From the brains behind Brainzz On, it's Smash Boom Best. The show for people with big opinions.
Hi, I'm Anna Wego filling in for Molly Bloom and this is Smash Boom Best. The show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is a real show stopper.
Grab your rubber noses and magic wands because it's Clowns vs Magicians.
we've got actor and professional clown Gregory Parks ready to put the whoop in whoopee cushion for team clowns hello everybody let's get ready to have some serious fun and wait what's that behind your ear why it's brains on co -creator and editor Sandan Tutten here to defend magicians Anna I've got my top hat and I'm ready to pull a rabbit and a win and here to judge it all is Elliot from Washington Elliot is a part of a robotics club has YouTube channel with his dad and knows how to catch a running chicken.
Welcome back, Elliot.
Hi. So Elliot, can you tell us about a robot that you've helped design?
I made this robot called Triangle Bot, and it was a triangle.
It was not really good at anything, but it was a triangle instead of a square, so it was interesting.
I've never seen a triangle robot.
That sounds really cool.
Did it do anything?
Yeah, it could like drive around.
It was like a cheese wedge kind of.
It was kind of silly.
That's amazing. Did you name it?
Cheese Wedge. Okay, we have to hear more about this chicken thing.
So how did you learn to catch a chicken?
Okay, so they're really fast. They're not slow at all.
Like, you know, you'd think they'd be slow but chickens are actually pretty fast. So how you get them is we're a lot smarter than them.
So you like open up a door for them.
And then when you chase them into the door, they'll go into the door.
And then you can just slam the door shut.
But they'll like, they're like running for cover and they'll be like, I want to go into cover.
Okay so it's more about like outsmarting them and tricking them than like chasing them.
Yeah. Okay. Because you can't really catch one by just running.
It sounds like you've had a lot of practice with this.
Is this something you have to do on a daily basis?
Have to do it every once in a while if one of them escapes or whatever.
Oh my gosh. I wonder if this skill will translate into other areas of your life.
I'm not sure if it will, but I mean chickens, yay.
Time will tell. So, this is not your first time judging.
Do you have any advice for our debaters today?
Don't lean too hard in, like, trying to go after, like, your opponent, you know.
Like, that's kind of just time that doesn't really mean anything.
And you could use it for, like, facts or jokes or whatever.
Mmhmm, so don't play dirty.
Go high is what you're saying.
Yeah. Excellent advice.
Not only in this debate, but in life.
Will Elliott side with Gregory or Sanden?
Only time will tell.
But first, here are the rules of the game.
Every debate consists of four rounds – the Declaration of Greatness, the micro -round, the Sneak Attack, and the Final Six.
After each round, our Judge Elliot will award points to the team that impresses him the most, but he'll keep his decisions top secret until the end of the debate.
Listeners, we want you to judge, too.
Mark down your points as you listen.
At the end of the show, head to our website, SmashBoom .org, and vote for whichever team you think won.
OK. Gregory, Sandon, and Elliot, are you ready?
Ready. Yes. Mm -hmm.
Let's bring it on. Let's go.
Then it's time for the...
Declaration of Greatness.
In this round, our debaters will present a well -crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side.
Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rip out their opponent's statements.
We flipped a coin. And Gregory, you're up first. Tell us why clowns are your preferred performers.
You might think clowns are a joke, a bunch of big doofs riding teeny tiny bicycles.
Well think again my friends, us clowns are a serious bunch. Seriously talented, seriously funny, seriously powerful.
Don't sat on my whoopee cushion.
As I was saying, I've been a clown for 25 years but I remember the first time I performed with the Ringling Brothers Circus like it was yesterday.
I was backstage, sweating in my grease paint, nervously fiddling with my big red nose.
This was my first big gig with graduates of Ringling Brothers Clown College which, by the way, was harder to get into than the fanciest, schmanciest colleges and...
Hey Greg, it's go time.
As we walked down the hallway toward the big, bright arena, my heart started pounding.
The stadium was packed.
18 ,000 people were in the stands, going wild.
