SmartLess Presents ClueLess

Episode 206: This or That? (w/ Naomi Ekperigin & Andy Beckerman)
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Elliott Kalan
Guests: Naomi Ekperigin & Andy Beckerman

Episode Overview

In this lively installment of ClueLess, host Elliott Kalan welcomes comedians Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman (co-hosts of Couples Therapy) to test their puzzle mettle. This episode weaves in historical oddities, fast-paced trivia, and a hilarious "Bible or Wu-Tang" lyrics showdown—all delivered in a quick-witted, irreverent style characteristic of SmartLess Media's puzzle-offering.

Key Segments and Insights

Introduction & Barrel Anecdotes

[01:13–02:49]

• Elliott opens with whimsical musings about the appeal of barrel-living, referencing the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes and cartoon tropes.
• The first trivia tease: Who was the first person to survive riding a barrel over a major U.S.-Canadian waterway?
  • Naomi nails it instantly:

    “Niagara Falls. Come on, come on.” (Naomi, 02:41)

  • Elliott shares color about Annie Edson Taylor’s non-enjoyment of her infamous feat and jokes about not trying this at home—unless your home is Niagara Falls.

Falls, Trips, and Everyday Injuries

[03:37–08:35]

• Elliott segues to the frequency of fall-related injuries and asks the duo to guess Turkey’s top four “fall-off-able” objects.
  • Naomi’s immediate answer: stairs.
    • “When I approach a stairwell, my brain immediately pictures me crumpled at the bottom...” (Naomi, 04:27)
  • Banister safety advice and jokes abound.
  • Through guesswork and hints:
    • Correct Answers: Stairs, Trees, Balconies/Verandas, Furniture.
  • Andy expresses surprise at “falling out of trees” being higher than bikes:
    • “You’re telling me more people fall out of trees than fall off of bikes?...What in the Tarzan?” (Andy, 05:53)
• Elliott shares the quirkier runner-ups (roofs, scaffolding, laps).
  • Humorous speculation on “falling off a lap” leads to light ventriloquism banter.

Mini-Game: Bible or Wu-Tang? (“This or That”)

[12:56–21:34]

• Premise: Elliott provides an enigmatic line; the guests must decide if it’s:

  • “God” (Bible) or “U-God” (Wu-Tang Clan lyricist).

• Sample Questions & Notable Dialogues:

  • “Life is a pool of sin corrupted with foolish men and women with wicked minds.”
    • Split answer, but it’s Wu-Tang (GZA, 13:13)
    • Elliott bends rules for partial credit due to song title “BIBLE”
  • “Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”
    • Both correct: Bible (Proverbs 6:17, 13:48)
  • “Upon my wounds they seasoned me with salt and nailed my hands and feet to the form of the cross. Ah. I said as the blood dripped inside of my eye.”
    • Discussion of “Ah” being out of place in scripture. This is Wu-Tang, not Bible. (“Nowhere in the Bible does anyone say, ah.” - Elliott, 17:52)
  • “Homicide is illegal and death is the penalty. What justifies the homicide when he dies is his own iniquity.”
    • Quick consensus: Wu-Tang (Master of Chessboxing, 18:23)

• Running Gags:

  • Naomi’s rapid-fire answers and pop culture associations.
  • Andy’s meta-commentary on the rules and the nature of the quotes.
  • Imagining apostles writing Bible passages specifically to trip up future podcast hosts:

    "There will be a small Jew in Los Angeles who we need to trick into guessing..." (Naomi, 19:19)

• Final Score: 7/10, with Elliott mock-lamenting that a wrong answer triggered Armageddon:

  “You got the one question wrong that leads to the end of the world, unfortunately. But otherwise you did very well.” (Elliott, 21:54)

MegaClue/Final Judgment: The Biblical ODB

[22:05–22:37]

• Mega Clue: "Who is the oldest person in the Bible, said to have lived 969 years?"
  • Naomi answers instantly: “Methuselah!” (22:34)
  • Elliott confirms, wryly noting the lack of medical records.

Humorous Closing Thoughts

[22:37–23:27]

• Elliott thanks guests for being “holy in mine eyes” and for bestowing the “glory of thine ears.”

• Signature joke:

  “Your birthday wish will always come true if you wish for it to be your birthday.” (Elliott, 23:24)

• Funny sign-off: Naomi references pestilence at the door.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Naomi, on banisters:

  “If there’s one thing you got to hold on to in this world, it’s a banister.” (05:02)

• Andy, on pop culture logic:

  “Dick Van Dyke, probably.” (falling over ottomans, 07:17)

• Elliott, defining podcast’s historical impact:

  “The only puzzle podcast that's ended eight or nine wars.” (01:54)

• Andy, reflecting on post-game consequences:

  “I thought I would let the man before me speak, and do you see what I've gotten us into? Now we're all gonna die.” (19:56)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:13 Introduction, barrel living & Diogenes
• 02:41 Barrel over Niagara Falls trivia
• 03:37–08:35 “Falling Off/Out/Over” emergency-room injuries game
• 12:56–21:34 Bible or Wu-Tang “This or That” game (multiple questions)
• 22:05 MegaClue final question: Oldest biblical figure
• 23:24 Elliott’s whimsical closing wish

Episode’s Tone & Style

• Comically irreverent yet trivia-rich, with clever wordplay, historical tidbits, and running inside jokes.
• The playful banter between Elliott, Naomi, and Andy creates a high-energy, banter-filled environment where knowledge and humor go hand in hand.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a memorable blend of obscure facts (Niagara Falls daredevilry, biblical lore), rapid-fire puzzles, and comic foolery. Whether you’re a trivia buff, comedy lover, or fan of hip-hop, you’ll find plenty to enjoy and share here—no risk of falling off your chair required.