Trolls vs. Leprechauns

MARLEY FEUERWERKER-OTTO: From the brains behind Brains On! It's Smash Boom Best.

LEVI: The show for people with big opinions.

[THEME MUSIC]

MOLLY BLOOM: Hi, I'm 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 mythological mash-up for the ages. Will mischievous fairies prevail, or will cave creatures conquer? It's trolls versus leprechauns. We've got host of the podcast, What If World, Eric O'Keefe ready to give it his all for team trolls.

ERIC O'KEEFE: (SINGING) Rolling with my trollies, yeah. Team trolls.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] And host of the podcast Circle Round, Rebecca Scheer is here to defend team leprechauns.

REBECCA SHEER: Feeling lucky and feeling charmed. Go leprechauns.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] And here to judge it all is, Levi from Omaha, Nebraska. Levi loves to get into big debates with their brother and dad, is a chef at a Korean fusion restaurant, and last year, created two of their very own baking recipes. Hi, Levi.

LEVI: Hello, there.

MOLLY BLOOM: OK, Levi, I understand that one of the things you debate with your dad and brother is whether it would be better to live in an underwater mermaid world or a steampunk world in the sky.

LEVI: I, personally, would love to live underwater. I've always wanted to be able to live underwater. The aquarium is one of my favorite places in the whole world, so underwater all the way.

MOLLY BLOOM: That sounds very dreamy. Would you be a mermaid underwater, or would you be your human-self just able to breathe underwater?

LEVI: I think I would be my human self just able to breathe underwater.

MOLLY BLOOM: OK.

LEVI: I think I'm keeping the legs.

MOLLY BLOOM: OK, you want to keep the legs just in case.

LEVI: Just in case I have to kick a fish or something. I don't know. If those fish try to get at me.

MOLLY BLOOM: Yeah, there's a lot of creatures down there. You don't know what you're going to meet.

LEVI: Exactly.

MOLLY BLOOM: So you've also created baking recipes, which is very impressive. Can you tell us about those recipes?

LEVI: That I have. So I made my own cookie recipe that I call calico cookies just because they remind me of calico cats. They are a mix of a ginger cookie, a chocolate cookie, and a cinnamon cookie. And then you just take three different doughs and just swirl them together.

And they're really cute. And then I also have made my own brownie recipe, which was mostly me just trying to see if I could make brownies from memory. And then I could. And then they turned out to be the best brownies I've ever had in my life.

MOLLY BLOOM: OK, what's your brownie secret?

LEVI: It involves caramelizing the sugar before mixing it in with everything else.

MOLLY BLOOM: Whoa, OK.

LEVI: Mm-hmm.

MOLLY BLOOM: Blowing my mind. I am ready to go home and try that. Well, will Levi side with Eric or Rebecca? Only time will tell. Levi, are you ready to judge today's debate?

LEVI: Absolutely.

MOLLY BLOOM: Wonderful. Before we dive in, let's review the rules of the game. Every debate consists of four rounds of argumentation. The Declaration of Greatness, the Micro Round, the Sneak Attack, and the Final Six. After each round, our judge, Levi will award points to the team that impresses them the most.

But they'll keep their 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. All right, Eric, Rebecca, and Levi, are you ready?

LEVI: Absolutely.

ERIC O'KEEFE: So ready.

REBECCA SHEER: Oh, team leprechaun is ready to "sham-rock" and roll.

[LAUGHTER]

ERIC O'KEEFE: Wait, I can say a fun thing?

REBECCA SHEER: Go for it.

[LAUGHTER]

ERIC O'KEEFE: Well, then I'm as happy as a pop troll, but my spirit is as big as a cave troll.

REBECCA SHEER: I "lepra-can't" even believe you just said that.

ERIC O'KEEFE: Oh!

[LAUGHTER]

I had that one in my back pocket. You beat me to it.

MOLLY BLOOM: Well, then it's time for the--

MARLEY FEUERWERKER-OTTO: Declaration of Greatness.

[FANFARE]

MOLLY BLOOM: 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 rebut their opponent's statements. We flipped a coin, and, Eric, you're up first. Tell us what makes trolls the tops.

ERIC O'KEEFE: Let me tell you about a little boy who grew up in a magical world.

