Re-release: 204 - Word Centipede (w/ Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: SmartLess Presents ClueLess

Episode: Re-release: 204 - Word Centipede (with Naomi Ekperigin & Andy Beckerman)

Release Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Elliott Kalan
Guests: Naomi Ekperigin, Andy Beckerman

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Episode Overview

This lively, puzzle-filled episode of ClueLess features comedians Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman, a married couple known for their chemistry and quick wit. Hosted by comedic writer Elliott Kalan, the episode revisits some greatest hits of presidential trivia and the inventive “Word Centipede” word puzzle game. The dynamic is playful, with coupledom banter at the forefront, and listeners are challenged to think on their feet along with the contestants. The episode’s structure is classic ClueLess: a trivia warm-up, a wordplay face-off, and a mega-clue tying it all together.

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Key Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Opening Banter and Introduction

[01:42–03:16]

• Elliott sets a playful, self-deprecating tone, mentioning his book and joking about podcast forced plugs.
• Naomi and Andy join, immediately riffing on Andy’s inadvertent “old man” voice, laying the groundwork for their couple comedy.
  • Quote [03:47] Naomi: “I think in a lot of ways, he was born an old man. And then every now and then, a young person fights their way out for pleasure.”

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2. Presidential Songs Trivia

[03:55–06:14]

• Elliott poses the question: “Which president was mentioned in the most published songs as of 2018?”
• Andy guesses McKinley, then half-jokingly advocates for James K. Polk.
• Naomi lands on Nixon, citing his infamy and pop culture presence.
  • Quote [04:20] Naomi: “I think the answer is Richard Nixon. I feel like people are always talking about him.”
• The correct answer is Barack Obama (309 published songs); surprises and commentary ensue.
  • Quote [05:53] Naomi (gobsmacked): “You're telling me we're talking about popular music… and you're telling me they're talking about Obama like that?”

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3. Presidential Rhyme Game

[06:14–11:36]

• Elliott creates playful, rhyme-driven clues paired with presidential names.
• Creative banter and pop culture references pepper the segment, with digressions into Batman villains and presidential trivia.
  • E.g. [06:58]: “If I ask you to describe the act of making a trade with a president who was once a peanut farmer…?”
    • A: Barter (Carter Barter).
• Sample questions and answers:
  1. Bloomin’ for Truman – Outback Steakhouse clue (Harry S. Truman)
  2. Shower for Eisenhower – Baby shower (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
  3. Shaft with Taft – A gold mine shaft (William H. Taft)
  4. Groover for Hoover – Disco dance for Herbert Hoover; includes the alternative, Louvre with Hoover.
     • Quote [11:19] Elliott: “Groover for Hoover is what we’re looking for. So you got it.”
• Naomi dominates this round, resulting in affectionate ribbing.
  • Quote [09:37] Naomi: “My husband is a goof and so he somehow managed to get us onto Batman, Wayne Knight and things that are not related.”

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4. Chronological Presidents Mini-Quiz

[11:43–12:35]

• Quickfire challenge: Put Truman, Eisenhower, Taft, and Hoover in chronological order.
  • Correct answer: Taft, Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower
• Lighthearted jokes about obscure presidents (Zachary Taylor) and their “Tiger Beat” celebrity appeal.
  • Quote [12:28] Andy: “He’s a heartthrob too.”

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5. Main Game: "Word Centipede"

[14:43–24:46]

• Explanation: Find a common word to add before or after three given words to create new valid words (e.g., "house" + fun = funhouse, jail = jailhouse, fly = housefly).
• Set 1: Let, do, way → ("sub" for sublet, subdue, subway)
• Set 2: Sky, blood, jaw → ("line" for skyline, bloodline, jawline)
• Set 3: Ward, broad, door → ("way" for wayward, Broadway, doorway)
• Set 4: Ex, over, short → ("change" for exchange, changeover, shortchange)
  • Naomi and Andy jokingly challenge the legitimacy of "changeover," sparking comical protest.
    • Quote [21:25] Naomi: “I'm sorry. Changeover is not a word. I will not accept it.”
• Set 5: Land, genes, tax → ("is" for island, genesis, and taxis)
  • More light-hearted outrage at the trickiness.
• Throughout, the couple’s dynamic — Naomi’s exasperation and rapid-fire thinking vs. Andy’s comic asides — keeps the energy high and relatable.
  • Quote [17:38] Naomi: “The way you’re not helping me, Andy, is unreal right now, because I am trying to think…”

