# SmartLess

> SmartLess licensed early access to Amazon in a deal reported at up to $80 million.

- Owner: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett
- Kind: Series
- Sector: Media & publishing
- Seed date: 2020-07-20
- Observed peak date: Week of Jun 4, 2023
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum. Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 37 (Niche), v1.2
- Mechanics: Maker origin, Scarcity drop, Controversy, Platform jump, Political adoption

## Summary

SmartLess launched with Dax Shepard, then licensed early access to Amazon. Its tour became a Max documentary. Wikipedia attention peaked in the week ending June 4, 2023, within the measured window.

## Timeline

- 2020-07-07 — Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett (Audio) — The hosts released a launch trailer and announced Monday episodes ahead of the first full episode.
- 2020-07-16 — The Hollywood Reporter (Press) — THR profiled the hosts' friendship and their plan to surprise two cohosts with each guest.
- 2020-07-20 — Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett (Audio) — The hosts released the first full episode with Dax Shepard as their surprise guest.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/smartless-podcast

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “SmartLess.” Case HIS-01301. Spread Score v1.2: 37/100. Updated 2026-10-22. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01301