Our panel heads to Milan and Arden Cho hunts demons

Summary

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – February 14, 2026

Episode Title: Our panel heads to Milan and Arden Cho hunts demons

Host: Negin Farsad (filling in for Peter Sagal)
Panelists: Paula Poundstone, Tom Papa, Beth Stelling
Celebrity Guest: Arden Cho

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Episode Overview

On this lively Valentine’s and Olympics-week episode, guest host Negin Farsad steers the show through tales of bizarre news, pop culture, and current events. Panelists engage in witty banter and comedic riffing on stories from Texas laser-wielding agents to strange Olympic confessions. The celebrated voice actor Arden Cho (Netflix’s K Pop Demon Hunters) stops by for a spirited, revealing conversation. Classic quiz segments and games, including Bluff the Listener and the Limerick Challenge, round out an episode brimming with laughs and sharp commentary.

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Key Discussions & Insights

1. News Quiz Highlights & Panel Banter

Texas’ War on “Threats” (Balloon Drama)

• Topic: El Paso airspace closure due to a supposed dangerous drone; authorities shoot it down with a laser only to find it was a party balloon.
• The panel jokes about “neutralizing” party balloons and government’s excited use of a new laser.
• Tom Papa (04:11): “Guys. It was an alien ship. That’s what happens in that part of the country. And it was an alien, and they don’t want to tell us.”
• Negin plays with the imagined trauma of a child whose party balloon was vaporized by border patrol.

Olympics Confessions—Live on International TV

• Topic: Norwegian biathlete wins bronze, immediately confesses to cheating on his girlfriend in post-race interview.
• The panel mocks public confessions as attention-grabbing and ineffective.
• Paula Poundstone (07:00): “Why do men think that’s romantic?”
• Negin Farsad (06:34): “This apology was delivered with the passion and earnestness of a man whose apology in private was not accepted.”

Should You Bake for a Valentine?

• Topic: Expert advice warns against baking for new partners on Valentine’s Day—“it shows oversized interest.”
• The debate shifts to personal Valentine’s preferences with playful gender commentary.
• Quote, Tom Papa (08:16): “You know, I love putting a lot more pressure on Valentine’s Day.”
• Beth Stelling (08:51): “Did you have to say feed it?”

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2. Game Segments & Listener Interaction

Who's Bill This Time? (03:09–09:20)

• Contestant Lindsay aces the game with panel guidance amidst much riffing about wildlife, parties ruined by lasers, and deep dives into creepy-crawly favorites.

Panel Questions: Gen Z Slang Going “Old” (09:45–12:11)

• Discusses Gen Z’s affection for old-timey slang such as “skedaddle” and “hell’s bells.”
• Negin Farsad (10:39): “Young people sound old now.”
• Panel jokes about the sources of this retro slang, blaming “the Internet” and parodying hotgrammy.com.

Bluff the Listener – Movie-Inspired Mayhem (15:23–20:52)

• Listeners guess which bizarre news story is real based on panel’s fictional tales:
  • Ratatouille-style rat-smuggling (Tom)
  • Mask-fueled bank robberies (Beth)
  • Home Alone-style drug den booby traps (Paula—the real story)
• Confirmed by BBC’s Dan Bader: A criminal really did booby trap his house in Home Alone fashion.
• Notable Joke: Tom Papa (17:00): “I just watched Gremlins last night and I have an idea.”

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3. Celebrity Guest: Arden Cho Interview (21:40–31:02)

On Sudden Stardom & Demonic Fame

• Arden’s role as Rumi in K Pop Demon Hunters—Netflix’s most-streamed film—is both a point of pride and minor embarrassment since all the parents she knows now hear her voice constantly.
• Arden Cho (22:10): “At least it’s something that has a positive message... it is very, like, family friendly.”
• Panel shares anecdotes about the ubiquity of Rumi Halloween costumes.

Poker Skills and the Life of a Quadruple Threat

• Arden is not only an actor and musician, but also a ranked professional poker player and black belt in taekwondo.
• She views poker as a space to build confidence:
  Arden (25:19): “It’s taught me to be confident and to take risks, learn to say no and to bet on myself...”

A TSA Pre-Check Engagement Mishap

• Arden tells the story of her recent engagement, where her now-fiancé ditched her at TSA PreCheck out of fear she’d see the ring.
• Arden (26:35): “He was sneaking away because he was afraid they’d take out the ring and that I would see it...”

Quiz: Kmart Trivia

• Arden successfully answers two out of three questions about bizarre Kmart commercials and headlines (like the “I shipped my pants” ad and an anatomically correct lion toy sold in Australia Kmart).

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4. Panel & Audience Fun – News, Quizzes, and Limericks

Airplane Etiquette Debate—Keep That Shade Closed? (33:35–35:36)

• Tom gripes about sun-in-the-eyes passengers who open window shades during morning flights.
• Paula Poundstone (34:06): “Because there’s a beautiful view outside that window.”
• The group discusses seat geography, personal control, and the “realities” of air travel hierarchy.

Spy Program—Russian Pigeon Drones (35:59–36:48)

• Russian researchers claim to have trained pigeons equipped with body cameras for espionage.
• Beth Stelling (36:29): “These pigeons better be getting paid in croutons.”

Limerick Challenge – All About Rats, Bras, and Caviar (38:41–42:29)

• The panel and caller riff on stories involving rat-adoptions, softening butter in bras, and McDonald’s caviar-topped McNuggets.
• Best exchange (40:54):
  • Negin: “Also, you don’t have to stop at butter. You can use the heat of your boobs for anything—like, do you need to defrost fish?”
  • Tom Papa: “I put fish in my wife’s bra all the time.”

