Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! – “Wait Wait Goes Wild on Spring Break”

NPR | April 11, 2026 | Host: Peter Sagal

Episode Overview

This week's episode is a “spring break” special, blending the show’s signature blend of news quiz games, irreverent comedy, and candid celebrity interviews. The hosts and panelists take a lighthearted look back at the past year’s highlights while also welcoming an impressive lineup of guests: actor Delroy Lindo, actress Rhea Seehorn, comedian Andy Richter, and director John M. Chu. Listeners are treated to funny personal stories, behind-the-scenes moments from Hollywood and TV, and the usual playful panel banter.

Featured Guests and Key Segments

1. Delroy Lindo on Acting, Soccer, and Motherly Expectations (01:46–12:03)

• Recognition and Typecasting

  • Peter Sagal asks if Lindo is associated with one particular role.
  • Lindo shares a story of a bike messenger recognizing him:

    • “You know what I dig about you in the movies, man? … Nobody ever [beeps] with you in the movies, bro.” — Delroy Lindo (02:52)

  • Lindo interprets this as a compliment denoting respect for his onscreen persona.

• Struggles, Success, and Sending Money Home

  • Lindo recounts early advice to Denzel Washington about surviving on peanut butter, bread, and honey.
  • Despite being asked what his first “big” meal was, Lindo reflects instead on being able to send money to his mother as the real sign of success.

    • “The thing that gave me the most joy was to be able to send money to my mom.” (04:42)

• Career Highlights and “Sinners”

  • Lindo discusses learning piano and harmonica for his recent film role.
  • Admits the busy schedule has kept him from practicing music since production ended.

• Dual Loyalties: Soccer Fandom

  • Lifelong soccer fan—roots for both England and the US.
  • Jokes about the likelihood of both teams meeting in the final:

    • “If it comes down to those two teams—”

    • “It will not.” — Lindo and Sagal (08:33)

• Quiz Game: Sinners Meet The Saints (08:42–12:03)

  • Delroy answers questions about the New Orleans Saints football team, with the audience’s help.
  • Highlight: Pope Francis accidentally tags the Saints on Twitter (11:39).
  • Wins the quiz: “2 out of 3 is a winner, which proves don’t f*** with Delroy.” — Bill Curtis (11:59)

2. Rhea Seehorn on ‘Better Call Saul,’ Theater Roots, and Christmas Carols (14:11–22:30)

• From Supporting Actor to Star

  • Peter Sagal asks about her rise on “Better Call Saul.”
  • Seehorn notes creators originally didn’t intend her character to be central, but her performance and the storytelling evolved.

• On Character Mortality and Set Tension

  • The anxiety of not knowing if (or when) her character would get killed off:

    • “The first couple of seasons … we would get our scripts and just call each other … ‘I’m not dead!’” — Seehorn (16:04)

• First IMDb Credit and Early Jobs

  • Surprised by her first credit: the “tutorial sorceress” in a Magic: The Gathering video game, where she wore tube socks and electrical tape for “boots.” (18:21)

    • “So if you look carefully at Gladiator, that’s what Russell Crowe wore.” — Paula Poundstone (19:03)

• Panelist Banter: Paula’s Tech Aversion

  • Paula Poundstone reveals she still struggles with streaming and would only watch “Pluribus” if it came out on VHS.

    • “I’m gonna buy you an Apple TV and then paint it to look like a VCR.” — Peter Sagal (17:31)

• Quiz Game: Christmas Carols (19:29–22:15)

  • Tyra Banks’s “Santa Smize” panned as a Christmas carol (20:13).
  • Story behind “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” (20:22).
  • John Denver’s “Please, Daddy, Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas” (21:46).
  • Rhea scores a perfect three.

    • “Rhea Seehorn is nominated for a Golden Globe … I am betting the first of many such nominations.” — Sagal (22:15)

3. Andy Richter: Dancing with the Stars and Embracing Vulnerability (22:54–30:47)

• From Reluctant Dancer to “People’s Princess”

  • Shares initial terror at the Dancing with the Stars offer.

    • “It always seemed like a terrifying prospect.” (23:48)

  • Reveals a personal anecdote: only did the shortest possible wedding dance song.
  • Partnered with Emma Slater, whose patient teaching style won him over.

• Going Viral and Fan Interaction

  • “Fandies” nickname for his fans.
  • TikTok rehearsals as part of the experience.

