Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

NPR

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.

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Our Editor's Take

The beloved radio news quiz show Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me made its modest debut on Chicago's WBEZ in 1998. Since then, the program has become an institution on NPR and as a podcast. The Peabody winner now brings its distinctive news quiz format to an audience of six million listeners per week.

Wait Wait's format remains roughly the same as it has for decades. Listeners know to expect the same popular segments at the same time every episode. These include Bluff the Listener, Not My Job, and Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank. Call-in audience members can compete in certain games, as well. And comedians and entertainers become the contestants during two separate question-and-answer sessions. A celebrity guest usually calls in to join the Not My Job segment. The show's longtime host is writer/actor Peter Sagal. Famed Chicago newscaster and true crime TV announcer Bill Kurtis handles emcee duties.

Producers launched a shorter offshoot podcast of Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me in February 2022. Everyone & Their Mom sees host Emma Choi select one story that everyone is talking about that week. Pithy discussions with comedians, Wait Wait panelists, and other public figures soon follow. The program broadcasts on Wednesdays. Aside from its availability as an on-demand podcast on Amazon Music, Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me airs on NPR's network of FM radio stations on weekends.

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