Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - Episode: WWDTM: Jim Rice Release Date: May 31, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Location: Box Center Wang Theater, Boston, Massachusetts

Introduction and Panel Setup

00:18 - Bill Curtis opens the show from NPR and WBEC Chicago, introducing Peter Sagal as the host broadcasting from Boston. Peter eagerly announces that today's special guest is Jim Rice, a baseball legend renowned for leading the Boston Red Sox to the World Series as a rookie 50 years ago. Jim now contributes as a TV commentator for the current team.

Panel Introduction and First Caller Segment

00:43 - Peter Sagal introduces the panel for the week:

• Joyelle Nicole Johnson - A comedian performing at the DC Improv and a Boston College graduate.
• Adam Felber - Co-host of the podcasts "Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone" and "Dear Crinkle," and a Tufts alumni.
• Maz Jobrani - Comedian performing at the Wilbur Theater in Boston and MGM National Harbor Casino.

02:37 - The first caller, Jennifer from Kansas City, Missouri, joins the panel. Jennifer, an assistant director at a public library, engages with the panel, highlighting the strength and resilience of librarians.

First Game: "Who's Bill"

02:56 - Bill Curtis presents three news quotations for Jennifer to identify or explain two:

1. Quotation: "I love a deal, but I'll pass on a leg workout at 40,000ft."

   • Discussion: Airlines introduce ultra low-budget standing seats to reduce costs.
   • Notable Quote: Peter Sagal (03:02) - "So they're standing. Standing seats and airlines are coming."

2. Quotation: "Am I hot or not?"

   • Discussion: People utilize AI, specifically ChatGPT, to receive unfiltered opinions on their appearance.
   • Notable Quotes:
     • Maz Jobrani (05:53) - "I mean, if you really want to be told you're ugly, you just post that question on Instagram."
     • Jim Rice (06:02) - "I don't need ChatGPT. My mother will tell me."

3. Quotation: "It can give you the ick, but it won't make you sick."

   • Discussion: Research from Clemson University indicates double-dipping chips in dips is unlikely to spread germs.
   • Notable Quotes:
     • Maz Jobrani (07:04) - "Wonder if you stood on one foot if they'd give you a discount."
     • Adam Felber (07:43) - "Lay off the dip."

08:46 - Jennifer successfully answers all three quotes, earning her a prize.

Second Segment: Panel Discusses College Life Skills Courses

08:58 - The panel shifts to discuss the trend of colleges offering courses on basic life skills due to the perceived lack of such skills among incoming students.

• Jim Rice (10:01) emphasizes the importance of practical classes like taxes and mortgages over traditional academic subjects.
• Maz Jobrani (10:19) highlights the reliance on technology, such as Instacart, which diminishes the need for hands-on tasks.
• Adam Felber (11:01) jokes about ChatGPT's inability to assist with personal hygiene.

11:33 - Maz Jobrani shares his approach to teaching his children essential life skills, albeit humorously admitting his reluctance to perform these tasks himself.

Special Guest Segment: Jim Rice

21:28 - Jim Rice, a Baseball Hall of Famer, joins the panel to engage in a trivia game focused on green monsters from popular culture.

• First Question: The Incredible Hulk's 1990s adventure against "Marvel's quarterly financial report and future projected earnings."

  • Jim Answers Correctly (28:27)

• Second Question: The shade of green chosen for the Grinch was inspired by the "really ugly rental car he took to meet Dr. Seuss."

  • Jim Answers Correctly (29:15)

• Third Question: Oscar the Grouch's trash can contains "17 elephants, a bowling alley, a skating rink, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool."

  • Jim Answers Correctly (30:18)

Jim Rice scores 2 out of 3, showcasing his quick wit and knowledge.

Listener Interaction: "Bluff the Listener" and "Listener Limerick"

15:03 - Aaron Bird from Des Moines, Iowa, participates in "Bluff the Listener," sharing humorous yet fabricated romantic mishaps:

1. An elephant causing a wedding tent to collapse.
2. A romantic gesture involving a bed covered in potato chips.
3. A Bee Gees cover band turning religious-themed.

20:11 - Rachel Norman, the real bride from the second story, confirms the truthfulness of Joyelle Nicole Johnson's account about the chip-covered bed, allowing Jennifer to win the game.

33:03 - Another caller, Keely from Exeter, New Hampshire, joins "Listener Limerick," successfully completing all limericks with creative answers related to the "smell of summer" being banana.

Final Game: "Lightning: Fill in the Blank"

44:05 - The panel engages in a rapid-fire round where they fill in missing words from recent news headlines.

• Maz Jobrani leads with 12 points by correctly answering:

  • "Boeing" for the Justice Department's deal.
  • "Covid" for the WHO's warning.
  • "NBA" for the Oklahoma City Thunder's win.

• Joyelle Nicole Johnson achieves 8 points by correctly identifying:

  • "Elon Musk" leaving the Trump administration.
  • "Charles Rangel" passing away.
  • "sour cream and bleach dip" in a humorous context.

• Adam Felber also scores 12 points, tying with Maz Jobrani, through accurate and swift responses related to recent events involving Harvard, SpaceX, and other current affairs.

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

50:18 - The episode wraps up with Peter Sagal thanking the panelists—Adam Felber, Maz Jobrani, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson—as well as special thanks to the production team and the live audience in Boston. The host bids farewell, hinting at future episodes and thanking listeners for their participation.

Notable Quotes

• Peter Sagal (03:02): "So they're standing. Standing seats and airlines are coming."
• Maz Jobrani (05:53): "I mean, if you really want to be told you're ugly, you just post that question on Instagram."
• Jim Rice (06:02): "I don't need ChatGPT. My mother will tell me."
• Maz Jobrani (07:04): "Wonder if you stood on one foot if they'd give you a discount."
• Jim Rice (10:01): "I wish I had gotten a class on taxes. We never got the tax class."
• Maz Jobrani (10:37): "Am I that old?"

Insights and Highlights

• Humor Meets Current Events: The panel adeptly blends humor with current news stories, making light of innovations like standing seats on airlines and AI's blunt feedback on personal appearance.

• Celebrity Engagement: Jim Rice's participation adds star power and authentic sports insights, enhancing the episode's appeal to both sports fans and comedy enthusiasts.

• Interactive Games: Games like "Who’s Bill," "Bluff the Listener," and "Lightning: Fill in the Blank" foster listener engagement and showcase the panelists' quick-thinking abilities.

• Cultural Commentary: Discussions around the lack of life skills among college students and the over-reliance on technology provide thoughtful commentary amidst the humor.

Conclusion

This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" masterfully combines wit, celebrity charm, and interactive segments to entertain and inform listeners. Through engaging games, insightful discussions, and the delightful presence of Jim Rice, the show delivers a rich and enjoyable experience that resonates with a broad audience.