Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - Episode: WWDTM: mxmtoon (January 25, 2025)

NPR's beloved weekly news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, hosted by Peter Sagal, delivered another hour of humor, insightful discussions, and engaging games in its January 25, 2025 release. This episode featured talented comedians Faith Saley, Hari Kondabolu, and Paula Poundstone as guest panelists, alongside special interactions with callers Daniel, Savannah Morello, and Kate Howard. The highlight of the episode was an exclusive interview with the rising music star mxmtoon.

1. Introduction and Welcome

The show opened at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, with Peter Sagal enthusiastically introducing the guest panel and setting the stage for a lively episode. He teased an upcoming conversation with musician mxmtoon, known for her prolific online presence and recent album release, Liminal Space.

2. Listener Contestant Games

a. Daniel from St. Paul, Minnesota

• Timestamp: [02:40 - 09:02]

  Daniel, a PhD student in plant biology, joined the show to play "Who's Chaoke." Hosted by Chioki Ayanson, the game involved identifying quotes from the week's news. Peter Sagal presented three quotes:

  1. Louisiana Snowstorm:

     • Quote Source: Governor of Louisiana ([03:04]).
     • Daniel’s Answer: Correctly identified the rare event as snow in New Orleans.
     • Notable Quote: Peter Sagal humorously remarked, “You take off your shirt, you get beads and frostbite” ([03:22]).

  2. No Complaining January:

     • Quote Source: Belgian social movement ([05:20]).
     • Daniel’s Answer: Correctly identified as "No Complaining January."
     • Panelist Faith Saley’s Insight: Faith quipped about complaining during Mardi Gras, adding humor to the concept ([06:08]).

  3. Boomerasking Definition:

     • Quote Source: Wall Street Journal ([07:30]).
     • Daniel’s Answer: Correctly explained "Boomerasking" as asking questions to prompt specific responses.
     • Hari Kondabolu’s Comment: “It’s boomer asking” ([08:44]).

  Daniel triumphed by correctly identifying all three quotes, earning a prize of a personalized voicemail message ([09:01]).

b. Savannah Morello from Odenton, Maryland

• Timestamp: [14:13 - 21:57]

  Savannah, a fermentation scientist, participated in the "Do It Yourself" game. She listened to three self-crafted DIY stories and had to identify the real news story:

  1. Park Ranger’s Animal Invasion:

     • Hari Kondabolu’s Tale: A park ranger stocks her area with elk, bison, flamingos, and a Bengal tiger.

  2. DIY Vasectomy by a Plastic Surgeon:

     • Paula Poundstone’s Story: A plastic surgeon performs his own vasectomy as a gift to his wife.

  3. Parent Dressed as TV Character:

     • Faith Saley’s Narrative: A father dresses as Bluey's dad from an Australian cartoon for his daughter's party.

  Savannah correctly identified Paula Poundstone’s story about the DIY vasectomy as the real news item, winning the game ([19:32]).

c. Kate Howard from Austin, Texas

• Timestamp: [37:00 - 51:17]

  Kate, a singer-songwriter, engaged in the "Lightning Fill in the Blank" game, answering rapid-fire questions about the week's news. Kate impressively answered all three limerick-based questions correctly, earning her the episode's championship title with a total of 14 points ([42:34]).

3. Panel Discussions and Games

a. No Complaining January

• Timestamp: [05:20 - 07:02]

  Introducing the concept of "No Complaining January," the panelists humorously debated the feasibility and implications of abstaining from complaining for an entire month. Hari Kondabolu jested about the concept being ageist, questioning how retirees might cope without a venting outlet ([06:12]).

  Notable Quote:

  • Peter Sagal: “Talking behind each other's backs strikes me as another sort of subset of complaining” ([06:30]).

b. Listener Limerick Challenge

• Timestamp: [38:46 - 49:30]

  The panelists participated in a limerick challenge where they transformed bizarre and alarming headlines into humorous, positive spin-offs. Highlights include:

  • Faith Saley turning a headline about a meat anomaly into a joke about environmental benefits ([36:43]).
  • Paula Poundstone humorously responding to a shoplifting scheme with, “Don’t have to clean the restroom” ([37:14]).

  The segment showcased the panel's wit and creativity, enhancing the show's entertaining atmosphere.

c. Lightning Fill in the Blank

• Timestamp: [44:08 - 49:14]

  A high-energy game where panelists answered as many fill-in-the-blank news items as possible within 60 seconds. Paula Poundstone excelled, securing her position as the episode's champion by answering five rapid questions correctly, surpassing her peers' scores ([47:20]).

4. Exclusive Interview with mxmtoon

Maya, aka mxmtoon

• Timestamp: [19:50 - 31:07]

  The episode featured an insightful interview with Maya, known online as mxmtoon. Sharing her journey from posting ukulele performances at age 11 to becoming a global touring artist with millions of followers, Maya opened up about her personal and professional growth.

  Key Points Discussed:

  • Origin of mxmtoon Handle:

    • Quote: “My dad created it when I was 11 years old...” ([20:39]).

  • Transition to Full-Time Musician:

    • Maya discussed how rising online views led her to pursue music full-time, diverging from her initial plans for higher education ([21:19]).
    • Peter Sagal’s Observation: “It feels like a bit of a Mariah Carey moment every single year” ([25:31]).

  • Inspiration and Musical Evolution:

    • Maya cited Kermit the Frog as a quirky inspiration for her musical style and performances ([24:09]).
    • She elaborated on the timeless yet Gen Z appeal of her music, highlighting relatable lyrics that resonate with her audience ([24:49]).

  • Viral Success of "Prom Dress":

    • The song "Prom Dress" went viral on TikTok, with fans sharing personal prom moments inspired by her music.
    • Maya’s Reflection: “I wrote a song for any sad teenager who is having a tough time in their prom season” ([25:48]).

  Maya’s candid and humorous responses, coupled with her genuine passion for music, provided listeners with an inspiring glimpse into her rise as a contemporary artist.

5. Concluding Games and Predictions

a. Prediction: First Complaint of February

• Timestamp: [50:23 - 50:45]

  In a playful segment, panelists predicted the first complaints of February post "No Complaining January." Suggestions included:

  • Hari Kondabolu: “January has too many days” ([50:26]).
  • Faith Saley: Concerns about newly declassified JFK, RFK, and MLK files being overwhelming ([50:35]).
  • Paula Poundstone: Complaints about sticky office chairs ([50:40]).

b. Closing Remarks

Peter Sagal wrapped up the episode by thanking the guests and panelists, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the scenes, and inviting listeners to tune in for future shows. He also teased upcoming live shows and encouraged audience participation through various games.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Peter Sagal: “You take off your shirt, you get beads and frostbite” ([03:22]).
• Faith Saley: “Or a self vasectomy” ([07:37]).
• Peter Sagal: “It's the first time, at least in modern memory, snow has come to that city down there on the Gulf of America” ([04:37]).
• Hari Kondabolu: “Usually when there's this much snow in New Orleans, it's going up people's noses. Am I right, everybody? Mardi Gras” ([04:25]).
• Paula Poundstone: “You know, there's a man who gave himself a vasectomy and filmed it and it got 4 million views. How about you?” ([21:52]).
• Peter Sagal: “That's not exactly it” ([08:44]).

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blended humor, current events, and heartfelt moments. The engaging games challenged both contestants and panelists, while the interview with mxmtoon provided a deeper connection with the audience through her inspiring story. Listeners were treated to a perfect mix of laughter, wit, and genuine conversation, solidifying the show's reputation as NPR's premier news quiz.