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6. The Mega-Clue & The Manhattan Reveal

[23:50–24:12]

• The challenge: “There is a theme which connects one of the words you created… Exchange, Subway, Skyline, Broadway, and Island.”
• Naomi and Andy quickly guess “Manhattan”, referencing iconic NYC features.
  • Quote [24:12] Andy: “Manhattan.”
  • Quote [24:12] Elliott: “You got it. Manhattan. Exactly. The place that the Muppets took.”

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7. Episode Wrap-Up & Plugs (Skip Ads)

[24:56–26:20]

• Elliott and producer Devin Tory Bryant thank the guests and promote their respective works:
  • Elliott’s book: “Joke Farming: How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense”
  • Devin’s album: “Blame It on My Zodiac”
• Credits roll, but not before more couple banter and gentle ribbing about trivia prowess.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• [03:47] Naomi: “I think in a lot of ways, he was born an old man. And then every now and then, a young person fights their way out for pleasure.”
• [05:53] Naomi (astonished): “I am gobsmacked… you're telling me they're talking about Obama like that.”
• [09:37] Naomi: “My husband is a goof and so he somehow managed to get us onto Batman, Wayne Knight and things that are not related.”
• [11:19] Elliott: “Groover for Hoover is what we’re looking for.”
• [17:38] Naomi (mock-exasperated): “The way you’re not helping me, Andy, is unreal right now…”
• [21:25] Naomi (objecting): “I'm sorry. Changeover is not a word. I will not accept it.”
• [24:12] Andy (mega clue): “Manhattan.”
• [24:12] Elliott: “You got it. Manhattan. Exactly. The place that the Muppets took. You did it.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:42–03:16] Introduction and guest welcome
• [03:55–06:14] Presidential music trivia
• [06:14–11:36] Presidential rhyme game
• [11:43–12:35] Chronological presidents lightning round
• [14:43–24:46] Main puzzle game: Word Centipede
• [23:50–24:12] Manhattan mega-clue
• [24:56–26:20] Wrap-up, plugs & credits

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Summary & Listener Takeaways

This episode of ClueLess crackles with quick wit, loving spousal banter, playful pop culture diversions, and satisfying word challenges. As Naomi and Andy navigate Elliott’s inventive puzzles, listeners can’t help but cheer (and groan) alongside them. The puzzles are clever but accessible, the meta-theme (“Manhattan”) provides a rewarding final “aha!” moment, and the trio’s mutual jeering and support keeps the episode friendly and fast-paced. Whether you're a puzzle fan, trivia buff, or just in it for the laughs, this ClueLess installment hits the sweet spot.

Best enjoyed: With your favorite trivia partner — or to test if you’re faster than Sean Hayes!

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Transcript

[Jennifer]

Oh, could this vintage store be any cuter?

[Unknown Shopper]

Right.

[Jennifer]

And the best part? They accept Discover.

Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so, Jennifer.

Oh, yeah.

Huh?

Discover's accepted where I like to shop.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Come on, baby, get with the times.

[Jennifer]

Right. So we shouldn't get the parachute pants.

These are making a comeback, I think.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. Based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.

[Walmart Express Delivery Announcer]

Walmart Express Delivery can get what you need delivered in as fast as an hour. Whether it's baby formula, when you're down to the last scoop, pet food before the bowl runs empty, batteries for a dead remote, or a last minute gift, it is handled. Try Walmart Express Delivery today and get free delivery with promo code Express Promotion valid for First Express delivery order $50 minimum, subject to availability restrictions apply.

