Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Amanda Seyfried Release Date: March 15, 2025

Introduction

In this lively episode of NPR’s beloved news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, host Peter Sagal, alongside panelists Emmy Blotnick, Peter Gross, and Fortune Feimster, delivers a blend of humor, insightful discussions, and celebrity interviews. The episode shines particularly with the appearance of renowned actress Amanda Seyfried, adding an extra layer of entertainment and engagement for listeners.

Panel and Contestant Introductions

The show kicks off with Peter Sagal welcoming the first contestant, Cameron from Bath, Maine. Cameron's humorous introduction sets a playful tone as the panel introduces themselves:

• Emmy Blotnick: Comedian with the album Party Night streaming on major platforms.
• Peter Gross: Actor and writer, active in live comedy events.
• Fortune Feimster: Comedian known for her Netflix special Crushing It and national tour Taking Care of Biscuits.

News Quiz with Cameron

The first segment involves a traditional news quiz where Bill Curtis presents three news quotes for Cameron to identify or explain. Cameron impressively scores 3 out of 3, securing his spot as a winner:

1. Quote: "Is it finally time to freak out?" (03:06)
   Answer: The stock market's rapid decline.

   Notable Panels' Reactions:

   • Peter Gross: "They really do." (03:52)
   • Fortune Feimster: "No, I love losing money." (04:37)

2. Quote: "Focus on a nature scene with a sunset." (05:44)
   Answer: AI’s attempt at mindfulness exercises to alleviate anxiety.

   Notable Panels' Reactions:

   • Emmy Blotnick: "Sometimes you look and you're like this." (04:11)
   • Fortune Feimster: "I love losing money." (04:37)

3. Quote: "McNug came to the palace to perform the Locomotion and it is music for dancing." (07:59)
   Answer: King Charles III’s new radio show, The King's Music Room.

   Notable Panels' Reactions:

   • Peter Sagal: "He has to dance after he plays songs?" (08:08)
   • Emmy Blotnick: "After this, we've got traffic on the Wild." (09:25)

Cameron emerges victorious with a perfect score, earning the prize of having his chosen voicemail message featured on the show.

Bluff the Listener: One Triple Eight

Next, the panel engages in the “Bluff the Listener” game, where they each present a potentially dubious claim related to the music industry:

1. Peter Gross: Claims Gene Simmons of Kiss is charging $12,500 for a day as his assistant, purportedly to meet him and enjoy other perks. (15:37)

2. Emmy Blotnick: Describes Robert McMadness’s extreme efforts to infiltrate Virgin Airlines’ safety video contest by producing 24 original songs in 24 hours and crashing the server. (16:34)

3. Fortune Feimster: Tells the tale of Barry Cooter, a background singer who sneaked into recording studios by posing as a delivery man with irresistible biscuits, eventually leading to a successful career. (18:05)

The panel and listeners are tasked with identifying which of these stories are true. Emmy Blotnick’s account of Gene Simmons charging aspiring assistants turns out to be the legitimate tactic, earning her a point and the title of the week’s Bluff the Listener winner.

Guest Segment: Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried joins the panel to participate in “Not My Job,” a game where she answers questions about subjects outside her expertise. Her segment offers delightful insights into her personal aspirations and experiences:

• Desire to Play a Cop: Seyfried reveals her long-standing wish to portray a police officer, inspired by her regular viewing of crime shows like The First 48. (21:30)

  • Quote: "I had this weird obsession with the first 48. I would watch like two episodes before bed every night." (21:34)

• Ride-Along Experience: Discusses her ride-along with Philadelphia Police, sharing humorous anecdotes about choosing locations and handling tense situations. (22:34)

  • Quote: "I had no business being there, but I went and it was something."

• Mean Girls Set Fun: Reflects on the camaraderie on the set of Mamma Mia and Mean Girls, highlighting both joyful and challenging moments. (24:00)

  • Quote: "Those images that came out a while back of us in our most drunken state ... I just hold it so close."

• Awkward Dance Scene: Details her Emmy-winning yet awkward dance scene as Elizabeth Holmes, showcasing her ability to balance humor with character depth. (25:24)

  • Quote: "I really am not a good dancer."

Amanda’s candid and humorous responses endear her to the audience, culminating in her successfully answering two out of three questions and winning a voicemail prize.

Listener Limerick Challenge

The show entertains listeners with the "Listener Limerick Challenge," where caller Cody from Madison, Wisconsin, competes by completing limericks based on recent news:

1. Limerick 1:
   Clue: "My new ride is sealed tight as a jar..."
   Answer: Car

2. Limerick 2:
   Clue: "At our club, we make sure that this show rocks..."
   Answer: Botox

3. Limerick 3:
   Clue: "In big boxes, they pick up the slack..."
   Answer: Peanuts

Cody nails all three, securing his win and impressing the panel with a perfect score, humorously connected to his profession in wood research.

Lightning Fill in the Blank

The final segment, "Lightning Fill in the Blank," sees panelists Emmy, Fortune, and Peter Gross racing against time to complete as many fill-in-the-blank news statements as possible:

• Emmy Blotnick: Correctly fills in various blanks related to global events, such as identifying the CDC, Rodrigo Duterte, and Paris.

• Fortune Feimster & Peter Gross: Also contribute accurate answers, though Emmy ultimately leads with the highest score.

Notable Exchanges:

• Peter Gross: Correctly identifies the removal of a dentist from their position due to using pliers on a patient. (43:48)
• Fortune Feimster: Shows keen knowledge by accurately completing statements about Russia, the EPA, and emergency calls involving ice cream incidents. (46:34)
  • Quote: "Do we not go back?"

Emmy Blotnick emerges as the winner of this rapid-fire segment, demonstrating impressive news acumen.

Closing Remarks and Final Games

As the episode wraps up, Peter Sagal teases future segments and acknowledges the hard work of his production team. The panelists also engage in playful predictions about King Charles of the United Kingdom’s next surprising job moves, adding a humorous speculative twist to the show’s close.

Notable Quotes and Highlights

• Peter Sagal: "It is going to be so much easier to get knighted now. All you have to do is be the hundredth caller." (08:20)
  Referring to King Charles III’s new radio show.

• Emmy Blotnick: "Our tokens were non-fungible back then." (05:32)
  Humorous take on sharing limited resources during the Great Depression.

• Fortune Feimster: "He was more uncomfortable than you were." (23:54)
  Describing Amanda Seyfried’s experience during a police ride-along.

• Peter Sagal: "Pick the one who's telling the truth and you'll win the wait waiter of your choice in your voicemail." (05:32)
  Instructions for the Bluff the Listener game.

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blends current events, humor, and celebrity charm. Amanda Seyfried’s participation adds depth and relatability, while the panelists’ witty exchanges and the contestants' achievements keep listeners thoroughly entertained. The show concludes on a high note, promising continued laughter and insightful commentary in future episodes.