WWDTM: Reneé Rapp

Summary

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! — Reneé Rapp

Air Date: September 6, 2025
Host: Peter Sagal | Celebrity Guest: Reneé Rapp | Panel: Shane O’Neill, Amy Dickinson, Alonzo Bodden | Announcer: Bill Kurtis

---

Episode Overview

This week’s "Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!" delivers its signature blend of current-events comedy, listener interaction, and interview games — with a highlight segment featuring actor and pop star Reneé Rapp. The panel tackles news from weird geopolitics and viral science studies to the eternal struggle with geese and what makes criticism worthwhile. Reneé Rapp discusses her rise from theater kid to pop star, the catharsis of her new album "Bite Me," and her unlikely celebrity crushes. The usual quizzes, limericks, and laugh-out-loud banter round out the show for newshound and comedian alike.

---

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter & Contestant Game ("Who's Bill This Time?")

• [00:41] Peter Sagal welcomes listeners from the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, riffing on the early fall weather and teasing later segments including the Reneé Rapp interview.
• Flight Attendant Annoyances (01:35): Listener Abby calls in from Chicago. As a flight attendant, her top annoyance: “Shoes and socks off. Especially on flights under two hours. We don't need to be that comfortable, I think…” (Abby, 02:02).
• The panel jokes about flying, customer habits, and introduces the “Who’s Bill This Time?” quiz.

Notable Quotes:

“We just want to give a big warm welcome to all the visiting National Guardsmen from Texas and Oklahoma. ...Order ketchup on your hot dogs. We love when you do that.”
— Peter Sagal [00:41]

---

2. Current Events Quiz — Comedic Summaries of the Week’s Weird News

a) Putin & Xi’s "Immortality" Summit

• [03:03] Discussion about Putin and Xi Jinping reportedly talking about “people could even become immortal” — the panel mocks the dark, sci-fi vibe.
• Alonzo Bowden on world leaders:

  “You have leaders that nobody wants around tomorrow talking about how to live forever.” [04:03]

• Translator humor, Trump references, and imagining Putin singing “I’m gonna live forever.”

b) Binge-Watching Is Healthy?!

• [05:28] New study claims binge-watching TV is good for you. The panel is gleefully skeptical.
• Peter Sagal:

  “This is great news. Bed sores are the new abs.” [05:40]

• Amy Dickinson:

  “Just lay down. You don’t need an excuse.” [07:13]

c) Should Critics Be Meaner?

• [07:35] New Yorker’s Calef Asana argues for meaner criticism. The panel parodies old-school critical debate, references “Swifties” going after negative reviews.
• Paste magazine’s anonymous slam of Taylor Swift and the dangers of modern “stan” culture.
• Peter Sagal (quoting Paste):

  “‘Sylvia Plath did not stick her head in an oven for this.’” [09:30]

---

3. Panel Quip: Geese Wars in California

[10:22] The city council in Foster City, CA plans to use “drones, dogs, and even lasers” to combat invasive geese. Classic panel riffing on methods (dogs with lasers, drones carrying dogs...).

• Alonzo Bowden:

  “When geese are pooping all over your city and not the neighboring cities, you might want to look at your city.” [11:07]

---

4. Bluff the Listener — Good Samaritan Stories

[14:56] A call-in game: identify the real “Good Samaritan” story.

• Amy Dickinson’s true story wins: A Canadian couple accidentally becomes customer service for a grill company and helps out callers for months; the company rewards them with a grill.
• Notable moment: Amy’s story is confirmed by a clip of the real couple:

  “We were actually getting sometimes up to 20 phone calls a day.” (Amy/Mariana Kamleinovich, 20:13)

---

5. Not My Job: Reneé Rapp Interview Segment

[21:35 - 31:15]

a) Theater Kid to Pop Star

• Reneé reveals she annoyed her family into enrolling her in theater (“I was just so, I think, annoying to be around for my family that they were like, well, you would do well in the theater. And they were right.” — [21:42])
• Missed family milestones for theater, used it for artistic catharsis.

b) The Making of "Bite Me" & Pop Stardom

• Rapp discusses her songwriting: “At the time...I was just at such a point in my life where everyone felt so...annoying to be around, and I was so fed up with myself. ...I wanted to write an album that was like, I want everyone to get and stay the hell away from me. And I kind of did exactly that.” [23:19]
• Album titles: “Mad,” “Leave Me Alone,” “Why is She Still Here,” etc.

c) Mark Cuban Crush, Pop Culture, & Censorship

• Her “weirdest celebrity crush” is Mark Cuban, which surprises the hosts:

  “There's like a thing there that they do that I'm super into. Like, it's kind of like he, to me, is the equivalent to like Jason Sudeikis on Ted Lasso.”

• Shane O’Neill notes: “If you squint...those are just butch lesbians.” Rapp agrees: “Butch lesbians with jobs, girl. That’s what I like.” [26:18]
• Rapp reflects on media training and how she channeled her feelings into commercial art.

d) "Bite Me" Twilight Quiz & Win

• Rapp aces a quiz themed around "Twilight." She identifies that Forks, WA, was chosen for its raininess, explains the hand model fame, and guesses a jet-ski chase in the original “Twilight” script.

“I can't believe it, but she got them all right. What a winner.” (Bill Curtis, 30:54)

---

6. Panel News Quiz & Limerick Challenge

[33:52+]

• Famillect: Secret “dialects” unique to each family.
• Viral office etiquette question: Is it okay to narrate your lunch? (Panel votes “cringe.”)
• Photo booths are the retro bar trend: “Vintage photo booths are back. ...The photos are great because they're just blurry enough to make everyone look amazing.” [36:45]
• Limerick segment: Listeners fill in the last word.
  • Topics: “Sungazing” harms eyes, fish like to be groomed, restaurants bringing back real candles.

---

7. Lightning Fill-In-The-Blank

The classic rapid-fire news round, full of banter and quick jokes. Alonzo Bowden wins the round.

---

8. Panel Predictions: Next Hot Mic Moments

[50:46+]

• Alonzo Bowden: “JD Vance will be overheard saying, ‘Look at those ankles. This job is mine.’”
• Amy Dickinson: “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will be caught on a hot mic at the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru ordering a box of munchkins with a light dusting of cocaine.”
• Shane O’Neill: “In private, Bernie Sanders talks like a Valley Girl.”

