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Bill Curtis
From npr n wbez chicago, this is wait, wait, don't tell me. The npr news quiz. I'm legendary anchorman bill curtis. Well, where are we?
Luke Burbank
Yeah.
Bill Curtis
And here's your host at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.
Peter Sagal
Thank you, Bill. Thank you, everybody. We've got a great show for you today. Later on, we're going to be talking to the fabulous singer songwriter Brandi Carlisle. But first, back in 2014, when our original judge and scorekeeper Carl Castle retired, someone suggested that we should ask Bill Curtis to succeed him. And I said, are you nuts? Why would Bill Curtis, groundbreaking journalist and giant of broadcasting, squander his hard earned reputation doing our silly little show every week? Well, today either Bill is stepping down after being the hilarious beso profundo soul of our show for 12 wonderful years, or he finally came to his senses. So if you want to be one of the last people to benefit from his wisdom and or his mistake, give us a call. The number is 1-888-WAIT, WAIT. That's 1-888-924-8924. Now it's time to welcome our first listener contestant. How you run. Wait, wait, Don. Hi, this is Tiffany Washburn. I'm calling from Dayton, Ohio. Hey, Dayton is a beautiful place. I think we're going there later on. What do you do there? I am a mom of two and in my free time, I'm a can can dancer with Madame Gigi's. Hold on, wait a minute. Oh, another one. There's so many other things. I really, I gotta talk to our screeners. Too many cancan. Wait a minute. You're a can can dancer? Like the Moulin Rouge. Can can you come exactly like, is there a lot of call for cancan dancers these days in today's economy? A surprising amount of demand. Yeah. When you're in town, you should stop by. Yes, I'm making a note here. Absolutely. Tiffany, welcome to the show. Let me introduce you to our panel this week. First up, a comedian who you can see in Chattanooga, Tennessee on June 24th at the Comedy catch with the show, the Muslims are coming with equally threatening friends, it's Negeen Farsad. Hi. Hi, Negeen. Next, it's the host of the daily podcast TBTL and the public radio variety show Livewire, which will be live at the Reeser center for the Arts in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 29th. It's Luke Burbank.
Luke Burbank
Hey there, Tiffany.
Peter Sagal
Hey, Luke. And you can see her June 26 in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Buckhead Theater and hear her on her podcast. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. It's Paula Poundstone. Hey.
Caller
Hey, Paula.
Negeen Farsad
Hey, Tiffany.
Peter Sagal
Tiffany, welcome to the show. You're gonna play who's Bill this time? Bill Curtis is gonna read you three quotations from this week's news. If you can correctly identify or explain just two of them, you will win our prize. Any voice from our show you might choose for your voicemail. Are you ready to go? I'm ready. All right. Your first quote is from an NPR News story.
Bill Curtis
This week, interest is surging in the tiny bulbous legume.
Peter Sagal
That was NPR's annoying way of saying that as food prices go up, more and more people are eating. What is it, chickpeas. It is chickpeas and other beans. That's the answer we were looking for. Oh, the magical fruit. Yes. Economists right now are pointing to a somewhat troubling Americans are buying lots and lots of beans. I was worried when I saw the New York Times say seven delicious meals you can cook over a trash can fire.
Negeen Farsad
I love that this is an economic indicator. I mean, we've been like focusing on the price of gas so much. We should have been focusing on the gas that comes out of our butts.
Peter Sagal
Exactly. When you think about it, I guess it won't work scientifically, but you could think one surplus would solve the other shortage, right?
Luke Burbank
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
We're not just buying more beans. We're really into them. This is true. There are bean influencers online and real bean fans call themselves. Again, I'm sorry to say this is true. Leguminati,
Luke Burbank
they run everything.
Peter Sagal
They really do. I've heard that.
Luke Burbank
All the way to the top.
Peter Sagal
Right, Right. This is happening, of course, as beef prices are reaching record highs, as are smugness levels among vegans and vegetarians. Yes, true, true, true, true.
Luke Burbank
I have to say, like, I know that this is sort of NPR framing this, the fact that people can't afford maybe to eat the kind of protein that they would like, which would be more like meat based, chicken based. But as a person who is, generally speaking mostly vegetarian, I'm appreciating some people coming over to our slightly gassy side of the fence on this. I was on Interstate 5 over in the Pacific Northwest where I live and one of those big trucks that's got all the chickens in it, like bombing down the highway. And I looked at it and a chicken looked into my soul.
Peter Sagal
Really?
Luke Burbank
And I have never been the same again.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. It was like, save me.
Luke Burbank
I mean, it was. It was saying, you know, give the beans a try. Everybody just leave the windows open at night.
Peter Sagal
Yeah, exactly. Here is your next quote.
Bill Curtis
The Golden Girls templates endures.
Peter Sagal
That was the New York Times talking about how the latest trend in TV is shows. About whom? The older segment of the population. Yes. The older segment of the population. Yes. Seniors, old people, geezers. Yes. More and more TV shows are both featuring and are designed for older people. From the Matlock reboot to this new Netflix show, the Burroughs and other shows that will be on way too loud when you go home to visit your parents. It's true, there are a growing number of TV shows are featuring older characters, like only murders in the building or shrinking or 75 years young. Sheldon,
Bill Curtis
why am I leaving now?
Peter Sagal
That's true. This is your moment, Bill.
Luke Burbank
I didn't love the fact that in this New York Times piece, the photographs of some of the actors were, I would say, roughly my age.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. Terrifying, isn't it?
Luke Burbank
Like, Alfred Molina is not that much older than I am.
Peter Sagal
Like, if he's playing a senior citizen.
Luke Burbank
Yes. This is their idea of, like letting you know I wasn't ready to be part of that population so quickly. But I guess I'm here.
Peter Sagal
In fact, this is interesting. The Burroughs on Netflix, this new show that sort of inspired this article. It's set in an old age home and it's made by the people who made Stranger Things. In fact, Stranger Things dragged on so long, they were just able to cast the original kids from the show as senior citizens. Just segued into that.
Paula Poundstone
Have you heard about. They have a new one of those reality shows, Cops, but it's older cops and the criminals just get away
Peter Sagal
and they're going, I gotta sit. I just go, I'm spitzing. Just run. And I'm telling you, right, if you're younger, you want older people to watch shows about older people just to avoid that awkward moment when your uncle tells you he's all caught up in euphoria.
