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.Hate free content? Try a subscription to Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!+. Your subscription supports public radio and unlocks fun bonus episodes along with sponsor-free listening. Learn more at https://plus.npr.org/waitwait

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The World Cup, Trad Wives, and the Wedding of the Century
The World Cup, Trad Wives, and the Wedding of the Century episode artwork
Last Saturday at 8:00 AM

This week, Caro Claire Burke, the author of book of the summer "Yesteryear", joins panelists Karen Chee, Peter Grosz, and Shane O'Neill

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Insult Dogs and Emotional Support Alligators
Insult Dogs and Emotional Support Alligators episode artwork
06/13/2026

This week, Legendary comedy writer Robert Smigel (and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) join panelists Josh Gondelman, Shantira Jackson, and Shane Torres

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The Alzo Era begins in Austin!
The Alzo Era begins in Austin! episode artwork
06/06/2026

This week, we're live in Austin with special guest Elana Meyers Taylor; panelists Brain Babylon, Rachel Coster, and Tom Papa; and new judge and scorekeeper Alzo Slade!

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Breaking News from Wait Wait: Our new Judge and Scorekeeper is announced!
Breaking News from Wait Wait: Our new Judge and Scorekeeper is announced! episode artwork
06/04/2026

The orange smoke is rising from the chimney of the Studebaker Theater, which can only mean one thing: the time has come to name our new Judge and Scorekeeper!

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Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!
Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more! episode artwork
05/30/2026

This week, we celebrate an early start to summer by revisiting our interviews with Tiffany Haddish, Taimane, Becca Mann, and Lucy Dacus!

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Brandi Carlile helps us say goodbye to Bill Kurtis!
Brandi Carlile helps us say goodbye to Bill Kurtis! episode artwork
05/23/2026

This week, we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Bill Kurtis with Brandi Carlile and panelists Luke Burbank, Negin Farsad, and Paula Poundstone

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We make Ken Jennings relive the worst moment of his life
We make Ken Jennings relive the worst moment of his life episode artwork
05/16/2026

This week, legendary Jeopardy champion and host Ken Jennings joins panelists Tom Bodett, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Faith Salie to talk swearing on air and making up little lies to tell Alex Trebek


Correction: This episode incorrectly says that H&R Block owns the copyright for GIFs and that CompuServe, which H&R Block purchased in 1980, had owned the patent for the GIF. In fact, CompuServe invented the GIF, but another company, Unisys, owned the patent on the underlying technology, which expired in 2003.



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Spirit Airlines, The Book of Mormon, and Grunting
Spirit Airlines, The Book of Mormon, and Grunting episode artwork
05/09/2026

This week, Double-EGOT winner Bobby Lopez joins us to talk about the 15th anniversary of Book of Mormon, and panelists Hari Kondabolu, Roxanne Roberts, and Mo Rocca say a tearful farewell to Spirit Airlines

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We're live in San Diego with Ron Burgundy!
We're live in San Diego with Ron Burgundy! episode artwork
05/02/2026

This week, San Diego's own Ron Burgundy joins panelists Eugene Cordero, Paula Poundstone, and Alzo Slade to celebrate his friend and mentor Bill Kurtis

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HTDE: Burritos and Handshakes
HTDE: Burritos and Handshakes episode artwork
04/29/2026

Ian and Mike help a caller solve a handshake issue. Plus, how to mourn the loss of a favorite dish.


You can email your burning questions to howto@npr.org.

How To Do Everything is available without sponsor messages for supporters of Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me+, who also get bonus episodes of Wait Wait Don't…Tell Me! featuring show outtakes, extended guest interviews, and a chance to play an exclusive WW+ quiz game with Peter! Sign up and support NPR at plus.npr.org.

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We go to confessional with Father James Martin
We go to confessional with Father James Martin episode artwork
04/25/2026

This week, the FBI deals with some DUIs and special guest Father James Martin hears the confessions of guest host Tom Papa and panelists Josh Gondelman, Shantira Jackson, and Katie Nolan 

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We beef with the pontiff and admire the Stanley Cup
We beef with the pontiff and admire the Stanley Cup episode artwork
04/18/2026

This week, Phil Pritchard, NHL's Keeper of the Stanley Cup, joins us to about taking the cup jet-skiing and panelists Alonzo Bodden, Adam Burke, and Dulcé Sloan beef with the Pope and get misdiagnosed. 

