Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Kara Jackson
Introduction
In this vibrant episode of NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", host Peter Sagal engages listeners with a mix of humorous news quizzes, entertaining panel discussions, and a special guest appearance by Kara Jackson, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and former Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. The episode is filled with witty banter, insightful commentary, and delightful interactions among the panelists: Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Alzo Slade, and Saatchi Cole.
Listener Contest: Matthew Neal
The show kicks off with listener Matthew Neal from Santee, California, a licensed professional fiduciary who humorously describes his job as "selling dead people's homes" (01:30). Matthew participates in the "Who's Bill?" quiz segment, where he successfully identifies notable news quotes:
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Vice Presidential Debate Commentary (03:02):
- Peter Sagal: "JD Vance lived up to his reputation, appearing calm, sincere, and reasonable while lying all the time. Basically evil."
Matthew's Answer: Vice Presidential Debate
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Password Guidelines (05:25):
- Bill Curtis: "Avoid your pets' names, and no flipping to a random word in the dictionary and using that."
Matthew's Answer: Password Guidelines
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Chicken Tender Milestone (07:55):
- Bill Curtis: "I have a small piece of chicken. I don't know what to do with."
Matthew's Answer: Chicken Nuggets
Matthew nails all three questions, winning the prize of a voicemail voice from the show (10:17).
Listener Contest: Stacy Bendixon
Next up is Stacy Bendixon from Des Moines, Iowa, a sign language interpreter and community theater enthusiast (14:19). She participates in the "Bluff the Listener" game, where panelists present fictional stories about Montana rancher Arthur Shubarth:
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Whippersnappers Run (15:11):
- Joyelle: Arthur starts a competition to shoo kids off his lawn using Super Soakers.
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Love Ranch (16:38):
- Saatchi: Arthur opens a matchmaking retreat applying animal husbandry techniques to humans.
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Frankensheep (17:59):
- Alzo: Arthur clones sheep to create giant hunting sheep, leading to imprisonment.
Stacy's Choice: She correctly identifies Alzo Slade’s story about the Frankensheep as the true event (20:08), winning the game and the prize of a voicemail voice (20:18).
Guest Interview: Kara Jackson
Kara Jackson joins the show to discuss her journey from tee ball player to Youth Poet Laureate and her burgeoning music career:
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Early Memories (21:30):
- Peter Sagal: Recounts coaching Kara’s T-ball team and her prowess on the field.
- Kara Jackson: Remembers wearing her T-ball uniform and excelling due to her height (22:25).
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Poetry and Laureateship (23:24):
- Kara reflects on her time as Youth Poet Laureate, acknowledging the cringe of her teenage poems but appreciating their role in her growth (23:52).
Quote: "I think it's been a minute since I've looked back at them, but I think I have mixed emotions sometimes. It's cringey just because I think that having a living record of things you thought as a teenager would just be cringey." (23:55)
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Music Career (26:02):
- Discusses her song "Head Blues" and its impact on her social life, noting positive reception even from unexpected places like the US Ambassador in London (26:22).
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Upcoming Projects (27:14):
- Plays "It's a Yes Fun Party," answering questions about extravagant parties, showcasing her quick wit and knowledge (30:34).
Kara successfully answers two out of three questions in her game segment, winning the prize for her listener, Maureen Tar (30:57).
Panel Discussions and Games
The panel engages in various humorous and insightful discussions:
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Password Guidelines Debate (05:25 – 07:18):
- Saatchi Cole: Critiques the new federal guidelines simplifying passwords, joking about security compromises (06:35).
Quote: "So I should change everything to password." (07:18)
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Chicken Tender Anniversary Quiz (07:55 – 10:26):
- Discusses the 50th anniversary of the chicken tender, blending humor with cultural commentary.
Quote: "If the chicken tender had not been invented today, we'd be going to McDonald's and ordering our kids six piece McMuttons." (08:40)
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Gossip Study Discussion (33:36 – 34:55):
- Explores a psychology study on preserving reputation while gossiping, with panelists providing humorous takes on appropriate gossiping behavior.
Quote: "It's like, omg, did you hear what Jeff did? I hope he's okay." (34:07)
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Fake Family Campaign Ad (35:07 – 36:34):
- Analyzes a GOP candidate’s misleading campaign video featuring a fake family, highlighting the absurdity and ethical concerns.
Quote: "They were somebody else's wife and children." (35:20)
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Rat Birth Control Initiative (36:15 – 37:29):
- Discusses New York City's initiative to control rat populations with non-consensual birth control pellets, leading to humorous debates about rat rights.
Quote: "She's a childless rat lady." (37:31)
Final Games: Lightning Fill in the Blank
The episode culminates with the "Lightning Fill in the Blank" game:
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Kara Jackson's Round:
- Successfully answers all three prompts, securing her position as a strong contestant.
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Saatchi Cole's Round:
- Answers correctly on several prompts, including identifying Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter and sugar being mistaken for meth.
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Alzo Slade's Round:
- Demonstrates impressive knowledge, leading the scores with a total of 15 points.
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Joyelle Nicole Johnson's Round:
- Clinches second place with 11 points.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with predictions for future food innovations, showcasing the panelists' creativity and humor. Saatchi Cole envisions ultra-spicy chips as a future celebration, while Joyelle and Alzo offer their unique takes on evolving food trends.
Notable Quotes
- Peter Sagal (03:02): "JD Vance lived up to his reputation, appearing calm, sincere, and reasonable while lying all the time. Basically evil."
- Kara Jackson (23:55): "I think it's been a minute since I've looked back at them, but I think I have mixed emotions sometimes. It's cringey just because I think that having a living record of things you thought as a teenager would just be cringey."
- Saatchi Cole (06:35): "That sounds like a rule invented by someone trying to get into my email."
- Joyelle Nicole Johnson (34:52): "I'm just gonna write them down, write. Confirm what they are."
Conclusion
This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" masterfully blends humor with current events, engaging games, and an inspiring guest like Kara Jackson. The interplay among the panelists offers both laughs and thoughtful commentary, making it an entertaining listen for both regular followers and newcomers alike.