Paula Poundstone
Wait, what is euphoria?
Luke Burbank
That's the right answer, Paula.
Peter Sagal
That's the right answer. Very good. You represented your demographic well, Tiffany.
Paula Poundstone
Yes.
Peter Sagal
Here is your last quote.
Bill Curtis
Boo. Boo.
Peter Sagal
That was graduating classes around the country reacting to all these commencement speakers who chose to talk about what new technology. AI. Yes. AI. It is Commencement season and speaker after speaker are bringing up AI and getting booed by the graduates.
Paula Poundstone
Yes.
Peter Sagal
AI is not for graduation speeches. It's for writing the papers that help you graduate.
Luke Burbank
Yes.
Paula Poundstone
Did the Secretary of Education. What's her name again?
Negeen Farsad
Linda McMahon.
Paula Poundstone
Did she do any graduation speeches and talk about A1?
Peter Sagal
Which she famously did reading a speech. Reading from notes in Congress, Talked about the potential of A one?
Luke Burbank
Yes.
Peter Sagal
Yeah.
Luke Burbank
But that was at the Western Oklahoma School of Ribeyes.
Peter Sagal
Exactly.
Luke Burbank
Honestly, relevant to the.
Michael Hosmar
Great.
Peter Sagal
I want to ask any of you, assuming you all graduated college, if so, do you remember your commencement speech or the commencement speech that was given?
Paula Poundstone
No, no, no. My son graduated from high school in a very small program. He graduated in a class of one.
Peter Sagal
Really?
Paula Poundstone
Yeah. They had to cut Pomp and Circumstance short.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. Must have been great. You didn't have to wait for his name to come around when they were accepting the class.
Paula Poundstone
No, exactly. Duh, duh. Duh.
Peter Sagal
Okay, Bill, how did Tiffany do on our quiz?
Bill Curtis
Tiffany was crystal clear with a perfect score.
Peter Sagal
Congratulations, Tiffany. Right now, panel, it is time for you to answer some questions about this week's news. Paula?
Paula Poundstone
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
I know you enjoy movies.
Paula Poundstone
I do.
Peter Sagal
When you're at the movies and you have to use the bathroom, it's stressful because you don't want to miss any of the movie.
Paula Poundstone
Right.
Peter Sagal
But now a movie theater in Switzerland has found an elegant solution. What is it?
Paula Poundstone
They have a guy that sits beside you when you come back and whispers, what happened while you were gone?
Peter Sagal
No.
Paula Poundstone
They have a guy that stands in the doorway just outside your stall and tells you what's happening on the screen while you're gone at a normal volume.
Peter Sagal
All right. If he's in the bathroom with you.
Paula Poundstone
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
How would he be able to watch the movie?
Paula Poundstone
Okay. They have a guy that stands just outside the actual bathroom, holds the door open so they can see what's happening on the screen and shouts to you towards the stall where you're sitting.
Peter Sagal
These are all wonderful ideas, but they.
Paula Poundstone
If somebody steals this, I'm going to be so pissed.
Luke Burbank
Literally.
Peter Sagal
Literally. But they came up with another solution.
Paula Poundstone
Oh, boy. You got any hints for me?
Peter Sagal
I mean, presumably you could sit there and watch the movie the whole time, but.
Paula Poundstone
Oh, my God. The film shows in the bathroom?
Peter Sagal
Yes.
Paula Poundstone
Oh, that's awful.
Peter Sagal
There are TV monitors in the floor.
Luke Burbank
Smart.
Peter Sagal
In front of every toilet so you can watch the movie while you're using the toilet and not miss anything.
Paula Poundstone
Wow. Yeah.
Negeen Farsad
Have you. I remember when I watched Oppenheimer, I needed a break because I thought it was too intense. And it would have been horrible if, like I went to go take a break in the bathroom and it was still there.
Paula Poundstone
Yeah. And it followed you to your car. Everywhere you go, Oppenheimer is playing. Yeah. No, that's abusive. That's not a good relationship with Oppenheimer.
Peter Sagal
Yeah.
Luke Burbank
When I walk into the bathroom, I say, I have become death Eater of the world.
Peter Sagal
Son of the movies. Coming up, what if our bluff the Listener game was actually called blurf the listener call 1-8 8- wait- wait to play. We'll be back in a minute with more of Wait, Wait, don't tell me. From npr. This message comes from the Arbor Day foundation. Planting trees with intention and scale to support a greener future. For more than 50 years, the Arbor Day foundation has connected local experts with the support they need from passionate people and companies who care to plant trees in communities and forests across the world. They use data and mapping to ensure their focusing efforts in high priority areas where trees will make the most impact, like places affected by natural disasters. Disaster recovery work involving tree planting can take years to do right. In the two decades after Hurricane Katrina, the Arbor Day foundation has planted hundreds of thousands of trees in response. And the work continues to this day as the foundation is working with partners on the ground in New Orleans, Lower 9th Ward to help rebuild a greener community through trees. Most recently, they've brought that same spirit to Los Angeles, planting at several sites throughout the city impacted by the Eaton fire. Learn more and see how you can support their work@arborday.org Arbor Day NPR this
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Senior Vice President Michael Hosmar explains the importance of providing a comprehensive approach for clients.
Fisher Investments Representative
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Michael Hosmar
Learn more@fisherinvestments.com Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. This message comes from Capella University. You know that feeling when there's a spark building inside you that you were meant for more? That's your own drive pushing you towards what's next. Capella University gets that with their flexpath learning format. You can set the pace and earn your degree without putting life on pause. You've built experience and know what you're capable of. Now this is your time to turn that momentum into more. The only real question is, what can't you do? Learn more@capella.edu.
Bill Curtis
From NPR and WBEC Chicago, this is Wait, wait, don't tell ME the NPR News quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We are playing this week with Paula Poundstone, Nagin Farsad and Luke Burbank. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Peter, say you go.
Peter Sagal
Thank you, Bill. Thank you so much. Right now it is time for the wait, wait, don't tell me. Bluff the listener game. Call 1-888-WAIT-WAIT. If you would like to play our games on the air. Hi, you're on. Wait, wait, don't tell me.
Caller
Hi, this is Rhonda Graff calling from McCook, Nebraska.
Peter Sagal
McCook, Nebraska, where is that exactly?
Caller
We are smack dab between Denver and Omaha and home to Senator George Norris.
Peter Sagal
Oh, Senator George Norris.