[Podcast Narrator]

Greetings Clueless listeners. While our host Elliot is busy this week preparing his one man performance of the taking of Pelham One Two three, he plays all the parts. It is I the bot back to host another re release. This week, Elliot is joined by hilarious comedians Naomi Ekparigan and Andy Beckerman, married couple and hosts of the podcast Couples Therapy. They'll be trying to add a word before or after a set of other words to make some new words. Yes, that's right. It's our old foe, the word centipede. Believe in yourself and you can defeat him. But please enjoy, for that is your prime directive.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Smart less meow.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I don't approve of name calling, but I do call people by their names. I just find it easier than saying, hey, you, blue shirt man, or brush your teeth, small child I am the father of. I'll even use honorifics for people who deserve it, such as my personal heroes, Mr. Clean and General Tso. One kind of person whose name gets used a lot is the president. All kinds of people use the names of presidents, from reporters to historians to very angry people carrying signs and shouting curse words that rhyme with that specific president's name. But a surprising number of musicians also mention presidents by name. So here's a question for you. In 2018, Billboard.com reported on which president was mentioned in the most published songs. Who was it? Keep listening to find out. This is Clueless.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Clueless.

[Podcast Narrator]

I'm clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Welcome to Smartless Presents. Clueless, the puzzle podcast that makes your tummy feel funny when you go over the bumps. I'm your host, Elliot Kaelin, and I'm just a boy standing in front of a microphone asking you to Listen to him. I'm also the author of Joke Farming, how to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense, a new book about joke writing that's in bookstores now. I had to mention it. The publisher said they would hurt me if I didn't. But I'm even more excited to say that on today's episode, I'll be joined, as always, by guests. And what wonderful guests we have today. The newest members in the Clueless Married Contestants club. She's an actor, writer, and standup. He hosts the podcast Beginnings, and together they co host the podcast Couples Therapy. And Naomi Ekberrigan and Andy Beckerman, thank you so much for joining us today.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Hello, Andy.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That wasn't your real voice.

[Andy Beckerman]

Didn't expect. I'm going to be honest with you, didn't expect it to come out like that. Went for the normal voice, and instead the brain at the last moment switched over some neuron and said, hey, you're going to sound like a moron.

[Elliot Kaelin]

No, I think. I think it was like the you of the future suddenly jumped back in time, and it was like an old man voice came. It came out of you very quickly.

[Andy Beckerman]

Hey, where's the knishes?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Exactly. Exactly. Naomi, is this something that Andy does a lot is just turn into an old man?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Absolutely. I think in a lot of ways, he was born an old man. And then every now and then, a young person fights their way out for pleasure.

[Elliot Kaelin]

We call that sporadic Benjamin Buttoning. It's a medical term. Now, before we go on with the rest of the show, Naomi and Andy, tell me, do you know the answer to our opening question? Which president was mentioned in the most published songs as of the year 2018?

[Andy Beckerman]

Oh, McKinley, obviously.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

No. You know what I think? Andy Beckerman, do you want to say.

[Andy Beckerman]

Do you want to know what I paran. Wife.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Husband. Andy Beckerman? I think the answer is Richard Nixon. I feel like people are always talking about him. I feel like people are always talking about him.

[Andy Beckerman]

Well, ABBA wrote an entire album cycle about Nixon, so obviously it is.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I like that you called them abba. Never heard that.

[Elliot Kaelin]

When it's really abba.

[Andy Beckerman]

Oh, sorry. No, it's really a B. B, A. I'm sorry that I.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay, so which answer would you like? Is Nixon? The answer you'd like to go with?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Andrew, do you support me? Of course.

[Andy Beckerman]

Wow. I didn't realize you were turning trivia into some kind of marital position. Let's see here. Yes, I support you with Nixon, even though I. I think probably it's. Again, it's gonna be James K. Polk for real.

[Elliot Kaelin]

But I'm sorry, you are both wrong. The answer is President Obama got mentioned a lot of songs as of 2018. In published songs, Obama had 309 mentions. Below him was George W. Bush with 116, Neville Clinton with 105, Ronald Reagan 59, Trump at 33. Trump certainly had some more mentions since then. Very few pop songs about Zachary Taylor. But These are the 2018 numbers. Maybe someone's written one since 2018. We don't know. Listeners research that let me know about it right in. So are you surprised that it was a modern president who would get mentioned in modern songs a lot?