[MYSTICAL MUSIC]

It started when he was three or four and heard a story about billy goats crossing a bridge guarded by a troll.

[KNOCKING]

Who's that tip-tapping on my bridge?

[BLEATS]

After that, whenever he hiked the Blue Hills in Massachusetts with his family, he'd peek under the stone bridge there looking for trolls. He could have sworn he saw them, too.

[SHIMMERING]

Who is that tip-tapping on my bridge?

Troll.

When he was older, he and his sister played with troll dolls that had long colorful hair. Sometimes, he'd find those dolls in hidden places like they'd been living in their own secret lives.

[SHIMMERING]

[GASPS] Were you troll dolls having a tea party behind the fish tank?

As a teenager, I-- I mean, the boy, would enter new magical worlds playing a game called Dungeons and Dragons--

[METAL CLASHING]

--where he would both battle and befriend trolls. Now, as a father, he watches movies with his own kids where trolls sing songs so enchanting, so catchy, they're stuck in your head for weeks. Because at any age, trolls are magic. Not hocus pocus magic or even expelliarmus magic. No, much more powerful. Trolls come alive through imagination.

Yeah, I'm sure you didn't realize, but that little boy was me. And I love trolls. They make the world more fun. The legend of trolls came from Scandinavia. And some think the word troll came from an old word for fiend. But since then, our idea of what trolls are has changed and spread all over the globe. Why? Because troll stories are the best stories.

[MYSTICAL MUSIC]

There are well-known troll folk tales, like the Billy Goats Gruff or the one about a boy who got into an eating contest with a troll. [BURPS] There are epic fantasies, like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, where trolls are as common as sliced bread, four-wheeled cars, and saying TGIF on Fridays. The animated troll films teach us about community and happiness and have the best soundtrack of any kids' movies. You heard me, Elsa.

Elsa: Ugh, let it go, Eric.

ERIC O'KEEFE: There are scary troll stories out there that get our hearts pounding and adrenaline pumping. And friendly troll stories that let us imagine a world where mystical creatures are hiding in the woods waiting to spark joy, unlike leprechauns, who would probably just prank you and ruin your day. Speaking of, how many famous leprechaun stories can you think of? [CLEARS THROAT]

[CRICKET CHIRPS]

Hm? Something about hoarding gold. Greed is so uncool. But trolls, always cool. Plus, they're the perfect muse.

[INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC]

Artists love to feature trolls in their work because there are so many different kinds. They can be huge or tiny, cute or hairy, or cute and hairy. They let your imagination run wild. Sculptor Thomas Dambo even makes ginormous sculptures of trolls out of trash and recycled material all over the world, so people can stumble across them and get a little splash of magic in their lives. Imagine if he made little leprechaun sculptures. Oh, sir, watch out for that--

MAN: Huh?

[THUD]

Ow! I stubbed my toe! What even was that?

ERIC O'KEEFE: And when you really think about it, trolls are like us but more extreme. Some are cranky, some are nice, some are loners, some are all about family. Some like to hide under bridges and eat goats, normal stuff.

[THUD]

Thanks, bridge troll, but I'm good.

[CRUNCHING]

The word troll may have come from an old word that meant fiend, but trolls are also friends. And we keep telling stories about them; old stories, new stories, funny stories, scary stories because trolls tap into the most powerful magic of all, the magic of our imagination. Plus, their hair is a thousand times better. Game over.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] You can't argue with a good hairdo, that's for sure. Levi, what stood out to you about Eric's Declaration of Greatness?

LEVI: Specifically, the trolls within art, I really liked because, fun fact about Omaha, Nebraska, we have a troll sculpture here that is hidden under our pedestrian bridge that leads to Iowa.

MOLLY BLOOM: Ha! Ha! Very cool. What else stood out to you?

LEVI: Dungeons and Dragons. I love Dungeons and Dragons, so loved hearing about the trolls.

MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. Well, Rebecca, it is time for your rebuttal. You've got 30 seconds to tell us why trolls are trouble with a capital T. And your time starts now.

REBECCA SHEER: OK, like Eric, said the word for troll can mean fiend or demon. And what do we call fiendish demons who behave badly online? We call them internet trolls. Internet leprechaun would be far more charming and witty and they wouldn't eat any goats.