Paula Poundstone
Yeah, you gotta go back a ways to, you know, electricity, I'm sorry, an hour to broadband.
Peter Sagal
So, yeah, the Senator George Norris. Now I know. Yes. Well, Rhonda, welcome to the show. You're gonna play the game in which you have to tell truth from fiction. Bill, what's Rhonda's topic?
Bill Curtis
Just one letter.
Peter Sagal
One letter can make a big difference. Consider the priest who told the congregation that all singers go to hell. This week we heard a story of something off just by one letter and the consequences were remarkable. Our panelists are going to tell you about it. Pick the one who's telling the truth and you'll win our prize, the wait waiter of your choice on your voicemail. Are you ready to play?
Caller
I am.
Peter Sagal
First, let's hear from Negin Farsad.
Negeen Farsad
Dr. Mariano Cohen is a well respected urologist in Argentina who was invited to speak on a local radio station. He was probably flattered that his vast knowledge of urology was going to be useful on a more public facing scale. It's about time that the study of the testes, prostate, vas deferens and yes, the seminal vesicles be taken as a serious matter of public health and not as an uncomfortable joke made by dirtbag comedians on silly quiz shows. But when the urologist went live on the airwaves, the first question he got was where did he study to become a ufologist? As in someone who studies UFOs, quote, I'm a urologist, not a ufologist, he said, as all the genitals he studied metaphorically shrank. In the end, urologists are still the one doctor no one wants to see, but they're a pretty decent stand in when it comes to explaining inexplicable orbs with strange behaviors.
Peter Sagal
Urologist invited onto a radio show because they thought he was a ufologist. Your next Alphabet account comes from Luke Burbank.
Luke Burbank
According to a story this week in the Hill, about six months ago, Ben Forstag was at his desk as regional director of the fba, the Farmington Bratwurst Association, a Michigan based lobbying group representing the cased meats industry, when he got an email from Kash Patel ordering him to look into a series of bank robberies in the area. Why, though, would the FBI director reach out to him? Well, thanks to a typo on his LinkedIn page, his name came up when Director Patel Googled Michigan Regional Director of the FBI. Patel was actually emailing a guy whose real expertise was how spicy is too spicy when we're talking kielbasa? The even more amazing part, Forstag nabbed the suspect with no legal authorization. He staked out the one bank in town that hadn't been robbed yet, and sure enough, he caught the bandit when he showed up, something he said he saw in a Matt Damon movie.
Peter Sagal
Someone listening his job is with the FBI instead of the fba ends up catching a criminal. Your last story of someone playing loose with the letters comes from Paula Poundstone,
Paula Poundstone
Tech Tech, who Wired magazine has put in the top slot of their who to Watch in Tech list, recently held their Spring Fling Employee Recognition luncheon at the Southport Hyatt in Boston. The round tables were festooned with bouquets of flowers. The event featured an improv teacher who led the attendees in some hilarious group storytelling. But there was something missing the lunch. In fact, the crowd grew a little restless, digging through their bags for power bars and candy by the last speaker, who shook his head slowly and moaned in response to each disturbance during his somewhat out of place testimonial about the challenges of his life as a very tall man, his struggles with depression and the difficulties of finding work as a butler in the current economic climate. Of course, CEO Watson threatened never again to use let's have an affair, her go to party planners until they showed her a copy of the email asking for the event to include Lurch. Lurch was the butler from the Addams family.
Peter Sagal
So one of these single letter typos made it into the news this week. Was it from Negeen Farsad, a urologist who got invited to to talk about ETs and UFOs from Luke Burbank, Somebody who was a regional director for the FBA being mistaken for someone from the FBI? Or was it from Paula Poundstone, a corporate event that went awry because they ended up with this visit from Lurch, the butler from the Addams family, rather than a delicious lunch?
Caller
Well, while I love the Lurch idea and I believe the FBI, I'm going with number one.
Peter Sagal
You're going to go with Negeen's story of urologist mistaken for a ufologist. Well, to bring you the correct answer, we spoke to someone familiar with the real story.
Caller
You log onto a call to think you're gonna be asked about your medical expertise. And then someone's like, do you believe in aliens?
Peter Sagal
And you're like, how is this relevant? Yeah, how is it relevant? That was Dr. Reena Malik, a urologist, explaining the mix up in this week's news. Congratulations, Rhonda. You got it right.
Caller
Thank you.
Peter Sagal
Thank you. And now the game where people who have won a lot try to win one more thing. It's called Not My Job. Brandi Carlisle says that from an early age, she knew she was going to make it as a musician, and she was right. She has won 11 Grammy awards and two Emmys. She has an Oscar nomination for a song she wrote for her childhood idol, Elton John. Her new album is called Returning to Myself. And she joins us now. Brandi Carlisle, welcome to Wait, wait, don't tell me. Let's start with this Elton John thing. I was reading your memoir, or rather listening to you read it, which was pretty great. And you write that you were such an Elton John fan as a pretty young girl, you actually dressed like him in a singing competition.
Caller
Oh, yeah, many singing competitions and also Halloween. And I went to school with homemade Elton John jewelry. I mean, I was a massive Elton John fan as a teenager.
Peter Sagal
Right. So. And how much did you stand out amongst your peers being, you know, when they'd come in doing whatever they were
Luke Burbank
doing in Maple Valley.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. Washington. This is rural Washington. Right. Your mother got you this white suit that she bedazzled and you had big fake glasses. What did they think of?
Caller
Well, it was 1995. So it wasn't exactly the height of teen pop idol fame that Elton John experienced in the 70s. So it was like they were all discovering Elton John through me until the Lion King, and then they all understood my obsession.
Peter Sagal
Really. They all realized you were a prophet before your time. So later on, you not only met Elton John, but collaborated with him and became very close friends. How early in your relationship did you tell him about this?
Caller
Like, immediately. I got right in it, really.
Peter Sagal
Hello, my name is Britt.
Caller
I don't want that kind of thing. You just have to get it right out in the open, you know? And I think when you're Elton John, you can't decide to choose friends based on who's a fan and knows your music. It's like he'd have no friends at all if you did that.
Peter Sagal
Well, granted, if you're an international superstar of that duration, yes, everybody's gonna be your fan. Not everybody is going to dress up as you as a 12 year old girl.
Caller
Tomato.
Peter Sagal
One of the interesting things about you is you meet Elton John, you become close friends, you meet Joni Mitchell, you become collaborators.