As I gazed up at balcony after balcony of beaming faces, my heart skipped a beat.
It confirmed what I already knew.
Clowns are beloved.
No matter what makes you I cross my heart and guarantee there's a clown out there that'll make you go, hee hee hee.
There are white face clowns with red noses, O 'Goose clowns who are mostly just funny actors, mimes who don't talk, bull fighting rodeo clowns, and even jesters who performed for kings and queens.
Us clowns can juggle knives, play musical instruments, tell killer jokes, walk on stilts, wrangle bucking broncos, do backflips, make insanely cute balloon animals.
Oh, and did I mention...
do magic tricks? Yeah.
Clowns can do what magicians do.
Only funnier! We can't help it.
We've been making people laugh for thousands of years, since ancient Egypt.
That's right, you can even find clowns in ancient hieroglyphics.
Where do pharaohs go when they want a break from being in charge?
Denial! After that, clowns popped up around the world in China, India, Japan, Europe, Africa, Russia.
And these jesters, or fools as they were called, often worked for noblemen in royalty.
For example, Matchurin the Fool was the court jester for three French kings in the Renaissance.
One time, a lady in waiting said, Ugh...I don't like having a fool on my right side.
And Maureen the Fool, with a twinkle in her eye, jumped to the lady's other side and said...
I don't mind it at all...
And you know what happens when you add seriously talented and seriously funny together.
You get seriously powerful, my bro.
Shakespeare put a whole bunch of jesters in his plays and they were almost always wiser than everyone else.
As Touchstone the fool in the play As You Like It says, The fool doth think he is wise, But the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
To translate, a foolish person thinks they're way smarter than they actually are.
But a wise person realizes how much there is left to learn.
Being wise isn't the only way clowns are powerful.
We're also emotionally powerful.
We can make people laugh so hard they pee their pants and make them so scared they start crying their eyes out.
Isn't that right, Little Lou?
I'm not scared, Greg.
OK, maybe a little.
Sometimes people think clowns are scary because behind our face paint, our expressions can be hard to read.
And sometimes, we do surprising things, like pull a coin out of Little Lou's ear.
Wow. Maybe you should clean in there.
And for my next trick, I'm going to make you a balloon animal.
What do you want, Ludilou?
An axe -a -lattel! An axe -a -whattel?
An axe -a -lattel! Oh, an axe that wattles.
Let me make one. Chop chop.
Clowning takes serious skills and serious emotional power.
But I do it. We all do it.
Because we have a special calling, to make people laugh.
Oh, crag. Ah. Not my whoopee cushion again.
Ugh. Big doofus riding teeny tiny bicycles.
So much more. Elliot, what stood out to you about Gregory's declaration of greatness?
I really liked all the reoccurring things.
You know, like, the whoopee cushion at the beginning and the end.
And the little girl.
And that was really funny, honestly, having a little girl go like hee hee hee.
Amazing. Okay, Elliott likes the callbacks.
Everyone take note.
Okay, Sandin, it's time for your rebuttal.
Tell us why clowns are real jokers.
You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now.
Okay, Anna, clowns are beloved.
Well, how many horror movies have you seen starring clowns?
Tons, magicians? Not so much because clowns, they're not just hiding their emotion with that makeup or a little surprising.
They kind of fit into the uncanny valley of humans.
You know, they sort of seem normal but there's something off about them.
I don't know. They give people the heebie jeebies.
They need to cut it out.
Also, clowns. Yes, they're good at making you laugh, but it's one note, you know?
It's the same over and over again.
Magicians, we make you gasp, we make you wonder.
We make you laugh as well.
We're like the full fruit section.
Clowns are just like one apple.
Gregory, do you have anything to say in return?
Yes. The reason why we don't look, why we look at uncanny valley is not because we are not human, but we are more human than human.
Clowns encompass the entire range of human emotion.
We are up, we are down, we are introspective, we are extroverted, we do everything my friends.
We are not afraid of emotions, we are not afraid to share emotions, and those emotions are how we connect with our audience.
Okay, it's your turn Sandin.
show us the razzle dazzle for team magicians!
