Podcast Summary: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Peter AMA Bonus Episode

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Co-Host/Interviewer: Emma Choi

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode of NPR’s popular news quiz “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” gives listeners a behind-the-scenes treat: Peter Sagal answers an array of listener questions in a lively, candid Ask Me Anything (AMA) format. Co-hosted by Emma Choi, the episode covers fan curiosities about Peter's music tastes, most surprising guests, personal failures, running philosophy, Hollywood dreams, screenwriting adventures, and even favorite condiments. The tone is witty and self-deprecating, with both hosts trading playful banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. If You Could Listen to Only One Song Forever

[04:20 - 06:08]

A listener asks: If you had to listen to one song only for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peter’s Reality:
- “That is almost literally true right now because my almost three-year-old loves 'Wheels on the Bus.'” (04:32)
- Describes the parenting struggle: trying to introduce new music, but his child always demands “Wheels on the Bus.”
- Honest Answer:
  - Picks “A Little Bit of Everything” by Dawes as a lesser-known favorite worth checking out.
  - Also admits a current obsession with “Golden” from K Pop Demon Hunters:
    - “To me, it’s like the Defying Gravity of 2025. It’s a song for all the nerds and losers, like I… let's just say was. And I just think it's great.” (05:56)

2. Most Surprising Guest

[06:13 - 08:29]

Question: Which guest has surprised you the most, good or bad?
Peter’s Reflection:
- Loves it “when very serious people show up and have a sense of humor.”
- Recalls a favorite moment: RZA from Wu-Tang Clan being outed as a huge HGTV fan.
- The production team, particularly Emma, playfully “ambushed” RZA by bringing up HGTV based on a People Magazine factoid.
  - “He was as surprised as we were!”
  - “I love it when they say something about themselves that nobody knew because they didn’t know anybody else knew it.” (07:51)

3. How the Show Has Changed Over the Years

[08:29 - 10:13]

Question: What’s changed most about the show?
Peter on Evolution:
- “Thankfully, not me. Well, although I have in my own way.” (08:35)
- Praises new producers & panelists:
  - “It is a wonderful feeling for me when I'm on stage to look to my left and see some amazing, new, talented person who I don't know well yet, but I can be confident that is going to be surprising and weird and funny.”
    - Credits producer Jennifer Mills for bringing new diversity and talent.
  - Emphasizes value of old ("OG") and new voices and the show's ongoing freshness.
- Emma adds: She’s only a year younger than the show itself! (08:58)

4. Hobbies or Sports Tried and Failed

[10:13 - 11:42]

Question: “What hobby or sport did you try but fail miserably at?”
Peter’s Confession:
- “My garage is filled with sports equipment for stuff I didn’t pursue.”
- Attempts (and failures): Bread baking (before the pandemic), surfing, soccer, golf.
- Admits to having “terrible ADHD”—gets enthusiastic, then moves on fast.
- Running is the exception:
  - “Those who can’t play sports, run. Those who can’t run, run long. And that's basically it. It's the great athletic pursuit for people with no athletic talent.” (11:14)
- Running is both easier for “people with no athletic talent” and requires little mental engagement.

5. Running: Music, Podcasts, or Silence?

[11:51 - 13:56]

Question: When you run, do you listen to music, podcasts, or just your thoughts? (No “Wait Wait” as an answer!)
Peter’s Philosophy:
- Advocates for running in silence to “just be alone with your thoughts.”
- “We spend all our days pumping other people’s thoughts into our heads… Running is a good time to…see what's been in there, see if anything comes out, rather than constantly blocking the exits by pumping things in.”
- Admits he sometimes does listen to “the day’s news podcast” because “I am like everybody else…an addict. For distraction.”
- “The times I do put [headphones] away and run with just the air in my ears, it’s always better.” (13:25)
- Emma jokes: “If you’re listening to this right now and you’re running, turn it off—or stop running!” (13:41)

6. Who Would Play Peter in the Movie of His Life?

[14:14 - 17:23]

