Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Summary: Featuring Lauren Graham

Release Date: March 8, 2025

NPR’s beloved quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, hosted by Peter Sagal, delivers its signature blend of humor and current events from the historic Studebaker Theater in Chicago. This episode, titled WWDTM: Lauren Graham, features a special interview with the acclaimed actress Lauren Graham, renowned for her role in Gilmore Girls, alongside engaging listener contests and witty panelist banter.

1. Listener Contest: Rebecca Vaughn from Nantucket

Timestamp: [00:41] – [10:13]

The show kicks off with Rebecca Vaughn calling in from Nantucket, Massachusetts. Rebecca participates in the "Who’s Bill?" game, where she must identify or explain three news quotations read by Bill Curtis.

• First Quote: A Canadian barista rebranding Americanos to "Canadianos" in response to U.S. tariffs. Peter humorously remarks, "[...] everybody knows the Americano is the worst. Coffee order. Can I have some coffee, please? But make it watery." [03:08]

• Second Quote: Concerns about publishers discontinuing paperback releases. Faith Saley jokes, "They’re so beautiful," referring to hardcover books' aesthetic appeal. [05:47]

• Third Quote: An article urging early Christmas shopping. The panel chimes in with quips about buying presents in March, highlighting the absurdity of the timing. [08:21]

Rebecca successfully identifies two out of three quotes, winning the prize of a voicemail greeting from the show’s voices. [09:56]

2. Panel Discussion: Reactions to Current News

Timestamp: [10:13] – [26:31]

The panelists—Shantira Jackson, Roy Blount Jr., and Faith Saley—delve into various news topics with their characteristic humor and insights.

• Venture into Extended Lifespans: Discussion revolves around a new cruise line offering life-extension treatments with the quirky catch of purchasing a stateroom to live indefinitely on a ship. Shantira shares her experience working on a cruise ship, humorously noting, "I've never been funnier." [10:23] – [11:26]

• Publishing Industry Changes: The panel debates the elimination of paperback books in favor of hardcovers, pondering the future of book accessibility and affordability. Shantira quips, "Hard books," while Roy mockingly suggests, "Books will be printed on Charmin." [05:47] – [10:03]

• Tariff Policies and International Relations: The discussion highlights President Trump’s tariff adjustments on Canadian and Mexican goods, with Roy humorously attributing the tariffs to leaders' appearances: "I think he is intimidated by Justin Trudeau's good looks." [04:21] – [05:24]

3. Bluff the Listener Game: Dustin Durant from Omaha

Timestamp: [13:56] – [20:18]

Dustin Durant joins the show to play the "Bluff the Listener" game, where panelists discern truth from fiction in listener-submitted stories.

• Faith Saley’s Confessional Catastrophe: A 12-year-old inadvertently conducts confessions at a Catholic church, leading to humorous penances like "telling one parishioner to listen to kids bop while praying the rosary." [15:17] – [16:18]

• Roy Blount Jr.'s Soccer Incident: A German soccer referee is bitten by a player’s child during a match, a story that turns out to be true. Roy's guess is validated by an expert, Joey Kenward, confirming the authenticity of the incident. [17:27] – [20:13]

Dustin successfully narrates the true story, earning the panelist their respective prizes. [19:51] – [20:18]

4. Special Guest Interview: Lauren Graham

Timestamp: [20:31] – [30:44]

Lauren Graham, best known for her role as Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, joins the show to discuss her new project, Z Suite, and her experiences as a fan-favorite actress.

• Comparison of Roles: Peter inquires if her new role mirrors her iconic character, to which Lauren clarifies, "No. No, no, no, no, I love." She describes Z Suite as a distinct departure, emphasizing her versatility. [21:02] – [21:19]

• Fan Interactions and Community Events: Lauren touches on the deep connection fans have with Gilmore Girls, noting the potential for a 25th-anniversary convention in Connecticut. [23:54] – [24:28]

• Blurring Lines Between Actor and Character: Discussing how fans perceive her, Lauren admits, "I don't think I've worked hard enough to dissuade them from believing that." She shares anecdotes about fans seeking personal advice, highlighting the unique relationship between actors and their audiences. [25:05] – [26:31]

During a game aptly named "Gilmore", Lauren answers trivia about mermaid attractions, demonstrating herquick wit and charm. She successfully answers two out of three questions, contributing to the episode’s lighthearted atmosphere. [26:31] – [30:43]

5. Listener Limerick Challenge: Mariah Wood from Chestertown

Timestamp: [31:09] – [41:56]

Mariah Wood participates in the Listener Limerick Challenge, completing limericks based on current news.