---

Notable Quotes

• Reneé Rapp, on confronting personal drama through art:

  “I was like, how can I make this about myself?” [22:46]

• On critical discourse and Swifties:

  “That review [of Taylor Swift]... ‘Sylvia Plath did not stick her head in an oven for this.’” (Peter Sagal, quoting Paste, 09:30)

• On folk wisdom for family language:

  “I always thought ‘sit down and shut up’ was universal.” — Alonzo Bowden [34:42]

• On binge-watching “health”:

  “Bed sores are the new abs.” — Peter Sagal [05:40]

• Reneé Rapp, on her pop star tastes:

  “Butch lesbians with jobs, girl. That’s what I like.” [26:18]

---

Timestamps for Top Segments

• [00:41] — Opening monologue, panel introductions
• [03:03] — “Who’s Bill This Time?” (Putin immortality summit, binge-watching studies, ‘meaner’ critics)
• [10:22] — Geese problem in California
• [14:56] — Bluff The Listener (“Good Samaritan” stories)
• [21:35 - 31:15] — Interview: Reneé Rapp + “Not My Job” Twilight Quiz
• [33:52] — Panel/Limerick Challenge segment
• [44:43] — Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank
• [50:46] — Panel predictions

---

Tone & Style

The episode is sharply witty, irreverent, and packed with contemporary cultural references — from internet science trends to Taylor Swift stan culture. The banter is equal parts snarky and affectionate, with Peter Sagal leading a cast as likely to poke fun at each other as the week’s news.

---

Summary

This episode of “Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!” is a whirlwind of topical absurdity and punchlines, with standout moments including a candid, comedic interview with Reneé Rapp, who charms with her theater-kid-to-star journey, open-hearted pop star angst, and rogue romantic tastes. The panel’s riffing on world leaders’ “immortality” chat, the latest in pseudo-science, and yet another municipal war on geese brings its delightful blend of brainy and silly—perfect for diehard listeners and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance. Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Bill Curtis]

From NPR n WBEC Chicago, this is Wait, wait, don't tell me, the NPR News quiz. I'm the voice so big it won't fit in the overhead compartment, Bill Curtis. And here is your host at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. Thank you, everybody. Great to be back home. You know, it's early fall in Chicago. It's really the best time here. We got bright skies, cool breezes off the lake. We got both football and, and baseball. And we just want to give a big warm welcome to all the visiting National Guardsmen from Texas and Oklahoma. Hey, everybody, welcome. No, no, we love them. Just everybody have a great time. Enjoy yourselves. And make sure you order ketchup on your hot dogs. We love when you do that. Later on, we're going to be talking to actor and pop star Renee Rapp. But but first, we want to hear your singing. So give us a call. The number is 1-888-WAIT-WAIT. That's 1-888-924-8924. Let's welcome our first listener contestant. Hi. You are on Wait, wait, don't tell me. Hi, I'm Abby.

[Amy Dickinson]

I'm calling from Chicago.

[Peter Sagal]

Hey, what do you do here in the greatest city in the world? I am a flight attendant. Oh, wow. Yeah. Yeah. What is the number one annoyance to flight attendants such as yourself? Oh, God. I think it has to be the shoes and socks off. Oh.

[Amy Dickinson]

But like flights under like two.

[Peter Sagal]

Hours, like, we don't need to be.

[Renee Rapp]

That comfortable, I think, but.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, thank you for your service, Abby. Let me introduce you to our panel this week. First up, say hello to the writer of the Style Memo newsletter for the Washington Post, it's Shane o'. Neill. Hello, Abby. How are you? Hi. Good. Next, we welcome back the founder of the Freeville Literary Society and Free Cinema. Her Asking Amy newsletter is on Substack. It's Amy Dickinson. Hi, Abby. Hi. And a comedian you can see at the Beale Street Theater in Kingman, Arizona, September 27th, and at Grand Comedy Club in San Diego October 4th, it's Alonzo Bowden. Hello, Ed. So, Abby, you're going to play who's Bill this time? Bill Curtis, of course, is going to read you three quotations from this week's news. If you can correctly identify or explain Two of them. You will win our prize. Any voice from our show you might choose for your voicemail. Are you ready to go?

[Renee Rapp]

I think so.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. All right, here we go. Your first quote is from. Vladimir Putin, caught on a hot mic at a big summit this week talking about wellness.

[Bill Curtis]

Human organs can be continuously transplanted. People could even become immortal.

[Peter Sagal]

That was just one of the creepy things overheard as Putin talked with what other world leader at their big summit in Beijing this week. I might need a hint. Well, it was in Beijing, and he was talking to another world leader, the President of China. Yeah, Xi Jinping, President of China. They got together. They got together without us. A lot of people got worried when the U.S. s two biggest global enemies met in an unprecedented show of unity. Would they gang up on us? So it is reassuring that apparently all they talked about was harvesting our organs so that they could stay in power forever.

[Alonzo Bowden]

When you talk about not reading a room, you have leaders that nobody wants around tomorrow talking about how to live forever.

[Peter Sagal]

True. And you have to remember they were doing all this weird talk about, like, organ harvesting. Through a translator, of course. Right. You should have seen, like, this translator's face when Putin said, no, you need a nice, youthful donor, like this guy here.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Do you think that they knew the mic was on and this was just a beautiful troll of Trump? Like, they're talking about how to live forever and he's not there. Do you know how much that would drive him nuts?

[Peter Sagal]

We do know that our president is jealous of those guys, so maybe he's trying to get in on this. In fact, that's what it turns out. They were throwing out the residents at the White House. Throwing out the windows. It was Trump's old organs.

[Shane O'Neill]

I mean, I would like to hear Vladimir Putin sing.

[Peter Sagal]

Fame.

[Shane O'Neill]

I'm going to live forever. I'm going to learn how to fly.

[Peter Sagal]

Hi. The New York Times article on this points out that there is no evidence that replacing a person's organs one by one and, in fact, extend a person's life. Which is why Putin is planning to surprise some lucky person and do it all at once. All right, Abby, here is your next quote. It's about new research into a habit that many of us have.

[Bill Curtis]

Just one more episode. Just one more episode.

[Peter Sagal]

That was Science Blog summing up a new study, a real one that finds out that what habit is actually good for you?

[Renee Rapp]

Binge watching.

[Peter Sagal]

Binge watching. Yes, it's good for you. Sitting on the couch and binge watching TV for hours at a time is good for your health. This is Great news. Bed sores are the new abs.

[Alonzo Bowden]

So this study had to be funded by Netflix?

[Peter Sagal]

Probably. Yes, yes. It's an interesting collaboration. In silence. No, the idea. All right, follow along here. Is that binge watching entire series of tv rather than just like little tiktoks or intermittent episodes, it helps you imagine complicated alternate narratives to get involved in that can help you escape or give context through the pains of your daily life. Right, so, for example, is your boss just incredibly annoying? Why not take just a long mental stroll down the happy corridors of severance?

[Shane O'Neill]

Or, you know, if you're tired of dressing like a human being, you can watch Emily in Paris and get all sorts of.

[Peter Sagal]

Exactly. Yeah. But now that we know that binge watching is good for you, it's ruined. It's like one more thing we have to be guilty about not being. Oh, man, I need to get in my 10,000 minutes of screen time.