[Andy Beckerman]

Well, just think about how many probably right wing country singers mentioned Obama at the same pace that probably a bunch of rappers mentioned Obama. And you probably. That's what boost the numbers up.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yeah, it's wild to me. I don't. I am shocked. I am gobsmacked because it's like you're telling me we're talking about popular music. You like music from what, the 60s to 2018. And you're telling. And you're telling me they're talking about Obama like that.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I'm not telling you this. Billboard.com is telling you this. You've got to take it up with that website. That's what I would say.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

You are the mouthpiece for Billboard.com and I've always said that unfortunately that's what

[Elliot Kaelin]

this business does to you is it turns you into a mouthpiece for Billboard.com. another little known fact about the U.S. presidency, every single president has been a fan of hip hop. All of them. Even Zachary Taylor, who I mentioned before. It's the only thing most people know about him. So in our next game, we will honor that chief executive passion for rhyming by asking you questions where each answer will be a word that rhymes with the name of a former United States president. For example, if I ask you to describe the act of making a trade with a president who is once a peanut farmer, you would say what words?

[Andy Beckerman]

I would say Jimmy Carter. And then I would have to think of the word.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And what word would mean making a trade? Trading something for something else.

[Andy Beckerman]

Barter. Carter barter.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You're right. It would be a barter with Carter. You did it. Or a Carter barter. Now, are you ready to rhyme some names with words that are not names?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Maybe.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay, well, this first one I think will be hopefully not too confusing if you were at an Outback steakhouse with our only president who was once a Missouri haberdasher and wanted him to have their signature onion dish. What would you order?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay.

[Andy Beckerman]

Bloomin Onion. Right.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

So we know a Bloomin Onion. Now, haberdasher. That's a hat maker, right?

[Andy Beckerman]

That's. Yes.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Someone who generally sells hats and also. And could be clothing as well, but mainly. Yeah.

[Andy Beckerman]

Hey, was the Batman villain the Mad Hatter? Was that. Was he a haberdasher originally and then became a Batman villain?

[Elliot Kaelin]

I think he was a scientist who was obsessed with the work of Lewis Carroll and went insane and patted himself on the Mad Hatter.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay, I like that you said you think, Elliot, when you absolutely know.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And that's very relevant to this question.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Exactly. We have to stay on presidents, so.

[Elliot Kaelin]

But think about what kind of onion is it? You've mentioned it already.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

It's bloomin.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay. And what kind of president would rhyme with Bloomin?

[Andy Beckerman]

Newman from Seinfeld.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes, but there's no. The thing was he ran for president under his real name, Wayne Knight. So unfortunately, that wouldn't work for this. If I said you had a knife out and you're fighting Truman. Truman, Truman, Truman. Thank you.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Why did that.

[Andy Beckerman]

Truman was a haberdasher.

[Elliot Kaelin]

He was a haberdasher in Missouri. Yes. Among other things. You know, he was also a judge, I believe, and then eventually vice president and then president.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Don't you love the past when you can just have 40,000 jobs, but then all of them powerful and money generating as a career?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Back then you just kind of went from one job to another until you were president.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Exactly.

[Andy Beckerman]

And now it's just McKinsey, consultant president.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, exactly. Let's go to the next question. So that was great. You got Bloomin for Truman this one. If you wanted to celebrate the birth of a new child to World War II's supreme allied commander, what would you throw?

[Andy Beckerman]

World War II, supreme allied commander.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. And something you'd throw to celebrate the birth of a new child.

[Andy Beckerman]

A Brisbane.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Chris for Chris. Unfortunately, there's no president named Chris.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

But wait, you said impending birth.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

So wait, are we talking about a shower? Perhaps a baby shower? President Matt Lauer. I'm just going with rhyme. Eisenhower.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. Thank you. It's a shower for Eisenhower. You did it, Amy. You are. You are running away with this game. It's a cooperative game, and yet you're somehow still winning. You're somehow still beating Andy.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

You what? It's because my husband is a goof and so he somehow managed to get us onto Batman, Wayne Knight and things that are not related.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Well, it makes sense because Wayne Knight was the Dark Knight, the original Batman. Yeah.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

The original Dark Knight was Wayne Knight.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So let's go to the next question. If you were to go down into a gold mine with the United States most overweightest president, in what structure would you be with that president?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay, now this one. I know, but. Andy, would you like to take a second?