Lightning Fill in the Blank (44:24–49:36)

• The panel rushes through headlines touching on everything from Trump’s latest tariff move to fake IDs with pictures of Ben Franklin.
• Notable wrong answer:
  Paula, asked why men who smoke go bald: “Be asked to leave the room.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Papa (04:11): “Guys. It was an alien ship. That’s what happens in that part of the country.”
• Paula Poundstone (07:00): “Why do men think that’s romantic?”
• Beth Stelling (10:39): “I never remember my grandpa saying skibidi toilet.”
• Arden Cho (25:19): “It’s taught me to be confident and to take risks, learn to say no and to bet on myself.”
• Beth Stelling (36:29): “These pigeons better be getting paid in croutons.”
• Negin Farsad (40:54): “You don’t have to stop at butter. You can use the heat of your boobs for anything.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Highlight/Topic | Timestamp | | ------- | -------------- | --------- | | Opening Panel Banter | Texas “balloon threat” | 03:09–05:35 | | Olympics Medalist Confession | Athlete’s public apology | 05:40–07:36 | | Valentine’s Day Baking Advice | Over-eager gestures | 07:38–09:20 | | Gen Z Slang | Old-fashioned words | 09:45–12:11 | | Bluff the Listener | Movie-inspired news/hoaxes | 15:23–20:52 | | Interview – Arden Cho | On K Pop Demon Hunters, poker, and celeb life | 21:40–31:02 | | Airplane Window Debate | Window shade etiquette | 33:35–35:36 | | Russian Pigeon Spies | Animal espionage | 35:59–36:48 | | Limerick Challenge | Rodent adoption, butter-in-bra, caviar McNuggets | 38:41–42:29 | | Lightning Fill in the Blank | News blitz | 44:24–49:36 | | Closing Predictions | Olympics surprises | 50:46–51:15 |

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Tone & Takeaway

The episode is classic Wait Wait—irreverent, breezy, fast-moving, but with a pointed undercurrent of wit and social observation. The hosts and guests banter about current events, news oddities, and pop culture with a self-aware, joke-heavy approach that also allows room for more earnest threads—like Arden Cho’s reflections on poker and fame.

Listeners will enjoy:

• Offbeat takes on current news cycles.
• Arden Cho’s relatable star stories and warmth.
• Panelists’ sharp and sometimes absurd comedic spins on real headlines.

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For fans and newcomers alike, this episode contains all the ingredients of classic “Wait Wait”—news, quizzes, celebrity insight, and the unexpected, all handled with humor and heart.

Transcript

[Announcer]

This message comes From NPR sponsor FX's Love Story, John F. Kennedy, Jr. And Carolyn Bessette. It explores the iconic couple whose fairytale romance would become a national obsession. Watch now on fx, Hulu and Hulu on Disney. For bundle subscribers.

[Bill Curtis]

From npr and wbez chicago, this is. Wait, wait, don't tell me the npr news quiz. Hey there, cupid. Put down that arrow and let my voice pierce some hearts. I'm Bill Curtis, and here is your host at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, Nagin Farsad.

[Negin Farsad]

Thank you, Bill. Thanks, everyone. I'm filling in for Peter Sagal, who has taken the week off so he can correct all the grammar on his kids Valentines. But don't worry, we have a great show for you today. We're gonna be joined by Arden Cho, who plays Rumi in K Pop Demon Hunters, a pop culture phenomenon so big even NPR listeners will know what I'm talking about. But first, it's your turn to show us some moves. Give us a call to play our games. The number is 1-888-WAIT, WAIT. That's 1-888-924-8924. Now let's welcome our first listener contestant. Hi.

[Announcer]

You're on.

[Negin Farsad]

Wait wa. Tell me. Hi, this is Lindsey McCauley from Granville, Ohio. Hi, Lindsey. What do you do in Granville, Ohio? I am a wildlife biologist. What's your favorite wildlife? All the unhuggables, the snakes, the bats.

[Arden Cho]

I study freshwater mussels, all the creepy crawlies.

[Negin Farsad]

You're such a proper weirdo. Okay. Well, Lynn, Lindsay, let's introduce you to our panel. First up, a comedian who will be in Barry, Vermont at the Barrie Opera house on Saturday, February 21, and host of the podcast Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. It's Paula Poundstone. Hey, Paula. Hey. Next up, he's a comedian who is currently on the Grateful Bread Tour. Tickets [e-mail] it's Tom Papa.

[Tom Papa]

Hi, Lindsay.

[Negin Farsad]

Hi, Tom. Finally, a comedian. You can see see her in San Francisco at the punchline, March 4th through 7th. And check out her stand up special, the landlord special on YouTube. It's Beth Stelling. Lindsey.

[Beth Stelling]

Oh.

[Negin Farsad]

Welcome to the show, Lindsey. You're gonna play who's Bill this time. Bill Curtis is going to read you three quotes from this week's news. If you can identify two of them, you'll win our prize, which is any voice from our show on your voicemail. Are you ready? I think so. All right. Here's your first quote from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy.

[Bill Curtis]

The threat has been neutralized.

[Negin Farsad]

Okay, he was talking about a threat. A threat that was shot down by a laser and that shut down Texas airspace. A threat that turned out to be. What was it, a drone? Uh, no, it was something else that floats in the air, but for fun, it does that. A balloon. A party balloon. That's right, folks. The party balloon has been neutralized. On Tuesday, the FAA announced that El Paso airport would be closed for 10 days, but didn't say why. Then they announced the closure was because Customs and Border Protection had shot down a drug cartel drone with a laser. Then we learned what they thought was a drone was actually a party balloon. The threat has been neutral. It's a girl.

[Tom Papa]

Guys. It was an alien ship. That's what happens in that part of the country. And it was an alien, and they don't want to tell us. And good night, everybody.

[Paula Poundstone]

Thank you, Tom, for being the voice of reason up here today.

[Negin Farsad]

Well, somewhere in El Paso right now, there's, like, a mom thinking back to when she told her, todd, honey, you can let go of the balloon. What's the worst that could happen?

[Tom Papa]

Didn't China attack us with a balloon a couple years ago?

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah, yeah. There was outrage and there was outrage. There was outrage.

[Negin Farsad]

Yeah. But this was, like. What was different about this was that they used their new laser. They were, like, very excited to use their new laser. And, I mean, who can blame them if they just ruined someone's bar mitzvah.

