Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - podcast cover

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

NPR's weekly news quiz hosted by Peter Sagal. Have a laugh and test your knowledge with today's funniest comedians and a celebrity guest.

Hate free content? Try a subscription to Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+. Your subscription supports public radio and unlocks fun bonus episodes along with sponsor-free listening. Learn more at https://plus.npr.org/waitwait

Episodes

WWDTM: Summer Is (Almost) Here Edition!

This week, we celebrate the return of summer with some of our favorite guests, including Bob Seger, Dakota Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, John Wilson, and Molly Seidel! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jun 01, 202447 min

WWDTM: J. Kenji López-Alt

This week, we're live in Seattle with food genius J. Kenji López-Alt to talk about food, science, food-science, and the magic of Winnie the Pooh onsies. Plus, panelists Shantira Jackson, Luke Burbank, and Jessi Klein pass the blame around. WWDTM+ listeners! For contractual reasons, there will not be a sponsor-free version of this episode. We apologize. But we will have a sponsor-free program available to you as always next weekend. We appreciate your support! Learn more about sponsor message cho...

May 25, 202448 min

WWDTM: Maya Hawke

Actor and singer Maya Hawke joins us to talk Stranger Things , childhood songs, and folk music beefs with panelists Adam Burke, Faith Salie, and Negin Farsad. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 18, 202447 min

WWDTM: Chappell Roan

Queer pop icon Chappell Roan joins panelists Tom Papa, Brian Babylon, and Meredith Scardino to talk drag personas, the life changing magic of Ke$ha, and why her first record deal always makes her think about hot lunch Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

May 11, 202447 min

WWDTM: Lyndon Barrois, Sr.

This week, artist Lyndon Barrois Sr. joins us to talk about his beautifully detailed gum wrapper sculptures, working in movies, and why he's Hollywood's go-to animator of animals who know karate. Plus, Josh Gondelman and Joyelle Nicole Johnson welcome new panelist River Butcher! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

May 04, 202447 min

WWDTM: Renée Elise Goldsberry

Renée Elise Goldsberry won a Tony and Grammy for her role in Hamilton , and currently stars in Netflix's Girls5Eva . She joins panelists Jason Isbell, Alonzo Bodden, and Shantira Jackson. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 27, 202448 min

WWDTM: Judith Butler

This week, Judith Butler joins panelists Roy Blount, Jr., Maz Jobrani, and Faith Salie to talk about gender, performativity, and their dream of becoming a clown. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 20, 202448 minEp. 1393

WWDTM: Bill Cowher

We're live in Pittsburgh this week, where Steelers legend Bill Cowher joins panelists Negin Farsad, Mo Rocca, and Maeve Higgins to talk winning the Super Bowl, yelling on NPR, and why his 20th high school reunion was such a nightmare. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 13, 202448 minEp. 1392

WWDTM: Chris Pine

This week, Chris Pine joins us to talk his new movie Poolman , imitating William Shatner, and where he ranks on the list of Hollywood Chrises. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 06, 202447 minEp. 1391

WWDTM: Spring Break Edition!

To celebrate Spring Break, we hit the beach with some of our favorite guests, including John Stamos, Malala Yousafzai, Kaila Mullady, David Axelrod, and Gabrielle Dennis! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Mar 31, 202448 minEp. 1390

WWDTM: Laurene Powell Jobs

Philanthropist and Founder and President of Emerson Collective Laurene Powell Jobs joins Helen Hong, Hari Kondabolu, and Adam Felber to tell us the real story of how she met her husband Steve and the secret to throwing the best Halloween parties in Palo Alto. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoi...

Mar 23, 202447 minEp. 1389

WWDTM: David Alan Grier

David Alan Grier joins Paula Poundstone, Mo Rocca, and Adam Burke to talk his new movie, announcing at the Oscars, and why you didn't see him in Forrest Gump. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Mar 16, 202448 minEp. 1388

WWDTM: Claudia Goldin

Claudia Goldin is one of the world's leading economists, a Nobel Prize winner, and a time Person of the Year. She joins Josh Gondelman, Roxanne Roberts, and Maeve Higgins to talk 4:30am phone calls, Nobel parties, and yodeling Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Pol...

Mar 09, 202447 minEp. 1387

WWDTM: Danny Brown

Danny Brown helped redefine Detroit's rap scene with XXX , then moved to Austin in 2021 to do it all again. He joins panelists Alzo Slade, Karen Chee, and Peter Grosz to talk playing pickleball, rapping Dr. Seuss, and accidentally offending Adele. Want to tell us what you REALLY think about Wait Wait? We'd love to hear it (and then lose sleep thinking about it)! Take our anonymous survey at: https://npr.org/waitwaitsurvey Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR...