Paula Poundstone
Hi, Brandy.
Caller
Yeah, hi.
Peter Sagal
Have you ever. Have you ever felt shy about reaching up to any of your idols?
Caller
No, I'm not very shy at all. In fact, I'm married to a British woman and she just. She's in constant state of cringe because I will walk straight up to new people or people I admire, and I will just get right in there with a hug and I just. I have no. Life is too short to not. To not be friends and to get close with people.
Peter Sagal
You go, have you. Have you ever been rebuffed? No.
Caller
Yes.
Peter Sagal
All the time. All the time. Really? Can you dish on somebody who wasn't nice to you?
Caller
No, I can't get specifics. But I will say that I've had moments, even with my closest friends, where they've been like, oh, piss off.
Paula Poundstone
Brandi, I didn't recognize you right away.
Peter Sagal
I was fascinated to hear the details of your background. You grew up, as I said, in rural Washington state. You've written and talked about how poor your family was growing up. In fact, unless I got this wrong, sometimes the family would eat only if your father shot an elk or deer from your window.
Caller
I mean, I wouldn't say that we would only eat if we shot an elk or deer, but there were definitely a few elk and deer shot from the window and from the window part.
Peter Sagal
I mean, when you're just sitting around the house and somebody says it's a reverse drive through Kinda
Caller
why we can take the screen off.
Peter Sagal
Yeah, true. It's like, well, somebody says, so, what's for dinner? And your dad says, well, let's find out. And he goes to the window. You also write about how your father more or less treated you just the same as he treated your brother, who was very close in age. None of that girly stuff for you. In fact, and I loved this story. He drove you to go have a fight with a bully.
Caller
Yeah, he did. He drove me to go have a. You know, you don't miss.
Paula Poundstone
It was in the 80s.
Caller
You don't miss your fist fight appointments if you make them.
Peter Sagal
Right. So I'm just. Again, just. I mean, I guess plaudits to you for having the courage. Plaudits to your father for supporting you and your goals. But I'm just curious as to how that went down. Like, you see your dad and you say, dad, there's this kid who's been bothering me and I challenged him to a fight and we agreed to meet down by the lake at 2. Can you give me a ride? Is that what happened?
Caller
That's exactly what happened.
Peter Sagal
Really? That's exactly. And your father said, okay, yeah.
Caller
And he drove me to the lake and he dropped me off and then he left. Left, left.
Peter Sagal
Wait a minute. So he drives you to have a fight with a boy? Wait a minute. I'm remembering a detail. Two boys. And he drops you off and he just leaves?
Caller
He left? Yeah. I didn't see him until I went back home at dark. And me and the boys, we did get into a scuffle and one of them fell on the lake and we wound up playing the game of baseball, the baseball diamond all together.
Luke Burbank
Wow.
Paula Poundstone
Who got the most points?
Caller
I got the most points in the fifth fight, but I think so wouldn't do so well in baseball.
Peter Sagal
So, as I indicated, you had an extraordinary amount of confidence in your career as a musician. You dropped out of high school, you went up to Seattle. You did make it, to put it mildly. I think we had the total of 12 Grammys to date. Two Emmys, one Oscar nomination.
Bill Curtis
11.
Peter Sagal
11. Excuse me.
Caller
We'll keep our fingers crossed for this year.
Peter Sagal
All right. Fingers crossed. I have to ask, that's a lot of Grammys.
Luke Burbank
11.
Peter Sagal
Where do you keep them?
Caller
I keep them all on top of my piano that I've had since I was 18. It's a 1900 upright old granny piano that I write tons of my songs on. And the whole top of it's just covered in Grammys and Christmas lights.
Peter Sagal
Wow. That's really cool.
Caller
Thank you.
Peter Sagal
It's enough. You know, it occurs to me you have enough of them. You could do like a whole dinner party and everybody gets one at their place setting, like holding the napkin or something.
Caller
Well, I definitely don't hide them when people come over.
Peter Sagal
No, sure. Well, Brandi Carlisle, it is an absolute delight to talk to you, but we have asked you here to play a game. And since your latest album is called Returning to Myself, we've asked you here to play a game that we're going
Bill Curtis
to call returning to the store.
Peter Sagal
Because when you think about it, returning to yourself is pretty easy. For example, you don't need a receipt. So returning to the store, though, is a different thing. We're going to ask you three questions about people returning things to the store where they bought it. Get two out of three rights. You'll win a prize for one of our listeners, the voice of anyone they might choose for their voicemail. You ready to play?
Caller
Yes, sir.
Peter Sagal
All right, Bill, who is the great Brandi Carlisle playing for?
Bill Curtis
Jennifer Coggins of Richmond, Virginia.
Peter Sagal
All right, here we go. Here's your first question. In 2018, a man in New Jersey was sent back to the grocery store by his wife to return a $5 bottle of orange juice because she thought it was too expensive. His wife, it turns out, turned out to be very wise. Why? A, while he was at the store returning it, a plane crashed into his empty house, B, the next person who bought that orange juice found a live scorpion inside, or C, he spent the five bucks he got back on a lottery ticket that won him $315 million.
Caller
This feels like C to me.
Peter Sagal
It is C, Randy. Oh, my God. Oh, my Go. We presume after he won $315 million in the lottery, his wife let him buy as much expensive orange juice as he wanted.
Luke Burbank
Meanwhile, I get in trouble when I spend the grocery money on the lotto.
Peter Sagal
Isn't that funny? Just gotta win, baby. Alright, that was very good. Here's your next question. Amazon promises easy returns. But one Amazon customer who tried several times to return an item got so frustrated that she did what? A, as vengeance, she bought a piano on Amazon and instantly returned that so Amazon would have to pay for the returned shipping. B, she went to Amazon's shareholder meeting and tried to return the item directly to Jeff Bezos. Or C, with a friend, she embarked on an epic quest to cast the package into the fires of Mount Doom.
Caller
Well, I really want this to be B, so I'm going to go B.
Peter Sagal
That's exactly what happened. She turned out she was an Amazon shareholder. So she got to go to the shareholders meeting. She stood up and said, Mr. Bezos, I have this package. You won't take it as a return. I want to give it to you. Bezos was very gracious about it. He apologized. He asked if anybody else there had anything they needed to return. It was pretty cool. However, you can still hate him. All right. Here's your last question. Brandi, you're doing as well with this as you seem to do with everything. Here's your last question. Costco, famous for their incredibly generous return policy. In fact, Costco somewhere in the country once accepted a return of which of these A, the bones of the rotisserie chicken a man had just eaten in the food court, B, a dead Christmas tree in the first week of January, or C, everything a particular guy had ever bought from Costco?
