Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Episode Summary

Guest: Lucy Dacus

Air Date: December 13, 2025

Main Theme

This episode of NPR’s “Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!” is packed with topical news humor, listener games, and lively panelist banter. Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus (of Boy Genius fame) joins as the celebrity guest, sharing stories about her music career, her Springsteen fandom, and her songwriting origins. As always, host Peter Sagal is joined by a sharp panel (Helen Hong, Adam Burke, Tom Bodett) and co-hosted by Alzo Slade.

Key Segments and Insights

Opening & Panel Introduction

[02:04–04:03]

• Peter Sagal sets a playful tone, teasing the upcoming interview with Lucy Dacus, a Grammy-winning member of Boy Genius.
• Panelists this week: Adam Burke (comedian), Helen Hong (NPR trivia host), Tom Bodett (humorous woodworker and podcaster).
• “Boy Genius is arguably the most successful musical act ever named after Young Sheldon.” — Peter Sagal (02:24)

Listener Quiz #1 — News Roundup (“Who’s Alzo This Time?”)

[04:17–11:53]
Contestant: Blythe from Long Island (an assistant DA on maternity leave).

Key Questions and Discussion:

1. Netflix buys Warner Bros.

   • Netflix’s $83B purchase of Warner Bros. sparks jokes about monopolies and endless streaming fees.
   • “Netflix assured consumers…you will still be able to pay a separate subscription fee for each of them.” — Peter Sagal (04:34)
   • Panel makes fun of streaming overload and mashes up franchise possibilities.
   • “I think if Netflix bought them all up, shut them down, and just went back to mailing us DVDs.” — Peter Sagal (06:00)

2. Self-Driving Cars Get Aggressive

   • Waymo’s robotaxis are programmed to act more “human,” leading to sudden, assertive driving.
   • “Some people say it now drives like a New York City cabbie…” — Peter Sagal (07:26)
   • Tom Bodett shares a personal Tesla self-driving story, comparing it to “driving like Nana.” (09:00)

3. The “Swag Gap” in Relationships

   • Wall Street Journal reports on partners who dress with drastically differing effort.
   • “You might have a swag gap problem when...people keep asking her ‘is that man bothering you?’” — Peter Sagal (10:40)
   • Helen Hong riffs on LA dating and fashion.

Result: Blythe aces the round, earning listener voicemail message privileges.
“Toddler negotiations have nothing on the cross-examination skills of a mom–prosecutor.” — Adam Burke (03:09)

Odd News: Latvia's Rent-a-Husband

[12:18–13:29]

• Latvia’s surplus of women sparks a boom in “rent-a-husband” services for tasks like home repairs.
• “Basically anything a TaskRabbit or a lesbian friend could do.” — Peter Sagal (12:54)
• Jokes about repo’ing men and “hourly” marital arrangements abound.

Bluff the Listener — TV Shows in the News

[15:35–22:21]
Contestant: Renee from Missoula, Montana (canine field specialist).

Panelist Tales:

1. Tom Bodett: Man mistakes Emma Thompson in a crime show for his missing mother; search eventually reunites him with real mom.
2. Helen Hong: Producers use AI to give all actors bigger butts on Kim Kardashian’s legal drama "All’s Fair."
3. Adam Burke: A woman named Carol’s fridge displays “We’re sorry we upset you, Carol”—actually an ad for the Apple TV show “Pluribus,” causing her psychological confusion.

Answer: Adam’s story is true—an ad on a smart fridge targeting “Carol” led to real-life confusion.

Not My Job: Interview with Lucy Dacus

[23:10–32:41]

Early Music and Recording

[23:11–24:15]

• Lucy’s first record “No Burden” was recorded as a favor for a friend’s school project, secretly using Reba McEntire’s studio.
• “The whole record, we recorded in one day illegally. Well, I don’t know if it’s illegal, but without approval.” — Lucy Dacus (23:24)

Childhood Songwriting

[24:36–25:18]

• Wrote “Stupid Cupid” at age 7, already channeling heartbreak.
• “I also had a song about people who are upset someone cheats on them, but it’s probably their fault…again, I was eight.” — Lucy Dacus (25:02)
• Panel incredulous at the emotional complexity of her childhood lyrics.

