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Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

NPR
NPR
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Thanksgiving
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Judith Butler
Pedro Pascal
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Olympic Trials

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 weeklyEpisodes449Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyLeisure

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Artwork for Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Latest Episodes

This week, magician Carisa Hendrix joins panelists Peter Grosz, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Tig Notaro to talk fire-eating, drag, and cheetos.

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks inclu... more

This week, we extend our summer break with Ken Jennings, Olivia Munn, Father James Martin, and Bobby Lopez!

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes, the chance to be... more

YouTube

This week, we celebrate our endless summer with some of our favorite guests, including Jason Benetti, Mychal Threets, Lily King, and Renee Rapp!

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks inc... more

YouTube

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

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Bobby López
Composer, EGOT winner, Book of Mormon
Magical Mormon Mystery Week; Book of Mormon
Episode: The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 2!
Jason Benetti
Sportscaster, NBC Sunday Night Baseball voice
NBC
Episode: The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 1!
Lily King
Olympic swimmer, Hoosier Athletics icon
USA Swimming / IU
Episode: The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 1!
Renée Rapp
Singer, actor, Twilight trivia subject
Music/Acting
Episode: The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 1!
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

Hosts

Peter Sagal
Host of the show and primary moderator with a long-running NPR/WBEZ Chicago association.
Alzo Slade
Host/announcer and the show's segment introducer and facilitator.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 44.2k 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 States2 months ago
  • Peak

    Peak

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Peak!!!!!!!!!!!
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's humor, banter, and guest variety, with many noting it's a weekend staple for laughter.
Fans value quick-witted format and strong guests, though some complain about pacing or political humor tilt.
Critiques often center on occasional tonal shifts or preference for a particular panelist or guest.
Positive feedback highlights engaging hosts and memorable moments from celebrity guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#135
United States/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#34
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
United States/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#225
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#31
Canada/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 1!
Q: Which colors or flavors were used in the limited Skittles edition that was not well received in 2019?
Zombie Skittles were the flavor that caused the controversy; Suppository Skittles and Giraffe-themed flavors were part of the misdirection, but the correct answer was 'Zombie Skittles.'
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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 fast-paced, comedy-infused NPR news quiz that blends sharp current-events banter with celebrity interviews and game segments. Panels riff on headlines, culture, and tech, punctuated by rapid-fire quizzes, limericks, and live audience participation. Notable for a rotating cast of well-known comedians and high-profile guests, it often mixes humor with insightful discussions, making it engaging for listeners who enjoy topical satire and pop-culture trivia. The show's format—celebrity interviews intertwined with crowd-only games—gives sponsors and guests opportunities for cross-promotional moments and broad appeal to both news-savvy and entertainment-focused audiences.

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To see how many followers or subscribers Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 449 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. Bobby López
2. Jason Benetti
3. Lily King
4. Renée Rapp
5. Sally Field
6. Mary Roach
7. Tyler James Williams
8. Vicki Peterson

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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