WWDTM: James Gunn

Summary

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Summary: Featuring James Gunn
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Guests: James Gunn, Adam Burke, Bobcat Goldthwait, Paula Poundstone
Location: Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Illinois

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1. Introduction and Opening Remarks

The episode kicks off with host Peter Sagal addressing current events, notably the controversial Congressional decision to defund public broadcasting. Expressing disappointment that "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" wasn’t specifically mentioned in the debates, Sagal humorously urges listeners to support the show by calling the provided number.

Notable Quote:

"We have been unworthy of public support for more than a quarter century. We want recognition."
– Peter Sagal [00:49]

2. Listener Engagement – News Quotes Contest

The first segment involves a listener contest where Bill Curtis reads three news-related quotes. Contestants must identify or explain two out of the three to win a prize.

• First Quote:
  "When I saw the news about coffee, I thought maybe this is Yaupon's Mummet in the Sun."
  Explored the rise of Yaupon as a coffee alternative due to tariffs increasing coffee prices.

Notable Interaction:

Bobcat Goldthwait: "I'm envious of coffee drinkers. I've never been a coffee drinker."
– Bobcat Goldthwait [04:17]

• Second Quote:
  "People love as many of them as possible. If space were no issue, we'd add another couple in the center console."
  Discussed the surprising prominence of cup holders in modern car design.

• Third Quote:
  "I'm a grown man to go by myself, people are gonna look at me a little weird."
  Highlighted the launch of "Chuck's Arcade," an adult-themed extension of the familiar Chuck E. Cheese chain.

Listener Pat successfully identified all three quotes, winning the prize.

3. "Bluff the Listener" Game: Secrets of the Bard

In this game, listener Timothy from Cocoa Beach challenges the panelists to identify true or fabricated "secrets" about William Shakespeare.

• Adam Burke: Suggested Shakespeare was a cannabis enthusiast, referencing supposed evidence like cannabis residue in pipe fragments.
• Paula Poundstone: Claimed Shakespeare originally wrote "Hamlet" as a musical with songs like "To be or not to be."
• Bobcat Goldthwait: Proposed Shakespeare invented modern drag competitions to cast female roles in his plays.

The correct answer was Adam’s theory about Shakespeare and cannabis, earning Pat a point.

Notable Quote:

"Shakespeare was a pothead."
– James Gunn [16:45]

4. Interview with James Gunn

James Gunn, renowned writer and director known for "Guardians of the Galaxy" and the new "Superman" film, joins the show for an engaging conversation.

Highlights:

• Early Creativity:
  Gunn reminisces about creating bloody stop-motion animations with his brothers as a child.
  "There was a theme."
  – James Gunn [22:15]

• Handling Fame:
  Gunn discusses his experiences at Comic-Con and his approach to managing fan interactions, emphasizing empathy and understanding from his own youth.
  "I try to be as present as possible with those people while that's happening."
  – James Gunn [24:08]

• "Superman" Insights:
  The conversation delves into the lighthearted and whimsical elements of Gunn's "Superman," including the introduction of Krypto the Superdog.
  "He's a maniac."
  – James Gunn on Krypto [26:40]

• Humor and Creativity:
  Gunn shares humorous anecdotes about his CGI dog, Ozu, and the unexpected surge in dog adoptions linked to the film.

Notable Quote:

"He just softly moves to the other side of the table."
– James Gunn on Ozu [26:22]

During a game segment titled "Meet the T-Shirt Gunn," Gunn correctly answers trivia about the quirky history of T-shirt guns, showcasing his quick wit and knowledge.

5. Listener Limerick Challenge with Andrew Kissack

Listener Andrew from Pittsburgh participates in a limerick challenge, completing rhyming ends to humorous verses about modern trends like witchcraft on Etsy and minimalist "monk mode" lifestyles.

Notable Quote:

"It's toxic to always be happy."
– Peter Sagal on Toxic Positivity [43:15]

6. "Lightning Fill in the Blank" Game

The final game involves rapid-fire fill-in-the-blank questions covering various news topics. Panelists demonstrate their quick thinking:

• Bobcat Goldthwait:
  Answered numerous blanks correctly, including identifying Elon Musk in a political context and recognizing Los Angeles as the location of Yellowstone’s new geological formation.

• Paula Poundstone:
  Filled in blanks related to celebrity news and quirky events, maintaining a strong performance throughout.

• Adam Burke:
  Emerges victorious by leading the quiz with the highest score, demonstrating sharp recall of current events.

Notable Quote:

"He has the luck of the Irish."
– Bill Curtis on Adam Burke’s Performance [50:02]

7. Closing Remarks and Future Predictions

In the closing segment, panelists humorously speculate on future waking aids post-caffeine and Yaupon, ranging from existential dread to "Infused carnation instant breakfast."

Notable Quote:

"Adam Burke, just good old fashioned existential."
– Bobcat Goldthwait [51:11]

Peter Sagal wraps up the show by thanking the guests and panelists, highlighting the production team, and acknowledging the studio audience, ensuring listeners are left with a mix of laughter and thoughtful commentary.

---

Conclusion

This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" seamlessly blends humor, insightful discussions, and engaging games, all while spotlighting the creative prowess of guest James Gunn. From quirky coffee alternatives to the intricate humor surrounding public figures and pop culture, the show offers a rich tapestry of content that entertains and informs, making it a must-listen for both regular fans and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Amazon Pharmacy]

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[Bill Curtis]

From NPR and WPEZ Chicago, this is. Wait, wait, don't tell me. The NPR News quiz. For now, I hope you've got treads on those boots because my voice is so smooth you might slip. I'm Bill Curtis, and here is your host at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. Thank you, everybody. We have such a good show lined up for you today. Later on, writer and director James Gunn will be joining us to talk about his new movie. You might have heard of it, Superman. But first, you may have heard that this week Congress voted to take back all of the funding for public broadcasting. And that is bad. That is bad. I'm going to admit it. Not good. But what I found personally upsetting was that in all of the debates, all the condemnations of NPR and why it had to be defunded, this show was never mentioned once. We have been unworthy of public support for more than a quarter century. We want recognition. So I guess we'll just have to try harder to bother them. And we're going to need your help. The number to call is 1-88-wait, wait. That's 1-888-924-89-2,4. Let's welcome our first listener. Contestant, how you run? Wait, wait, don't tell me.