Caller
I'm going with the dead Christmas tree.
Peter Sagal
Well, you're right, but all of them were true. Wow. Costco will take almost anything back if you bought it at Costco. That last guy, everything he'd ever bought, he pulled up with a U Haul. He unloaded all this merchandise he had bought over the years. He said, well, I'm moving. And I figured instead of putting this in a moving van, I'll just return it to you, take the money and buy it new when I get to my new home.
Negeen Farsad
Wow.
Peter Sagal
Bill, how did Brandi Carlisle do in our class?
Bill Curtis
Perfect score. She did three in a row.
Paula Poundstone
Wow. That's impressive.
Peter Sagal
A lot of points. Amazing. Brandi Carlisle is a Grammy and Emmy winning singer songwriter you can see in the road this year. Tickets for the Human Tour are on sale now. Brandi Carlisle, thank you so much for joining us on WAKE time. Thanks for having me. Bye, Brandi. Thank you so much.
Paula Poundstone
Thank you.
Peter Sagal
In just a minute, Bill shakes his money maker in our listener Limerick challenge. Call 1-8 8, wait wait to join us in the air. We'll be back in a minute with more Wait Wait, Don't Tell me from npr,
Michael Hosmar
This message comes from Fisher Investments. Senior Vice President Michael Hosmar shares why he believes in empowering clients with knowledge at every step of their financial planning journey.
Fisher Investments Representative
At Fisher Investments, we prefer to use a sizable group of experts with a diverse skill set, diverse knowledge, all collaborating together to deliver what hopefully is optimal advice for our clients. I believe the best and maybe the only way to properly address client expectations is through education. Once I've met with a prospective client for the first time, I hope they feel that they've learned something. I hope they feel they've made some progress and they understand not only the financial markets and financial planning better, but they understand their own personal goals and objectives a bit better as well. I hope they have a little bit more peace of mind.
Michael Hosmar
Learn more@fisherinvestments.com Investing in securities involves the risk of loss this message comes from Capella University. You know that feeling when there's a spark building inside you that you were meant for more? That's your own drive pushing you towards what's next. Capella University gets that with their flexpath learning format. You can set the pace and earn your degree without putting life on pause. You've built experience and know what you're capable of. Now this is your time to turn that momentum into more. The only real question is what can't you do? Learn more@capella.edu support for this podcast and
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the following message come from Strawberry Me. If you could go back and talk to your younger self, would you tell yourself that you have a job that truly makes you happy? Many people are stuck in jobs they've outgrown or never really wanted. A career coach from Strawberry Me can help you move on to something you actually love. Benefit from having a dedicated coach in your Corner, and get 50% off your first coaching session at Strawberry Me. This message comes from Charles Schwab with their original podcast Choiceology. Hosted by Katie Milkman, an award winning behavioral scientist and author of the best selling book how to Change. Choiceology is a show about the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Hear true stories from Nobel laureates, historians, authors, athletes and more about why people do the things they do. Download the latest episode and subscribe@schwab.com podcast or wherever you listen.
Bill Curtis
From NPR and WBEZ Chicago, this is Wait, wait, Don't tell Me, the NPR News Quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We are playing this week with Luke Burbank, Paula Poundstone and Nageen Farsad. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.
Peter Sagal
Thank you. Thanks everybody. In just a minute, Bill, serenade you one last time with some topical yet beautiful poems in our Listener Limerick Challenge. If you'd like to play, give us a call. 1-888-wait wait. That's 1-888-924-8924. Right now, panel, some more questions for you from the week's news McGeen According to the Wall Street Journal, to get their kids more time on standardized tests, parents are sometimes claiming those kids are suffering from what?
Negeen Farsad
Yeah, their kids Suffer from, like, not wanting to do it.
Peter Sagal
No, no, no. I'll give you a hint. It doesn't stand for I be smart.
Negeen Farsad
Their kids suffer from International Baccalaureate Syndrome.
Paula Poundstone
So close. So damn close.
Negeen Farsad
Yeah, I don't remember. Wait. Yeah, but pooping and stuff.
Peter Sagal
Yes, pooping and stuff.
Paula Poundstone
Pooping and stuff.
Peter Sagal
That would be padding more scientifically. Ibs. Irritable Bowel syndrome. Parents across the country are apparently falsely claiming that their kids have irritable bowel syndrome just so that their kids can have unlimited bathroom breaks during the SAT test. Kids with IBS and similar issues, of course they're allowed extra time. So many parents have never been more furious to have children with. Without any neurological or medical problems.
Negeen Farsad
Why doesn't the SAT testing service just provide diapers?
Peter Sagal
Yeah.
Negeen Farsad
You know what I mean?
Peter Sagal
Sure. That'll show them.
Negeen Farsad
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
So basically, what's happening is like, some parents are accusing other parents of having their kids fake this so they can get that extra edge of constantly being able to take extra time. And it is true. They've done studies of eruptions, if you will, of IBS among young people, and they're of sort. Sort of centered in wealthy neighborhoods. Wow. Really? So there you go.
Paula Poundstone
That's because beans are better for you.
Luke Burbank
As a person who did poorly on the sat, I can tell you that I would not have traded my low SAT score for my fellow Nathan Hale High School seniors thinking that I was about to absolutely destroy my pants.
Negeen Farsad
There's probably, like, a lesser. You could. There must be, like, a lesser thing that's like, I'm sorry. I need more time. I have bunions. You know what I mean?
Caller
Something.
Luke Burbank
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
I got extra time for my SAT by telling them I had bone spurs. Coming up. It's lightning. Fill in the blank. But first, it's a game where you have to listen for the rhymes you could play on air. Call or leave a message at one triple eight. Wait, wait, that's one, eight eight eight. You can see us most weeks right here at the Studebaker Theater in downtown Chicago. And you can catch us in the road as well. We'll be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 9 and in beautiful Sonoma County, California, making our debut there on July 30th. For tickets and more information to all of our live events, go to nprpresents.org hi, Jerome. Wait, wait. Don't tell me.
Paula Poundstone
Hi.