Also, leprechauns have their own cereal. It's delicious, full of marshmallow rainbows. If trolls had cereal, what would it be? Chunks of stone or flakes of dirt? It would definitely not be part of a balanced breakfast. Just saying. Go leprechaun.

MOLLY BLOOM: And time.

ERIC O'KEEFE: The one thing I will say is that internet trolls are not real trolls because they don't identify as trolls. Most of them don't even know that they're jerks.

MOLLY BLOOM: [LAUGHS] Hmm, very interesting. All right, Rebecca, I know you have more to say, so please, tell us why leprechauns should take the lead.

[DOOR OPENING]

REBECCA SHEER: Ha! Home sweet home. Who knew an entire day of staring contests with babies would be so exhausting? It's like they never blink.

Wait a second, I-- I don't remember throwing these books all over the floor. And, ugh, why-- why is my armchair upside down? And what's this jug of green milk doing on the kitchen counter?

[RUSTLING]

Um, who left this pile of gold coins behind my trash can? [GASPS] Hang on, upside-down furniture, green milk, gold coins. [GASPS] Could it be a leprechaun?

[GIGGLING]

[QUIRKY MUSIC]

Wow, this is so exciting because leprechauns are one of the coolest creatures around. You may know them as the little bearded fairies from Ireland who have pots of gold. In old Irish, the name leprechaun means small body, which is fitting because, at most, they are only two or three feet tall. They're typically male and, wow, do they have a sense of style.

[TING]

Now, you might think leprechauns' signature color is green, but early stories actually describe them as wearing red. It wasn't until the last century or so that we started associating them with green. But whatever the color, they love wearing super snazzy boots with big silver buckles, big hats, and leather aprons. Oh, and their favorite accessory? Gold.

[COINS RATTLING]

Leprechauns have cash for days. These little guys have so much gold they stash it all over Ireland. In the hills--

[DIGGING]

--in underground caves--

[RUBBLE FALLING]

--at the end of the rainbow.

[SHIMMERING]

It's not like leprechauns are just lurking under a bridge waiting to troll people for money. No, they earn their own money because they're skilled cobblers. Always making and mending shoes. That's why their signature sound is a tiny hammer.

[HAMMER TAP]

But not only are leprechauns savvy entrepreneurs, they're also a symbol of good luck. According to some legends, if you catch a leprechaun, they'll grant you three wishes. If a troll catches you, you're toast.

[GROWL]

Other legends say that if you catch a leprechaun, they have to tell you where they've hidden their gold. But unlike trolls, they're really clever and sometimes they're even tricksters. One story goes a little something like this.

There once was a young farmer named Tom. And one of Tom's favorite things to do was daydream.

[MYSTICAL MUSIC]

TOM: Farming, shmarming. Mm, La de da de da de-de de-de.

REBECCA SHEER: And that's exactly what Tom was doing one day when he heard a little click-clacking noise.

[CLICK-CLACKING]

He followed the sound and--

[GIGGLING]

TOM: [GASPS] Whoa, a leprechaun.

LEPRECHAUN: Nope, just a regular guy here. [GIGGLES]

REBECCA SHEER: Tom knew that if you're lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, they have to tell you where they've hidden their gold.

TOM: Leprechaun, where's that sweet, sweet gold?

LEPRECHAUN: What is this word you say? Go-oold? Never heard of it.

TOM: I caught you. You have to tell me. Now spill it.

LEPRECHAUN: All right, fine. It's buried underneath that weed right there. [GIGGLES]

TOM: Uh-huh! Perfect!

REBECCA SHEER: So Tom tied a red ribbon to the weed so he could remember the spot. But when he came back with a shovel, every single plant in the field had a red ribbon on it, making it impossible to find the gold. And the leprechaun, as you may have guessed, was gone.

[PUFF OF SMOKE]

LEPRECHAUN: [GIGGLES]

TOM: No!

REBECCA SHEER: Tom dug and dug and dug. He never found the gold, but plot twist, he discovered he actually liked farming.

[TRIUMPHANT TRUMPET]

So, yes, the leprechaun tricked Tom, but he also taught him how to appreciate hard work. So these pint-sized fairies aren't just running around pulling a fast one on everybody. They're out there teaching important life lessons. Hey, wait, maybe the leprechaun hiding in my house is trying to teach me a life lesson, like how I need to relax more. Maybe take a break from baby staring contests, and pour myself a nice big glass of green milk.

