WWDTM: Lucy Dacus

Summary

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.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Natural Resources Defense Council. Join the supporters of NRDC who focus on safeguarding the earth, its people, plants and animals. For a limited time, contributions are being matched five to one. Nrdc.org Wait. Hey, it's Peter Sagal. Before we start today's show, I want to take a second of your time to talk about public media. You know, basically this public media was founded to inform, to expand your perspective, to enrich your understanding. And over its decades long history, eventually it became also a format for, well, fart jokes. But we still believe in the mission of public media at npr. We always will. But as of this fall, all federal funding for public media, including NPR and local NPR stations, including yours, has been eliminated. So we need your support to keep bringing you Wait, Wait. And the segments you love, like Bluff the Listener and who's Bill? This time, our weekly page panel of comedians and of course, our special guests, all of whom we try to get to say things they aren't able to say anyplace else. So help us bring you more surprising moments and comedy and laughter and perspectives and yes, fart jokes in 2026 because you can't have enough of any of those in your life. Thank you. If you already go the extra mile as an NPR supporter. If not, you can join the PLUS community, get a bunch of perks like bonus episodes and more from across n podcasts and support public media by signing up for NPR today. Just go to plus.NPR.org.

[B]

From NPR in WBEZ Chicago. This is Wait, wait, don't tell me, the NPR News quiz. I'm Alzo Slade, the guy they bring in when it's too windy for Bill Curtis to land his jetpack. And here's your host at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[A]

Thank you, Alzo. Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. Yeah, later on, we do have a great show. I'm just as excited. Later on, we're going to be talking to the singer songwriter Lucy Dacus, who was also part of the Grammy winning supergroup Boy Genius. Arguably. Yes, get excited. Boy Genius is arguably the most successful musical act ever named after young Sheldon. First, we want to test your IQ. Give us a call. Number is 1-888-wait- wait. That's 1-888-924-8924. Let's welcome our first listener contestant this week. Hi, yarn. Wait, wait, don't tell me.

[C]

Hi, this is Blake calling from Long Island, New York.

[A]

Long Island. What do you do there in Long Island?

[C]

I'm an Assistant district attorney specializing in financial crimes.

[A]

But right now, I'm on maternity leave.

[C]

With my first baby.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. I'm thinking about this. I wonder if your skills as a district attorney, a prosecutor, will be of any use as a mother.

[C]

Maybe once he can start negotiating back.

[D]

Exactly.

[C]

Right now, I'm just in a hostage situation.

[A]

Well, welcome to the show, Blythe. Let me introduce you to our panel this week. First up, a comedian whose new special, Un American is available now on Amazon, Apple TV and streaming services everywhere. It's our friend Adam Burke.

[D]

Hi, Adam.

[A]

Hello. Next, the host of the trivia show Go Factor Yourself on select NPR station. She'll also be at Emerald city, Seattle on December 19th. It's Helen Hom.

[D]

Hello.

[E]

Hi. Hi, everybody.

[A]

And a humorous woodworker whose new podcast, the Beaudet Problem debuts soon. Listen to the pilot [e-mail], it's Tom Beaudet.

[F]

Hello, Blythe. Nice to talk to you.

[A]

So, Blythe, welcome to the show. You're going to play who's Alzo? This time, Alzo Slade is going to read you three quotations from this week's news. If you can correctly identify or explain just two of them, you will win our prize. Any voice from our show you might choose for your voicemail. Are you ready to play?

[C]

Yes, sir.

[A]

All right, here's your first quote from.

[B]

Two DVDs a week to owning Hollywood. Very impressive.

[A]

That was a New York Times commenter on news that who has struck a deal to buy Warner Brothers Studios for just $83 billion.

[C]

Netflix.

[A]

Netflix. Yes, very good. Netflix announced they'd be buying Warner Bros. Which includes, of course, HBO and, you know, cnn, dc, all the other letters of the Alphabet not currently owned by Disney. Netflix assured consumers who are worried about a Hollywood monopoly that even if they do end up owning every single streaming service, you will still be able to pay a separate subscription fee for each of them.

[E]

I know this is supposed to be horrib and it's a monopoly and it's gonna drive up prices and kill creatives, but think about the mashup possibilities, please. Like K Pop, Demon Hunter, Sing along Featuring Frodo and Gandalf.

[A]

You shall not pass.

[E]

Cause we're going up, up, up.

[A]

Sour moment. I was just gonna wait for you to do it. I was gonna sit here in silence until you gave us a sample.

[E]

I was hoping for you to jump in. You left me hanging.

[F]

Your comment that we're still gonna have to pay separate, that was the only hope I had, was that like half of those tiles on my screen would disappear and there would just be like the end would just get bigger and.

[A]

Bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger. And all of your waking owls will now be taken with scrolling through choices. You know what I think would be cool? I think if Netflix bought them all up, shut them all down, and just went back to mailing us DVDs. Ha.

[F]

That's sounding better all the time.

[D]

Well, I. Netflix are $18 billion in debt and they're spending $83 billion.

[A]

Who do they think they are?

[D]

Me?

[A]

Now people are worried. This is true, that if Netflix, which streams of course video, buys one of the last movie studios, Warner Bros. That will be the end of movies in theaters. What about a shared communal experience? Shouts the one guy, you know, who's always going to the movies alone.

[D]

Yeah, but also, I mean, how are they going to recreate that feeling of being in the cinemas, you know, sitting there through 45 of ads.