Peter Sagal
Hi. Who's this? My name is Brooke.
Caller
I'm calling from Pearland, Texas.
Peter Sagal
So what do you do there in Pearland?
Paula Poundstone
I work in the nonprofit field, yes.
Peter Sagal
Oh, more and more of us are doing that. Highly recommend. Yeah. Well, welcome to the show, Brooke. Bill Curtis is going to read you three news related limericks with the last word or phrase missing from each. If you can fill in that last word or phrase correctly and two of the limericks will be a winner. You ready to play?
Paula Poundstone
I'm ready.
Peter Sagal
Here's your first limerick with a permit.
Bill Curtis
At age 45, I'm the oldest beginner alive. I stall and I swerve. Go too slow, hit the curb. I'm an adult who's learning to drive.
Peter Sagal
Yes. A column in the Guardian describes the humiliation of learning to drive as an adult. Makes sense. Nothing strips your dignity away like one of those student driver, be patient bumper stickers on your BMW.
Negeen Farsad
I should like, maybe be taught how to drive by an adult because I have a driver's license, but I don't really drive.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. You live in New York.
Negeen Farsad
I live in New York City. I don't need it. And then now it's terror. And at one point I was driving in Los Angeles, but then I had to like, parallel park. This was years ago and I couldn't figure out the parallel park. And there was a guy and it was a large space. I should have been able to do it. And ultimately this. I was so stressed out and this random stranger was like, helping me. And then I was like, can you just do it? So a random man got in your car? Got in my car and parked it for me as I, like, gently cried on the corner.
Peter Sagal
That's very nice, though. It's a lovely story.
Negeen Farsad
Thank you.
Paula Poundstone
Yeah. Did you fill out a police report when he drove off?
Peter Sagal
Here is your next limerick.
Bill Curtis
It's a baby name you will regret. Even Romeo would be upset. G H I for a J is just not okay. It's 12 letters to spell.
Peter Sagal
Goes with Romeo.
Caller
Juliet.
Peter Sagal
Juliet, yes. This week the Mirror reported on a woman who is in a horrible fight with her best friend Lorene over Lorene's new daughter's name. That new daughter is named Juliet. That's lovely. But Lorene has spelled it G, H, I, U, L I, Y, E, T, T, E, Juliet. It's an incredibly elaborate way to spell it. And by elaborate I mean dumb.
Luke Burbank
Was she on Wheel of Fortune when she was naming the kids? You do get more points.
Peter Sagal
That's true.
Paula Poundstone
Well, she'll be called Ms. G her whole life.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. Or whatever her middle name is.
Luke Burbank
What yonder window breaks.
Bill Curtis
Yeah.
Peter Sagal
Here is your last limerick.
Bill Curtis
Old older wedding guests started to tut, but mostly we busted a gut. She was doing the worm but her clutes were too firm so her dress tore exposing her butt.
Peter Sagal
Yes.
Bill Curtis
Good guess.
Peter Sagal
This week's viral wedding video was of a bridesmaid who danced with the groomsmen down the aisle to the couple at the altar like the cool kids do. And then as a little extra flourish, both she and the groomsman hit the floor right in front of the couple to do the worm and her dress immediately split open from hem to the middle of her back, revealing her entire butt. Everybody knows that's a terrible faux pas. You're not supposed to steal attention from the bride's butt. Thankfully, somebody captured all this on video from just the right angle behind and the bridesmaid herself posted it with the caption and this is true. Stop zooming in you bastards. But then of course it led to this insane Bridezilla moment when the bride said, well, I wanted matching bride bridesmaid dresses. So the rest of you hit the floor. Bill, how did Brooke do in our quiz?
Bill Curtis
Brooke did really well. Got him. All right, we're hard.
Peter Sagal
Congratulations Brooke. Thank you so much. Take care and thanks for playing. All right, bye bye.
Michael Hosmar
This message comes from Fisher Investments. Senior Vice President Michael Hosmar explains the importance of providing a comprehensive approach for clients.
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The culture at Fisher Investments. It's about helping. It's about improving our clients financial situation. Advising not just for now, but all the way through, hopefully to their next generation. A well designed financial plan will cover a number of important topics and many of these topics are connected to each other. Fisher Investments possesses the professional expertise across all these important disciplines from investment management to tax minimization to estate planning. You name it.
Michael Hosmar
Learn more@fisherinvestments.com Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. This message comes from Capella University. You know that feeling when there's a spark building inside you that you were meant for more? That's your own drive pushing you towards what's next. Capella University gets that with their flexpath learning format you can set the pace and earn your degree without putting life on pause. You've built experience and know what you're capable of. Now this is your time to turn that momentum into more. The only real question is what can't you do? Learn more@capella.edu.
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this message comes from Charles Schwab with their original podcast Choiceology hosted by Katie Milkman, an award winning behavioral scientist and author of the best selling book how to Change. Choiceology is a show about the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Hear true stories from Nobel laureates, historians authors, athletes, and more about why people do the things they do. Download the latest episode and subscribe@schwab.com podcast or wherever you listen. Support for this podcast and the following message come from Data IQ AI Agents are transforming how enterprises work. The problem is many operate in secret. The right people rarely know what their agents are doing, if they're doing it right, or that they even exist at all. DataIQ gives companies one place to see, control and measure every agent across the entire business. Visit Dataiku.com npr that's-a T-A-I-K-U.com npr Now
Peter Sagal
onto our final game, Lightning Fill in the blank. Each of our players will have 60 seconds in which to answer as many fill in the blank questions as they can. Each correct answer now worth two points. Bill, can you give us the scores? Sure.
Bill Curtis
Again, Paula and Nagin each have two. Luke has four.
Peter Sagal
All right, Paula and Nagin are top. So Paula, why don't you go first? Here we go. Fill in the blank. On Tuesday, President Trump announced a new $1.8 billion fund that could benefit the people involved in Blank.
Paula Poundstone
January 6th.
Peter Sagal
Right. On Thursday, the DNC released the so called autopsy of the 2024 Blank presidential election. Right. This week, the Surgeon General posted an advisory about the dangers of blank time for kids and teens.
Paula Poundstone
Screen time.
Peter Sagal
Yes. Screen time, Paul. After being forced out by cbs, Blank ended his run as the host of the Late Show.
Paula Poundstone
Stephen Colbert.