Mar 02, 202448 minEp. 1386

WWDTM: Hail to the Chief Editon

To celebrate Presidents' Day, we're revisiting interviews that would EASILY win the popular vote, including Ray Romano, Rosie Perez, Steve Earle, and more! Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 24, 202448 minEp. 1385

WWDTM: Sleater-Kinney

Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker, of the legendary rock band Sleater-Kinney, join guest host Tom Papa, Dulcé Sloan, Amy Dickinson, and Hari Kondabolu to talk their new album and 30 years of being a band. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 17, 202448 minEp. 1384

WWDTM: Lena Waithe

This week, A Thousand and One producer and Emmy winner Lena Waithe joins panelists Adam Burke, Negin Farsad, and Maz Jobrani to talk Blockbuster, Jennifer Aniston, and Guy Fieri. Hate free content? Try a subscription to Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+. Your subscription supports public radio and unlocks fun bonus episodes along with sponsor-free listening. Learn more at https://plus.npr.org/waitwait Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 10, 202448 minEp. 1383

WWDTM: Kristen Kish

This week, Top Chef 's Kristen Kish joins Josh Gondelman, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Brian Babylon to talk bivalves, airballs, and cheese curds. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Feb 03, 202449 minEp. 1382

WWDTM: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

This week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen joins Dulcé Sloan, Tom Papa, and Shane O'Neill to talk the economy, how she prepared to smoke weed for the first time, and her Candy Crush score. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 27, 202447 minEp. 1381

WWDTM: David Oyelowo

Actor David Oyelowo joins panelists Faith Salie, Helen Hong, and Tom Bodett to talk being mistaken for MLK, how a crush led to his acting career, and more. Get access to bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, and the chance to participate in a quiz with Peter Sagal when you sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+ at plus.npr.org/waitwait. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Jan 20, 202448 minEp. 1380

WWDTM: Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell joins panelists Maeve Higgins, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Peter Grosz to talk backhanded compliments from John Mayer, praise from Bruce Springsteen, and keeping eye out for boogers with his wife, Amanda Shires Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 13, 202447 minEp. 1379

WWDTM: Now With Real Journalists!

It's the new year, and we're bringing you new interviews with Rachel Maddow and Bob Woodruff, plus a never-before-heard Bluff the Listener game! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jan 06, 202447 minEp. 1378

WWDTM: 25th Anniversary Spectacular Part IX - Best of 2023

To celebrate the holidays, we hand out the greatest gift of all: interviews with Geena Davis, Weird Al, Karen Allen, and 5th generation lobsterman Jacob Knowles! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 30, 202348 minEp. 1377

WWDTM: Molly Seidel

Olympic marathoner Molly Seidel joins panelists Shantira Jackson, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Roxanne Roberts to talk joints, Instacart, and working out like Taylor Swift Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 23, 202349 minEp. 1376

Wait Wait Wayback Machine: December 2003

Host Peter Sagal and producer Miles Doornbos challenge a Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me listener with questions about news events from our actual show — but the catch is they're shows that aired 20 years ago! The Wait Wait Wayback Machine is normally a bonus episode that only Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me+ supporters can hear and play. Today, we're making it available for everyone. If you want a chance to play the Wait Wait Wayback Machine , sign up for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me + via Apple Podcasts o...

Dec 19, 202314 min

WWDTM: Bethenny Frankel

We're back at Carnegie Hall, and joined by business mogul, philanthropist, and reality TV royalty Bethenny Frankel! She talks with Peter and panelists Josh Gondelman, Helen Hong, and Alzo Slade about feuds, throwing drinks, and becoming an accidental influencer. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 16, 202349 minEp. 1375

Extended cut: Dakota Johnson on her new doc, childhood, and curating a sex museum

Today we're giving you a chance to hear an episode that we'd usually share with our Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me + supporters! It's an extended cut of our interview with actor, producer, and activist Dakota Johnson, whose new documentary is The Disappearance of Shere Hite. That's right — an extended cut. Our celebrity interviews sometimes last much longer than what we're able to include in our regular show. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me + supporters can hear extended cuts in regular bonus episodes. T...

Dec 11, 202324 min

WWDTM: Fred Schneider

The B-52's Fred Schneider joins panelists Eugene Cordero, Luke Burbank, and Paula Poundstone to talk Christmas albums, thrown ham, and singing "Love Shack" at karaoke. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 09, 202349 minEp. 1374

WWDTM: Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson, whose new documentary is The Disappearance of Shere Hite , joins panelists Adam Felber, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Alonzo Bodden to talk famous families, Fifty Shades of Grey , and more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Dec 02, 202349 minEp. 1373

WWDTM: 25th Year Spectacular Part VIII!

Our deep dive into our 25-year history continues with appearances from Jane Curtin, Adam Savage, Hannah Kearney, Muffet McGraw, and more! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Nov 25, 202348 minEp. 1372