During a recent episode of the popular podcast ‘SmartLess,’ hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, the conversation took a decidedly personal turn when Bateman posed a rather cheeky question to his co-host, Arnett. The light-hearted moment has since attracted considerable attention, showcasing the playful banter that listeners expect from the podcast.
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The episode aired on June 22, and the exchange began when Arnett, aged 56, spoke about his reluctance to embrace certain “guy habits.” Specifically, he mentioned that he was never one to exhibit behaviour commonly associated with men, such as belching or openly passing gas. This topic prompted Bateman, who is 57, to take a leap into more risqué territory, asking Arnett, “Will, did you ever poo in front of Amy?” The question referred to Arnett’s former wife, Amy Poehler, with whom he was married from 2003 until their divorce in 2016. The couple shares two children, Archie, 17, and Abel, 15.
Arnett was quick to respond with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Before addressing the question, he asked his fellow hosts if Bateman’s query was a bid for online clicks. “Are you trying to generate something we can click around?” he joked, aware of the podcast’s popularity. Despite Bateman’s light-hearted nature, Arnett initially resisted providing a direct answer and focused on the oddity of the question itself.
In a bid to encourage the conversation, Bateman pressed further, suggesting that after years of marriage and raising children together, there must have been some shared experiences in their bathroom habits. Arnett maintained his stance, playfully questioning the implications of Bateman’s inquiry. “The question is, ‘Did I poo in front of Amy?’ and you’re saying that I don’t have manners?” he quipped, underscoring the ludicrousness of the discussion.
Ultimately, Arnett drew a firm line, stating, “I refuse to answer that,” even as Hayes, aged 55, joked that it was a perfectly valid question. The light-hearted nature of the conversation hid the reality that Arnett and Poehler typically prefer to avoid public discourse surrounding their past relationship. Nevertheless, the duo maintain a cordial friendship, as demonstrated when Poehler made a surprise appearance on a previous episode of ‘SmartLess’ in April 2025.
In December 2025, Arnett revealed that Poehler had reached out to him and Hayes to celebrate their Golden Globe nominations. Poehler relayed to them, “We all got nominated for Golden Globes, let’s party,” enhancing the spirit of camaraderie that has lingered between the two since their split. In a humorous postscript, she also joked, “I don’t have Bateman’s number, that’s probably for the best.”
As the episode progressed, Arnett playfully noted that Poehler would likely have strong opinions about their conversation. “She’s going to be outraged by this, by the way,” he remarked, adding to the levity of the moment.
Listeners were treated to an even more comical twist when they learned that the episode’s mystery guest, revealed to be Amy Adams, had been listening to the entire exchange. Adams, aged 51, joined in on the light-hearted banter, saying, “I’m so glad I entered during this conversation. I’m fine with poop talk, absolutely.”
As new episodes of ‘SmartLess’ debut every Monday, Bateman, Arnett, and Hayes continue to provide their audience with a mix of humour and candid discussions, ensuring that each release generates excitement among their listeners. The episode’s blend of playful inquiry and celebrity camaraderie is a testament to the show’s ability to engage with its audience on a variety of levels.