[Tom Papa]

You know, they're very sensitive in Texas. Like, a balloon goes up, they break out the big war laser. Have they ever been to Newark Airport? The things that are flying in around, going through security, there should be lasers.

[Negin Farsad]

Weren't the drones in New Jersey going on for several weeks? And people were like, it's fine.

[Tom Papa]

Yeah. They're like, get used to it. So what?

[Negin Farsad]

All right, for your next quote, we take you to the Winter Olympics in Milan.

[Bill Curtis]

Three months ago, I made a mistake and cheated on the love of my life.

[Negin Farsad]

That was what someone said this week right after he did what in Milan.

[Arden Cho]

He won a medal.

[Negin Farsad]

That's right. He won a medal in the Olympics. Now, what an Olympics it's been. We've had Lindsey Vonn, the quad. God, the Milan Games have been full of drama, and now they're full of dirty. The Norwegian biathlete won the bronze medal, and in the interview right after, took the opportunity to tearfully tell the world that he cheated on his girlfriend. An Olympic medal and two girlfriends. Come on, bro. Leave something for the rest of us, okay?

[Tom Papa]

And she doesn't take him back. Right. She's not into this big public. I'm sorry.

[Beth Stelling]

Are we sure he's a biathlete?

[Negin Farsad]

Are we sure? That was. By the way, this apology was delivered with the passion and earnestness of a man whose apology in private was not accepted.

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Tom Papa]

Very clear.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[Beth Stelling]

Huh. He's like. I just want to reiterate in front.

[Paula Poundstone]

Of the entire world, why do men think that's romantic?

[Beth Stelling]

I don't.

[Announcer]

No.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know, my old friend Mark Anderson told me a story one time about a comic proposing to his fiance on, like, on stage. What is romantic about that?

[Announcer]

Nothing.

[Paula Poundstone]

It delayed the show. The audience was kind of like, what are they doing? It's not any of anybody else's.

[Negin Farsad]

What did she say? Yes, I think she. You don't even know the main part of the story.

[Paula Poundstone]

She opened for him after that.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, here's your last quote.

[Bill Curtis]

A cake is rarely just a cake.

[Negin Farsad]

That was baker and psychologist Helen Goh talking about some new relationship advice. Under no circumstances should you bake for your new partner. On what holiday? Valentine's Day. That's right. Valentine's Day. Now, experts say baking something elaborate could show you have an oversized interest in your new partner, and it could scare them off. That's why I never bake. I keep it real chill, and I just make them a scale model of the inside of their apartment.

[Tom Papa]

You know, I love putting a lot more pressure on Valentine's Day. Right? Like, you have someone that doesn't really like you. You show up with flowers, you really go for it. You bake them something, they're not interested in you. I've had a lot of rejection in my life.

[Negin Farsad]

Well, okay. And that's just it, Tom. The argument is baking involves too much personal effort. They're kind of right. Like, it can be creepy to have someone tell you, I made this bread from the sourdough starter I got right after our first date. I've been feeding it this whole time.

[Beth Stelling]

Did you have to say feed it?

[Tom Papa]

Do you want your husband to do anything on Valentine's Day?

[Negin Farsad]

I mean, I feel like, as a feminist. No, let that be what's on the record. Often the record. I would love to be showered with flowers and chocolates and girly things.

[Tom Papa]

Yeah, yeah. You can't. You can't do nothing.

[Beth Stelling]

I want something creative.

[Tom Papa]

Yeah.

[Beth Stelling]

Handmade.

[Tom Papa]

Handmade.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know what macaroni I was gonna do? I was gonna give to someone special a balloon, but I was in te.

[Negin Farsad]

Cut away Bill. How did Lindsay do?

[Bill Curtis]

Lindsay's three. Right. Went Straight to the heart of the valentine. She is a winner.

[Paula Poundstone]

There you go, Lindsay.

[Negin Farsad]

Congratulations, Lindsay. Thanks for joining us. Thanks for having me. Bye. And now, panel, I have some questions for you about this week's news. Paula, this week, people are noticing a trend in the way young people speak. Apparently, gen zers are talking like, what, sailors? All right, let me, let me give you a hint.

[Paula Poundstone]

Thank you. These whippersnappers, best 23 skidoo from the, what,'50s? 40s?

[Arden Cho]

You know what?

[Negin Farsad]

I'll give it to you. They're talking like old people.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, I knew about the skidoo. I did. Yeah.

[Negin Farsad]

Yeah.

[Beth Stelling]

I never remember my grandpa saying skibidi toilet.

[Negin Farsad]

Young people sound old now. Gen Z loves saying things like skedaddle and yap and hell's bells and great coolidges knickers. It's just another phase in young people's ongoing mission to confuse the hell out of grandma. But by the way, I love talking like my grandma. And by that I mean I'm really mean to my mom.

[Tom Papa]

How do they find this slang, though? Because this slang is really. This is old slang. Like, where did they pick it up?

[Beth Stelling]

There's this thing called the Internet.

[Paula Poundstone]

Internet?

[Negin Farsad]

Yeah. Tom, slang is pretty.

[Beth Stelling]

You have to dial up, I think.

[Tom Papa]

And they're just going on like hotgrammy.com and picking up the slang. I've never been on the Internet, but I think it's a thing.

[Bill Curtis]

Okay.

[Negin Farsad]

I mean, like, it is actually fun to hear kids talking like grandpas. Until you hear them using words for Italians. No person should ever say true.

[Tom Papa]

My wife likes when I call her legs getaway sticks.

[Paula Poundstone]

I never heard that before. Where'd you get that from?

[Tom Papa]

Rickhotgrammy.com okay.

[Negin Farsad]

Coming up, our panelists make some movie magic in our bluff the listener game. Call 1-888-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 Grammarly.