[A]

Yeah, you know what, I gotta say this is true. I went and saw a movie the other day and I'll just say I didn't enjoy it very much in a theater and it wasn't so much I wanted to leave, but that I wanted to be able to point something at the screen and find out how much more of it I had to endure.

[D]

Yeah, you know what, that happened to me in a movie recently too. I was like, how long is.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

You want to just move the mouse around.

[A]

Exactly. All right, Blythe, here is your next quote.

[B]

It's driving like a New York City taxi driver.

[A]

That was one of many people who've noticed that. What kind of cars have started getting a lot more aggressive on the road?

[C]

Is it self driving cars?

[A]

Yes, it is. Self driving cars. Specifically Waymos. Waymo's driverless taxis are already operating in some cities and customers had complained about trips being slow because the cars were too polite. Right. They stopped behind double parked delivery trucks. Instead of driving around them in the other lane, they slowed down to check on the people they hit. So, and this is true, the car's programming has been tweaked to make it a little bit more human. Nobody coming in the opposite lane will drive around the truck. No other cars around. We'll just roll through the stop sign, school zone. If you say so. So some people say, well now it drives like aggressively, like a New York City cabbie. As a matter of fact, many Muemo passengers have noticed the sudden appearance of like pine tree air fresheners on the rear view mirror. Although of course it's not really a New York cabbie unless the car itself says, ah, I wish Giuliani was still mayor.

[D]

Who was complaining that they were too polite passengers.

[F]

Yeah, I went through it was actually more hilarious than unnerving. Was I owned a Tesla when. And it had the Beta self driving thing. And the week that they downloaded that to all of us and our cars would actually self drive. It was in Vermont. Took my two boys out with us. We're going to let this drive us to town. Right? And it's like 10 miles. It took forever.

[A]

Oh, really?

[F]

Yeah, because it's Vermont. I mean, I don't think it really knew where it was. It'd get to a stop sign and be like, whoa, what is that? And it would inch up and we were in tears by the time we got halfway to town. It drives like nana.

[D]

Yeah. Did it realize it was in Vermont and just started becoming more folksy? Like it just stopped to appreciate the sunset?

[F]

Well, it'd be going down the road and then, you know, look, another car is coming, which is more rare there than other places. And it would just like, whoa, your.

[D]

Tesla somehow tipped its cap to the other person. I went, ma', am.

[F]

Yeah, you gotta have the wave.

[B]

I can attest to the fact that waymos are more like taxi drivers. Cause when I tried to hail one, they just went right past me.

[D]

They were waymo ready than you thought they were gonna be.

[A]

All right, here's your last quote.

[B]

You wanna look good for the person you're with, not throw on pajama pants and crocs.

[A]

That was someone talking to the Wall Street Journal about the swag gap. When one half of a couple does what better than the other dresses. You're right, Blythe. Very good. Yes. When one half dresses better. This is apparently a big deal in the a mismatched couple where one member of the couple dresses really great and the other one looks like they just rolled out of bed. You know that you might have a swag gap problem when you're out with your girlfriend and people keep asking her, is that man bothering you?

[E]

I live in LA where the women are stunning, but often the men are also stunning. So I feel like, as someone who doesn't keep up with all the latest fashion in la, I might be in a swag cap with my imaginary boyfriend. And I wouldn't mind if he was Ethan Hawke. Cause he's a little schlumby, but I wouldn't be mad at him.

[D]

Do you consider that personal growth that you're no longer mad at Your imaginary boyfriend.

[A]

The Wall Street Journal did a big story about this, right? So you know it's real. They said some daters go so far as vetting new partners for, like, a potential swag gap before they get serious. Like, how do you do that? Hey, quick question. How much cargo do your pants hold? Also, how did Blythe do in our quiz?

[B]

The new mom got them. All right, congratulations.

[A]

Thank you so much for playing Blythe. We really appreciate you joining us.

[B]

Take care.

[A]

Thank you so much. Right now, panel, it is time for you to answer some questions about this week's news. Adam, there are 15% more women than men in the country of Latvia. So to help the women out, a new business there is booming. What is that business?

[D]

Robot men.

[A]

Not quite robot men, no. Can I get a clue? You can get a clue. It's like, I promise to love and to cherish for $20 an hour with a minimum of three hours.

[D]

Oh, is it like. Is it rent a husband?

[A]

It is. Exactly. Rent a husband.

[D]

Oh, wow. Yes.

[E]

Wow.

[A]

Latvia obviously has a man shortage, so there's been an explosion of quote, husbands for an hour businesses. Ooh, these rent a husbands calm down. Rent a husbands are advertised that they can repair cabinets, tile bathrooms, mount televisions, Basically anything a task rabbit or a lesbian friend could do.

[D]

Wait, how many married women in Latvia are like, damn, you mean I could have just done this hourly?

[A]

You know?

[B]

Ye. I wonder if there's anything like rent a center here where if you miss a payment, they come snatch em up.

[D]

They. Oh, no, they repoed Allen.

[A]

I don't have the faintest clue. Don't know what I'm about to do. Yeah. So put your hand in mine and cross that line.

[D]

I'm a man on this show. Yeah.

