Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is a long-running weekly news quiz produced by NPR and Chicago Public Media (WBEZ). Hosted by Peter Sagal and featuring veteran news anchor Bill Kurtis as the official judge and scorekeeper, the program provides a comedic and satirical analysis of current events. Recorded primarily in front of a live audience at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, the show frequently tours across the United States, bringing its blend of journalism and improv comedy to various national venues.

The format centers on a rotating panel of three participants—typically comedians, authors, and journalists—who compete in a series of games based on the week’s headlines. These games are designed to test the panelists' and the audience's grasp of both major political stories and obscure, lighthearted news. Notable segments include "Who’s Bill This Time?", in which contestants must identify newsmakers through quotes read by Kurtis; "Bluff the Listener," where a caller must discern the truth among three improbable stories; and "Not My Job," which invites high-profile celebrity guests to answer trivia questions about a topic entirely outside their field of expertise.

First aired in 1998, the show has evolved into a staple of the American public radio landscape. It originally featured the legendary Carl Kasell as scorekeeper until his retirement in 2014. Today, it remains one of NPR's most popular programs, maintaining a high level of engagement through its podcast and digital distribution. The podcast version includes the complete weekly broadcast, often supplemented by "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+" bonus material for subscribers. By utilizing a fast-paced quiz format, the show successfully bridges the gap between hard news and entertainment, making the week's complex information cycle accessible and humorous for a broad audience.

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Episode's summary

In this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, host Peter Sagal and judge Alzo Slade lead the panel through news-based quizzes including 'Who's Alzo' and 'The Bluff.' The show covers a variety of topics ranging from tech bros and political blunders to unusual parking garage trends in Europe. The episode also features an interview with musician David Byrne regarding his immersive theater and career history, followed by the Listener Limerick Challenge and the Lightning Fill in the Blank game. Topics include bizarre Halloween pizza toppings, 'attention infidelity,' and sharks swimming through flooded New Jersey streets.

Chapters

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Highlights

If you see a tech bro run for your life.

00:03:36 · The host presents the first quote of the quiz, which discusses the difficulty tech professionals are facing in finding romantic partners.

Many people believe they drive a sedan, says senior parking intuitive Mathilde Caron. But the car knows. Sometimes it's carrying hatchback energy.

00:16:18 · A parking attendant in Lyon uses Feng Shui principles to assign spots based on the vehicle's perceived energy.

But he said, you should never wear short sleeves.

00:24:08 · David Byrne shares fashion advice he received from Lou Reed regarding his appearance in the early days of Talking Heads.

this week we heard about a new concept called attention infidelity. It's when people in a relationship neglect their partners and instead spend all their time with what? Their phone.

00:34:05 · The host introduces a news topic regarding how smartphone usage can impact romantic relationships.

It was even caught swimming up someone's driveway, which was scary, but it was even scarier when it got up to their front porch and was like, door dash.

00:45:35 · The host describes a humorous yet frightening sighting of a shark in a New Jersey town.

Episodes

1193-

We ghost some tech bros with David Byrne

In this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, host Peter Sagal and judge Alzo Slade lead the panel through news-based quizzes including 'Who's Alzo' and 'The Bluff.' The show covers a variety of topics ranging from tech bros and political blunders to unusual parking garage trends in Europe. The episode also features an interview with musician David Byrne regarding his immersive theater and career history, followed by the Listener Limerick Challenge and the Lightning Fill in the Blank game. Topics include bizarre Halloween pizza toppings, 'attention infidelity,' and sharks swimming through flooded New Jersey streets.

03 Oct 2026
1192-

A surprise snow day for the White House press corps

Recorded in Omaha, Nebraska, this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me features host Peter Sagal and a panel of comedians navigating news-based quizzes including 'Who's Alzo?' and 'Bump, Set, Spike'. The show covers diverse topics ranging from White House press access and the rise of 'cat dads' to long-term ambitions like 20-year to-do lists and aging cheese. The episode also explores modern etiquette debates regarding job interviews, a humorous look at an emo-themed Wendy's album, and global news stories involving overdue library magazines and smuggling French butter. The program concludes with the 'Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank' game and credits.

26 Sep 2026
1191-

A fond farewell to brunch and also humankind

Host Peter Sagal and the panel dive into a variety of news topics, ranging from AI concerns and the decline of brunch to the social labor of 'mankeeping.' The episode features games like 'Bluff the Listener' regarding TV purchases, a 'True or False' look at QVC mishaps, and a comedic quiz about toilet paper. The show also includes an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz about his new novel, 'Ply,' and explores viral fan theories and skincare trends. The episode concludes with the high-energy 'Lightning Fill in the Blank' trivia game and announcements for upcoming NPR programs.

19 Sep 2026
1190-

We fold our phones and get roasted by Leslie Jones

Host Peter Sagal and a panel of comedians dive into the week's news, covering everything from Apple's new foldable phone to political promises in Dallas. The episode features various game rounds including 'Who's Alzo', 'Bluff the Listener', and 'All This Is Banana', alongside an interview with comedian Leslie Jones about her comedy origins and her show 'Roast My Rental'. The show concludes with listener limericks covering topics like brain-implanted cockroaches and a rapid-fire 'Lightning Fill in the Blank' quiz round, ending with humorous predictions about the future of foldable technology.

12 Sep 2026
1189-

Our panel goes on shore leave with Maggie Smith

In this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, host Peter Sagal and the panel dive into a variety of news-based quotations, covering topics from an aircraft carrier docking in Thailand to trends in wellness injections and Dyson's new AI-powered toothbrush. The show also explores unusual events at the Gravely Fruit Farm, including a vendor dispute and a suggestive corn maze. The episode features an interview with poet Maggie Smith on 'Not My Job,' where they discuss her writing and experiences with fame. The program concludes with listener challenges, news updates regarding George Santos, and a prediction game about future scary trends.

05 Sep 2026