Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Chris Perfetti Released: June 14, 2025
NPR’s beloved weekly news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, returned with a lively episode hosted by Nagin Farsad, filling in for Peter Sagal during his extended Father's Day break. This episode, recorded at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, featured a special guest appearance by Chris Perfetti of Abbott Elementary, alongside regular panelists Luke Burbank, Joelle Nicole Johnson, and Alonzo Bowden. The show was filled with humor, engaging games, and insightful discussions on current events.
Introduction and Setup
The episode kicked off with Nagin Farsad welcoming listeners and introducing the panelists:
- Luke Burbank: Host of the daily podcast TBTL and public radio variety show Livewire.
- Joelle Nicole Johnson: A comedian set to headline at the DC Improv.
- Alonzo Bowden: A comedian performing at venues like Blue Note Jazz Club in Hawaii and Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank.
Game Segment: “Who’s Bill”
The first game featured a listener contestant, Christian from Portland, Maine, who worked as a meteorologist. Hosted by Nagin, the game involved identifying real quotes from fictional ones presented by Bill Curtis.
Notable Quote:
- Bill Curtis [03:01]: "There will be 28 Abrams tanks, 6,700 soldiers, 50 helicopters, 34 horses, two mules, and a dog."
Christian correctly identified this quote as pertaining to Trump’s planned military parade celebrating both his birthday and the Army’s 250th anniversary. The panel humorously critiqued the logistics and necessity of such a parade, with Alonzo Bowden remarking, “What are you doing? Why are you out there? You one of them now? That poor dog.” (03:56)
Second Quote:
- Bill Curtis [05:31]: "Even athletes, the most virtuously healthy of celebrities are involved."
Christian correctly answered that this referred to the resurgence of smoking among celebrities, highlighting its ironic comeback through media and performances. Joelle added her disdain for smoking depictions, joking, “I hate having something in common with a wannabe dictator.” (04:28)
Discussion Highlights
The panel delved into the implications of celebrities smoking and the commercialization of health trends. They joked about the absurdity of calculating concert value based on the price per song, with Joelle quipping about the return of candy cigarettes, “I just saw Grace Jones… worth every penny.” (07:30)
Game Segment: "Bluff the Listener"
The second game involved Devin from Tucson, Arizona, a high school English teacher, who participated in "Bluff the Listener" by determining which of three romanticized “how they met” stories was real.
Option Highlights:
- Alonzo’s Story: A Vespa-riding woman wins a motorcycle competition at Sturgis and meets Peter, a Harley rider. (15:19)
- Joelle’s Story: Daniella attends multiple funerals to catch the attention of a handsome funeral director named Apollo. (16:23)
- Luke’s Story: An Earth-based chef falls in love with a cosmonaut through food requests for the International Space Station. (17:37)
Devin chose Alonzo’s Vespa story but the real story was Joelle’s account of the persistent Daniella, as reported by Ashley Fike from Vice. This segment highlighted the humorous and quirky nature of love stories.
Guest Segment: Chris Perfetti
Chris Perfetti, known for his role as Jacob Hill on Abbott Elementary, joined the panel to play games and discuss his work. Nagin and Chris shared anecdotes about their time as baristas, leading to lighthearted banter about coffee orders and performance nerves.
Notable Interaction:
- Nagin Farsad [21:15]: "Did you intentionally screw up names on the cup?"
- Chris Perfetti [22:06]: "I was not trusted with the customers. They learned very early to put me at the bar to make the drinks."
The conversation shifted to Abbott Elementary, where Chris discussed the blurred lines between his personal life and his character, leading to laughs about maintaining professional boundaries. He revealed insights into his relationship with Quinta (quirkily referred to in the transcript), emphasizing the creative freedom in portraying his character.
Game Segment: “Not My Job” with Abbott Edition
In a playful twist, Chris was quizzed on “Abbott Elementary” related questions, successfully answering all three questions about monastic traditions and pop culture impacts. His flawless performance underscored his quick wit and depth of knowledge, earning him accolades from the panel.
News Round and Final Games
The episode continued with discussions on:
- Self-Driving Cars: The impact on traditional family road trips, with Luke reminiscing, “We didn't have a lot of money, so when we actually went on a trip, it was always a road trip in an old Ford van.” (33:07)
- Wedding Etiquette: Joelle humorously critiqued the recommended ways to leave a wedding early, favoring blunt honesty over fabricated excuses.
Lightning Fill in the Blank:
- Luke Burbank and Joelle Nicole Johnson competed fiercely, correctly filling in phrases like “immigration ICE” and “Brian Wilson” from provided contexts. Joelle ultimately triumphed, securing her position as the episode’s winner.
Closing Remarks
The show concluded with light-hearted predictions about future parades, a nod to the dedication of the production crew, and teasers for upcoming live shows in Salt Lake City and Western Massachusetts. Nagin Farsad thanked Chris Perfetti and the panelists, ending the episode on a high and humorous note.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Alonzo Bowden [03:56]: “What are you doing? Why are you out there? You one of them now? That poor dog.”
- Joelle Nicole Johnson [04:28]: “I hate having something in common with a wannabe dictator.”
- Joelle Nicole Johnson [07:30]: “I just saw Grace Jones… worth every penny.”
- Chris Perfetti [22:06]: “I was not trusted with the customers. They learned very early to put me at the bar to make the drinks.”
- Luke Burbank [33:07]: “What else could have been the answer? Big family make out sessions.”
Conclusion
This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! delivered its signature blend of humor, current events, and engaging interactions. Chris Perfetti’s presence added a fresh dynamic, bridging the worlds of comedy and acting with ease. The panelists showcased their quick wit and camaraderie, making this episode both entertaining and insightful for listeners.