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

Here I come. Coming up, get ready to binge our bluff. The listener game. Call 1, triple 8. Wait, wait to play. We'll be back in a minute with more of Wait wait, don't tell me. From npr, support for this podcast and the following message come from Dignity Memorial. When you think about the people you love, it's not the big things you miss the most. It's the details. What memories will your loved ones cherish when you're gone? At Dignity Memorial, the details aren't just little things. They're everything. They help families create meaningful celebrations of life with professionalism and compassion. To find a provider near you, visit dignitymemorial.com. this message comes from Britbox. It's the coziest time of the year on Britbox. That means curling up with a gripping murder mystery basking in the ambiance of a sumptuous period drama, or unboxing the unexpected with a hidden gem. Cuddle up with the best of British TV, including BritBox Original series based on best selling novels like Lindley and a new season of Karen Peary. However you cozy, it's all a bit warmer with Britbox. See holidays differently when you stream the best of British TV with BritBox.

[G]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on think or swim. Visit schwab.com to learn more. This message comes from Progressive Insurance. Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[B]

From NPR and WBEZ Chicago, this is Wait, Wait, Don't TELL me. The NPR News quiz. I'm Alzo Slade. We're playing this week with Helen Hong, Tom Beaudet and Adam Burke. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[A]

Thank you, Alzo. Right now it is time for the Wait, Wait, don't tell Me. Bluff the listener game. Call 1 Triple 8. Wait, wait. To play our game in the air. Hi, you are on Wait, Wait, Don't TELL me.

[C]

Hi, this is Renee calling from Missoula, Montana.

[A]

Missoula, one of my favorite places up there in northwestern Montana. What do you do there there?

[C]

I am a canine field specialist for the nonprofit Working Dogs for Conservation.

[A]

How incredibly cool. Wow. So what exactly do you train the dogs to do?

[C]

So we train them on a variety of things. They help detect things like rare and endangered species, invasive plants, diseases.

[F]

So how do they test for endangered species?

[A]

Yeah, usually it's used.

[C]

Non invasively through scat detection.

[A]

Okay.

[F]

Okay.

[A]

I was afraid it was like they eat them and they're like, I've never had that before. Well, Rene, welcome to the show. You're gonna play the game in which you have to tell truth from fiction. Alzo, what is Renee's topic?

[B]

The golden age of tv.

[A]

So great new TV shows are streaming every day, whether it's Love island or Love island beyond the Villa or Love island svu. Now our panelists are going to tell you about a particular new TV show that made the news, but not in the usual way. Pick the one who's telling the truth and you can win the wait waiter of your choice in your voicemail. Are you ready to play?

[C]

I'm ready.

[A]

All right. First, let's hear from Tom Beaudet.

[F]

During her long, storied career in theater, film and television, British actor Emma Thompson has not often been required to confirm her identity. Everybody knows what she looks like. Courtney Hochstetler did too. She looks exactly like his mother Debbie, who disappeared almost a year ago. It started with people telling him, hey, I saw your mom on Apple tv. She's in a new crime show called Down Cemetery Road. Courtney watched a couple episodes to verify these reports. That's my mom, he said. Why would a 70 year old woman disappear to England in order to pose as one of the most famous faces in the world? It's something she would do, said Courtney. He started besieging the BBC, Scotland Yard, Interpol, demanding they return his mother from the TV show she was hiding in. In fact, they got so overwhelmed by his demand, Scotland Yard decided to look for Debbie and found her in a Buddhist retreat in Mexico. She just forgot to tell anyone. That is also something she would do, courtney admits. In retrospect.

[A]

A man becomes convinced that Emma Thompson is his missing mother and ends up finding his mom. Your next TV tale comes from Helen Hobb.

[E]

The new show All's Fair stars Kim Kardashian as a high powered divorce lawyer with an equally high powered butt. The famous Kardashian booty is so famous that producers felt all the other butts on the show just couldn't keep up. Test audiences told us they couldn't pay attention to the stories because they were distracted by Kim's assets, said executive producer Ryan Murphy. So we decided we'd just make her blend in. Enter AI's virtual butt lift. AI was used to enhance the backsides of every other actor in the series. Yes, if you ever wondered what Glenn Close would look like with a thick and juicy bbl, you're in luck. I've never been described as curvaceous, but seeing myself with a righteous rump is pretty cool, said the actor. Even the men were given the booty boosting treatment. Spoiler alert. Ed o' Neill plays a corpse in one episode, but a corpse with a rockin rear end and buckle up. Conan o' Brien has signed on to join season two.

[A]

The producers use AI to enhance the rear ends of all the other actors on Kim Kardashian's new show so that she would fit in. Your last saga of streaming comes from Adam Burke.

[D]

Ever since its invention in 1913, the refrigerator has served as a message center for the household. Whether it's a post it note reminding you to get milk, a terrible drawing by a profoundly untalented child, or a death threat to whatever jerk face took the last froyo, there is no communication hub quite like the humble fridge. But with the advent of the smart refrigerator, it seems the message is coming from outside the house. Such was the case recently with a British woman named Carol, who went to her trusty modern icebox only to see the phrase, we're sorry we upset you, Carol clearly displayed on the device's LED screen. While some may have taken this digital mea culpa as a reference to the fact that crisper drawers don't actually keep anything crisp, because, after all, it's just a drawer at the bottom of the fridge. I mean, how does that work anyway? It was, in fact a promotional ad for the new Apple TV show Pluribus, which features a character with that name. The real Carol, not being aware of the show despite it being the one that all the appliances are talking about, instead thought she was a psychotic episode and promptly checked herself into the hospital. The confusion has prompted Apple to devise a more subtle promotional campaign for Pluribus in the US Printing the name of the show on all of our money.

[A]

So these are your three choices from Tom. Someone becomes so convinced that the character played by Emma Thompson on a TV show is is his missing mom that he ends up helping find his missing mom. From Helen Hong, how the producers of the TV show All's Fair with Kim Kardashian sort of equalized everybody's assets. Or from Adam Burke about how a woman getting an ad for a new TV show on her refrigerator thought it was actually speaking to her and promptly sought help. Which of these was the real story of a TV show making the news?

