Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Amber Makutt Release Date: February 1, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Guest: Amber Makutt, "Taxidermist to the Stars"

Introduction

Hosted by Peter Sagal at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! delivers its signature blend of humor and news quizzing. The show features a panel of comedians and a celebrity guest, providing listeners with both laughter and a test of their current event knowledge.

Listener Contestant: Matt from Auburn, Alabama

The episode opens with Peter welcoming Matt, a listener from Auburn, Alabama, who works at the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education. This segment sets the stage for the panelists to introduce themselves and engage with Matt in humorous banter about his job.

News Quiz: Key Highlights and Notable Quotes

1. Egg Prices Soar

   • Quote: “I just got approved for financing on a dozen.” (00:57)
   • Discussion: The panel humorously discusses the skyrocketing egg prices, noting an average cost of $7 per dozen and projections of a further 20% increase. Joyell Nicole Johnson quips, “I don’t relate to this because my boyfriend is a bougie egg buyer,” highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

2. Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan

   • Quote: “I put on £20 because, believe it or not, I was thinner than the.” (04:55)
   • Discussion: The panelers mock Chalamet’s weight gain for his role as Bob Dylan, navigating comedic jabs about the transformation required for the part.

3. Pxiety – Anxiety Over Missing Out

   • Quote: “51% of Americans suffer from pxiety.” (07:12)
   • Discussion: The term “pxiety” is introduced as the anxiety of missing out on enjoyable activities. The panel engages in witty exchanges about the compulsions to stay engaged, even during necessary breaks like bathroom visits.

Bluff the Listener: Unusual Side Hustles

Matt participates in the "Bluff the Listener" segment, where the panel presents three unconventional side hustles. The options include:

• Joyell Nicole Johnson's Story: Elaine Smalls, the "take back Queen," offers services to return unwanted items and even dishes at restaurants.
• Adam Felber's Story: Shazaili Suleiman, a "villain for hire," poses as a threat to help individuals appear more heroic on dates.
• Rekha Shankar's Story: Ellen Walkman acts as a family judge to mediate household disputes.

Outcome: Matt selects Joyell’s story, but it is revealed that Adam’s story about hiring a villain for date impresses is the truthful one, highlighting the innovative and bizarre nature of side gigs.

Interview: Amber Makutt, Taxidermist to the Stars

Timestamp: (21:29)

Background: Amber Makutt discusses her unique niche in anthropomorphic taxidermy, creating lifelike animal mounts with human characteristics. Her clientele includes celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Amy Sedaris, and musicians Adam Jones of Tool and the band Slayer.

Notable Quotes:

• Amber Makutt: “A lot of what I do is called anthropomorphic taxidermy. So it's kind of giving life, human characteristics or activities to the taxidermy.” (22:28)
• Peter Sagal: “I have a problem with stuffed animals because I'm one of those people who assume they’re moving when I look away.” (26:27)

Key Insights:

• Creative Process: Amber explains the meticulous process of creating her mounts, including the use of anatomically correct mannequins, glass eyes, and sculptural work to achieve lifelike representations.
• Unique Requests: She shares amusing anecdotes about customized requests, such as making a mouse look like a client's boyfriend, highlighting the playful side of her craft.

Closing Note: Amber participates in the "They’re Alive" game, successfully answering questions about live animals intruding into homes, further showcasing her expertise and engaging personality.

Listener Limerick Challenge

Claire from Tacoma, Washington, engages in the limerick challenge, where she successfully completes three limericks related to current events:

1. Dinosaur Puke: “Dinosaurs upchucks more rare than a comet.”
   Answer: Vomit.
   (38:12)

2. Billy Crystal's Sweater:
   Answer: “When Harry Met Sally” look.
   (39:25)

3. Speed Loafers:
   Answer: A humorous take on impractical footwear combining loafers and running shoes.
   (41:09)

Claire excels in this segment, demonstrating quick wit and a solid grasp of the limerick clues.

Fill in the Blank Game

The final quiz segment features Rekha Shankar and Joyell Nicole Johnson competing against Adam Felber.

Rekha Shankar’s Performance:

• Correctly answered questions about Tesla’s earnings, Starbucks reducing menu items, Ebola outbreak in Uganda, Mona Lisa in the Louvre, and a fraudulent drill order from AliExpress.
• Total Points: 10

Joyell Nicole Johnson’s Performance:

• Correctly answered questions about RFK Jr., bird flu, drone approvals in New Jersey, Athletics Australia's name change, and the Johnstown Flood Museum closure.
• Total Points: 9

Adam Felber’s Performance:

• Correctly answered questions regarding the Chinese AI platform Deep Seek, detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay, hostages in Gaza, wildfires in California, and a bizarre highway construction around a homeowner’s house.
• Total Points: 15
• Outcome: Adam Felber wins the episode’s quiz segment with a total of 15 points.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

Peter Sagal wraps up the episode with final jokes about escalating breakfast trends in response to high egg prices, thanking Amber Makutt for her insightful and entertaining appearance as the first guest. The show maintains its light-hearted and humorous tone throughout, combining current events with comedic analysis, making it both informative and entertaining for listeners.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Matt’s Introduction: “Stuffed animals are not actually stuffed. No, they're just trained to stand there very still.” (00:44)
• Joyell Nicole Johnson on Bougie Egg Buyers: “I don’t relate to this because my boyfriend is a bougie egg buyer.” (03:39)
• Adam Felber on Pxiety: “But admit it, you want them more now than you used to, don’t you?” (07:26)
• Amber Makutt Explaining Anthropomorphic Taxidermy: “A lot of what I do is called anthropomorphic taxidermy.” (22:28)
• Claire’s Limerick on Dinosaur Puke: “Vomit isn’t distinguishable from any other rock.” (38:12)

Final Thoughts

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! provides a delightful mix of humor, current events, and unique guest insights. Amber Makutt’s feature as the taxidermist to the stars adds a fascinating layer to the show, while the panelists’ quick wit and engaging games ensure that listeners are both entertained and informed. Whether you’re a regular listener or new to the show, this episode offers a comprehensive and enjoyable experience.