Podcast Summary:

SmartLess Presents ClueLess
Mini Episode 178 – National Chicken & Waffles Day
Release Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Elliott Kalan
Producer/Co-Host: Devin Tory Bryant

Episode Overview

This bite-sized mini episode celebrates National Chicken & Waffles Day with host Elliott Kalan and producer Devin Tory Bryant. The central theme is duos—iconic food duos, brand origins, and classic pop culture pairs—all wrapped in the show's trademark playful banter and pun-filled repartee. Listeners are challenged with trivia, brainteasers, and rounds of duo-themed puzzles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicken & Waffles – A Culinary Odd Couple

[01:20]

• Elliott introduces the focus on the iconic but odd combination of chicken and waffles in celebration of the holiday.
• Trivia about the origins of the dish:
  • Waffles have Dutch roots but were only first paired with poultry (usually stewed!) in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
  • The now-popular fried chicken and waffles combo gained fame after Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles opened in Los Angeles in 1975.
• The holiday’s origin:
  • "Roscoe's founder, Herb Hudson, ... deemed that October 20th be a day of observance to celebrate this delicious combo and also promote volunteerism." – Elliott Kalan, [03:18]

2. Eggo Waffles – What Else Did They Make?

[01:20 – 02:13]

• Elliott quizzes listeners: Which WAS NOT an original Eggo product—potato chips, cake mix, mayonnaise, or noodles?
• Answer revealed:
  • "The answer to what food was not one of their products originally made by Eggo was cake mix. ... Potato chips, mayonnaise, and noodles ... are all original Eggo products and they are very unpopular waffle toppings." – Elliott Kalan, [03:34]
• Fun fact:
  • Eggo’s name comes from their egg-laden mayonnaise.

3. Main Game – Iconic Duos (Round 1)

[03:52 – 05:27]

• Listeners are given clues to famous duos, with answers always in “X and Y” format. Example: “The dynamic duo of DC Comics” = Batman and Robin.
• Round 1 Answers:
  1. Comic strip boy and his stuffed tiger – Calvin and Hobbes
  2. Fable with moral ‘slow and steady wins the race’ – The Tortoise and the Hare
  3. Assortment of random objects – Odds and Ends
  4. Outlaws in love during the Great Depression – Bonnie and Clyde
  5. Brother plumbers in the mushroom kingdom – Mario and Luigi
• Light comedic moment:
  • “Listeners, did you get the answers? If so, I’ve got a shiny nickel for you. Just remind me the next time I see you … If I don’t remember and I run away, just chase me.” – Elliott Kalan, [05:28]

4. Main Game – Iconic Duos (Round 2)

[07:14 – 09:00]

• Another set of clues to duos, interspersed with puns and cereal-themed banter (“cluos” as Sherlock Holmes cereal).
• Round 2 Answers:
  1. The two old men heckling the Muppets – Statler and Waldorf
  2. Small, hard to find places – Nooks and Crannies
  3. British comfort food of sausage and potatoes – Bangers and Mash
  4. Involving spycraft, secrecy – Cloak and Dagger
  5. Roman phrase to distract/entertain – Bread and Circuses
• Playful exchange:
  • “Were you confident in your answers or did you waffle?” – Elliott Kalan, [09:00]
  • “Oh, boy.” – Devin Tory Bryant, [09:00]

5. Closing & Teasers

[09:02 – 09:16]

• Signature lighthearted closure, teasing the return of ClueLess for its upcoming Season 2.
• “I want to thank you, the listener, for always staying extra crispy and perfectly seasoned.” – Elliott Kalan, [09:02]
• “Every week brings us that much closer to season two of Clueless.” – Devin Tory Bryant, [09:12]
• “I promise that promise will be kept. I promise that he will keep his promise.” – Elliott Kalan, [09:16]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Elliott’s honesty on his food preferences:
  “Fried chicken is no lie. My favorite food. But waffles I can take em or leave em.” – [02:25]
• Food lore fun:
  “Waffles are originally Dutch, but apparently nobody in the old country thought of sticking a chicken on them.” – [02:43]
• Signature humor and wordplay:
  • “Cluos. No, actually, forget that. It sounds like a Sherlock Holmes themed cereal. ... I could go for a big bowl of cluos. The pieces are all shaped like deerstalker hats.” – [07:14 – 07:39]
  • “Were you confident in your answers or did you waffle?” – [09:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Main theme and opening banter: [00:30 – 01:20]
• Eggo trivia & the origins of chicken and waffles: [01:20 – 03:34]
• Iconic duos (First round): [03:52 – 05:27]
• Iconic duos (Second round) & cereal banter: [07:14 – 09:00]
• Episode closure & teasers: [09:02 – 09:31]

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Lighthearted, witty, and rapid-fire in style—core to SmartLess brand.
• The episode keeps puzzles accessible, focusing on iconic pairs with universal appeal.
• Heavy emphasis on playful banter and puns, creating an inviting atmosphere for all ages.

Useful for listeners who want:

• A quick, fun brain break;
• To learn some trivia about comfort foods;
• A parade of classic duo references from pop culture and history;
• Good-humored, family-friendly entertainment in under 12 minutes.