[C]

As much as I want it to be AI buts, I think my dog is telling me to go with Alan's story.

[A]

So your choice is Adam's story about the woman who thought her fridge was talking to her by name. Well, to bring you the correct answer, we spoke to an expert about the real story.

[C]

I love Pluribus, but it does seem like a pretty niche show. I would think that even people not named Carol might be slightly confused.

[A]

That was marketing consultant Carrie Sloan talking about the Pluribus ad getting a little too real for one real Carol. Congratulations, Renee. You got it right. You earned a point for Adam. You've won our prize. The voice of your team choice in your voicemail. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thanks for playing with us today. And now, the game we call Not My Job. Singer songwriter Lucy Dacus recorded her first record as a favor to a friend. He needed to produce something for his school project. That became her hit debut, no Burden with, and she followed by an even bigger hit, Historian. And then she formed the supergroup Boy Genius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julian Baker, and their debut earned three Grammys. We are delighted she joins us now. Lucy Dacus, welcome to. Wait, Wait, don't tell me.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

Great to talk to you. I have to ask, is that true that your first record was recorded as a favor to a friend?

[C]

Yeah, he had a school project to do, and my friend was working at Reba McEntire's studio.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And he was like, no one's scheduled on this Saturday. Should we sneak in? And so the whole record, we recorded it in one day illegally. Well, I don't know if it's illegal, but without approval.

[A]

Right. First of all, I'm assuming he was, like, studying something like producing or audio engineering in school, right?

[C]

Yeah. He was interning.

[A]

Right. I guess the first question is, did he get a good grade?

[C]

I never asked him that.

[A]

Really?

[C]

I gotta assume that he at least passed. I don't know if it was a pass fail situation.

[A]

Yeah. He didn't, like. He didn't fail and have to have you record another record, did he?

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

And that's what Historian is.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. That was his second project. So that's an amazing story. You started playing guitar, I'm told, at 12 years old.

[C]

I would say the correct answer is yes.

[A]

The correct answer is yes. I like the fact you're already getting to the quiz aspect. That's good.

[C]

I'm not very. I'm still, like, not the best at guitar. I feel like guitar at that time was hardly listenable.

[A]

Really? But you're actually quite an accomplished guitarist. You were on a list of one of the greatest of all time. I saw.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Wow.

[A]

Do you remember? I'm always curious about this artist like yourself, like, what your first songs were like when you first wrote a song. Do you remember what it was?

[C]

I had a song called Stupid Cupid, which was like. Like, why won't cupid come to me? I was probably like 7 years old.

[E]

What?

[C]

Yeah. I don't know.

[A]

At the end of the song, I.

[C]

Was ready for love.

[D]

Yeah, I know.

[E]

You were already pining for a partner at seven.

[C]

Yes. Stupid, stupid. I also had a song that was about people who are upset when someone cheats on them, but it is probably their Fault. Because why would they cheat on you if you weren't hard to be with again? I was probably, like, eight years old.

[E]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

Wow. You were eight years old.

[E]

What's happening at your elementary school?

[C]

I'm glad I don't remember. Yeah.

[A]

I'm wondering who are your big influences when you were a kid? Who were you trying to emulate when you were writing incredibly emotionally complex songs at the age of eight?

[C]

Fergie, actually.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, that one was different at eight.

[C]

Fergie. Fergie and Adele, probably at that time.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

I understand. You also, in your early days, before you recorded that school project and began to become very popular, you worked at a. I didn't even know these still existed within a young person's lifetime, but a photo processing shop in Richmond, where you grew up. Wow.

[C]

Richmond Camera.

[A]

Richmond camera. Did that experience inspire any of your writing?

[C]

Well, it was so mindless, and it was eight hours a day, and so I would sit and do my, like, da, da da, da, da, da, da, da da. And then I had a pad of paper, and I would write songs, and I'd get home and I'd get on the guitar, and I'd write, like, a song a day at that time, which is not, like, what I do anymore.

[A]

Wow. Have you considered. I mean, you seem to be nostalgic for when you were that productive. Have you considered taking on, like, a mindless day job again just to reignite the creative spirit?

[C]

Yeah, I think you're being funny, but I'm not. I haven't really thought about that.

[A]

I'm ready. You're ready. Somebody, somebody hire this woman for Drudge work so she can reach me the.

[F]

Photo counter at Walgreens. I think that's exactly how you dress.

[C]

Why not?

[A]

In 2019, you released a song on certain holidays throughout the year and then put out a record of them all called Holidays. And I love this record. How did you decide which holidays to do?

[C]

The real truth is that I had recorded a bunch of things for no reason because it's fun to do. And I was like, when are these gonna see the world? And so I realized that some of them had, like, a holiday aspect. Others I kind of couldn't make it up. Like Dancing in the Dark. We just said that Bruce Springsteen's birthday is a holiday, which I stand by.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And then, like, in the Air tonight. Like, that was kind of eerie. So we did it for Halloween.

[A]

I also wanted to ask, as you say, one of the holidays, Bruce Springsteen's birthday. And you do think that's a holiday. You were a big fan. Fan, right?

[C]

It was in my house growing up. I mean, it was written out. We had, like, a big calendar in the kitchen where we put, like, you know, basketball practice, church. Bruce Springsteen's birthday.

[G]

Wow.