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HTDE: Crushes and Smells
HTDE: Crushes and Smells episode artwork
04/15/2026

This week: How to tell your crush you like them. Plus, do smells really linger in your nose?


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Wait Wait goes wild on spring break
Wait Wait goes wild on spring break episode artwork
04/11/2026

This week, we're celebrating spring break with our friends Rhea Seehorn, Delroy Lindo, Andy Richter, and Jon M. Chu. Plus, the panel gets in on the fun with some of our favorite questions from this past year. 

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We become friends and neighbors with Olivia Munn
We become friends and neighbors with Olivia Munn episode artwork
04/04/2026

Olivia Munn talks casing Steve Martin's house and being the only actor to talk too fast for Aaron Sorkin. Plus, panelists Rachel Coster, Peter Grosz, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson visit the Supreme Court

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HTDE: Sheets and Blankets
HTDE: Sheets and Blankets episode artwork
04/01/2026

This week: Ian and Mike help a couple figure out who exactly is responsible for stealing the covers at night.

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We meet America's robo-teachers and take a nap in coach
We meet America's robo-teachers and take a nap in coach episode artwork
03/28/2026

This week, we're live in Savannah with actor and director D.W. Moffett and panelists Adam Burke, Shantira Jackson, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson

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We admire dimes and Aasif Mandvi gives breakup advice
We admire dimes and Aasif Mandvi gives breakup advice episode artwork
03/21/2026

This week, we talk new dimes and where to spend them, and special guest Aasif Mandvi tells us the best way to get over an ex.

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HTDE: Crickets and Clowns
HTDE: Crickets and Clowns episode artwork
03/18/2026

This week: How to tell the temperature outside without a thermometer. Plus, how clowns trademark their unique looks.


Featuring Marlene Zuk and Julie Proctor.

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How To Do Everythin...


John Cusack rides his Vespa straight into our hearts
John Cusack rides his Vespa straight into our hearts episode artwork
03/14/2026

This week, John Cusack joins us to talk high school reunions, graphic novels, and the secrets to keeping your Vespa's tank full. Plus, panelists Rachel Coster, Adam Felber, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson go on spring break

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We say "So long!" to Kristi Noem and Benetti plays ball
We say "So long!" to Kristi Noem and Benetti plays ball episode artwork
03/07/2026

This week, Luke Burbank, Negin Farsad, and Hari Kondabolu offer Kristi Noem some parting words and we quiz the new voice of Sunday Night Baseball, Jason Benetti, on his knowledge of confetti

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HTDE: The Breakfast Rule
HTDE: The Breakfast Rule episode artwork
03/04/2026

This week: How the Wait, Wait team decides what jokes are too inappropriate for the airwaves. Plus Mike and Ian help a caller with a personal grammar problem.

Featuring author Keith Houston.

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...


We tackle the SOTU and Olympian Lilly King talks trash
We tackle the SOTU and Olympian Lilly King talks trash episode artwork
02/28/2026

This week, we're live in Bloomington, Indiana with Olympic champion Lilly King and panelists Alonzo Bodden, Josh Gondelman, and Faith Salie

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We hold our own Olympic Games with our favorite guests
We hold our own Olympic Games with our favorite guests episode artwork
02/21/2026

This week, we give out our own Olympic gold medals to some of our favorite guests and segments of the past year, with Roy Choi, Cynthia Nixon, Ally the Piper, and more!

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HTDE: Curling Stones and Halfpipe Lines
HTDE: Curling Stones and Halfpipe Lines episode artwork
02/18/2026

More behind the scenes at the Milan Cortina Olympics with unsung heroes of the Winter Games. Mike and Ian talk with a curling legend, find out where those big stones come from and meet a guy snowboarders couldn't land without.

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Our panel heads to Milan and Arden Cho hunts demons
Our panel heads to Milan and Arden Cho hunts demons episode artwork
02/14/2026

This week, KPop Demon Hunters' Arden Cho joins us to talk about Rumi, the World Series of Poker, and how NOT to behave when you're about to propose. Plus, the Tom Papa, Paula Poundstone, and Beth Stelling shut down El Paso's airport and confess to cheating at the Olympics. 