[Bill Curtis]

Hi, this is Pat from Rochester, New York.

[Peter Sagal]

Hey, Rochester is a great place. We've been there. What do you do there? I'm a computer programmer that's training to be a rock and roll clown. What? Wait a minute.

[Adam Burke]

Story is old as time.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, I know. What differentiates a rock and roll clown from your normal, everyday, terrifying clown? Probably just the leather pants. Really? That's it? You just take clown, leather pants? Rock and roll. Great. All right. Well, Patrick, welcome to the show. Let me introduce you to our panel this week. First, he's the comedian who will be at CG's Comedy Club in Bolingbrook, Illinois, August 22nd and the 23rd, it's Adam Burke.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Hi, Pat.

[Bill Curtis]

Hi, Adam.

[Peter Sagal]

Next, he's a comedian you can hear on his latest album, Soldier for Christ, it's Bobcat Goldthwait. Hey, Bobcat.

[Adam Burke]

Hey.

[Peter Sagal]

And she's a comedian you can see at the North Shore Cent for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois, on September 27th and she's the host of the weekly podcast Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. It's Paula Poundstone.

[Paula Poundstone]

Hey, Pat.

[Peter Sagal]

Hey, Paula. So you're gonna play who's Bill this time? Bill Curtis is gonna read you three quotations from this week's news. If you can correctly identify or explain two of them, you will win our prize. Any voice from our show you might choose for your voicemail. You ready to go? Yeah. All right, here is your first quote.

[Bill Curtis]

When I saw the news about coffee, I thought maybe this is Yaupon's Mummet in the Sun.

[Peter Sagal]

That was anthropologist Christine Foulch. He was talking about how we might all be drinking something called Yaupon soon. Now, that coffee will be so very expensive. Due to what? Tariffs? Yes, tariffs. Because of massive tariffs on Brazil and some other countries, the price of coffee is expected to skyrocket. So people are looking for alternatives to get their caffeine. So it is time for North America's only caffeinated plant, Yaupon. Now, people who love this stuff say that Yaupon is a great caffeine alternative for us to use as soon as we run out of our coffee. Our Tea, Mountain Dew, Red Bull, and whatever that lemonade is that's killing people at Panera.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

I'm envious of coffee drinkers. I've never been a coffee drinker.

[Peter Sagal]

Really? Yeah. I don't know.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, my God.

[Bill Curtis]

Yeah.

[Adam Burke]

I'm going to have to start drinking Yaupon.

[Peter Sagal]

Yaupon is what it's called.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, my God. I'll get the merch going. Don't speak to me till I had my Yaupon.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[Peter Sagal]

So President Trump said he is imposing tariffs on all these countries to bring manufacturing back to the US but we can't make coffee here. Right? But we do have Yaupons. Been here forever. In the south, they actually call it Carolina Tea, which is scary because whenever a food has this cute regional nickname, it always ends up being testicles.

[Paula Poundstone]

Why? What product had a cute name before?

[Peter Sagal]

Rocky Mountain Oysters.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, is that.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes.

[Paula Poundstone]

Really?

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

And who's. I mean, I. I know a guy named Rocky Mountain Mike, but he only had one set.

[Peter Sagal]

It's not Rocky Mountain's oysters. It's a place.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Isn't that funny that Rocky Mountain oysters are testicles, and they're still disgusting than regular oyster.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, very good, Patrick. Here is your next quote.

[Bill Curtis]

People love as many of them as possible. If space were no issue, we'd add another couple in the center console.

[Peter Sagal]

That was an engineer at Nissan talking about how all customers want out of their car these days is more. What could it be?

[James Gunn]

Cup holders.

[Peter Sagal]

It is cup holders.

[Bill Curtis]

Good for you.

[Peter Sagal]

According to a survey of 100,000 new car buyers released this week, the number one issue these car buyers care about is cup holders. They get angry when there aren't enough of them or the ones that are there that are not big enough. Which is a challenge now that the most popular Stanley cup size is the oil drum. One psychologist and marketing consultant explained that cup holders, believe it or not, add to our sense of safety in the car. She said, and this is a real quote. What was the key element of safety when you were a child? It was that your mother fed you and that there was warm liquid, unquote.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, true.

[Peter Sagal]

So she says, you're high up your big SUV with your warm drink in your cup holder. You're reliving the comfort of being held by your mommy as an infant.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know, every psychologist is not good. But here's something that apparently car manufacturers aren't realizing.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

Which is you can go to Pep Boys and get a beverage caddy, as it's properly called, that just clips on the door, really, so you don't have to buy a whole car. I don't have those. What are they called? The things that you put like on a piece of furniture?

[Peter Sagal]

Coasters.

[Paula Poundstone]

I don't have coasters. But if I have guests over and I serve them drinks and they're looking for someplace, you know, I say, here are my keys to the car.

[Peter Sagal]

Right?

[Paula Poundstone]

And they just go out and suck it down in the car.

[Peter Sagal]

You don't park like a Toyota Camry near every seating area. So they just.

[Paula Poundstone]

No, exactly. Yeah.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Also the fact that cars have like 17 cup holders in them and you're not allowed to drink and drive, doesn't that feel like entrapment a little bit?

[Peter Sagal]

Patrick, here is your last quote.

[Bill Curtis]

I'm a grown man to go by myself, people are gonna look at me a little weird.

[Peter Sagal]

That was a man in Georgia explaining why he, like a lot of others, is excited to visit a new adult version of what well known chain of children's video game arcades.