[Bill Curtis]

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[Negin Farsad]

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[Bill Curtis]

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[Negin Farsad]

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[Announcer]

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[Bill Curtis]

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[Negin Farsad]

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[Bill Curtis]

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[Negin Farsad]

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[Announcer]

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[Bill Curtis]

From npr, WVEZ Chicago, this is Wait, Wait, Wait, don't tell me, the NPR News quiz, which you can listen to and indeed follow wherever you get your podcasts. Yes, following us on your favorite podcast app allows you to get episodes of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me as soon as they come out. I'm Bill Curtis. We're playing this week with Tom Papa, Beth Stelling and Paula Poundstone. And here again as your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Mageetin Farsah.

[Negin Farsad]

Thanks, Bill. Now it's time for the Wait, wait, don't tell me bluff the listener game. Call 1-888-WAIT-WAIT. To play our game on air or check out the pinned post on our Instagram page, atwaitnpr. Hi. You're on Wait, Wait, don't tell me.

[Paula Poundstone]

Hi, my name's Kristin and I'm living in Boston.

[Negin Farsad]

Yay. Hi, Kristen. What are you doing Boston?

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, my gosh. Well, it has been very cold here lately.

[Arden Cho]

I love to I live right by.

[Paula Poundstone]

The arboretum and I love to take my dog out.

[Negin Farsad]

That's one of my favorite things to do. And you know, it doesn't sound very exciting, but because it's been so cold, I actually really love knitting. You are an NPR listener. That's what I'm gathering. Definitely. Well, it's so nice to have you with us, Kristen. You're gonna play the game where you tell the truth from fiction. What's the topic, Bill?

[Bill Curtis]

Straight from the silver screen.

[Negin Farsad]

Oh, the movies, they make you laugh, they make you cry, they make you wonder, what else have I seen that guy in? Well, this week we came across an amazing story about someone who was inspired by a movie and took action. Our panelists are gonna tell you about it. Pick the one who's telling the truth and you'll win the wait waiter of your choice on your voicemail. Are you ready to play? I am definitely ready. Let's go. All right. First up, it's Tom Papa, a Chicago.

[Tom Papa]

Man received a summons for vermin infestation and unsanitary conditions conducive to rodents when officials discovered he had smuggled a rat into a restaurant under his hat. His defense he had been inspired by one of his favorite movies, Ratatouille. 34 year old Kevin Heights claimed that he had been going through some tough times. His girlfriend left him, he lost his job, and he was really hungry because he didn't know how to cook, heitz explains, saying, I figured I just needed a friend, like that guy Alfredo in Ratatouille. Anytime he was in a jam, his little rat friend pulled his hair and helped him out. But his rat wasn't as cute and clever as the movie version. Mr. Heitz suffered rat bites on his ears, rodent feces dropping down his forehead, and he scared customers at the next table when the rat's tail dropped down around his nose. I really thought it was going to work, heitz said. But it's okay. I just watched Gremlins last night and I have an idea.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, A story of a man inspired by Ratatouille to get a pet rat from Tom Papa Our next story of a movie that moves someone comes from Beth Stelling.

[Beth Stelling]

Terry Kleber from Romney, West Virginia, was arrested this week for a string of robberies he made with a supernatural green disguise, the mask from the movie the Mask. Terry has been looking for a way to spice up his life. He tried the usual stuff, Pilates, religion, getting really into Dune. But none of it really stuck until he got his mask. While scrolling Reddit one evening, he saw the 3D printing work of Alan Nouch, who makes custom costumes for nerds across the country. Terry thought that was just what he needed, a new identity. He messaged Alan, saying, make sure this magical mask contains the spirit of Norse God Loki. Needed to cover my whole head, and included the circumference of his noggin. Alan assumed the customer was joking and recalls muttering to himself, 19 inches. That's a pretty small head. But when Terry got his mask from the mask, something came over him and he started robbing banks. Terry's robberies were described as chaotic, lots of spinning and shouting, smoking. After his arrest, when asked if he would do it again, he said, sure I would. Somebody stop me.

[Negin Farsad]

All a man inspired by the movie Master Rob a Bank from Best Story of the Cinema comes to life from.

[Paula Poundstone]

Paula Powtonstone Ian Cloten of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, fortified his three homes with booby traps in the style of the Christmas classic Home Alone to protect his illegal drug business. Cloton's fortress included homemade bombs, tripwires, crossbows, a blowtorch, and various other imitation firearms. Clawton, a 60 year old man, actually told the police that he was trying to copy Home Alone. Kevin was a lot cuter. Some of the modified weapons authorities found at Clawton's home looked like homemade bombs. And about 130 nearby homes were evacuated while they brought in the bomb squad, which wasn't in the movie either. Kevin's budget was limited to what was in Buzz's money. Jar Clotton got seven years in prison, which could be good for two reasons. A, he might turn his life around, and two, when he gets out, he may be planning to put on a show to try to raise enough money to save his former general struggling Vermont Inn.

[Negin Farsad]

Okay, so, Kristen, you've got a man inspired by Ratatouille to get a pet rat from Tom. A man inspired by the movie Mass to rob a bank from Beth, and the man who booby trapped his home inspired by Home Alone. Which one is real? I think. I think I'm gonna go with Paula's story. All right. To find out which story is true, we spoke to a reporter covering the real story.

[Tom Papa]

He rigged his house with booby traps where paint would have fallen onto any intruder.

[Negin Farsad]

That was Dan Bader of BBC News explaining the real story of a man inspired by all the booby traps in Home Alone. Congratulations, Kristin. You got it right. Oh, I'm so happy. And you earned a point for Paula. And you've won our prize, the voice of your choice on your voicemail. Thank you so much for playing with us today.

[Beth Stelling]

All right.

[Negin Farsad]

It was a joy to be here. Take care. Have a good one. Bye. Bye. And now the game where we ask people who've built huge careers to do one more thing. We call it not my job. Some people are triple threats. But today's guest, Arden Cho, is at least a quadruple threat. An actor, musician, professional poker player, and black belt in taekwondo. And this year, she blew up as the voice of Rumi in K Pop Demon Hunter. That movie. That's right. That movie is Netflix's most streamed movie of all time. Arden Cho, welcome to. Wait, Wait, don't tell me.

[Announcer]

Hi.