Debaties and gentle judges, prepare to be stunned as I, the great Sandini make my assistant, Sassy the Cow disappear.
Ready Sassy? Ooooooo A la Cow Sam!
Haha. What's that? Oh, you don't see Sassy?
That's the whole point.
You see, I made her disa - Oh, you couldn't see her before she disappeared?
Right. Podcast. Um, ah, no worries.
I have lots of other amazing allusions.
For your ears. Listen, as I play you a beat, do you hear how it's getting faster and faster?
But hold on. Why isn't it just a blur of sounds at this point?
You can still hear each individual drum beat.
The trick is, it's not actually getting faster.
it's an illusion or marvel at this tone that sounds like it's getting higher and higher but wait a minute if it actually kept getting higher and pitch eventually you just wouldn't be able to hear it get you hear it just fine another illusion you see that's the thing about magician's we can make wonder wherever whenever, with whatever.
Sure, some magicians work with huge stage props, making tigers appear out of thin air, or sawing their assistants in half.
Ta -da! Don't worry, sassy's fine.
But we can also do astounding feats with small things, like a deck of cards.
Picture any card. Is your card the Three of Hearts?
Nailed it. We can even blow your mind with simple everyday objects, like rubber bands, pencils, or coins.
What's that behind your ear, Olivia?
Wow! Look, a corner!
Here you go. Just transfer it to my phone mom, who still uses cash.
Plus, magicians make any event better.
Whether it's a birthday party, a dinner party, even a wedding.
You may now put the ring on your beloved's finger.
But look, the ring is already on their finger.
Magica! A clown at a wedding will be asked to leave the wedding.
But wait, don't you want to see what my flower does first?
Ahh, it shoots sel - I bet it shoots seltzer.
IT SHOOTS CELTZER! Sigh, please go.
Magicians can work in lots of styles too.
Some tell stories, or do stunts.
Some are mysterious and spooky, others are goofy and playful.
But unlike clowning around, watching magicians is good for your brain.
That's because it teaches you to be skeptical, to question.
You see, when you see magic, you know it's a trick, but it still fools you.
Later, you wonder how the performer did that?
What tools and techniques did they use?
In a world full of fake news stories, AI generated images and scammers, understanding tricks is more important than ever.
Magicians help you practice those skills in a fun, safe way.
Clowns help you practice much less useful skills, like pretending to laugh.
Yeah, that was great.
The whole pie in the face thing.
Yeah. Well, I got to go to my hair.
I mean my doctor's appointment.
Bye. Plus understanding how a trick is done doesn't ruin the magic.
I've been taking magic classes for the past year, and even though I know the mechanics behind a few illusions, I'm still amazed when a performer pulls it off seamlessly.
You see, tricks require hand control, timing, and style.
It's like juggling.
Just because you know how juggling works doesn't make it any less cool to watch. Wow, I know it's just gravity making the swords fall back after each throw, but it's still so cool to watch him juggle.
Swords? These aren't just swords.
They're also magical doves.
What? Magicians are amazing!
Maybe the coolest thing about magicians though is that they make the impossible seem possible.
A good magician will work so fast and do so many amazing things that at some point you just give up trying to figure it all out and you let the wonder sweep over you.
It gets your imagination racing and your blood pumping.
and despite yourself you'll soon start to believe that anything can happen.
Even a COW THAT FLIES!
Behold! Sassy with wings!
Mrrr! Ha! The great Sandini strikes again!
Ng! Yeah! Oh my. Sassy had wings?
Are you kidding me?
Yeah hold on. I gotta get her out of the studio.
I'll just take a lot of space with these blinks." What a surprise.
OK, Elliott, what did you think about Sandin's Declaration of Greatness?
Did any moments in his argument really stand out?
Yeah, I think probably the best part was the who still uses cash part, because I mean, it's kind of true.
Really good point. OK, Gregory, it's time for your rebuttal.
Tell us why magic is all smoke and mirrors.
You've got 30 seconds and go.
