Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me! – Kevin O’Leary (January 24, 2026)
NPR’s weekly news quiz with Peter Sagal, featuring star investor and “Shark Tank” personality Kevin O’Leary, and panelists Adam Burke, Shantira Jackson, and Mo Rocca.
Episode Overview
This episode blends NPR’s signature topical comedy quiz with pointed, humorous takes on the week’s news stories, featuring playful interactions with contestants and panelists. The highlight is a lively interview with Kevin O’Leary, “Mr. Wonderful” from Shark Tank, who shares behind-the-scenes stories, insights on his Oscar-nominated acting debut, and his embrace of his “a-hole” persona. Expect witty banter, quirky news, and memorable panel banter.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Opening Panel Quiz: “Who’s Bill This Time?”
[02:26–09:42]
a. Trump’s Greenland Saga
- Donald Trump arrives at Davos, demanding Greenland, but ultimately leaves empty-handed.
- “[President Trump] charged into the World Economic Forum in Davos saying he was not leaving without Greenland. And on Wednesday evening, he left without Greenland. Trump hasn’t been this disappointed in an outcome in Europe since World War II.” —Peter Sagal [02:58]
- Canada’s PM Mark Carney emerges as a surprisingly fierce critic against Trump.
- Mo Rocca jokes about Trump aiming for a smaller target country instead: “Couldn’t he have demanded, I don’t know, Monaco or Luxembourg or something smaller that maybe they would have given him that?” [04:32]
- Adam Burke muses on Greenland’s personal flight significance: “When I’m coming back to America, it means I have time to watch one more movie. That’s what Greenland means.” [04:47]
b. Tool-Using Cow
- An Australian cow named Veronica is filmed using a broom to scratch herself–the first documented use of tools by a cow.
- Mo Rocca: “They have massage chairs.” [05:59]
- Peter Sagal, comparing himself: “A cow uses a broom to scratch her back. She’s a genius. I use a spatula. Everybody’s like, Peter, that’s for food.” [06:32]
c. Ski Jumping ‘Penisgate’
- Olympic ski jumpers accused of stuffing their suits to get more air time, leading to the headline “Penisgate.”
- Sagal quips: “You should never be allowed to measure people’s penises in a sport where it’s that cold.” [08:16]
- Shantira Jackson: “I don’t know why people are surprised that a man lied about the size of his jump.” [08:23]
- Mo Rocca considers if the cheating could ‘fly’ an athlete off into oblivion. [09:11]
2. Listener Contestant Quiz
[10:01–11:36]
- Astronaut Christina Koch says her husband can’t call her from earth to ask where items are, since she’ll be on the moon.
- “Imagine forgetting where the spare key is, but the only other person who knows is on the moon.” —Peter Sagal [11:05]
- Shantira jokes on dating choices: “I always thought… I wasn’t smart enough to be an astronaut, but I could marry a man who doesn’t know where stuff is.” [11:36]
3. Bluff the Listener – “Something New in Stadiums”
[14:57–20:21]
Contestant Rebecca is challenged to pick which odd stadium feature is real:
- Adam Burke: “Dancing With Discretion” — special seating in Milan, Italy, that blocks you from the Kiss Cam, inspired by Coldplay’s viral concert controversy. [16:41]
- Shantira Jackson: Charlotte’s Spectrum Stadium “Ozempic Lounge,” where fans get weight-loss shots during games, plus new snacks for slimmer fans. [17:57]
- Mo Rocca: Indiana University builds musical legend John Mellencamp a private “smoking shack” atop the stadium. [19:15]
- This is the true story. Wall Street Journal's Robert O'Connell confirms the "Mellencamp hut." [20:20]
4. Feature Interview: Kevin O’Leary (“Not My Job” Game)
[21:35–31:07]
a. Origins of 'Shark Tank' Format
- O’Leary describes “Dragon’s Den” and the show’s Japanese inspiration: “People came onto the stage, got on their knees and begged for money. Then they took the… and they were crying and begging and groveling, and it was a huge hit.” [22:09]
- “I think Begging for Money’s a great show.” —Kevin O’Leary [22:39]
b. Favorite (and Most Profitable) Investment
- Recounts investment in ‘Base Paw,’ a cat DNA test from Anna Skaya.
- “A woman named Annaskaya comes out and...she’s a Russian model. She’s studying...DNA research and she likes cats. So she has a product called Base Paw. You take a Q tip and you stick it in a cat where the sun doesn’t shine...for $29 you send it in for a DNA test...” [23:17]
- “That company sold for so much money to a pharmaceutical. So that’s an example of just random outcome. It paid for so many of my mistakes.” [24:22]
c. Oscar-Nominated Acting Debut in ‘Marty Supreme’
- Plays Milton Rockwell, “richest man in 1952 America” for the Safdies.