• Banana Preservation Innovation: Mariah correctly identifies that British scientists developed a banana variety that doesn't spoil once peeled, addressing the limerick about consumers no longer wasting uneaten bananas. [37:40] – [39:01]

• Survival Story with Toothpaste: She interprets a limerick about a teenage boy surviving on melted snow and toothpaste, humorously commenting on his unconventional survival methods. [39:13] – [40:18]

• Expensive Yogurt Craze: Mariah deciphers a limerick mocking the high cost of a new probiotic coconut yogurt, highlighting the absurdity of paying $40 for health enhancements. [40:36] – [41:32]

Achieving a perfect score by correctly completing all three limericks, Mariah wins a prize, showcasing her sharp listening skills and quick thinking. [41:38] – [41:56]

6. Lightning Fill in the Blank: Speed Round

Timestamp: [43:35] – [47:55]

In the high-energy Lightning Fill in the Blank segment, panelists race against the clock to complete as many missing phrases as possible.

• News Topics Covered:
  • Tariffs: "On Thursday, President Trump reversed course and lifted most of the blanks placed on Mexico tariffs." (Tariffs)
  • Health Studies: "According to a new study, Paxlovid may not reduce hospitalization risk for older adults who catch blank." (Covid)
  • Social Media Legislation: "This week, Utah became the first state to pass legislation that requires blank apps to verify their users' ages." (Social media)
  • Corporate Boycotts: "On Thursday, a 40-day boycott against Target began in protest of the company scaling back blank policies." (Return policies)
  • Cybersecurity: "When Blank." (Pandora? Not enough context, but eventually correct answers are provided)
  • Sports Achievements: "On Tuesday, Blank became the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 career points." (LeBron James)
  • Environmental Concerns: "This Thursday, scientists warned that human brains could contain up to a spoonful of blank." (Plastic)
  • Legal Disputes: "A tourist in Rome who was trying to flee the police was caught after he blanked." (Dove dived into a fountain)

Panelists Roy Blount Jr., Shantira Jackson, and Faith Saley impress with their rapid-fire answers, humorously debating each correct completion. Faith maintains her lead throughout, while Roy secures additional points to ultimately win the segment. [43:35] – [47:55]

7. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: [48:04] – [51:25]

As the episode wraps up, Peter Sagal extends gratitude to the panelists and acknowledges the production team behind the scenes. Final announcements invite listeners to participate in upcoming contests and explore future episodes. Promotional messages from sponsors, including BetterHelp and NetSuite by Oracle, are seamlessly integrated, maintaining the show’s engaging flow.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Peter Sagal on Tariffs: "By the time I finish this sentence, the only Canadian product we will be banning is Drake." [04:21]

• Roy Blount Jr. on Leadership Appearance: "I think he is intimidated by Justin Trudeau's good looks." [04:40]

• Faith Saley on Banana Bread: "I hate banana bread... I like bananas. I don't like bananas in stuff." [38:31]

• Lauren Graham on Fan Perception: "I don’t think I've worked hard enough to dissuade them from believing that." [25:06]

• Shantira Jackson on Digital Banking: "They're printing books on Charmin." [50:10]

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blends current events with entertainment, featuring heartfelt interactions, sharp wit, and a special guest who brings her charm and relatability. Lauren Graham’s appearance provides a delightful bridge between television fame and real-world discussions, leaving listeners both informed and amused.

For those who missed the live show, the episode remains accessible through NPR’s platforms, continuing to entertain and educate a diverse audience week after week.