Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Becca Mann (Oct 4, 2025)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of NPR’s "Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!" is hosted by Negin Farsad, filling in for Peter Sagal. The show features its usual panel of comedians and newsmakers, witty analysis of the week’s headlines, and a special spotlight on open-water swimming phenom and author Becca Mann as the "Not My Job" celebrity guest. The tone is sharp, irreverent, and bursting with playful banter while keeping listeners updated on quirky news and humanizing their remarkable guest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Panel Introduction and Warm-Up (00:21–02:35)

• Host: Negin Farsad filling in for Peter Sagal
• Panelists: Adam Felber, Shantira Jackson, Hari Kondabolu
• Jokes about Peter Sagal being stuck at a crafting convention due to the government shutdown.
• Light banter with the first caller, a high school civics/economics teacher (Stu from Amsterdam, NY).

"Who’s Bill This Time?" — News Quiz (02:39–12:12)

• Quote 1: "No fat generals." (03:01)
  • Context: (Fictional) U.S. Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump criticized the appearance of military officers at a conference, lampooned by the panel as fixating on hotness rather than actual national defense.
  • Notable Joke: “The United States shall have the deadliest, bravest, most bangable fighting force in the world.” — Negin Farsad [04:01]
  • Panel riffs on food mascots with military ranks (e.g., Colonel Sanders, General Mills, Cap’n Crunch).
• Quote 2: "Good Lord, we're screwed." (05:38)
  • Context: Actress Emily Blunt on "Tilly Norwood," a new AI actress.
  • Panel discusses job security in entertainment with the rise of AI actors.
  • Notable Joke: “I didn’t realize she was fake until after I made her my celebrity hall pass.” — Negin Farsad [07:01]
• Quote 3: "Clean socks only, no holes." (07:26)
  • Context: UK startups introducing mandatory shoe removal at work for efficiency and comfort.
  • Panel muses on workplace foot etiquette and OnlyFans jokes.
  • Notable Joke: “If you are going to show feet, you shouldn’t have to do it for free.” — Shantira Jackson [08:17]

Stu scores 3/3, earns the listener voicemail prize.

Panel Questions on Recent News (09:15–11:37)

• UK NHS on marrying first cousins: Discussion about controversial health guidance and British cultural jokes.
  • Notable Joke: “I know that my favorite part of any wedding is the father-slash-uncle-daughter dance.” — Negin Farsad [10:32]
  • “Keep it casual—just be cousins with benefits.” — Negin Farsad [11:03]

Bluff the Listener — TV Innovations (13:44–20:17)

Caller: Kurt from Clemson, SC (sports TV producer) Stories:

1. AI TV Friends ("Watch Pals") — Adam Felber: AI characters offer real-time commentary as TV companions.
2. Alternate TV Endings ("Make it Better") — Shantira Jackson: Plugin to customize TV show endings; deletes dud episodes.
3. Free TV With Mandatory Ads (“Telly”) — Hari Kondabolu: Company offers a free TV in exchange for always-on ads and intensive viewer surveillance.

• Kurt picks Hari’s story, and it’s TRUE.
  • Verified by Emma Roth from The Verge, who lived with a Telly TV. [19:27]

"Not My Job" — Becca Mann Interview (20:32–30:42)

Becca’s Swimming Career and Mental Side of Long-Distance (21:06–22:01)

• Host on Motivation: "I fully don’t understand why you do what you do." — Negin Farsad [21:11]
• Becca: Open ocean itself isn’t scary—her mind is: “It’s like I’m in a sensory deprivation tank ... it can sometimes spiral out of control.” [21:34]
• Quote: "So, like, your thoughts are more terrifying than sharks?” — Negin Farsad [21:50]
  • Becca: “Definitely. Sharks—at least you know what you’re getting there.” [21:54]

Physical Side Effects of Open-Water Swimming (22:05–22:44)

• Swelling from saltwater, nostrils swollen shut after 9 hours, uvula so swollen she couldn't swallow.
• Notable Moment: "My uvula was hanging onto the back of my tongue... It was disgusting." — Becca Mann [22:29]

Motivation, Hiatus, and Return to Competition (23:11–23:54)

• After narrowly missing an Olympic team, took 5 years off; returned, rejoined nat’l team within 5 months.
• Panel support: “Baddie behavior.” — Shantira Jackson [23:41]
• Becca now focused on enjoying swimming without a fixed end-goal.