[A]

Can I ask, how did you celebrate it? Did you all put on tight white T shirts, tight jeans, and workout issues with your fathers?

[D]

Please tell me you called it. Please tell me you called it the Springsteenth.

[C]

The Springsteent.

[A]

You're a genius. That's crazy.

[C]

I had to call my dad.

[A]

Yeah, I saw a picture of you with Springsteen. So you didn't meet him, right?

[E]

Did you tell him. Did you tell him about the Springsteenth?

[G]

No.

[C]

I already knew. Like, I'm not that phased when I meet people, but he is so important to my dad and to me. And I, like, showed up at a friend's birthday party and saw him, and I was like, I need to go. I'm about to make a fool of myself. And so I was crying at the bar to a friend. I was like, this is weird, and I should go. And so then I turned around, and he was right there. And he actually, like, knew me and knew my music already. So I was just like, I think you're the best. I like.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And he was. He was very gracious, and he kind of. He seems to be like the guy that you want him to be, which is not always true.

[A]

It's always true. Well, Lucy Dake is. It is a pleasure to talk to you, and we have invited you here to play a game we're calling Boy Genius.

[B]

Meet Boy Geniuses.

[A]

So your band is called Boy Genius. So we're going to ask you three questions about geniuses who are also boys. Answer two out of three questions. Well, okay, you're rolling your eyes. I did warn you earlier it would be dumb. I mean, you can.

[C]

I feel like genius is the opposite of dumb, so.

[A]

Okay, let's go. Let's go. All right. I appreciate that was very charitable. Okay, so as I was saying, answer two to three questions correctly, and you'll win our prize for one of our listeners. Alzo, who is Lucy playing for?

[B]

Kimberly Ramos of Chicago, Illinois.

[A]

All right, here's your first question. Math genius Suborno Bari started at NYU last fall at the age of 12 when a reporter asked him, do you sometimes wonder at the fact that you're only 12? What was his response? A quote, why wonder at that when there's dark matter to wonder about? B, not really. I've seen my birth certificate. Or C, yes, mainly when my classmates Go to a bar without me.

[C]

I'm going to say the second option. I think it's two.

[A]

You are right. It was B. Yes. He said, yes. I've seen my birth certificate. He is a math genius. He can count to 12. All right, here's your next question. Doogie Hauser was a fictional boy genius who in the show completed med school at the age of 14. But the actor who played him, Neil Patrick Harris, was not a medical prodigy. So how did he get through the scenes where he had to spout a lot of medical jardin while performing surgery? Was it A, he recorded each big word just one at a time, and then the editors would just cut away to the nurses a lot to make it sound like he was saying it all at once. B, he put a card with his lines written on them inside the surgical wound he was supposed to be operating on. Or C, the actor playing the patient on the operating table would whisper the lines to him, taking advantage of the fact you couldn't see his mouth under a oxygen mask. I'm gonna say B because you're right.

[C]

Yes, it was.

[A]

Yay. All right, here is your last question. Get this right, you'll be perfect. Boy geniuses from around the country were once invited to participate in a game show called Our Little genius, where prodigies answered nearly impossible questions and in the pursuit of winning $500,000. But the show, the recorded, never aired. Why? A, the network had said, people already feel dumb watching game shows. Now we're going to make them feel dumber. B, the phone a friend feature failed when every single contestant asked, does my mom count? Or C, it was shut down when it was revealed the kids weren't actually geniuses. Producers were just feeding them the answers right before they filmed.

[C]

I feel like we live in the world of C. We do.

[A]

Sadly, it is a fallen world that we live in. And you are correct. It was C. The whole thing was a scam. It was never broadcast. Also, how did Lucy do in our quiz?

[B]

She did great. Three out of three.

[A]

Well done. Lucy Dacus is a singer, songwriter and one third of the supergroup Boy Genius. Her new album, Forever is a Feeling, is out now. Lucy Dacus, thank you so much for joining us on Wetweight.

[F]

Don't try again.

[C]

Thank you for having me.

[A]

It was a pleasure to talk to you.

[D]

Take care.

[C]

Likewise.

[A]

Bye bye. In just a minute, hear about a man with infallible style in our listener limber challenge. Call 1-888-wait-WAIT to join us on the air. We'll be back in a minute with more Wait, wait, don't tell me from npr. This message comes from Superhuman, the AI productivity suite that gives you superpowers everywhere you work with Grammarly, mail and coda coming together. You get proactive help across your workflow so you can outsmart the chaos experience. AI that proactively helps you go from to do to done faster. Unleash your superhuman potential today. Learn [e-mail] podcast that's superhuman.com podcast. This message comes from NPR's sponsor, Viking, committed to exploring the world in comfort. Journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and onshore. And every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no children and no casinos. Discover [e-mail] this message comes from GiveWell.

[G]

A nonprofit that provides rigorous, transparent research to help donors make informed decisions about high impact giving. Join over 150,000 donors who've already trusted GiveWell to drive real impact. [e-mail].

[B]

From NPR in WBEZ Chicago, this is Wait, Wait, don't tell Me the NPR News Question Quiz. I'm Alzo Slade. We're playing this week with Tom Beaudet, Adam Burke and Helen Hong. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[A]

Thank you, Alzo. In just a minute. Thank you everybody. In just a minute, three limericks enter, but only one leaves in our listener limerick Deathmatch. If you'd like to play, give us a call at 1-88-WAIT-WAIT. That's 1-888-924-8924. But right now, panel, some more questions for you from the week's news. Tom this week, a couple who rented an Airbnb were shocked when they arrived at their rental and found a sign telling them to use the bed. Quote, only for what?

