Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – GWAR Edition Host: Peter Sagal | Release Date: February 15, 2025 | NPR

Introduction

In the February 15, 2025 episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, hosted by Peter Sagal, NPR brings together a panel of comedic talents and a special guest appearance by the legendary shock metal band GWAR. Filmed at the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia, the episode promises a blend of humor, insightful commentary, and entertaining quizzes that test both the panelists' and listeners' knowledge of current events.

Panel Introduction and Opening Remarks

Peter Sagal opens the show with enthusiasm, introducing the stand-in host Chioki Ianson and welcoming the panelists:

• Adam Burke – A comedian known for his "Shaking With Laughter" cocktail hour comedy show.
• Negin Farsad – Comedian and host of the podcast Fake the Nation.
• Alzo Slade – Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist and host of the Nat Geo show What X Does to You.

Peter shares anecdotes about GWAR, highlighting their Richmond roots and four-decade-long career, setting the stage for an engaging episode.

First Quiz Segment: "Who Said That?"

Chioki Ianson kicks off the first quiz game by reading out three humorous news-related quotations. The panelists must identify or explain two of them to win a prize.

1. Asteroid Threats

   • Quote: “Whoever just started having an affair, God saw you.” [02:25]
   • Discussion: The panel humorously debates NASA's updated 1 in 43 chance of a giant asteroid hitting Earth in 2032, riffing on the uncertainty of its impact location.
   • Notable Quote: Alzo Slade quips, “I think the asteroid needs to chill, bro. Like, we don't have time for this.” [03:57]

2. Elimination of the Penny

   • Quote: “President Donald Trump announced he will be ordering the US treasury to stop minting pennies.” [04:48]
   • Discussion: The panel teases the absurdity of eliminating the only coin of color, with Adam Burke sarcastically noting Trump's dislike for brown faces.
   • Notable Quote: Alzo Slade remarks, “The problem was Lincoln emancipated the enslaved. That's the big deal. And one brown penny, That’s a DEI coin.” [05:14]

3. France's Noise Fine

   • Quote: “A man in France was fined $200 for talking loudly on speakerphone in public.” [06:25]
   • Discussion: The panel mocks the strict public behavior regulations in France, imagining exaggerated scenarios of over-the-top fines.
   • Notable Quote: Alzo Slade jokes, “The people who do the Bluetooth. Like, they're just talking into air.” [07:44]

Result: Listener contestant Nick Fish correctly identifies all three quotes, earning a prize.

Second Quiz Segment: "Bluff the Listener"

In this segment, the panelists present three elaborate stories about how someone saved $1.2 million, with only one being true. The goal is for listeners to guess the authentic tale.

1. Negin Farsad’s Story:

   • False Fact: An oil tycoon builds a backyard water park that leads to personal losses. [15:39]

2. Adam Burke’s Story:

   • True Fact: Beavers in the Czech Republic construct a dam, saving the town $1.2 million by eliminating the need for human-built infrastructure.
   • Notable Quote: Adam humorously praises the beavers, stating, “Beavers save a town in the Czech Republic $1.2 million by building a dam before they could get around to it.” [20:24]

3. Alzo Slade’s Story:

   • False Fact: An IT intern unknowingly cancels company subscriptions, but their accidental strategy saves the company money. [18:14]

Result: Listener Will correctly identifies Adam Burke’s beaver story as the true one, securing a prize.

Guest Appearance: GWAR

The episode takes a thrilling turn with the appearance of members Mike Dirks and Mike Bishop from GWAR, a band renowned for their theatrical shock metal performances and elaborate costumes.

• Origins and Characters:

  • GWAR was formed in 1984 by art students and musicians at Virginia Commonwealth University.
  • Mike Dirks discusses his character evolution from "Beefcake the Mighty" to "Berserker Blothar."
  • Notable Quote: Dirks describes GWAR as “a theatrical shock rock, shock heavy metal band that is very performative on stage.” [21:54]

• Costumes and Performances:

  • Peter Sagal marvels at GWAR’s intricate costumes, comparing them favorably to other bands like Kiss.
  • The band members elaborate on their commitment to maintaining their characters even offstage, emphasizing the separation between their onstage personas and personal lives.

• NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert:

  • Peter references GWAR’s unique Tiny Desk concert where they performed in full regalia, eliciting mixed reactions from NPR staff.
  • Notable Interaction: Mike Bishop humorously recounts the NPR team’s enthusiastic yet frightened response to their appearance. [25:44]

• Connection to Richmond:

  • GWAR members mention their involvement with a local Gwar bar in Richmond, highlighting their continued influence and presence in the community.
  • Notable Quote: Mike Bishop says, “We'll get people in there all the time. I'll be bartending, and people will come up and ask me, like, do the guys in GWAR ever hang out here? Not very often, no.” [26:56]

Result: GWAR members engage in a fun-filled Q&A, discussing their longevity, fan interactions, and unique stage personas, providing listeners with fascinating insights into the band’s enduring appeal.

Final Quiz Segment: "Lightning Fill in the Blank"

In a high-energy finale, the panelists race against the clock to answer as many fill-in-the-blank questions as possible within 60 seconds. Each correct answer earns points towards winning prizes.

1. Negin Farsad’s Round:

   • Topics range from political negotiations to natural disasters.
   • Notable Answer: Negin correctly fills in "Ukraine" and "Super Bowl" among others, leading her to secure the lead with 12 points.

2. Adam Burke’s Round:

   • Rapid-fire questions touch on economics, international affairs, and pop culture.
   • Notable Answer: Adam quickly identifies "The Kennedy Center" and "Westminster Dog Show," boosting his score to 15 points.

3. Alzo Slade’s Round:

   • Focuses on technology mishaps and quirky news stories.
   • Notable Answer: Alzo nails answers like “Gaza” and “Fatberg,” ultimately winning the segment with 17 points.

Result: Alzo Slade emerges as the week’s quiz champion, earning accolades and a prize for his swift and accurate responses.

Listener Interaction and Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with a forward look to future segments, including a "Listener Limerick Challenge" encouraging audience participation. Peter Sagal also teases an upcoming bonus episode where he will become the questioner, inviting listeners to submit their queries.

As the show concludes, viewers are reminded of the dedicated production team and contributors who make each episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! a vibrant and entertaining experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Alzo Slade: “The asteroid needs to chill, bro. Like, we don't have time for this.” [03:57]
• Alzo Slade: “The problem was Lincoln emancipated the enslaved. That's the big deal. And one brown penny, that’s a DEI coin.” [05:14]
• Negin Farsad: “Nature conservation can be a slow process, what with the red tape, bureaucracy, and complaints from trees that never consented to being hugged in the first place.” [17:01]
• Mike Dirks (GWAR): “We are satirical, funny, theatrical show that involves a lot of costuming and set pieces and phony executions and, oh, that old saw.” [21:54]
• Chiochi Ianson: “Nick the fish got all three right.” [08:58]
• Alzo Slade: “I'm just so boring.” [42:30]

Conclusion

The Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – GWAR Edition successfully blends humor, current events, and musical flair, providing listeners with an engaging and entertaining experience. From witty banter and insightful commentary to the electrifying presence of GWAR, this episode exemplifies why NPR’s news quiz remains a staple for those seeking both laughter and knowledge.

About GWAR

Formed in 1984, GWAR is renowned for their over-the-top costumes, satirical performances, and elaborate stage shows that combine elements of shock rock and heavy metal. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, GWAR has maintained a dedicated fan base for over four decades, continually pushing the boundaries of theatrical music performances.

Stay Connected

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