[Shane O'Neill]

Oh, sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I just heard binging was good for you and I was texting my dealers.

[Peter Sagal]

I understand, I understand.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Do Americans need another reason to lay on the couch all day? Like, aren't we good enough at that? Without another saying, yeah, this is really good for me. Can't you just say, I'm an American and just lay down?

[Peter Sagal]

Right, exactly. Just own it.

[Amy Dickinson]

Just lay down.

[Peter Sagal]

You don't need an excus.

[Shane O'Neill]

I mean, my brain is so rotted from TikTok that, like, when I watch a full 30 minutes of Cops, I'm.

[Peter Sagal]

Like, yeah, good for me. Yes. I have achieved something. Yeah. All right, Abby, your last quote is actually a 1970 review of a classic Bob Dylan album titled Self Portrait.

[Bill Curtis]

What is this crap?

[Peter Sagal]

That was just one of the reviews cited by a writer in the New Yorker this week. Who's arguing that criticism. Critics these days need to be. What, meaner? Yes, meaner. Critics need to get mean again. According to the New Yorker's music critic, Calef Asana, that no talent hack, he's absolutely right. The main problem with the world right now is that everybody is just too nice.

[Amy Dickinson]

But, you know, I agree, like, lots of criticism, so called, you know, critics, they really just tell you the story, you know, it's been ages since I've read. Well, probably since my last book came.

[Peter Sagal]

Out, I read a real fan, a real slam. It's true.

[Alonzo Bowden]

I don't know about other critics I can say, in sports, this has happened. Like Stephen A. Smith has brought in this thing of the sports cast or sports announcer, whatever, being so critical. And the problem is you didn't play Right. How can you tell somebody whether they're good at it or not? You haven't been there.

[Shane O'Neill]

I mean, as a counter to that, I occasionally will critique things or write reviews of things. I would say shut up.

[Amy Dickinson]

Yes.

[Alonzo Bowden]

All right. Well, you shut up.

[Peter Sagal]

No, you shut up. This is the good old days. There we go.

[Amy Dickinson]

This is the Algonquin Roundtable.

[Peter Sagal]

Exactly. Pretty much, it's just what it was like. Part of the problem these days, of course, is the online community of fans and how mean they can be. Right. For example, this is true. The music magazine Paste wrote a scathing review of Taylor Swift's recent album, the Tortured Poets Department, but they refused to admit who wrote it because they were afraid of retaliation against that person by Swifties. That's true.

[Amy Dickinson]

You do not mess. I mean, really, you don't mess with Swifties.

[Peter Sagal]

Absolutely not. They are vicious. And if they ever found out who wrote the line. And this is real, from that review, quote, sylvia Plath did not stick her head in an oven for this. Unquote. Whoa. We'd have the first ever person in the witness protection program for music criticism.

[Shane O'Neill]

Wow.

[Peter Sagal]

Bill, how did Abby do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Our flight attendant hit 30,000ft, and she hasn't come down yet.

[Peter Sagal]

Is that good? That sounds good.

[Bill Curtis]

That's a winner.

[Peter Sagal]

Three in a row. Well done, Abby. Thank you so much.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Bye.

[Peter Sagal]

Bye. Right now, panel, time for you to answer some questions about this week's news. Amy saying they will use drones, dogs, and even lasers as city council in California thinks they finally have a plan to manage what.

[Amy Dickinson]

It has to be about toddlers.

[Peter Sagal]

It isn't dang dogs. It is an animal. They came from the north, from Canada.

[Amy Dickinson]

Geese.

[Peter Sagal]

Geese. Those damn geese. For years, Foster City, California, has been trying to get the Canada geese out of its parks. Canada geese, as I'm sure you all know, poop every 20 minutes. They also have horrible attitudes. They're the bird that makes you think. You know, God does make mistakes. So now the city has come up with a solution after many years. They've got a big, elaborate plan. It uses drones, dogs, and lasers. They're hoping to make the parks inhospitable to geese. They're calling the plan non lethal. But when asked about that, they said, oh, no. You mean for the geese. Oh, no, we're killing them.

[Alonzo Bowden]

When geese are pooping all over your city and not the neighboring cities, you might want to look at your city.

[Peter Sagal]

That's true.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Like, what are we doing that the geese have found us such a nice target?

[Shane O'Neill]

I just love that the plan was hatched. They were like, we gotta solve this geese problem. We're gonna ask the weird kid from sixth grade for a plan. Lasers and dogs and drones. Robot dogs. They're gonna shoot em all with the lasers.

[Peter Sagal]

The dogs have lasers and the drones have dogs.

[Shane O'Neill]

Yeah, that's what we're gonna do. I'm actually doing that.

[Peter Sagal]

Coming up, do the right thing in our bluff the listener game. Call 1, triple 8. Wait, wait till play. We'll be back in a minute with more. Wait, wait, don't tell me from npr.

[Sponsor Announcer]

This message comes from Schwab. Everyone has moments when they could have done better. Same goes for where you invest. Level up and invest smarter with Schwab. Get market insights, education and human help when you need it. This message comes from Fisher Investments. Senior Vice President Michael Hosmar shares why he believes in empowering clients with knowledge at every step of their financial planning journey.

[Michael Hosmar]

At Fisher Investments, we prefer to use a sizable group of experts with a diverse skill set, diverse knowledge, all collaborating together to deliver what hopefully is optimal advice for our clients. I believe the best and maybe the only way to properly address client expectations is through education. Once I've met with a prospective client for the first time, I hope they feel that they've learned something. I hope they feel they've made some progress and they understand not only that financial markets and financial planning better, but they understand their own personal goals and objectives a bit better as well. I hope they have a little bit more peace of mind.

[Sponsor Announcer]

Learn more@fisher investments.com Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit wise.com Ts and Cs apply.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify. No idea where to sell? Shopify puts you in control of every sales channel. It is the commerce platform revolutionizing millions of businesses worldwide. Whether you're a garage entrepreneur or IPO ready, Shopify is the only tool you need to start, run and grow your business without the struggle. Once you've reached your audience, Shopify has the Internet's best converting checkout to help you turn them from browsers to buyers. Go to Shopify.com NPR to take your business to the next level today.

[Bill Curtis]

From NPR and WBEZ Chicago, this is Wait, wait, don't tell Me the NPR News quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We are playing this week with Shane o', Neill, Amy Dickinson and Alonzo Bowden. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. And thank you, everybody. Right now it's time for the wait wait, don't tell me. Bluff the listener game. Call 1-8 8-8- wait wait to play our game on the air. How you are on Wait, wait, Don't tell me. Hi, this is Clark Greger from Plymouth, Minnesota. Oh, Plymouth, Minnesota. I know it. What do you do there? Oh, well, I'm on the city council, and I love to be outside in our parks where we also have geese. You do, but you're Minnesota nice. You would never use, like, lasers, drones, and dogs on the geese, would you? Never. No. No. Well, I love Minnesota. Clark, welcome to the show. You're gonna play our game in which you have to tell truth from fiction. Bill, what is Clark's topic?