[F]

Well, there's only a couple main uses while sleeping.

[A]

Yes, only for sleeping. The couple checked into this Airbnb in Istanbul, Turkey, and they were surprised when they found this note on the bed that was to be used, quote, only for sleep, no other activities, unquote. Wow, wow, wow, ma', am, where am I supposed to do my scrapbooking now? So obviously, it seems like the owners of the the Airbnb we're trying to avoid any amorous activities in the bedroom. But then why did the dining room table have a sign that said, anything goes. Get wild, you freaks?

[D]

Did they turn the sign over and it said, that's what the sex swing is for?

[A]

Now this is what they say. What happened? It's possible one person in the relationship just snuck in early and put the sign there. Now, we've had this experience, right, this is a little much, though, of seeing these signs with instructions around your Airbnb. The remote for the TV at the same place had a sticker that read use only to turn TV on off. Which is a mistake because now you're just asking people to come up with other things. A remote could be used for what.

[F]

Was in the bathroom. Any direction there.

[A]

Helen. Japan is having trouble keeping bears and other animals away from populated areas these days. But this week we learned about an increasingly popular and successful method of scaring them off. Just installing a what?

[E]

A Netflix account. I need a hint.

[A]

You need a hint? Well, we assume that it just happened to the robots they already had when there was a full moon.

[E]

Werewolf robots.

[A]

Wolf robots.

[E]

No.

[A]

Or robot wolves. Yes, that's right. The monster wolf robot, that's its official name, is this sort of wolf shaped device that's got speakers and flashing lights and glowing red eyes to deter bears from approaching while also adding a fun pop of color to your home decor. There are about 300 of these things currently operating in Japan. Apparently they're very successful. And frankly, having seen some pictures of these things, I agree with the bears.

[F]

I mean, I think I'd rather have.

[A]

The bears really than robot wolves.

[D]

Also. Oh, Japan. Why is your solution to everything robots?

[F]

Haven't you watched any of those movies?

[A]

It is legitimately scary. It is a combination of like. It's like a combination of electronic parts and cheap fake fur, vaguely in an animal shape. It looks like something that was thrown out of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic band because of a drug problem.

[F]

Is it stationary? Is it? They like just put them somewhere.

[A]

What's interesting is right now the original model is stationary. It just sits there. It's got these speakers that can play 50 different sounds. Why only scare off?

[D]

The bears most famously have like two noises.

[F]

Yeah, but all that bandwidth, you gotta use it.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, but the bears will get used to the one sound.

[D]

We've got this new scatting werewolf that scares the crap out of everyone now.

[A]

So apparently, like I said, it's very successful. They're buying more of them. But it's possible that it's not actually scaring anything. The bear is just running back to the woods to tell his friends. Phil, you gotta see this.

[D]

We knew AI was to going be stealing jobs. I didn't think I'd be doing it from animals.

[A]

Coming up. It's lightning. Fill in the blank. But first is the game where you have to listen for the rhyme. If you'd like to play on air, call or leave a message at 1-88-WAIT-WAIT. That's 1-888-924-89-24. You can see us most weeks right here at the Studebaker Theatre in downtown Chicago. You can catch us next on the road in Bloomington, Indiana on February 26th. For tickets and information about all our live shows, just go over to nprpresents.org hi, Erin. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Hi Peter. Hi everybody. Meredith calling from beautiful Reno, Nevada. Ah, the biggest little city in the world, Reno. I like it there. What do you do there?

[C]

You got it. I am a part time substitute teacher, full time homemaker.

[A]

Oh, I see. That's great. Do you enjoy substitute teachers? I absolutely love it.

[C]

It's joy. It brings me so much joy to see those kids faces.

[B]

It was a joy for me to see a substitute teacher when I was a kid.

[A]

Well, welcome to the show, Meredith.

[C]

Alzo Slade is so good to be here.

[A]

It's great to have you. Now, Alzo Slade filling in for Bill Curtis is going to read you three news related limericks with the last word or phrase missing from if you can fill in that last word or phrase correctly and two of the limericks will be a winner. You ready to go?

[C]

I am ready.

[A]

Here is your first limerick.

[B]

In hockey, we fight quite a bunch. Sometimes cheekbones or teeth need to crunch. We vote by the dozens for center Nick Cousins, a face that we all want to punch.

[D]

Punch.

[A]

Yes. A survey of NHL players named Nick Cousins of the Ottawa Senators as the most punchable hockey player in a landslide. Now this does not mean the players went on to say that the NHL players hate Nick Cousins. One player in fact said I love the guy, he's a very good friend to me and then voted for him as most punchable. Does he say that when he is punching Nick Cousins? Nick, you're a great guy. You have one, one flaw though. Too many teeth. Pow.

[E]

Whoa. If we were to have that contest here, I think Tom Beaudet would come last. What is the least punchable?

[F]

Oh, the least punchable. Thank you. Yes, I would think like the most punchable face. Like I don't know if you've ever had occasion to actually punch a face, but it really hurts. It's only happened to me once and.

[E]

You'Ve punched a face.

[F]

It's a long story for another time and a long time ago, but it hurts. It hurts a lot. And so I would want to Punch a really fat face.

[E]

Yeah. Like the potato of faces.

[F]

Yes.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, here is your next limerick.

[B]

Clothes and water are making this jar slick. It's a mouthwash. That is a subpar trick. My mouth will be clean, but my breath makes you scream. My new mouthwash is four cloves of.