Question: If you had to cast yourself in a movie about Wait Wait… who would play you?
Peter’s Answer:
- “If I’m doing well: Stanley Tucci; if not so much: Jason Alexander. Okay, all my life.” (14:47)
- Discusses lifelong baldness, self-deprecates about his “tuft” phase, and acknowledges the playful teasing by Doug Berman.
- Emma suggests combining the two actors into “one sort of composite ethnic bald guy.” (17:19)
- Peter muses about dream casting—“Tom Cruise, maybe. No…”

7. Screenwriting Dirty Dancing 2 and a Potential Sequel

[17:33 - 21:21]

Fun Fact:
- Emma reminds listeners Peter wrote the original script for “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
  - “Yes, the original writer. The original writer who was massively rewritten to make the cinematic masterpiece that we all know and love.” (17:38)
Question: Where would Dirty Dancing 3 be set if Peter wrote it?
- Peter explains he never intended to write “Dirty Dancing 2”—he wrote a serious drama about the Cuban revolution and a young American girl in Havana, which was later rewritten into “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
- Nearly all his work (plot, dialogue) was replaced, except for a classroom scene cameo role he originally wrote for himself.
- Hints an actual sequel is in the works by original Dirty Dancing writer Eleanor Bergstrom.

8. Favorite Underdog Condiment

[21:28 - 22:49]

Question: What’s your favorite underdog condiment?
Peter’s Pick:
- “Harissa”
- Shares a story of living in France and falling in love with merguez sandwiches with harissa—a spicy North African paste.
- He’s been searching for a good harissa brand in the U.S. ever since.
  - “I’ve come to realize…it actually wasn’t the harissa, it was the fact I was in the south of France that made it taste that good.”
- Emma encourages listeners to send good harissa recommendations Peter’s way.

Memorable Quotes

Peter Sagal on music obsession:
- “To me, [‘Golden’ from K Pop Demon Hunters] is like the Defying Gravity of 2025. It’s a song for all the nerds and losers, like I… let's just say was. And I just think it's great.” (05:56)
On what makes great guest moments:
- “I love it when they say something about themselves that nobody knew because they didn’t know that anybody else knew it. And that always makes me laugh.” (07:51)
On running:
- “Those who can’t play sports, run. Those who can’t run, run long. And that's basically it. It's the great athletic pursuit for people with no athletic talent.” (11:14)
- “The times I do put [headphones] away and run with just the air in my ears, it’s always better.” (13:25)
On personal evolution and the show:
- “If this show was just me, God forbid, it would have faded away long ago…But having these people come in, especially… new talent for our panel… it is a wonderful feeling for me.” (09:15)
On self-casting in a movie:
- “If I’m doing well: Stanley Tucci; if not so much: Jason Alexander. Okay, all my life.” (14:47)
On harissa:
- “If there’s a good harissa out there, I want to try it.” (22:49)

Notable Timestamps

04:20 – One song forever: Wheels on the Bus, Dawes, K Pop Demon Hunters
06:13 – Surprising guests; RZA and HGTV confession
08:29 – What’s changed most about “Wait Wait…”
10:13 – Hobbies and sports attempted (and abandoned)
11:51 – Peter’s running soundscape philosophy
14:14 – Who plays Peter in a movie about Wait Wait?
17:33 – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and accidental screenwriting
21:28 – The great condiment: harissa

Episode Flow and Tone

The episode flows like a witty, friendly coffee chat—fast-paced, tangential, yet always circling back to listeners’ curiosities about Peter and the show. Emma is the perfect foil—playful, warm, with a knack for teasing out self-deprecation and heartfelt stories from Peter. The tone is accessible and sincere, with moments of genuine introspection amidst the laughs.

For even more listener questions, the team teases a Part 2—available to Wait Wait Plus subscribers.

