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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Episodes

1185-

Falling in love with an octopus, a dog, and Sally Field

08 Aug 2026
1184-

Betting on a graveyard of Cybertrucks with Mary Roach

In this episode of NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, host Peter Sagal leads the panel through news discussions ranging from rising gambling trends and Cybertruck sales to a Turkish governor ousted over wearing bike shorts. The show features various games including 'Who's Alzo?', 'Bluff the Listener', and 'Lightning Fill in the Blank'. The episode also includes 'Tightwad Tales' regarding extreme frugality, an interview with science writer Mary Roach about her work on human biology, and a look at modern trends like 'love hackers' using spreadsheets for dating. The program concludes with game results and promos for NPR's Fresh Air and Shortwave.

01 Aug 2026
1183-

A tick-filled odyssey

In this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, host Peter Sagal and the panel dive into a variety of news-based games, including 'Who's Alzo', 'Truth or Fiction: Literary Edition', and a trivia round about actors named Chris. The show covers topics ranging from summer blockbusters and rising tick populations to viral banana ice cream recipes and luxury pillows. The episode also features an interview with actor Tyler James Williams, who reflects on his childhood career on Sesame Street and 'Everybody Hates Chris'. The program concludes with the Limerick Challenge and a fast-paced 'Lightning Fill in the Blank' round covering international politics, bizarre local news, and unusual medical diagnoses.

25 Jul 2026
1182-

We skip the salad bar and have a banana instead

In this episode of 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me', host Tom Papa and the panel navigate a variety of bizarre news stories, ranging from a cyclospora outbreak and Trump's sleeping arrangements to the rise of banana-flavored products and high-end chicken nuggets. The show features games like 'Who's Alzo?', 'Bluff the Listener', and 'Lightning Fill in the Blank'. The episode also includes an interview with musician Vicki Peterson about her time in The Bangles and her experiences with Prince, alongside segments on ancient mummification, orangutan social behaviors, and news-related limericks.

18 Jul 2026
1181-

Love Island and Pre-Teen Punks with Jason Narducy

In this episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, the host leads a news quiz featuring topics ranging from World Cup stars and Love Island to billionaire 'snow rooms' and bizarre weather-related events. The panel discusses everything from extreme apple consumption and 'chalant dating' to an undercover police operation in Detroit. The episode also features an interview with musician Jason Narduzzi regarding his punk roots, alongside news stories about a Waymo vehicle calling the cops on teenagers and a man in Scotland arrested for using seagulls as weapons. The show concludes with quiz results and humorous predictions for future reality TV.

11 Jul 2026