Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - Episode Summary: Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone
Release Date: December 21, 2024
Host: Peter Sagal
Guests: Comedians Dulce Sloan, Hari Kondabolu, Roy Blount Jr., and celebrity guests Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone
Location: Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Illinois
1. Introduction
Hosted by Peter Sagal, NPR's weekly news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! delivered a lively and entertaining episode featuring stand-up comedians Dulce Sloan, Hari Kondabolu, Roy Blount Jr., and special guests Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone. The episode balanced humorous takes on current events with engaging games, providing both laughs and insightful commentary.
2. Contestant Segments
a. Melanie Morgan from McKinney, Texas
Timestamp: [00:43] - [09:43]
Melanie Morgan, a legal aid attorney and adjunct professor, participated in the show's news quiz. She faced three news-related quotes presented by host Peter Sagal.
Key Discussions:
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New Jersey Drone Sightings: The segment highlighted widespread sightings of car-sized drones in New Jersey. President Biden's clarification that they were "nothing nefarious" sparked humorous debate among the panelists.
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Peter Sagal [03:05]: “There’s nothing nefarious, apparently.”
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Hari Kondabolu [03:30]: “As a New Yorker, I find it hilarious and very cute that New Jersey thinks that aliens and the government are interested in its matters.”
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Year-In-Review Trends: The panel discussed the surge of “wrapped” summaries from companies like Starbucks and Tinder, poking fun at the invasive nature of these trends.
- Dulce Sloan [06:33]: “Cause honestly, if it wasn't the Pope, would they let him write a thing about comedy is good?”
Melanie successfully identified two out of three quotes correctly, earning her a prize and commendation from the panel.
b. Kelly Cullen from Pittsburgh
Timestamp: [15:02] - [28:30]
Kelly Cullen engaged in the “Bluff the Listener” game, where she had to discern factual outdoor trends from fictional ones.
Key Discussions:
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Adventure Catting: The concept of taking cats on outdoor adventures like hiking and paddle boarding was humorously explored.
- Dulce Sloan [17:51]: “Are these aliens? Do aliens have drones? I thought they had spaceships.”
Kelly chose the accurate story about Adventure Catting, winning her the game and a prize.
3. Guest Interview: Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone
Timestamp: [28:30] - [32:30]
The highlight of the episode featured an interview with Hollywood power couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone. They discussed their collaborative ventures, including their podcast "Hildy the Barback and the Lake of Fire."
Key Discussions:
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Transition to Podcasting: Despite their success in film, Melissa and Ben opted to create a podcast, emphasizing a desire to explore new creative avenues.
- Melissa McCarthy [22:28]: “Ben, as a child, would just constantly read all of the Lord of the Rings. So this is very much in his DNA.”
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Creative Process and Costumes: The couple shared anecdotes about their unique approach to creativity, including themed costume parties unrelated to holidays.
- Ben Falcone [23:19]: “We wanted to do a show where men mess everything up and funny women have to come to the rescue.”
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Relationship Insights: They reflected on their long-term relationship, including amusing stories from their early days and Hollywood events.
- Ben Falcone [25:06]: “We went to an Oscar after party wearing velour tracksuits and people got mad.”
Melissa and Ben excelled in their quiz segment, answering two out of three questions correctly and securing their prize.
4. Panel Games and Discussions
a. "Doctor's Thought"
Timestamp: [34:38] - [51:19]
Panelists Dulce Sloan, Roy Blount Jr., and Hari Kondabolu participated in the "Doctor's Thought" rapid-fire game, filling in blanks for humorous and bizarre medical headlines.
Notable Moments:
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Wild Headlines: The panel navigated through absurd headlines, showcasing their quick wit and comedic chemistry.
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Hari Kondabolu [35:09]: “I birthed a koala.”
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Peter Sagal [35:16]: “It was doctors thought I got chlamydia from a koala.”
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Roy Blount Jr.'s Accuracy: Roy demonstrated strong knowledge, correctly identifying multiple headlines related to current events.
- Roy Blount Jr. [36:05]: “It was Murder Hornet.”
b. "Lightning Fill in the Blank"
Timestamp: [46:02] - [51:19]
In this high-speed game, panelists sought to answer as many fill-in-the-blank questions as possible within 60 seconds.
Highlights:
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Dulce Sloan's Lead: Dulce emerged as the leading scorer with 16 points, showcasing her quick thinking and familiarity with current events.
- Dulce Sloan [47:25]: “Drinking.”
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Roy Blount Jr. and Hari Kondabolu's Efforts: Roy accumulated eight points, while Hari fell just short of winning with nine points.
5. Conclusion
The episode culminated with the panelists humorously predicting the best Christmas presents of the year, reflecting on societal trends and personal anecdotes.
Final Thoughts:
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Hari Kondabolu [52:11]: “The Earth is one year closer to getting these pesky humans out of here.”
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Roy Blount Jr. [52:18]: “Jimmy Carter will get heaven with a high five from Abe Lincoln.”
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Dulce Sloan [52:26]: “Mr. Scrooge is going to wake up on Christmas morning and save TikTok.”
Peter Sagal wrapped up the show by thanking the panelists, guests, and audience, wishing everyone happy holidays and encouraging continued engagement with NPR's programming.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Peter Sagal [03:05]: “There’s nothing nefarious, apparently.”
-
Hari Kondabolu [03:30]: “As a New Yorker, I find it hilarious and very cute that New Jersey thinks that aliens and the government are interested in its matters.”
-
Dulce Sloan [06:33]: “Cause honestly, if it wasn't the Pope, would they let him write a thing about comedy is good?”
-
Melissa McCarthy [22:28]: “Ben, as a child, would just constantly read all of the Lord of the Rings. So this is very much in his DNA.”
-
Ben Falcone [23:19]: “We wanted to do a show where men mess everything up and funny women have to come to the rescue.”
-
Dulce Sloan [47:25]: “Drinking.”
Overall, this episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blended humor with current events, featuring insightful commentary from both the panelists and celebrity guests. Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone's participation added a delightful dimension, highlighting their creative endeavors beyond Hollywood.