- On being cast for his public image:
- “He [Mark Burnett] said, ‘I’m casting this new show...and I’m looking for a real a-hole and you’re it.’” [26:08]
- O’Leary on acting casting: “I want the first frame to tell everybody, that’s the a-hole.” [26:51]
- “I said to him, maybe I should embrace this a-hole. Maybe I should be the best a-hole I can be…because I know with certainty there’s light at the end of the sphincter.” —Kevin O’Leary [27:07]
d. Game: Marty Supreme meets Party Supreme
- Fun trivia about infamous real-life parties (Vanity Fair Oscars, the Met Gala, EU’s failed Metaverse gala)
- O’Leary scores 2 out of 3 correct, wins for listener.
5. Panel Banter & News Quizzes
[32:33–36:56]
- Board Game ‘The Great Hunger’: British-made game lets players reenact the Irish Potato Famine—controversial due to its subject and leprechaun-shaped pieces.
- Decline of the Boston Accent: Globe reports it’s disappearing as Bostonians alter accents for professionalism.
- “Many adults have intentionally dropped their Boston accents for professional reasons. They’re afraid that accent doesn’t say, I’m executive material, and instead says, I’m about to rob a bank with my little brother.” —Peter Sagal [40:15]
- Aspirational Clutter: Stuff bought for a ‘better’ self that never materializes (blazers, exercise equipment, serving platters).
- Study: Gym Fingernails: After an hour at the gym, fingernails have “10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.” [36:32]
6. Listener Limerick Challenge
[38:34–41:59]
- Trendy Bamboo: Pandas’ superfood is now a human health craze (requires careful preparation).
- ‘House Burping’: Airing out homes to freshen interiors is all the rage.
- Contestant Kate sweeps the category.
7. Lightning Fill In The Blank
[43:23–48:45]
- Players answer topical fill-in-the-blank questions (notably, the U.S. aircraft carrier with broken toilets, and Michelle Obama’s views on women presidents).
- Final scores: Adam Burke wins the game.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Kevin O’Leary, on playing the “villain”:
- “Maybe I should embrace this a-hole. Maybe I should be the best a-hole I can be...because I know with certainty there’s light at the end of the sphincter.” [27:07]
- Peter Sagal, on gym germs:
- “According to a new study, we have a high level of bacteria on our fingernails after working out for an hour. Not only can this make you sick, apparently it means I’ve been working out all wrong. I almost never scratched my head.” [36:32]
- On Olympic cheating scandals:
- “You should never be allowed to measure people’s penises in a sport where it’s that cold.” —Peter Sagal [08:16]
- “I don’t know why people are surprised that a man lied about the size of his jump.” —Shantira Jackson [08:23]
- Panelist banter on ‘aspirational clutter’:
- “What if my aspiration is to be a hoarder?” —Adam Burke [36:04]
- Kevin O’Leary on cat DNA:
- “I can buy a new cat for five bucks. Why would I invest $29?” [23:38]
- “We kill [domestic cats] with crappy food.” [25:10]
Episode Flow & Tone
This episode is a classic “Wait Wait” blend of topical news gags, irreverent pop culture references, contestant games, and freewheeling interview segments. Kevin O’Leary matches the panel’s comedic energy, revealing himself to be self-aware, game for jokes, and more than happy to lean into his “Mr. Wonderful” reputation.
The humor is quick, self-deprecating, topical, and sometimes ventures playfully into R-rated territory (especially when discussing “Penisgate” in ski jumping and O’Leary’s ‘a-hole’ persona).
Quick Guide to Key Segments
| Segment | Time | Highlights and Quotes | |-----------------------------------------------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Panel quiz: Weekly news & Greenland saga | 02:26–09:42 | “Trump hasn’t been this disappointed ... since World War II.” [02:58] | | Cow uses tools | 05:08–07:03 | “A cow uses a broom to scratch her back. She’s a genius. I use a spatula.” —Peter [06:32] | | Olympic ‘Penisgate’ | 07:11–09:33 | “You should never be allowed to measure...in a sport where it’s that cold.” —Peter [08:16] | | Contestant quiz: Astronaut moon mission | 10:01–11:36 | “Imagine ... but the only other person who knows is on the moon.” —Peter [11:05] | | Bluff the Listener (stadium amenities) | 14:57–20:21 | Mellencamp’s IU ‘smoking shack’ is true | | Kevin O’Leary interview & ‘Not My Job’ game | 21:35–31:07 | “Maybe I should embrace this a-hole. ... light at the end of the sphincter.” [27:07] | | Panel Questions: games, clutter, gym germs | 32:33–36:56 | “What if my aspiration is to be a hoarder?” —Adam [36:04] | | Listener Limerick | 38:34–41:59 | “People should eat more bamboo...it’s rich in protein.” —Panel banter | | Lightning Fill in the Blank | 43:23–48:45 | Adam Burke wins the quick-fire quiz round |
For new listeners:
If you missed the show, expect a perfectly-paced balance of sharp news jokes, contestant quizzes, and uniquely entertaining celebrity interviews. This week’s trip highlights everything from tool-wielding cows to Olympic suit scandals to the joys (and dangers) of playing a rich jerk on screen, all delivered in the instantly recognizable, slightly subversive “Wait Wait” spirit.