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Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

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NPR's weekly news quiz hosted by Peter Sagal. Have a laugh and test your knowledge with today's funniest comedians and a celebrity guest. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, and Wait Wait's perks include bonus episodes, the chance to be a contestant in those bonus episodes(!), and sponsor-free listening.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes444Founded21 years ago
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ComedyLeisure

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Latest Episodes

This week, legendary actor Sally Field joins us to talk about working with an octopus, or not, and introduces the world to her dog, Dashiell Hammett. Plus, panelists Tom Bodett, Shantira Jackson, and Paula Poundstone crash a rocket on the moon.

Supp... more

This week, we're live in Sonoma with special guest Mary Roach! Plus panelists Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Tom Papa, and Shane Torres talk gambling, Cybertrucks, and wrinkles.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this ... more

YouTube

This week, Abbott Elementary's Tyler James Williams joins panelists Josh Gondelman, Hari Kondabolu, and Faith Salie

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsors... more

This week, special guest Vicki Peterson joins panelists Alonzo Bodden, Helen Hong, and Dulcé Sloan

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sally Field
Award-winning actor, Emmy- and Oscar-winning star of decades of film and television
Netflix (Remarkably Bright Creatures)
Episode: Falling in love with an octopus, a dog, and Sally Field
Mary Roach
Science writer and author of Stiff, Gulp, Bonk, Replaceable You
Author, Mary Roach LLC
Episode: Betting on a graveyard of Cybertrucks with Mary Roach
Tyler James Williams
Actor known for Abbott Elementary and Everybody Hates Chris
NBC/ABC/Abbott Elementary
Episode: A tick-filled odyssey
Vicki Peterson
Legendary rock guitarist from the Bangles
The Bangles
Episode: We skip the salad bar and have a banana instead
Jason Narducy
Musician; former Verboten member; collaborator with Bob Mold, Superchunk, Eddie Vedder; REM tribute tours with Michael Shannon
Split Single; Verboten; REM tribute tours
Episode: Love Island and Pre-Teen Punks with Jason Narducy
Aasif Mandvi
Actor and former Daily Show correspondent
Television/Comedic News
Episode: Celebrating the 4th with nothing but bangers!
Stephen Malkmus
Indie rock musician, Pavement frontman
Pavement
Episode: Reflecting Pools and Construction Zones
Caro Claire Burke
Author of Yesteryear, trad wife influencer narrative
Author, Yesteryear
Episode: The World Cup, Trad Wives, and the Wedding of the Century
Robert Smigel
Comedian, writer, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog creator
Humor Me (podcast)
Episode: Insult Dogs and Emotional Support Alligators

Hosts

Peter Sagal
Host of the show, central to NPR-based humor, trivia, and interviews.
Bill Curtis
News anchor and announcer, prominent live taping presence.
Ian
Co-host and producer role on How To Do Everything segments and panel.
Mike
Co-host and segment host for Not My Job and related games.
Tom Papa
Host and comedian, regular panelist and game host.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 44.1k ratings
  • Alzo’s new job

    I love Alzo’s laugh! I miss Bill but I’m glad he took his place. I’m a long time listener and love your show. I saw the show live in Salt Lake City!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gardenernjb
    United States8 days ago
  • Enough Already

    Why can’t you produce one episode where they don’t make a dig at the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel. Where all your female, gay and trans listeners can freely live as themselves. Nowhere else in the region can they do that. Or even produce a show like Wait,Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dfruchtman
    United States8 days ago
  • Dearest Dulce

    I’m trying my best to tolerate Dulce Sloan but find her loud, dominating commentary and laughter so off-putting. It’s not clever, funny, on point or cute — just overwhelming, brash and cringe. Please stop highjacking the format and other players input with your volume and unappealing audacity.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    stevenscold
    United States20 days ago
  • Never miss a show!

    Always a good part of Saturday morning and about the only way I can stomach the news right now😸

    I adore you, Peter!

    One question: Negin Farsad. Why?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    6;9!?$$!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Peak

    Peak

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peak!!!!!!!!!!!
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some detractors dislike non-political jokes or guest selections.
Overall positive, journalists praise humor and guests.
Listeners appreciate fast-paced, witty banter and diverse guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#93
United States/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#29
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#42
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#65
Canada/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#129
France/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Celebrating the 4th with nothing but bangers!
Q: Gerald Ratner was the head of Ratner's, Great Britain's largest jewelry store chain. How did he try to undo the damage when he called his own products crap?
He promoted the idea that crap meant cheap, reliable, and affordable prices by putting up a sign in the window; option B.
The Alzo Era begins in Austin!
Q: What is the Alzo era about and who is the new judge?
The new judge is Alzo Slade, introduced as the official judge and scorekeeper to oversee the game and scoring.
Breaking News from Wait Wait: Our new Judge and Scorekeeper is announced!
Q: Which of these was one of Alzo Slade's life honors? A) Mr. Prairie View A&M University Beauty Pageant, B) Acting Director of National Intelligence, C) Touring with prints as part of his personal photography team.
C) Touring with prints as part of his personal photography team.
Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!
Q: What was Lucy Dacus's first instrument and when did she start playing guitar?
She started with guitar around age 12 and believed that guitar was the instrument she grew up learning to express herself.
Brandi Carlile helps us say goodbye to Bill Kurtis!
Q: What was Brandi Carlile's early musical influence?
Her early influence was Elton John, which she describes as all-encompassing during her teenage years, including dressing like him for competitions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

What is Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly NPR comedy-news quiz blends sharp current-events trivia with big-name guests and quick-witted panel banter. Across episodes, listeners can expect rapid-fire games, celebrity interviews, reader-submitted limericks, and playful skits that riff on politics, culture, and technology. Noteworthy are high-profile celebrity appearances and a consistent mix of humor, insight, and NPR's signature smart, lighthearted tone. It's a good fit for listeners who enjoy timely satire, trivia, and entertaining interviews with a diverse roster of guests from sports, film, journalism, and entertainment.

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Which podcasts are similar to Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!:

1. This American Life
2. Fresh Air
3. The Moth
4. Radiolab
5. Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

How many episodes of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! are there?

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! launched 21 years ago and published 444 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!?

Recent guests on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! include:

1. Sally Field
2. Mary Roach
3. Tyler James Williams
4. Vicki Peterson
5. Jason Narducy
6. Aasif Mandvi
7. Stephen Malkmus
8. Caro Claire Burke

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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