[Andy Beckerman]

It's Taft, right? I mean, that.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yes.

[Andy Beckerman]

That much.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yes. And now, what are you.

[Andy Beckerman]

One thing I know. It's the BMI of every US President going back to Washington.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

All right, so then you are in a shaft with Taft.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Very good. A shaft with Taft. A mineshaft with Taft. And for the final question in this game. But I have an alternate question if you don't get it. If you were to perform a disco dance for the president, whose name Brits use as a synonym for a vacuum cleaner, you would be a.

[Andy Beckerman]

Well, the Brits, obviously, the word that they use for a vacuum cleaner is a lift. Yep.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So a Hoover.

[Andy Beckerman]

Everyone. Everyone, Just so you know, we're goofing. It's a Hoover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You didn't really think it was in a lift with Clift Montgomery.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yes, but the dance is what I. Is where I. My. My brow is furrowed.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Listen, that's why. So this one's a little tough. That's why I have an alternate one in case you have trouble with this one with the same president, but a different word, but Hoover.

[Andy Beckerman]

Hoover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

If you're performing a disco dance, you could be a disco dance.

[Andy Beckerman]

Shoover a mover with Hoover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You know what I'm gonna give you?

[Andy Beckerman]

Groover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

What'd you say?

[Andy Beckerman]

Groover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Did you say Groover?

[Andy Beckerman]

Groover.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. You know what? Groover for Hoover is what we're looking for. So you got it. I'm gonna give you my alternate. Also, this was. If you didn't get that one, I was gonna say if you were taking that same president to France's most famous art museum, but you did not know how to pronounce that art museum's name, you'd be going to the Louver Man. Louver with Hoover. Exactly.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yeah.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Nice work. Very good. You eventually got all of those. I did not think you were gonna get Groover, so I'm very impressed by that.

[Podcast Narrator]

I'm clueless.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay, that was the nerdy part of the game. Now it's time for the really nerdy part of the game. We mentioned four of our presidents. Truman, Eisenhower, Taft, and Hoover. Can you put them in chronological order?

[Andy Beckerman]

Wait, say them again.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Truman, Eisenhower, Taft, Hoover, Taft, Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower. Very good. You got it. That's it. And of Course, way back before the mall was the big man, Daddy Z. Zachary Taylor. I don't know. I don't know why he's the one I keep mentioning.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Well, it's funny because every time you say Zachary Taylor, what I think of is actor from Home Improvement, Zachary Ty Bryan. I am not familiar with president. I didn't know we had a president named Zach.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, they did call him Zach too.

[Andy Beckerman]

He's a heartthrob too.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

And no, it's really giving Tiger beat. President Zachary Taylor is so tiger beat and I don't know him.

[Elliot Kaelin]

No, he was. He was an old man. He died fairly early into his term from eating too much food in the sun and getting sick in the sun. Yeah, he was just. It was a hot day and he ate too much. Anyway, it's one of my younger son's favorite presidential death. Every now and then he'll go, who's the president who died because he ate cherries and cream in the sun? I'm like, that's Zachary Taylor.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, joy.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Another day, another buzz delayed.

[Unknown Shopper]

Look on the bright side, you can finally catch up on podcasts.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You don't mind running late.

[Andy Beckerman]

What's your deal?

[Unknown Shopper]

What's my deal? I saved at Metro with no activation fees. I got one line of 5G for just 25amonth. Kept the phone I love and a 5 year price guarantee for my talk text and data.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Only 25. I'm going to Metro when we hop off.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Get that more for your money feeling.

[Metro by T-Mobile Announcer]

Only a Metro by T mobile. Just bring your number. $30 first month and 25 after with auto pay price guarantee exceptions. Apply CSI for details.

[Jennifer]

Oh, could this vintage store be any cuter?

