the unconventional reasoning: "The answer is actually cell phone. The others all include the names of dating apps in them" (14:04).

Cliffhanger Puzzle Introduction

As the "Odd One Out" game concludes, Elliott presents the next cliffhanger puzzle, labeled "Samesies." Listeners are challenged to identify the common thread among three seemingly unrelated items: beans, milk, and guts (16:20). The puzzle encourages delayed gratification, with the solution revealed in the next episode.

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Elliott wraps up the episode with heartfelt thanks to Jon Gabrus and Sean Hayes for their contributions, coupled with humorous farewells and callbacks to popular culture references (16:15). The production team receives acknowledgment, ensuring listeners are aware of the collaborative effort behind the scenes. Finally, Elliott reminds listeners to engage with the show by following, subscribing, and reviewing, fostering a sense of community and anticipation for future episodes.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Elliott Kaelin (00:30): "Sean Hayes: Nice. Clueless. I'm clueless."
• Sean Hayes (00:59): "This is so fun. I'm really excited."
• John Gabris (10:24): "Photograph doesn't fit. Cause the other three have body parts in their names."
• Sean Hayes (13:59): "Yeah, no, just yet. Just yet."
• Elliott Kaelin (16:15): "The cliffhanger puzzle is like your own personal experiment in delayed gratification."

Insights and Discussions

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: The interaction between Sean and Jon showcases effective teamwork and diverse thinking styles, essential for tackling complex puzzles.
• Humor and Engagement: The hosts' banter and humorous remarks keep the content lively and entertaining, making intellectual challenges accessible and enjoyable.
• Listener Involvement: By presenting cliffhanger puzzles and encouraging listeners to solve them before the next episode, the show fosters active engagement and a sense of community among its audience.

Conclusion

Episode 149 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess successfully blends intellectual stimulation with humor and camaraderie. Through the "Odd One Out" game and the introduction of the "Samesies" cliffhanger puzzle, listeners are both entertained and encouraged to think critically. Elliott Kaelin, Sean Hayes, and Jon Gabrus deliver a memorable episode that epitomizes the show's commitment to making puzzles engaging and fun.

Timestamp Reference Guide

• [00:00 - 00:14]: Firehouse Subs Advertisement
• [00:14 - 00:43]: Introduction and Weather Forecast
• [00:43 - 01:22]: Host and Guest Introduction
• [01:22 - 02:35]: Recap of Previous Cliffhanger Puzzle
• [02:35 - 07:18]: Solving the Cliffhanger Puzzle
• [07:18 - 16:41]: Main Game - Odd One Out
• [16:41 - 19:18]: Cliffhanger Puzzle Introduction and Conclusion
• [19:18 - End]: Closing Advertisements and Farewells