Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Episode Featuring Tara Dower

Hosted by Peter Sagal, NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" delivers a blend of humor, news trivia, and engaging conversations. In this episode, Peter welcomes Tara Dower, the ultrarunner who recently set a remarkable record on the Appalachian Trail. The show features lively interactions with panelists Faith Saley, Nagin Farsad, and Peter Gross, alongside spirited listener contestants.

Introduction and Contestant Games

The episode kicks off with host Peter Sagal introducing the panelists and welcoming Joshua Johnson, who is filling in for Bill Curtis. The first contestant, Molly Prospect from West Hartford, Connecticut, joins the panel to play the game "Bluff the Listener." In this segment, Joshua Johnson presents three quotations from the week's news, and Molly successfully identifies all three, earning herself a voicemail voice from the show.

Notable Quotes:

• Joshua Johnson [06:04]: "I'll have a cocktail every now and then."
• Peter Sagal [06:34]: "According to the Washington Post, more and more people are describing themselves as sober, even though they drink regularly or even use some drugs, making sober the new vegetarian."

The panelists engage in humorous banter about the evolving definitions of sobriety, with Nagin Farsad [05:35] quipping about political figures being easily manipulated.

Listener Contestant: Dalia from Waltham, MA

Next, Dalia from Waltham, Massachusetts, participates in "Bluff the Listener," focusing on paranormal phenomena. She is presented with three fictional and one real story about ghosts and mythical creatures.

Quotes and Interactions:

• Faith Saley [15:30]: "Alexis Mulvihill is an Albuquerque based medium..."
• Nagin Farsad [16:57]: "The Loch Ness monster has long been sighted in the Scottish Highlands..."
• Peter Gross [18:28]: "If you live in a haunted house, great news. Your ghost could die soon."

Dalia correctly identifies Peter Gross's story about ghosts "dying again," showcasing her knowledge of the supernatural topics discussed.

Featured Guest: Tara Dower, Ultrarunner

The highlight of the episode is the introduction and interview with Tara Dower, who holds the record for running the entire Appalachian Trail in an astonishing 40 days, 18 hours, and 6 minutes. Tara shares insights into her grueling journey, including daily mileages and sleep patterns.

Key Insights:

• Tara Dower [21:48]: "The least amount of miles I did in a day was about 35. And the most I ever did was 62 in a day."
• Peter Sagal [22:14]: “17 and a half hours a day.”

Tara discusses the physical and mental challenges she faced, including hallucinations due to exhaustion, highlighting the extreme demands of ultrarunning.

Humorous Anecdotes:

• Panelist [23:03]: "You know, if you ask a hallucination, if they're hallucinating, they have to tell."
• Tara Dower [23:35]: "I'm lucky. There was like a hunter with a huge, huge, ginormous gun."

Tara also humorously recounts her decision to have her toenails permanently removed to prevent infections during her run.

Interactive Games and More Listener Participation

Following Tara's segment, the show transitions to more interactive games. Contestants such as Luke from Philadelphia and others participate in the "Listener Limerick" challenge, where they fill in missing words in limericks based on recent news events.

Example Limerick:

• Joshua Johnson [38:36]:

  I think my hydrangea just cursed me.
  There's no water here in my nursery.
  My AI is so advanced,
  it is translating plants and they mostly just tell me they're ____
  

• Peter Sagal [39:19]: "Thirsty."

The panelists contribute witty remarks and playful corrections, enhancing the entertainment value of the segment.

Final Games and Predictions

In the concluding segments, panelists Faith Saley, Nagin Farsad, and Peter Gross compete in the "Lightning Fill in the Blank" game. Faith emerges as the episode's champion with the highest score, edging out Nagin and Peter.

Final Predictions: When asked to predict the next trend following the surge of 97-inch TVs, the panelists offer imaginative and humorous ideas:

• Faith Saley: "Faith Sailing really big long catheters so no one needs to miss a moment of anything they're watching on their giant TV."
• Peter Gross: "A giant pool of Xanax for people who are pill sober, where you don't drink, but you do take a lot of pills."
• Nagin Farsad: "A massive jumbo sectional couch is not for more people, just a section for each of your emotions."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks to the panelists, contestants, and the audience. Peter Sagal hints at future content and upcoming tours, maintaining the show's engaging and interactive spirit.

Final Remarks:

• Peter Sagal [51:56]: "Thank you, Joshua. Thanks to Faith Saley, Peter Gross, and Nagin Farsad, and thanks to our fabulous audience who joined us here at the Studebaker Theatre."

Key Takeaways:

• Tara Dower's Achievement: Tara Dower's record-breaking run on the Appalachian Trail is a testament to human endurance and determination.
• Evolving Trends: The show humorously explores contemporary trends such as the redefining of sobriety and the obsession with ever-larger TVs.
• Engaging Interactions: The dynamic between host, panelists, and contestants creates a lively and entertaining atmosphere, making complex topics approachable and fun.

Notable Quote:

Peter Sagal [22:14]: "17 and a half hours a day is kind of amazing."

Whether you're a fan of news trivia, humorous banter, or inspiring stories of human achievement, this episode of "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" offers something for everyone. Tune in to enjoy more laughs and intriguing discussions.