[Bill Curtis]

Good Samaritan in the news.

[Peter Sagal]

Sometimes a hero steps forward to help when no one else will, which is great because I certainly want to do it. I'm busy. Our panelists are gonna tell you about a Good Samaritan we found in the news this week. Pick the one who's telling the truth, and you will win our prize, the wait waiter of your choice in your voicemail. Are you ready to play? I sure am. All right, first, let's hear from Amy Dickinson.

[Amy Dickinson]

Mariana Komjanovic and Jim Klassen are a retired couple living in rural British Columbia whose phone started ringing off the hook last spring. And these strangers calling them from all across Canada wanted to know one how do I use my new grill? The couple figured out that the Napoleon Grill Company has mistakenly listed their telephone number on their customer support page. But instead of complaining, well, they just answered the questions. For six months, they gave out grilling advice, technical fixes that they had researched themselves, and genially shot the breeze about rural life in Canada and, I suppose, how the Oilers were doing this year. So eventually, the grill company sorted out the glitch. But in recognition for their faithful service, they named the couple honorary customer service ambassadors and gave them a brand new grill. And what are they doing with it? They're hosting the staff of Napoleon Grills to a cookout. Now, that's service.

[Peter Sagal]

A couple in Canada who unwittingly became the customer support line for a grill company and just went ahead and did it. Your next story of somebody doing the right thing comes from Alonzo Bowden.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Andy Keen loved the gym. He loved the workout, the vibe, and, of course, the results. What he couldn't stand was lazy people not putting their weights away. Nothing was more frustrating than getting a 25 pound dumbbell and having to search for the other one. So Andy decided to do something about it. He started putting the weights away. He soon realized he was getting a full body workout just carrying weights back to the racks. His good deed was paying off. Soon his entire workout routine was cleaning the gym. He was even picking up treadmills to get rid of the dust bunnies underneath. The man was yoked and soon his gains were an inspiration to many. His habit was picked up when someone posted on Instagram, look at this guy being so considerate at the gym. Something that's never been said before. Now cleaning up the gym is the new hot fitness trend. Andy says it's a problem because now all the weights are already put away. So his next goal is cardio. While returning shopping carts from the grocery.

[Peter Sagal]

Store parking lot, a man starts putting the weights back at the gym and creates a whole new fitness craze. Your last story of people helping people comes from Shane o'. Neill.

[Shane O'Neill]

Skip Lindstrom of Racine, Wisconsin had noticed that some of his neighbors were having a hard time keeping up their front yards. I grew up on this block and keeping a neat lawn was always a point of pride for us, skip said. Then he added, unprompted, Also, don't you wish it were Christmas every single day? You see, Skip is kind of a Christmas freak, but he also likes helping his neighbors. So Skip started knocking on his neighbors doors. I'd say, hey, let me tidy up your lawn. And they'd say, sorry, I can't afford to help. And I'd say no, no, no, I'll do it for free. Also, don't you wish it were Christmas every single day for neighbors in need, Skip will mow your lawn, pull weeds, trim edges, and prune bushes. All he asks in return is permission to decorate your house in Christmas lights that will stay up year round. God, I don't much care for Christmas, said Roger Ellroy, standing next to a 7 foot inflatable Santa Claus on an 85 degree day in late August. But for free lawn care? Yeah, I guess one by one, everyone on the block got on board. Now Skip is finally mounting his most ambitious design yet. Giant letters tacked under the facade of every house on that block that spell out Christmas every day. It's a labor of love, but it's cutting into the time he has for landscaping. In fact, several of the lawns on his block are starting to look a little overgrown.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, so here are your stories of Somebody doing the right thing for once. Is it from Amy Dickinson, a couple in Canada who unwittingly became the customer service agents for a grill company and just kept it up? From Alonzo Boden, a guy who started picking up the weights in his own gym and started a whole new fitness craze by doing so. Or from Shane o', Neill, a Wisconsin man who took care of everybody's lawn just in return for it being Christmas every day. Which of these is the real story of somebody doing good? Well, I'm tempted by the Wisconsin man, but I think that the couple in Vancouver are more Minnesota nice. So I'm going to go with them. Yeah. And there is a strong bond between Canada nice and Minnesota nice. So I can see how you went there. Yeah, you betcha. Oh, yeah. Love it. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Well, to see if you're right, let's listen to this. It is actually one of the do gooders themselves.

[Amy Dickinson]

We were actually getting sometimes up to 20 phone calls a day.

[Peter Sagal]

That was Mariana Kamleinovich talking to the CBC about her time as a part time grill fixer. Congratulations, Clark. You got it right. You earned a point for Amy just for telling the truth. And you've won our prize, the voice of your choice in your voicemail. Well done, sir. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you for playing with us today. Take care. Call me, it's okay it's okay to call me Call me it's okay it's okay to call me Call me, it's okay. And now the game we call not my job. Singer and actor Renee Rapp starred as the meanest mean girl Regina George in the musical movie version of Mean Girl. She's also released a hit album of her own songs. And if you want to know what she thinks of her sudden deserved massive fame as a pop star. Her latest album is called Bite Me. Oh. Renee Rapp, welcome to Wait, Wait, don't tell me. Thank you. I'm so excited to talk to you. I loved you in the Mean Girls movie. I loved your first album. But mainly I am so excited to know that an absolute genuine AA grade pop star was a theater kid.

[Renee Rapp]

Yeah, yeah. It's my roots.

[Peter Sagal]

It is.

[Renee Rapp]

It's my roots.

[Peter Sagal]

Like, how young were you when you first got into theater?

[Renee Rapp]

I wasn't really into theater immediately. I was always, I was just always a huge fan of pop stars and a huge fan of singers and musicians. And then I was just so, I think, annoying to be around for my family that they were like, well, you would do well in the theater. And they Were right.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes.

[Renee Rapp]

So.

[Peter Sagal]

And also, you'll have rehearsal late into the evening, so we won't see you.

[Renee Rapp]

Exactly. Yeah. So I can't. I can't. You know, I can't be around for too long, which was nice. But I did. I missed a lot because I was in theater. I missed the death of my first pet. I missed the death of my hamster. My mom had to brave that on her own because I was in a thrilling production of Annie.

[Amy Dickinson]

Did the sun come up the next day, Renee? Just ask.

[Renee Rapp]

The sun absolutely came out tomorrow, and I took myself back to that damn tin bucket and did a hard knock life 10 times better in lieu of my hamster's death.

[Peter Sagal]

Wow. I love that even at 10, you were able to take that tragedy of the loss of your hamster and transform it into art.