Okay. So magicians may teach you to be skeptical, but a good clown can also teach you empathy or also provide you an escape from whatever is weighing you down and making your day into a completely bummer.
Magicians are also selfish.
They guard their secrets and they only want you to adore them.
And finally, if magicians are being clumsy or messing up on purpose as part of their act, guess what?
They're using clowning.
Mm -hm! Mhmm! And time!
I mean, you want to talk about good at helping you escape.
You're going to want a magician with that.
They're experts at it, I've heard. And yeah, you know, we guard our secrets.
But if you want to learn magic, there are plenty of books, plenty of places to get started.
I recently started it, and it is my favorite new hobby.
It's so fun to grab a deck of cards and start flipping them around or practicing sleight -of -hand.
And truth be told, it stops me from picking up my phone constantly.
Now I'm fidgeting with magic tricks instead of with my phone.
So I actually think learning magic and getting past that wall of secrets is great for any young person out there.
Alright, Elliott, give one point to the Declaration of Greatness you liked best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over.
You get to decide what makes a winning argument.
Did one team's jokes make you giggle?
Was another team's logic to die for?
Award your points, but don't tell us who's getting those points.
Have you made your decision?
Yes, yes, yes. Excellent.
Sandin and Gregory, how are you two feeling so far?
Well, actually, you know, I'm glad that this rivalry is not a real rivalry because I actually want to talk with Sandin some more.
I want to learn about Sandin's journey and what drew him to magic.
Is this your technique for getting under his skin?
Well, I had a good clown friend who spent a lot of time, I got to watch him practice sleight of hand a lot.
I didn't know clowns do so much sleight of hand.
That's great. I mean, we could practice some techniques here.
I bet you I could take your big red nose and make it disappear in my hand and reappear out of your ear.
We could be a super team, Sandin.
Like if you started working with bigger illusions, I could be your assistant.
Gregory, let's blow this lousy show and get on the road together.
I was gonna say, let's see if you feel the same way at the end of the debate, you two.
Okay, it's time for a quick break, so grab some pies for throwing and boxes for sawing.
And we'll be right back with more Smash!
Boom! Best. You're watching State of Debate, home to raging rhetoric and awe -inspiring argumentation.
Hello, debate friends.
Taylor Lincoln here with my favorite debate connoisseur, Todd Douglass.
Mm, mm. Todd, we're on the air.
Oh, gosh, so sorry.
This muffin is so tasty, it almost made me forget about debate for a second.
Todd! I said almost. Phew.
I found this muffin as I was hunting down a logical fallacy.
Logical fallacies make me lose my appetite.
They don't stand up to scrutiny and make your arguments weaker.
Ugh. Well, I stumbled upon two muffins engaging in the correlation not causation fallacy That's when you give a coincidence way too much credit Muffins, let's listen in Sure is getting hot in this oven.
Well, what do you know I'll talk in muffin Hey, you're a talking muffin too any other talking muffins in here anyone Guess not.
Why can't we talk and those other muffins over there, kid?
Oh Look we both have six raisins on top the others They only have three that must be the reason we're so chatty Are you sure it's not because of the spell that which put on only the two of us what?
Preposterous it's obviously because of the number of reasons we have on top Yuck that talking muffin made the bogus assumption that it was the number of raisins that gave them the gift of gab It's closed its mind to other better ideas.
That's a fallacy Yeah No wonder these muffins are so delicious.
They're enchanted. Do you want one?
Please don't eat me.
I'll pass. What? Is it because they talk?
No. It's because food that uses logical fallacies has no place in this tummy.
Fair. Well that's it for today debate dudes.
We'll see you next time on State of Debate.
Hey friends, Molly, Sandin, and Marc here with some very big news.
Drumroll please. We're hitting the road in search of adventure, fresh air, and you.
That's right. We're going to be live at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, April 27.
Our science -themed live stage show takes the audience on an adventure through the brain complete with magic tricks, dance moves, out -of -body experiences, mystery sounds, and a game show.
Molly you almost left out the most important part.
Yeah, Molly! Don't forget the big party.
