Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Summary: Moe Wagner
Release Date: March 22, 2025

NPR's beloved weekly news quiz, "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", returns with another entertaining episode hosted by Peter Sagal. This installment features comedian panelists Paula Poundstone, Eugene Cordero, and Alonzo Boden, alongside special guest Moe Wagner, star center for the Orlando Magic. Filmed live at the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida, the episode blends humor, current events, and interactive games to delight listeners both new and familiar.

1. Host Welcome and Introduction (01:21)

Peter Sagal kicks off the show by greeting the audience with his signature wit, welcoming them back to Florida—humorously dubbing it "America." He introduces Moe Wagner, noting his recent ACL injury that sidelined him for most of the NBA season, adding a touch of empathy and humor to set the tone.

2. Listener Contestant: Kim Holmes (01:21 - 10:09)

Game: "Who's Bill"

Peter introduces Kim Holmes from Chicago as the first listener contestant. In this segment, Bill Curtis reads three news-related quotations, and Kim must identify or explain two of them correctly to win a prize. The game balances current events with humor, engaging both the contestant and the audience.

• First Quote (03:55):
  "We got a little more time to enjoy the view."
  Speaker: Sunny Williams
  Context: Returning from a prolonged stay at the International Space Station (ISS).
  Kim's Response: Correctly identifies the ISS stay.
  Notable Exchange:

  • Peter Sagal: “Imagine that. They go up for eight days. They're stuck in space for nine months.”
  • Paula Poundstone adds humorously: “For a trip to take a turn where you stay longer than you planned because of Gilligan's Island.”

• Second Quote (06:18):
  "Spies, state secrets. No second gunman."
  Speaker: New York Times headline on JFK assassination files.
  Kim's Response: Correctly identifies the JFK files.
  Notable Exchange:

  • Peter Sagal: “Lee Harvey Oswald apparently acted alone. Nothing about conspiracies.”

• Third Quote (08:12):
  "Questions and make a list of topics beforehand."
  Speaker: Relationship expert Terry (discussing dating advice).
  Kim's Response: Not explicitly answered.
  Humorous Banter:

  • Eugene Cordero jokes about starting dates with monologues and singing Broadway tunes.
  • Paula Poundstone humorously critiques over-planned conversations.

Result: Kim successfully answers two out of three questions, earning a personalized voicemail message as her prize.

3. Panel Discussion: LongevQuest (10:30 - 13:04)

Topic: LongevQuest's initiative to verify the true ages of individuals claiming to be extraordinarily elderly (e.g., 150 years old).

• Alonzo Boden: Skeptical and dismissive about the necessity, suggesting that verifying ages over 100 is trivial.
  Quote: “Once you hit 95, just call it what you want.”

• Paula Poundstone: Supports the initiative, expressing frustration with age exaggerations.
  Quote: “I'm tired of being lied to.”

• Eugene Cordero: Questions the practicality and importance of such verifications.
  Humorous Insight: Wonders why someone would bother if they're already claiming extreme ages for minor benefits.

Outcome: The panel engages in a light-hearted debate, poking fun at the concept while acknowledging differing viewpoints on age verification.

4. Guest Appearance: Moe Wagner (22:06 - 31:56)

Introduction:
Moe Wagner shares his journey from Berlin, Germany, to the University of Michigan, and eventually to the NBA with the Orlando Magic. He discusses his early passion for soccer, which shifted to basketball due to his mother's insistence—highlighting a common athletic transition influenced by family.

Career Insights:

• Aspirations: Designed his path to gain visibility in American collegiate sports with the goal of entering the NBA.
• Family Dynamics: As one of the rare sets of brothers in the NBA, Moe humorously discusses living arrangements and sibling rivalry.
  Quote: “He owes me everything. I kind of turned from younger brother into my landlord within four years.”

Anecdotes:

• Language on the Court: Moe explains the use of German to communicate and tease teammates, adding a cultural and humorous layer to team interactions.
  Quote: “Let's just say we're happy that there's no German ref in the game.”

Notable Interactions:

• Alonzo Boden: Asks about playful trash-talking in German during games.
• Paula Poundstone: Shares a personal story about children’s snacks, tying into the "Pirate's Booty" segment.

Outcome: Moe provides a charismatic and humorous presence, sharing personal stories that resonate with both sports fans and casual listeners.

5. Game: "Even" with Moe Wagner (27:52 - 31:50)

Format:
Moe engages in a true or false quiz about 7-Eleven (7-11), aiming to win a prize for a listener's voicemail.

