Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Summary: "WWDTM: Lewis Black"

Release Date: April 19, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Guest: Lewis Black
NPR's weekly news quiz bringing humor and current events together.

Introduction and Panel Warm-Up

The episode kicks off with host Peter Sagal reintroducing the show from Durham, North Carolina, highlighting its reputation for blending humor with news. Peter enthusiastically welcomes listeners and sets the stage for an engaging episode featuring comedian Lewis Black. He introduces the week’s panelists:

• Alonzo Bowden: Performing at the Wall Comedy Club in Bakersfield.
• Adam Burke: Host of "5 o'clock Somewhere News" on Instagram, opening for W. Kamau Bell in Chicago.
• Dulce Sloan: Touring comedians slated to perform in Honolulu, Nashville, and St. Louis.

Peter encourages listener participation, sharing a brief interaction with Tim from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, who joins the show to compete in the news quiz segments.

News Quiz Segment

Harvard vs. the Trump Administration

Peter presents the first news quote: "It's like Goliath versus Goliath." This refers to Harvard University's refusal to comply with the Trump administration's attempt to withdraw $2 billion in funding, positioning the institution as a bold opponent against government pressure.

• Alonzo Bowden humorously remarks, “$2 billion to Harvard is like, what, 20 bucks?”

Peter quips about Harvard's resilience, noting that unlike Columbia University, which faced repercussions, Harvard students would likely secure support from affluent family members if funding was cut. This sparks laughs and light-hearted jabs among the panelists.

Katy Perry’s All-Female Space Expedition

The next quote involves pop star Katy Perry’s statement, "We're going to put the ass in astronauts," celebrating her participation in Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to space. The panel discusses the mission's impact on female representation in space exploration.

• Lewis Black comments, “And what is reckless behavior in a fish?” in response to a related environmental study, blending environmental concerns with humor.

The panelists critique the mission as a possible PR stunt while acknowledging its role in inspiring young girls. Dulce Sloan jokes about renaming the mission to something less extravagant, like "space brunch."

Recreating Childhood Vacations

The final quote describes a vacation resort outside New York City as "like summer camp, except with a really fancy bed and premium craft cocktails."

• Adam Burke correctly identifies that vacationers are increasingly attempting to recreate nostalgic childhood trips, a trend highlighted by the Hilton hotel chain's "time travel" marketing campaign.

Dulce Sloan humorously reflects on the impracticality of certain retro vacation trends, suggesting whimsical alternatives like zero-G karaoke.

Bluff the Listener: Anti-Anxiety Drugs Affecting Salmon

In the Bluff the Listener game, panelists are presented with statements about recent studies on anti-anxiety medications contaminating waterways and altering salmon behavior.

• Alonzo Bowden guesses salmon are becoming reckless, visualizing them as daredevils swimming towards bears.
• Dulce Sloan adds humorously, “Is it like it lets itself get caught because it wants a lip piercing?”

Peter explains that the drugs make salmon more likely to return upstream to spawn but less interested once they arrive, leading to humorous banter about the unintended consequences of pharmaceutical waste.

Guest Appearance: Lewis Black

Introduction and Career Insights

Peter Sagal welcomes Lewis Black, celebrated for his intense comedic rants and roles in popular media, including the voice of Anger in Inside Out. The conversation delves into Lewis’s discovery of his angry persona on stage:

• Lewis Black shares, "I realized that I was suppressing the anger," highlighting how his stage persona emerged organically from personal expression.

Advertising Adventures

Lewis discusses his unexpected role as a spokesperson for Aruba, the vacation destination. The panel teases the juxtaposition of his famously irritable demeanor with the serene image of Aruba.

• Alonzo Bowden jokes, “Lewis Black is a friend and one of my comedy heroes,” while Lewis humorously critiques the advertising process, saying, “It's genius” in response to Peter’s mock-serious comments.

Comedy and Personal Life

The dialogue touches on the challenges and dynamics of maintaining his angry persona off-stage, with Lewis affirming that his rants are a natural extension of his personality, not a facade.

• Adam Burke reflects on the exhausting nature of being perpetually angry, leading to laughs about popular misconceptions of his real-life temperament.