[Renee Rapp]

Absolutely. I was like, how can I make this about myself?

[Peter Sagal]

Your first album, snow Angels, came out a few years ago. Massive hit. Your new album out this summer is called Bite Me. And it has songs. These are just the titles that you wrote the lyrics to. Mad leave me alone. Why is she still here? I can't have you around me anymore and I think I like you better when you're gone. So, Renee, we just met, but is everything okay?

[Renee Rapp]

No, no. At the time. No, not at all. I was. I was just at such a point in my life where everyone felt so. How do you say it? Like, politely. Everyone was just so annoying to be around, and I was so fed up with myself. I was fed up with my work life. I was like, I don't have fun anymore. And I wanted to write an album that was like, I want everyone to get and stay the hell away from me. And I kind of did exactly that. Like, it is just. It is thematically, the title.

[Peter Sagal]

Bite me just.

[Renee Rapp]

Yeah, I was like. Because I can't say, like, you know, I'm not really sure if I can cuss, but. So if you need to bleep me out, it's okay. I can't really say, like, get the off my back in a title because then, like, everything is gonna censor me, you know, and then that just won't sell, girl. So I had to find a Glad.

[Peter Sagal]

You leavened your rage and bitterness with a little bit of commercial sense. I think that.

[Renee Rapp]

Exactly. Yeah, exactly. People say that I'm not media trained. That's censored. So watch it.

[Peter Sagal]

Okay. It's an amazing record and the songs are stunning and fun and crazy and great. And I recommend it to everybody. I want to ask you one more Thing you were on Stephen Colbert recently and you talked about. I was deeply surprised because I thought I knew you from your work. About your massive crush on Mark Cuban. Whoa. The billionaire. Oh, whoa.

[Renee Rapp]

I know. I understand that this doesn't really seem like my thing. No, you know, it's a boy, for one thing. There's. I have, like, a very specific brand of like, that age of, like, white boy that, like, really does it for me for some reason. Like, there's like a thing there that they do that I'm super into. Like, it's kind of like he, to me is the equivalent to like Jason Sudeikis on Ted Lasso. And then there's this other guy who also is kind of in that I'm forgetting his name off the top of my head, but he plays like the evil brother in Game of Thrones. He's Cersei Lannister. You know, the incest. He's the boy.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, that guy. Yeah. Okay, I know who you mean. Nicholas Coster. Waldo. That guy.

[Renee Rapp]

Love. You know what?

[Heidi]

Yes.

[Renee Rapp]

I'm so obsessed with him. I saw him at a game one time. I think I went up to him and like, he didn't even get a word. I was like, love you. You're so cute. There's something about you that really gets me going. And walked away immediately. So they fall in that category of like, that bracket of white men. Like, I love them. And there's so few middle aged men that I like.

[Peter Sagal]

Sure.

[Shane O'Neill]

I don't mean to be presumptuous here, but, like, these are all middle aged men with full heads of hair wearing, like dark suits if you squint. Those are just butch lesbians.

[Renee Rapp]

Butch lesbians with jobs, girl. That's what I like. That's what I like.

[Peter Sagal]

Well, it is an absolute joy to talk to you, Renee. And we have in fact asked you here to play a game we're calling.

[Bill Curtis]

Bite Me, Edward Cullens. Please bite me.

[Peter Sagal]

So your new album, as we have mentioned, your new album is called Bite Me, which of course immediately reminded us of the Twilight Vampire Saga. Answer three questions about those moody, damp vampires. Oh, God, no. And you will win a prize for one of our listeners, the voice of anyone from our show they might choose for their voicemail. Bill, who is Renee Rapp playing for?

[Bill Curtis]

Jack Owens of Denver, Colorado.

[Renee Rapp]

Okay, okay.

[Peter Sagal]

I just have to ask before we get started. I think you're in the right demographic for her. Were you a fan of the Twilight Saga at any time?

[Renee Rapp]

I loved Twilight as a kid. Rob Patson also goes in that I Loved Twilight as a kid. I cannot tell you the last time I watched Twilight, though.

[Peter Sagal]

All right.

[Renee Rapp]

Yeah.

[Peter Sagal]

Here's your first question, Renee. Twilight takes place, the books and eventually the movie in the very real town of Forks, Washington, which has been a tourist destination ever since the first book, Twilight, was published. Author Stephenie Meyer knew the book had to be set in Forks, Washington. Why? A, she was paid to do so by the Forks, Washington Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau. B, she googled rainiest place in the US and it was what came up. Or C, her plan was to set the sequel book in Spoons, Washington, then Knives and finally Sporks.

[Renee Rapp]

I love a spork, but I think that like, B, that feels like something a writer would do.

[Peter Sagal]

It is something that that writer in fact did. Because I'm up. Yeah, she's writing about vampires. Vampires don't like sunlight, so why wouldn't they live in the rainiest, cloudiest place they could find? Here is your next question. In addition to the town of Forks, the Twilight books made an unexpected star out of somebody else. Who was it? A, the book's editor whose note why not just make mummies sexy? Was accidentally published in the first edition. B, a man whose real name was Edward Cullen who was cast in a reality dating show called Searching for My Bella Swan. Or see the hand model holding an apple on the COVID of the books who spun her fame into an apple scented hand lotion brand called Hands of Twilight.

[Renee Rapp]

The third one sounds ridiculous. Like the hand thing. But that's so prominent on the COVID Yes, and a good hand goes a long way.

[Peter Sagal]

True.

[Renee Rapp]

So maybe the third one.

[Peter Sagal]

You're right again, Renee. That's what happened. We all remember that the COVID of the books has hands holding an apple of various kinds. And sure, that woman went on to have a sort of semi famous career. Although in a New York magazine profile it said of her quote, she doesn't understand why she's not more famous.

[Renee Rapp]

I quote, of course, of course. That is something only a hand model would say.

[Peter Sagal]

You're right. All right. You're doing really well, Renee. We have one more question for you. The first screenplay for the movie adaptation of the first book, Twilight, was thrown out and replaced with a version that was much closer to the book. That's what got made. That's a bit of a shame because the abandoned screenplay included which of these scenes. A, Bella revealing her father was Frankenstein's monster, B, Bella riding a jet ski, being chased by the FBI, or C, a climactic scene as the vampires attack the Red Cross's largest blood bank.

[Renee Rapp]

Oh, my God. Okay, once again, I see it all. Even the Jet Ski.

[Peter Sagal]

Sure.

[Renee Rapp]

I'm kind of liking that. I'm liking that because I'm not sure that I know enough about Blue Cross Blue Shield. So let's go with the Jet Ski.