• Question 1:
  7-Eleven celebrates the Slurpee with "Bring Your Own Container Day."
  Answer: True.
  Peter's Comment: “It’s called bring your own container day. Happens on July 11th—7-11.”

• Question 2:
  A former franchise owner opened a competing store named "6-12" after a petty revenge.
  Answer: True.
  Peter's Comment: “He opened 6-12. It’s better. Still there seven years later.”

• Question 3:
  An Oregon man failed to rob a 7-Eleven using a pool noodle.
  Answer: False. Correct answer was a finger gun. Moe selected Option C: borrowing a baseball bat.
  Peter's Comment: “It was the finger gun.”

Result: Moe answers two out of three questions correctly, winning the prize and entertaining the audience with his sports analogy humor.

6. Game: "How's the Guy Who Invented Pirate's Booty Doing" (34:23 - 36:31)

Format:
Panelists answer rapid-fire true or false questions about Robert Ehrlich, the inventor of "Pirate's Booty" snacks and his political ambitions.

• Eugene Cordero:

  • Incorrectly guesses Ehrlich's preferred title.
  • Incorrectly states vote counts.

• Alonzo Boden:

  • Correctly identifies Ehrlich's first attempt at becoming mayor by declaring, “I'm the mayor now. You're all fired. Where's my office?”

• Paula Poundstone:

  • Correctly adjusts on poll declaration timing.

Notable Quotes:

• Paula Poundstone: “No, it's false. He declared victory 30 minutes after the polls opened.”

Outcome: Mixed results from panelists, highlighting their humorous attempts to recall quirky facts.

7. Game: "Lightning: Fill in the Blank" (37:32 - 49:58)

Format:
Panelists have 60 seconds to answer as many fill-in-the-blank questions as possible, each worth two points.

• Eugene Cordero:

  • Correctly answers multiple questions, including “Transgender,” “Tesla,” and “Glove.”

• Alonzo Boden:

  • Provides several correct answers but misses some, maintaining a competitive edge.

• Paula Poundstone:

  • Answers correctly but falls short of overtaking Alonzo.

Notable Exchanges:

• Questions span a range of topics from politics (“President Trump signed an executive order ending the department of Blank Education”) to pop culture and public safety (“Ophthalmologists warn not to mix up eye drops with blank”).

Result:

• Eugene: Leads with 14 points.
• Alonzo: Second with 15 points.
• Paula: Falls behind with 11 points.

Final Outcome:
Alonzo Boden secures the lead, reinforcing the competitive yet friendly nature of the panel interactions.

8. Listener Interaction and Final Remarks (49:58 - 52:05)

Final Listener Call-In:
Eric Bowman from Kansas City, Missouri, engages with panelists humorously, particularly challenging Eugene Cordero on SEO tactics without revealing specific answers.

Conclusion:
Peter Sagal wraps up the episode by thanking Moe Wagner, the panelists, crew, and audience. He teases upcoming games and encourages listeners to participate in future episodes.

Notable Closing Quote:
Peter Sagal: “They’ll be stuck trying to answer the Limerick challenge on this show.”

Key Highlights and Notable Quotes

• Sunny Williams' ISS Return (03:55):
  "We got a little more time to enjoy the view."

• JFK Files Discussion (06:18):
  Peter Sagal: “There’s nothing about conspiracies. Lee Harvey Oswald apparently acted alone.”

• LongevQuest Debate (10:30):
  Paula Poundstone: “I'm tired of being lied to.”

• Moe Wagner on Sibling Rivalry (25:09):
  "He owes me everything. I kind of turned from younger brother into my landlord within four years."

• 7-Eleven's Slurpee Celebration (27:52):
  Peter Sagal: “It’s called bring your own container day. Happens on July 11th—7-11.”

• Pirate's Booty Political Quirk (34:23):
  Paula Poundstone: “No, it's false. He declared victory 30 minutes after the polls opened.”

• Fill in the Blank Insights (37:32):
  Eugene Cordero: “Transgender,” “Tesla,” “Glove.”

Overall Impression

This episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" masterfully blends current news, humorous debates, and engaging games, all while featuring a charismatic guest in Moe Wagner. The panelists' quick wit and playful banter, combined with Peter Sagal's insightful hosting, create a dynamic and entertaining listening experience. Notable quotes punctuate the discussions, adding layers of humor and insight that make the show both informative and amusing for listeners.