[Unknown Shopper]

Right.

[Jennifer]

And the best part, they accept Discover.

Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so, Jennifer.

Oh yeah.

Huh.

Discover's accepted where I like to shop.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Come on, baby, get with the times.

[Jennifer]

Right. So we shouldn't get the parachute pants.

These are making a comeback, I think.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. Based on the February 2025 Nielsen report.

[Walmart Express Delivery Announcer]

Walmart Express Delivery can get what you need delivered in as fast as an hour. Whether it's baby formula, when you're down to the last scoop, pet food before the bowl runs empty, batteries for a dead remote or a last minute gift. It is handled. Try Walmart Express Delivery today and get free delivery with promo code. Express Promotion valid for First Express delivery order $50 minimum. Subject to availability restrictions apply.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Listeners. Did you do as well as Andy and Naomi? If not that's okay. Fixating on presidents merely reinforces the outdated great man theory of history. And it's hard enough to find a good man. Am I right, ladies?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

You know, hey,

[Elliot Kaelin]

just in case I'm not, let's move on to our main game. It's called Word Centipede. Centipede. Word Centipede is not a game about rhymes. Put away your rhyming dictionaries. Take out your non rhyming dictionaries, if such a thing even exists. Naomi and Andy, I'm going to give you a set of words, and you must tell me what word can go before them or after them to make a whole new word. For example, if I said fun, jail, and fly, what word would you add to each of those? The same word to each to make three new words.

[Narrator/Announcer]

House.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Exactly right. House. You would make turn fun into fun, house, jail into jailhouse, and fly into house. Fly. Now, are you two ready to scent us some peds?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Absolutely. Andrew, look at me. Look me in the eye and tell me you're ready. Don't you. Don't you. Don't you let me down in front of company. And company is Elliot, Kailyn, and the listeners.

[Andy Beckerman]

Hold on. Is her marriage on the line?

[Elliot Kaelin]

Very much so.

[Andy Beckerman]

I didn't know that.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, well.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Well, you should come into any trivia game thinking our marriage is on the line.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All right, your first set of words. Let, do. D, U, E. Way. Let do what? And way. W, A, Y.

[Andy Beckerman]

Do. Let do way.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yes. What word could you add to each of those to make three new words?

[Andy Beckerman]

What's the. All right, here. Here's just a procedure, some kind of. Of algorithm in our brains to try to get through this. Okay, what's the easiest one, Naomi, that you can think of to add a word to? Because none of those jump out at me as, like, an easy phrase.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I know the bat. The only thing that's coming to me off the bat right now, I'm thinking, what, Ward? Wayward.

[Andy Beckerman]

Wayward.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

But then I'm like, do we do. That's not. Do word. Isn't a thing. And then, Ward, let is not a thing.

[Andy Beckerman]

Past due. That's the first thing that jumped out to me.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So that's a phrase. That's not a phrase.

[Andy Beckerman]

Not a word. But that's the problem.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Yes, that is. That's what makes it tough.

[Elliot Kaelin]

I'm gonna give you a little hint on this one. You're gonna add to the top of each of the words.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Add to the top.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It's not always that way. But for this one all three of them. You're gonna add a prefix.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay, so now the only thing that's coming to me is leeway. But there's no such thing as a Lee Let or a Leadoo.

[Andy Beckerman]

So that we do is probably a good name for a character in the Fifth Element.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

That would be nice. Stay with me, Andrew.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, Elite. You also sounds like the kind of event that Zachary Taylor might have eaten all those cherries at and got sick.

[Andy Beckerman]

Oh, we're going to a fine old southern Lee do. And yes, most of us die of food poisoning in a couple weeks, but we're gonna have some real fun down here. Also, I don't know why I'm Cajun.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

The way you're not helping me, Andy, is unreal right now, because I am trying to think sideway.

[Andy Beckerman]

The movie.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Subway.

[Andy Beckerman]

Sub.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Sub, do, Sublet.

[Andy Beckerman]

Subway.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You got it. You got it. You added subs, you get sublet, subdue, and Subway.