[Bill Curtis]

Oh, I think we have one coming. It's Chuck E. Cheese.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. Chuck E. Cheese. That's right. Chuck E. Cheese, the chain that has made a generation of parents open their kids birthday party invitations and whisper, oh, no. Has announced and started to open a new chain of arcades for adults called Chuck's Arcade. Chuck's Arcade, for those who are excited, will have all the classic video games. It's a nostalgia project. It'll have the classic video Games like Ms. Pac man and Mortal Kombat. But some of those games have not aged well. For example, Super Mario lost his plumbing job thanks to a Me a too scandal.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Are they gonna have the animatronic band?

[Peter Sagal]

No, they're not going to the animatronic band. And here's.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, wow.

[Peter Sagal]

People, people, people. Excuse me. People have to text their friends and say, those plans I just made with you were canceled. Not only are they not gonna have the animatronic band, they're not even gonna serve alcohol. I know. What are they thinking?

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Because a big part of Chuck E. Cheese is like, getting the tickets, Right?

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

And the only way you can get tickets as an adult is, like, you know, speeding and.

[Amazon Pharmacy]

Right.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

Gosh, wouldn't it be great if you could turn those tickets in? Like when you got enough speeding tickets?

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

You could get, like a stuffed animal.

[Peter Sagal]

That'd be fabulous. Bill, how did Patrick do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Patrick is terrific. He got three in a row.

[Peter Sagal]

Congratulations, Patrick. Thanks, everyone. Thank you, Patrick. Thanks, everyone. Bye, bye.

[Bill Curtis]

Bye.

[Peter Sagal]

Right now, panel, it is time for you to answer some questions about this week's news. Adam, an interesting thing happened at a Coldplay concert this week. Oh, you've heard of this?

[Adam Burke]

I think they were questioning something interesting happened at a Coldplay concert.

[Peter Sagal]

Can't be. So Coldplay has been putting up this big screen for basically a kiss cam to show, you know, romance happening in their crowd. And one couple saw themselves up on the screen and quickly dove as quickly as they could off camera. And looking at this, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin said, well, either they're having an affair or they're just shy. So, Adam, were they having an affair or were they just shy?

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

I'll take door number one.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, they were having an affair. The gentleman is the CEO of a pretty well known software company. She is the HR manager there. And they are both, of course, married to other people. Well, they both, as of showtime, are married to other people. And if you haven't seen it, you should. It's incredible. All of a sudden the camera is on them. They're projected onto this enormous screen. They're embracing, right? They see they're on the screen, they instantly separate. And he drops directly downwards out of the frame like he's standing on top of a special. You just got caught cheating. Trapdoor, boom, gone.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Isn't he the CEO of a company? And aren't they called, like, astrologies?

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, they're called astrologies. Yeah.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

He should have seen that coming.

[Peter Sagal]

After this footage blew up online. Coldplay this is true. Tweeted. Starting with our next show, we're introducing camera free sections for for people and their side pieces. Which is funny. Which is funny. But you know, there's like a tragedy here. Imagine you've been married for years. Your husband tells you, oh, they're working late and the next day you find out they like cold. Well, you call him red handed. No, it's not way handed. Coming up, our panelists ask to bluff or not to bluff in our bluff the listener game called one triple eight. Wait, wait to play. We'll be back in a minute with more of Wait Wait, don't tell me from NPR. Support for NPR and the following message come from GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save money and better manage your health this summer. GoodRx GoodRx lets you compare prescription prices at over 70,000 pharmacies and instantly find free coupons. You can find big savings at the pharmacy for the whole family pets too. GoodRx is not insurance, but may beat your copay. If you do have insurance save at the pharmacy this summer, go to goodrx.com wait support for this podcast and the following message come from Mint Mobile. Summer is just around the corner. You may break a sweat, but don't break the bank. Get your summer savings at Mint Mobile. Shop premium wireless plants for for just $15 a [e-mail] wait upfront payment of $45 for a 3 month 5 gigabyte plan required new customer offer for first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.

[Amazon Pharmacy]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Capella University. Sometimes it takes a different approach to pursue your goals. Capella is an online university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. That means you can earn your degree from wherever you are and be confident your education is relevant, recognized and respected. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more about earning a relevant [e-mail].

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[Bill Curtis]

From npr on WBEC Chicago. This is Wait, wait, don't tell me the NPR News Quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We're playing this week with Bobcat Goldthwaite, Adam Burke and Paula Pound Stone. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater In Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. Right now it's time for the. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Bluff the lips listener game. Call 188. Wait, wait. To play our game in the air, or if you prefer, check out the pinned post on our Instagram page that's atweightnpr. Hi. You're on. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Hi, Peter. This is Tim from Cocoa Beach, Florida. Cocoa Beach, Florida. There on the space coast, Right. What do you do there? Oh, yeah, you bet.

[James Gunn]

I'm a plumber.

[Paula Poundstone]

All right.

[Peter Sagal]

You'll always have work. That's great. Oh, yeah.

[Bill Curtis]

Lay a lot of pipe.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, you randy little goat, you.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, that one before, haven't you, sir? I've been practicing. I bet. Well, Timothy, welcome to the show. You're going to play our game in which you have to tell truth from fiction. Bill, what's Timothy's topic?

[Bill Curtis]

Secrets of the bard.

[Peter Sagal]

Little is known about the real William Shakespeare. Was he a pseudonym for another more well known writer? A group of different writers, Just a room full of monkeys with typewriters. This week we heard about a recently discovered secret of this elusive genius. Our panel is going to tell you about it. Pick the one who's telling youg truth. You'll win the weight waiter of your choice on your voicemail. You ready to play?

[Adam Burke]

Yes, sir.

[Peter Sagal]

All right. First, let's hear from Adam Burke.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Something we've all guessed without needing it confirmed. England's greatest playwright, William Shakespeare was fond of smoking weed. In a book to be published this year, author Sam Kelly examines the evidence, such as cannabis residue found in pipe fragments from his garden. That, and if you add the words like or man to any of the soliloquies, they sound like a deadhead. Three edibles in to be or like not to be, all the world's like a stage man. It would also explain why he thought his comedies were funny. Plus, half the things he's written sound like a leaf barista recommending some dank kush down at ye olde William hempt dispensary. We've got some flower, AKA a rose by other name, AKA darling buds of may. Before offering you a hit, a most palpable hit from a huge antique bong called Titus Anchronicus.

