Watch Smartless: On the Road

Smartless: On the Road from Max is a spin-off podcast of the popular comedy podcast Smartless. Hosted by actor Jason Bateman, comedian Sean Hayes, and writer/podcaster Will Arnett, Smartless features the trio having unscripted and uncensored conversations with celebrity friends and guests.

Smartless: On the Road from Max follows the same hosts, but takes the show on the road across America. Each episode features the hosts visiting a new city or location, exploring the local sights and culture, and interviewing a special guest who has ties to that place.

While the original Smartless podcast records episodes remotely with guests calling in, Smartless: On the Road has more of a travelogue and documentary feel. The hosts interact with locals, try regional foods and activities, and take their humorous banter to the streets. Meanwhile, their in-person guest interviews allow for more personal conversations and shared experiences.

Locations featured on Smartless: On the Road range from major tourist destinations like New Orleans, Las Vegas, and New York City to smaller towns and off-the-beaten-path spots. Wherever they go, Bateman, Hayes, and Arnett fully immerse themselves in the locale while maintaining their signature rapport and comedic sensibilities.

Guests lend a local perspective, whether they're celebrities from the area or everyday folks who have an interesting story. Musicians, athletes, chefs, politicians, business owners, historians, and more help showcase hidden gems and lesser-known aspects of each place.

While unscripted, the show maintains an overall narrative structure. Each episode starts with the hosts arriving in their latest stop and getting their initial impressions. Things like checking into their hotel and grabbing a bite to eat prompt humorous observations about regional differences.

The main segment features the guest interview and location highlights. The hosts balance asking questions and letting conversations unfold naturally. There are plenty of laughs, but also touching and insightful moments.

Mixed in are pre-arranged activities like city tours, cooking lessons, museum visits, and local fashion or art showcases. The hosts' reactions to new experiences and encounters provide entertainment. There are usually light-hearted challenges or competitions as well.

Each episode wraps up with final thoughts and funny anecdotes as the hosts reflect on their time in that place. They discuss what they learned, what surprised them, and where they want to go next.

While irreverent humor and raucousness are part of the fun, the show maintains a spirit of open-mindedness and curiosity. The hosts approach each location and guest with enthusiasm, even when outside their comfort zones.

The end result is an engaging travel show that entertains through personalities and unscripted conversations, not contrived stunts or gimmicks. Smartless: On the Road allows listeners to experience each place through the hosts' fresh eyes and ears.

The spin-off combines the comradery and spontaneity that Smartless fans love with the excitement of discovering new places. As a podcast, it sparks the imagination and evokes the feeling of being along for the ride.

Smartless: On the Road is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between May 23, 2023 and on Max