[Bill Curtis]

Hello, everyone.

[Negin Farsad]

Thanks so much for having me. Well, so I have to be honest with you. I have a love hate relationship with Rumi, voiced by you, because I have a seven year old daughter.

[Arden Cho]

Okay, I see where this is going.

[Negin Farsad]

And I hear. I hear your voice all the time. Are our parents mad at you for making the most popular movie of all time.

[Arden Cho]

I mean, okay, I feel like they are kind of, at this point, a bit sick of it. But on the flip side, I've heard that, you know, at least. At least it's something that has a positive message, and at least their kids are, you know, enjoying it together all ages, and it is very, like, family friendly. Wait, what's your daughter's name?

[Negin Farsad]

Raika.

[Arden Cho]

Okay, Raika. Well, Rumi says you better listen to Mama.

[Negin Farsad]

Oh, my God. Whatever she says, you could clip that. Oh, my God. That I get up on replay for the rest the of of her life. That's what's gonna happen.

[Arden Cho]

It's one of those things where it's. The most commonly asked thing that I get these days is videos for kids with, like, messages from mom and dad who are, like, sometimes coworkers or people I love and respect, and it's just wild.

[Negin Farsad]

It's wild. I mean, I can't tell you the number of girls that were roomy for Halloween. I'm sure you saw the roomie costumes.

[Paula Poundstone]

Do you personally have a way of tracking the numbers of how popular this is?

[Arden Cho]

I mean, no way. It's so impossible. I mean, we went from Critics Choice, Golden Globes, Grammys, and now we're headed to the Oscars. I feel like there's all these incredible opportunities. It's sort of like a whirlwind that keeps going, and you're like, are we slowing down or are we never slowing down? That's really hard measure.

[Paula Poundstone]

I think you and I have a lot in common in this way.

[Negin Farsad]

Okay.

[Paula Poundstone]

I have a video on my YouTube that's almost at 3 million views.

[Negin Farsad]

Let's go.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know, I check the number quite frequently, and I was just wondering if we're having, you know, you in your home and me and mine.

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Negin Farsad]

Are you guys the same?

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah. When I check in the middle of the night, because I sleep beside the laptop, and I'm wondering if, like, from now on, I'll be like, arden's checking right now.

[Arden Cho]

I am checking.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know what?

[Arden Cho]

We're exactly the same.

[Paula Poundstone]

Thank you.

[Negin Farsad]

I don't think we're outrunning the Halloween.

[Beth Stelling]

I think we're in for another Halloween.

[Negin Farsad]

Oh, I agree. I agree. There's still another crop of girls, you know, that keep coming into it.

[Beth Stelling]

So I'm not married, but my. So I can't really call myself a stepmom, but my step. Kate, my boyfriend's daughter, was Rumi for Halloween this year, and her best friend just wanted to play the mom, which is a simple blouse with Black pants. I love it. That's perfect.

[Negin Farsad]

I mean, roomie. Arden.

[Paula Poundstone]

Wow. You really have heard.

[Negin Farsad]

I'm so sorry. I literally do hear your voice way too much. Okay, so one of the really unexpected things about you is that, you know, you're not just an actor and you're so many more things. And one of those things things is a champion poker player. Like, you are internationally ranked. How did that happen?

[Arden Cho]

I was actually a psych major in college, and I always loved the game. I've just respected it so much, and I really wasn't great. I've always been quite shy, and I'm not much of, like, a partier and quite a. More of an introvert. So I like these quiet settings. It's taught me to be confident and to take risks, learn to say no and to bet on myself. I'm often underestimated. I think people are just, like, not expecting anything from me, and then they're like, oh, she's not that bad.

[Negin Farsad]

Or maybe she's okay.

[Paula Poundstone]

I love it that you've put such a positive spin on a degenerate practice.

[Negin Farsad]

Well, there are degenerate parts of that.

[Arden Cho]

World for sure, but I find that there are a lot of really great parts in that world as well. I've met a lot of really cool players, people who are like, I want to, like, hang out with my friends, but I don't want to sit in a club. It's kind of like a nice alternative.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[Negin Farsad]

So, Arden, you actually had some news recently that you got engaged. Congratulations. Thank you. And then something else happened that day, right after you got engaged at the TSA Precheck line. Can you tell us what happened?

[Arden Cho]

Oh, my goodness, it was so funny. Well, it was actually before we got engaged. My fiance and I were flying to Hawaii, but we always, you know, get in together, and, you know, we're flying business. And so I didn't have TSA Precheck at the time. He did, and I had clear. And all of a sudden, he's just like, I'm gonna go this way into the TSA Precheck line and leave you. And I was just like, wait, what?

[Negin Farsad]

And you were like, I wanna marry that man. Well, no, no, we weren't engaged yet.

[Arden Cho]

He was sneaking away because he was afraid that they take out the ring and that I would see it because we were going to Hawaii for our friend's wedding. So I thought all of a sudden, he was being ultra competitive and seeing.

[Negin Farsad]

Who could go faster and, like, comparing.

[Arden Cho]

The speed of TSA PreCheck versus Clear and I was a bit like, he's being all weird and nervous energy. And then, of course, the next day, he proposed, and I was like, oh.

[Negin Farsad]

Everything makes sense, right? Like he wasn't just being a jerk. Yeah, well, you had a whirlwind year, Arden, and we've asked you here to play a game that we're calling K.

[Bill Curtis]

Pop Demon Hunters, meet K Mart Bargain Hunters.

[Negin Farsad]

Oh, What? Okay, that's right. We're gonna ask you three questions about the late, great discount store Kmart. Answer just two of them correctly, and you'll win our prize for one of our listeners. Bill, who's Arden playing for?

[Bill Curtis]

Gina Hoffman of Sacramento, California.

[Arden Cho]

Okay, Gina, I'm gonna try my hardest.

[Negin Farsad]

I'm quite competitive.

