Wow in the World: WeWow on the Weekend (11/16/25)

Hosted by Dennis (with Reggie) | Featuring Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz
Release Date: November 16, 2025
Podcast Theme: Celebrating kids’ science, curiosity, and community, this episode features a listener talent show alongside a fun, behind-the-scenes relisten of a fan-favorite "Wow in the World" story.

Episode Overview

This weekend’s "WeWow on the Weekend" brings listeners the second part of the Wee Wow Talent Show, spotlighting the impressive and sometimes hilarious talents of young Wowzers who called in. Afterward, Dennis and Reggie introduce a revisit to a fan-favorite "Wow in the World" episode: "Extreme Makeover: Spider Edition," combining fun science facts with classic Wow comedic flair.

Key Segments and Highlights

1. Special November Announcements (00:12–02:05)

• Mindy Thomas teases a month full of special events on Wow in the World:
  • Upcoming Mars special (with “Emily the Space Gal” Calandrelli).
  • Turducken episode with Circle Round and Terrestrials (Radiolab for Kids).
  • An episode featuring Elmo from Sesame Street (Nov 24).
  • On Dec 1: The 250th episode, which will be a musical!
  • Members-only listening party for the 250th episode (Nov 22, 7pm ET).
• Quote, Mindy Thomas (01:25):
  “We think this week is going to be music to your ears. Literally. Did I mention it’s a musical?”

2. Wee Wow Talent Show—Part 2! (02:05–10:08)

Introduction (02:05–03:07)

• Dennis and Reggie kick off the second installment with Dennis’s trademark offbeat theme song.

Listener Talents (03:44–10:08)

• Taylor (Burlington, IA):
  Attempts Bop It record (first call is cut off, comes back later and nails it).
  “I just beat Bop It. Isn’t that cool?” – Taylor (06:40)

• Vibel (Age 9):
  Performs the Super Mario theme on ukulele.
  Dennis: “That was so good.” (05:48)

• Josie (Chicago, Age 8):
  Plays piano for Dennis and Reggie.

• Ethan (Age 7):
  Sings a custom song:
  “Dennis is yapping, Reggie is laughing his head off, and he can’t stop!” (07:35)

• Nathan:
  Raps as Dennis, poking fun at Dennis’s own rapping style.
  Dennis: “I remember when I did that cool, cool rap.” (08:22)

• Tucker (Ontario, Age 6):
  Sings an original about bunnies:
  “Bunnies are the best, bunnies are the best, take one for a pet and give it some bread…” (08:37)

• Group Talent: Theo, Hugh, Kate, Liam, and Taylor:
  Whistling, singing, and keyboard performance of the "Wee Wow on the Weekend" theme song.
  Dennis: “Woohoo! Those were some amazing talents! Thanks to everyone who called in to be a part of our show.” (10:08)

3. Inside Tinkercast Studios: "Extreme Makeover: Spider Edition" Relisten (10:42–31:13)

Intro & Set-Up (10:42–12:34)

• Dennis introduces a relisten segment to a previous Wow in the World episode focused on spiders and makeovers.

"Extreme Makeover: Spider Edition" Story Highlights

• Premise:
  Mindy wins tickets to visit the TV show “Date or Bait,” a hilarious spider-themed matchmaking/dance competition show.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I just won a behind-the-scenes tour of… Wait for it… Date or Bait!” – Mindy (16:49)
  • “That’s, like, the main point of the show, Mindy… If the male jumping spider is unable to impress the female jumping spider during its mating dance, well then…” – Guy Raz (24:01)
• Science Takeaway:
  • Jumping spiders use dance moves and bright colors (like red faces) to attract mates.
  • University of Florida researchers studied whether face color and “hair height” (using fake eyelashes on jumping spiders) affect mating success and chances of not being eaten by females.
  • Red or tall features signal warnings—examples of aposematism (warning coloration in nature).
• Memorable Moments:
  • Guy Raz admits to loving “Date or Bait” and even wearing the show’s T-shirt for gardening. (17:34)
  • Mindy and Guy discuss warning colors and camouflage, explaining why some animals want to stand out, not blend in.
    “That’s what I think. It’s half ‘check out my cool red face’ and half ‘don’t eat me or I might poison you!’” – Mindy (28:17)
  • The "fake eyelash" spider makeover:
    • “Hold the phone, Guy Raz. You’re telling me that that spider is wearing fake eyelashes on his head?” – Mindy (29:45)
    • “Correctamundo.” – Guy Raz (29:56)

4. Wrap Up & Goodbye (31:13–34:16)

• Dennis invites listeners to join, call in, and share questions or talents for future episodes.
• Plans with Reggie to give themselves “spider makeovers” using pool noodles for legs.
• Closing credits, team thank-yous, and member info.

Notable Quotes & Funniest Moments

• “We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Clap clap. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend.” – Dennis (02:05)
• “With a wig that tall, I’d say so, Mindy.” – Guy Raz, on spider antennae and mating luck (30:29)
• “We should give ourselves spider makeovers!” – Dennis (31:13)
• “My name is Dennis, and I’m here to say, I am Dennis. Great. I’m so good at rapping and rapping. So cool…” – Nathan, listener (08:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------|------------| | Announcements & November Teasers | 00:12–02:05| | Talent Show Theme & Introduction | 02:05–03:07| | Listener Talent: Taylor (Bop It) | 03:44–04:29| | Listener Talent: Vibel (ukulele) | 04:39–05:48| | Listener Talent: Taylor, part II | 05:55–06:52| | Listener Talent: Josie (piano) | 07:02–07:28| | Listener Song: Ethan & Nathan | 07:35–08:22| | Listener Song: Tucker (bunnies) | 08:30–08:57| | Group Theme Performance | 08:58–10:08| | Inside Tinkercast Studios begins | 10:42 | | “Extreme Makeover: Spider Edition” | 12:38–31:13| | Wrap-up and Spider Makeover plans | 31:13–32:46| | Credits & Sign-Off | 32:46–34:16|

Tone and Style

• Playful, silly, fun—Dennis’s mix of offbeat energy paired with Mindy and Guy’s science storytelling.
• Kid-centric, embracing “wow” moments and spontaneous laughter.
• Science made accessible—explained via games, jokes, and story.

For Listeners New and Old

A classic “WeWow on the Weekend”: heartwarming, community-building, and full of contagious excitement about kid creativity and quirky science. Whether you want life lessons in spider dating strategy or just need the cheer of a bunny song, this episode brings the WOW.