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HTDE: Forks and Ice Masters
HTDE: Forks and Ice Masters episode artwork
02/11/2026

This week: Mike and Ian talk with an Olympic Ice Master, help a listener who keeps meeting people with their same name, and get to the bottom of a mysterious survey glitch.

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Librarian Mychal Threets talks rebooting Reading Rainbow and our panel eats goo
Librarian Mychal Threets talks rebooting Reading Rainbow and our panel eats goo episode artwork
02/07/2026

This week, we're joined by Mychal Threets, the world's most popular librarian, who talks about Library Joy and rebooting Reading Rainbow. Plus, panelists Tom Bodett, Josh Gondelman, and Tig Notaro prepare for the big game by eating goo

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HTDE: Torches and Ski Jumps
HTDE: Torches and Ski Jumps episode artwork
02/04/2026

Mike and Ian are back, just in time for the opening ceremony at the Winter Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina. Olympians and Starfleet Captains share how to carry the torch, fly through the air, and mentally prepare for the big games.


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"Wicked" director Jon M. Chu talks Elphaba-branded Swiffers and we preview "Melania"
"Wicked" director Jon M. Chu talks Elphaba-branded Swiffers and we preview "Melania" episode artwork
01/31/2026

"Wicked" director Jon M. Chu talks Elphaba-branded Swiffers and panelists Negin Farsad, Peter Grosz, and Annie Rauwerda preview "Melania: A Documentary"

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WWDTM: Kevin O'Leary
WWDTM: Kevin O'Leary episode artwork
01/24/2026

This week, special guest Kevin O'Leary joins panelists Adam Burke, Shantira Jackson, and Mo Rocca

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WWDTM: Kali Reis
WWDTM: Kali Reis episode artwork
01/17/2026

This week, special guest Kali Reis joins panelists Rachel Coster, Hari Kondabolu, and Luke Burbank

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WWDTM: Pedro Pascal, Chris Perfetti, Heather Gay, and more!
WWDTM: Pedro Pascal, Chris Perfetti, Heather Gay, and more! episode artwork
01/12/2026

This week, we anticipate good things from 2026 by remembering the moments that made 2025 so fun

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WWDTM: Delroy Lindo
WWDTM: Delroy Lindo episode artwork
01/10/2026

This week, special guest Delroy Lindo joins Paula Poundstone, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Roy Blount, Jr. 

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WWDTM: Carissa Moore, Bob Costas, and Jim Rice
WWDTM: Carissa Moore, Bob Costas, and Jim Rice episode artwork
12/27/2025

This week, we celebrate the holidays with some of our favorite guests and a trip back to Hawaii!

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WWDTM: Rhea Seehorn
WWDTM: Rhea Seehorn episode artwork
12/20/2025

This week, special guest Rhea Seehorn joins panelists Josh Gondelman, Hari Kondabolu, and Paula Poundstone

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We ask Peter about the guest who's most surprised him, plus other listener questions
We ask Peter about the guest who's most surprised him, plus other listener questions episode artwork
12/16/2025

It's another Peter AMA (Ask Me Anything)! Wait Wait visual host Emma Choi puts your questions to the big man himself -- Peter Sagal. If he had to listen to one song for the rest of his life what would it be? What actor would Peter cast to play him in a Wait Wait movie? What does Peter listen to when he runs? We get answers to those and other questions, including one about Peter's role in the making of "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights"?!?!? 

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WWDTM: Lucy Dacus
WWDTM: Lucy Dacus episode artwork
12/13/2025

This week, special guest Lucy Dacus joins panelists Tom Bodett, Adam Burke, and Helen Hong

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HTDE: One-Liners and Free Throws
HTDE: One-Liners and Free Throws episode artwork
12/10/2025

Ian and Mike help a listener lighten the mood with her clients, help another listener mess with an opponent’s free throw shot, and Peter Sagal shares his secret for falling asleep on an airplane.


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WWDTM: Andy Richter
WWDTM: Andy Richter episode artwork
12/06/2025

We're live in Phoenix with special guest Andy Richter and panelists Alonzo Bodden, Luke Burbank, and Shantira Jackson!

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