[Arden Cho]

I shall try.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, here's your first question. By the 2010s, Kmart was struggling to keep up with Walmart and Target, so they tried to do anything they could to grab people's attention. Like, which of these commercials was it, A, an ad where a woman stripped from a parka down to her underwear to show all the different kinds of clothing that were on sale? Was it B, an ad promoting free shipping for online orders that used the phrase I can ship my pants 11 times? Or was it C, an ad with a jingle that went kmart. It's KKK Mart. Uh, oh.

[Arden Cho]

Well, I don't think it's the last one.

[Negin Farsad]

Do you remember? That is correct, Bean. It was Ship my Pants. They ran another ad for Kmart's with gas stations attached, talking about their big ass savings. So they were really doing it. Kmart. All right, here we go. Here's your next question. In 2019, a man named Andrew Lippy was arrested for stealing $300 worth of goods from a Kmart in Florida. This came as a shock to people. Why was it A, because he was the manager of the Walmart across the street, B, he was a city councilman who ran on promises to fight shoplifting, or C, earlier that week, he had bought his own private island for $8 million. B. No, wrong. It is C. Oh. C. Really?

[Paula Poundstone]

See, I thought it was C. Wow.

[Negin Farsad]

Here's your last question. While Kmart is all but gone in the US there are over 300kmarts in Australia. But one mom in Melbourne is furious with the company because the toy lion she bought there for her son was what, A anatomically correct? Was it B, louder than a jackhammer? Or was it C, stuffed with a combination of styrofoam and gunpowder? A. That's right. It was A.

[Arden Cho]

Oh, my goodness. Never been so nervous in my life. I have to pay attention to the city's ads and nudes.

[Negin Farsad]

No, this lion was clearly a male and some toy designer was definitely trying to get fired. Do yourself a favor and Google this image. It is a disturbing level of anatomical correctness. Oh, my goodness. Bill, how did Arden do on our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Arden can stop hunting demons because she got two out of three, which is a win for us.

[Negin Farsad]

Yes. Arden, thank you so much. Thank you so much for joining us. Arden Cho is the voice of Rumi in Netflix's K Pop Demon Hunters, which is nominated for best animated film at this year's Oscars. Arden Jo, thanks for joining us. Bye, Arden.

[Bill Curtis]

Bye, Arden.

[Negin Farsad]

In just a minute, Bill has an adorable pet for you to adopt in our Listener Limerick Challenge. Just make sure you have your plague shots. Call 1-888-WAIT-WAIT to join us on air, one will be back in a minute with more of wait, wait, don't tell me from NPR.

[Announcer]

This message comes from NPR sponsor FX's Love, John F. Kennedy, Jr. And Carolyn Bassette, the new limited series from executive producer Ryan Murphy. It explores the complex courtship of the iconic couple considered to be American royalty, whose love story captured the attention of the nation. Their fairytale romance would unfold in front of the public eye and become a national obsession. FX's love story, John F. Kennedy, Jr. And Carolyn Bessette. Watch now on FX, Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Support for this podcast and 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, NPR.

[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 beth stelling, tom papa and paula poundstone. And here again is your host at the studebaker theater in chicago, illinois, nageen far saad.

[Negin Farsad]

Thanks, Phil. In just a minute, I hope you're hungry because we've prepared a feast for your ears. It's our Listener Limerick Challenge. If you'd like to play, give us a call at 1-888-WAIT-WAIT. That's 1-888-92489. But now, panel, I have more questions from this week's News. Tom, there's a growing debate about a certain piece of airplane etiquette. Whether or not you should close. What?

[Tom Papa]

Oh, I can't believe I got this. If you check my Instagram right now, you would see I am documenting all of the people. All of the moronic people who fly, who. When it's early morning and everything's dark and everyone closed their window, there's one jackass with it open and the sun coming right into my eyeball.

[Paula Poundstone]

That's me. You know, when they.

[Tom Papa]

Am I right?

[Negin Farsad]

That's right. That is correct. The window shade.

[Tom Papa]

You don't.

[Paula Poundstone]

I open the window shade the second I get on the plane.

[Beth Stelling]

Oh, why are you doing that?

[Paula Poundstone]

Because there's a beautiful view outside that window.

[Tom Papa]

No, there's not. It's just white. It's just white. We're at 30,000ft, and I just want to sleep.

[Paula Poundstone]

You can sleep if you're really tired. You'll sleep.

[Tom Papa]

I love.

[Beth Stelling]

Jeez. I do bring an eye mask.

[Tom Papa]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

I put a blanket over my head when I want to sleep with the shade open. With the shade open. You know what? When they used to tell you when they. They used to come by, and the flight attendant would come by and ask you to lower your shade because people were watching a movie.

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Negin Farsad]

And I'm like, really?

[Paula Poundstone]

I'm gonna lower. I'm gonna not look out at one of the most beautiful countries in the whole world. I'm not gonna look out at that so that somebody can watch, you know, Legally Blonde. No.

[Negin Farsad]

Okay. Well, now that you see. You can't see it.

[Tom Papa]

30,000. Now I'm contemplating. I think I might have to take the windows.

[Negin Farsad]

No time. But the reality. Yeah, the reality. Whoever sits on the window side control the window. And that's just the reality. And then whoever sits on the aisle gets to control who goes to the bathroom. Those are the rules.

[Tom Papa]

It's all about control. Yeah. I do ask politely. I said, do you mind? Because you want to work on your laptop and write jokes for. Wait, wait, don't tell me you wrote jokes for this. Yeah, I actually love the window open. I'm just trying to be funny.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, moving on. Beth, A Russian tech company says they've developed a new kind of surveillance program that uses what to spy on people. The ring camera. Okay, let me. Let me give you a hint. They're leaders in the flying realm. Like, think more animal.

[Paula Poundstone]

Bats.

[Negin Farsad]

Pigeons. Pigeons. I got it on the first try.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah, but you pulled that out of the bag. Wow.

[Beth Stelling]

Amazing.

[Negin Farsad]

The company says they've successfully equipped Pigeons with body cameras, a little backpack with solar panels to power the camera, and neural implants that allow operators to make the birds fly left or right. If true, this program could give Russia full access to the heads of our most clown classified statues.

