What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett · Podcast · 2026
If you loved SmartLess, start with My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman (2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to SmartLess across media.
What hooked you in SmartLess was the magnetic chemistry of friends whose natural rapport turns every celebrity interview into a candid, authentic conversation.
Books on the same thread
No Dumb Questions
Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce · Book · 2026
Explores: sibling dynamics, fraternal bond, pop-culture trivia.
If you enjoyed the easy banter of SmartLess, you will appreciate how the Kelce brothers bring that same fraternal energy and spontaneous humor to their conversational essays.
What's Next
Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack · Book
Explores: creative collaboration, cultural legacy, workplace camaraderie.
Much like the workplace camaraderie found in SmartLess, this retrospective highlights the deep creative bonds and authentic behind-the-scenes stories shared by long-time collaborators and friends.
Howard Stern Comes Again
Howard Stern · Book · 2019
Explores: Celebrity Culture, Self-Reflection, Personal Growth.
Fans of the interview format in SmartLess will value how this book strips away the celebrity facade to reveal the personal, unscripted truths behind the world's most famous names.
Talking to Strangers
Malcolm Gladwell · Book · 2019
Explores: Miscommunication, Social Perception, Trust.
While SmartLess uses humor to bridge the gap between strangers, this book offers a deeper psychological exploration of why our attempts to understand others often fail so spectacularly.
Films on the same thread
Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic
Eliot Rausch · Film · 2026
Explores: Creative collaboration, World-building process, Artistic craftsmanship.
If you value the collaborative spirit of the SmartLess hosts, you will enjoy this look at the collective creative effort and shared vision required to build a cinematic world.
The Intouchables
Film · 2011
Explores: Unlikely Friendship, Social Class Divide, Human Resilience.
This film mirrors the unlikely, chemistry-driven friendships central to SmartLess, proving that the most engaging stories emerge when two very different people find common ground through humor.
Gary
Christopher Storer · Film · 2026
Explores: work-life balance, cultural adaptation, male friendship.
Fans of the spontaneous road-trip energy in SmartLess will connect with this buddy comedy, which leans into the authentic, messy, and humorous dynamics of male friendship.
Clueless
Amy Heckerling · Film · 1995
Explores: Social Status, Makeover, Self-Discovery.
If the witty, fast-paced dialogue of SmartLess keeps you coming back, you will find a similar joy in the sharp, character-driven humor that defines this iconic high school comedy.
Series on the same thread
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Scott Aukerman · Series · 2012
Explores: Celebrity Interviews, Improvisation, Absurd Humor.
If you love the improvised interview structure of SmartLess, this show takes that format to a surreal extreme, blending celebrity appearances with unpredictable, meta-humor and absurd comedic sketches.
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin · Series · 2021
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
Just as the hosts of SmartLess rely on their shared history to fuel their podcast, these characters use their unique friendship and obsession to navigate a high-stakes mystery.
Hot Ones
Chris Schonberger · Series · 2015
Explores: Celebrity Culture, Pain Tolerance, Humor Under Pressure.
Like the unexpected vulnerability found in SmartLess, this show uses a high-pressure environment to break down celebrity barriers and force guests into honest, unscripted, and often hilarious reactions.
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman
Series · 2018
Explores: Celebrity Culture, Pop Culture, In-Depth Interviews.
Those who appreciate the intimate, long-form conversations in SmartLess will enjoy this series, which pairs legendary status with the same thoughtful, curiosity-driven approach to interviewing notable figures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of SmartLess?
SmartLess is a podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. The show features the hosts connecting with people from all walks of life through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity to learn about their shared experiences.
How does the mystery guest format work in SmartLess?
In each episode of SmartLess, one of the three hosts reveals a mystery guest to the other two hosts. This surprise reveal leads to a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation between the hosts and their guest.
Who are the hosts of SmartLess?
The hosts of the podcast SmartLess are Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. These three individuals lead the show by engaging in improvised and authentic conversations with various guests throughout each episode.
Is SmartLess known for scripted or improvised content?
SmartLess is known for featuring genuinely improvised and authentic conversations. The hosts, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, use the mystery guest format to facilitate organic hilarity and thoughtful dialogue during every episode of the show.