[POURS MILK]

[SLURPS]

Ah! Refreshing.

LEPRECHAUN: [SNAPS FINGERS]

[COINS RATTLING]

REBECCA SHEER: Leprechaun? Is that you?

LEPRECHAUN: Nope, just a regular guy. [GIGGLES]

REBECCA SHEER: Leprechaun, come back!

[PUFF OF SMOKE]

LEPRECHAUN: [GIGGLES]

MOLLY BLOOM: [GIGGLES] Wow, that leprechauns giggle is infectious. Oh, my goodness. Levi, what stood out to you about that argument?

LEVI: Well, I really liked the idea that they're working folk/entrepreneurs. I always figured them as more of a old-money type rather than creating it for themself.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] Very good point. Eric, it is time for your rebuttal. You've got 30 seconds to tell us why leprechauns are lousy and your time starts now.

ERIC O'KEEFE: OK, well, I think leprechauns are teaching us a lesson, but it is the cautionary tale of the lonely billionaire. They are solitary fairy creatures. They're not out there mixing it out. They're hoarding their gold. They're not out in the community.

Also, if you've ever tasted a rainbow, it really just tastes like hose water. That's just an aside, OK? And Lucky Charms cereal, not lucky. I carried it around in my pocket, ate it all day. I just had a stomachache and multiple sugar crashes.

MOLLY BLOOM: And time.

[CHUCKLING]

All right, Levi, it's time to award some points. Please 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 they're going to. Both points could go to the same person or each could get a point. Have you made your decision?

LEVI: I have made my decision.

[BELL RINGS]

MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent. Rebecca and Eric, how are you two feeling so far?

ERIC O'KEEFE: [SIGHS] I mean, Rebecca is a worthy adversary, but I just feel like I have the truth on my side.

[CHUCKLING]

REBECCA SHEER: I feel like I have ingenuity, brilliance, and entrepreneurship on my side thanks to my leprechauns. But who knows? It's still early yet.

MOLLY BLOOM: All right, well, we're going to take a quick break so you can polish your clubs and your gold coins.

LEVI: And we'll be right back with more Smash Boom Best.

MARLEY FEUERWERKER-OTTO: You're listening to "State of Debate," home to rage and rhetoric and awe-inspiring argumentation.

TODD DOUGLAS: Todd Douglas here with my debate mate, Taylor Lincoln.

TAYLOR LINCOLN: Howdy ho, debate-a-rinos. I just got back from a trip in the Canadian wilderness. And I overheard a real doozy of a logical fallacy. I couldn't "be-leaf" how bad it was.

TODD DOUGLAS: A logical fallacy is a weak argument that's really easy to poke holes in.

TAYLOR LINCOLN: That's right. And the one you're about to hear is as big as a moose. Roll the clip.

[WHIRRING]

[WIND GUSTING]

[EAGLE SQUAWKING]

MICHAEL: Sure is a great day for a hike, Glen.

GLEN: You got that right, Michael. But we better be careful. There are definitely geysers around. You know, geysers those hot springs that shoot jets of water in the air?

MICHAEL: I know what a geyser is Glen, but why would there be one here? They're super rare and nowhere near this forest.

GLEN: Uh, no. The last time I went hiking, I saw a geyser. It was a beautiful gift from nature. And now I know all forests have geysers.

MICHAEL: What? No, they don't. You were in Yellowstone National Park, a park well-known for geysers.

GLEN: Giant pillars of hot water blasted from the Earth is a vital part of hiking.

[BUZZER]

TAYLOR LINCOLN: Holy cannoli, that's wrong!

TODD DOUGLAS: Michael just made a big, logical fallacy.

TAYLOR LINCOLN: His claim that geysers are a part of hiking is a good example of the hasty generalization fallacy.

TODD DOUGLAS: That's when you make a sweeping statement about something with very little or no evidence.

TAYLOR LINCOLN: Just because you see something while hiking one time doesn't mean you'll see it every time. Your experience could vary for loads of different reasons.

TODD DOUGLAS: Be sure to remember that next time you go hiking through the woods or have a debate with your friend. Until then, see you next time on--

TODD AND TAYLOR: "State of Debate."