    • “She would point and say, ‘Look how many views this got.’ … That number has never been connected to me other than for taxation purposes.” (26:04)

• Learning Process & Self-Deprecation

  • “I was a rhino in a gazelle contest. I’m never going to be a gazelle.” — Richter (27:24)

• Quiz Game: Gotta Dance!, Focused on Gene Kelly (27:58–30:47)

  • Answers about butt-accentuating pants, 24-hour charades, and Kelly’s unique directorial style.
  • Scores perfectly.

4. Panelist Comedy: Tech, Language, and Toilet Paper (33:07–39:34)

• Tech Gadgets and Absurdity

  • “iPolish,” a digital nail polish with 300 colors, inspires tech-cynicism.

    • “We’ll be living in this dystopian, Orwellian hellscape, but we will have Light Brites on our fingernails.” — Peter Sagal (35:02)

• The Clanker Balls Conversation

  • What are “clanker balls”? A genuine road safety device—balls hanging before low bridges to warn trucks, discussed with much innuendo and confusion.

    • “If you think the idea of those clanker balls is absurd, you’ve never taken a look under R2D2. Am I right, ladies?” — Panel (37:58)

• Decluttering Advice

  • Real Simple Magazine warns not to “declutter” toilet paper.

    • “Who would get rid of old toilet paper?” — Paula Poundstone (38:30)

    • “If it’s used, that’s different.” — Paula Poundstone (38:40)

5. John M. Chu: Restaurants, Musicals, and Wicked Tie-Ins (40:04–49:28)

• Origins in a Family Restaurant

  • Grew up in his dad’s “house of stories” restaurant in Palo Alto.
  • Early access to editing tools thanks to the tech crowd.

• Directorial Roots and Early Work

  • Short film “When The Kids Are Away” about bored housewives singing/dancing:

    • “At the end … he’s actually little Michael Jackson and that it’s the passing on of the old musical to the new musical …” — Chu (41:43)

• Dance Training with Family

  • Childhood tap dancing with his sister, often accompanied by sibling squabbles.

• Directing ‘Wicked’ & Merchandising Mania

  • Talks about seeing “Wicked” pre-Broadway and the emotional impact of the musical.
  • Amused by “Wicked” branded merchandise, including Swiffers:

    • “Wicked Swiffers sort of makes sense, honestly.” — Peter Sagal (44:37)

• Bieber Concert Films

  • Devised concert entrances for Justin Bieber featuring massive wings as a metaphor for his talents.
  • Offers Peter Sagal advice for more dramatic entrances:

    • “You need some blazers, you need some dancers, and you need your wings.” — Chu (45:37)

• Quiz Game: That’s Wicked Good (Boston Trivia) (46:09–49:24)

  • Fun facts: Boston toddlers drinking coffee, “Yankees suck” chants at Patriots parade, and a man losing 93,000 Dunkin’ rewards points.
  • Chu aces the quiz.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Delroy Lindo sharing personal pride:

  “The thing that gave me the most joy was to be able to send money to my mom.” (04:42)

• Rhea Seehorn on set anxiety:

  “We would get our scripts and just call each other, flipping through and just go, ‘I’m not dead!’” (16:04)

• Paula Poundstone’s streaming woes:

  “I would watch anything you were in. … But I don’t know how to do streaming or any kind of paid television.” (16:52)

• Andy Richter’s dancing humility:

  “I was a rhino in a gazelle contest. I’m never going to be a gazelle.” (27:24)

• John M. Chu on what makes a great entrance:

  “His wings were made of all his things that he actually knows how to do.” (45:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Delroy Lindo Interview & Quiz: 01:46–12:03
• Rhea Seehorn Interview & Quiz: 14:11–22:30
• Andy Richter Interview & Quiz: 22:54–30:47
• Panel Banter & Games: 33:07–39:34
• John M. Chu Interview & Quiz: 40:04–49:28

Tone and Style

True to form, this episode weaves in quick wit, sarcasm, heartfelt moments, and deep dives into pop culture, all while the cast rib each other and their guests. The warmth and smart-alecky banter make it wonderfully welcoming and easy to enjoy even if you missed the last year of headlines.

Useful For …

• Catching up on the culture, laughs, and news stories you might have missed.
• Gaining insight on celebrity careers with candid, off-the-cuff storytelling.
• Hearing spontaneous humor and learning a few zany facts for your next trivia night.