[Peter Sagal]

Shakespeare was a pothead. Your next suspicious sonnet comes from Paula Poundstone.

[Paula Poundstone]

In one of his father's Henley street homes in Stratford on Avon, amateur Shakespeare historian Susan Winter made an amazing discovery of a musical version of Hamlet, including songs such as to be or not to be. That is the question whether tis nobler, nobler, nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of big bad trouble and brave brevity. Brevity, brevity, brevity, I said. Brevity is the soul of wit. He was so far ahead of his time, says Winter, the song with the lips. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy. Was to be sung by the whole cast in a conga line. Lysol has already tried to get the rights to. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Pui, pui, pui, pui.

[Peter Sagal]

Hamlet, originally a musical. After the discovery of the score, your last who knows? Prose comes from Bobcat Goldthwaite, Shakespeare, the.

[Adam Burke]

Father of RuPaul's Drag Race. William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. But did you know that he is also credited as putting the drag in Dragon? Yes, Shakespeare invented the modern drag competition. In the 1500s, women were not allowed on stage. Men played the female rose. So Shakespeare decided to hold his casting calls for these female parts in front of the general public at the old Globe Theatre, which was then known simply as the Globe Theater. The audience loved watching the medieval queens battling it out. The competition for the roles was so popular that soon many new queens flooded the kingdom looking for their place to shine and sparkle. The competitions were even more popular than the plays, and they soon began charging admission. So remember, the next time you're watching your favorite drag queen or kings compete on television, you can thank the Bard, because before Kim Chee could sashay, lady Robin Graves was battling it out to play Lady Macbeth.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, which of these is a true or at least plausible discovery about Shakespeare? Was it from Adam Burke that his muse was some dank weed from Paula Poundstone that Hamlet was originally written as a musical? Or from Bobcat Goldthwait that in order to find the best players, male players, for his female roles, he invented the drag queen competition. Which of these is the real story about Shakespeare that we found in the week's news? Oh, these are outrageous. I guess I'm gonna say a. Okay, you're gonna pick a. Adam's story about Shakespeare being into the weed. Well, to bring you the real story, we spoke to someone who is an authority on it. It makes complete sense that Shakespeare would have smoked weed. Yes, that was Cassidy Cash, host of that Shakespeare life, agreeing that Shakespeare probably got stoned. Congratulations, Timothy. You got it right. Thank you so much.

[Bill Curtis]

You earned a point.

[Peter Sagal]

For Adam, you've won our prize, the voice of your choice on your voicemail. Congratulations and thanks so much for playing with us today. Thanks, Peter. Great time. Bye. Bye. And now, the game we call not my job. Writer and director James Gunn is known for turning obscure comic book characters into blockbuster movies and shows like the Guardians of the Galaxy and. And my personal favorite, Peacemaker. He is now the co head of DC Studios, and his new film introduces the world to his most obscure character yet, a guy named Superman. James Gunn. Welcome to. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Thank you. I was excited and a little intimidated to discover that you and I are about the same age and that you, like me, grew up in the suburbs and you, like me, loved comic books and zombie movies and action movies and stuff like that. Right?

[Bill Curtis]

That is.

[James Gunn]

That is everything. I grew up with comic books, you know, punk rock music and zombie movies. Yeah, all the things I love.

[Peter Sagal]

Punk rock. Right. So if I hadn't chose Broadway musicals instead, perhaps I'd be successful.

[James Gunn]

Yeah. That's the only difference.

[Peter Sagal]

When did you start making your own thing? Your own comics and films?

[James Gunn]

I started writing and drawing my own comics probably when I was nine years old, and then started making movies with my brothers at about 11 or 12 years old.

[Peter Sagal]

And what were some of those first movies, do you remember? Do you have them?

[James Gunn]

I do. I have some of them. There's one with Playmobil figures that I stop motion animated, but it was very bloody, so they're just, you know, cutting each other up and getting bloody. Then I had another one in which it was a zombie movie in which one of my brothers became a zombie and ate the other one that was also very bloody. And then I had another one where one brother killed another brother. That was. That was very. There was a theme.

[Adam Burke]

And the folks didn't take you to therapy?

[Peter Sagal]

I'm noticing a theme here. Yeah, yeah. Did your brothers ever complain? Like, James, we know you're the creative genius in the family, but could we do something other than kill each other, or were they into it?

[James Gunn]

My one brother has a ketchup phobia. I won't say who's. But this is true.

[Bill Curtis]

He has.

[James Gunn]

He cannot be around ketchup because I made him lie on the cold floor in cold ketchup for too long. And if he's around ketchup, he freaks out.

[Peter Sagal]

Really?

[James Gunn]

Yeah. That's 100% true.

[Peter Sagal]

So he goes to a diner and they bring him his burger, and somebody puts the bottle of ketchup on the table and he's like, Ah, yes, yes.

[James Gunn]

He just softly moves to the other side of the table.

[Peter Sagal]

Were you when you were growing up and you were a comic book nerd and a film nerd, were you the kind of kid who. Who would, like, write angry letters to movie directors about how they got some little detail wrong?

[James Gunn]

No, no. I was the kind of kid that used to write to the comic book writers and artists and tell them how much I like their work, and sometimes they wrote me back, which is pretty cool. I still have letters from the comic book artist wrote me back as a kid, like John Romita.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, wow. You realize that you are that figure now to a generation of young people, like James Gunn, the guy who did Guardians of the Galaxy. And you must have that experience a lot, right? Like at Comic Con or that type of things, Guys coming up to you and shivering and shaking with excitement.

[James Gunn]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, that happens.

[Peter Sagal]

And I'm.

[James Gunn]

You know. But I think. Because I know what it was like meeting Stanley or people I looked up to when I was a kid, you know, I try to be as present as possible with those people while that's happening.