[MUSIC PLAYING]

SPEAKER 1: Smash Boom B--Best.

MOLLY BLOOM: You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.

LEVI: And I'm your judge, Levi.

MOLLY BLOOM: And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this delightfully digital debate from Libby.

LIBBY: My name is Libby. I'm from Massachusetts. My debate idea is TV versus video games.

LEVI: What an entertaining debate idea.

MOLLY BLOOM: We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Libby thinks should win.

LEVI: And now, it's back to today's debate trolls versus leprechauns.

MOLLY BLOOM: That's right. And it's time for round two the--

[AUDIO SPEEDING UP]

ANNOUNCER: --M-- M-- Micro Round.

[BELL RINGS]

MOLLY BLOOM: For the Micro Round challenge, each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance. For Eric and Rebecca, their prompt was "Running for Mayor," where each side will deliver a speech to a city or town of their choosing about why they should be nominated for mayor. Eric went first last time, so Rebecca, you're up. Give us the lowdown on why leprechauns should lead the land.

[CHATTER]

SEAMUS FINNEGAN SHAMROCK LXXII: Um, could someone please fetch an apple box or something, so I can reach the microphone? Actually, never mind, I'll just cobble my own extra tall platform shoes.

[HAMMER TAPPING]

[SHUFFLING]

There, much better.

[TAP, MIC FEEDBACK]

Good humans. My name is Seamus Finnegan Shamrock LXXII. And I am tickled pink, no, green to run for mayor of your fair town. A vote for me is a vote for fiscal responsibility. I've got bags of gold hidden everywhere, including the end of the rainbow, so this town will always have a balanced budget.

[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]

But I'm not just Mr. Moneybags. I'm a small business owner who's been expertly cobbling shoes for hundreds of years. And I'm pro-environment. Always a strong supporter of green initiatives. And sure, we leprechauns do have a reputation for trickery and mischief.

But would you rather vote for an industrious fairy, whose wit is as sharp as a heel tack, or a burly bridge dweller, who's more likely to gobble you than govern you? Good humans, I know this world isn't all rainbows and four-leaf clovers, but working together, can we make this world a better place? I say, all together now, yes, we lepre-can.

[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]

MOLLY BLOOM: Wow, a rousing, rousing campaign speech there from our leprechaun candidate. Eric, it's your turn. Tell us why a troll would make a true trailblazer.

BJORGENGER THE VAST: Hello? Is this thing on?

[TAPPING]

My name is Bjorgenger the Vast. And I'm running for mayor of Los Angeles. If you elect me as your mayor, I can promise you no more bridge tolls.

[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]

For I collect tolls when we're getting your sweet tax dollars. Yes, you and your goats can pass across any bridge you like without fear of being taxed or eaten. But maybe if we ate a few of your goats, it would help traffic, right?

[CROWD GRUMBLES, BOOS]

Yes, boo, that's right. No one likes goat traffic. Next, we get rid of all of the palm trees. They suck up our precious water and provide zero shade from the horrible, horrible sun which turns trolls to stone and forces people to wear silly hats.

Both equally horrible. We'll plant thousands of nice leafy trees full of happy little trolls that can sing you a tune or style your hair. You like your hair sticking six feet in the air, right?

[CROWD APPLAUDS]

And get ready for safer neighborhoods with our troll patrol. Ask our kindly and indestructible trolls to walk you home, help you cross the street, or guard your valuable treasure. We work any time, day or night, as long as the sun isn't out. Vote Bjorgenger for mayor, and we'll eat the competition-- [STUTTERS] I mean, beat the competition.

[CROWD CHEERS, APPLAUDS]

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, man, it's going to be hard to decide between these two candidates. Both such excellent campaigners. Levi, what did you like about those Micro Rounds?

LEVI: Well, I really love the environmentalist advocate that is the leprechauns. But also, I got to say, I also am not always a fan of silly hats. Sometimes, they can go way too far and be way too silly.

MOLLY BLOOM: Yeah, what about the troll's speech? Did anything stand out there about why they would make a good leader?

LEVI: Well, I agree on the front of eating goats because goats are quite delicious. And as we all know, goat traffic is just terrible.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] Got to keep that goat traffic in control.