Peter Sagal
Yes. This week, analysts reviewing President Trump's financial disclosures suspect that while attempting to buy over a million dollars of pharmaceutical stock, he accidentally blanked.
Paula Poundstone
Bought over a million dollars of pharmaceutical stock?
Peter Sagal
No, he accidentally bought more than a million dollars of a conveyor belt sushi restaurant stock.
Caller
Wow.
Peter Sagal
Because it had a similar name. Following following negotiations with FIFA, Mayor Zoran Mamdani was able to secure $50 blank tickets for new Yorkers.
Paula Poundstone
Soccer tickets.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. World cup tickets. Very good. Best known for being the U.S. s first openly gay congressman, Blank passed away at the age of 86.
Paula Poundstone
The great Barney Frank.
Peter Sagal
The great Barney Frank. This week, spectators at a Runway show at Sydney Fashion Week were surprised to learn the avant garde soundtrack playing as the models were coming down the Runway was actually blank.
Paula Poundstone
Lion King.
Peter Sagal
No, it was actually just the fire alarm going off. The models at this Australian Fashion Week show walked the Runway for a good five minutes back and forth as the fire alarm blared.
Paula Poundstone
Oh my gosh.
Peter Sagal
The sophisticated audience was like, wow, what a cool artistic choice. Commenting in the heightened sense of emergency in our society. The flames and smoke filling the Room. Also a bold choice. Bill, how did Paula do on our quiz?
Bill Curtis
She got six. Right. Total to 14. She did very well. She's in the lead.
Peter Sagal
All right, McGeen. All right, you're up next. Fill in the blank. On Tuesday, a Trump endorsed challenger beat representative Blank in Kentucky's GOP primary.
Paula Poundstone
Massie.
Peter Sagal
Yes, Thomas Massie. On Monday, a judge ruled that the gun found in his backpack would be allowed as evidence in the trial of Blank.
Negeen Farsad
Mangione.
Peter Sagal
Mangione. Luigi Mangione. This week, tens of thousands of people faced evacuation orders as Blanks blazed through Southern California Again, Wildfires.
Negeen Farsad
Right.
Peter Sagal
On Monday, the WHO said that the Blank outbreak in central Africa merited serious concern.
Caller
Ebola.
Peter Sagal
Right. This week, the new CEO of Xbox announced plans to make that game system relevant again by changing its name to Blank.
Negeen Farsad
Uh, Ozempic.
Bill Curtis
No.
Peter Sagal
Good idea changing the name from Xbox to Xbox. But now it's in all capital letters. This week, a school in Maine apologized after students attending a dinner at the school were served Blank for dessert.
Negeen Farsad
Shards of gold?
Peter Sagal
No. Although close. They were served a tray of baked dirt. According to school officials, a science class had been conducting an experiment to see if plants could grow in soil that had been sterilized in the oven. And this baking dish filled with dirt was accidentally picked up with the food for the dinner and placed out on the table. Trust us, you do not want to know what those gummy worms actually were. Bill, how did Negeen do in our quiz?
Bill Curtis
She got four. Right. Eight more points. Total of 10. Means Paula's still out there.
Peter Sagal
All right. And now for the. What I hope is the last math problem you're ever asked to do. How many does Luke need to win?
Bill Curtis
5 to tie, 6 to win.
Peter Sagal
Here you go.
Luke Burbank
I just want to double check. You got the note. Yeah, from my mom. About the ibs.
Peter Sagal
All right, Luke, this is for the game. Fill in the blank. On Monday, the average blank price in all 50 states rose above $4 a gallon.
Luke Burbank
Gasoline.
Peter Sagal
Right. On Wednesday, the U.S. indicted former Cuban president Blank on murder charges.
Luke Burbank
Castro.
Peter Sagal
Right. This week, Iran's leader said that country's enriched Blank must stay within its borders.
Luke Burbank
Uranium.
Peter Sagal
Right. On Wednesday, space company Blank announced plans to go public.
Luke Burbank
SpaceX.
Peter Sagal
Right. This week, a politician in the UK who declined interview due to what he said was an important prior commitment was seen minutes later Blanking.
Luke Burbank
Feasting on beans.
Peter Sagal
No. Drinking beers at a pub. After she was found not guilty of tax evasion, a court ruled that Spain's tax authority must pay popstar blank $64 million. Shakira right. On Monday, auditions for who will replace Daniel Craig as the next blank began.
Luke Burbank
Bond.
Peter Sagal
Right. This week, the Washington Post profiled an airport detection dog who recently sniffed out two duffel bags filled with blank
Luke Burbank
illegal food.
Peter Sagal
Yes, I'm going to give it to you. 100 pork sandwiches. Merla the Beagle sniffed out the sandwiches at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport, where someone was illegally transporting those sandwiches from Thailand. Officers celebrated this dog for his remarkable achievement. Rightly so, because if there's one thing that really proves a dog is an illegal law enforcement canine, it's immediately detected when someone is holding a meat sandwich.
Luke Burbank
He should be allowed to eat whatever he catches.
Peter Sagal
Yeah, I think so.
Luke Burbank
That's the people with.
Peter Sagal
Yeah. Bill, did Luke do well enough to win? Wow.
Bill Curtis
He got seven. Right. 14 more points. 18 wins this week.
Peter Sagal
Congratulations. Thank you, Luke.
Negeen Farsad
Lou.
Luke Burbank
Lou, you can hear the enthusiasm in that result.
Peter Sagal
In just a minute, we're gonna ask our panelists to predict now that Bill is retiring from our show, what will he do next? But first, let me tell you that. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Is a production of NPR and WBEZ Chicago in association with Urgent Haircut Productions. Hey, Doug. What are you doing here? Berman benevolent overlord Philip Gautica writes our limericks. Our public address announcer is Paul Friedman. Our ops manager is Jasira Vardak. Thanks to the staff and crew always at the Studebaker Theatre. BJ Ledemann composed our theme. Our program is produced by Jennifer Mills, Miles Doornbos and Lillian King. Special thanks to Blythe Roberson and Monica Hickey. Peter Gwynn is our tomato. Emma Choi is our vibe curator. Technical direction from Lorna White. Our CFO is Colin Miller. Our production manager is Robert Newhouse. Our senior producer is Ian Chillock. And the executive producer of. Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me that's Mike Danforth. And now, for 12 remarkable years, Bill Curtis has performed with us and he has traveled with us. Hang on. He has traveled with us from Seattle to Florida. He has stood on stages in places like Red Rocks and Carnegie hall and Tanglewood. And he has said the most ridiculous things in that most serious of voices. And he has often said how lucky he feels to have done all that with us. But, Bill, for once, you're wrong. We are the lucky ones. The producers and engineers and managers of our show and the panelists and, of course, me, because we got to spend 12 years doing that with you. So let's, in fact, give it up for our legendary anchorman and our dear friend, Mr. Bill Curtis. One more time.