[Peter Sagal]

You do seem good at dealing, and this has been overwhelming for some other people, but you do seem really good with, like, dealing with people on social media. You have managed to make these movies and not, like, piss off the fandom. They still love you. Is there a secret to it?

[James Gunn]

No, I think that the secret is I pissed off plenty of people. I just don't care that much.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, that also helps.

[James Gunn]

It doesn't bother me.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, I want to talk about Superman, which I loved, as I have loved pretty much everything else you've done that I seen. I have this theory why it's so good, and that's because you take the emotions of all these characters really seriously. But you're not afraid of admitting that, like, superheroes can be really silly. So, for example, your new movie, Superman, starts immediately. Superman falls in the sky, hits the ground, and we see right away that the underwear is back on the outside.

[Bill Curtis]

Yeah.

[Peter Sagal]

Okay.

[Adam Burke]

I was so excited. I love the bottoms. I love his bottom, his trunks. It leaves something to the imagination. Yeah, Superman's wholesome. I don't want to see his junk.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. And so. And then the next thing that happens is he falls to the ground and he's rescued by Krypto the Superdog, who is this fabulous mutt who is wearing a red Superman cape. And you're like, okay, one thing I know about this Superman movie, there will be no brooding.

[James Gunn]

I mean, listen, I love. I love I love all of that crazy stuff that was in the comic books that I grew up with. Flying dogs and giant monsters and robots and sorcery, and that's just part of the fun of it all for me.

[Peter Sagal]

I want to ask about the dog. Everybody loves the dog. The dog is a CGI creation that's based on your own dog, your rescue dog, Ozu. Right?

[James Gunn]

Ozu. That's right.

[Bill Curtis]

Yes.

[Peter Sagal]

And so does Ozu know that he is now an international movie star?

[James Gunn]

Ozu doesn't know anything. He barely knows where he was two seconds ago. Even for a dog, he's not very smart, but he's very.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Are you asking?

[James Gunn]

If so, he also. He attacks himself every time he sees himself.

[Adam Burke]

No.

[Peter Sagal]

Really? Yeah.

[Adam Burke]

He hates crypto.

[James Gunn]

He hates crypto. Every time crypto's on screen, he attacks the screen.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, wow.

[James Gunn]

He's a maniac. But I will say the one thing that's really been cool is last week, interest in adopting dogs went up over 500%.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes, I saw that.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[James Gunn]

The rescue dog, he was from a terrible situation. He was in a hoarding situation, and now he's, you know, such a loving and lovely pet.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know, I wouldn't get too carried away with this idea that people are adopting dogs because they like the dog in them. Wait till they find out that their dogs won't wear a cape.

[Peter Sagal]

We're having too much fun. But we have work to do. James Gunn, it is such a joy to talk to you, and we have asked you here to play a game.

[Bill Curtis]

We'Re calling James Gunn Meet the T Shirt Gunn.

[Peter Sagal]

Superman. Classically faster than a speeding bullet, but can you be faster than a speeding T shirt shot from a gun? Answer two to three questions about T shirt guns correctly, you'll win our prize. For one of our listeners, Bill, who is James Gunn playing for?

[Bill Curtis]

Ava Lewis of San Diego, California.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, you ready for this?

[James Gunn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, yeah. He's ready. Here's your first question. The technology behind T shirt guns as we know them was developed during World War II as a way to fire grenades. But it wasn't until what happened that the inventors realized that this pneumatic gun had other applications. A, one of the scientists was trying to pack efficiently for a trip and stuffed his socks in the barrel of the gun. B, the inventors forgot to bring grenades when it was time to demonstrate the weapon and they had to improvise with beer bottles and potatoes. Or C, one inventor went to clown college and later retooled all his wartime ideas for use in his Actual.

[James Gunn]

Oh, good gosh. Okay, so I don't think it's three. So it's either A or B, right? I'm gonna. I'm gonna go B.

[Peter Sagal]

You're go B. And you're right. You're right, James. The. They realized they didn't have any grenades. We had to demonstrate it for the hires up. And they found out it was just the perfect size to launch bottles and potatoes very fast and very far. In fact, it was so successful, they even used to shoot potatoes at actual planes in wartime.

[Paula Poundstone]

Boy, how humiliating would it be to be brought down by a potato.

[Peter Sagal]

It's true.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

All right, let's leave the Irish army out of this.

[Peter Sagal]

Here's your next question. That's very good. The modern day T shirt gum was developed by a college mascot, and it's been spread around the world. But not all mascots were equally good at using it. Like, for example, Chip, the mascot of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Who once did what? A, launched a T shirt that went into the marching band's tuba and got stuck so tightly that eventually they had to cut the tuba with a hacksaw to get it out. B, rolled up the shirts so badly that they only flew three feet before opening up and fluttering to the ground. Or C, accidentally held the T shirt gun backwards and launched a shirt directly into his own crotch.

[James Gunn]

So it is Boulder. I think it could be any of those three things. Yeah, I'm gonna go with C. You're right again.

[Peter Sagal]

And yes, you can watch it on YouTube. And when you do, you'll discover not only are T shirt guns powerful, but those mascot costumes not as padded as you might think, judging by his reaction. All right, all right, let's see if we can make this perfect. Your last question. Not everyone should use a T shirt gun. In fact, an Oklahoma woman was arrested for using a T shirt gun. Why? A, she was trying to rob a T shirt store. B, she was using it to shoot cell phones and drugs over the walls of a prison to a friend inside. Or C, she had it tucked inside her coat and did not have a concealed T shirt gun carry. Perfect.

[James Gunn]

Okay, this is. I don't want to let Ava down, so I'm hoping that it's B.

[Peter Sagal]

It is, in fact, B. Wow.

[James Gunn]

This is the proudest moment of my life.

[Peter Sagal]

She stood outside the prison, shot the supplies into the prison. Bill, how did James Gunn do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

He is a Superman.

[Peter Sagal]

Getting all three right.

[Bill Curtis]

Good going, James.