LEVI: Con-troll?

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, wow, I'd made a pun, and I didn't even know it. How exciting.

ERIC O'KEEFE: [CHUCKLES]

MOLLY BLOOM: All right, Levi, it is time to award a point, but don't tell us who it's going to. The criteria are completely up to you. Did someone present a candidate worth voting for?

Did someone sneak in some jokes, some facts, some lore? Whatever it is, it's entirely subjective and entirely up to you. Have you made your decision?

LEVI: I have made my decision.

[BELL RINGS]

MOLLY BLOOM: Excellent, Levi. Then it's time for our third around the super stealthy--

MEN: Ha ha hoo ha!

ANNOUNCER: --Sneak Attack.

MOLLY BLOOM: This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's Sneak Attack is called "Secret Handshake." If your team had a secret handshake, what would it look like?

So we want you to walk us through the steps of what your secret handshake would be so our friends can do it along at home as they listen. So, debaters, are you ready? Does that make sense?

ERIC O'KEEFE: Yes, uh, yep.

REBECCA SHEER: Makes sense. Leprechauns have really, really tiny hands, but I see no reason why they couldn't do a handshake.

MOLLY BLOOM: Yeah, a tiny handshake. It's a fun time. [CHUCKLES] All right, so please, let us know what your handshake is going to be. Walk us through all the steps. Rebecca went first in the last round, so Eric, you're up. Show us with words what your troll handshake looks like.

[JAZZ MUSIC]

ERIC O'KEEFE: OK, well, Mayor-- because he probably won that election-- Mayor Bjorgenger the Vast loves all of his vast body. So you're going to start off holding your big tummy and just giving it a good waggle, OK?

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES]

ERIC O'KEEFE: All right. Then you turn in with the hip. It's just a little hip bump, a little elbow wiggle. But that makes you think you remember that you are a troll. We are pungent sometimes, so we're going to give a sniff, one armpit. Then the other, but the elbows are tapping as you're doing the armpits.

Twisting, pivoting the hips a little bit. And then last but not least, of course, trolls have very, very hard heads, so there's just a little headbutt, but an air headbutt. So you pretend it's really hard, but please, don't headbutt each other at home. Pretend it's really hard. Goom! And then your head just jives back real fast like you just got clocked.

[CHUCKLING]

MOLLY BLOOM: Wow, that is a full-body handshake. I love it. Very impressive. All right, Rebecca, it's your turn. Please, tell us about your leprechaun handshake.

[JAZZ MUSIC]

REBECCA SHEER: Well, leprechauns are very secretive, but I'm going to share this secret with you. First, you take your hand, either hand will do, and you hold up four fingers to represent the four-leaf clover. Four-leaf clovers, shamrocks, super good luck as are the leprechauns. So you hold up the four fingers.

Then you make a fist as if you're holding a hammer. And you give three taps because, again, leprechauns are incredible shoemakers. These entrepreneurial, hardworking cobblers. So you've got the four fingers, the fist that then goes tap, tap, tap with the hammer.

Then you arc your arm over in a semicircle to represent that rainbow. Because at the end of that rainbow, that's where the leprechaun has the gold. And once you've done that arc of the rainbow, you run away because that's what leprechauns do. Just get out. Make tracks.

[LAUGHTER]

Go.

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, I love that ending. Fabulous work. All right, Levi, time to award another point. Think about which side impressed you the most. Again, criteria are completely up to you. Have you made your decision?

LEVI: I believe that I have.

[BELL RINGS]

MOLLY BLOOM: OK, then it's time for our final round--

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

ANNOUNCER: --the Final Six.

MOLLY BLOOM: In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Rebecca, let's hear your six words for why we need to love leprechauns.

REBECCA SHEER: Don't be trolled, follow the rainbow.

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, lovely. Excellent work. OK, Eric, it's your turn. Give us six words on why trolls transcend.

ERIC O'KEEFE: Let leprechauns horde, trolls are adored.

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh! Ah! Both such strong final sixes. Levi, I do not envy you having to make this last decision. But, please, award a final point for this Final Six. Have you awarded your final point?

LEVI: I believe that I have.

[BELL RINGS]

MOLLY BLOOM: Wonderful. Are you ready to crown one team the Smash Boom Best?