[C]

Garlic.

[A]

Garlic? Yes. According to a paper published this week, the compounds in garlic are as effective at fighting microbes in the mouth as the best commercial mouthwash. The only difference is when the garlic does it, it makes the microbes leave voluntarily.

[E]

This is a way to low key break up with someone without actually having to break up with someone.

[F]

Yeah.

[E]

Just be like, I got this new mouthwash, babe.

[D]

What if you used, like, rosemary mouthwash to complement it? You know what I mean? Like, made it into a sauce?

[A]

No. This product, garlic mouthwash, ticks all the boxes for the crunchy, all natural crowd out there. It doesn't have any chemicals and it makes you smell terrible. All right, here is your last.

[B]

For an old man in white, he's real dope. A plain gown and his belt is a rope. Leo, 14, is a real fashion queen. Yes. Among the best dressed is the Pope.

[A]

The Pope. Shocking no one who has seen the movie Conclave. The New York Times put the Pope on their Most Stylish of 2025 list. It's not totally intuitive until you remember that if the Times call something red hot, people instantly stop caring about it. They said he, the Pope has, quote, altered the office's image by wearing Chicago White Sox hat with his papal garments. It is a cool contrast, you have to admit. Cursed by God versus God. Yeah.

[D]

Is there a swag gap between the Pope and Jesus?

[A]

It's possible. They show up together and the Pope's like, you just wore a loincloth.

[B]

But I feel like there's a swag gap between the Pope and the cardinals because they get to wear, like, the red gown. You know, when it comes to a white man in a white robe and a pointy hat, I kind of get a little nervous.

[A]

Yeah, I can see that. Alzo, how did Meredith do?

[B]

She did great. Three out of three. Perfect score.

[A]

Congratulations.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

Well done. I had such a great time. Thank you, Peter.

[C]

Thank you, Aldo.

[G]

Thank you, everyone.

[A]

Thank you. Take care. This message comes from the Natural Resources Defense Council. What's one way people are working to protect the planet for future generations? One answer. Joining the 3 million supporters of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Their mission is to safeguard the earth and its people, plants and animals by combining science, law, and public engagement to protect the natural systems that all life depends on for a limited time. Contributions are being matched five to one. [e-mail] wave support for NPR and the following message come from GoodRx. The holidays are here, but so is cold and flu season. Find relief for less With Goodrx, you could save an average of $53 on flu treatments plus save on cold medications, decongestants and more easily. Compare prescription prices and find discounts up to 80%. GoodRx is not insurance but works with or without it and it could beat your co pay price. Save on cold and flu [e-mail] wait.

[G]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify. Start selling with Shopify today. Whether you're a garage entrepreneur or IPO ready, Shopify is the only tool you need to start, run and grow your business without the struggle. Go to shopify.com NPR now onto our final game.

[A]

Lightning Fill in the Blank. Each of our players will have 60 seconds in which to answer as many Fill in the blank questions as they can. Each correct answer now worth 2 points. Also, can you give us the scores?

[B]

Absolutely. Helen and Tom are knotted up at two with Adam in the lead with four.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Whoa.

[A]

That means that Helen and Tom are tied for second. So Helen, I'm going to arbitrarily choose you to go first.

[C]

Okey dokey.

[A]

Here we go. The clock will start when I begin your first question. Fill in the blank. On Wednesday, the US Seized an oil tanker belonging to Blank Venezuela. Right. This week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging Blank citizenship.

[E]

Birthright.

[A]

Right. This week, President Zelensky reiterated that he would not accept a peace treaty that ceded Ukrainian land to Blank Russia. Right. Under a new government plan, foreign tourists could be required to disclose up to five years of their blank history to U.S. officials. Taxes? No social media history. This week, officials in South Carolina said they stopped a drone from illegally delivering Blank to a particular Doughnuts? No. Close, though. Steak, crab legs and old bay seasoning. I guess the dessert was on the next drone. On Wednesday, NASA confirmed that they'd lost contact with the Maven spacecraft orbiting Blank Mars. Right. On Sunday, Katy Perry and former Canadian Prime Minister Blank went Instagram official.

[E]

Wait, what's the question? Oh, Justin Trudeau.

[A]

Right. Exactly.

[G]

Yes.

[A]

You were too busy being glad for them. That was so sweet. This week, organizers apologized after attendees of a Canadian town's 2025 Santa parade were accidentally blanked.

[E]

Transported to the North Pole. Lost their way from the North Pole?

[A]

No. The spectators were accidentally sprayed with flamethrower fuel.

[D]

What?

[A]

Several people attending the St. John Santa parade complained that one of the floats, a giant truck decked out with working flamethrowers, doused them in lighter fluid during the parade. The organizers of the event have apologized, but what do you expect them to do? Throw a Santa parade without the traditional truck decked out as working flamethrowers? Also, how did Helen do in our quiz?

[B]

She got five right for 10 more points. Total of 12. And she's in the lead.

[A]

All right. Very well done, Helen. All right, Tom, you are up next. Fill in the blank. On Monday, the Supreme Court seemed likely to side with Trump in a case that would greatly expand blank powers.

[F]

Presidential powers.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

On Tuesday, Eileen Higgins was elected the first Democratic mayor of blank in 30 years.

[F]

Miami.

[A]

Right. This week, the Federal Reserve cut blanks a quarter of a percent interest rate. Right. On Monday, Australia's ban on blank for kids under 16 went into effect.

[F]

Screens or Internet? Social media?