Oh right, after the shows we're throwing a brain -tastic bash.
Join us afterward for a VIP party, where we'll play games, guess mystery sounds, pose for photos, and give as many high -fives as humanly possible.
Snag a spot by purchasing a VIP pass when you buy your show ticket.
Oh, that reminds me.
I've got to start training.
These hands aren't going to high five by themselves.
Good idea! And remember, spots are limited, so grab your tickets today at brainson .org slash events.
' of podcast for kids and their adults.
Since you're a fan of Smash Boom best, you'll love the other shows in our universe.
Come on, let's explore.
It's alien laundry day.
While I wash my nose mufflers and tummy togas, I'll listen to a new podcast. How about.
Forever ago, my favorite history podcast. Whoa!
I was not expecting that to work.
Or if it does sound as good.
That's the DJ Dolo technique.
DJ Dolo. When I say pizza, you say bagel.
Pizza! Bagel. Zorp!
Signal town! Ah! Stay right there, tummy togas.
Must find forever ago, now!
Listen to Forever Ago wherever you get your podcasts.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, Boom, smash, boom best. You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Anna Weigel.
And I'm your judge, Elliott.
And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners.
Take a listen to this transporting debate idea from Lucy.
Hi my name is Lucy, and I'm from New South Wales, Australia.
And my debate idea is road trips versus planterships.
Now that's the debate that will send you packing.
We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Lucy thinks should win.
And now it's back to our debate clowns vs magicians.
That's right. And it's time for round two, the micro round for the micro round challenge.
Each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance for Gregory and Sandin.
The prompt was be my roommate, Gregory and Sandin, we all know that finding roommates is really hard. So for this challenge, we asked you to write a really compelling roommate ad.
Make us want to be your roomie.
Gregory went first last time, so stand in Europe.
Tell us why Houdini would make a good roomie.
Wanted. Room mate for a pad in a Victorian mansion on the corner of Siegfried and Roy.
It's super spacious with plenty of storage if you just stuff things inside my bottomless top hat.
Your room is very private.
In fact, it's hidden behind a bookshelf.
Just pull the tattered copy of The Wizard of Oz to open the door.
Oh, and I hope you're not afraid of heights because the bed levitates from time to time.
We don't have a laundry chute, but there are plenty of trap doors you can drop your dirty duds into.
Feel free to gaze into the crystal ball in the living room, to see your future, get answers to burning questions, or stream Netflix and YouTube.
I can promise there will always be fresh flowers around.
I pull them from my sleeve daily.
rent is $700, I'll pull it from behind your ear on the first of each month.
Oh, and we'll split utilities and groceries down the middle.
Don't worry, I'll be fair, I'm really good at cutting things in half.
Just ask my assistant.
You'll have to help keep the place tidy, but you know, feel free to use my magic wand to make dirty dishes and little messes disappear.
We'll share the main closet, but be warned, I have a lot of capes in there.
Must love bunnies and doves.
Oh, I am so glad Sassy made a cameo.
You have to live with a giant cow, I mean I hope that's acceptable.
It sounds like Elliot already is used to having cows, right?
Sure. You live on a farm, right?
Yeah. He knows all about it.
Gregory, now it's your turn.
Show us why a clown would make the perfect roommate.
I'm a clown. Yes, a real clown.
I've been around the kind of clowns that you think all clowns are.
Loud, messy, slipping on banana peels.
I know, but if you are a responsible adult, who's okay with some steamer trunks, and a lot of circus posters, I could be the roommate for you.
I'm six feet tall with arms like albatross wings, but if you need to reach something way up, like changing a light bulb or getting a tchotchke off a shelf, I can strap on some stilts.
Done! Have other roommates broken your stuff?
I won't. I do not mess with other people's props.
And since I can pack a Volkswagen Beetle with 20 full -grown adults, imagine how skilled I am with putting things away.
Laundry? Put away. Dishes?
Put away. Seven pairs of clown shoes?
You'll find them where you expect them.
Out of the way! Tripping on them is my job, not yours.