Host Attribution Example:

Emma Choi: “If you’re listening to this right now and you’re running, turn it off—or stop running.” (13:41)
Peter Sagal: “If there’s a good harissa out there, I want to try it.” (22:49)

Podcast Summary: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Peter AMA Bonus Episode

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Co-Host/Interviewer: Emma Choi

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. If You Could Listen to Only One Song Forever

[04:20 - 06:08]

A listener asks: If you had to listen to one song only for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Peter’s Reality:
- “That is almost literally true right now because my almost three-year-old loves 'Wheels on the Bus.'” (04:32)
- Describes the parenting struggle: trying to introduce new music, but his child always demands “Wheels on the Bus.”
- Honest Answer:
  - Picks “A Little Bit of Everything” by Dawes as a lesser-known favorite worth checking out.
  - Also admits a current obsession with “Golden” from K Pop Demon Hunters:
    - “To me, it’s like the Defying Gravity of 2025. It’s a song for all the nerds and losers, like I… let's just say was. And I just think it's great.” (05:56)

2. Most Surprising Guest

[06:13 - 08:29]

Question: Which guest has surprised you the most, good or bad?
Peter’s Reflection:
- Loves it “when very serious people show up and have a sense of humor.”
- Recalls a favorite moment: RZA from Wu-Tang Clan being outed as a huge HGTV fan.
- The production team, particularly Emma, playfully “ambushed” RZA by bringing up HGTV based on a People Magazine factoid.
  - “He was as surprised as we were!”
  - “I love it when they say something about themselves that nobody knew because they didn’t know anybody else knew it.” (07:51)

3. How the Show Has Changed Over the Years

[08:29 - 10:13]

Question: What’s changed most about the show?
Peter on Evolution:
- “Thankfully, not me. Well, although I have in my own way.” (08:35)
- Praises new producers & panelists:
  - “It is a wonderful feeling for me when I'm on stage to look to my left and see some amazing, new, talented person who I don't know well yet, but I can be confident that is going to be surprising and weird and funny.”
    - Credits producer Jennifer Mills for bringing new diversity and talent.
  - Emphasizes value of old ("OG") and new voices and the show's ongoing freshness.
- Emma adds: She’s only a year younger than the show itself! (08:58)

4. Hobbies or Sports Tried and Failed

[10:13 - 11:42]

Question: “What hobby or sport did you try but fail miserably at?”
Peter’s Confession:
- “My garage is filled with sports equipment for stuff I didn’t pursue.”
- Attempts (and failures): Bread baking (before the pandemic), surfing, soccer, golf.
- Admits to having “terrible ADHD”—gets enthusiastic, then moves on fast.
- Running is the exception:
  - “Those who can’t play sports, run. Those who can’t run, run long. And that's basically it. It's the great athletic pursuit for people with no athletic talent.” (11:14)
- Running is both easier for “people with no athletic talent” and requires little mental engagement.

5. Running: Music, Podcasts, or Silence?

[11:51 - 13:56]

Question: When you run, do you listen to music, podcasts, or just your thoughts? (No “Wait Wait” as an answer!)
Peter’s Philosophy:
- Advocates for running in silence to “just be alone with your thoughts.”
- “We spend all our days pumping other people’s thoughts into our heads… Running is a good time to…see what's been in there, see if anything comes out, rather than constantly blocking the exits by pumping things in.”
- Admits he sometimes does listen to “the day’s news podcast” because “I am like everybody else…an addict. For distraction.”
- “The times I do put [headphones] away and run with just the air in my ears, it’s always better.” (13:25)
- Emma jokes: “If you’re listening to this right now and you’re running, turn it off—or stop running!” (13:41)

6. Who Would Play Peter in the Movie of His Life?

[14:14 - 17:23]

Question: If you had to cast yourself in a movie about Wait Wait… who would play you?
Peter’s Answer:
- “If I’m doing well: Stanley Tucci; if not so much: Jason Alexander. Okay, all my life.” (14:47)
- Discusses lifelong baldness, self-deprecates about his “tuft” phase, and acknowledges the playful teasing by Doug Berman.
- Emma suggests combining the two actors into “one sort of composite ethnic bald guy.” (17:19)
- Peter muses about dream casting—“Tom Cruise, maybe. No…”

7. Screenwriting Dirty Dancing 2 and a Potential Sequel

[17:33 - 21:21]

Fun Fact:
- Emma reminds listeners Peter wrote the original script for “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
  - “Yes, the original writer. The original writer who was massively rewritten to make the cinematic masterpiece that we all know and love.” (17:38)
Question: Where would Dirty Dancing 3 be set if Peter wrote it?
- Peter explains he never intended to write “Dirty Dancing 2”—he wrote a serious drama about the Cuban revolution and a young American girl in Havana, which was later rewritten into “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”
- Nearly all his work (plot, dialogue) was replaced, except for a classroom scene cameo role he originally wrote for himself.
- Hints an actual sequel is in the works by original Dirty Dancing writer Eleanor Bergstrom.

