Podcast Summary: SmartLess Presents ClueLess
Episode: 164 - "Monkey In The Middle" (w/ Carrie Aizley)
Release Date: July 14, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 164 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess, host Elliott Kaelin welcomes the ever-charming Carrie Aizley alongside the season's contestant, Sean Hayes. The episode dives into a lively session of puzzles and brainteasers, centered around the theme "Monkey In The Middle." Throughout the 10-12 minute runtime, listeners are treated to witty banter, competitive gameplay, and engaging riddles that test the quick thinking of both the contestants and the audience.
Welcome and Banter (00:47 – 02:10)
Elliott Kaelin opens the show with a playful introduction, highlighting the dynamics between herself and guest Sean Hayes. The chemistry between Elliott and Sean is evident as they exchange humorous remarks about intelligence and the ease of presenting answers.
Notable Quote:
Sean Hayes (01:19): "I'm trying to just be as smart as you, but it's not working."
Carrie Aizley makes her entrance, sparking a humorous discussion about her hair-brushing habits. The conversation underscores the lighthearted and relatable nature of the podcast.
Notable Quote:
Carrie Aizley (02:14): "Brushing is when you brush your hair and you put your bra on at the same time."
ClueLess and Cliffhanger Reveal (02:10 – 04:45)
Elliott takes a moment to discuss her charitable work with Cliffhanger Reveal International, a nod to the podcast’s tradition of engaging puzzles. She revisits the previous episode's cliffhanger puzzle, revealing that "Alaska" is the only U.S. state name that can be typed using a single row on a standard English keyboard.
Notable Quote:
Elliott Kaelin (03:15): "The answer is Alaska. You can type out Alaska using just one row of the keyboard."
The segment is briefly interrupted by advertisements, which are seamlessly skipped to maintain the focus on content.
Main Game: Monkey In The Middle (05:00 – 13:19)
Game Introduction (05:52 – 07:28)
Elliott introduces the main game, "Monkey In The Middle," where contestants replace the word "monkey" in given phrases to form new, meaningful expressions. The game is competitive, with points awarded for correct answers.
Notable Quote:
Elliott Kaelin (07:10): "If you are ready to monkey around with monkey in the middle, then let's go."
Gameplay and Interactions (07:28 – 13:19)
The game progresses through ten challenging clues. Here are some highlights:
-
Pumpkin Monkey of Life (07:37 – 08:27)
- Sean Hayes (07:53): Suggests "rule of life."
- Carrie Aizley (08:08): Corrects to "spice."
- Elliott Kaelin (08:27): Reveals "pumpkin spice" and "spice of life."
-
Fun Monkey for Rent (08:36 – 08:41)
- Correct Answer: "House" — forming "fun house" and "house for rent."
-
Cat Monkey Bug (08:53 – 09:21)
- Carrie Aizley (09:08): Suggests "cat lady" and "ladybug," earning the correct response.
-
Horror Monkey Showtimes (09:28 – 09:42)
- Correct Answer: "Film" — forming "horror film" and "film showtimes."
-
Heads Monkey Stream (09:59 – 10:13)
- Correct Answer: "Up" — forming "heads up" and "upstream."
-
Pest Monkey Freak (10:18 – 10:23)
- Correct Answer: "Control" — forming "control" and "control freak."
-
Upend Monkey in a Manger (10:27 – 10:38)
- Correct Answer: "Away" — forming "upend" and "away in a manger."
-
Short Term Monkey Lane (10:42 – 10:46)
- Correct Answer: "Memory" — forming "short term memory" and "memory lane."
-
Square Monkey Train (10:55 – 11:27)
- Initial Attempts: Various incorrect guesses.
- Carrie Aizley (11:05): Suggests "square peg."
- Elliott Kaelin (11:30): Accepts "square one" and "one train," providing an alternative explanation tying it to New York City's subway system.
-
Monkey See, Monkey Do (12:00 – 13:08)
- Correct Answer: "Do" — completing "monkey see" and "monkey do."
Throughout the game, Elliott commends the contestants for their clever answers, maintaining a spirited and entertaining atmosphere.
Notable Quote:
Carrie Aizley (10:37): "Fun house and house for rent."
Mega Clue Challenge (13:03 – 13:19)
The episode culminates in the Mega Clue, a high-stakes puzzle worth 700 points. The challenge involves deciphering the meaning of "monkey" in three different sentences:
- "Jesus was a monkey."
- "Karen was a different kind of monkey."
- "If I slam the door too hard, I'll need a monkey asap."
Carrie Aizley (13:16) triumphs by correctly identifying "monkey" as "carpenter," revealing the homophone-play on "Karen Carpenter" and the tool "carpenter" needed when slamming doors.
Notable Quote:
Carrie Aizley (13:16): "Carpenter."
Cliffhanger Puzzle (13:19 – 14:25)
Elliott introduces the episode's cliffhanger puzzle:
"I was a contestant on that old game show, Are You Hot? The judges gave my face a four, my height a two, my chest a three. Based on these very upsetting scores, what would they rate my smile."
Contestants ponder the riddle, but the answer is reserved for the next episode, encouraging listeners to tune in again for the reveal.
Notable Quote:
Elliott Kaelin (14:25): "Based on these scores, what would they rate my smile."
Closing Remarks (14:56 – 15:15)
Elliott wraps up the episode with gratitude towards Carrie Aizley and Sean Hayes, appreciating their participation and humor. She also thanks the listeners for their support, teasing more engaging content in future episodes.
Notable Quote:
Elliott Kaelin (15:01): "There'll be more nonsense to tolerate on the next episode of SmartLess Presents Clueless."
Conclusion
Episode 164 of SmartLess Presents ClueLess delivers a fun and intellectually stimulating experience through its cleverly designed puzzles and vibrant interactions among the hosts and guests. "Monkey In The Middle" not only entertains but also engages listeners in a battle of wits, promising even more intriguing challenges in upcoming episodes. Whether you're a regular listener or new to the podcast, this episode showcases the perfect blend of humor, competition, and brainteasers that define ClueLess.
Notable Final Quote:
Sean Hayes (15:15): "Smart, less Medium."