[Peter Sagal]

James Gunn is the director, writer, and the co hat of DC Studios. His new movie, Superman which starts with Crypto the Superdog and gets better from there is in theaters now. James Gum, what a joy to talk to you. Thank you so much. We'll talk to you soon, I hope. Byebye, guys.

[Bill Curtis]

Bye, buddy. Bye bye.

[Peter Sagal]

In just a minute, Bill casts a spell in our Listener Limerick challenge. Call 1- Triple-8-WAIT wait to join us on the air. We'll be back in a minute with more Wait Wait, don't tell me from NPR. This message comes from NPR's sponsor, Viking, committed to exploring the world in comfort. Journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and onshore. And every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no children and no casinos.

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[Bill Curtis]

From NPR and WBEZ Chicago, this is Wait, wait, don't TELL me the NPR News Quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We are playing this week with Adam Burke, Bobcat Goldthwaite and Paula Poundstone. And here again is your host at the Studebeaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. In just a minute, Bill gets pulled over for going over the legal limerick limit. If you'd like to play, give us a call at one triple eight. Wait, wait. That's 1-889-248924. But right now, panel, some more questions for you from the week's news. Bobcat On Thursday, the UK Announced they are lowering the voting age in that country to 16 for the next national election. But they're getting resistance from one group. Who says 16 year olds do not have the mental capacity or the maturity to be trusted with the vote? Who are these doubters?

[Adam Burke]

I don't know.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, I'll give you a hint. They would know.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, the 16 year old.

[Peter Sagal]

The 16 year old, yes. The British government announced, as I said, that the UK would lower the voting age to 16 for the next general election because they feel it's so important to give a voice to the people who paid to see the Minecraft movie. But about half of the 16 year olds polled say this is a terrible idea. One said, quote, We're 16. We're not fully developed yet. We're easily influenced. Another said, quote, the frontal lobe doesn't develop until 24 or 25. Man, British kids even sound mature when they're talking about not being mature.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah, that's impressive that they are aware of that. Good for them because it's a terrible idea.

[Peter Sagal]

You think?

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah, I do.

[Peter Sagal]

You've known some 16 year olds.

[Paula Poundstone]

I have, and I've been 16. You know, it's a horrible age.

[Peter Sagal]

It will change the experience of elections. The number of voters accidentally driving backwards to the wall of the polling place are going to go through the roof.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Is that a thing that teenagers need? Just one more responsibility to shirk?

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. You gonna vote? Yeah. Yeah, I'll vote. Yeah. I voted. I voted, mom. Yeah. The dog ate my vote. Yeah.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

I mean, for the next four years in a landslide is gonna be the write in candidate Deez nuts.

[Peter Sagal]

In a surprising mood, the US Is following suit with the Trump administration announcing they will allow 16 people to vote in the next general election. Paula, there's a new dating app for adults who love going where?

[Paula Poundstone]

To Disney.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes, exactly. Right. Did you know that or did you just want it to be true?

[Paula Poundstone]

No, I just guessed this.

[Peter Sagal]

You did?

[Paula Poundstone]

I did. I love Disney. I wouldn't want to go with a date.

[Peter Sagal]

Well.

[Paula Poundstone]

But I do love Disney.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, if you would like to go with a date.

[Paula Poundstone]

Are you asking me? That's so sweet.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, if you weren't busy. Yeah, no, you can get this app, it's called Single Riders. Right. And it's named for that line that you have some of the rides in Disneyland where single riders can get on. Right. And it matches Disney lovers. Right. It's a great idea. Right? You go, you meet, of course, you have your first date at Disney World. You're on Space Mountain and your new match screams, whoa, we both just peed our pants. Right?

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

It makes sense that there'll be a theme park based dating app because a lot of the women I've met on dating apps have been like, you must be at least this tall.

[Peter Sagal]

Before this app, which isn't quite out yet, but it's going to be beta test. Disney adults, as they call themselves, have had to subtly signal their interest in Disney to potential dates by dressing entirely in Disney merch and talking about it for hours without stopping to inhale. But the question is, can the most G rated place on earth be good for, you know, spicing things up? Do you slip the Pirates of The Caribbean operator A5 to make sure the ride breaks down? Just when you get to the sexy part with the wench in, you know.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

That isn't the sexy part for everybody.

[Peter Sagal]

No. Really? No.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Some people like a shanty. That's all I'm saying.

[Paula Poundstone]

I like the dog, you know, the.

[Peter Sagal]

Dog holding the keys.

[Paula Poundstone]

With the keys.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah.

[Paula Poundstone]

There's something about that that just feels hopeful to me.

[Peter Sagal]

You should definitely mention that in your profile.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

What's it called?

[Peter Sagal]

Single rider. It's called Single Riders.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Shouldn't they call it, like beauties and beasts?

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah. Honestly, Single Riders sounds so Ladies and trunks. Yeah, it shouldn't have a name. It should just be a thing that.

[Peter Sagal]

It shouldn't have a name, but it should be a thing. It's like. Yeah, it should be. Oh, how'd you meet, you know, on. Yeah, on the thing.

[Paula Poundstone]

Okay.

[Peter Sagal]

What thing?

[Paula Poundstone]

That almost sounds sexy, doesn't it?

[Peter Sagal]

How to do everything is. Wait, wait, don't tell me's sibling advice podcast where we take your how to questions and get ridiculously overqualified people to answer them. We've had people like Tom Hanks, Martha Stewart, Justice, Sonia Sotomayor all here for you. Whatever your question is, get it to us [e-mail] that's how to P R.org coming up. It's lightning. Fill in the blank. But first, it's the game where you have to listen for the rhyme. If you'd like to play on air, call or leave a message at 188. Wait, wait. That's 1-888-924-8924. You can see us most weeks back at the Studebaker Theatre in Chicago or come see us on the road. We'll be at Tanglewood in western Massachusetts on August 28th. Tickets and information are at nprpresents.org and if you love our show but you wish, you know, if it was only eight seconds long, well, check out our TikTok 8 WaitnPro. Hi, everyone. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Hey there. This is Andrew Kissack calling in from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Oh, how are things in Pittsburgh? One of my very favorite cities. There is a little bit of rain, but otherwise doing just fine. That's great. And what do you do there in Pittsburgh? I'm a mechanical engineer for the University of Pittsburgh. Oh, wow. Mechanical. I've never quite understood what that means when you're like an engineered institution. Do you like fix stuff? Do you build stuff? Do you turn? So I personally design the stuff that eventually gets built and my job centers around things getting fixed and there a lot of broken things that need fixed. Right, that's the technical explanation.

