SmartLess Presents ClueLess Episode 151: Word Centipede (Featuring Jon Gabrus) Release Date: May 8, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 151 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kalin teams up with his regular contestant Sean Hayes and guest Jon Gabrus for a lively session of puzzles and word games. The episode kicks off with the trio diving into the main event: the Word Centipede game, designed to challenge their linguistic prowess and quick thinking.

Recap of Previous Episode's Puzzle

Elliott revisits the cliffhanger from the last episode—a tricky acronym riddle. The puzzle asked listeners to identify which acronym didn't belong in the group: UPC code, DVD player, LCD display, ATM machine, and DC Comics.

• Jon Gabrus confidently reveals the answer at [03:34]:

  "The answer, my friend, is DVD player."

• Elliott elaborates at [04:02]:

  "The C in UPC is code, the D in LCD is display, the M in ATM is machine, and the C in DC is comics. But the D in DVD does not stand for player. It stands for Disc."

• Sean Hayes expresses amazement at [03:58]:

  "Wow. I can't believe you got that. That's crazy. I would have never gotten that."

Word Centipede Game

Word Centipede is the episode's highlight, where participants are given sets of words and must determine a common word that can precede or follow each to form compound words or phrases. The game consists of multiple rounds, each increasing in difficulty.

Round 1: Load, Make, Round

• Example Puzzle at [06:34]:
  Elliott provides an initial example:

  "Line, Grace, and Slide."

• Solution Explained at [07:21]:

  "The answer is Land. Landslide, Graceland, Landslide."

• Presented Puzzle at [07:40]:

  "Load, Make, Round."

• Sean's Attempt at [08:19]:

  "Load out, make out, Round out."

• Correct Answer at [08:35]:

  "Upload: Load up, Make up, Roundup."

Round 2: Off, Out, Broad

• Presented Puzzle at [09:13]:

  "Off, Out, Broad."

• Sean's Insight at [09:58]:

  "Cast: Cast off, Outcast, Broadcast."

• Jon confirms at [10:03]:

  "Cast off. Outcast. Broadcast."

Round 3: On, Smart, Clue

• Presented Puzzle at [10:14]:

  "On, Smart, Clue."

• Jon's Creative Answer at [12:28]:

  "Program: Proactive, Pronoun, Program."

Round 4: Micro, Smart, Book

• Presented Puzzle at [10:46]:

  "Micro, Smart, Book."

• Sean's Realization at [11:39]:

  "Smartphone, Phone book, Microphone."

• Elliott praises at [11:46]:

  "You got it. It's phone. Microphone, smartphone, phone book."

Round 5: Active, Noun, Gram

• Presented Puzzle at [12:11]:

  "Active, Noun, Gram."

• Jon's Swift Response at [12:30]:

  "Program: Proactive, Pronoun, Program."

Megaclue: Uniting the Words

After completing the rounds, Elliott introduces the Megaclue, which combines one word from each round:

• Words: Program, Smartless, Microphone, Broadcast, Upload.

• Challenge at [12:54]:

  "What common theme unites all of these words?"

• Sean's Guess at [13:25]:

  "Could it be podcasting?"

• Elliott confirms at [13:29]:

  "That's right. It's podcasting."

• Fun Fact Shared at [13:37]:

  "You're listening to one right now."

Cliffhanger Puzzle

Elliott wraps up the episode with a Cliffhanger Puzzle, setting the stage for the next episode:

• Puzzle at [14:03]:

  "Which one of these items doesn't fit with the others and why? The items are a dream, weather, spice, indigo, and rouge."

Listeners are left to ponder this riddle, with the answer to be revealed in Episode 152.

Notable Quotes and Highlights

• Elliott Kalin at [01:00]:

  "This is Clueless. Clueless."

• Sean Hayes humorously at [03:40]:

  "Why?"

• Jon Gabrus jokingly at [02:07]:

  "My legs and tits are very old."

• Elliott on Microphone at [12:00]:

  "That microphone is right in front of us right now."

Conclusion

Episode 151 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess delivers an engaging and entertaining session with a series of challenging word puzzles and witty banter among the hosts and guest. The Word Centipede game not only tests their vocabulary but also showcases their camaraderie and quick thinking. With the Megaclue revealing the unifying theme of podcasting and a tantalizing Cliffhanger Puzzle, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Join the Conversation: Stay tuned for Episode 152, where the mystery puzzle will be unveiled. Don't forget to subscribe, follow, and share your thoughts on the latest challenges presented by Elliott, Sean, and Jon!