Bill Curtis
Wow.
Peter Sagal
Wow. So, panel, what will Bill Curtis do next? Negeen Farsad.
Negeen Farsad
He's tired of being objectified for his voice, so he's going to be a male bikini model so he can finally be objectified for his body.
Bill Curtis
Yes, I'll do it.
Luke Burbank
Luke Burbank, Whatever the he wants.
Peter Sagal
And Paula Poundstone.
Paula Poundstone
Bill will be applying for the weaponization reparations from the $1.7 billion.
Bill Curtis
And if I do any of that, we're going to ask you about it and. Wait, wait, don't tell me.
Peter Sagal
So thanks to Negeen Farsad, Paula Poundstone and Luke Burbank. Thanks to our fabulous audience who were here for this show at the Studebaker Theatre in downtown Chicago. Thanks for listening in, wherever you may be. I'm Peter Sagal. And Bill, in the end, the only way you know something is absolutely true is if you say it. So would you please do the honors?
Bill Curtis
This is Mr. NPR.
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This heartfelt episode of NPR’s beloved news quiz, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, is a milestone: it marks the final appearance of legendary scorekeeper and announcer Bill Kurtis, who helped define the show with his authoritative voice and wit for the past 12 years. Comedians Paula Poundstone, Negeen Farsad, and Luke Burbank join host Peter Sagal for a riotous and affectionate farewell, featuring their signature panel games, news recaps, and a special celebrity guest: Grammy- and Emmy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.
00:54–02:30
Peter Sagal opens the show by reflecting on Bill’s lasting impact. With warm comedy, he frames Bill’s departure:
“Today either Bill is stepping down after being the hilarious beso profundo soul of our show for 12 wonderful years, or he finally came to his senses.” (Peter Sagal, 00:54)
Nostalgic banter and jokes about why Bill stayed so long, setting a celebratory tone.
Food Prices & Beans
“Economists…pointing to a somewhat troubling Americans are buying lots and lots of beans.” (Peter Sagal, 04:10) “We should have been focusing on the gas that comes out of our butts.” (Negeen Farsad, 04:32)
Seniors on TV
“In fact, Stranger Things dragged on so long, they were just able to cast the original kids from the show as senior citizens.” (Peter Sagal, 07:21)
AI at Commencements
08:28 — “Boo. Boo.” (Bill Kurtis)
Growing student impatience with AI references in graduation speeches.
“AI is not for graduation speeches. It’s for writing the papers that help you graduate.” (Peter Sagal, 08:50)
Lighthearted exchange about Paula’s son being a class of one and memories of forgettable speeches.
“No, my son graduated from high school in a very small program. He graduated in a class of one.” (Paula Poundstone, 09:41)
“There are TV monitors in the floor in front of every toilet so you can watch the movie while you’re using the toilet.” (Peter Sagal, 11:16) “When I walked into the bathroom, I say, ‘I have become death, Eater of the world.’” (Luke Burbank, riffing on Oppenheimer, 11:50)
Answer: Negeen’s story was the real one.
“You log onto a call to think you’re gonna be asked about your medical expertise, and then someone’s like, do you believe in aliens?” (Dr. Reena Malik, guest, 21:12)
“I was a massive Elton John fan as a teenager.” (Brandi Carlile, 22:26) “It was like they were all discovering Elton John through me until the Lion King, and then they all understood my obsession.” (Brandi, 22:52)
24:08
“No, I’m not very shy at all. … Life is too short to not… be friends and to get close with people.” (Brandi Carlile, 24:08)
Stories about being “rebuffed,” but trying anyway.
“I keep them all on top of my piano that I’ve had since I was 18. … The whole top of it’s just covered in Grammys and Christmas lights.” (Brandi Carlile, 27:33)
Parents claim kids have IBS for longer SAT bathroom breaks, spotlighting privilege and test anxiety.
“So many parents have never been more furious to have children without any neurological or medical problems.” (Peter Sagal, 36:34)
Viral stories: Adult learning to drive, a bizarre baby name spelling (“GHIULIYETTE” for Juliet), and a bridesmaid splitting her dress doing the worm.
“Stop zooming in, you bastards.” (Video caption, 42:07)
The show concludes with a heartfelt tribute from Peter Sagal:
“For once, you’re wrong. We are the lucky ones. … Bill, in the end, the only way you know something is absolutely true is if you say it. So would you please do the honors?” (Peter Sagal, 53:51)
Panelists’ tongue-in-cheek predictions for Bill’s next act:
“He’s tired of being objectified for his voice, so he’s going to be a male bikini model so he can finally be objectified for his body.” (Negeen Farsad, 53:58)
“Whatever the hell he wants.” (Luke Burbank, 54:09)
“Bill will be applying for the weaponization reparations from the $1.7 billion.” (Paula Poundstone, 54:20)
Beanconomics:
“We're not just buying more beans. We're really into them. This is true. There are bean influencers online and real bean fans call themselves...Leguminati.”
(Peter Sagal, 04:50–05:06)
Accidental Crime Solving:
“Thanks to a typo on his LinkedIn page... Patel was actually emailing a guy whose real expertise was how spicy is too spicy when we’re talking kielbasa?”
(Luke Burbank, 17:58)
Brandi on Confidence:
"Life is too short to not… be friends and to get close with people."
(Brandi Carlile, 24:08)
Panelist Playfulness:
“When I walked into the bathroom, I say, ‘I have become death Eater of the world.’”
(Luke Burbank, 11:50)
This episode is a laughter-filled and genuinely touching send-off for Bill Kurtis, packed with the show’s trademark newswise games, silly stories, and panel hilarity. Brandi Carlile’s appearance adds star power and warmth, and the entire cast makes it clear how much Bill has meant to the show and its listeners. “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” offers a perfect blend of irreverent news, clever quips, and sincere celebration—Bill Kurtis style.
For more information, bonus sponsor-free episodes, and to support public radio, visit plus.npr.org/waitwait