[Peter Sagal]

You're right again, Renee. In that original big chase scenes, lots of action in that script. Bella also blow away vampires with a shotgun. For some reason, it turns out that the studio was told or they had the idea. Let's make this more appealing to boys. Anyway, love, love it. Bill, how did Renee Rapp do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

I can't believe it. But she got them all right. What a winner.

[Peter Sagal]

You're amazing. Renee Rapp's fabulous new album is Bite Me. She's on tour supporting it this fall. See her if you can. Renee Rapp, thank you so much for joining us. Wait, don't tell me. What a pleasure to talk to you. Bye. Bye. Take care.

[Renee Rapp]

Thank you guys.

[Bill Curtis]

Thanks, Renee.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you. In just a minute, your goldfish has a secret. Find out what it is in our Listener Limerick challenge. Call 1-1888-WAIT-WAIT to join us on the air. We'll be back in a minute with more of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me from npr.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This message comes from Moises, proud supporter of NPR Music and the 2025 Tiny Desk Giveaway. Win a trip for two to see a Tiny Desk concert live at NPR's headquarters. Enter for free by September 12th and boost your odds by donating to the NPR Network and follow where the music takes you with Moises, your AI powered studio created by Musicians for Musicians. Learn more at Moises AI. No purchase or donation required for entry. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Links to the entry page and official rules can be [e-mail] TinyDeskGiveaway support for this podcast and the following message come from Strawberry Me. Be honest. Are you happy with your job? Are you stuck in a job you've outgrown or never wanted in the first place? Are your reasons for staying really just excuses for not leaving? Let a career coach from Strawberry Me help you get unstuck. Discover the benefits of having a dedicated career coach in your corner and claim a special offer@Strawberry Me. NPR. This message comes from Instacart. It's that time of year again, back to school season, and Instacart knows that the only thing harder than getting back into the swing of things is getting all the back to school supplies, snacks and essentials you need. So here's your reminder to make your life a little easier this season. Shop favorites from Staples, Best Buy and Costco, all delivered through Instacart so that you can get some time back and do whatever it is that you need to get your life back on track. Instacart. We're here.

[Bill Curtis]

From NPR and wbez Chicago. This is Wait, wait, don't tell me, the NPR News Quiz. I'm Bill Curtis. We are playing this week with Alonzo Bowden, Shane o' Neill and Amy Dickinson. And here again is your host at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Peter Sagal.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you, Bill. Thanks, everybody. In just a minute, due to recent cuts to NPR funding, we can no longer afford complete limericks, so we are relying on you to finish them for us. If you'd like to play, give us a call. 1-88-wait wait. That's 1-888-924-8924. But right now, panel, some questions for you from the week's news. ALONZO this week, the Washington Post reported on what they call famillect. Familect is like a dialect, but it's only spoken among whom?

[Alonzo Bowden]

Family members.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. Family members. Right. We all have this. According to linguists, families often develop their own secret language, or famillect. You know, usually it's words or phrases only understandable to the family. It's a way of making fun of a toddler's speech impediment for the rest of his natural life.

[Alonzo Bowden]

I always thought sit down and shut up was universal.

[Peter Sagal]

Really?

[Alonzo Bowden]

I never took it as just my family was giving those instructions, but I guess so.

[Shane O'Neill]

I thought you were talking about like, like accents coming from families. Oh, me like, well, like my sister, she has like a pretty non regional accent when she's talking to adults, but every time she yells at her kids, she'll be like, so anyway, this week at the bank, you get back here right now, Lucy. But then I said like, it only comes out when she's yelling. It's the fam elect. The famous the familact also sounds like a dairy replacement product.

[Peter Sagal]

It does. True. Disgusting. SHANE this week's viral office dispute that everybody's arguing over is whether it is okay to do what while eating your lunch in the office, sit at your desk. No, everybody does that. It's not a problem.

[Shane O'Neill]

No. Say, guess what, I'm eating.

[Peter Sagal]

You're getting closer. Let me demonstrate. If I were doing it, it would be like, now I am opening up the Tupperware. Oh, get a load of that lovely fishy smell.

[Shane O'Neill]

What narrating what you're doing?

[Peter Sagal]

Narrating their lunch? Yes. A Reddit poster asked people if the poster was in the wrong for telling a co worker that her habit of doing play by play for her own lunch was annoying the woman. The coworker says things like. And these are all true, or at least allegedly true, from the poster. Mmm, spicy little pickle today. And what's that? You're just a sad sandwich. Don't worry, I'm okay. Let's give this baby carrot a crunch.

[Shane O'Neill]

Okay. But does she stop at lunch or in the afternoons? Is she, like, I'm pretending to type, but I'm shopping.

[Peter Sagal]

Shane, people across the country are lining up around the block to get into bars just to take what?

[Shane O'Neill]

Just to take a break from the heat.

[Peter Sagal]

To get. No, no, it's nice.

[Shane O'Neill]

Now a handful of peanuts.

[Bill Curtis]

No.

[Shane O'Neill]

Just to take some time to check in on your local bartender.

[Peter Sagal]

That's so sweet. I'll give you a hint. No, none of those things are right. It's like, people are like, wow, how'd you get your eyes closed? In all four pictures, people are lining.

[Shane O'Neill]

Up for bars to take group photos.

[Peter Sagal]

In a. Oh, in a photo booth? Yes, in photo booths. Vintage photo booths are back. They're popping up in bars, restaurants, freestanding on sidewalks. They're everywhere. This is not a surprise. If you've been to anyone's apartment ever and looked at their fridge, the photos are great because they're just blurry enough to make everyone look amazing. And you can always look back in the memory of being like. After Picture three, we didn't really know what to do anymore. You never know. Yeah, I know. It's like that last picture.

[Amy Dickinson]

You've done all your great stuff.

[Shane O'Neill]

That's when I take off my shirt.

[Amy Dickinson]

Oh, me, too.

[Shane O'Neill]

I actually checked into a hotel in Salt Lake City. Recently.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes.

[Shane O'Neill]

And after I finished checking in, they were like, and if you want, you get one free strip at the photo booth. And I, like, could not imagine anything more depressing than taking a photo booth photo, like, all alone.

[Amy Dickinson]

That's because they can't drink. That's what that's about.

[Shane O'Neill]

You gotta make do. You gotta make.

[Alonzo Bowden]

That's considered a crazy night inside.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, yeah, look. Oh, look, honey. We went out, got a little nutty, made a graven image of ourselves. Coming up. It's lightning. Fill in the blank. But first, it's the game where you have to listen for the rhyme. If you'd like to play on air, call or leave a message at 1-88-8, wait, wait, that's 1-888-924-8924. You can see us most weeks right here at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago. Or you can catch us. Yes, it is a wonderful place. Thank you for coming. You can also catch us on the road. We'll be in St. Louis September 18th, and if that's too hard to get to, we'll be in Honolulu on October 9th and 10th. Tickets and info are at nprpresents.org hi, you're on. Wait, wait, don't tell me.