[A]

Social media, that's right. This week, a man in Florida caught behind the wheel of a stolen BMW explained to police that he didn't steal the car. He blanked.

[F]

He borrowed it.

[A]

No, he said he did not steal the BMW. He had been teleported into it.

[F]

Oh, that happens.

[A]

On Wednesday, the Powerball jackpot rose above blank.

[F]

A billion dollars.

[A]

That's right. This week, a woman in Spain sued her employer after she was fired for.

[F]

Repeatedly blanking being transported into cars in Florida. Which is a thing that's happening.

[A]

No, no. She was fired for repeatedly showing up early for work.

[E]

What?

[A]

The woman was supposed to start at 7:30, but she kept showing up between 6:45 and 7. And her boss said, cut it out. We start at 7:30. But her behavior persisted. So she was fired for, quote, serious misconduct. The lawsuit was a last resort for the woman. She had originally tried to protest to someone in hr, but they weren't in the office yet. Also, how did Tom do in our quiz?

[B]

He also got five right for 10 more points. Total of 12. He's tied up with Helen.

[A]

Okay, so how many then does Adam need to win?

[B]

4 to tie. 5 to win.

[A]

Right. All right, here we go. Adam, this is for the game. Fill in the blank. On Tuesday, a federal judge granted a request to unseal blanks. Court records.

[D]

Epstein.

[A]

Yes. This week, experts warned that an atmospheric river could bring dangerous blanks to the northwest floods. Yes. On Wednesday, the White House unveiled their new $5 million gold card blank.

[D]

It's like a visa.

[A]

Yes, it's an immigration visa. Costs $5 million. This week, authorities in Mississippi Are searching for the person who stole a Christmas display of Blank.

[D]

Jesus. As a robotic wolf.

[A]

No, they're looking for the person who stole a display of the Grinch who stole Christmas. After pulling him off the air earlier this year, ABC announced they they had extended blank's contract through 2027.

[D]

Jimmy Kimmel.

[A]

Right. This week, Magnus Carlsen and other chess greats became under threat from a new highly ranked competitor. Who is Blank?

[D]

Is it a dog?

[A]

No. He is three years old.

[G]

What?

[A]

Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha is the youngest ever person to be rated by the world's leading chess organization to just three years, seven months and 20 days. He's already beaten several other players who are decades older than him with his trademark strategy of touching all the pieces with his snotty little hands. Having his opponents forfeit. Yeah, Alzo, did Adam do well enough to win?

[B]

Well, I don't know if we should celebrate or not. He got four. Right. Eight more points. So either everybody wins or everybody. Because it's a three way tie, they are stasis.

[A]

Everybody wins. Everybody wins. In just a minute, we're gonna ask our panelists to predict that after Netflix and Paramount and Warner Brothers, what will be the next big merger in the news? But first, let me tell you. Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Is a production of NPR and WBEZ Chicago in association with Urgent Haircut Productions. Doug Berman, benevolent Overlord Philip Gaedecker writes Our Limits. Our public address announcer is Paul Friedman. Our tour manager is Shana Donald. Thanks to the staff and crew at the Studebaker Theatre. BJ Lederman composed our theme. Our program is produced by Jennifer Mills, Miles Durmboss and Lillian King. Special thanks to Blythe Roberson and Monica Hickey. Peter Guinn is our private address announcer. Emma Choi is our visual host. Technical direction is from Lorna White. Our CFO is Colin Miller. Our production manager is Robert Newhouse. Our senior producer is Ian Chillag. And the executive producer of Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me is Mike Nathan Detroit Danforth. Now, panel, what'll be the next big corporate merger?

[D]

Adam Burke, to the delight of kids everywhere, 6 and 7 are gonna merge into an even into a more annoying number called sixes.

[A]

Helen Hong.

[E]

McDonald's will merge with Burger King. And McNuggets will be renamed McKing's Nuts.

[F]

And Tom Beaudet, ExxonMobil, Texas and the US Navy will merge to make a hostile bid for Venezuela.

[B]

And if any of that happens, panel, we'll be sure to ask you about it on Wait Wait, don't tell me.

[A]

Thank you. Also, Slade, thanks also to Helen Hong Tumbo, Adam Burke, thanks to our fabulous audience here at the Student Baker Theatre in downtown Chicago. And thank you all out there for listening, wherever you may be. I am Peter Sagal. We'll see you next week. This is npr.

[G]

This message comes from Dignity Memorial and Memphis Funeral Home. One of their nationwide providers, retired football coach Bill Muir, shares how they curated a memory table for his wife, Barbara, that brought joy to family and friends at her celebration of life.

[B]

If you walked around this table when.

[A]

You got to the end, you knew Barbara Muir.

[B]

I walked around it at least a dozen times. I mentioned that she liked to play Scrabble. Well, they had a Scrabble board there. And on the Scrabble board, it spelled out the names of all of our grandchildren. There was a decal from her high.

[A]

School, you know, her sister.

[B]

She walked around and said to me, bill, how do they know so much about Barbara? Their meticulous care and the detail in which they put it together speaks volumes.

[A]

I felt very special.

[G]

Find a provider near you like Memphis funeral [e-mail] this message is sponsored by.

[F]

DSW, the birthplace of the humble brag, full of all kinds of shoes that get you at prices that get your budget. And when there are never ending options for every style, mood, occasion and budget, there is unlimited freedom to play. And that's something to brag about. So go ahead, stock up on fresh sneakers from your favorite brands or try those boots you always secretly knew you could pull off. Find the shoes that get you at prices that get your budget. Dsw, let them surprise you.