Need makeup tips? Lines?
blending, I gotcha.
And I don't bring my work home.
You won't see me wandering the house in full grease paint and a bright red nose.
When I'm clocked out, I'm clocked out.
No noisy messy dogs, no fake mystical secrets.
No one asking you to pick a card or trying to saw you in half.
Prepare to experience a marvel in adulting roommates.
Be one of few people who can say they live with an actual clown.
We're smarter than you think.
Seriously. Now Gregory, if we have a lifelong dream of being sawn in half, is that still on the table for a potential roommate or?
I would not. That's outside my expertise.
I would pass it on to, I would pass that job on to a professional perhaps like Sandin.
Got it. Especially now since I know Sandin.
So, you know, contacts now.
Okay, Elliot, what did you like about Gregory and Sandan's micro -arounds.
Well, I really liked the part where you're like, yeah, I'm six foot.
I thought that was kind of funny.
And also, Netflix, I mean, pretty good, pretty good.
And watching it on a crystal ball.
I mean, that's the high def of those alone.
You know, I mean, pretty special, pretty special.
Plus, they could see into the future.
So you're already watching season five of Stranger Things, you know.
It's time to award a point.
but don't tell us who you're voting for.
Have you made your decision?
Yes. Fantastic. Then it's time for our third round, the super stealthy sneak attack.
This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot.
Today's sneak attack is called workout challenge.
Sandan and Gregory, you're gonna narrate a funky, fresh dance workout video as a clown or a magician.
Tell us what moves were making, what muscles were flexing, and why we should watch your video.
Debaters, are you ready for your sneak attack?
Yes. Mm -hmm. Okay, Gregory, you're up first. Give us your best clown -tastic workout.
Alright, everybody.
So up on our feet, we're going to march in place.
Lift those knees up, because those shoes are long.
You don't want to trip over those toes.
Lift your feet up. That's right.
Three, two, one, and breathe.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Let those lips just like letting air out of a balloon.
And then just shake your body.
Your limbs are noodles.
Shake, shake, shake.
Oh, yeah. Nice and loose.
And then fall down.
And then get back up, brush yourself off.
One more. Fall down!
Get back up, brush off, and wait.
Look behind you. What was that?
Look back front. Look behind you again.
What was that? Back in front of you.
And now we're going to cool down.
We're going to wave our bodies like we're really sleepy.
Maybe. And he fell asleep, just snore as loud as you want.
And get up, wake up, wake up, wake up, you're late for work.
Find your shoes, find your shoes, find your jacket, find your jacket, find your keys where are your keys?
Where did you put your keys?
Oh no, where are your keys?
Ahhhh! And relax. Yay!
Oh, that is exhilarating.
That was exciting. You need to do levels, you know.
Yeah, absolutely. Okay, Sandin, it is now your turn.
Show us how magicians can work up a sweat.
Okay, here we go. We're gonna do some magersizing, all right?
So first, grab your magic hat here, and we're gonna do some stretches by reaching into that hat, and stretch and reach down into the hat, Keep going, keep going, deeper, deeper, yep.
Yup, all the way to the floor, oh keep going past the floor, yep.
And now pull out a bunny, that's right.
And set the bunny down, we're gonna hop like the bunny.
Hop like the bunny.
Shake your little tail, hop like the bunny.
Oh that's some good cardio right there.
Okay, now I want you to use your magic fingers and wave and poof and wave and poof and look at that, you made a tiger appear!
And it's really angry.
Okay, so run from the tiger, run from the tiger.
That's it, keep running.
Oh, that's good cardio right there.
The fear really helps get the blood pumping, I love it.
All right, okay, now everybody the tiger's gone.
Here we go, one, two, three, poof!
And we're gonna do a simple little trick here.
Everybody just follow with me and levitate, yep!
That's it, float in the air, and levitate, and levitate.
Elliot, you're looking great, great floating, and levitate, and levitate, okay.
And come back to the ground, all right.
Didn't that feel good?
Whoo, you worked up a sweat now.