[Heidi]

Hi, this is Heidi from Detroit.

[Peter Sagal]

Hey, Heidi from Detroit. One of my favorite places. What do you do there?

[Heidi]

I'm a pediatrics resident with authority health at Children's Hospital Michigan.

[Peter Sagal]

Oh, wow. Oh, man. Yeah, you're. Yeah, I'm gonna make fun of that, aren't I? Yeah. Okay. What do you do for fun?

[Heidi]

I play violin. I hang out with my kids.

[Peter Sagal]

I don't know.

[Heidi]

I teach my dog how to talk with buttons.

[Peter Sagal]

Whoa. Oh, so you like, buy into that theory that you can teach your pets to talk by pressing buttons?

[Heidi]

Well, he asks us for a toothbrush after he has his food, he asks to go on walks, to go outside, to go to the bathroom. He knows the difference between poop and pee.

[Peter Sagal]

Wow. Has he ever, like, I don't know, insulted you?

[Heidi]

Yes.

[Peter Sagal]

Really? How?

[Heidi]

Well, we used to have a lot more buttons. Yeah, they got removed and he was. Was being a little obnoxious and asking for treats, and I told him no, and then he pressed the mom button and then he told me to go outside.

[Peter Sagal]

Wow. Oh, my. Wow. That's amazing. Heidi, welcome to the show. Bill Curtis is going to read you three news related limericks with a last word or phrase missing from each. If you can fill in that last word of phrase correctly and two of the limericks, you'll be be a winner. You ready to play?

[Renee Rapp]

Of course.

[Peter Sagal]

Here we go. Here's your first limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

When day's ending or barely begun, don't gaze at the skies just for fun. That act is unwise. It scorches your eyes. It's bad just to stare at the sun, Right?

[Peter Sagal]

Exactly right. Millions of people are apparently into the new trend of sun gazing by replacing their morning coffee with staring directly into the sun. Proponents on TikTok naturally claim it increases your energy, boosts your serotonin, and improves your sleep. Plus plus now you're blind and can stay home from work.

[Amy Dickinson]

Oh, that's insane.

[Peter Sagal]

It is pretty nuts. Practitioners say sungazing is an ancient Egyptian practice.

[Amy Dickinson]

They're all dead.

[Peter Sagal]

They're all dead though yeah, look what happened to them.

[Shane O'Neill]

So is Mary your sister?

[Peter Sagal]

It's true. Here is your next limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

The chest in my tank holds much treasure. There's joy there that's far beyond measure. There's fish there to groom me, and shutters rush through me. We fish can enjoy immense pleasure.

[Peter Sagal]

Pleasure. Yes. Yes. Fish experience pleasure and seek it out. I honestly can't tell if it makes me feel better or worse about eating tuna now that I know it spent its life on a thrilling erotic journey. So here's what happened. Scientists observed that fish who had their parasites cleaned off by these other cleaner fish kept returning to the same spot in the reef even when they no longer had parasites. Leading scientists to believe that their behavior was driven solely by the pleasure of the experience. They're into it. Well, we found Nemo, but you're not going to like when we tell you where. All right, here's your last limerick.

[Bill Curtis]

Wax drips look like marks from a vandal, and the flames can be awkward to handle. But flickering light makes our food look just right. So some restaurants brought back the candle.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes, the candle candles. Real candles with real flames are coming back to restaurants. Great news for romantics. Horrible news for anyone in long billowing sleeves. Restaurant owners are getting rid of those, like, fake electric little lights. Right. Tea lights embracing the real flame. They say nothing else can set an ambiance quite like a real candle. Sure, it gets wax all over the table, but now you can immediately know if your date is a heavy breather.

[Amy Dickinson]

And as an older person who went on some first dates, I heartily endorse candlelight. Let me just say that I look much better. Yes, much better. And the date does, too.

[Shane O'Neill]

Well, that's why I always just turn on the flashlight on my phone just to make sure.

[Peter Sagal]

I want to know what complexion is. I remember when I was a kid, I thought, like, one of those Chianti bottles with, like, the endless amount of wax was, like, the height of fashion.

[Amy Dickinson]

Yeah. Total class.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah. I remember trying to make one at home so could have a little romantic dinner if anybody would ever d to date me.

[Shane O'Neill]

But you were doing it out of, like, a milk carton.

[Peter Sagal]

Probably. Yeah. It didn't really work. Bill, how did Heidi do on our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Heidi was a close listener and a perfect score.

[Peter Sagal]

Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you so much for playing.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. This message comes from BetterHelp President Fernando Madera describes how BetterHelp online therapy has helped him.

[Peter Sagal]

For me, sometimes I just need to go and talk to somebody that is not gonna judge me right. Is gonna be there and they're gonna listen to me and I can start just saying, look, I'm not feeling right today and it feels natural. I love it.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

To get matched with a therapist, visit betterhelp.com NPR for 10% off your first month. This message comes from Progressive Insurance. Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Peter Sagal]

Now it is time for our final game. Lightning Fill in the blank. Each of our players will have 60 seconds in which to answer as many fill in the blank questions as they can. Each correct answer now worth two points. Bill, can you give us the scores?

[Bill Curtis]

I think I can. Shane and Amy each have three. Alonzo has.

[Peter Sagal]

Okay, that means that Alonzo, you are in second place. So you are gonna go first. Here we go. The clock will start when I begin your first question. Fill in the blank. Following upheavals at the CDC, Blank was called to testify before a Senate panel.

[Alonzo Bowden]

RFK Jr.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. On Thursday, Washington, D.C. sued the White House over its deployment of blank troops.

[Alonzo Bowden]

In the District National Guard.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. For the first time in four years, there are fewer blanks than there are job seekers.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Jobs.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, job openings. On Thursday, President Trump asked the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling calling most of his global blanks illegal tariffs. Right. This week, clothing company Shein said they would launch an investigation to discover why their website featured Blank modeling a shirt.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Trump?

[Peter Sagal]

No. Accused murderer Luigi Mangione. He didn't really. It was AI. On Wednesday, Newsmax sued Blank's claiming it holds a monopoly on right wing tv. Fox, right, Fox News. This week, visitors to gambling capitol. Blank dropped for the sixth straight month.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Las Vegas.

[Peter Sagal]

Las Vegas. Following a car crash in Los Angeles. The ambulance transporting the victim also crashed and then the crash investigator arriving at the scene to assist the crashed ambulance. Blank.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Wait, the. The car crash. Car crash.

[Peter Sagal]

Ambulance crash.

[Alonzo Bowden]

Car crash Investigator investigators showed up and crashed.

[Peter Sagal]

Exactly. After an ambulance crashed attempting to transport victims of another crash, the LA Fire Department rushed to the scene and promptly crashed.

