Jason Bateman Brings Special 'SmartLess' One Night to Live Audience With Will Arnett and Sean Hayes to Hollywood Bowl

Published 09/12/2025, 10:44 PM EDT

In the world of celebrity podcasts, few shows have captured the zeitgeist quite like SmartLess. The unscripted banter and genuine company of hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes have earned them a massive and devoted following. Now, the trio is taking their show from the studio to one of the most legendary stages in music history, an unprecedented move that blurs the lines between podcasting and live performance.

This unique event not only marks a major milestone for the podcast but also for the iconic venue itself, setting the stage for a new kind of entertainment spectacle.

The star-studded stage as SmartLess is set to write history

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SmartLess is set to make history by becoming the first live podcast ever recorded at the Hollywood Bowl on November 15. The highly anticipated event will feature hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, along with two surprise celebrity guests. This landmark performance promises to be one of the most well-attended podcast takings in U.S. history, a testament to the show's immense popularity and the hosts' star power.

Tickets for this exclusive event went on sale starting Friday, September 12, 2025. PT through Ticketmaster. An American Express cardholder presale began before offering fans an early opportunity to secure their seats for this unique show. The mystery of the surprise guests adds to the intrigue, making this a can-not-miss event for fans of the show and live entertainment alike.

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With the anticipation high, the hosts themselves express a mix of humor and awe at the show’s success and scale.

From podcast to pop culture phenomenon: The SmartLess trio

A joint statement from Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes to Variety concluded that they are beyond honored, and also a little confused, to be the first live podcast ever recorded at the Hollywood Bowl. They also showed their excitement by saying, "The Beatles played here, and now, somehow, so are we. Sorry, history." Their self-deprecating humor masks the fact that the show, with over 270 episodes, consistently ranks among the top five most listened-to podcasts.

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Launched in July 2020, SmartLess quickly ascended to the upper levels of the podcast charts. Its consistent success led to a major acquisition by SiriusXM from Amazon in 2024. The podcast's ability to transition from a digital audio format to a major live stage show and launch mobile services underscores its cultural significance and widespread appeal, cementing its status as a pop culture phenomenon.

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Have you secured your tickets for a night of laughs and surprises? Let us know in the comments below.

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Soma Mitra

325 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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