Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Summary: WWDTM: Anna Kendrick Release Date: June 28, 2025

Host and Panel Hosted by Peter Sagal, NPR’s beloved weekly news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! brings together a star-studded panel of comedians and special guests to dissect the week’s news with humor and wit. This episode features Hollywood actress and director Anna Kendrick as the celebrity guest, joined by regular panelists Paula Poundstone, Josh Gondelman, and Karen Chee.

1. Welcoming Anna Kendrick and First Contestant: Brandon

The episode kicks off with Anna Kendrick warmly greeting the audience and introducing the week’s homegrown sports sensation from Maine, Cooper Flagg, who has been drafted number one in the NBA. This sets an enthusiastic tone for the show, celebrating local achievements.

Brandon's Introduction: At [01:59], Brandon from Littleton, Colorado, a CEO executive coach, joins the show, sharing his profession and setting the stage for the first game.

Notable Quote:

Josh Gondelman [01:59]: "And staff members cry in staff meetings."

2. Game 1: "Who's Bill?"

Brandon participates in the first game where Bill Curtis, the announcer, presents three quotes from recent news. Brandon must identify who said each quote.

First Quote: At [03:19], Peter Sagal reads:

"We destroyed the nuclear. It's blown up to kingdom come."

Anna correctly identifies this as a misstatement from President Donald Trump, highlighting the discrepancy between his claims and the intelligence community’s assessment.

Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [03:23]: "But mission accomplished, everyone. The Iranian nuclear program no longer has a foyer."

Second Quote: At [05:36], Peter Sagal presents:

"Let's burn out more babies."

Brandon initially misunderstands the quote, but Anna clarifies it refers to wellness influencers promoting the "tradwife" trend, encouraging more children and fewer career pursuits.

Third Quote: At [07:49], Peter Sagal reads:

"You tell me there's a limited amount and I go, oh my God, I need it."

This quote revolves around the fictional collectible plush toy "Labubu." Anna’s explanation satirizes the resurgence of Beanie Babies-like phenomena with a humorous twist.

Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [08:05]: "If it were a real animal in your house, you would shoot it."

Outcome: Brandon successfully identifies two out of three quotes, earning a prize and earning recognition for the panelists.

3. Panel Q&A: News Discussions

Following the game, the panel delves into various news topics, engaging in humorous debates and banter.

Police Training Program: At [11:07], Karen attempts to guess a new training skill for Chicago police, humorously cycling through incorrect answers until Anna hints it’s "improv."

Notable Quote:

Karen Chee [11:12]: "Fishing."

Anna steers the conversation towards the absurdity of cops using improv, leading to a comedic exchange about the effectiveness and safety of such training methods.

Theme Park Tales: Discussions around theme park innovations and absurd attractions take center stage. Panelists share exaggerated stories about roller coasters affected by cicadas and the creation of quiet rooms as new rides.

Notable Quote:

Josh Gondelman [16:31]: "One can only imagine the photos for purchase at the end of each attraction."

4. Listener Contestant: Kate from Royal Oak, Michigan

Game: "Two Truths and a Lie"

Kate engages in a game where she discerns truth from fiction among three theme park stories presented by the panel.

Stories Presented:

1. Josh’s Story: Roller coasters at Kings Island, Ohio, are plagued by cicadas causing riders to keep their mouths shut.
2. Karen’s Story: Minnesota's Twin Cities amusement park introduces "Adventure Zone," a ride featuring a quiet room with books.
3. Paula’s Story: Universal Studios sells minion-shaped catheters to boost beverage sales in lines.

Outcome: Kate correctly identifies Josh’s story about cicadas as the true event, earning her and the panel a point.

Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [20:04]: "Cicadas were going to be emerging in the lower billions in 13 states, including Ohio, so keep your mouth closed."

5. Listener Contestant: Jennifer from Seguin, Texas

Game: "Tell the Truth from Fiction"

Jennifer participates in a game where she deciphers genuine limericks from fictional ones presented by the panel.

Limericks Presented:

1. Tiny Briefs: Focuses on men’s swimwear trends, humorously highlighting the anxiety surrounding skimpy swimwear.
2. Booty Standard: Jokes about the supposed new beauty standard for men’s buttocks.
3. Sausage Secret: A corporate espionage tale involving Hormel and Johnsonville.

Outcome: Jennifer correctly answers two out of three limericks, securing her victory in the game.

Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [30:32]: "It is a demonstration of police dogs and the dogs did their job."

6. Final Game: "Lightning Fill in the Blank"

A high-energy segment where panelists compete to answer as many fill-in-the-blank questions as possible within 60 seconds.

Highlights:

• Karen Chee leads with swift and accurate responses, securing her position at the top.
• Josh Gondelman follows closely, leveraging his quick thinking to stay competitive.
• Paula Poundstone rounds out the competition with strategic answers, earning her team valuable points.

Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [48:35]: "The winning word was promiscuous. The last person remaining spelled that correctly and won it."

Outcome: Josh takes the lead with his nimble responses, narrowly edging out Karen and Paula, ultimately winning the game.

7. Panel Predictions: "Next Big Collecting Craze"

Closing the episode, the panelists humorously speculate on upcoming collectible trends post-Labubu.

Predictions:

• Paula Poundstone: "Rebabbid Raccoon Pals," a collection of mischievous raccoon figures.
• Karen Chee: "Cuomokos," parodying political figures through collectible items.
• Josh Gondelman: "Stebubu," whimsical animal figurines adorned with Steve Buscemi’s face.

Notable Quote:

Josh Gondelman [50:42]: "They are whimsical animal figurines that all have the face of Steve Buscemi."

8. Closing Remarks

Peter Sagal wraps up the show by acknowledging the efforts of the panelists, congratulating the winners, and promoting upcoming live shows. The camaraderie and humor ensure listeners leave with smiles and a sense of community.

Final Notable Quote:

Anna Kendrick [51:26]: "Thank you, Bill Curtis. Thanks also to Karen G. Josh Gombelman and Paula Poundstone. Thanks to Corey Morrissey and everybody at Maine Public and our fabulous audience here in Portland, Maine."

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blends current events with humor, showcasing Anna Kendrick’s engaging personality alongside the sharp wit of regular panelists. From dissecting bizarre news stories to playful competitions, the show offers both entertainment and insightful commentary, making it a must-listen for fans of clever journalism and comedic banter.

Notable Moments with Timestamps:

• [03:23] Anna Kendrick clarifies Trump’s statement on Iran's nuclear program.
• [08:05] Anna humorously describes the fictional "Labubu" collectibles.
• [16:31] Josh Gondelman imaginatively details cicadas affecting roller coasters.
• [20:04] Anna confirms the truth behind the cicada story.
• [30:32] Anna discusses the reality of police dogs in corporate espionage.
• [48:35] Anna reveals the truth about the limerick involving police dogs.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! continues to uphold its reputation for blending timely news, humor, and celebrity charm, offering listeners a delightful mix of information and laughter each week.