SmartLess

INTRODUCING: I Need You Guys with Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate and Max Silvestri (w/ Sean Hayes)

November 6, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Jenny Slate sought advice from Sean Hayes on how to handle her character's image being co-opted by the White House official Instagram account for a politically charged meme. 
  • The hosts of *I Need You Guys* (Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate, and Max Silvestri) discussed their shared history, including Gabe's childhood 'Super Grover' joke and Sean Hayes' early commitment to starting the *SmartLess* podcast. 
  • The etiquette question of the week concerned the acceptability of nose-picking in public, with the consensus being that it should be avoided in public view, though the satisfaction of clearing nasal congestion was acknowledged. 

Segments

Blair Witch Project Analysis
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(00:00:56)
  • Key Takeaway: The acting in The Blair Witch Project is characterized as threading the line between naturalistic and improv troupe quality.
  • Summary: One speaker watched The Blair Witch Project for ‘October Fest’ and recalled believing it was real as a child. Upon rewatching, the acting style was noted for its naturalism, resembling an improv troupe. The snot visible on one actress was cited as a detail that made the fear seem authentic.
Delco Accent and Taskmaster
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(00:02:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Gabe Liedman has consciously suppressed his Delaware County (Delco) accent since moving to New York at age 19 to sound more like a newscaster.
  • Summary: Gabe Liedman’s Delco accent is brought out by watching Taskmaster, which he has only seen one episode of. He actively worked to lose the accent after moving to New York, once being corrected for saying ‘Wooder.’ The hosts proposed doing an entire future episode using a Philly accent.
The Nick Show Medical Humor
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(00:03:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts fondly recalled the medical absurdity and dark humor present in the show The Nick (likely Nip/Tuck given context), particularly regarding questionable medical procedures.
  • Summary: The speakers referenced the show The Nick for its old-fashioned, rule-breaking content, specifically mentioning a bit about using FDA-approved eye medicine for penile injections. They recalled scenes featuring bizarre operations performed in amphitheater-like settings while people were using cocaine.
White House Meme Co-option
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(00:05:23)
  • Key Takeaway: The official White House Instagram account posted a meme using Jenny Slate’s Parks and Recreation character, Mona Lisa Saperstein, to mock illegal immigrants and Democrats.
  • Summary: Jenny Slate received a text about an Instagram post from the official White House account featuring her character Mona Lisa Saperstein saying ‘money, please.’ The meme captioned her with ‘illegal immigrants’ and Henry Winkler’s character with ‘Democrats,’ which Slate found deeply upsetting and cruel. The group debated the appropriate response, leaning toward not engaging on the platform where the attack occurred.
Amelia Bedelia Commentary
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(00:08:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The character Amelia Bedelia, known for literal interpretations, could not exist in the current social climate due to the risk of being misinterpreted or attacked.
  • Summary: The discussion briefly touched on Amelia Bedelia, noting that her literal humor would likely lead to backlash today. Max Silvestri mentioned making pancakes and getting chocolate chips on his makeup, which was compared to Amelia Bedelia’s literal actions.
SmartLess Origin Story
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(00:15:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The SmartLess podcast originated in March 2020 as a way for Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett to stay connected while working remotely on Q-Force.
  • Summary: Sean Hayes recalled setting up his podcast equipment in March 2020, right before they transitioned to remote work for Q-Force via Zoom. He started SmartLess simply to hang out with his friends when they couldn’t meet in person. The podcast grew organically from this desire to connect, referencing the old shampoo commercial slogan about telling two friends.
Nostalgic Commercials Discussion
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(00:16:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The commercial for Gleam Toothpaste, where a woman licked her lips after reading the upside-down label, was recalled as an example of effective, playful advertising.
  • Summary: The hosts reminisced about old commercials, including one for a shampoo that made people want to eat the soap (likely Irish Spring). They specifically recalled the Gleam Toothpaste commercial where the upside-down text was misread, noting that such playful advertising is less common now.
Childhood Comedic Moments
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(00:17:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Gabe Liedman considers his first successful joke to be yelling ‘Super Grover’ after flying down the aisle of a school bus and landing at the front.
  • Summary: Sean Hayes shared a favorite story about Gabe Liedman falling down the school bus aisle after hard braking and immediately claiming he was ‘Super Grover.’ Sean also shared his own early comedic tactic of intentionally tripping on the stairs at graduation to elicit applause.
Etiquette of Nose Picking
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(00:36:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The consensus on nose picking etiquette is that while it is a satisfying act, especially in dry climates like Colorado, it should be avoided in public view.
  • Summary: A listener from Colorado asked about the etiquette of nose picking, noting its prevalence due to dry air and anxiety. The hosts agreed that while the act itself is satisfying, discretion is key, suggesting that people are bolder doing it in their cars because they won’t see the observer again.
Friendship Flourishing Under Pressure
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(00:30:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Sean Hayes advised that having heated discussions about passionate topics within a long friendship, like the hosts of SmartLess do, ultimately makes the bond stronger.
  • Summary: Max asked Sean Hayes for advice on maintaining a strong friendship while professionalizing it through podcasting. Sean stated that he and his co-hosts have had arguments, but working through them only tightens their bond. He encouraged the I Need You Guys hosts to have passionate discussions without fear of damaging their relationship.