[Paula Poundstone]

What are you working on? What thing are you working on now? Fixing.

[Peter Sagal]

So my job centers around air conditioning systems. So pretty much that, that's my day to day is just a lot of blowing a lot of hot and cold air around the buildings. Sure, I kind of do that myself. Well, welcome to the show Andrew. Bill Curtis is going to read you three news related lemonade with the last word or phrase missing from each. If you can fill in that last word or phrase correctly on two of the limericks, you will be a winner. Here is your first limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

I got spells that will help make me rich and a curse on my office mate Mitch. She did not ride a broom but just logged in on Zoom. I went online and hired a witch.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes, witch.

[Bill Curtis]

Good.

[Peter Sagal]

And I'm personally grateful that that's the rhyming word you chose. More and more people are using Etsy to buy spells from witches. For just a few dollars, you can buy a love spell, a money spell, you can even jinx an opposing sports team. People swear by these crafty sorceresses saying it's brought them just what they wanted. Right? Or you could just do it yourself. You know, last week there was an amazing prime day deal on Eyes of Newt.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

He's done it. He's brought back American manufacturing.

[Peter Sagal]

He has the witches say they're making great money selling their spells and potions. They're within ETC's terms and agreements as long as they do not promise outcomes. Right. But it's easy enough to check if the person you're buying from is legit. Just click the little button that says I'm really a witch and it throws her into a well to see if she floats. Here is your next limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

I feel like I own too much junk. All I need is a desk and a bunk. I don't need a permit to live like a hermit. I'll renounce life and live like a.

[Peter Sagal]

Monk. Yes, monk. Great news, fellow bald guys. Our time has come at last. The new style icons are monks. Hashtag Monk mode is trending with young people sharing inspo pics featuring, quote, single beds, open windows overlooking tranquil gardens and conspicuously few belongings. They do not post the inspo pics of all their other stuff shoved in the opposite corner. Monk mode supporters say eliminating distractions is Good for your peace of mind and productivity. Not to mention, everybody looks good in loose brown fabric with a rope accentuating your waist.

[Paula Poundstone]

Wow. So young people like this monk thing?

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. Yeah, they're into it.

[Paula Poundstone]

Huh?

[Peter Sagal]

A lot of them. They're just like, they're getting into it. They're going like, I'm going monk mode tonight. Me and my bros are gonna get.

[Paula Poundstone]

So devout, my guess is they're not trying to be like monks in every way, right?

[Peter Sagal]

Probably not. Not like religious devotion, but rather just celibacy. Probably not that.

[Paula Poundstone]

Just. Just accepting the fact that young people are not gonna have money for the next.

[Peter Sagal]

Here is your last limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

When work is admittedly crappy, Stop being so cheerful and yappy. Don't fake an emotion to get a promotion. It's toxic to always be happy.

[Peter Sagal]

Happy? Yes. Constantly staying positive and seeming happy is terrible for office morale. It's called toxic positivity. And let me tell you what, this has not been an issue at NPR this week. According to experts, too much positivity can create acute stress because no one believes someone can actually be happy all of the time. It is frustrating. Like when the boss comes in and he's like, good news, we're doing a round of lay ons.

[Paula Poundstone]

You know what? I should be like a hot property as an employee at this point because I'm pretty miserable.

[Peter Sagal]

That's true. You can certainly counteract all that toxic positivity.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yeah, exactly. That should really make me like a good get for people.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. Bill, how did Andrew do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

He was perfect.

[Peter Sagal]

Done. All right. Thank you, Andrew, for playing. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Bye Bye.

[Paula Poundstone]

Bye, Andrew.

[Peter Sagal]

Happy. So happy.

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[Peter Sagal]

Now onto our final game. Lightning. Fill in the blank. Each of our players will have 60 seconds in which to answer as many fill in the blank questions as they can. Each correct answer now worth two points. Bill, can you give us the scores?

[Bill Curtis]

Paula and Bobcat each have two, and Adam has three.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, Paula and Bobcat are tied for second. So that means I will pick one of you arbitrarily to go first, and that will be Bobcat. So here we go. Bobcat, fill in the blank. This week, the federal prosecutor who led the cases against Jeffrey Epstein and disgraced hip hop mogul Blank was fired.

[Adam Burke]

True.

[Peter Sagal]

I mean, disgraced hip hop mogul Blank.

[Adam Burke]

Oh, did he? Did he?

[Peter Sagal]

Did he? Yeah. Did he? Did he?

[Adam Burke]

Did he? Yes.

[Peter Sagal]

On Tuesday, the Department of defense awarded the $200 million contract to Blank's AI company.

[Bill Curtis]

Not.

[Adam Burke]

Not Musk. It was Elon Musk.

[Peter Sagal]

It was Elon Musk. Yeah. This week, a sex and blackmail scandal has rocked a popular Blank in Thailand.

[Adam Burke]

K Pop ban.

[Peter Sagal]

No, A popular Buddhist monastery. On Tuesday.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, geez.

[Peter Sagal]

Told you, Monk Core. On Tuesday, astronomers detected the collision of two blanks, each more dense than 100 sun black holes. Right. According to a new study, dogs can be used to detect Blank's disease years before the symptoms emerge.

[Adam Burke]

Alzheimer's?

[Peter Sagal]

No. Parkinson's. This week, a man in France drove 180 miles before realizing he left Blank at the gas station.