LEVI: That I am.

MOLLY BLOOM: All right, drum roll, please.

[DRUM-ROLL]

And the winner is--

LEVI: --Trolls!

ERIC O'KEEFE: Yes!

MOLLY BLOOM: Oh, my goodness. Levi, was there a moment that decided things for you? What pushed it over the edge for trolls?

LEVI: I think-- [SIGHS] I really got to go with all the goats because I'm very pro-eating goats. I think goats are absolutely delicious.

MOLLY BLOOM: We should have known from your recipes and your chefing that this would come down to food.

LEVI: It always comes down to food.

MOLLY BLOOM: Was it a tight debate? Was it close?

LEVI: Well, if you look at the points, not extremely. However, it was very close every time I had to award one.

MOLLY BLOOM: Well, thank you for being our very sage judge today. We appreciate your wisdom shared with us.

ERIC O'KEEFE: I just have to say that Rebecca is an incredible storyteller. And it's an honor getting to goof off with her. And I did actually learn-- I loved that tale about leprechauns where they were actually teaching a lesson. I thought they only played pranks, but it was a positive prank. That was such a good story.

REBECCA SHEER: Well, Eric, it has been an honor arguing with fellow kids' podcaster on this show. You have proven you are both a superb storyteller and a demon-- word intended-- demon of a debater. You've also--

[LAUGHTER]

--I have to say, you've opened my eyes to the softer side of trolls. I had no idea there was a softer side beyond the fluffy hair on the pencil toppers and dolls. So thanks for that. And now I'm going to go drown my sorrows in a whole lot of green milk.

[LAUGHTER]

[THEME MUSIC]

MOLLY BLOOM: Well, that is it for today's debate battle. Levi crowned trolls the Smash Boom Best, but what about you?

LEVI: Head to SmashBoom.org and vote to tell us who you think won.

MOLLY BLOOM: Smash Boom Best is brought to you by Brains On! and APM Studios.

ERIC O'KEEFE: It's produced by Molly Bloom, Rosie DuPont, Ruby Guthrie, Anna Weggel, and Aron Woldeslassie.

MOLLY BLOOM: We had engineering help from Alex Simpson and Topher Booth with sound design by Rachel Brees.

REBECCA SHEER: Our editors are Shahla Farzan and Sanden Totten.

ERIC O'KEEFE: And we had production help from Anna Goldfield, Marc Sanchez, Nico Gonzalez Wisler, and Lou Barron.

MOLLY BLOOM: Our executive producer is Beth Perlman. And the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Kavati, Alex Schaffert, and Joanne Griffith. Our announcer is Marley Feuerweker-Otto. And we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross, Taylor Kaufman, and Brandt Miller. Eric, is there anyone you want to give a shout-out to today?

ERIC O'KEEFE: Oh, to all of Ireland, and especially the fairies, please, forgive me.

[LAUGHTER]

MOLLY BLOOM: And how about you, Rebecca? Any special shout-outs?

REBECCA SHEER: To all the amazing actors in the troll movies. Now's the part where I confess, I love those movies.

MOLLY BLOOM: And how about you, Levi? Any special thanks or shout-outs?

LEVI: Well, I have to shout out my parents. I love them dearly. But most-- and far most importantly, I have to shout out my cat. She is just so perfect.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] What's her name?

LEVI: Her name is Ofelia. But she runs into things, and she just knocks things over, so I call her Opie.

MOLLY BLOOM: [CHUCKLES] Thank you, Opie, for supporting Levi today. Before we go, let's check in and see who Libby thinks should win the TV versus video games debate.

LIBBY: I think video games would win because they are more interactive.

MOLLY BLOOM: Good point, Libby. If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge like Levi, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knock-down drag-out debate, head to SmashBoom.org/contact and drop us a line. We'll be back with a new debate battle next week.

ALL: Bye!

ERIC O'KEEFE: Adios!

[THEME MUSIC]

(SINGING) Ooh, you're the smash, boom best. Ooh, put you through the test. Ooh, you're the smash, boom best. Ooh, better than the rest. It's the Smash Boom Best. It's the Smash Boom Best.

REBECCA SHEER: I am "trol-tally" shocked right now.

[LAUGHTER]