SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
"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.
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
4 snips
May 11, 2026 • 1h 1min
"Kareem Rahma"
Kareem Rahma, comedian, artist and media entrepreneur behind Subway Takes, chats about NYC life and the chaos of sidewalk culture. He recounts creating viral short-form interviews, the logistics of shooting subway conversations, and plans to expand his shows into live and TV-quality projects.
46 snips
May 8, 2026 • 1h 16min
"Jonah Hill LIVE"
Jonah Hill, actor, writer, and director known for Superbad and his dramatic turns, joins the live show to talk career shifts, directing, and family life. He recalls skate culture roots and mentorships, explains moving from writing to performing, and teases current projects while reflecting on balancing hobbies and fatherhood.
66 snips
May 4, 2026 • 1h 5min
"Colin Jost"
Colin Jost, SNL Weekend Update co-anchor and comedy writer, shares wild backstage stories and late-night feasting rituals. He recounts early childhood speech quirks, the oddities of SNL face molds, and buying a Staten Island Ferry to turn into a public event space. Conversations jump from writer-room candy binges and health scares to his path from Harvard Lampoon to head writer, plus thoughts on acting and Pop Culture Jeopardy.
39 snips
Apr 27, 2026 • 1h
"Nick Kroll"
They trade stories about morning rituals, running, and beating algorithm fatigue with walks. Nick dives into scavenger hunts, early LA antics, and bombing that changed his comedy path. Voiceover work, Big Mouth origins, and juggling projects and family come up. Harry Styles even shows up in a proposal tale.
67 snips
Apr 20, 2026 • 1h 2min
"Aubrey Plaza"
Aubrey Plaza, actor and producer known for deadpan comedy and dramatic turns. She shares stories from her UCB sketch roots and big break week, the stroke she had at 20 and how it shifted her outlook, producing Emily the Criminal and lessons learned, and her new animated series Kevin based on her cat. Playful banter, nostalgia, and surprising personal moments drive the conversation.
18 snips
Apr 13, 2026 • 1h 11min
"Amanda Peet"
Amanda Peet, actor, producer and writer known for film and TV work and a recent New Yorker essay. She talks about stage fright versus camera comfort, early auditions and headshot stories, family caregiving and a personal medical scare that inspired her writing. Conversation also covers producing, showrunning and her new film, plus sleep and daily routines.
33 snips
Apr 9, 2026 • 51min
"RE-RELEASE: Charlie Day"
Charlie Day, actor, writer, comedian and musician best known for co-creating and starring in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He talks about early career hustle, forming creative partnerships, his music background, theater training as boot camp, pitching and self-producing projects, and balancing family life with directing and new projects.
95 snips
Apr 6, 2026 • 1h 5min
"Stephen Colbert"
Stephen Colbert, comedian and longtime late-night TV legend, drops by to riff on his early New York grind, writing and sketch roots, and life after The Colbert Report. He shares wild backstage stories, pitches a cheeky hotline comedy idea, and dives into film obsessions and onstage mishaps. Short, funny, and full of unexpected detours.
20 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 1h
"Elle Fanning"
Elle Fanning, actor and producer known for roles from child stardom to acclaimed adult leads, joins for a lively conversation. She recounts her tornado-warning birth and Southern roots. They explore her start acting alongside her sister Dakota, bold choices like The Neon Demon, producing Margot's Got Money Troubles, and plans to direct one day.
18 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 2min
"Maggie Gyllenhaal"
Maggie Gyllenhaal, acclaimed actor-turned-director behind The Lost Daughter and The Bride, chats about moving from acting into directing. She discusses directing at larger scale, working with actors, worldbuilding a 1936-styled film, and using VFX to serve story. Plus scenes about family life in Vermont and small pleasures like Wordle.