[Beth Stelling]

These pigeons better be getting paid in croutons.

[Negin Farsad]

But by the way, like, you know that pigeons are really the right bird for espionage because the seagulls they tried were like, I'm a spy, I'm a spy. They're just too chatty, you know.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah. And how much information are they going to get out of tuna fish sandwiches on the beach?

[Tom Papa]

The reason I would hate to be a pigeon.

[Paula Poundstone]

That's a whole book right there.

[Negin Farsad]

That's a whole book for you.

[Tom Papa]

Is because every time you fly, the window's wide open.

[Negin Farsad]

Coming up, it's lightning. Fill in the blank. But first, it's the game where you have to listen for the rhyme. If you want to play on air, call or leave a message at 1-888-WAIT-WAIT, that's, that's 1-888-924-8924. You can see us most weeks here at the Studebaker Theatre in downtown Chicago and catch us on the road. We'll be in Savannah, Georgia on March 26 with more dates announced soon. For tickets and info to all of our live events, go to nprpresents.org and if you like our show but wish it was TikTok instead, check out our TikTok at wait, waitnpro. Hi, you're on. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Hi, Nagin. This is Dominic from Tallahassee, Florida. Oh, hi Dominic. So, like what, what do you do in Tallahassee, Florida?

[Tom Papa]

I am a lawyer and editor at Florida Law Weekly, which is a legal research database and official court reporter for.

[Negin Farsad]

The Florida trial courts. Oh. So as Floridian. Yeah. Is it as weird as we all think it is?

[Tom Papa]

Weirder.

[Negin Farsad]

Well, welcome to the show, Dominic. 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 on two limericks, you're a winner. Here's your first limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

When eccentrics abandoned their flat, endless scuttling noise drove neighbors bats their pet rodents roam. So we'll find a new home for upwards of 400 rats. Indeed.

[Negin Farsad]

That's right. Rats. The Strong Island Animal Rescue League has rescued over 4, 450 domesticated white rats from a condemned home on Long island and are looking for loving homes to help nurse them back to health. And I'M sorry. Nurse them back to health. Normally, when you have 450 rats, the goal is to get that number down to zero rats.

[Tom Papa]

I heard the Russians are going to fill them with computer parts.

[Paula Poundstone]

They're a whole program now where the rats spy on pigeons.

[Negin Farsad]

Well, according to the shelter, they've already placed more than 200 of the rodents in foster and adopted homes. It'll be even easier to place the remaining 200 in homes if they just don't tell the people who live there, like, just, like, throw them in New York City. We're used to it. All right, here's your next limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

Hard butter is baking's big flaw. Here's a softening trip from my ma to my boobs. It stays pressed because chest heat is best. I just shove a whole stick in my bra.

[Negin Farsad]

That's right.

[Bill Curtis]

Bra sustained.

[Negin Farsad]

Home cooks are excited about a new method for quick, quickly softening butter in the kitchen. Just put the butter in your bra. Don't worry if you don't wear a bra. I'm sure your butt crack works just as well.

[Beth Stelling]

Honestly, I use my thighs right between my thighs.

[Paula Poundstone]

My mother used to prepare all of our food this way. The Swanson's dinner's just right.

[Tom Papa]

You know, I'm always putting butter in my wife's bra, even when it's not Valentine's.

[Negin Farsad]

But also, like, you don't have to stop at butter. You can use the heat of your boobs for anything. Like, do you need to defrost some fish? You know, throw it in there. You want a sous vide, a chicken? Go on a run, you know, make it happen.

[Tom Papa]

I put fish in my wife's bra all the time. Not even on Valentine's. Sometimes I put the butter and the fish in there. Well, yes, with some capers.

[Negin Farsad]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

So the fish doesn't stick.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, here's your last Limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

At McDonald's, I feel like a savvy czar. Because their fish roe will show just how fab we are. Their Valentine's deal adds some flair to their meal. They are serving McNuggets with with caviar. Three in a row. You did it. Three in a row.

[Negin Farsad]

Good job. For a special Valentine's Day promotion, McDonald's is offering up a new deluxe combo. Chicken McNuggets topped with caviar and creme fraiche. It's perfect if you want to do something special for your valentine, but, you know, not that special. As part of the promotion, you get a free $25 voucher for McNugget. Imagine the emotional roller coaster for your girlfriend when you tell her you're having caviar on Valentine's Day at McDonald's for free.

[Beth Stelling]

Wow.

[Negin Farsad]

Bill, how did Dominic do?

[Bill Curtis]

Dominic did great. Three in a row.

[Negin Farsad]

That's awesome. Dominic, thank you so much for playing with us.

[Tom Papa]

Thank you, everybody.

[Negin Farsad]

Bye, guy.

[Paula Poundstone]

Dominique. Bye, Dominic.

[Tom Papa]

Bye. This message comes From NPR sponsor NetSuite. Every business is asking the same question. How did they make AI work for them? With NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work. Today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR, and CRM together. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, get the free business guide demystifying [e-mail] storage.

[Announcer]

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[Negin Farsad]

Now on to our final game. Lightning Fill in the blank. Each player will have 60 seconds to answer as many fill in the blank questions as they can. Each correct answer is worth two points. Bill, can you give us the score?

[Bill Curtis]

Sure can. Beth has two. Paula has three. Tom, he's in there with one.

[Tom Papa]

Ouch.

[Negin Farsad]

Okay, Tom, since you're in third place, you're up first.

[Tom Papa]

Okay.

[Negin Farsad]

The clock will start when I begin your first question. Fill in the blank. On Tuesday, six GOP representatives crossed party lines to block Trump's blanks on Canada tariffs. Right. This week, the White House removed an LGBTQ pride flag from the blank monument in New York.

[Tom Papa]

Stonewall.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. On Monday, a federal judge in California temporarily blocked the state's blank ban for law enforcement officers.

[Tom Papa]

Face coverings.

[Negin Farsad]

That's right. Mask band. This week. A criminal who successfully evaded Italian law enforcement for 16 years was arrested this week after he blanked.