[Andy Beckerman]

When I hear sub, I'm just used to people on the street looking at me going, look at that sub.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I think it's important to hold for silence. I'm glad that you were with me on that, Elliot.

[Andy Beckerman]

David, can you leave that silence in there?

[Elliot Kaelin]

You're very lucky, Andy, that. That the audience at home can. Could not see the expression on your wife's face. Let's move on to our next question. In word. Centipedes. This next set of words. Sky, blood, Jaw. What word could you add to sky? Blood and jaw.

[Andy Beckerman]

Sky.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay. Sky.

[Andy Beckerman]

So what's the. Okay, what's the skyway?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Sub, Sub. Let.

[Andy Beckerman]

Do.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

No, let's.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Sub. Blood, sub, Jaw. Yeah.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Skyline. Bloodline. Draw. Line.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Very good. You got it. Line.

[Andy Beckerman]

Yeah, that was great.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Skyline. Bloodline, Jawline. Let's go to number three. Third set of words. Ward. W, A, R, D Word. W, A, R, D. Broad. B, R, O, A, D. And door. I'm not going to spell door for you. You know how that's spelled. So. So, W, A R D word. Broad and door.

[Andy Beckerman]

Broadway, doorway, and then whatever the first word was. Way.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Wayward. Wayward. Wayward. Very good. You got it.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Do you see how wayward is something I said in the first selection of words and it came into the third selection? So in a way, what I was. Was ahead.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Yeah, you were seeing the questions from the future. Or maybe someone leaked you the questions ahead of time. You just got the order mixed up, in which case I need to figure out what's going on here.

[Andy Beckerman]

No, Naomi used to be one of the creatures from Minority Report.

[Elliot Kaelin]

One of the creatures. I was a Creature people.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I said a creature.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Set number four. Before we get you in any more trouble, set number four. The words are X as in ex X over and short X over, short, X. Martin.

[Andy Beckerman]

Martin, short.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

My eyes are closed right now. I'm trying to visualize you guys. And I don't know if you do this at home, too. If you have a visualize moment where you just close your eyes and try to see what comes to you, perhaps in a moment of clarity, what's coming to you.

[Andy Beckerman]

Naomi, what do you say?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Okay. What I'm seeing is Okay. I feel like Sylvia Brown right now. What I'm seeing is short.

[Andy Beckerman]

Do you see any pre crime?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I don't see any pre crime.

[Elliot Kaelin]

It's rare. It's rare that we have people on as a team and one of them is actively sabotaging the team. Thank you.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

This is what I'm saying.

[Andy Beckerman]

Elliot, Elliot, let me ask you. Is there a good way to do this? Because.

[Elliot Kaelin]

No.

[Andy Beckerman]

What we're doing now. Okay, great.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And if you want. Oh, oh, oh.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Is it shortage? Overage.

[Andy Beckerman]

Wait, what about overt over?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

That's just a T.

[Andy Beckerman]

I was at

[Elliot Kaelin]

least trying to use a. It almost works. Overt and T. Text. Almost work. But to. Short doesn't. Or should. Short doesn't.

[Andy Beckerman]

Hey, it's me. Text.

[Jennifer]

Dang.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I'm proud of shortage.

[Andy Beckerman]

You know, I'm here, y'.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All. You were so close. There's no. There's no shame in that. You tried really hard. The answer is change. Exchange. Changeover, and short Change are what we were looking for.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I'm sorry. Changeover is not a word. I will not accept it. Changeover is one word.

[Andy Beckerman]

Oh, wife. I have to support my wife. Changeover.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

All.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

All I can say is that it's in the Oxford English Dictionary. That's.

[Elliot Kaelin]

That's all I can say, that we stick to words that are in the Oxford English Dictionary.

[Andy Beckerman]

We're American. We're American. I don't use the Oxford English Dictionary.

[Elliot Kaelin]

No, it's. No, we use the Oxford, Mississippi English Dictionary. Okay, so I'm going to. I'm going to write the word challenge next to that question, and I'll bring it to the clueless judges and we'll see sometime. There's one. One set of words left in this game. Those words are land, jeans, G, E, N, E, S, like genetic genes. Not like you wear and tax.