Just pull a hanky out from your sleeve, and keep pulling, and keep pulling, and keep pulling.
Okay, and wipe your forehead, there we go, and poof, it's a dove, all right.
Great job everybody.
Now, Sandy, during the levitation portion I did remain in my seat, is that bad?
That's a beginner. You'll get there.
Okay. Thank you so much. All right, Elliot, think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point, but don't tell us who you're giving it to.
Have you made your decision?
Yes. Perfect. Then it's time for our final round.
The Final Six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side.
All right, Sandin. Let's hear your six words for magicians.
Sharpen your mind, awaken your wonder.
Oooh, amazing. Okay, Gregory, it's your turn.
Give us six words for clowns.
Great people, serious fun, no foolin'.
Oooh. Okay, Elliot.
It's time to award a point for the Final Six.
How do you make your decision?
Yes. Are you ready to crown one team the Smash Boom Best?
Yes. Drum roll, please.
and the winner is magicians.
Ah! Yes, yes, yes, yes!
Focus, focus. Oh, yes.
Womp, womp. I have egg on my face.
So Elliot, was there a moment that decided things for you?
Probably the sneak attack, actually.
It was just so energetic, you know?
Yes. I disappeared like, several cups of coffee before this.
That probably helped.
I came by it. you know, through a little performance -enhancing cold brew.
That definitely helped.
Yes. Goodness. It was really easy for me to appreciate my opponent because it's true what Sandin said.
Even if you learn how a trick works that still makes it all the more amazing because somebody took the time to figure that out and then they practiced and practiced and they still practice.
That is amazing. It is impressive.
and I am always floored by that very same thing.
So, that's what hit me the hardest. Yeah, Gregory was great.
I really thought, first of all, whoopee cushion, ten out of ten, no notes.
Couldn't approve that at all.
But also, you bring such, the thing about clowns and that you really exemplify is the heart, you know?
They're all about making you laugh, but there's so much heart to it.
And you really, I felt the warmth through the microphone, thousands of miles away from you.
And I still felt the warmth in all your arguments and your presence.
And that to me is the sign of a great clown.
Sanden Totten. With fact checking by...
Rebecca Rand. And we had production help from the rest of the Brains On Universe team.
Rosie DuPont. Rachel Breeze.
Anna Goldfield. Nico Gonzales -Whistler.
Ruby Guthrie. Lauren Humpert.
Joshua Ray. Mark Sanchez.
And... Charlotte Traver.
Our executive producer is Beth Perlman and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith.
Our announcer is Marley Foierwerkr -Otto and we wanna give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman.
Gregory, is there anyone you want to give a shout out to today?
I would like to give a shout out to all of those clowns out there, or big and small people who work within makeup, without makeup.
And even, uh, my friends who straddle the line of magicians and clowns.
They dabble in both.
And anybody who's just trying to make the world better for even just one person.
Aw... How about you, Sandin?
Any special shoutouts?
Yeah, I want to shout out Charlie Mount and my Magic 101 class.
Everyone in there, great job, it was so fun.
And my friend Matt Bruce, aka, Mattica Dabra, who did magic at my 40th birthday.
Thanks, dude. You really got me into magic as an adult and I love it.
Do you want to give any special thanks, Elliot?
Yeah, I want to do it to my sisters, Pamela, Liza, and my brother, Arrow, and of course, the most important, WD -40.
Before we go, let's check in and see who Lucy thinks should win the road trips verses playing trips debate.
I think planes are better because they are quicker, better, and sometimes they have movies.
Smash Boom Best is a nonprofit public radio program.
If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knock -down drag -out debate, head to smashboom .org slash contact and drop us a line.
And while you're at it, join Smartypass for bonus episodes and ad -free versions of all four shows in the Brains On Universe.
We'll be back with a new Smash Boom Best debate battle next week, Catch Up versus Ranch!
Bye! Bye -bye! See ya!
I'm gone. All right, I'm gonna stand up for this but Gregory, don't put a whooping cushion on my chair.
Actually do. I love a whooping cushion.
Put as many as you want.
I might, I might not.