Logistics and Encounters in the Ocean (24:02–24:41)

• Accompanied by nearby kayak and boat for safety; forced to self-feed with liquid "feeds."
• Her mom supported (and got seasick).

Favorite Wildlife Encounters (24:54–25:22)

• Saw black tip and white tip reef sharks, calls them “beautiful creatures ... peaceful.”
• Panel joke: “Girl, what are you doing in my house?” (on shark seeing her) — Shantira Jackson [25:14]

Relationship with Water Outside Racing (25:43–26:12)

• Loves swimming for pleasure; enjoys bringing friends into the ocean.
• “If anything happens, I’ll make sure I’m the one who drowns or gets eaten.” — Becca Mann [26:14]

Casual Dominance in Hotel Pools (26:29–26:39)

• Admits to occasionally showing off in hotel pools “depending on the mood.”

Not My Job Quiz: Weird Aquarium Stories (26:57–30:21)

• San Antonio Aquarium: Octopus tried to drag a kid, shark stolen in stroller, sharks needed Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It” to mate.
• Becca scores 2/3 and wins the game for listener Ryan Campbell.

Becca’s Closing Remark (30:33)

• “I think we should call the audience the true winner, though.” — Becca Mann

Panel & Listener Games

Listener Limerick Challenge (32:13–41:47)

• Fashion trends for personal space.
• Wine for pets ("Mutley's Estate").
• Surplus octopus in England’s fish markets.
• Notable Panelism: “Dogs act drunk all the time. They’re always hungry and always like, ‘I love you, man.’” — Hari Kondabolu [39:54]

Additional Panel News (33:10–36:40)

• San Francisco’s dog problems traced to owners’ behaviors, not dogs.
• Wedding guest orders pizza during reception; panelists largely approve if pizza shared.
• Table saw for kids (tool toy).

Lightning Fill in the Blank (42:48–48:34)

• Panelists race through current events questions such as government shutdowns, prescription drug initiatives, odd court rulings, and animal news.
• Ends in a tie between Adam Felber and Hari Kondabolu.

Best Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The United States shall have the deadliest, bravest, most bangable fighting force in the entire world.” — Negin Farsad [04:01]
• “If you are going to show feet, you shouldn’t have to do it for free.” — Shantira Jackson [08:17]
• Becca Mann on open water: “Sometimes my mind spirals out of control. That’s the only thing that really scares me.” [21:34]
• On wedding pizza: “If you give me a slice, we good?” — Shantira Jackson [35:15]
• On feet at work: “Subscribe to my OnlyFans, Verse Corporation.” — Shantira Jackson [08:30]
• On cousin marriages: “Just be cousins with benefits.” — Negin Farsad [11:03]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Show/NPR panel intro | 00:21 | | Who’s Bill This Time? News Quiz | 02:39–12:12 | | Bluff the Listener | 13:44–20:17 | | Not My Job: Becca Mann Interview | 20:32–30:42 | | Listener Limerick Challenge | 32:13–41:47 | | Panel Q&A & Lightning Fill-in-Blank | 42:48–48:34 |

Closing Banter (49:42–End)

• Panel jokes about potential military reforms (calendar of hot generals, banning snacks-for-sadness, returning silly white hats in the Navy).
• Host thanks panel, crew, and listeners; show closes with signature humorous tone.

Overall, this episode blends sharp cultural commentary and offbeat humor with an inspiring and surprisingly candid interview segment from elite swimmer Becca Mann, making for an entertaining and newsy listen.