[Andy Beckerman]

Thank you.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Land, like.

[Andy Beckerman]

And you thought we were so dumb. Based on our performance so far.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Based on our performance.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure.

[Andy Beckerman]

That they know I'm talking about chromosomes and not pants. And not pants.

[Elliot Kaelin]

So these words are land, jeans, and tax. What word can you add?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Land, land, man, man, jeans, tax, man.

[Elliot Kaelin]

And then I thought you were going to end with man. Tax. I be like,

[Naomi Ekparigan]

land, jeans, and tax.

[Andy Beckerman]

Jeans has to be the easy. The easiest one, right?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Like so little that would go with jeans.

[Andy Beckerman]

So it be like, let's see here. Let me run through everything I know about gnome.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Gnome, land and the gnome. Tax. Yeah, that's what Sauron was imposing on Middle Earth. Yeah.

[Andy Beckerman]

Jeans.

[Elliot Kaelin]

All right. Would you like. Would you like to know the answer?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I would.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay, the word we're at. This is a hard one. The word we're asking you to add is. Is for island, Genesis and taxis.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

No, no, no, no. Actually. Actually challenge.

[Andy Beckerman]

Okay.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Take that to the board.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Those are all words.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

The island. It's like Genesis.

[Andy Beckerman]

Smartest boys down here right now to judge this.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

I like the way.

[Andy Beckerman]

What?

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Actually, I went from feeling dumb to feeling enraged.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Okay, that's okay. Use that. Use that. Because these words have been well and truly Centipede it. But the game is not over yet. Before we let these creepy crawlies. Creepy crawl off. That's the centipedes. There is a mega clue.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Mega clue question.

[Elliot Kaelin]

There is a theme which connects one of the words you created or that I told you in each of these sets. Can you tell us. You'll get this one. Can you tell us what the common theme is between the following words? Exchange, Subway, skyline, Broadway and island.

[Andy Beckerman]

Manhattan.

[Elliot Kaelin]

You got it. Manhattan. Exactly. The place that the Muppets took. You did it. So you didn't do great in that game, but you did get the mega clue, so that was fantastic. So, listeners at home, did you get the answers? If so, that's great. You now have a bunch of centipedes in your house. Don't believe me? Go check your bed. But before you do that, let's take a moment to say goodbye to this episode of Clueless. I'd like to thank my guests Naomi Ekparigan and Andy Beckerman for never cracking under the pressure and also never pressing under the cracker, whatever that means. And I'd like to thank you, the listener, for being such good listeners. I feel like I could tell you anything. For instance, first I'm gonna tell you I have a book out. Joke Farming, how to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense. It's on store shelves now. You can go buy it. It'll teach you how to write jokes.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

And this is producer Devin. I'd like to tell you that if you like any of the music on Clueless, I have a new album out. It's called Blame it on My Zodiac and you can find it at painkillerthepigeon.bandcamp.com or honestly, anywhere you stream stuff.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Check it out. We'll be back next week with more Smartless Presents Clueless. I've been your host, Elliot Kaelin. Join us next time when I'll be bringing you all new games, but probably wearing the same pants. Goodbye Clueless.

[Devin Tory Bryant]

You have been listening to Smartless Presents Clueless, a Smartless media Production association with SiriusXM. Your host is Elliot Kaelin, who also writes our scripts. Today's contestants were Naomi Ekparigan and Andy Beckerman. Check out their show Couples Therapy anywhere you get your podcasts. Your producer, editor and engineer is Devin Tory Bryant, who is me. I also write all the music and sound effects. Today's puzzles were by Kevin Lehman and Matt Pack. Talent producer is Anne Harris, Associate Producer Maddy McCann Social media producer Tommy Galgano. Executive producers are Elliot Kaelin, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman. Executive producers for Smartless Media are Richard Corson and Bernie Kaminski. Remember to follow, subscribe, rate and review the show. It really helps. That's all for now. We will see you again for more.

[Elliot Kaelin]

Smart, less mediocre.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh joy.

[Naomi Ekparigan]

Another day, another buzz delayed.

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