[Alonzo Bowden]

No, that was Fast and Furious 12.

[Peter Sagal]

Exactly. I never went, oh, no, sorry.

[Alonzo Bowden]

You gave it away, Pete.

[Peter Sagal]

Yeah, it was funny. I was like, that guy Looks just like Vin Diesel. I should have known. Bill, how did Alonzo do in our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Perfect seven. Right. 14 more points, totaling 16.

[Peter Sagal]

All right. Very nicely done.

[Bill Curtis]

Hard to catch.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, let's pick Amy to go next. Here we go. Amy, fill in the blank. On Tuesday, Florida announced plans to end all Blank requirements for school children immunization. Right. Vaccine. Amid mounting pressure, the House Oversight Committee released more documents related to Blank.

[Amy Dickinson]

Jeffrey Epstein.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. On Monday, the U.S. conducted a strike against a boat allegedly used by a cartel from Blank.

[Amy Dickinson]

Venezuela.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. This week, a citizen watchdog group created to prevent pickpocketing in Venice was sued by Blank for harassment.

[Amy Dickinson]

Pickpockets.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. On Tuesday, long running sketch show Blank announced five new cast members.

[Amy Dickinson]

Snl.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. Saturday Night Live. On Wednesday, the prize for winning the blank grew to an estimated $1.7 billion.

[Amy Dickinson]

Lottery.

[Peter Sagal]

I'll give it to you. The Powerball. This week, a man in New Jersey went viral after he was filmed blanking at a town hall meeting.

[Amy Dickinson]

Blanking. He was actually blanking.

[Peter Sagal]

You know, he was. We had many people to do that. This guy was breakdancing during a town hall meeting on tax questions. A man named Will Philly got up to the podium and silently started doing the robot. And then a backspin. Best part of the article about this is quote, when he finished, Filly gestured for applause but received none. Wow. And then he did the sad robot. Bill, how did Amy doing our quiz?

[Bill Curtis]

Some big scores.

[Shane O'Neill]

Six.

[Peter Sagal]

Right.

[Bill Curtis]

12 more points in total of 15. Trails by only one.

[Peter Sagal]

All right, so how many then does Shane need to take this and win it all?

[Bill Curtis]

Seven.

[Peter Sagal]

Seven. That's a big, big order here, Shane. Here we go. This is for the game. On Wednesday, a judge ruled that it was illegal for the White House to suspend federal funding to Blank University, Harvard. Right. In the landmark antitrust ruling, search giant Blank was told it will not have to sell off its Chrome web browser. Browser.

[Shane O'Neill]

Google.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. This week, the governors of California, Washington and Oregon formed an alliance to help coordinate health guidelines separate from the Blank.

[Shane O'Neill]

Cdc.

[Peter Sagal]

Right. According to a new study, eating foods with artificial blanks can age the brain by a year and a half.

[Shane O'Neill]

Colors. Sweeteners.

[Peter Sagal]

Sweeteners is right. After almost two years on the job, Blank stepped down as the head of McDonald's in the UK.

[Shane O'Neill]

Mr. McDonough.

[Bill Curtis]

No.

[Peter Sagal]

Highly skilled professional executive named Zoe Hamburger. This week, the company behind Jack Daniels said they saw a 60% drop in sales thanks to a boycott in Blank Partying.

[Shane O'Neill]

Oh, a boycott. Boycott in Kentucky.

[Peter Sagal]

No, Canada. We're not buying our stuff. On Thursday, Legendary fashion designer Blank passed away at the age of 91.

[Shane O'Neill]

Rest in peace, Armani.

[Peter Sagal]

Yes. This week, a couple in the UK Were stunned when for the second time in a month, their lost cat was discovered in blank.

[Shane O'Neill]

Mr. McDonald's house.

[Peter Sagal]

No, discovered in a pub 30 miles away from their house. Walking 30 miles to a bar twice is a commitment, but who can blame it? Not everybody knows how to pour milk just right. Bill, did Shane do well enough to win?

[Bill Curtis]

Well, he got five rights. Ten more points, total of 13. Alonzo wins.

[Peter Sagal]

Alonzo.

[Alonzo Bowden]

A rare occurrence. Thank you.

[Peter Sagal]

In just a minute, we're going to ask our panelists to predict now that we've heard from Xi and Putin, what will be the next hot mic moment in the news. But first, let me tell you all. Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me. Is a production of NPR and WBEZ Chicago in association with Urgent Haircut Productions. Doug Berman, benevolent overlord Philip Ga writes our limericks. Our public address announcements is Paul Friedman. Our tour manager is Shane o'. Donnell. Thanks to the staff and crew at the Studebaker Theatre. BJ Lederman composed our theme. Our program is produced by Jennifer Mills, Miles Doornbos and Lillian King. Special thanks this week to Blythe Roberson and Monica Hickey. Peter Gwynn is our ball boy. Our visual host is Emma Choi. Technical direction is from Lorna White. Our CFO is Colin Miller. Our production manager is Robert Newhouse. Our senior producer is Ian Chillock. And the executive producer of Wait, Wait, don't tell me. Mr. Mike Hut. Mike Danforth. Now, panel, what'll get caught in a hut mic? Next, Alonzo Bowden.

[Alonzo Bowden]

JD Vance will be overheard saying, look at those ankles. This job is mine.

[Peter Sagal]

Amy Dickinson.

[Amy Dickinson]

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Will be caught on a hot mic at the Dunkin Donas Drive Thru ordering a box of munchkins with a light dusting of cocaine.

[Peter Sagal]

And Shane o'.

[Shane O'Neill]

Neal in private, Bernie Sanders talks like a Valley Girl.

[Bill Curtis]

And if any of that happens, panel, we're gonna ask you about it on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me.

[Peter Sagal]

Thank you so much. Bill Curtis. Thanks also to Alonzo Boden, Mamie Dickinson and Shane o'. Neal. Thanks to our fabulous audience here at the Sunebaker Theatre here in downtown Chicago, Illinois. And thanks to all of you for listening, wherever you might be. I'm Peter Sakel. We'll see you next week. This is npr.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

This message comes from Whole Foods Market. It's stock up September at Whole Foods Market. Enjoy quick breakfasts for less with365 by Whole Foods Market. Seasonal coffee and oatmeal. Stock up now at Whole Foods Market, in store and online.

[Sponsor Announcer]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Oracle. In business, they say you can have better, cheaper or faster, but you only get to pick two. What if you could have all three at the same time? Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is the blazing fast platform for your infrastructure, database, application development and AI needs. With oci, you can run any workload in a high availability, consistently high performance environment and spend less than you would with other clouds. To try OCI for free with zero commitment, go to oracle.com NPR this message comes from NPR sponsor Viori. Featuring the core short receive 20% off your first purchase on any US orders over $75 and free [e-mail] NPR exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions.