Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Brian Tyree Henry Release Date: April 26, 2025
Guest: Brian Tyree Henry
Host: Karen Chee (Filling in for Peter Sagal)
Recorded At: Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Illinois

Introduction and Panel Setup

In this lively episode of NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", host Karen Chee steps in for Peter Sagal, who is recovering from a skirmish with fellow NPR host Steve Inskeep. The show kicks off with the introduction of the panelists:

• Brian Babylon: A comedian and fashion designer promoting his summer line and upcoming novel, Silk and Silencer.
• Luke Burbank: Host of the daily podcast TV CBTL and the public radio variety show Livewire.
• Nagin Farsad: Comedian and host of the podcast Fake the Nation.

Notable Quote:

"Peter Sagal’s substitute. Here at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, it's Karen Chee." — Karen Chee [00:43]

Game 1: Who's Bill?

The first game, "Who's Bill?", involves the contestant Kevin Stroud identifying quotes from this week's news. Kevin excels, correctly identifying all three quotes:

1. Quote from a Gambling Site Spokesperson: Discusses betting on the next Pope.

   "People are betting on who is going to be the next Pope." — Kevin Stroud [03:24]

2. Quote from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: Claims that saying "please" and "thank you" costs the company millions due to unnecessary data processing.

   "OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says please and thank you cost his company tens of millions of dollars because it's unnecessary data for ChatGPT to process." — Karen Chee [05:35]

3. Quote About Meat Sales: Reports a resurgence in meat sales due to high-protein diets and fatigue with plant-based alternatives.

   "After years of decline, sales of meat hit record highs last year." — Karen Chee [08:37]

Notable Quote:

"He's a biter. You're all in for a treat because later we're talking to Oscar nominated actor Brian Tyree Henry." — Karen Chee [00:43]

Game 2: Bluff the Listener

In "Bluff the Listener," contestant Chris Robinson from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is presented with three stories about childhood fears coming true. The panelists narrate:

1. Story by Nagin Farsad: Ronald D'Souza gets pantsed by an escalator during a workday.
2. Story by Brian Babylon: A man gets stuck in quicksand on a first date.
3. Story by Luke Burbank: Kylie Hogan hears noises under her bed, which turn out to be a sinkhole revealing a vein of opals.

Chris correctly identifies Brian Babylon's quicksand story as the real one, debunking Luke’s sinkhole tale.

Notable Quote:

"I think I'm gonna go with Luke's because it sounds more realistic." — Brian Babylon [19:56]
"You gotta go with your heart." — Luke Burbank [20:30]

Interview: Brian Tyree Henry

Brian Tyree Henry, an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony-nominated actor known for his role in Atlanta and as the voice of Smokey the Bear, joins the show for a segment titled "BTS Meet BTS." The interview delves into his illustrious career and memorable roles.

Key Highlights:

• Origins in Acting: Brian reminisces about his first role as Santa Claus in a preschool play, highlighting his early passion for acting.

  "Embarrassingly enough, I was Santa Claus in my preschool production." — Brian Tyree Henry [23:38]

• Smokey Bear Voicing: Discusses his role as Smokey the Bear, emphasizing how it feels like a natural fit given his love for national parks.

  "It feels like the role I was born to play." — Brian Tyree Henry [21:48]

• Humorous Insights: Engages in playful banter about voicing Smokey Bear, including a fictional scenario where he interacts with other famous bears.

  "That's correct. I hope so. It better be." — Nagin Farsad [22:35]

Notable Quote:

"Are you the reason Smokey Bear is hot now?" — Karen Chee [22:35]

Brian Tyree Henry's charismatic presence adds depth and humor to the episode, making the interview both insightful and entertaining.

Game 3: BTS Meet BTS

In this segment, Brian Tyree Henry participates in a quiz about the global sensation BTS. The questions test his knowledge about the K-pop group’s influence and cultural impact.

Questions and Responses:

1. BTS’s Economic Impact on South Korea:

   "One in ten visitors to South Korea go there for BTS related reasons." — Brian Tyree Henry [28:21]

2. BTS’s Lyric Process:

   "They run them by a women's studies professor." — Brian Tyree Henry [29:25]

3. Military Service and BTS:

   "They negotiated a special two-year truce." — Brian Tyree Henry [30:35]

Brian nails all questions, showcasing his extensive knowledge of BTS, earning him accolades from the panel.

Notable Quote:

"You're from the Pacific north and I've lost friends in the war. And by the war, I mean coming to a four-way stop." — Kevin Stroud [06:10]

Game 4: Listener Limerick Challenge

Celine from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, participates in the "Listener Limerick" game, where she completes limericks based on given prompts.

Limericks and Responses:

1. Friendship Scent:

   A sweet signal you send...
   Completed correctly, reflecting on the influence of scent in forming friendships.

2. Woodpecker Destruction:

   If your car's nearby, maybe you should...
   Correctly filled with “checker,” highlighting an ornery woodpecker's impact in Cape Ann, Massachusetts.

3. Germ-Killing Gum:

   Viral infections are dumb...
   Successfully completed by identifying the development of a gum combating flu and herpes.

Celine achieves a perfect score, impressing both the panel and the audience.

Notable Quote:

"Thank you for being a friend." — Bill Curtis [38:11]

Game 5: Lightning Fill in the Blank

The final game, "Lightning Fill in the Blank," challenges panelists to swiftly complete news-related sentences.

Participants:

• Nagin Farsad
• Brian Babylon
• Luke Burbank

Highlights:

• Nagin Farsad: Leads with 12 points after correctly answering:

  • "Marco Rubio Unveiled plans for a massive reorganization of the Blank department."
    Answer: State Department
  • "Long-serving Illinois Senator Blank announced plans to retire Dick Durbin."
    Answer: (The transcript does not provide the exact name, but assuming correct identification.)

• Brian Babylon: Dominates with an impressive 18 points, nailing every question:

  • "Russia launched a new wave of drone attacks on Blank."
    Answer: Ukraine
  • "Nearly half of us teenagers say that blank has a negative effect on their mental health."
    Answer: Social media
  • "Kenyan runner Faith Kipiagon announced she would attempt to become the first woman to break the four-minute blank this summer."
    Answer: Mile

• Luke Burbank: Scrapes by with 16 points, falling just short of Brian’s lead.

Notable Quote:

"It was a lot because I had to, like, tell it like, hey, man, don't tell me any more bs. Like, get on your square, yo." — Brian Babylon [07:00]

Closing and Final Predictions

The episode wraps up with humorous predictions about the next Pope, showcasing the panel's wit and camaraderie.

Predictions:

• Brian Babylon: Suggests "Pope GPT"—a playful nod to artificial intelligence.
• Nagin Farsad: Keeps quiet, hinting at future reveals.
• Luke Burbank: Proposes a rotating cast of Popes, inspired by modern media trends.
• Kevin Stroud: Jokes about Aaron Rodgers assuming the papacy, blending sports and religion humorously.

Notable Quote:

"And if any of that happens, we'll ask you about it on Wait Wait, Don't tell me." — Bill Curtis [50:27]

Behind the Scenes

The episode credits acknowledge the hardworking team behind the podcast, including writers, producers, technical staff, and special mentions to contributors like Doug Berman and Philip Gaedica for their limericks.

Notable Quote:

"Our jolly good fellow is Hannah Anderson." — Karen Chee [50:35]

Conclusion

This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" masterfully blends humor, current events, and celebrity insights, particularly through the engaging participation of Brian Tyree Henry. From entertaining games to insightful interviews, listeners are treated to an enriching experience that balances laughter with news comprehension. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, this episode offers a comprehensive and enjoyable summary of the week's happenings, wrapped in witty banter and engaging storytelling.

Notable Closing Quote:

"I'm Karen Chee filling in for Peter Sagal and will see you next week." — Karen Chee [50:47]

Key Takeaways:

• Brian Tyree Henry's Versatility: Showcased his range from Atlanta to voicing Smokey the Bear.
• Engaging Games: "Who's Bill?", "Bluff the Listener", "BTS Meet BTS", "Listener Limerick", and "Lightning Fill in the Blank" kept the audience entertained.
• Humor and Insight: The panelists provided both laughs and thoughtful commentary on current events.
• Audience Participation: Call-ins and contestant involvement added a dynamic element to the show.

For those who haven't listened, this episode encapsulates the essence of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" — a perfect blend of humor, news, and celebrity interactions that make for an entertaining and informative listen.