Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Natasha Rothwell
Release Date: May 3, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal
Guest: Natasha Rothwell
Location: Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, Chicago, Illinois

Introduction

In this engaging episode of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, host Peter Sagal welcomes listeners to another week of laughter and trivia. Held at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, the show features comedian Natasha Rothwell, star of HBO's The White Lotus, as the celebrity guest. The panel consists of Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Hari Kondabolu, and Peter Gross, who dive into a series of humorous news-related games and discussions.

Listener Contest: "Bluff the Listener"

Contestant: Chris Schoen from a farm near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Peter Sagal introduces Chris, highlighting his picturesque farm life reminiscent of Grant Wood’s artwork. The first game, "Bluff the Listener," challenges Chris to identify truths from cleverly fabricated news quotes.

1. First Quote (00:57):
   Bill Curtis: "Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls."

   • Discussion: This humorous take references President Trump's tariffs impacting Christmas toy sales. Panelist Hari Kondabolu jokes about the president resembling the Grinch, leading to a lively exchange about toy shortages and parental disappointment.
   • Notable Quote:
     • Hari Kondabolu (04:18): "He's got the same kind of body type and face [as the Grinch]."

2. Second Quote (04:27):
   Bill Curtis: "Go, evil girl. Boss, go."

   • Discussion: This quote pertains to Bill Belichick’s much younger girlfriend, Jordan Hudson. The panelists humorously critique the age gap and speculate on their relationship dynamics.
   • Notable Quote:
     • Joyelle Nicole Johnson (06:29): "I've never been happier to be the only person on this stage without kids."

3. Third Quote (07:26):
   Bill Curtis: "It's the only block of time that's deep focus time."

   • Discussion: This pertains to the trend of alpha males boasting about waking up at 4 AM. The panel mocks the seriousness with which such trivial habits are treated.
   • Notable Quote:
     • Joyelle Nicole Johnson (08:33): "I've just been like, if alpha males are doing that, if I was a man, I would be a beta cuck."

Outcome: Chris successfully identifies two out of three quotes correctly, earning a voicemail prize and being declared the winner of this segment.

Panel Discussion: Perfect Pasta Recipe by Max Planck Institute

The panel shifts focus to a quirky news story about Germany's Max Planck Institute for Physics developing the "perfect scientifically proven formula" for cacio e pepe pasta. The discussion is filled with humorous skepticism about the intersection of high science and culinary arts.

• Notable Exchange:
  • Hari Kondabolu (10:54): "Yeah, when the Germans and Italians collaborate with the Japanese, I'm on board."
  • Joyelle Nicole Johnson (10:52): "I've never been happier to be the only person on this stage without kids."

Listener Game: "Not My Job" with Natasha Rothwell

Natasha Rothwell shares her journey from writing for Insecure and Saturday Night Live to becoming a beloved cast member of The White Lotus. She discusses her time teaching high school in New York City and performing comedy in Tokyo, emphasizing the universal nature of humor.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Natasha Rothwell (22:08): "I found my comedic voice [in Tokyo] because you have to translate the humor, you know, regardless of what language was being spoken by the people in the audience."
  • Peter Sagal (25:04): "And are you ready to tell us that that really wasn't as wonderful as we might think it is?"
  • Natasha Rothwell (25:04): "Here's the thing. It was a beautiful five-star prison."

Natasha also recounts the experience of filming The White Lotus during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the set as a luxurious yet isolating "bubble."

Limerick Challenge: Contestant Caleb Popson Garcia

Contestant: Caleb Popson Garcia from Tallahassee, Florida.

Caleb participates in the "Listener Limerick Challenge," where he must complete news-related limericks. His quick wit leads him to accurately fill in:

1. First Limerick:

   • Bill Curtis: "Sparkling wine will relieve my crammed brain… My doctor says drink more wine."
   • Answer: Champagne
   • Notable Quote:
     • Caleb (39:16): "Champagne."

2. Second Limerick:

   • Bill Curtis: "When I go to the beach… I spent 600 bucks on some flip flops."
   • Answer: Flip Flops
   • Notable Quote:
     • Caleb (40:55): "Flip flops."

3. Third Limerick:

   • Bill Curtis: "As he sits by the aisle… I'll be watching your dog at your wedding."
   • Answer: Dog Chaperone
   • Notable Quote:
     • Caleb (41:53): Correctly identifies the role of a dog chaperone.

Outcome: Caleb nails all three limericks, earning the maximum score and securing his prize.

Lightning Fill in the Blank: Panelists Joyel and Hari

The panel competes in a rapid-fire "Lightning Fill in the Blank" game, answering timely news-related prompts. Both Joyel Nicole Johnson and Hari Kondabolu demonstrate their quick thinking:

1. Questions & Answers:

   • Peter Sagal: "In response to the signal texting scandal, Trump announced he was reassigning National Security [Blank]."
     • Hari Kondabolu (48:43): "Climate change."
   • Peter Sagal: "During an interview this week, Ben Affleck said he thought that [Blank] was the best work of his career."
     • Hari Kondabolu (48:53): "The DVD commentary track for Armageddon."

2. Notable Quotes:

   • Hari Kondabolu (48:52): "Let me have."
   • Peter Sagal (49:42): "She cracked her tooth on another person's tooth."

Outcome: Hari accumulates enough correct answers to win the segment, earning praise and a voicemail prize.

Final Segment: Celebrity Gossip and Credits

The show wraps up with playful speculation about upcoming celebrity news, including humorous takes on Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson's relationship. The host acknowledges the show's production team and extends gratitude to the audience.

• Notable Quotes:
  • Hari Kondabolu (51:34): "Peter Gross, Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson are going to announce they are in a throuple with CBS Sunday morning."
  • Joyelle Nicole Johnson (51:51): "Melania leaves Trump for Trudeau."

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! seamlessly blends news trivia with comedic banter, featuring insightful and entertaining segments led by Natasha Rothwell. The panelists' sharp humor and the guest's personal anecdotes provide listeners with a delightful mix of information and laughter, embodying the show's signature charm.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Hari Kondabolu (04:18): "He's got the same kind of body type and face [as the Grinch]."
• Joyelle Nicole Johnson (06:29): "I've never been happier to be the only person on this stage without kids."
• Hari Kondabolu (08:33): "If alpha males are doing that, if I was a man, I would be a beta cuck."
• Natasha Rothwell (22:08): "I found my comedic voice [in Tokyo] because you have to translate the humor."
• Natasha Rothwell (25:04): "It was a beautiful five-star prison."
• Joyelle Nicole Johnson (09:19): "I don't like feet, and my boyfriend doesn't wear them."

Listen to the Full Episode

For those who missed this episode, catch Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring Natasha Rothwell on NPR and stream it on your favorite podcast platform.