SmartLess Presents ClueLess – Episode 168: Bot Bops (w/ Scotty Icenogle)
Release Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with host Elliott Kalan navigating a playful exchange with recurring guest Sean Hayes and Sean’s husband, Scotty Eisenhower. Elliott sets a lighthearted tone by referencing Sean’s ongoing cluelessness, which becomes a running joke throughout the episode.

Notable Quote:

[01:27] Sean Hayes: "I'm clueless."
[Elliott Kalan uses this moment to playfully welcome Sean to the show, establishing the camaraderie among the trio.]

Recap and Puzzle Discussion

Elliott revisits the previous episode’s cliffhanger puzzle about the time it takes for multiple Guy Fieri-like characters to filet flanks. The puzzle questioned whether increasing the number of filleters proportionally decreases the time required.

Notable Quote:

[03:05] Elliott Kalan: "Well, it's one of these amazing discoveries. But for those without my script, I'll remind you..."
Elliott humorously refers to classical discoveries to segue into the puzzle discussion.

Puzzle Resolution: Sean proposes a less obvious answer, suggesting it would take 25 minutes, reflecting his tendency to overanalyze. Scotty follows suit but ultimately Elliott reveals the simpler solution: 5 minutes, emphasizing that with parallel processing, the time remains constant regardless of the number of filleters.

Notable Quote:

[04:18] Elliott Kalan: "No, the answer is five minutes. It takes five minutes."
Elliott clarifies the puzzle, highlighting the importance of confidence and straightforward thinking.

Main Game: Bot Bops

The core of the episode revolves around the “Bot Bops” game, where a robotic voice recites incomplete song lyrics, and Elliott, Sean, and Scotty compete to identify the song titles and artists.

Game Mechanics:

• The bot presents a stanza with missing words.
• Contestants shout out the song title and artist upon recognition.
• Points are awarded for correct titles and artists.

Bops and Discussions:

1. "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees

   • Sean’s Guess: Recognizes both The Monkees and notes Smash Mouth’s version.
   • Bot Confirmation: "I'm a Believer by the Monkees."

2. "Happy Together" by The Turtles

   • Sean’s Initial Guess: Considers The Partridge Family.
   • Elliott’s Prompt: Clarifies and confirms The Turtles.
   • Bot Confirmation: "Happy Together by the Turtles."

3. "Wild World" by Cat Stevens

   • Sean’s Accurate Guess: Identifies the song promptly.
   • Bot Confirmation: "Wild World by Cat Stevens."

4. "All I Want to Do" by Sheryl Crow

   • Sean’s Correct Identification: Quickly nails the song.
   • Bot Confirmation: "All I Want to Do by Sheryl Crow."

5. "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard

   • Sean’s Debate: Initially confused between Bon Jovi and Def Leppard.
   • Elliott’s Clarification: Points out Def Leppard as the correct artist.
   • Bot Confirmation: "Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard."

Notable Quotes:

[07:27] Elliott Kalan: "BotBops is the game where we ask our in house robotic voice to recite the lyrics to popular songs."
Elliott explains the game mechanics with enthusiasm.

[09:15] Sean Hayes: "Yeah, not a trace."
Sean responds thoughtfully to the bot's incomplete lyrics, demonstrating his engagement.

Mega Clue Challenge

As the game progresses, Elliott introduces the Mega Clue, a more challenging puzzle worth seven points. The Mega Clue requires contestants to identify a common theme linking all the previous artists and to name an additional song and artist that fit the category.

Mega Clue Details:

• Theme Identified: All artists are named after animals.
• Sean’s Winning Answer: Proposes "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles, playing on "Beetles" as the animal connection.

Notable Quote:

[16:40] Sean Hayes: "Hold your hand. Is it hold your hand or hold."
Sean navigates the final answer with a mix of humor and precision.

[16:46] Elliott Kalan: "What makes these words the samesies again? That's right. We've got another samesies. Fires melon, lump and coat. What makes them samesies again?"
Elliott provides the final puzzle, prompting Sean to connect the dots.

Final Resolution: Sean successfully ties the theme together by recognizing all the artists are named after animals, securing his lead with an additional correct song.

Conclusion and Cliffhanger Puzzle

Wrapping up the episode, Elliott acknowledges Sean’s victory while maintaining the light-hearted competitive spirit. He introduces a cliffhanger puzzle for listeners to ponder until the next episode.

Cliffhanger Puzzle:

• Question: "What makes these words the samesies? Fires melon, lump and coat."
• Hint: "There's something delicious you can do with all these words."

Notable Quote:

[19:13] Elliott Kalan: "The cliffhanger puzzle is sort of like losing a tooth and putting it under your pillow, but not getting your dollar from the tooth fairy until the next episode of Clueless."

Final Remarks

The episode concludes with a humorous and slightly conspiratorial outro, teasing future puzzles and maintaining listener engagement.

Notable Quote:

[19:54] Elliott Kalan: "But I would love it if at the end of the episode, you just shout out a rat song."
A playful nod to ongoing jokes and future content.

Episode Highlights

• Engaging Gameplay: The Bot Bops game keeps listeners entertained with song identification challenges.
• Humorous Banter: Elliott, Sean, and Scotty’s interactions add a lively and relatable dynamic.
• Cliffhanger Puzzle: Encourages audience participation and anticipation for the next episode.
• Consistent Theme: The animal-named artists provided a cohesive and intriguing puzzle resolution.

This episode of SmartLess Presents ClueLess seamlessly blends puzzles with engaging dialogue, offering both entertainment and mental stimulation. Whether you're a fan of music trivia or enjoy clever wordplay, Episode 168 delivers a memorable and enjoyable experience.