8. Favorite Underdog Condiment

[21:28 - 22:49]

Question: What’s your favorite underdog condiment?
Peter’s Pick:
- “Harissa”
- Shares a story of living in France and falling in love with merguez sandwiches with harissa—a spicy North African paste.
- He’s been searching for a good harissa brand in the U.S. ever since.
  - “I’ve come to realize…it actually wasn’t the harissa, it was the fact I was in the south of France that made it taste that good.”
- Emma encourages listeners to send good harissa recommendations Peter’s way.

Memorable Quotes

Peter Sagal on music obsession:
- “To me, [‘Golden’ from K Pop Demon Hunters] is like the Defying Gravity of 2025. It’s a song for all the nerds and losers, like I… let's just say was. And I just think it's great.” (05:56)
On what makes great guest moments:
- “I love it when they say something about themselves that nobody knew because they didn’t know that anybody else knew it. And that always makes me laugh.” (07:51)
On running:
- “Those who can’t play sports, run. Those who can’t run, run long. And that's basically it. It's the great athletic pursuit for people with no athletic talent.” (11:14)
- “The times I do put [headphones] away and run with just the air in my ears, it’s always better.” (13:25)
On personal evolution and the show:
- “If this show was just me, God forbid, it would have faded away long ago…But having these people come in, especially… new talent for our panel… it is a wonderful feeling for me.” (09:15)
On self-casting in a movie:
- “If I’m doing well: Stanley Tucci; if not so much: Jason Alexander. Okay, all my life.” (14:47)
On harissa:
- “If there’s a good harissa out there, I want to try it.” (22:49)

Notable Timestamps

04:20 – One song forever: Wheels on the Bus, Dawes, K Pop Demon Hunters
06:13 – Surprising guests; RZA and HGTV confession
08:29 – What’s changed most about “Wait Wait…”
10:13 – Hobbies and sports attempted (and abandoned)
11:51 – Peter’s running soundscape philosophy
14:14 – Who plays Peter in a movie about Wait Wait?
17:33 – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and accidental screenwriting
21:28 – The great condiment: harissa

Episode Flow and Tone

For even more listener questions, the team teases a Part 2—available to Wait Wait Plus subscribers.

Host Attribution Example:

Emma Choi: “If you’re listening to this right now and you’re running, turn it off—or stop running.” (13:41)
Peter Sagal: “If there’s a good harissa out there, I want to try it.” (22:49)

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Summary

Podcast Summary: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Peter AMA Bonus Episode

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. If You Could Listen to Only One Song Forever

2. Most Surprising Guest

3. How the Show Has Changed Over the Years

4. Hobbies or Sports Tried and Failed

5. Running: Music, Podcasts, or Silence?

6. Who Would Play Peter in the Movie of His Life?

7. Screenwriting Dirty Dancing 2 and a Potential Sequel

8. Favorite Underdog Condiment

Memorable Quotes

Notable Timestamps

Episode Flow and Tone

Summary

Podcast Summary: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Peter AMA Bonus Episode

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. If You Could Listen to Only One Song Forever

2. Most Surprising Guest

3. How the Show Has Changed Over the Years

4. Hobbies or Sports Tried and Failed

5. Running: Music, Podcasts, or Silence?

6. Who Would Play Peter in the Movie of His Life?

7. Screenwriting Dirty Dancing 2 and a Potential Sequel

8. Favorite Underdog Condiment

Memorable Quotes

Notable Timestamps

Episode Flow and Tone