Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Release Date: December 14, 2024

NPR’s beloved weekly news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, hosted by Peter Sagal, delivered a vibrant and entertaining episode from the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City. This special edition featured a blend of humor, topical discussions, and a distinguished guest appearance by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Below is a detailed summary capturing the episode's key segments, notable quotes, and engaging interactions.

1. Introduction and Contestant Interaction

The show opened with co-host Bill Curtis introducing the host, Peter Sagal, who greeted the audience warmly from Carnegie Hall. Peter announced a special episode featuring Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, expressing excitement about her appearance despite her being the Court’s newest justice.

Quote:

• Peter Sagal [00:44]: “We have such a special show for you all today. Later on, we are going to be talking to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. It's so exciting.”

Following the introduction, Peter invited listener Megan from Tucson, Arizona, to participate. Megan shared her role at Startup Tucson, an incubator helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses, prompting humorous banter about the "stupidest ideas" ever pitched.

2. "Who's Bill" Game

The quiz segment commenced with the game "Who's Bill," where contestant Megan had to identify or explain quotations from the week's news. Bill Curtis presented Megan with three quotes related to recent events.

Notable Discussion:

• Luigi Mangione Case:

  • Peter delved into the media portrayal of Luigi Mangione, an accused criminal termed both a villain and a folk hero.
  • Peter Sagal [03:25]: “It really shows you the state of American healthcare where they catch the guy who murdered an insurance CEO.”

• Reality TV and Labor Rights:

  • The National Labor Relations Board’s ruling that contestants on Love is Blind are considered employees with rights to unionize sparked discussion.
  • Mo Rocca [06:07]: “So did they get insurance? Now, the rates must be crazy for Survivor.”

• Unclaimed Mail Gifts:

  • The trend of gifting unclaimed mail packages was humorously critiqued.
  • Joelle Nicole Johnson [08:34]: “Yeah, he's also a jerk, but he loves being a jerk.”

Megan successfully identified two out of three quotes, winning a prize for listener voicemail.

3. Listener Game: "Bluff the Listener"

In the "Bluff the Listener" segment, listener Claire from Pittsburgh faced questions about Bruce Springsteen, testing her knowledge against the comedic insights of the panelists.

Highlights:

• Spotify Wrapped Fiasco:

  • Mo Rocca [16:54]: “A politician in New Jersey thinking of running for governor fakes his Spotify rap to make it sound like he listened to more Bruce than apparently he really did.”

• Convenience Store Fandom:

  • Paula Poundstone [18:17]: “A convenience store owner in New Jersey gets a little carried away with his Springsteen fandom and ends up getting a smackdown from the Boss's lawyer.”

• Springsteen's Movie Plans:

  • Joelle Nicole Johnson [19:41]: “Bruce Springsteen demands a sequel. So this week he announced he is writing, directing and producing the boss 2.”

Claire correctly identified Mo Rocca’s story about the gubernatorial candidate’s fake Spotify Wrapped, earning her the prize and points for the panelists.

4. "Not My Job" Segment with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

A highlight of the episode was the exclusive interview with Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who participated in the "Not My Job" segment, engaging in humorous games that highlighted her multifaceted personality.

Key Interactions:

• Broadway Appearance:

  • Justice Jackson humorously claimed to be performing on Broadway, blending her esteemed judicial role with theatrical aspirations.
  • Peter Sagal [23:15]: “You are not in New York City simply to be with us. You are going to be on Broadway this weekend.”

• College Theater Stories:

  • She recounted performing in a drama class alongside future actor Matt Damon, amusing the panel with anecdotes about their collaborative scenes.
  • Mo Rocca [26:31]: “And you were paired Matt Damon.”

• Supreme Court Traditions:

  • Discussing court traditions, Justice Jackson touched on changes she implemented in the cafeteria services, balancing professionalism with lightheartedness.
  • Joelle Nicole Johnson [25:00]: “Does that mean, like, naked and afraid is going to have HR?”

Notable Quote:

• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson [23:03]: “I am delighted to be here.”

Justice Jackson excelled in the trivia game "Supreme, Meet the Supreme," correctly answering all three questions about the Supremes, further endearing herself to both the panel and the audience.

5. Listener Game: "Listener Limerick Challenge"

The panel, including Paula Poundstone, Joelle Nicole Johnson, Mo Rocca, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson, took turns crafting and solving limericks based on current news events.

Examples:

• Preppy Baby Names:

  • Bill Curtis [43:13]: "Preppy parents are not being cruel. We think Kingsley and Forest are cool..."
  • Panelists discussed the trend of choosing Ivy League-inspired names for children, blending satire with social commentary.

• Wedding Trends and Plant Crying:

  • Humorous takes on unusual wedding activities and the whimsical idea of plants producing mournful melodies.
  • Mo Rocca [42:34]: “Remember the Venus Fly Trap?”

Contestant Aaron from Hamburg, New York, successfully filled in the blanks for two out of three limericks, leading to his victory and scoring a point for the panel.

6. Final Game: "Lightning Fill in the Blank"

The episode concluded with an exhilarating round of "Lightning Fill in the Blank," where panelists competed to swiftly complete news-related statements.

Highlights:

• Political Updates:

  • Paula Poundstone [46:00]: “Martial law.”
  • Correctly identifying critical political events showcased the panelists’ quick thinking and knowledge.

• Celebrity and Entertainment News:

  • Questions about Bruce Springsteen’s media appearances and Hollywood anecdotes kept the atmosphere lively.
  • Mo Rocca [48:33]: “Pizza Rat.”

• Global Events:

  • Rapid-fire questions on international affairs, such as Russia granting asylum or wildfire evacuations, added to the game’s intensity.
  • Mo Rocca [47:40]: “Syria.”

Paula Poundstone emerged as the winner of this segment, securing her position as the leading panelist with a total of 14 points.

7. Conclusion and Credits

Peter Sagal wrapped up the episode by acknowledging the contributions of panelists, the production team, and sponsors. He extended gratitude to listeners for their support and participation, emphasizing the show's commitment to blending informative content with humor.

Final Remarks:

• Peter Sagal [52:31]: “Thanks also to Paula Poundstone, Joelle Nicole Johnson, Mo Rocca. Thanks to everyone at WNYC, the amazing staff and crew of Carnegie Hall, and our fabulous audience here in this gem of an institution.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Peter Sagal [00:44]: “We have such a special show for you all today.”
• Bill Curtis [03:11]: “Megan pitched us three pitches and she won.”
• Joelle Nicole Johnson [08:34]: “Yeah, he's also a jerk, but he loves being a jerk.”
• Mo Rocca [18:02]: “Can I say, you really can't complain about healthcare if you're eating at McDonald's all the time.”
• Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson [23:03]: “I am delighted to be here.”

Conclusion:
This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blended current events with comedy, featuring engaging games, insightful discussions, and a memorable guest appearance by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The panelists' quick wit and the host’s impeccable timing ensured an entertaining and informative experience for both longtime fans and new listeners alike.