Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode: WWDTM: Pedro Pascal | Release Date: August 9, 2025

Introduction

In this lively episode of NPR's beloved news quiz, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, host Tom Papa takes the reins from Peter Sagal to guide listeners through a humorous exploration of the week's headlines. Filmed live at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, the episode features a star-studded panel, including comedian Brian Babylon, podcast host Negeen Farsad, and humorist Roy Blunt Jr., alongside a special guest appearance by Pedro Pascal, renowned for his roles in Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us.

First Contestant: Caroline from Atlanta

The show kicks off with contestant Caroline from Atlanta participating in the "Who's Bill" game. Host Tom Papa presents her with three news-related quotes, challenging her to identify their sources.

1. Democrats Fleeing Texas

   • Quote: "We Democrats are fighting back. We're leaving." (03:04)
   • Explanation: This statement was made by Democratic Congressman James Tallarico as he and nearly 50 Democrats exited Texas to block a redistricting vote favoring Republicans.
   • Caroline's Insight: She humorously speculates whether the Democrats are staying in an Airbnb, riffing on the fleeting nature of their presence.

2. Demand for Five-Star Reviews

   • Quote: "I've hopped up on painkillers. I'm delirious. And they're like, hey, how'd you like your stay?" (04:37)
   • Explanation: Attributed to a patient frustrated with his ear surgeon's incessant requests for five-star Yelp reviews.
   • Panel Reaction: Negeen Farsad and Brian Babylon discuss the ubiquity of review requests, with laughs about the impact on personal experiences.

3. Danish Zoo's Unusual Request

   • Quote: "When keeping carnivores, it is necessary to provide them with meat." (07:33)
   • Explanation: A Danish zoo spokesperson's peculiar request for people to donate their pets as food for zoo animals.
   • Caroline's Humor: She quips about the impracticality and dark humor of the idea, sparking chuckles from the panel.

Caroline impressively identifies all three quotes correctly, earning her a prize of having a voice message from the show delivered to her voicemail.

Panel Discussion: Sponsored Weddings and Unusual Trends

Following the contestant segment, the panel delves into various quirky news stories:

• Sponsored Weddings
  • Highlight: A couple funded their dream wedding by securing Hellman's Mayonnaise as a corporate sponsor.
  • Details: The sponsorship came with stipulations such as hosting the wedding in Las Vegas, recording it for promotional use, and having a life-size mayonnaise jar mascot officiate the ceremony.
  • Panel Humor: Negeen Farsad and Brian Babylon mock the unconventional 'religious organization' ordained by mayonnaise, while Roy Blunt Jr. adds a playful twist about ketchup preferences citing Leviticus.

Second Contestant: Andrew from Fort Collins, Colorado

Andrew enters the "Bluff the Listener" game, where he must discern truths from fabrications about actor Adam Driver:

1. Adam Driver in a Video Game

   • Fabrication: Adam Driver's character from Girls is featured as the final boss in the Nintendo Switch game Dating Wars.
   • Panel Reaction: Tom Papa jestingly comments on the absurdity of the game, blending reality with comedic fiction.

2. Adam Driver Scaring Wolves with Movie Clips

   • Truth: A fabricated report claims that Adam Driver's intense fight scenes from Marriage Story are used to deter wolves in Oregon.
   • Correct Answer: This statement is false; the actual story is that wolves are not intimidated by celebrity disputes.

3. Adam Driver Taking Up Golf

   • Fabrication: Adam Driver is purportedly quitting acting to pursue a career in golf, including launching his own line of golf clubs.
   • Panel Insight: The outrageousness of Driver replacing his roles with golf equipment tickles the panel's funny bones.

Andrew correctly identifies the fabricated story about Adam Driver scaring wolves using movie clips, securing his win and receiving a prize selection from the show's voicemail.

Special Guest Interview: Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal joins the show, bringing his charismatic presence to the lively environment. The segment includes a mix of lighthearted banter and engaging dialogue about his acting journey.

• Early Career Struggles

  • Quote (22:14): "I was really bad at waiting tables, but it took years to learn."
  • Discussion: Pedro shares anecdotes about his time as a waiter in New York, highlighting the challenges he faced before gaining fame in Hollywood.

• Favorite Roles and Challenges

  • Insight: Pedro reflects on his diverse roles, from The Last of Us to upcoming projects like The Fantastic Four, and discusses his Emmy nomination.

• Interaction with Host

  • Humorous Exchange: Tom Papa jokes about Pedro's extensive filmography, while Pedro humorously admits to not playing the video game The Last of Us before acting in its adaptation.

Pedro engages in the "Last of Us Weekly" game, answering trivia about celebrity gossip with impressive accuracy, further charming the audience and panel.

Additional Games: Limericks and Fill in the Blank

The episode continues with entertaining segments that blend poetry and current events:

• Limerick Challenge

  • Mel from Salt Lake City participates, successfully completing limericks about weddings and quirky news stories, earning her a victory.

• Fill in the Blank: Lightning Round

  • Panelists race against the clock to complete news-related phrases, with Brian Babylon emerging as the week's champion after correctly filling in multiple blanks about political events, celebrity antics, and unexpected news twists.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Papa on Democrats Leaving Texas (03:09): "It's incredibly on brand that the one time Democrats show courage, it still involves running away."
• Caroline on Reviews (05:57): "Never. The only time I review things is when there's a really cute mom and shop in my neighborhood."
• Negeen Farsad on Shower Breakfasts (40:54): "Someone's gonna do that."

Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the show wraps up, the panel humorously speculates on future zoo promotions to captivate audiences, ranging from "bring your ex to the zoo day" to "swap your kids with an animal day." Host Tom Papa thanks the panelists and contestants, extending gratitude to the live audience and NPR listeners.

Behind the Scenes Credits: Special acknowledgment is given to the production team, including writers, producers, and technical staff who make the show a success each week.

Final Thoughts: This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blends current events with humor, showcasing the wit of the panelists and the charm of Pedro Pascal. Listeners are left entertained and informed, reflecting the show's enduring appeal as a staple of NPR's programming.

Notes:

• Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments have been excluded to focus solely on the episode's core content.
• All timestamps correspond to the original transcript provided for accurate reference.