Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode: HTDE: Study Break with Jason Isaacs of "The White Lotus" Release Date: April 10, 2025

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, host Peter Sagal engages listeners with a lively discussion alongside Hina from the How To Do Everything team. The episode kicks off with playful banter reminiscing about a past event at the Milwaukee Brewers Ballpark, setting a lighthearted tone for what's to come.

Recalling Past Adventures

Peter Sagal opens the conversation with a humorous reference to a previous encounter:

"The last time we were together, I believe we were both sausages. And at the Milwaukee brewers ballpark, yeah, we were." (00:15)

Hina responds with laughter, recalling the friendly competition:

"And you beat me." (00:28)

The hosts share a chuckle over the memory, particularly highlighting a memorable hot dog incident that left a lasting impression:

"And we were all beaten by that damned hot dog." (00:29)

Introducing the Study Break Experiment

Shifting gears, Peter introduces an exciting new initiative from the How To Do Everything team:

"I am here to tell you about a new experiment from how to. Tomorrow, they're gonna be having another study break." (00:36)

Hina elaborates on the details of the upcoming study break, emphasizing the interactive nature of the event:

"They host a zoom call with 10, just 10 lucky listeners. And this week, they have a very special guest for their study break." (00:58)

Special Guest Announcement: Jason Isaacs

The highlight of the episode is the announcement of the special guest, Jason Isaacs, renowned for his role as Timothy Ratliff in "The White Lotus." Hina builds anticipation for the event:

"We're going to be joined by Jason Isaacs, the star of the White Lotus, AKA Timothy Ratliff. The season finale just dropped this past weekend and I know that I have a lot of questions." (00:58)

Engaging with Jason Isaacs

Peter expresses his eagerness to interact with Jason Isaacs, particularly curious about his versatile acting roles:

"I would absolutely ask him about Lucius Malfoy, because as I'm sure you all know, he plays Lucius Malfoy, dad of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies." (01:17)

Hina shares an amusing revelation about Jason's acting prowess:

"I didn't figure that out until the season finale." (01:30)

They discuss Jason Isaacs' ability to portray multiple characters seamlessly, sparking intrigue among listeners.

How to Participate in the Study Break

Peter invites listeners to join the interactive Zoom call, outlining the simple steps to participate:

"Check the show notes of this very episode. In your feed, you'll see a link to a Google document. Click that Google Document, save it, bookmark it, keep it in your stash." (01:47)

Hina provides the specifics on the event timing and the chance to be among the first ten to join:

"And Then tomorrow at 11:30 Central, 12:30 Eastern, the Zoom link will appear. And if you are one of the first 10 people to click on it, you can join Jason, Mike, Ian and I, and we can all hang out." (02:11)

Closing Remarks

Peter wraps up the segment with enthusiasm, encouraging listeners to seize the opportunity:

"Wow. Join us. This will be fun. The how to Guys And Jason Isaacs." (02:20)

Ian adds a reminder about NPR's accessibility and the benefits of public media:

"99% of the US population lives within listening range of at least one public media station and everyone can listen to NPR podcasts free of charge." (02:20)

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! seamlessly blends humor with engaging content, offering listeners a unique opportunity to interact with a celebrated actor like Jason Isaacs. The detailed announcement and clear instructions ensure that fans can easily participate in the upcoming study break, fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Sagal: "I am here to tell you about a new experiment from how to. Tomorrow, they're gonna be having another study break." (00:36)
• Hina: "We're going to be joined by Jason Isaacs, the star of the White Lotus, AKA Timothy Ratliff." (00:58)
• Peter Sagal: "I would absolutely ask him about Lucius Malfoy..." (01:17)
• Hina: "I didn't figure that out until the season finale." (01:30)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions, interactive elements, and the excitement surrounding the special guest, ensuring that both regular listeners and newcomers find it informative and engaging.