Audio Sample
Publisher:
Amazon, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, Smartless Media, Wondery
SmartLess
4.6/5
Critic Rating
4.4/5
Listener Rating
"SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind.New episodes on Mondays for free. Listen 1-week early and to all episodes ad-free with Wondery+ or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
Critic Reviews
Score: 4.9
Andrzej Lukowski • Timeout.com • Apr 11, 2022
"SmartLess may not be dumb, but it’s the podcast equivalent of a big glossy summer blockbuster...The appeal is the massive guests - pretty much as big as it gets - plus the undeniable easy, breezy, multimillion-dollar charm of the hosts."
Score: 4.4
Nicholas Quah • Vulture • Mar 15, 2022
"There are clear strengths to Smartless. The trio’s combined rolodex is formidable, which has produced a guest roster stacked with hard gets and eclectic additions that speak toward the interests of each individual. But the interestingness of the show’s guests tends to be undercut by the fact that the hosts, collectively, are not especially effective interviewers. ... if you’re hankering for a podcast offering proximity to show business and other assorted fantastical worlds, Smartless is a prime listen: relaxed, low-stakes, undifficult, uncomplicated. Smartless is as safe as it gets. In that sense, its success is almost provocative."
Score: 5
Elijah Klein • The Communicator • Mar 1, 2022
"An aspect of the show that I really enjoy is the quality and diversity of guests that they are able to bring on. An aspect of the show that I really enjoy is the quality and diversity of guests that they are able to bring on. An aspect of the show that I really enjoy is the quality and diversity of guests that they are able to bring on."
Score: 4.8
Tony Clayton-Lea • Irish Independent • Feb 12, 2022
"...they snag the attention of their interviewees with little more than great chemistry and a smart, funny line of curiosity. It helps that the guests are either friends or good or even casual acquaintances, but there’s something else at play here, and that’s a serious, almost journalistic intention to dig (albeit gently). The only noticeable flaw of what is a regularly entertaining podcast series? The establishing introductions are too long — sometimes up to five minutes of inconsequential banter — but it’s a small price to pay for the subsequent fun."
Score: 4.5
Amy Campbell • GQ (Aus) • Aug 31, 2021
"I listened to the Jennifer Aniston episode and ate my opinions, because the conversation really does feel unplanned and unmanufactured. And in the very controlled context of celebrity interviews today, that’s worth appreciating."
Score: 5
Katherine Harrell • The Bagpipe • Mar 10, 2021
"At this point, I have listened to multiple episodes. The fluidity of the conversations makes the time pass quickly. Batemen, Hayes and Arnett constantly add humor by making good-natured funny jabs at each other and sometimes the guest. The conversations feel easy, and I like how they don’t follow the norm. The questions they ask set them apart from other podcasts, yet they still tackle personal topics. Overall, there is a lot to like about the podcast. It’s funny, entertaining and eats up time. I think it would be a fun podcast for anyone whether they are a podcast connoisseur or just dipping their toes in the water."
Score: 4.9
Marc Hershon • Vulture • Dec 17, 2020
"...the real treat of this weekly show is the interplay between the three hosts. Clearly friends for a long time...they have great fun mocking each other relentlessly. Oftentimes they gang up on each other, with each guy taking his turn in the hot seat. The comedic pummeling gets so crazy that the guest invariably jumps in to side with the odd man out."
Score: 3
Mr. Hipster • Mr. Hipster Blog • Nov 13, 2020
"When Bateman and Arnett are busting each other’s balls, it can be amusing. But, often times, is a devolution from the guest’s story. But Sean Hayes has no idea what a transition is. They’ll finally get the guest on some interesting track and he’ll read a question that he’s clearly drafted beforehand that has nothing to do with what’s being said. And it’s jarring."
Score: 4.9
Bridget Arsenault • Air Mail • Sep 26, 2020
"...it’s a simple setup, but the resulting conversations...are authentic and unrehearsed."
Score: 4.6
Dustin Rowles • Pajiba • Sep 18, 2020
"Alas, SmartLess is not that much different than the above podcasts, except that in many ways, it’s better. Why? Because Arnett, Bateman, and Hayes are best friends, and they’re the kind of best friends that constantly give each other shit, and there is something infectious about their chemistry....but SmartLess feels like a small party with close friends who are comfortable needling each other’s weak spots in front of the guests. Arnett can say “Eat shit, Bateman,” while also asking Kamala Harris about the state of the economy. That’s fun.The three of them are so sharp and quick-witted, in fact, that I often wish they’d do an occasional episode without a guest, because their repartee remains the best part about their show, at least for the first year or two, by which time I will know all of their stories, too."
Listener Reviews
Score: 4
Janet P. • Oct 18, 2022
"It just gives off these uncomfortable bullying vibes. At first, this podcast was my go to for my daily horrendous commute. But the weekly trashing on Sean has gotten dull and old. It's taken on a new level of discomfort from what used to be a cool brotherly ribbing vibe to now - just mean. Sean is a better person than I am because I would have lost my s**t long ago - especially on Will. Jason and Sean do well on their own without the need for Will's useless jabs. I only listen now when the guest is irresistible. Today- I had to suffer through another episode of this old tiring schtick that I think has run it's course. Get with it guys - it's not cute anymore."
Score: 5
Imran A. • Mar 15, 2021
"I could not stop laughing at the George Clooney episode. The pranks he pulled on Richard Kind had me crying!"
Score: 4.5
Imran A. • Nov 11, 2020
"Already a fan of Smartless and Neil. A great mashup. There are moments where Neil starts answering a question right after a joke has been made. You think he didn't hear it, but within 5 seconds while answering a scientific question he starts laughing and that sort of delayed gratification is something I love. It registers. "
Score: 4.5
Imran A. • Sep 28, 2020
"So I am going out of order and I just listened to the first episode of SmartLess w/ Dax Shepard as guest. Did not matter. =) Dax (Arm Chair Expert Podcast), having his own podcast, does give a tip or two on making an enjoyable podcast. Origins of ragging on Sean Hayes begins here. "
Score: 4.5
Imran A. • Sep 25, 2020
"Maya Rudolph is such a delight. The team still rag on Sean Hayes...LOL. I guess its a running gag now. This episode had a nice balance of improve interview and questions. Recommended."
Score: 4
Imran A. • Sep 7, 2020
"Dream team of Arnett, Hayes, and Bateman make this podcast so enjoyable. There are a lot of comedy interview podcasts. This is in the same path, but with a refreshing variation. The three of them are such good friends we are in on the joke whent hey rip each other. Will Ferrell on this episode was a delight and I was recommended that it was non-stop laughter. I didn't have non-stop laughter, but I was amused, especially at the story about Will being a bank teller. Worth it. "
