Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Delroy Lindo (January 10, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR's Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! continues the show’s unique blend of current events quiz, topical humor, and lively panel discussion. The centerpiece is an interview with acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo, star of the recent film Sinners, alongside regular games and audience participation. Hosted by Peter Sagal, with panelists Joyell Nicole Johnson, Roy Blunt Jr., and Paula Poundstone, the episode delivers an engaging mix of news satire, celebrity insight, and offbeat stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. 29th Anniversary Opener and Introductions

Segment: 00:52–02:39

• Peter Sagal marks the show’s 29th year, humorously acknowledging the struggle to "work out the kinks."
• The listener games begin, with Dan from Minneapolis as the first contestant.
• Panelist introductions are lively and self-deprecating, maintaining the show's signature tone.

2. Week’s News Quiz with Listener “Dan”

Segment: 02:40–10:08

Quotations from the News

Participants identify the source or context of topical quotes.

• Venezuelan Invasion

  • President Trump openly declares an oil-driven invasion of Venezuela.
  • Sagal jokes:

    “…they took the slogan no blood for oil and put a comma in it. No, blood. For oil.” (03:17, Peter Sagal)

  • The CIA’s "McDonald's-style" replica mansion is lampooned:

    “That is so McDonald’s.” (04:27, Paula Poundstone)

• FDA Food Pyramid

  • The FDA recommends red meat and whole milk at the top, flipping the old model.
  • Jokes about the impracticality and reversal of the pyramid:

    “Now it looks less like a food pyramid and more like a food funnel.” (06:40, Peter Sagal) “Leave it up to RFK to recommend a serial killer diet. Cause he looks like he eats raw meat.” (07:13, Joyell Nicole Johnson)

• Boredom as a Trend

  • TikTok influencers encourage “embracing dullness” and boredom.
  • Panelists reflect on the value of boredom for young people:

    “I’m not totally against the idea of particularly younger people being bored sometime.” (09:12, Paula Poundstone) “Now I see why my kids have been trying to hang out with me more.” (09:07, Peter Sagal)

3. Panel News Questions

Segment: 10:16–13:17

• “Sexy Walkers” for Seniors
  University of Colorado engineers design fashionable walkers.
  • “If you really want it to sound sexy, stop calling it a walker and start calling it a polycane.” (11:19, Peter Sagal)
  • “The question is, will seniors be saying to each other, 'let me slip and fall into something more comfortable'?” (11:55, Peter Sagal)

4. Bluff the Listener: Unlikely Heroes

Segment: 14:04–20:43

• Contestant Olivia must spot the real heroic news story:
  • Joyell Nicole Johnson: French kid detective finds a lost competitive hide-and-seeker.
  • Roy Blunt Jr.: Disney stagehand saves the audience from a runaway Indiana Jones stunt boulder.
  • Paula Poundstone: Dogs save a worker from being buried in dog food at a Purina plant.
• Correct answer: Disney World drama—confirmed by Delroy Lindo’s phoned-in comments as Tom De Blas.

  “A 400 pound, like, fake boulder started rolling towards the crowd, and this dude jumped in front of it to save the crowd.” (20:07, Delroy Lindo)

5. Headline Interview: Delroy Lindo

Segment: 20:43–31:01

Career Reflections and Anecdotes

• Lindo discusses iconic roles, the broad range of character recognition, and a formative encounter:

  “You know what I dig about you in the movies, man?...Don’t nobody ever f*** with you in the movies, bro.” (22:09, Delroy Lindo)

• Talks about helping out his mother with his first acting paycheck:

  “The thing that gave me the most joy was to be able to send money to my mom...” (24:01, Delroy Lindo)

Portraying a Musician in "Sinners"

• Lindo credits New Orleans musicians for teaching him musical skills for the role:

  “...three brilliant musicians...worked with me on my relationship to the keyboard…and I also had instruction on the harp, the harmonica.” (25:10, Delroy Lindo)

• Reveals his soccer loyalty:

  “Man U. All day long.” (26:03, Delroy Lindo)

  • Jokes about rooting for both England and the U.S. in the World Cup.

Quiz Segment: “Sinners Meet the Saints”

Lindo answers New Orleans Saints trivia, winning the game:

• Notable question: The Saints’ fans called them the “New Orleans Ain’ts” during hard times.
• Pope Francis is noted for accidentally tagging the team on social media.

6. Limericks, Lightning Round, & Oddball News

Segment: 37:50–48:20

Limerick Challenge:

• Highlights:
  • Lizards play “rock, paper, scissors.”
  • 1930 copyright works (e.g., Nancy Drew, Dick and Jane) enter public domain, sparking slasher parodies.
  • Sunday work trend: People begin work Sunday to banish “Sunday scaries.”

Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank:

• Weird news rapid-fire:
  • Man sues after being filmed cheating in a restaurant TikTok.
  • NASA space crew returns early for health concerns.
  • Stolen mandolins returned with a “sorry, I been drunk” note.
  • Butt fat from dead donors used in Brazilian butt lifts:

    “If you inject my fat into a skinny rich person’s buttocks, I am going to haunt them.” (36:22, Peter Sagal)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On embracing boredom (boredom trend):

  “I do think there is something to being able to think.” (09:18, Paula Poundstone)

• Delroy Lindo on being recognized:

  “Don’t nobody ever f*** with you in the movies, bro.” (22:09, Delroy Lindo retelling a fan encounter)

• Peter Sagal on the food pyramid:

  “Now it looks less like a food pyramid and more like a food funnel.” (06:40, Peter Sagal)

• Panel’s food product predictions (closing):

  • “Pig feet, hog mas and chitlins.” (49:16, Joyell Nicole Johnson)
  • “A variety of meat-flavored M&Ms.” (49:23, Roy Blunt Jr.)
  • “Beef tallow ice cream.” (49:26, Paula Poundstone)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:52 – Show intro, panel introductions
• 02:54 – First listener contestant quiz
• 10:16 – Panel news question: “Sexy Walker”
• 14:04 – Bluff the Listener: Unlikely Heroes
• 20:43 – Delroy Lindo Interview
• 27:32 – Delroy Lindo Quiz: “Sinners Meet the Saints”
• 37:50 – Limerick Challenge
• 42:42 – Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank round
• 49:16 – Panel’s future food predictions

Tone & Language

• Bright, quick-witted dialogue, approachable yet irreverent.
• Insider-y but accessible for all listeners, heavy on banter and topical references.
• Emphasis on camaraderie and the familiar Wait Wait chemistry.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode carries all the hallmarks of Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!—topical satire, a surprisingly informative quiz, and a memorable interview with Delroy Lindo—in prime form. The jokes are sharp, the stories offbeat, and the celebrity guest both warm and insightful. If you missed this week, not only do you get surprisingly useful facts ("the Moylan Arrow" for your gas tank!), you'll leave with a smile and some great lines to share.