Influences and Odd Jobs

[25:27–26:20]

• Influenced by Fergie and Adele as a kid.
• Worked at Richmond Camera, where monotonous tasks helped her write.
• “I would write, like, a song a day at that time… not what I do anymore.” — Lucy Dacus (26:12)

Song “Holidays” & Bruce Springsteen

[26:50–28:13]

• The album “Holidays”—songs themed around various holidays, including Springsteen’s birthday (a family tradition).
• “We had a big calendar in the kitchen… basketball practice, church, Bruce Springsteen’s birthday.” — Lucy Dacus (27:44)
• Dacus met Springsteen and was overwhelmed: “He seems to be the guy you want him to be, which isn’t always true.” (29:03)

Not My Job Quiz: Real “Boy Geniuses”

[29:18–32:21]

• All about famous boy prodigies, Dacus nails all three questions (“I feel like genius is the opposite of dumb…”).
• Prize won for listener Kimberly Ramos of Chicago.

Panel Banter & Oddball News

[34:15–43:59]

• Airbnb forbids “anything but sleep” on bed: “Ma’am, where am I supposed to do my scrapbooking now?” — Peter Sagal (35:12)
• Japan’s robot wolves deter bears: A blend of animatronics and fur (“Looks like something thrown out of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic band for a drug problem.” — Peter Sagal, 37:40)
• NHL’s most punchable player: Nick Cousins is named most punchable, even by friends.
• Garlic mouthwash as effective as real mouthwash: “Garlic does it because the microbes leave voluntarily.” (41:51)
• Pope named to “Most Stylish” list: Jokes about the swag gap between the Pope and cardinals/Jesus.

Lightning Fill in the Blank & Wrap-Up

[45:43–51:10]

• Panel breezes through fast-paced news questions.
• Humorous oddities:
  • Parade float sprays flamethrower fuel on crowds in Canada.
  • Woman in Spain fired for showing up to work early.
  • Three-year-old chess prodigy breaks rating records.
• Result: 3-way panelist tie, everyone “wins.”

Memorable Quotes

• “Maybe once he can start negotiating back. Right now I’m just in a hostage situation.” — Blythe, listener (03:13)
• “Do you consider that personal growth that you’re no longer mad at your imaginary boyfriend?” — Peter Sagal (11:21)
• “Please tell me you called it the Springsteenth.” — Adam Burke, on Springsteen holidays (27:57)
• “That’s something she would do.” — Tom Bodett, as Courtney Hochstetler (Jane Thompson story, 17:03)
• “Basically anything a TaskRabbit or a lesbian friend could do.” — Peter Sagal, on “rent-a-husband” (12:54)
• “He seems to be the guy you want him to be, which isn’t always true.” — Lucy Dacus on Springsteen (29:03)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Panel/Intro: 02:04
• Listener Quiz/Monopolies & Streaming: 04:17–11:53
• Latvia Rent-a-Husband: 12:18
• Bluff the Listener (TV News): 15:35–22:21
• Lucy Dacus Interview: 23:10–32:41
• Lightning Fill in the Blank: 45:43–51:10

Tone & Takeaway

The episode is witty, irreverent, occasionally poignant—especially during Lucy Dacus’ segment, which reveals both her vulnerability and humor. The panel’s comedic interplay is sharp, especially on pop culture, AI, and the darkly ridiculous corners of the week’s news. Fans new and old will appreciate the game show’s deft blend of news, humor, and genuine human interest.

Recommended for:
Listeners seeking a smart, funny, and unconventional recap of current events—with bonus insight into celebrated musicians and the absurdity of daily life.