SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 153: "Stuck In The App Store" (May 15, 2025)

Hosted by Elliott Kaelin | Featuring Sean Hayes and Scotty Icenogle

Introduction

In this engaging 12-minute episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kaelin introduces listeners to a dynamic session filled with puzzles and playful banter. Joining Elliott are the ever-competitive Sean Hayes and his guest, the brilliant Scotty Icenogle. The trio sets the stage for a fun-filled episode centered around the main game, "Stuck in the App Store."

Recap of the Last Episode's Cliffhanger Puzzle

Elliott begins by referencing the cliffhanger from the previous episode, which featured an "odd one out" riddle:

“Which one of these does not fit with the others and why: dream, weather, Spice, indigo, and rouge.”
— [03:39] Elliott Kaelin

Sean quickly recalls the answer:

“Rouge doesn't belong because all the rest are girl groups: Dream Girls, Indigo Girls, Weather Girls, and Spice Girls. There are no Rouge Girls yet.”
— [04:07] Sean Hayes

This clever puzzle left listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment, setting a high bar for the current episode.

Main Game: Stuck in the App Store

Game Introduction and Rules

Elliott introduces the main game, "Stuck in the App Store," explaining the rules:

“I'm gonna give you 10 clues, and the answer to each one of those clues is a word or phrase that contains 'app' in it, the letters A, P, and P in that order somewhere in the correct answer.”
— [07:37] Elliott Kaelin

He elaborates with an example:

“If I said, 'If you want my job hosting this podcast, you'll have to submit a resume,' the answer would be 'application.'”
— [07:43] Elliott Kaelin

Clues and Answers

The trio dives into the 10 clues, showcasing their quick thinking and camaraderie:

1. Controversial pizza topping

   • Sean: “Pineapple.”
     “Yes, Pineapple. Very good.” — [08:25] Elliott Kaelin

2. A precious blue gemstone

   • Sean: “Sapphire.”
     “Yes. Very good.” — [09:06] Elliott Kaelin

3. A dry German fruit liquor, often sweet

   • Scotty: “Schnapps.”
     “Yes, schnapps. Very good.” — [09:22] Sean Hayes

4. In grade school, you might sit crisscross

   • Scotty: “Applesauce.”
     “Yes. Very good. Applesauce.” — [09:35] Elliott Kaelin

5. Before a take, somebody has to snap this

   • Sean: “Clapper.”
     “Yes. Clapper. We also accepted clapper board.” — [09:49] Elliott Kaelin

6. The thing you said to me was not suitable or proper

   • Scotty: “Inappropriate.”
     “Very good, very good.” — [10:02] Elliott Kaelin

7. When things coincide or cover parts of the same area

   • Scotty: “Overlapping.”
     “Yes, overlapping.” — [10:44] Elliott Kaelin

8. That bird is upset. She keeps doing this chirping.

   • Scotty: “Flapping.”
     “Yes, flapping. Very good.” — [11:21] Elliott Kaelin

9. When you're in the mood for food, you've got an appetite.

   • Scotty: “Appetite.”
     “Appetite.” — [11:33] Elliott Kaelin

10. A close and harmonious relationship

    • Sean: “Rapport.”
      “Yes, Rapport. Exactly.” — [12:32] Elliott Kaelin

Throughout the game, the hosts share humorous exchanges, such as Scotty's misinterpretation of "pea shoots" as "pea scores," eliciting laughter and light-hearted moments.

“Clue number one... Pineapple. Very good.”
— [08:26] Elliott Kaelin

“You are killing it with the gerunds.”
— [11:26] Elliott Kaelin

Mega Clue: Advanced Word Replacement

Transitioning to a more challenging segment, Elliott presents the Mega Clue:

“Replace five parts of the sentence 'The way you look is quite pleasing. I think highly of your stylish packaging.' with words that contain 'app' in them.”
— [12:46] Elliot Kaelin

Sean and Scotty collaborate to decipher the puzzle, successfully transforming the sentence to:

“I appreciate your dapper apparel.”
— [15:01] Scotty Eisenogle & Sean Hayes

Elliott commends their effort:

“Fantastic work, listeners. Did you do as well as Sean and Scotty?”
— [16:00] Elliot Kaelin

Cliffhanger Puzzle

Concluding the episode, Elliott drops a tantalizing Cliffhanger Puzzle to keep listeners hooked:

“Tell me a word that could go next in this sequence of words: Adverb, cramped, elf, and what?”
— [16:22] Elliot Kaelin

He hints that the answer will be revealed in the next episode, leaving the audience eager for more.

Conclusion

Elliott wraps up by praising Scotty's contributions and teasing future content:

“The simulation is sending us today's cliffhanger puzzle... We'll be back next episode with even more puzzles and the answer.”
— [17:23] Elliot Kaelin

The episode ends on a high note, with promises of continued fun and challenging puzzles.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's a beautiful thing to see the gears turn.”
  — [02:05] Elliott Kaelin

• “Clueless.”
  — [00:58] Sean Hayes

• “You're killing it with the gerunds.”
  — [11:26] Elliot Kaelin

• “Think highly of your stylish packaging.”
  — [14:05] Sean Hayes

This episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess seamlessly blends challenging puzzles with entertaining interactions, making it a must-listen for fans of brainteasers and witty dialogue.