[Adam Burke]

His keys.

[Peter Sagal]

No, his wife. It's even worse than it sounds. This is France. It wasn't just 180 miles away. It was 300 kilometers away. Love that. He was, like, complaining about something for four hours and only figured out his wife wasn't there when he finally stopped to say so. Anyway, what do you think about it, Bill? How did Bobcat do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Three. Right. Six more points. Total of eight. Puts him in the lead.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, Paula, you're up next.

[Paula Poundstone]

All right, I'm ready.

[Peter Sagal]

Fill in the blank if you're suggesting otherwise. In a meeting with lawmakers, President Trump said it's unlikely he will fire Blank.

[Paula Poundstone]

The fed chair.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. Jerome Powell. This week, an injury forced WNBA superstar Blank to pull out of the All Star Game.

[Paula Poundstone]

Caitlin Clark.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. Weeks after they devastated parts of Texas, the White House announced it would be shutting down a database that provides information on flash blanks.

[Paula Poundstone]

Flex.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. On Tuesday, rideshare company blank made a $300 million investment in Robotech Taxis.

[Paula Poundstone]

Uber.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. Fans were upset and gasping when Wimbledon champ IGA Swiatek said eating Blank helped her win.

[Paula Poundstone]

Mice?

[Peter Sagal]

No. Eating pasta with strawberries and yogurt in it. For the first time in history, the MLB's All Star Game ended with a blank tie. No. A home runoff to break the tie. At an auction on Wednesday, the world's biggest rock from blank sold for $5.3 million, the most. No Mars. This week, two senior citizens in the UK were celebrated after they managed to blank in front of a Google street view car.

[Paula Poundstone]

They blanked in front of a Google street view car. They were celebrated because they blanked in front of a Google street view car. I don't know.

[Peter Sagal]

Made out, pretended to choke each other.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, boy.

[Peter Sagal]

The two friends were out for a walk together in their little village when they saw the Google street view car and did what any of us would do in that situation. They immediately put their hands around each other's throats and it was fun. And they did get on Google street view. You can see them there. And they had a great time until they stopped doing it. And one woman was like, I think the street view car got a picture of us. And the other said, what street view car. Bill, how did Paula do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Pretty good.

[James Gunn]

Four.

[Peter Sagal]

Right.

[Bill Curtis]

Eight more points. Her total of 10 puts her in the lead.

[Peter Sagal]

All right.

[Paula Poundstone]

Till Adam comes along.

[Peter Sagal]

How many then does Adam Burke need to win?

[Bill Curtis]

Adam needs only four.

[Peter Sagal]

Here we go, Adam. This is for the game. Fill in the blank. On Wednesday, the department of transportation said it would cost $31 billion to build a new blank control system.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Air traffic control.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. On Tuesday, the Pentagon said it would remove the 2,000 National Guard troops sent to blank, Louisiana. Right. This week, geologists said that a new hole had formed at Blank national Park.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Yellowstone.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. This week, German authorities intercepted smugglers who were trying to hide blanc in a container of chocolate sponge cake.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

More chocolate?

[Peter Sagal]

No. 1500 tarantulas. Sure.

[Paula Poundstone]

Oh, right.

[Peter Sagal]

On Monday, the U.S. postal Service announced a new line of SpongeBob blanks.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Stamps.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. On Wednesday, the medals for the 2026 winter blanks were revealed.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Olympics.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. This week, a prisoner in France managed to escape his jail by hiding in blank.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Um. Like a big croissant?

[Peter Sagal]

No, by hiding in another prisoner's luggage while they were being released. According to officials, the man tucked himself away in his cellmate's luggage and just got carried straight out of the prison or maybe rolled out. I'd love to have been there when the warden turned over all his possessions. Okay. One pack of cigarettes, another wallet, one suitcase that keeps saying, ha, ha ha, they'll never find me. Bill, did Adam do well enough to win? I think he did well.

[Bill Curtis]

He had the luck of the Irish.

[Peter Sagal]

5 rights.

[Bill Curtis]

10 more points. 13 gives him the lead and the win.

[Paula Poundstone]

Yay. Congratulations.

[Peter Sagal]

Congratulations, Adam. Coming up, our panelists will predict after Yaupon what will be the next brand new way to wake ourselves up in the morning. But first, let me tell you that Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me is a production of NPR and WBEZ Chicago in association with Urgent Haircut Productions. Doug Berman, Benevolent overlord Philip Goedecker writes our limericks. Our public address announcer is Paul Friedman. Our tour manager, Shana Donald. Thanks to the staff and crew at the Studebaker Theatre. BJ Lederman composed our theme. Our program is produced by Jennifer Mills, Miles Grumboss and Lillian King. Special thanks this week to Blythe Roberson and Monica Hickey. Would a rose by the name Peter Gwynne smell as sweet? Emma Choi is our vibe curator. Technical direction is from Lorna White. Her CFO is Colin Miller. Our production manager is Robert Neuhaus. Our senior producer is Ian Chillag. And the executive producer of Wait Wait, don't tell me is Mr. Michael Danforth. Now, panel, after caffeine and Yaupon, what will be the next thing we do to wake ourselves up in the morning? Bobcat Goldthwaite A swift kick in the nuts.

[Bobcat Goldthwait]

Adam Burke, Just good old fashioned existential.

[Peter Sagal]

Dread and fall a pound's stone cocaine.

[Paula Poundstone]

Infused carnation instant breakfast.

[Bill Curtis]

Hey, if any of that happens, we'll ask you about it on Wait Wait, don't tell me.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill Kos. Thanks also to Adam Burke, Bobcat Coldweight and Paula Poundstone. Thanks all of you for listening. Thanks to our fabulous audience here at the Studebaker Theater and everyone out there wherever you might be. I'm Peter Sagal. We'll see you next week. This is npr.

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This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country. This message comes from Bombas. Socks, underwear and T shirts are the top three requested clothing items by people experiencing homelessness. Bombas makes all three and donates one item for every item purchased. Go to bombas.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off. This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.