[Tom Papa]

Farted.

[Negin Farsad]

No. Came back to Italy to watch the Olympics on Monday, NASA once again had to do repairs to the rocket they planned to send to the blank moon. Right. According to a new study, drinking two to three cups of blank a day will lower your risk of dementia.

[Tom Papa]

Coffee.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. This week, police in Colorado asked a man to please stop blanking at busy intersections.

[Tom Papa]

Dancing.

[Negin Farsad]

Please stop juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle.

[Tom Papa]

Sounds like dancing to me.

[Negin Farsad]

The juggling act, which police called, quote, quite good and quite illegal, shocked drivers and briefly delayed traffic. Police emphasized that the street is for automobiles, and the man agreed. From now on, he'll be juggling his flame torches inside a car. Bill, how did Tom do?

[Bill Curtis]

Very well. 5 rights, 10 more points. Total of 11 puts him in the lead.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[Negin Farsad]

Wow.

[Paula Poundstone]

All right.

[Negin Farsad]

Good job, Tom.

[Tom Papa]

Thank you, Negeen.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, Beth, you're up next. Fill in the blank. Following a congressional hearing, lawmakers are calling for Attorney General Blank to resign.

[Beth Stelling]

Bondi.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. On Monday, Ghislaine Maxwell said she would clear Blank's name in exchange for clemency. Trump.

[Beth Stelling]

Oh, Epstein. Trump.

[Negin Farsad]

Trump. Right. This week, NBC said that Sunday's Blank was the most watched show in the history of the network. Super Bowl. Right. On Wednesday, Gallup announced they would no longer measure Blank approval rating.

[Beth Stelling]

Presidential.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. Best known for his role in Dawson's Creek, actor Blank passed away at the age of 48.

[Beth Stelling]

James van der Beek.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. A Pennsylvania couple who bought a house from an 85 year old German man are suing because he didn't disclose that the basement had blank dead bodies. The basement had a bunch of Nazi symbols in the floor tiles. The couple says that the tiles were covered by rugs during the all of their walkthroughs of the house. But guys, if you're buying a house from an 85 year old German dude who's lived there for 50 years, there's gonna be some swastikas. It just proves the couple forgot the most important rule of buying a new location. Location. No Nazi floor tiles. Bill, how did Beth do on our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Beth got five right for 10 more points for a total of 12.

[Negin Farsad]

Wow. And how many will Paula need to win?

[Bill Curtis]

Five to win.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, Paula, here you go. This is for the game. Fill in the blank. On Thursday, President Trump said he was ending the ice surge in Blank.

[Paula Poundstone]

Minneapolis.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. This week, law enforcement said they'd received over 18,000 tips related to the disappearance.

[Paula Poundstone]

Of Blank's mother, Savannah Guthrie.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. On Monday, the White House threatened to block the opening of a bridge between the US And Blank.

[Paula Poundstone]

Canada.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. New research shows that men who smoke are almost twice as likely as non.

[Paula Poundstone]

Smokers to blank be asked to leave the room.

[Negin Farsad]

No. Twice as likely to go bald. Oh, wow. On Thursday, Ukrainian using his helmet to protest the war with blank was barred from the Olympics.

[Paula Poundstone]

Ukrainian, Russian.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. On Wednesday, Apple once again delayed an update to electronic assistant. Blank.

[Paula Poundstone]

Siri.

[Negin Farsad]

Right. This week, a bar in Pennsylvania raised its drinking age to 25 after a teenager tried to use a fake ID with a picture of Blank with a.

[Paula Poundstone]

Picture of Mr. Rogers.

[Negin Farsad]

Ben Franklin.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, boy.

[Negin Farsad]

Dirty Franks in Philly has seen a huge increase in people trying to use fake IDs. But things got really bad when someone tried to use an ID that said their name was Ben Franklin and their home address was the Liberty Bell. Still, you can't fault the guy's commitment. He went right up to the bouncer and was like, pardon me, does your bar allow kites? Bill, did Paula do well enough to win?

[Bill Curtis]

She did five, right? 10 more points, total of 13. That means Paula's our winner. Woo hoo. Woo hoo.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, Paula, congratulations. Thank you.

[Paula Poundstone]

It was a big win. It was a really big win.

[Negin Farsad]

All right, coming up, our panelists predict what'll be the big surprise in the final week of the Olympics. 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 Production. Doug Berman, Benevolent overlord Philip Gautica writes our limericks. Our public address announcer is Paul Friedman. Thanks to the staff and crew at the Studebaker Theater. BJ Lederman composed our theme. Our program is produced by Jennifer Mills, Miles Doornbos and Lillian King. Special thanks to Mohanad El Shaiki and Monica Hickey. Our quad God is Peter Guinn. Emma Choi is our vibe curator. Technical direction, Lorna White. Our CFO is Colin Miller. Our production manager is Robert Newhouse. Our senior producer is Ian Chillag. The executive producer of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me is Mike Danforth. Now, panel, what'll be the big surprise next week at the Olympics? Tom Papa.

[Tom Papa]

The Jamaican bobsled team wins gold and immediately divorce their wives.

[Negin Farsad]

Beth Stelling.

[Beth Stelling]

I think we've had a lot of proposals. We've had some apologies. Apologies for cheating. And I'd like to see some divorce announcements.

[Negin Farsad]

And Paula Poundstone.

[Paula Poundstone]

Some of the cross country skiing women give birth right there on the trail.

[Bill Curtis]

Well, if any of that happens, we're going to ask you about it on Wait, Wait, don't tell me.

[Negin Farsad]

Thank you, Bill Curtis. Thanks also to Paula Poundstone. Tom Papa and Beth Stelling. Thanks to all of you for listening. I'm Nageen Farsad, and we will see you next week. This is npr.

[Announcer]

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[Negin Farsad]

Bad Bunny gave one of the greatest super bowl halftime performances of all time. We'll tell you why and what this performance means at this particular political moment. Listen to a recap on pop culture happy hour via the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.