Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode: WWDTM: Ibtihaj Muhammad Release Date: June 21, 2025 Host: Peter Sagal Location: Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Illinois

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Peter Sagal warmly welcoming listeners back to another lively edition of NPR's beloved news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Filmed at the picturesque Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Peter sets the stage for a fun-filled hour featuring a mix of humor, current events, and engaging games.

Listener Quiz: Andrew from Vancouver

Timestamp: [01:20]

Peter introduces the first contestant, Andrew from Vancouver, British Columbia. Andrew shares a lighthearted anecdote about potty training his young child, prompting Peter to exchange humorous advice on effective reward systems. This segment highlights the show's signature blend of personal stories and playful banter.

• Andrew: "Well, I have two kids, one of which we're trying to potty train right now."
• Peter Sagal: "What do you use, if anything as a reward for successfully using the potty? We tried stickers. High fives seem to work really well."

Meet the Panelists

Timestamp: [02:51]

Peter introduces the panel for the week:

• Hari Kondabolu: A comedian known for his insightful and often provocative humor.
• Rachel Koster: Gained fame from the hit TikTok show Boy Room.
• Jeff Hiller: A comedian and actor recognized from HBO's Somebody Somewhere and author of Actress of a Certain Age.

News Quiz Game

Timestamp: [03:36]

Bill Curtis, the show's announcer, presents Andrew with three news-related quotes. Andrew successfully identifies two out of three, winning the game.

1. Quote from Venice, Italy: "We can't miss a chance to disrupt a $10 million wedding."

   • Peter Sagal: "That would be Jeff Bezos. Longtime girlfriend Lauren Sanchez is finally going to make an honest man out of him."
   • Andrew's Reaction: Expresses frustration about the grandiosity of Bezos's wedding plans.

2. Quote about a new Trump phone: "We'll deliver long distance calling and all American service."

   • Peter Sagal: "Yes, the Trump phone will cost $500 and features a unique keyboard without lowercase letters."

3. Quote on summer trends: "Get your highlighters ready."

   • Peter Sagal: Jokes about people opting for lectures over typical summer activities like concerts, highlighting a fictional trend of "Lecture on Tap."

• Andrew: "Three days. The wedding's going for three days?"
• Panel Reaction: Rachel Koster: "I can't believe he's getting married. I thought he was anti union."

Result:

• Andrew: Correctly identified two out of three quotes, winning the prize.

Bluff the Listener: Carrie Roberts from Utah

Timestamp: [14:17]

Carrie Roberts from North Ogden, Utah, takes on the game "Bluff the Listener," where panelists present stories, and she must discern the truth from fiction.

1. Story by Hari Kondabolu: Festival attendees at the Download Festival in Leicestershire were warned against wearing smartwatches as mosh pits triggered emergency alerts.
2. Story by Rachel Koster: At Govball, a New York City music festival, bored attendees created improvised basketball hoops, leading to viral videos.
3. Story by Jeff Hiller: The Peanut Music Festival in Texas couldn't afford portable toilets due to inflated costs of biocides, leading to unique attendee strategies.

• Carrie Roberts: Chooses Hari's smartwatch story as the true one.
• Outcome: Hari's story is verified as true, awarding Carrie the prize.

Celebrity Interview: Ibtihaj Muhammad

Timestamp: [20:11]

The highlight of the episode is an in-depth interview with Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first Muslim American woman to win an Olympic medal and a pioneer in saber fencing. Peter delves into her inspiring journey, from starting fencing at age 13 to overcoming challenges as a Muslim athlete wearing a hijab.

• Peter Sagal: "You've said you were inspired to compete early by your older brother who used to challenge you to do things and then beat you all the time. Is that true?"
• Ibtihaj Muhammad: "Growing up in a large family with one brother, competition was natural. My brother's challenges definitely brought out my fierce competitor from an early age."

The conversation touches on her dedication, the importance of representation, and her role as a sports ambassador and best-selling author.

• Ibtihaj Muhammad: "When I started fencing, it just felt like home from the very beginning."

Listener Limerick Challenge: Nina from New Jersey

Timestamp: [38:45]

Nina from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, participates in the Limerick Challenge. She is tasked with filling in missing words from humorous limericks related to current events.

1. Landline Limerick:

   • Limerick: "It's no smartphone, but better than hand signs... so instead we're installing a _______."
   • Answer: "Landline."

2. Sleep Jacket Limerick:

   • Limerick: "Soft sounds from my hood make my REM cycle good... so I nap well with the help of this _______."
   • Answer: "Jacket."

3. Shower Peeing Limerick:

   • Limerick: "In hot drizzle, you rinse for an hour... It's unhealthy to pee in the _______."
   • Answer: "Shower."

• Nina: Successfully completes the challenge by filling in all three missing words.
• Panel Reaction: Celebrates her win with laughter and applause.

Final Game: Lightning Fill in the Blank

Timestamp: [43:58]

The episode culminates with the high-energy "Lightning Fill in the Blank" game, where panelists rush to complete sentences related to the week's news.

• Rachel Koster leads with impressive speed, scoring the highest points.
• Jeff Hiller clinches the victory by answering six questions correctly, earning him the title of the episode's champion.

Notable Examples:

1. Question: "This week, NASA said that a giant asteroid has a chance of hitting the _______ in 2032."

   • Answer: "Moon."

2. Question: "According to a new lawsuit, weight loss drugs like _______ are causing vision loss."

   • Answer: "Ozempic."

3. Question: "This week, a game of disc golf in South Carolina was interrupted when _______ fell from the sky and onto the course."

   • Answer: "A shark."

• Jeff Hiller: Demonstrates quick thinking and accurate responses, securing his win.

Closing Remarks

Peter Sagal wraps up the episode by acknowledging the hard work of the panelists and congratulating Jeff Hiller on his victory. He also teases upcoming live shows in Salt Lake City and Western Massachusetts, encouraging listeners to join in the fun.

• Peter Sagal: "Thank you to Hari Kondavolu, Rachel Koster, and Jeff Hiller. And thanks to all of you for listening. We'll see you next week."

The episode concludes with advertisements and promotional segments, maintaining the show's engaging and entertaining spirit.

Key Takeaways

• Engaging Content: The episode seamlessly blends humor, current events, and personal stories, creating an entertaining and informative experience.
• Dynamic Panel: The diverse panelists bring unique perspectives and comedic flair, enhancing each segment's appeal.
• Inspiring Interview: Ibtihaj Muhammad shares her remarkable journey, serving as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and advocates for representation in sports.
• Interactive Games: Listener participation through quizzes and challenges fosters a sense of community and engagement.

Notable Quotes:

• Ibtihaj Muhammad: "When I started fencing, it just felt like home from the very beginning." [23:24]
• Peter Sagal: "You're one of those cool people who's like standing next to whoever the VIP is and nobody even messes with you because you're so intimidating." [21:45]
• Andrew: "What do you do in that beautiful place?" [01:20]

For more information and to listen to future episodes, visit Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!