Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! – Episode Featuring Vanessa Bayer
Released: February 8, 2025
Host: Tom Papa (filling in for Peter Sagal)
Celebrity Guest: Vanessa Bayer
NPR's Weekly News Quiz

Introduction

NPR's beloved news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, takes a humorous look at the week's news with a blend of quizzes, panel discussions, and celebrity interviews. In this episode, recorded live at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, Tom Papa steps in as the host for Peter Sagal. The show features panelists Shantira Jackson, Peter Gross, and Rachel Feinstein, along with listener contestants Edie from Alexandria, Virginia, and Jeremiah from Brooklyn, South Dakota. The episode also welcomes Vanessa Bayer, an alumna of Saturday Night Live (SNL), celebrating SNL’s 50th anniversary.

Segment 1: Contestant Quiz – Testing Edie's News Knowledge

Timestamp: 02:48 – 09:47

The episode kicks off with Edie from Virginia entering the quiz segment. The task involves identifying or explaining quotes from the week's news. Edie's performance sets a lively tone for the show.

Notable Quotes and Interactions:

• John's Tariffs Commentary
  [02:51]
  Chioki Ayanson reads: “This is the dumbest trade war in history” from the Wall Street Journal.
  Edie: “Would those be tariffs?” – correctly identifies the quote, earning praise from Tom Papa and the panel.

• Christianity and Bird Flu Joke
  [04:32]
  Tom Papa jokes: "Despite the high price of eggs, Trump has promised all Americans will still be able to die of bird flu. So reassuring."
  Rachel Feinstein quips: “It is amazing, though, that the Wall Street Journal is the one that's calling them out because they're saying that it's a dumb idea, then it might actually be a dumb idea.”

• Ancient Human Ancestor Lucy
  [07:57]
  Chioki Ayanson presents: “She would have been really slow.”
  Edie correctly deduces Lucy could run slowly, highlighting the episode’s blend of humor and trivia.

Edie's accuracy in identifying the quotes not only earns her the prize but also showcases the panelists' witty banter and insightful commentary on current events.

Segment 2: Panel Quiz – Rachel, Shantira, and Peter Take the Stage

Timestamp: 10:11 – 18:24

The panelists engage in various games, including identifying true news stories from fabricated ones. This segment emphasizes the show's signature blend of humor and news analysis.

Notable Highlights:

• Cheating and Green Tint Story by Shantira Jackson
  Shantira narrates a humorous story about a woman whose household items, including her cat, turned green due to mysterious stains—ultimately revealing her husband's infidelity.
  [17:06]
  Shantira: “Turns out green wasn't the color of jealousy, but rather the color of bargain-priced infidelity.”

• Organist's "Organ Paw" by Peter Gross
  Peter fabricates a tale about a musician whose hands turned green from playing a green organ, leading to the fictional medical term "Sloven's paw."
  [17:15]
  Shantira: “He founded the Organs Paw Youth alliance, which helps young musicians that are also rancid from organ spa.”

• Greentine's Day at CVS by Rachel Feinstein
  Rachel invents a story about CVS staff improvising Valentine's Day decorations with green materials, creating a humorous new holiday called "Greentine's Day."
  [18:24]

Game Outcome:

Listener contestant Chris correctly identifies Shantira's story as the real one, showcasing the panel's ability to blend fact with fiction seamlessly.

Segment 3: Celebrity Interview – Vanessa Bayer Shares Her Journey

Timestamp: 21:37 – 31:22

The highlight of the episode is the interview with former SNL cast member Vanessa Bayer, who discusses her career, personal experiences, and the impact of humor in overcoming challenges.

Key Discussion Points:

• Family Influence and Personal Challenges
  [22:05]
  Vanessa: “When I was a teenager and I had leukemia, I think my family really used humor to cope. It made us all kind of funnier because we learned that that was sort of a thing that put us at ease.”

• SNL Audition and Success
  [25:16 – 26:51]
  Vanessa recounts her audition for SNL, emphasizing the importance of being present and optimistic. She shares her surprise and joy when her performance was well-received, leading to her successful tenure on the show.

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism
  [23:41 – 24:14]
  Vanessa discusses how humor was essential for her and her family during tough times, highlighting the therapeutic power of laughter.

Notable Quotes:

• Vanessa on Humor and Survival:
  [22:48]
  “I think my family really used humor to cope. It made us all kind of funnier because we learned that that was sort of a thing that put us at ease.”

• Panelist Rachel Feinstein on Vanessa:
  [22:25]
  “Vanessa has never clutched pearls around me once. Never seen her clutch her pearls.”

Vanessa's candid sharing provides listeners with an intimate look into how humor can serve as a powerful tool for resilience and connection.

Segment 4: Listener Games – Bluff the Listener and Not My Job

Timestamp: 14:11 – 42:27

The listener games, including Bluff the Listener and Not My Job, engage both the panelists and live callers in fun, informative challenges.

Bluff the Listener:

• Topic: Why is everything green these days?
  Shantira: Fabricated story about a woman’s house and cat turning green due to suspicious stains linked to her husband’s affair.
  Rachel: Invented tale of an organist with "Sloven's paw."
  Peter: Created a humorous Greentine's Day scenario at CVS.

  Outcome: Chris correctly identifies Shantira’s story as true.

Not My Job:

• Focus: Vanessa Bayer’s Career
  Panelists answer questions about SNL’s 50th anniversary and other 1975 milestones, testing their knowledge beyond their expertise.

  Notable Interaction:

  • Rachel Feinstein correctly answers questions about Jaws director Steven Spielberg’s response to John Williams' theme music and 50 Cent's feud with Ja Rule, demonstrating the panel’s broad knowledge base.

• Lightning Round:
  Participants answer rapid-fire fill-in-the-blank questions related to the week's news, showcasing their quick thinking and humor under pressure.

  Winner: Rachel Feinstein emerges as the episode's top scorer, highlighting her sharp wit and extensive knowledge.

Segment 5: Audience Engagement and Final Games

Timestamp: 33:16 – 49:50

The show continues with engaging games like Listener Limerick Challenge and Lightning Fill in the Blank, fostering interaction between the panelists and listeners.

Listener Limerick Challenge:

• Jeremiah from South Dakota participates by completing limericks related to current events, such as banana peels for skincare and Starbucks’ playful customer name mishaps.

  Notable Highlight:
  [38:45]
  Rachel Feinstein: “According to beauty influencers and 14-year-olds on TikTok, the enzymes in banana peels can plump and brighten up your skin... according to scientists, no, they can't.”

Awards and Acknowledgements:

• Rachel Feinstein wins the Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! quiz with a total of 14 points, earning accolades for her performance.

Segment 6: Closing Remarks and Production Credits

Timestamp: 49:50 – End

Tom Papa wraps up the episode by acknowledging the contributions of the panelists, the production team, and sponsors. He teases upcoming segments and encourages listeners to join future episodes.

Notable Final Interaction:

• Discussion on Lucy's Running Abilities:
  [48:00 – 49:45]
  Panelists humorously debate what Lucy, the ancient human ancestor, is good at, blending scientific facts with comedic twists.

Conclusion

This episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! masterfully blends humor, current events, and engaging trivia. With Vanessa Bayer sharing her journey and the panelists' sharp wit keeping the audience entertained, listeners are treated to a delightful mix of laughter and news. The interactive games and insightful discussions ensure that both regular and new listeners find something to enjoy, making it a standout episode in the series.

Thank you for tuning in to NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Stay tuned for more laughs and news quizzes in future episodes.