Additional Contestant Segment: Anthony from St. Louis

Anthony, a zookeeper specializing in insects, participates in the Bluff the Listener game. The panel humorously questions the practicality of his work with insects, leading to witty exchanges about the companionship (or lack thereof) of centipedes.

Hush: Calming Techniques for Babies

In another game segment, Lewis Black takes the stage to answer questions about baby soothing techniques, showcasing his trademark humor.

• Peter Sagal asks, “Most people know that lullaby as what? A, the theme from Jaws; B, the theme from Jeopardy; or C, Sir Mix-a-Lot’s Baby Got Back.”
  • Adam Burke correctly answers “B, the theme from Jeopardy” with a humorous struggle.

The panel explores diverse cultural lullabies, including Brazil’s crocodile threats to quiet babies, blending global perspectives with comedic insights.

Listener Limerick Challenge: Alice from Park City

Alice participates in the limerick challenge, striving to complete news-related limericks accurately.

• First Limerick: Involves a food trend called "dinosaur time," humorously interpreted by Alice as giving up on traditional salads.
• Second Limerick: Describes electric sheets supposedly grounded to reduce static, with Dulce Sloan debunking the concept humorously.
• Third Limerick: Concerns AI translating dolphin language, leading to jokes about blackmailing dolphins.

Alice successfully completes two out of three limericks, earning her the panel’s praise and winning a prize.

Lightning Fill in the Blank Game

The panel engages in a rapid-fire fill-in-the-blank game, testing their knowledge on recent news topics.

• Adam Burke and Alonzo Bowden showcase quick thinking, correctly answering questions about federal tariffs, health outbreaks, and other timely issues.
• Dulce Sloan keeps pace, securing enough correct answers to nearly tie with Adam.

The segment underscores the panelists' sharp awareness of current events, delivered with characteristic humor.

Predicting the Next Vacation Trend

In a forward-looking discussion, the panelists speculate on emerging vacation trends, blending creativity with comedic exaggeration.

• Alonzo Bowden suggests walking vacations for affordability.
• Dulce Sloan envisions Jeff Bezos launching an Amazon delivery-themed capsule.
• Lewis Black humorously predicts Instagram influencers opting for the Poconos over Miami for their "island-like" appeal.

The conversation highlights the panel’s imaginative takes on societal shifts in leisure and travel.

Conclusion

Peter Sagal wraps up the episode with acknowledgments to Lewis Black, the panelists, and the Durham audience. He teases upcoming games and encourages continued listener participation. The episode concludes with brief mentions of future live shows and appreciation for the show's crew and sponsors.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [03:51] Alonzo Bowden: “$2 billion to Harvard is like, what, 20 bucks?”
• [05:47] Lewis Black: “What is reckless behavior in a fish?”
• [21:07] Adam Burke: “I could be standing off stage talking to somebody about their new dog… and then it's like showtime.”
• [28:08] Adam Burke: “What was the song? What are these?”
• [36:01] Lewis Black: “That’s called paying your rent.”
• [42:34] Dulce Sloan: “I don't trust anyone that smiles all the time.”

Key Takeaways

• Harvard University's Stand: Demonstrated resilience against governmental funding pressures, reflecting institutional strength and influence.
• Women in Space: Katy Perry’s spaceflight highlighted both progress in gender representation and the commercialization of space endeavors.
• Easter Trends: From influencer-driven bonnets to unconventional egg substitutes like dyed potatoes, showcasing the blend of tradition and modernity.
• Lewis Black’s Role: Explored how his comedic persona impacts his professional engagements and personal life, adding depth to his public image.
• Engaging Games: Interactive segments like Bluff the Listener, Hush, and the Limerick Challenge provided informative content wrapped in humor, enhancing listener engagement.

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully combines current events with sharp wit, engaging both panelists and listeners in a lively exploration of newsworthy topics, all while featuring the distinctive humor of Lewis Black. Whether discussing hefty university funding battles or the quirky evolution of Easter traditions, the show delivers insightful and entertaining commentary that keeps audiences laughing and informed.